Regulatory CD4(+)CD25(Hi) T cells (Treg) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) molecule have emerged as pivotal players in immune regulation. However, the underlying mechanisms by which they impact antigen-specific CD8(+) immune responses in cancer patients and how they interact with each other under physiologic conditions remain unclear. Herein, we examined the relationship of PD-1 and its abrogation to the function of Treg in patients with melanoma using short-term in vitro assays to generate melanoma-specific T cells.
We identified Treg in the circulation of vaccinated melanoma patients and detected PD-1 expression on vaccine-induced melanoma antigen-specific CTLs, as well as on and within Treg from patients' peripheral blood.
Programmed death ligand (PD-L) 1 expression was also detected on patients' Treg. PD-1 blockade promoted the generation of melanoma antigen-specific CTLs and masked their inhibition by Treg. The mechanisms by which PD-1 blockade mediated immune enhancement included direct augmentation of melanoma antigen-specific CTL proliferation, heightening their resistance to inhibition by Treg and direct limitation of the inhibitory ability of Treg. PD-1 blockade reversed the increased expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 on melanoma antigen-specific CTL by Treg, rescued INF-gamma and IL-2 or INF-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha co-expression and expression of IL-7 receptor by melanoma antigen-specific CTL which were diminished by Treg. PD-1 blockade also resulted in down-regulation of intracellular FoxP3 expression by Treg. These data suggest that PD-1 is importantly implicated in the regulation of Treg function in melanoma patients.
2009-08-26
Eng.
International immunology
Donald A Adam Comprehensive Melanoma Research Center, Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, SRB-24324, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. wenshi.wang [at] moffitt.org
Int Immunol. 2009 Sep;21(9):1065-77
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