Interaction between Neutrophil Granulocytes and tumor cells based on head and neck Carcinoma

 

Introduction Neutrophil granulocytes are the most abundant immune cell type in the tumor microenvironment (TME). An increased infiltration of tumor tissue and a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte-ratio are associated with bad prognosis for patients with HNSCC. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of neutrophils in the peripheral blood in the progression of HNSCC and gain information on functional aspects of activation and change in phenotype mediated by cytokines of the tumor.

Material and methods Venous blood was drawn from 5 HNSCC patients and 5 healthy donors. The isolated neutrophils were polarized into pro-tumor and anti-tumor phenotypes by adding TGF-β/CCL20 as well as LPS/IFN-γ. Cell activation and polarization was analyzed using flow cytometry to measure the protein expression on the cell surface.

Results Stimulating neutrophils with TGF-β and CCL20 didn"t show any change in cell activity. Neutrophils in the blood stream of tumor patients didn"t show any overexpression of the marker CD66b. The stimulation with LPS and IFN-γ did show a significant shift in the surface expression of the proteins CD66b, CCR6 and CD62L, indicating an activation of the neutrophils, degranulation and polarization towards an anti-tumor phenotype.

Discussion Neutrophil granulocytes of the peripheral blood can be affected in their immunologic function through cytokines and seem to differ from tissue-resident neutrophils in HNSCC concerning surface protein expression. An investigation of further influential factors seems promising.

Publication History

Article published online:
19 April 2024

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