Tumor-induced senescent T cells promote the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors by human monocytes/macrophages through a mechanism that involves Tim-3 and CD40L

Cell Death Dis. 2014 Nov 6;5(11):e1507. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2014.451.

Abstract

Solid tumors are infiltrated by immune cells where macrophages and senescent T cells are highly represented. Within the tumor microenvironment, a cross-talk between the infiltrating cells may occur conditioning the characteristic of the in situ immune response. Our previous work showed that tumors induce senescence of T cells, which are powerful suppressors of lympho-proliferation. In this study, we report that Tumor-Induced Senescent (TIS)-T cells may also modulate monocyte activation. To gain insight into this interaction, CD4+ or CD8+TIS-T or control-T cells were co-incubated with autologous monocytes under inflammatory conditions. After co-culture with CD4+ or CD8+TIS-T cells, CD14+ monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Ma) exhibit a higher expression of CD16+ cells and a reduced expression of CD206. These Mo/Ma produce nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species; however, TIS-T cells do not modify phagocyte capacity of Mo/Ma. TIS-T modulated-Mo/Ma show a higher production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1β and IL-6) and angiogenic factors (MMP-9, VEGF-A and IL-8) and a lower IL-10 and IP-10 secretion than monocytes co-cultured with controls. The mediator(s) present in the supernatant of TIS-T cell/monocyte-macrophage co-cultures promote(s) tubulogenesis and tumor-cell survival. Monocyte-modulation induced by TIS-T cells requires cell-to-cell contact. Although CD4+ shows different behavior from CD8+TIS-T cells, blocking mAbs against T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin protein 3 and CD40 ligand reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors production, indicating that these molecules are involved in monocyte/macrophage modulation by TIS-T cells. Our results revealed a novel role for TIS-T cells in human monocyte/macrophage modulation, which may have deleterious consequences for tumor progression. This modulation should be considered to best tailor the immunotherapy against cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • CD40 Ligand / genetics
  • CD40 Ligand / metabolism*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Survival
  • Cellular Senescence
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / genetics
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HeLa Cells
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • Humans
  • Lectins, C-Type / genetics
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism
  • Mannose Receptor
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins / genetics
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Monocytes / cytology
  • Monocytes / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Receptors, IgG / genetics
  • Receptors, IgG / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • FCGR3B protein, human
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • HAVCR2 protein, human
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Mannose Receptor
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, IgG
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • CD40 Ligand
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9