Abstract
CD94/NKG2A is an inhibitory receptor expressed by NK cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes
and, upon activation by HLA-E, downregulates the cytolytic activities of these cells
thus representing a tumour immune escape mechanism.
This study was aimed at assessing whether cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8+) and NK cells
from malignant pleural effusions have a deregulated expression of CD94/NKG2A.
The expression of membrane CD94/NKG2A and perforin was evaluated by flow-cytometry
in CD8+ and NK cells from pleural effusions and autologous peripheral blood of cancer
(n = 19) and congestive heart failure (CHF) (n = 11) patients. Intracellular CD94/NKG2A expression was evaluated by flow-cytometry
in pleural effusion CD8+ and NK cells from cancer patients (n = 10). Cytotoxic activity against cancer cells exerted by pleural and autologous peripheral
blood T lymphocytes from cancer patients was assessed by flow-cytometry assay.
Pleural CD8+ from cancer patients showed a reduced expression of membrane CD94/NKG2A
and perforin when compared to autologous peripheral blood and CHF pleural effusions.
Reduced numbers of NK cells were present in pleural effusions from both cancer and
CHF patients. Pleural NK from cancer patients showed a reduced expression of membrane
CD94/NKG2A and perforin when compared to autologous peripheral blood. Pleural T lymphocytes
from cancer patients exhibited a reduced cytotoxic activity against cancer cells when
compared to autologous peripheral blood T lymphocytes. The intracellular expression
of CD94/NKG2A in CD8+ and NK cells from cancer patients was higher than membrane expression.
In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidences of new mechanisms underlying
the reduced host defence against cancer within the pleural space.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 08, 2010
Accepted:
September 2,
2010
Received in revised form:
August 16,
2010
Received:
June 15,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
