Ligand–receptor dissociated expression explains high TSLP without prognostic impact in human primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guillot-Delost, Maude; Guilleré, Lia; Berger, Frédérique; Ventre, Aurore; Michea, Paula; Sirven, Philémon; Pattarini, Lucia; Scholer-Dahirel, Alix; Kebir, Fatima-Zahra; Huerre, Michel; Chouchane-Mlik, Olfa; Lappartient, Emmanuelle; Rodriguez, José; Jouffroy, Thomas; Klijanienko, Jerzy; Nicolas, André; Sastre-Garau, Xavier; Honorio, Sofia; Mosseri, Véronique; Le Peltier, Nelly; Sablin, Marie-Paule; Le Tourneau, Christophe; Tartour, Éric; Badoual, Cécile; Soumelis, Vassili
• Is Part Of: Oncoimmunology. Volume 5:Number 7(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Cytokines -- dendritic cells -- head and neck squamous cell carcinoma -- thymic stromal lymphopoietin -- tumor microenvironment; Tumors -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- therapy -- Periodicals; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1080/2162402X.2016.1179414
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2162-402X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an interleukin (IL)-7-like cytokine expressed by epithelial cells during allergic inflammation, and activating dendritic cells (DC). Its expression and functional role in cancer remain controversial. We conducted retrospective (n = 89), and prospective studies including patients with untreated primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We found that TSLP was overexpressed by HNSCC tumor cells, and associated with a highly differentiated status. However, no significant difference in overall and recurrence-free survival was found between patients bearing a tumor with high and low TSLP levels, respectively. Surprisingly, there was no significant association between the levels of TSLP expression, and the number of tumor-infiltrating mature DCLAMP + DC. In order to explain the apparent lack of TSLP-induced DC activation, we performed phenotypic and functional experiments on freshly resected tumors. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells, including DC, did not express the TSLP receptor heterodimer (TSLPR chain, IL-7Ralpha chain). Furthermore, freshly sorted blood CD11c + DC from healthy donors cultured with tumor-conditioned supernatant exhibited an activated profile, but this was not affected by an anti-TSLP blocking antibody, suggesting a DC activation pathway independent of tumor-derived TSLP. Overall, our results demonstrate that TSLP is overexpressed in HNSCC but its function is hampered by the lack of TSLPR-expressing cells in the tumor microenvironment. Such a dissociated ligand–receptor expression may impact intercellular communication in other immune activation pathways, and tumor types.