Yonsei Med J.  2008 Dec;49(6):942-948. 10.3349/ymj.2008.49.6.942.

Prevalence of Foxp3 Positive T Regulatory Cells is Increased during Progression of Cutaneous Squamous Tumors

• Jang TJ

• KMID: 1782942
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2008.49.6.942

Abstract

PURPOSE
Forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) positive T regulatory cells (Tregs) have a functionally immunosuppressive property that prevents effector cells from acting against self in autoimmune diseases or a tumor. It is known that Tregs may be highly relevant in cancer progression. Dendritic cells (DCs) induce cutaneous immune response, however several studies have suggested that DCs are involved in immunosuppression. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of Tregs and DCs infiltration in cutaneous premalignant and malignant squamous lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated Tregs and DCs in skin tissue samples obtained from 83 patients with actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease or squamous cell carcinoma by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The prevalence of Tregs and DCs was significantly higher in squamous cell carcinoma and Bowen's disease than in actinic keratosis. In addition, the number of DCs was closely correlated with the prevalence of Tregs, and DCs were also located in direct proximity to Tregs. CONCLUSION: Tregs is related to cutaneous squamous tumor progression.

Keyword

Forkhead box p3; T regulatory cells; skin tumor

MeSH Terms

Bowen's Disease/immunology/metabolism/pathology
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology/metabolism/pathology
Dendritic Cells/immunology/metabolism/pathology
Forkhead Transcription Factors/immunology/*metabolism
Humans
Immune Tolerance
Keratosis, Actinic/immunology/metabolism/pathology
Skin Neoplasms/*immunology/metabolism/pathology
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/*immunology/metabolism/pathology

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Double-staining immunohistochemistry with anti-Foxp3 antibody (pink) and a anti-CD4 antibody (brown) in human tonsil (A), and combination of immunohistochemical staining for S100 and Foxp3 (B). (A) Some of CD4(+) lymphocytes show positive signal for Foxp3 (arrow). (B) Tregs (arrow) stay in close proximity to S100(+) DC (arrowhead).

• 

  Fig. 2 Foxp3 LI (A) and representative pictures of immunohistochemical staining for Foxp3 (B, C, and D) in actinic keratosis (AK, B), Bowen's disease (BD, C), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, D). Foxp3 LI was significantly higher in SCC and BD than in AK (p<0.05).

• 

  Fig. 3 The number of DCs (A) and representative pictures of immunohistochemical staining for S100 in AK (B), BD (C) and SCC (D). The number of DCs was significantly higher in SCC and BD than in AK (p<0.05). DCs, dendritic cells; AK, actinic keratosis; BD, Bowen's disease; SCC, squamous cell carcinoma.

• 

  Fig. 4 Correlation between Foxp3 LI and the number of dendritic cells. The number of DCs was closely correlated with Foxp3 LI (r = 0.378, p< 0.05).

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