Lung carcinomas decrease the number of monocytes/macrophages (CD14+ cells) that produce TNF-α

• Published in: Clinical Immunology Vol. 122; no. 3; pp. 323 - 329
• Main Authors: Lopez-Gonzalez, Jose Sullivan, Avila-Moreno, Federico, Prado-Garcia, Heriberto, Aguilar-Cazares, Dolores, Mandoki, Juan Jose, Meneses-Flores, Manuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01.03.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - immunology; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Adenocarcinoma - secretion; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Allergy and Immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - immunology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - secretion; Cell Communication - immunology; Cell Count; Coculture Techniques; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Immunopathology; Immunophenotyping; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors - biosynthesis; Lung cancer; Lung Neoplasms - immunology; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Lung Neoplasms - secretion; M2 phenotype; Macrophages; Macrophages - immunology; Macrophages - pathology; Macrophages - secretion; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Peripheral blood; Pleural effusion; Smoking and non-smoking subjects; Tuberculosis; Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - biosynthesis; U937 Cells; M2 phenotype; Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; Tuberculosis; Lung cancer; Peripheral blood; Pleural effusion; Macrophages; Smoking and non-smoking subjects; Tobacco smoking; Mycobacterial infection; Bronchopulmonary carcinoma; Blood; Immunology; Pleurisy; Bronchus disease; Tumor necrosis factor α; Human; Immunopathology; Lung disease; Monocyte; Respiratory disease; Cytokine; Malignant tumor; Infection; Non smoker; Phenotype; Tumor necrosis factor; Tumor necrosis factor-aipha; Bacteriosis; Pleural disease; Macrophage
• ISSN: 1521-6616; 1521-7035; 1365-2567
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2006.11.003

Abstract The role that inflammation plays in cancer is puzzling. In peripheral blood, TNF-α-producing monocytes (CD14+ cells) were compared among patients with lung cancer, patients with tuberculosis and healthy donors; also, in pleural effusion TNF-α-producing CD14+ cells were compared between tuberculous patients and lung cancer patients. To analyze the level of the cellular alteration in TNF-α production, an experimental model was set up. TNF-α-producing CD14+ cells in peripheral blood from lung cancer patients were significantly lower than those from healthy donors. In pleural effusion, TNF-α-producing CD14+ cells were significantly lower in lung cancer patients than in tuberculous patients. Based on the results obtained from an experimental model, we suggest that this phenomenon was attributed to a reduced expression of TNF-α transcript. These findings provide evidence that lung carcinomas reduce TNF-α production by macrophages, possibly by inducing in these cells an M2 phenotype, which favor tumor progression.