Regulatory T cells in the actinic cheilitis

• Published in: Journal of oral pathology & medicine Vol. 43; no. 10; pp. 754 - 760
• Main Authors: Gasparoto, Thaís Helena, de Souza Malaspina, Tatiana Salles, Damante, José Humberto, de Mello Jr, Edgard Franco, Ikoma, Maura Rosane Valério, Garlet, Gustavo Pompermaier, Costa, Maria Renata Sales Nogueira, Cavassani, Karen Angélica, da Silva, João Santana, Campanelli, Ana Paula
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frederiksberg Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.2014; Wiley
• Subjects: actinic cheilitis; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; CD4 Antigens - analysis; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Cell Proliferation; Cheilitis - blood; Cheilitis - immunology; Cheilitis - pathology; Dentistry; Dermatology; Humans; IL-10; Inflammation Mediators - immunology; Interferon-gamma - analysis; Interleukin-10 - analysis; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit - analysis; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Lip Neoplasms - immunology; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Lymphocyte Count; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Multiple tumors. Solid tumors. Tumors in childhood (general aspects); Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Phenotype; potentially malignant lesion; Precancerous Conditions - immunology; Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - pathology; Transforming Growth Factor beta - analysis; Tregs; Tumor Microenvironment - immunology; Tumors; Photosensitivity; Skin disease; Actinic cheilitis; Stomatology; Tregs; potentially malignant lesion; ENT; Malignant tumor; IL-10; Lip; Immunological investigation; Interleukin 10; T-Lymphocyte; Oral cavity disease; Lesion; Cancer; actinic cheilitis
• ISSN: 0904-2512; 1600-0714
• DOI: 10.1111/jop.12207

Background Actinic cheilitis (AC) is an oral potentially malignant lesion which is the counterpart of actinic keratosis of the skin and has potential to develop into squamous cell carcinoma. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have a critical role in modulating the antitumor immune responses. The presence of regulatory T cells in potentially malignant lesions has not been described. We chose investigate the involvement of regulatory T cells in potentially malignant lesions. Methods The frequency, phenotype, and activity of CD4+CD25+ T cells isolated from blood and lesion of AC patients were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytokines were quantified by ELISA. Data were compared with samples from healthy subjects. Results The frequency and suppressor activity of circulating CD4+CD25+ T cells was similar in AC patients and control subjects. However, the frequencies of IL‐10‐positive Tregs were higher in AC patients, and these cells inhibited interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) and increased interleukin (IL)‐10 productions in co‐cultures. Furthermore, CD4+CD25+ T cells accumulate in AC lesions. Lesions‐derived regulatory T cells suppressed lymphocyte proliferation and pro‐inflammatory cytokine production. Moreover, high levels of IL‐10 and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), and low IFN‐γ were detected in the potentially malignant lesions. Conclusion Therefore, our data show that Tregs accumulate in AC lesions, and these cells could be suppressing immune responses in a potentially malignant microenvironment.