Th inducing POZ-Kruppel Factor (ThPOK) is a key regulator of the immune response since the early steps of colorectal carcinogenesis

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 8; no. 1; p. e54488
• Main Authors: Mariani, Francesco, Sena, Paola, Pedroni, Monica, Benatti, Piero, Manni, Paola, Di Gregorio, Carmela, Manenti, Antonio, Palumbo, Carla, de Leon, Maurizio Ponz, Roncucci, Luca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 17.01.2013; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Aberrant Crypt Foci - genetics; Aberrant Crypt Foci - immunology; Aberration; Adenoma - metabolism; Adenoma - pathology; Biology; Cancer; Carcinogenesis; Carcinogens; Carcinoma - metabolism; Carcinoma - pathology; CD4 antigen; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; CD56 antigen; CD8 antigen; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Cell fate; Cell Lineage - genetics; Cell Lineage - immunology; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Colonoscopy; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal carcinoma; Colorectal Neoplasms - genetics; Colorectal Neoplasms - immunology; Colorectal Neoplasms - pathology; Confocal microscopy; Cytotoxicity; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - immunology; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Immune response; Immune system; Internal medicine; Kruppel protein; Lesions; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes T; Medical prognosis; Medicine; Microscopy; Morphology; Mucosa; Mucous Membrane - metabolism; Mucous Membrane - pathology; Patients; T cell receptors; T cells; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - immunology; Tumors
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054488

We purposed to evaluate the role of Th inducing POZ-Kruppel Factor (ThPOK), a transcriptional regulator of T cell fate, in tumour-induced immune system plasticity in colorectal carcinogenesis. The amounts of CD4+, CD8+ and CD56+ and ThPOK+ cells infiltrate in normal colorectal mucosa (NM), in dysplastic aberrant crypt foci (microadenomas, MA), the earliest detectable lesions in colorectal carcinogenesis, and in colorectal carcinomas (CRC), were measured, and the colocalization of ThPOK with the above-mentioned markers of immune cells was evaluated using confocal microscopy. Interestingly, ThPOK showed a prominent increase since MA. A strong colocalization of ThPOK with CD4 both in NM and in MA was observed, weaker in carcinomas. Surprisingly, there was a peak in the colocalization levels of ThPOK with CD8 in MA, which was evident, although to a lesser extent, in carcinomas, too. In conclusion, according to the data of the present study, ThPOK may be considered a central regulator of the earliest events in the immune system during colorectal cancer development, decreasing the immune response against cancer cells.