OBJECTIVETo analyze the expression of co-stimulatory molecules PD-1/PD-L1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in lung cancer patients, and to explore its biological significance.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-three lung cancer patients, 25 lung infection patients and 23 healthy donors were enrolled in this study. 100 µl of whole blood from these subjects were collected. Multi-color immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to detect PD-1/PD-L1 expression. The results were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThe expression level of CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells in the lung cancer patients was (38.83 ± 1.74)%, significantly lower than that in the control group [(43.25 ± 3.35)%, P < 0.05]. CD8⁺CD28⁺ T cell subset in the peripheral blood of lung cancer patients was (17.73 ± 1.21)% significantly lower than that of the healthy donors [(27.96 ± 2.72)%, P < 0.01]. The CD8⁺CD28⁻ T cell subset was (21.19 ± 1.92)% in the lung cancer patients, significantly higher than that of the healthy control group [(15.18 ± 2.93)%, P < 0.05]. The expression level of PD-1 on the surface of CD8⁺CD28⁺ T cells was (10.67 ± 1.12)% in the group of lung cancer patients, significantly higher than that of the control group [(5.32 ± 1.58)%, P < 0.01]. It was also found that the expression of PD-1 on CD8⁺CD28⁻ T cells was up-regulated in the group of lung cancer patients (7.46 ± 1.25)%, significantly higher than that of the healthy control group [(2.68+1.07)%, P < 0.01]. The expression level of PD-L1 on CD68⁺ cells in the lung cancer patients was (16.03 ± 2.06)%, significantly higher than that of the healthy control group [(9.32 ± 2.00)%, P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONUp-regulation of PD-1/PD-L1 on peripheral blood cells in lung cancer patients negatively regulates the lymphocytes, inhibits the immune response for killing tumor cells, and promotes tumor development and immune escape.