1.Prognostic value of serum CD4+ and NK cells for the treatment response in children with aplastic anemia.
Chun-Can WU ; Mei YAN ; Hailiguli NURIDDIN ; Xu-Kai MA ; Yu LIU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(6):690-695
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the clinical value of CD4⁺ cell percentage (CD4⁺%) and NK cell percentage (NK%) in predicting treatment outcomes in children with aplastic anemia (AA), providing a reference for precise diagnosis and treatment.
METHODS:
This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of AA children treated with cyclosporine A at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2019 to April 2024. The study involved 48 AA children as the observation group and 50 children undergoing medical check-ups during the same period as the control group. Lymphocyte subset data were collected from both groups to analyze differences and their relationship with treatment efficacy. Based on hematological responses, the observation group was divided into an effective group of 18 patients (HR group, including complete and partial remission) and an ineffective group of 30 patients (NHR group, including non-remission).
RESULTS:
Univariate analysis showed that NK% in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The observation group was followed up for 3 months. The HR group had a lower CD4⁺% than the NHR group (P=0.018) and a higher NK% than the NHR group (P=0.029). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that a high CD4⁺% was a risk factor for poor treatment efficacy (OR=1.062), whereas a high NK% was a protective factor (OR=0.820). The area under the curve for the prediction of HR in pediatric AA by combining CD4⁺% and NK% was 0.812.
CONCLUSIONS
A higher CD4⁺% at diagnosis is a predictor of poor treatment response, whereas a higher NK% is associated with better outcomes.
Humans
;
Anemia, Aplastic/blood*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Killer Cells, Natural
;
Child
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Child, Preschool
;
Prognosis
;
Adolescent
;
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
;
Infant
2.The Significance of Bone Marrow Plasma Cell Percentage and Immature Plasma Cells in the Prognosis of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients.
Yuan-Yuan ZHANG ; Qi-Ke ZHANG ; Xiao-Fang WEI ; You-Fan FENG ; Yuan FU ; Fei LIU ; Qiao-Lin CHEN ; Yang-Yang ZHAO ; Xiu-Juan HUANG ; Yang CHEN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(2):469-474
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the significance of the plasma cell percentage and immature plasma cells in the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM).
METHODS:
The clinical data of 126 newly diagnosed MM patients in Gansu Provincial Hospital from June 2017 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The enrolled patients were divided into a higher plasma cell percentage group (group A) and a lower plasma cell percentage group (group B) according to the median plasma cell percentage (33.5%). The clinicopathological data of the two groups were compared, and the effect of plasma cell percentage on the prognosis of MM patients was analyzed using survival curves. On this basis, group A and group B were divided into subgroups with immature plasma cells (A1 group, B1 group) and subgroups without immature plasma cells (A2 group, B2 group), respectively, then the survival curves were used to analyze the effect of immature plasma cells on the prognosis of MM patients.
RESULTS:
Among the 126 patients with MM, the proportions of patients with ISS stage III, elevated β2-microglobulin(β2-MG) level, and immature plasma cells in Group A were significantly higher compared those in Group B ( P =0.015, P =0.028, P =0.010). The median overall survival(OS) and progression-free survival(PFS) of group A were 32 months and 10 months, respectively. The median OS of group B was not reached, and the median PFS was 32 months. The 3-year OS rates of patients in group A and group B were 46.7% and 62.2%, respectively ( P =0.021), and the 3-year PFS were 29.2% and 42.5%, respectively ( P =0.033). There were no significant differences in OS and PFS between group A1 and group A2, or between group B1 and group B2 ( P >0.05). Multivariate COX survival analysis showed that the plasma cell percentage ≥33.5%(HR=1.253, 95%CI : 0.580-2.889, P =0.018), age ≥65 years (HR=2.206, 95%CI : 1.170-3.510, P =0.012), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) ≥250 U/L (HR=1.180, 95%CI : 0.621-2.398, P =0.048) and β2-MG ≥3.5 mg/L (HR=1.507, 95%CI : 0.823-3.657, P =0.036) were independent risk factors affecting OS in MM patients.
CONCLUSION
MM patients with a higher plasma cell percentage (≥33.5%) at the initial diagnosis have a later disease stage, poorer OS and PFS, compared to the patients with a lower percentage(<33.5%) of plasma cells. The presence or absence of immature plasma cells has no significant impact on the survival of MM patients.
Humans
;
Multiple Myeloma/pathology*
;
Prognosis
;
Plasma Cells/cytology*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Bone Marrow
3.Correlation between Expression Levels of Tim-3, C-myc and Proportion of T Lymphocyte Subsets and Prognosis in Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Yu-Chai ZHONG ; Ke-Ding HU ; Yi-Rong JIANG ; Xiao-Wen HUANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1299-1304
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the correlation between the expression levels of Tim-3, C-myc and the proportion of T lymphocyte subsets and prognosis in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
METHODS:
The research group selected 60 ALL patients admitted to our hospital from December 2019 to December 2021, while the control group selected 55 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examination in our hospital. The expression levels of Tim-3, C-myc mRNA and the proportion of T lymphocyte subsets in the two groups were detected. The mortality rate of ALL patients was calculated, and the correlation between the expression levels of Tim-3, C-myc, and the proportion of T lymphocyte subsets and pathological features and prognosis was analyzed.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, the levels of Tim-3, C-myc and CD8+ in the research group were increased, while the levels of CD3+ , CD4+ and CD4+ /CD8+ were decreased (all P < 0.001). The levels of Tim-3, C-myc mRNA, CD3+ , CD4+ , CD8+ , CD4+ /CD8+ were correlated with risk classification and extramedullary infiltration (all P < 0.05). The survival rate of patients with low expression of Tim-3, C-myc, and CD8+ was higher than that of patients with high expression, while the survival rate of patients with high expression of CD3+ , CD4+ , and CD4+ /CD8+ was higher than that of patients with low expression (all P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the deceased patients had higher proportions of extramedullary infiltration and high-risk classification, as well as higher levels of Tim-3, C-myc, and CD8+ , while lower levels of CD3+ , CD4+ , and CD4+ /CD8+ compared with surviving patients (all P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that extramedullary invasion, risk classification, Tim-3, C-myc, CD3+ , CD4+ , CD8+ , CD4+ /CD8+ were the main factors affecting the prognosis of ALL patients (all P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the combination of Tim-3, C-myc, and T lymphocyte subsets had higher sensitivity and accuracy in predicting prognosis of ALL patients compared with the single diagnosis of Tim-3, C-myc, CD3+ , CD4+ , CD8+ , and CD4+ /CD8+ (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
ALL patients show higher levels of Tim-3, C-myc mRNA and CD8+ but lower levels of CD3+ , CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+. Moreover, the expression levels of Tim-3, C-myc, CD3+ , CD4+ , CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ are correlated with extramedullary invasion, high-risk classification and prognosis.
Humans
;
Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/metabolism*
;
Prognosis
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/metabolism*
;
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/diagnosis*
;
T-Lymphocyte Subsets
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Adolescent
;
RNA, Messenger
4.The Expression and Significance of PD-1, Th1, Th2, and Th17 Cytokines in Multiple Myeloma.
Di LIU ; Qian CHEN ; Ling LI ; Hua-Xin JIANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1366-1373
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the expression and clinical significance of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1), Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in multiple myeloma (MM).
METHODS:
A total of 76 MM patients treated in the Tengzhou Central People's Hospital from May 2021 to May 2023 were collected as MM group, and 48 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination during the same period were included as control group. The expression of PD-1 on the surface of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the levels of serum Th1 cytokines [interleukin (IL) -2, interferon γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)], Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) and Th17 cytokines (IL-17) were detected in the two groups. Spearman correlation was used to examine the relationship between PD-1, Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokines and clinical stage and immune typing of MM patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors affecting the efficacy of chemotherapy in MM patients, and the factors were tested for multicollinearity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of PD-1, Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokines in chemotherapy efficacy of MM patients.
RESULTS:
The levels of CD4+T PD-1, CD8+T PD-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 in the MM group were higher than those in the control group, while the levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were lower (all P <0.001). The levels of CD4+T PD-1, CD8+T PD-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 in R-ISS stage III patients were higher than those in stage II and I patients, and the levels in stage II patients were higher than those in stage I patients (all P <0.05). The IL-2 level in R-ISS stage III patients was lower than that in stage II and I patients, and IL-2 level in R-ISS stage II patients was lower than that in stage I patients (all P <0.05). The levels of CD4+T PD-1, CD8+T PD-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 in IgG patients were higher than those in IgA, light chain, and non secretory patients, while the level of IL-2 was lower (all P <0.05). Correlation analysis showed that CD4+T PD-1, CD8+T PD-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 were positively correlated with R-ISS staging in MM patients (r =0.623, 0.635, 0.728, 0.330, 0.742, 0.412), and negatively correlated with immune classification (r =-0.664, -0.756, -0.642, -0.479, -0.613, -0.323). IL-2 was negatively correlated with R-ISS staging in MM patients (r =-0.280), and positively correlated with immune classification (r =0.483). The levels of CD4+T PD-1, CD8+T PD-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 in the non-remission group were higher than those in the remission group, while the level of IL-2 was lower (all P <0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increased CD4+T PD-1, CD8+T PD-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17 were risk factors for the efficacy of chemotherapy in MM patients (OR >1, P <0.05), while the increased IL-2 was a protective factor (OR < 1, P <0.05). The results of multicollinearity test showed that the tolerance of the seven factors included was between 0.714-0.885, and the variance inflation factor was between 1.130-1.400. There was no multicollinearity. The ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve for the combined prediction of chemotherapy efficacy in MM patients by the above 7 factors was 0.942, with specificity of 0.741 and sensitivity of 0.909.
CONCLUSION
The expression levels of PD-1 on the surface of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and serum Th2 and Th17 cytokines in MM patients are high, while Th1 cytokines are low. PD-1, Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines are related to clinical stage and immune classification of MM patients. The combined detection of these indicators can help predict the chemotherapy efficacy of MM patients.
Humans
;
Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolism*
;
Multiple Myeloma/blood*
;
Cytokines/metabolism*
;
Th17 Cells/metabolism*
;
Th1 Cells/metabolism*
;
Th2 Cells/metabolism*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Interleukin-10
;
Interferon-gamma
;
Middle Aged
;
Interleukin-17
;
Interleukin-2
;
Interleukin-4
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
;
Interleukin-6
;
Aged
5.A Study of Flow Sorting Lymphocyte Subsets to Detect Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation in Patients with Hematological Malignancies.
Hui-Ying LI ; Shen-Hao LIU ; Fang-Tong LIU ; Kai-Wen TAN ; Zi-Hao WANG ; Han-Yu CAO ; Si-Man HUANG ; Chao-Ling WAN ; Hai-Ping DAI ; Sheng-Li XUE ; Lian BAI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1468-1475
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) load in different lymphocyte subsets, as well as clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies experiencing EBV reactivation.
METHODS:
Peripheral blood samples from patients were collected. B, T, and NK cells were isolated sorting with magnetic beads by flow cytometry. The EBV load in each subset was quantitated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Clinical data were colleted from electronic medical records. Survival status was followed up through outpatient visits and telephone calls. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0.
RESULTS:
A total of 39 patients with hematologic malignancies were included, among whom 35 patients had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The median time to EBV reactivation was 4.8 months (range: 1.7-57.1 months) after allo-HSCT. EBV was detected in B, T, and NK cells in 20 patients, in B and T cells in 11 patients, and only in B cells in 4 patients. In the 35 patients, the median EBV load in B cells was 2.19×104 copies/ml, significantly higher than that in T cells (4.00×103 copies/ml, P <0.01) and NK cells (2.85×102 copies/ml, P <0.01). Rituximab (RTX) was administered for 32 patients, resulting in EBV negativity in 32 patients with a median time of 8 days (range: 2-39 days). Post-treatment analysis of 13 patients showed EBV were all negative in B, T, and NK cells. In the four non-transplant patients, the median time to EBV reactivation was 35 days (range: 1-328 days) after diagnosis of the primary disease. EBV was detected in one or two subsets of B, T, or NK cells, but not simultaneously in all three subsets. These patients received a combination chemotherapy targeting at the primary disease, with 3 patients achieving EBV negativity, and the median time to be negative was 40 days (range: 13-75 days).
CONCLUSION
In hematologic malignancy patients after allo-HSCT, EBV reactivation commonly involves B, T, and NK cells, with a significantly higher viral load in B cells compared to T and NK cells. Rituximab is effective for EBV clearance. In non-transplant patients, EBV reactivation is restricted to one or two lymphocyte subsets, and clearance is slower, highlighting the need for prompt anti-tumor therapy.
Humans
;
Hematologic Neoplasms/virology*
;
Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology*
;
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Virus Activation
;
Lymphocyte Subsets/virology*
;
Flow Cytometry
;
Killer Cells, Natural/virology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
B-Lymphocytes/virology*
;
Viral Load
;
Adult
;
T-Lymphocytes/virology*
;
Middle Aged
6.RNA Sequencing Reveals Molecular Alternations of Splenocytes Associated with Anti-FⅧ Immune Response in Hemophilia A Murine Model.
Chen-Chen WANG ; Ya-Li WANG ; Yuan-Hua CAI ; Qiao-Yun ZHENG ; Zhen-Xing LIN ; Ying-Yu CHEN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1476-1485
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the molecular alterations of splenocytes associated with anti-factor Ⅷ (FⅧ) immune response and the underlying mechanisms based on hemophilia A (HA) murine model via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology.
METHODS:
Severe HA mice were immunized with recombinant human factor Ⅷ (rhF8) weekly for 4 weeks to establish an FⅧ inhibitor model. High quality raw data were obtained by using bulk RNA-seq and CASAVA base identification technology, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. The DEGs were statistically classified by gene ontology (GO) annotation to obtain information on the major signaling pathways and biological processes involved in anti-FⅧ immune response in HA mouse splenocytes. The cell clusters, genes, and signaling pathway datasets were comprehensively analyzed by GO, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and single cell RNA-seq (ScRNA-seq) analysis, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis was used to verify the changes in T follicular helper cells (Tfh) and regulatory T cells (Treg).
RESULTS:
A total of 3731 DEGs was identified, including 2275 genes with up-regulated expression and 1456 genes with down-regulated expression. The DEGs were enriched in helper T cell differentiation, cytokine receptor, T cell receptor signaling pathway, ferroptosis, etc. Uniform Manifold Approximation and Project (UMAP) downscaling and visualization analysis yielded a total number of 11 T/NK cell subsets, visualizing the overall expression distribution of C-X-C chemokine-specific receptor gene cxcr5 among these T/NK cell subsets. Higher expression of cxcr5 was found in activated Tfh from FⅧ inhibitor mice, in comparison to the control group. The visualization using Upset plot R language showed a close interaction between Tfh and Treg. Moreover, the increased frequencies of Tfh and the decreased frequencies of Treg in inhibitor mouse splenocytes were further verified by flow cytometry analysis.
CONCLUSION
Multiple immune cell subsets, signaling pathways, and characteristic genes may be involved in the process of anti-FⅧ immune response in HA mouse splenocytes. The molecules involved in the regulation of Tfh/Treg may play key roles, which provide potential biological targets and therapeutic strategies for HA patients with inhibitors in the future.
Animals
;
Hemophilia A/genetics*
;
Mice
;
Sequence Analysis, RNA
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Spleen/cytology*
;
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology*
;
Humans
;
Signal Transduction
;
Factor VIII/immunology*
;
T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology*
7.OX40 ligand promotes follicular helper T cell differentiation and development in mice with immune thrombocytopenia.
Ziyin YANG ; Lei HAI ; Xiaoyu CHEN ; Siwen WU ; Yan LV ; Dawei CUI ; Jue XIE
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(3):240-253
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a hemorrhagic autoimmune disease characterized by antibody-mediated platelet injury. ITP has complicated immunopathological mechanisms that need further elucidation. It is well known that the costimulatory molecules OX40 ligand (OX40L) and OX40 play essential roles in the immunological mechanisms of autoimmune diseases. Previously, we discovered that the expression of OX40L and OX40 is significantly increased in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of ITP patients. In our present study, OX40L-induced follicular helper T (Tfh) cells exhibited an activated phenotype with elevated expression of inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS), programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), and cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (CD40L) in vitro. Moreover, aberrant OX40L‒OX40 expression might promote the Tfh1-to-Tfh2 shift in vivo, inducing the generation of autoantibodies by enhancing the helper function of Tfh cells for B lymphocytes in a mouse model, which might accelerate the progression of ITP. Additionally, signal transduction through the OX40L‒OX40 axis might be related to the activation of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF)‒nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and Janus kinase (JAK)‒signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways. Overall, OX40L‒OX40 signaling is proposed as a potential novel therapeutic target for ITP.
Animals
;
OX40 Ligand/physiology*
;
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/immunology*
;
Cell Differentiation
;
Mice
;
T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/cytology*
;
T Follicular Helper Cells/cytology*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Receptors, OX40
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Humans
;
Female
8.Cimifugin ameliorates Crohn's disease-like colitis in mice by modulating Th-cell immune balance via inhibiting the MAPK pathway.
Lixia YIN ; Minzhu NIU ; Keni ZHANG ; Zhijun GENG ; Jianguo HU ; Jiangyan LI ; Jing LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(3):595-602
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the therapeutic effects of cimifugin on Crohn's disease (CD)-like colitis in mice and its possible mechanism.
METHODS:
Thirty adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomized equally into control group, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced CD-like colitis model group, and cimifugin treatment (daily gavage at 12.5 mg/kg) group. The therapeutic effect of cimifugin was evaluated by observing changes in body weight, disease activity index (DAI) scores, colon length, histopathological inflammation scores, and inflammatory cytokine levels in the colonic mucosa. Intestinal barrier integrity in the mice was assessed using immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting for claudin-1 and ZO-1; T-helper (Th) cell subset ratios in the mesenteric lymph nodes were analyzed with flow cytometry. Network pharmacology, KEGG enrichment analysis and molecular docking were used to predict the targets of cimifugin and analyze the key pathways and cimifugin-MAPK protein interactions, which were validated by Western blotting in the mouse models.
RESULTS:
In mice with TNBS-induced colitis, cimifugin treatment significantly attenuated body weight loss and colon shortening, lowered DAI and histopathological scores, decreased IFN-γ and IL-17 levels, and increased IL-4 and IL-10 levels in the colonic mucosa. Cimifugin treatment also significantly improved TNBS-induced claudin-1 dislocation and reduction of goblet cells, upregulated claudin-1 and ZO-1 expressions, reduced Th1 and Th17 cell percentages, and increased Th2 and Treg cell percentages in the colonic mucosa of the mice. KEGG analysis suggested a possible connection between the effect of cimifugin and MAPK signaling, and molecular docking showed strong binding affinity between cimifugin and MAPK core proteins. Western blotting demonstrated significantly decreased phosphorylation levels of JNK, ERK, and p38 in the colonic mucosa of cimifugin-treated mouse models.
CONCLUSIONS
Cimifugin alleviates TNBS-induced CD-like colitis by repairing intestinal barrier damage and restoring Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg balance via suppressing MAPK pathway activation.
Animals
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Male
;
Mice
;
Crohn Disease/immunology*
;
Colitis/immunology*
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects*
;
Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
;
T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/drug effects*
;
Intestinal Mucosa
;
Disease Models, Animal
9.Correlations of immune cell infiltration characteristics with clinicopathological parameters in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Huaxuan ZHAO ; Guichao ZHANG ; Jiarong LIU ; Futian MO ; Taoen LI ; Chengyong LEI ; Shidong LÜ
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(6):1280-1288
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the characteristics of immune cell infiltration in tumor samples from Chinese patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and the correlation of immune cell infiltration with tumor stage and response to immunotherapy.
METHODS:
Tumor samples and clinicopathological data were collected from 154 ccRCC patients treated in Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from October, 2020 to October, 2023. The immune cell types infiltrating the tumor tissues were identified using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining, and their correlations with the patients' clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Patient-derived tumor tissue fragment models (PDTF) models, constructed using tumor tissues from 22 patients, were treated with PD-1 monoclonal antibody, and T cell activation was detected using flow cytometry to assess the patients' responses to immunotherapy.
RESULTS:
In Chinese ccRCC patients included in this study, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD3+ T cells were the most abundant in the tumor tissues. Higher infiltration levels of CD3+ T cells (P=0.004), PD-1+ T cells (P=0.020), CD68+ T cells (P=0.049), CD79+ T cells (P=0.049), and Tryptase+ cells (P=0.049) were all positively correlated with a larger tumor size (≥5 cm). A higher infiltration level of CD4+ T cells was associated with a lower tumor stage. Patients with higher International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grades had higher infiltration levels of CD3+ T cells (P=0.023), CD8+ T cells (P=0.045), PD-1+ T cells (P=0.014), CD20+ B cells (P=0.020) and CD79+ B cells (P=0.049), and lower levels of Tryptase+ cells (P=0.001). Patients with abundant infiltrating immune cells tended to have better responses to immunotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS
The infiltrating immune cells are heterogeneous in Chinese ccRCC patients, and immune cell infiltration characteristics are closely correlated with clinicopathological parameters of the patients.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology*
;
Kidney Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Immunotherapy
;
Male
;
Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology*
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology*
;
Aged
;
T-Lymphocytes/immunology*
;
Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/immunology*
;
Adult
;
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology*
;
Neoplasm Staging
10.Pirfenidone inhibits bladder cancer xenograft growth in mice by regulating regulatory T cells.
Hongbo ZHANG ; Mengyu YAN ; Jiandong ZHANG ; Peiwang SUN ; Rui WANG ; Yuanyuan GUO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(7):1513-1518
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the inhibitory effect of pirfenidone (PFD) on growth of bladder cancer xenograft and its regulatory effect on Treg cells in tumor-bearing mice.
METHODS:
Thirty-two C57BL/6 mice bearing ectopic bladder tumors were randomized into control and PFD groups (n=16). In PFD group, PFD was administered orally at the daily dose of 500 mg/kg, and tumor growth and survival of the mice were monitored. After treatment for 21 days, the tumors and vital organs were harvested for analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess CD3, CD4, CD8, and FOXP3 expressions in the tumors. Flow cytometry and RT-qPCR were used to analyze the percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ Treg cells and IL-2, IL-10, and IL-35 expressions in the tumors and spleens; organ damage of the mice was examined with HE staining.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, the PFD-treated mice exhibited significantly lower tumor growth rate with smaller tumor volumes at day 21, along with improved survival at day 28. Immunohistochemistry revealed no significant differences in the infiltration of CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ cells between the two groups, but the percentages of CD4⁺ and FOXP3⁺ cells were significantly lower in the tumors of PFD-treated mice. Flow cytometric analysis confirmed a decrease in CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ Treg cells in the tumors from PFD-treated mice, which also had reduced expression levels of IL-2, IL-10 and IL-35 mRNAs in the tumors. No significant differences were found in Treg cell populations or cytokine expressions in the spleen tissues between the two groups. HE staining showed obvious organ damage in neither of the groups.
CONCLUSIONS
PFD inhibits bladder cancer growth and enhances survival of tumor-bearing mice possibly by suppressing Treg cells in the tumor microenvironment.
Animals
;
Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Mice
;
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Interleukins/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-10/metabolism*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Interleukin-2/metabolism*
;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
;
Female

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