Human tumour-associated NK cells secrete increased amounts of interferon-7 and interleukin-4

32Citations
Citations of this article
6Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.
Get full text

Abstract

Numerous interactions between malignant and stromal/inflammatory cells take place within solid human tumours, which are mediated, in part, by the release of signalling proteins called cytokines. In the present study, we have compared the secretion of two important immunomodulatory cytokines, IFN-γ and IL-4 by individual, immunophenotyped NK cells freshly isolated from either malignant tumour biopsies, or peripheral blood samples from patients with ductal invasive breast cancer. Due to the marked heterogeneity amongst cells isolated from these clinical samples, we have employed a technique called the reverse haemolytic plaque assay to identify and enumerate cytokine-secreting cells at the single cell level. Our data indicate that NK cells isolated directly from the tumour site secrete more IFN-γ and IL-4 than NK cells from the blood of the same patients. However, a greater proportion of CD16+ cells from both sources in breast cancer patients secreted IFN-γ than of those from the blood of healthy donors. We also show that factors secreted by the human breast cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-231 PN9, were able to mimic the stimulatory influence of the tumour microenvironment on secretory activity of NK cells. © 1991 Macmillan Press Ltd.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Lorenzen, J., Lewis, C. E., McCracken, D., Horak, E., Greenall, M., & McGee, J. O. (1991). Human tumour-associated NK cells secrete increased amounts of interferon-7 and interleukin-4. British Journal of Cancer, 64(3), 457–462. https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1991.331

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free