转移性黑色素瘤患者循环 TGF-β1 升高与 NK 细胞效应功能受损相关

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF- ) plays a complex role in carcinogenesis. In 30 melanoma patients and 20 healthy controls (HC) we analysed functional and phenotypic characteristics of NK cells by Flow cytometry, gene expression of TGF- 1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by qPCR and serum and supernatant level of free TGF- 1 by ELISA. Melanoma patients had significantly higher serum level of circulatingTGF- 1 compared to HC, especially those with metastasis into the central nervous system (subclass M1d) and high LDH serum values.

Melanoma patients compared to HC had significantly higher level of TGF- 1 gene in PBMC. TGF- 1 serum values negatively correlate with NK cell activity analysed by CD107a (degranulation marker), IFN- , NKG2D, and NKp46 in patients. Study shows the association of high level of TGF- 1 with NK cell inhibition in patients represents the main mechanism of tumour immune evasion. Targeting TGF- may become an important cancer treatment for improving antitumor immunity.