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Role of NK cell subsets in organ-specific murine melanoma metastasis
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Role of NK cell subsets in organ-specific murine melanoma metastasis

Zuhair K Ballas, Claire M Buchta, Timothy R Rosean, Jonathan W Heusel and Michael R Shey
PloS one, Vol.8(6), pp.e65599-e65599
2013
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065599
PMCID: PMC3679158
PMID: 23776508
url
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0065599View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Tumor metastasis plays a major role in the morbidity and mortality of cancer patients. Among solid tumors that undergo metastasis, there is often a predilection to metastasize to a particular organ with, for example, prostate cancer preferentially metastasizing to bones and colon cancer preferentially metastasizing to the liver. Although many factors are thought to be important in establishing permissiveness for metastasis, the reasons for organ-specific predilection of each tumor are not understood. Using a B16 murine melanoma model, we tested the hypothesis that organ-specific NK cell subsets play a critical role in organ-specific metastasis of this tumor. Melanoma cells, given intravenously, readily colonized the lungs but not the liver. NK cell depletion (either iatrogenically or by using genetically targeted mice) resulted in substantial hepatic metastasis. Analysis of NK cell subsets, defined by the differential expression of a combination of CD27 and CD11b, indicated a significant difference in the distribution of NK cell subsets in the lung and liver with the mature subset being dominant in the lung and the immature subset being dominant in the liver. Several experimental approaches, including adoptive transfer, clearly indicated that the immature hepatic NK cell subset, CD27+ CD11b-, was protective against liver metastasis; this subset mediated its protection by a perforin-dependent cytotoxic mechanism. In contrast, the more mature NK cell subsets were more efficient at reducing pulmonary tumor load. These data indicate that organ-specific immune responses may play a pivotal role in determining the permissiveness of a given organ for the establishment of a metastatic niche.
Melanoma Melanoma, Experimental - complications Liver Neoplasms - immunology Male Lung Neoplasms - immunology Animals Melanoma, Experimental - immunology Lung Neoplasms - secondary Cell Line, Tumor Killer Cells, Natural - immunology Mice Killer Cells, Natural - metabolism Liver Neoplasms - secondary

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