The expression and association of CD14(+) HLA-DR(Low/-) myeloid-derived suppressor cell-like cells and interleukin-1β in ovarian cancer

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the percentage of CD14(+) HLA-DR(Low/-) myeloid-derived suppressor cell-like cell subtypes(MDSCs) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) concentration in peripheral blood and ascites of ovarian cancer patients, and to explore their association with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: Blood samples of 31 patients and ascites of 5 patients in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2016 to December 2016 were collected. Blood samples of 20 healthy volunteers with matched age were collected as control. The percentages of CD14(+) HLA-DR(Low/-) cell subtypes in CD14(+) monocytes were collected by flow cytometry and their phenotypes were analyzed. qRT-PCR was used to analyze the expression of immunosuppression factors in this subtype. ELISA was used to analyze IL-1β concentration in peripheral blood and ascites of ovarian cancer patients and healthy controls. The correlation between CD14(+) HLA-DR(Low/-) cell percentage and IL-1β concentration was explored. The association between CD14(+) HLA-DR(Low/-) cell percentage, IL-1β concentration and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Results: The percentage of CD14(+) HLA-DR(Low/-) cells in CD14(+) monocytes of peripheral blood of healthy controls was (2.30±0.49)%, and the percentage in ovarian cancer patients was (3.74±0.95)%, with statistical significance (t=6.96, P<0.01). This cell subset showed similar phenotypes and factor expression with monocytic MDSCs. The percentage of CD14(+) HLA-DR(Low/-) cells in peripheral blood ascites of ovarian cancer patients was (16.60±7.35)%, significantly higher than those in peripheral bloods (4.03±0.94)%(t=3.87, P<0.05). The concentration of IL-1β in peripheral blood of healthy controls was[3.88(0.41, 7.07)]ng/L, and the concentration in ovarian cancer patients was (12.77±3.52) ng/L, with statistical significance (Z=-4.93, P<0.01). IL-1β concentration in ascites of ovarian cancer patients was (62.17±23.05) ng/L, significantly higher than that in peripheral bloods (12.65±3.93) ng/L(t=5.20, P<0.01). IL-1β concentration was correlated with CD14(+) HLA-DR(Low/-) cell percentage in ovarian cancer patients (R(2)=0.36 in peripheral blood, P<0.01; R(2)=0.68 in ascites, P<0.05), but not in healthy controls (R(2)=0.02, P>0.05). The percentage of CD14(+) HLA-DR(Low/-) cells and IL-1β concentration were associated with metastasis and FIGO stage of ovarian cancer. Conclusion: The elevated percentage of CD14(+) HLA-DR(Low/-) cells and IL-1β concentration might involve in the development of ovarian cancer.