Myeloid-derived Suppressor Regulatory Cells Research Articles

IRF8 Is a Negative Regulator of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells

Abstract Tumor-derived factors downregulate IRF8 in myeloid progenitors to induce MDSC accumulation.

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Deficiency Ameliorates Murine Experimental Colitis via the Expansion of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a key molecule in modulating low-degree inflammatory conditions such as diabetes. The role of PTP1B in other chronic inflammations, however, remains unknown. Here, we report that PTP1B deficiency ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced murine experimental colitis via expanding CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Employing DSS-induced murine experimental colitis as inflammatory animal model, we found that, compared with wild-type littermates, PTP1B-null mice demonstrated greater resistance to DSS-induced colitis, as reflected by slower weight-loss, greater survival rates and decreased PMN and macrophage infiltration into the colon. The evidence collectively also demonstrated that the resistance of PTP1B-null mice to DSS-induced colitis is based on the expansion of MDSCs. First, PTP1B-null mice exhibited a greater frequency of MDSCs in the bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood and spleen when compared with wild-type littermates. Second, PTP1B levels in BM leukocytes were significantly decreased after cells were induced into MDSCs by IL-6 and GM-CSF, and the MDSC induction occurred more rapidly in PTP1B-null mice than in wild-type littermates, suggesting PTP1B as a negative regulator of MDSCs. Third, the adoptive transfer of MDSCs into mice with DSS-colitis significantly attenuated colitis, which accompanies with a decreased serum IL-17 level. Finally, PTP1B deficiency increased the frequency of MDSCs from BM cells likely through enhancing the activities of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). In conclusion, our study provides the first evidences that PTP1B deficiency ameliorates murine experimental colitis via expanding MDSCs.

Tumor-Derived Lactate Modifies Antitumor Immune Response: Effect on Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and NK Cells

In this study, we explore the hypothesis that enhanced production of lactate by tumor cells, because of high glycolytic activity, results in inhibition of host immune response to tumor cells. Lactate dehydrogenase-A (LDH-A), responsible for conversion of pyruvate to lactate, is highly expressed in tumor cells. Lentiviral vector-mediated LDH-A short hairpin RNA knockdown Pan02 pancreatic cancer cells injected in C57BL/6 mice developed smaller tumors than mice injected with Pan02 cells. A decrease occurred in the frequency of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the spleens of mice carrying LDH-A-depleted tumors. NK cells from LDH-A-depleted tumors had improved cytolytic function. Exogenous lactate increased the frequency of MDSCs generated from mouse bone marrow cells with GM-CSF and IL-6 in vitro. Lactate pretreatment of NK cells in vitro inhibited cytolytic function of both human and mouse NK cells. This reduction of NK cytotoxic activity was accompanied by lower expression of perforin and granzyme in NK cells. The expression of NKp46 was decreased in lactate-treated NK cells. These studies strongly suggest that tumor-derived lactate inhibits NK cell function via direct inhibition of cytolytic function as well as indirectly by increasing the numbers of MDSCs that inhibit NK cytotoxicity. Depletion of glucose levels using a ketogenic diet to lower lactate production by glycolytic tumors resulted in smaller tumors, decreased MDSC frequency, and improved antitumor immune response. These studies provide evidence for an immunosuppressive role of tumor-derived lactate in inhibiting innate immune response against developing tumors via regulation of MDSC and NK cell activity.

Therapeutic regulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and immune response to cancer vaccine in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are one of the major factors limiting the efficacy of immune therapy. In a clinical trial of patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC), we tested the possibility that targeting MDSC can improve the induction of immune responses by a cancer vaccine. Forty-one patients with extensive stage SCLC were randomized into three arms: arm A--control, arm B--vaccination with dendritic cells transduced with wild-type p53, and arm C--vaccination in combination with MDSC targeted therapy with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Interim results of the ongoing clinical trial are presented. Pre-treatment levels of MDSC populations in patients from all three arms were similar. Vaccine alone did not affect the proportion of MDSC, whereas in patients treated with ATRA, the MDSC decreased more than twofold (p = 0.02). Before the start of treatment, no patients had detectable p53-specific responses in IFN-γ ELISPOT. Sequential measurements did not show positive p53 responses in any of the 14 patients from arm A. After immunization, only 3 out of 15 patients (20 %) from arm B developed a p53-specific response (p = 0.22). In contrast, in arm C, 5 out of 12 patients (41.7 %) had detectable p53 responses (p = 0.012). The proportion of granzyme B-positive CD8(+) T cells was increased only in patients from arm C but not in arm B. Depletion of MDSC substantially improved the immune response to vaccination, suggesting that this approach can be used to enhance the effect of immune interventions in cancer.

Abstract IA7: Regulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumor micro-environment.

Abstract Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) is a major factor responsible for tumor escape. These cells accumulate in large numbers in tumor-bearing hosts and are characterized by their myeloid origin, immature state, and, most importantly, by their potent ability to suppress different aspects of immune responses, primarily T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. This heterogeneous group of cells, consists of immature myeloid cells (IMC) with morphological and phenotypic characteristics, similar to that of monocytes (M-MDSC) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN-MDSC). However, MDSC have a distinct gene expression profile and a number of biochemical, and functional, differences from monocytes (Mon) and neutrophils (PMN). In tumor-bearing hosts, there is a constant influx of myeloid cells from the bone marrow to other peripheral organs. Soluble growth factors and certain cytokines produced by tumor cells modulate, expand and differentiate these immature myeloid cells by interacting with the receptors on their surface and converting them to a suppressive phenotype. Recently, “two-signal” model of MDSC accumulation was proposed. This model suggests that accumulation of MDSC can be separated into two processes governed by different signal transduction pathways. One pathway is predominantly responsible for MDSC expansion and the second one for driving MDSC activation. The fate of MDSC remains poorly understood. We found, contrary to our initial expectations, that MDSC, in tumor-bearing mice and cancer patients, have a substantially lower survival than their control counterparts, Mon and PMN. We have identified possible mechanism of this phenomenon and suggested that it can be used for selective elimination of MDSC in tumor-bearing hosts. Citation Format: Dmitry Gabrilovich. Regulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumor micro-environment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology: Multidisciplinary Science Driving Basic and Clinical Advances; Dec 2-5, 2012; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(1 Suppl):Abstract nr IA7.

Tumor‐induced myeloid‐derived suppressor cell function is independent of IFN‐γ and IL‐4Rα

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are present in most cancer patients and experimental animals where they exert a profound immune suppression and are a significant obstacle to immunotherapy. IFN-γ and IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα) have been implicated as essential molecules for MDSC development and immunosuppressive function. If IFN-γ and IL-4Rα are critical regulators of MDSCs, then they are potential targets for preventing MDSC accumulation or inhibiting MDSC function. Because data supporting a role for IFN-γ and IL-4Rα are not definitive, we have examined MDSCs induced in IFN-γ-deficient, IFN-γR-deficient, and IL-4Rα-deficient mice carrying three C57BL/6-derived (B16 melanoma, MC38 colon carcinoma, and 3LL lung adenocarcinoma), and three BALB/c-derived (4T1 and TS/A mammary carcinomas, and CT26 colon carcinoma) tumors. We report that although MDSCs express functional IFN-γR and IL-4Rα, and have the potential to signal through the STAT1 and STAT6 pathways, respectively, neither IFN-γ nor IL-4Rα impacts the phenotype, accumulation, or T-cell suppressive potency of MDSCs, although IFN-γ and IL-4Rα modestly alter MDSC-macrophage IL-10 crosstalk. Therefore, neither IFN-γ nor IL-4Rα is a key regulator of MDSCs and targeting these molecules is unlikely to significantly alter MDSC accumulation or function.

Negative Regulation of Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells in Cancer

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells with suppressive function on immune response. In this review, we discuss recent studies about mechanisms of expansion and suppressive function of MDSCs during inflammation, infection and autoimmune diseases, as well as pro-angiogenic and pro-metastatic functions of these cells in tumor development. Further, we focus on novel studies of MDSCs and therapeutic approaches to eliminate these cells in cancer.

Two SHIPs passing in the middle of the immune system

Immunity requires a complex, multiscale system of molecules, cells, and cytokines. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Collazo et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2012. 42: 1785-1796] provide evidence that links the lipid phosphatase SHIP1 with the coordination of interactions between regulatory T (Treg) cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Using conditional knockouts of SHIP1 in either the myeloid or T-cell-lineage of mice, the authors show that the regulated development of Treg cells is controlled directly by cell-intrinsic SHIP1, and indirectly by extrinsic SHIP1 control of an unknown myeloid cell. Regulation of MDSCs is also determined by SHIP1 in an extrinsic manner, again via an as-yet-unknown myeloid cell. Furthermore, this extrinsic control of Treg cells and MDSCs is mediated in part by increased production of G-CSF, a growth factor critical for the production of neutrophils, in SHIP1-deficient mice. Thus, a physiologically important implication of this report is the collaboration between the innate and adaptive immune systems in fine tuning of Treg cells as discussed in this commentary.

PreImplantation Factor (SPIF*) selective modulation of NK cytotoxicty and activity in vitro in IVF patients. SPIF* Proprietary

Mouse mammary tumor virus-Neu (MMTV/neu) transgenic mice on an FVB-background (FVB-neuN) have increased numbers of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T-cells (T-regs) in the spleen during mammary tumor induction and progression. Using this transgenic tumor model, we assessed the therapeutic activity of sunitinib, a multi-targeted, tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor and its effects on immune-regulatory cells. Our preliminary results show that sunitinib at 40 mg/kg/day, p.o. (per os), delayed the time to tumor induction and reduced the incidence and growth of tumors in FVB-neuN mice. In association with its therapeutic activity, sunitinib reduced the absolute number of splenic T-reg cells (CD4+CD25+CD62L+) and MDSCs (CD11b+Gr1+) that were increased during tumor progression with less activity in mice with gross tumors. A significant decrease in the absolute number of splenic T-regs, dendritic cells (DCs), MDSCs and hematopoietic progenitors (Lin−Sca1+CD90dull) was observed following sunitinib treatment. The frequency of splenic T-regs and hematopoietic progenitors, but not MDSCs was also reduced by sunitinib treatment. Additionally immune-regulatory cytokines and enzymes were down regulated by sunitinib treatment, including TGFβ and NOS2 in the spleen cells of sunitinib treated mice as compared to untreated tumor bearing (TB) mice. We conclude that sunitinib has therapeutic activity, in association with the down regulation of MDSCs and T-regs and has a trend towards the normalization of the inflammatory cytokine levels induced by tumor progression and growth. Based on these results, we suggest that sunitinib reduction of immune suppressive cells is a critical part of its adjuvant immune therapeutic activity.

Abstract 4260: Histone deacetylase 11 (HDAC11) as a novel therapeutic target in the regulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC)

Abstract The physiological role of this HDAC11, the newest member of the HDAC family was mainly unknown until the discovery by our group that HDAC11 regulates IL-10 gene expression in myeloid cells in-vitro. To better elucidate the role of HDAC11 in these cells, we have utilized HDAC11 promoter-driven eGFP reporter transgenic mice (TgHDAC11-eGFP) which allow us to “visualize” dynamic changes in HDAC11 gene expression /transcriptional activity in immune cells in vivo. Immature myeloid cells (IMCs) differentiate into macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils and are also considered to be precursors of MDSCs in tumor-bearing hosts. Here, we show for the first time that HDAC11 plays an important role in this process. First, IMCs from the bone marrow and spleen of TgHDAC11-eGFP mice display high expression of eGFP indicative of HDAC11 transcriptional activation in these cells in the steady state. Subcutaneous injection of EL4 tumor cells into these mice resulted in expansion of MDSCs (identified by the expression of CD11b+/GR1+ [Ly6G and Ly6C] with variable expression of CD49d and CD115) in their lymphoid organs which was similar in extent to the expansion observed in tumor-bearing wild type (WT) mice. Of note, flow cytometric analysis revealed that expression of eGFP was significantly decreased in the myeloid compartment of tumor bearing TgHDAC11-eGFP mice, with greatest decrease in the Ly6Chigh population suggesting that the transition of IMC into MDSCs might require a decrease in HDAC11 expression. Reminiscent of our findings in the eGFP mice, studies in nontransgenic mice also demonstrated that tumor derived MDSCs display less HDAC11 mRNA expression compared to splenic MDSCs, with lowest expression of HDAC11 in the Ly6Chigh MDSCs. Additional support for the regulatory role of HDAC11 in MDSC expansion/function has been recently provided by our preliminary functional studies in TgHDAC11-eGFP mice which demonstrates that isolated GR1+/eGFP- cells demonstrate more suppressive phenotype than that of GR1+/eGFP+ cells, in the presence of tumor challenge. Taken together, these results suggest that HDAC11 plays a regulatory role in the expansion and function of MDSCs in vivo. A better understanding of this previously unknown role of HDAC11 in MDSC biology might lead to targeted epigenetic therapies to influence the suppressive abilities of these cells and augment the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches against malignancies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4260. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4260

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Protect Islet Transplants by B7-H1 Mediated Enhancement of T Regulatory Cells

Side effects of lifetime immunosuppression for cell transplants often outweigh the benefits; therefore, induction of transplant tolerance is needed. We have shown that cotransplantation with myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) effectively protect islet allografts from rejection without requirement of immunosuppression. This study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms. MDSC were generated by addition of hepatic stellate cells from various stain mice into dendritic cell (DC) culture. The quality of MDSC was monitored by phenotype and function analyses. MDSC mixed with islet allografts were transplanted into diabetic recipients. T-cell response was analyzed after transplantation by using flow and histochemical analyses, and was compared with islet alone and islet/DC transplant groups. B7-H1 knockout mice were used to determine the role of B7-H1 on MDSC in regulation of T-cell response. Cotransplantation with MDSC (not DC) effectively protected islet allografts without requirement of immunosuppression. This is associated with attenuation of CD8 T cells in the grafts and marked expansion of regulatory T (Treg) cells, which contributed to MDSC-induced T-cell hyporesponsiveness. Antigen-specific Treg cells were prone to accumulate in lymphoid organs close to the grafts. Both in vitro and in vivo data demonstrated that B7-H1 was absolutely required for MDSC to exert immune regulatory activity and induction of Treg cells. The described approach holds great clinical application potential and may overcome the limitation of requiring chronic administration of immunosuppression in cell transplants. Understanding the underlying mechanisms will facilitate the development of this novel therapeutic strategy.

A Novel Role of Histone Deacetylase 11 (HDAC11) in Regulation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell (MDSC) Expansion

Abstract 2439HDAC11 is the newest member of the HDAC family. The physiological role of this HDAC was largely unknown until the discovery by our group that HDAC11 regulates IL-10 gene expression in myeloid cells in-vitro1. To better elucidate the role of HDAC11 in these cells, we have utilized an HDAC11 promoter-driven eGFP reporter transgenic mice (TgHDAC11-eGFP) which allow us to “visualize” dynamic changes in HDAC11 gene expression /transcriptional activity in immune cells in vivo.Immature myeloid cells (IMCs) differentiate into dendritic cells, macrophages, and neutrophils and are also considered to be precursors of MDSCs in tumor-bearing hosts. Here, we show for the first time that HDAC11 plays an important role in this process. First, IMCs from the bone marrow and spleen of TgHDAC11-eGFP mice display high expression of eGFP indicative of HDAC11 transcriptional activation in these cells in the steady state. Subcutaneous injection of PANCO2 tumor cells into these mice resulted in expansion of MDSCs (identified by the expression of CD11b+/GR1+ [Ly6G and Ly6C] with variable expression of CD49d and CD115) in their lymphoid organs which was similar in magnitude to the expansion observed in tumor-bearing wild type (WT) mice. Of note, flow cytometric analysis revealed that expression of eGFP was significantly decreased in the myeloid compartment of tumor bearing TgHDAC11-eGFP mice, suggesting that the transition of IMC into MDSCs might require a decrease in HDAC11 expression. Reminiscent of our findings in the eGFP mice, studies in non-transgenic mice also demonstrated that tumor derived CD11b+ Ly6G+ MDSCs display less HDAC11 mRNA expression. Additional support for the regulatory role of HDAC11 in MDSC expansion/function has been recently provided by our studies in HDAC11KO mice, demonstrating the acquisition of a suppressive cell phenotype, by myeloid cells identical to MDSCs, in the steady state and in the absence of tumor challenge.Taken together, HDAC11 might function as a negative regulator of MDSC expansion/function in vivo. A better understanding of this previously unknown role of HDAC11 in MDSC biology might lead to targeted epigenetic therapies to influence the suppressive abilities of these cells and augment the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches against hematologic malignancies.1. Villagra A, et al. Nat Immunol. 2009 Jan;10(1):92-100 Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Phenotypical and functional changes in myeloid-derived suppressor cells during the tumor progression: FKBP51 regulates the suppressive function of MDSCs (66.25)

Abstract Immature myeloid cells which are increased by tumor-derived factors actively suppress immune cells. Therefore, they are called as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Since the effect of cancer immunotherapy would be enhanced by removing MDSCs or inhibiting their suppressive function, we tried to find a target for MDSC regulation. MDSCs were increased during the tumor progression and MDSCs of late stage tumor bearing mice had stronger suppressive activity than those of early stage tumor bearing mice, in T cell proliferation assays. To find factors that change the MDSCs during the tumor progression, we analyzed gene expression profiles in MDSCs at various tumor stages and found that expression of Fkbp5 was increased in the Mo- and PMN- MDSCs of late stage tumor bearing mice. By means of rapamycin, which inhibit the PPIase function of FKBP51 protein, we demonstrate that the FKBP51 was involved in the suppressive function of MDSCs via regulation of iNOS expression. In addition, the FKBP51 enhanced the survival of MDSCs. By targeting the FKBP51, we may regulate the suppressive function of MDSCs and enhance the effect of anti-cancer immunotherapy.

Depletion of Regulatory T Cells Facilitates Growth of Established Tumors: A Mechanism Involving the Regulation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells by Lipoxin A4

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are thought to facilitate tumor development by suppressing protective antitumor immune responses. However, recent clinical and laboratory studies show that Tregs are a favorable element against cancer. In this study, we provide evidence that Tregs have both promoting and inhibiting effects on tumors, depending on the stage of tumor development. By using 0.5 mg cyclophosphamide, we constructed a murine liver cancer model in which Tregs were continuously and selectively depleted. Under such conditions, we found that tumor growth was inhibited at early stages but accelerated later on. Analysis of the tumor microenvironment disclosed that long-term Treg depletion by 0.5 mg cyclophosphamide treatment induced Gr-1(+)CD11b(+) myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Ablation of MDSCs by anti-Gr-1 Ab blocked Treg depletion-induced promotion of tumor growth. Furthermore, lipoxygenases 5 and 12, two enzymes participating in the biosynthesis of the lipid anti-inflammatory mediator lipoxin A(4), were upregulated or downregulated by Treg depletion or adoptive transfer. Correspondingly, the levels of lipoxin A(4) were increased or decreased. Lipoxin A(4) thus regulated the induction of MDSCs in response to Treg depletion. These findings suggest that Tregs may play different roles at different stages of tumor growth: promoting early and inhibiting late tumor growth. Our study also suggests that the interplay among Tregs, MDSCs, and lipoxin A(4) tunes the regulation of tumor-associated inflammation.

IL-17 Promotes Tumor Development through the Induction of Tumor Promoting Microenvironments at Tumor Sites and Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells

The role of immune responses in tumor development is a central issue for tumor biology and immunology. IL-17 is an important cytokine for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Although IL-17-producing cells are detected in cancer patients and tumor-bearing mice, the role of IL-17 in tumor development is controversial, and mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. In the current study, we found that the development of tumors was inhibited in IL-17R-deficient mice. A defect in IFN-gammaR increased tumor growth, whereas tumor growth was inhibited in mice that were deficient in both IL-17R and IFN-gammaR compared with wild-type animals. Further experiments showed that neutralization of IL-17 by Abs inhibited tumor growth in wild-type mice, whereas systemic administration of IL-17 promoted tumor growth. The IL-17R deficiency increased CD8 T cell infiltration, whereas it reduced the infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in tumors. In contrast, administration of IL-17 inhibited CD8 T cell infiltration and increased MDSCs in tumors. Further analysis indicated that IL-17 was required for the development and tumor-promoting activity of MDSCs in tumor-bearing mice. These data demonstrate that IL-17-mediated responses promote tumor development through the induction of tumor-promoting microenvironments at tumor sites. IL-17-mediated regulation of MDSCs is a primary mechanism for its tumor-promoting effects. The study provides novel insights into the role of IL-17 in tumor development and has major implications for targeting IL-17 in treatment of tumors.

Therapeutic activity of sunitinib for Her2/neu induced mammary cancer in FVB mice

Mouse mammary tumor virus-Neu (MMTV/neu) transgenic mice on an FVB-background (FVB-neuN) have increased numbers of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T-cells (T-regs) in the spleen during mammary tumor induction and progression. Using this transgenic tumor model, we assessed the therapeutic activity of sunitinib, a multi-targeted, tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor and its effects on immune-regulatory cells. Our preliminary results show that sunitinib at 40 mg/kg/day, p.o. (per os), delayed the time to tumor induction and reduced the incidence and growth of tumors in FVB-neuN mice. In association with its therapeutic activity, sunitinib reduced the absolute number of splenic T-reg cells (CD4 +CD25 +CD62L +) and MDSCs (CD11b +Gr1 +) that were increased during tumor progression with less activity in mice with gross tumors. A significant decrease in the absolute number of splenic T-regs, dendritic cells (DCs), MDSCs and hematopoietic progenitors (Lin −Sca1 +CD90 dull) was observed following sunitinib treatment. The frequency of splenic T-regs and hematopoietic progenitors, but not MDSCs was also reduced by sunitinib treatment. Additionally immune-regulatory cytokines and enzymes were down regulated by sunitinib treatment, including TGFβ and NOS2 in the spleen cells of sunitinib treated mice as compared to untreated tumor bearing (TB) mice. We conclude that sunitinib has therapeutic activity, in association with the down regulation of MDSCs and T-regs and has a trend towards the normalization of the inflammatory cytokine levels induced by tumor progression and growth. Based on these results, we suggest that sunitinib reduction of immune suppressive cells is a critical part of its adjuvant immune therapeutic activity.

Mammary tumor heterogeneity in the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells

The tumor microenvironment is heterogeneous for the expansion and infiltration by myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) which has been hypothesized to be dependent on tumor burden. We report a relationships between tumor size, MDSCs and T-cells; using four murine mammary tumors to assess tumor growth, infiltration and gene expression. Our analysis of cellular infiltration into tumors and gene expression used collagenase dissociated tumors and density gradient isolation of non-parenchymal cells (NPCs). The frequency of splenic and peripheral blood (PB) MDSCs was tumor dependent resulting in a significantly increased number of MDSCs. The MDSC frequency inversely correlated with the frequency of CD3 + lymphocytes in the spleen, independent of the tumor studied and directly correlated with tumor burden. Tumor growth up-regulated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), granulocyte (G-) and granulocyte-monocyte-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), arginase-1 (ARG-1), and nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS-2) transcription in the tumor and spleens (not VEGF-A). The frequency of splenic MDSCs directly correlated with splenic COX-2, NOS-2, and ARG-1 message levels, while COX-2 and NOS-2 transcript levels inversely correlated with splenic CD3 + cell frequency. COX-2 mRNA levels also directly correlated with the ARG-1 and NOS-2 transcript levels from tumor-infiltrating leukocytic cells, supporting prostaglandin E2 as a regulator of ARG-1 and NOS-2 transcription. In summary, MDSC numbers in the spleen and tumor microenvironment are tumor dependent, directly correlating with tumor size and inversely correlating with T-cell number. MDSCs are also directly associated with VEGF-A and G-CSF transcript levels suggesting multiple mechanisms for MDSC regulation and COX-2, NOS-2 and ARG-1 supporting multiple mechanisms of T-cell suppression.