IL-17-dependent, IFN-γ-independent tumor rejection is mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and occurs at extraocular sites, but is excluded from the eye

Terry G. Coursey, Peter W. Chen, Jerry Y. Niederkorn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although intraocular tumors reside in an immune-privileged site where immune responses are suppressed, some tumors are rejected. An example of this is the rejection of intraocular adenovirus-induced (adenovirus type 5 early region 1 [Ad5E1]) tumors in C57BL/6 mice. We previously identified an Ad5E1 tumor clone in which the rejection is IFN-γ dependent and culminates in the destruction of both the tumor and the eye. Although Ad5E1 tumors are not rejected when transplanted into the eyes of IFN-γ KO mice, they are rejected after s.c. transplantation. Thus, outside of the eye Ad5E1 tumors elicit a form of tumor immunity that is IFN-γ independent. In this article, we demonstrate that IFN-γ-independent s.c. rejection requires both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, s.c. tumor rejection requires IL-17, which is produced by IFN-γ-deficient CD4 + T cells in response to tumor Ags (TAs). Splenocytes from CD4-depleted IFN-γ KO mice produce significantly less IL-17 compared with splenocytes from isotype-treated IFN-γ KO animals in response to TAs. Furthermore, depletion of IL-17 decreases CTL activity against Ad5E1 tumor cells. In this model we propose that, in the absence of IFN-γ, CD4 + T cells produce IL-17 in response to TAs, which increases CTL activity that mediates tumor rejection; however, this does not occur in the eye. IL-6 production within the eye is severely reduced, which is consistent with the failure to induce Th17 cells within the intraocular tumors. In contrast, the s.c. environment is replete with IL-6 and supports the induction of Th17 cells. Therefore, IFN-γ-independent tumor rejection is excluded from the eye and may represent a newly recognized form of ocular immune privilege.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4219-4228
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume187
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 15 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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