Immunological environment in colorectal cancer: a computer-aided morphometric study of whole slide digital images derived from tissue microarray.

Cancer research has moved from investigating tumour cells to including analysis of the tumour microenvironment as well. The aim of this study was to assess the cellular infiltrate of colorectal cancer (CRC) using computer-aided analysis of whole slide digital image derived from tissue microarray (TMA). TMA slides from 31 CRC patients were immunostained for forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) and immunomodulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) at four sites: centre (C) and invasive front (F) of the tumour, proximal non-metastatic draining lymph node (N-), tumour-draining lymph node with metastasis (N+) and healthy mucosa at 10 cm from the cancer (M).

Regulatory T-cell development and function are impaired in mice lacking membrane expression of full length intercellular adhesion molecule-1.

To further investigate the contribution of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) to adaptive immune responses, we analysed T-cell development and function in mice lacking full-length ICAM-1 (ICAM-1(tm1Jcgr) ). Compared with wild-type (ICAM-1(WT) ) mice, ICAM-1(tm1Jcgr) mice have impaired thymocyte development. Proportions and numbers of double negative, double positive, mature CD4(+) and CD8(+) thymocytes, as well as of regulatory T (Treg) cells were also significantly decreased.

Sustained stimulation and expansion of Tregs by IL2 control autoimmunity without impairing immune responses to infection, vaccination and cancer.

Interleukin 2 (IL2) is the key cytokine supporting survival and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs). We recently reported that low-dose IL2 safely expands/stimulates Tregs and improves autoimmune conditions in humans. Further development of IL2 in autoimmune diseases will require chronic IL2 administration, which could affect beneficial effector immune responses regulated by Tregs.

Intrathymic injection of lentiviral vector curtails the immune response in the periphery of normal mice.

Background: Gene transfer in the thymus, based on HIV-derived lentiviral vectors, is a promising avenue for modulation of T cell selection and autoimmunity. However, the impact of intrathymic (IT) injections on an antigen-specific immune response elicited in the periphery of normal mice has not been investigated yet.

Methods: Highly concentrated stocks of lentiviral vectors expressing the soluble form of hemaglutinin of the influenza virus (LvHA) were injected in the thymus of normal BALB/c mice.