Distribution And Phenotype Of Natural Killer Cells In Malignant Pleural Effusion

Objective In this study, we aimed to research the distribution and significance of natural killer T cells , its chemokine receptor (CCRs) and the cytotoxic molecules: GranzymeB and perforin which are also on the phenotypes in NKT cells in malignant pleural (MPE).. Methods We stained with NKT cells (TCR-Vα24+ TCR-Vβ11+) , chemokine receptors(CCR2, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6) and cytotoxic molecules: GranzymeB and perforin on the phenotypes of NKT cells of malignant pleural effusion, benign pleural effusion ,peripheral blood and healthy donor, of which were analyzed by four colors flow cytometry.Results (1) NKT cells in malignant pleural effusion (0.98%±0.08%) was higher than in peripheral blood (0.71%±0.06%) (P=0.009); but no different with healthy donors, P>0.05. NKT cells in health control (1.13%±0.09%) was significantly higher than in peripheral blood of disease group, P=0.001. (2) In these three groups, the proportions of CCRs were as follows: CCR2 molecules (MPE 28.14%±8.41%, PB 34.44%±4.30%, HD 34.37%±3.54%), CCR4 (MPE 40.52%±4.10%, PB 65.21%±4.83%, HD 57.10%±5.28%), CCR5 (MPE 32.36%±4.10%, PB 26.45%±5.10%, HD14.31%±3.05%), and CCR6 molecules (MPE 19.37%±6.22%,PB 22.15%±7.21%, HD 17.29%±3.43%).CCR4 in PB was higher than in MPE, P<0.05; have no difference with HD. CCR5 in MPE was higher than in PB, P<0.05; and have no difference with HD. CCR2 and CCR6 have no difference with MPE, PB and HD. (3) The proportion of cytotoxic molecules were as follow: GranzymeB(MPE2.96%±0.54%,PB5.43%±0.60%), PB was higher than in MPE, P=0.008; perforin (MPE2.51%±0.45% , PB2.12%±0.32%), there are no difference between them. And GranzymeB,perforin can no be detected on the phenotypes of NKT cells in health control.Conclusions Up regulation of proportions of NKT cells in MPE were detected compared with PB , it suggests that NKT cells have a strong anti-tumor function.. NKT cells constantly expressed CCR2, CCR4, CCR5 and CCR6, however when CCRs infiltrated into malignant pleural effusion, its phenotypes had changed. It suggests that CCR5 and CCR6 have relation to the chemokine activity of NKT cells. In MPE ,NKT cells can express some cytotoxic molecules, such as GranzymeB and perforin, but the proportions of cytotoxic molecules in NKT cells had no significance increase in MPE, we guess that it relate to the microenvironment of malignant pleural effusion.