The immune tolerance of cancer is mediated by IDO that is inhibited by COX-2 inhibitors through regulatory T cells

J Immunother. 2009 Jan;32(1):22-8. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0b013e31818ac2f7.

Abstract

Prostaglandin (PGE2), synthesized by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), is associated with cellular immune tolerance during the process of cancer development. Induction of tolerance requires a specific environment in which dendritic cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an essential role. It was recently shown that maturation of dendritic cells in the presence of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) results in activation of Tregs, and inhibition of COX-2 activity regulated IDO expression within the tumor microenvironment. Thus, we hypothesized that the tumor immune tolerance would be inhibited by COX-2 inhibitor and this inhibition would be mediated by IDO-dependent Tregs inhibition. The PGE2 in Lewis lung cancer cells (3LL) and serum of mice were measured for the evaluation of COX-2 inhibitors' local and systemic effects. The production of PGE2 in 3LL cells and serum of 3LL tumor-bearing mice were decreased by COX-2 inhibition. However, there were no significant differences in serum PGE2 levels among normal control and celecoxib-treated nontumor-bearing mice. The accumulation of Tregs was reduced in the celecoxib-treated 3LL tumor-bearing mice. In addition, the expressions of COX-2, IDO, and Foxp3 were reduced in the mice treated with a COX-2 inhibitor, and this was found to correlate with a reduction in the size of tumor mass and metastasis. These results suggest that the antitumor effects of COX-2 inhibitors seemed to be correlated with the inhibition of IDO and Tregs. Therefore, COX-2 inhibitors might provide a therapeutic strategy for Tregs-induced tumor immune tolerance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Celecoxib
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dinoprostone / blood
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Immune Tolerance / drug effects*
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Pyrazoles / therapeutic use*
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology

Substances

  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase
  • Pyrazoles
  • Sulfonamides
  • Celecoxib
  • Dinoprostone