Cargo from tumor-expressed albumin inhibits T-cell activation and responses

Cancer Res. 2004 Nov 1;64(21):8085-92. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-1871.

Abstract

In this study, we show that rodent albumin is expressed by and cell surface localized on at least some murine tumor cells. We have been able to purify this tumor-expressed albumin from in vivo grown tumor masses. The tumor-expressed albumin, unlike normal serum albumin purified from blood, is capable of inhibiting T-cell activation, proliferation, and function in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Tumor-expressed albumin does not appear to affect antigen processing or presentation by professional antigen-presenting cells. The activity appears to lie in relatively small, lipid-like moieties that are presumably cargo for tumor-expressed albumin, and that activity can be removed from the albumin by lipid removal or treatment with lipase. Thus, we herein report of a novel form of tumor-induced immune suppression attributable to lipid-like entities, cloaked by albumin produced by tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Albumins / chemistry
  • Albumins / isolation & purification
  • Albumins / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Lipids / pharmacology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neoplasm Proteins / pharmacology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology

Substances

  • Albumins
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Lipids
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta