Naloxone can improve the anti-tumor immunity by reducing the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in BALB/c mice

Int Immunopharmacol. 2009 Nov;9(12):1381-6. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2009.08.008. Epub 2009 Aug 23.

Abstract

New strategies that stimulate cell-mediated immunity (CMI) against tumors and inhibit regulatory T cells are needed to improve the outcome of cancer immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to enhance the anti-tumor immunity of gp96 vaccine through naloxone administration. Therefore, we used BALB/c mouse model of fibrosarcoma tumor and analyzed the tumor size, splenocyte proliferation, spleen and tumor-infiltrated lymphocytes. Tumor and spleen CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes, cytotoxic activity of the splenocytes, IFN-gamma and IL-4 secretion were assessed to describe the anti-tumor immune response. Our findings showed that co-administration of gp96 and naloxone has resulted in a significant reduction in CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the spleen. The results indicated that on days 27 and 32 the tumors in the gp96+Nal group grew significantly slower. Moreover, co-administration of gp96 and naloxone significantly increased the intra-tumor CD8+ T cells and cytotoxic activity. In addition the results indicated a significant increase in the proliferation of splenocytes and IFN-gamma production. Our results demonstrate that naloxone is an effective immunoadjuvant in cancer immunotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / isolation & purification
  • CD4 Antigens
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Fibrosarcoma / drug therapy*
  • Fibrosarcoma / immunology
  • Fibrosarcoma / pathology
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / immunology
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Naloxone / administration & dosage*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / administration & dosage*
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Spleen / drug effects*
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Spleen / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology
  • Tumor Burden

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • CD4 Antigens
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • sarcoma glycoprotein gp96 rejection antigens
  • Interleukin-4
  • Naloxone
  • Interferon-gamma