CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulated T cells and expression of IL-37 and chemokine ligand 2 in lung cancer and their clinical significance

Objective: To explore the expression of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs), IL-37 and chemokine (CC motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and its relationship with the clinical and pathological features of lung cancer. Methods: Flow cytometry (FCM) was utilized to detect the expression of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) in CD4(+) Treg cells of the PBMC from 128 cases of lung cancer patients and 119 cases of normal healthy individuals. ELISA was adopted to detect IL-37 and CCL-22 expression. Results: The expressions of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) Tregs and CCL-22 in patients PBMC with lung cancers were greater than that of in healthy controls, while the expression of IL-37 was lower. There were great diagnostic value of sensitivity and specificity of the expression level of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) Treg, IL-37 and CCL-22 in PBMC of lung cancer, which were associated with the tumor size, histological types, differentiation degree, TNM grading, lymphatic metastasis and distance metastasis. The results of follow-ups showed the 5-year survival rate of patients with high expression of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) Treg/CD4(+) Tregs and CCL-22, as well as low expression of IL-37 was significant lower. The results of Kaplan-Meier and Cox multivariate analysis model indicated that distance metastasis, expressions of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) Treg/CD4(+) Tregs, IL-37 and CCL-22 in PBMCs were the independent risk factors of prognosis of lung cancer. Conclusion: The expression of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) Tregs, IL-37 and CCL-22 was closely related to lung cancer, which could contribute to the diagnosis in early stage, prognosis evaluation and immunization therapy of lung cancer.