Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2021, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (11): 978-983.doi: 10.35541/cjd.20210192

• Original Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Changes in immune cell subsets in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma tissues from SKH-1 mouse models after aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy

Zheng Zhe1, Zhang Guolong2,3, Wang Peiru2,3, Ji Jie2,3, Wang Xiuli1,2,3   

  1. 1Clinical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu, China; 2Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Shanghai 200443, China; 3Institute of Photomedicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
  • Received:2021-03-07 Revised:2021-05-26 Online:2021-11-15 Published:2021-11-01
  • Contact: Wang Xiuli E-mail:wangxiuli_1400023@tongji.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China （81872212, 81602396, 81872512）; Shanghai Pujiang Program （17PJ1408500）; Jing An District Leadership Talent Program

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Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To investigate immune effects of aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy （ALA-PDT） on mouse models of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma （cSCC）. Methods Ultraviolet-induced SKH-1 hairless mouse models of cSCC were established, and 40 tumor- bearing mice were randomly and equally divided into several groups: control group receiving no treatment, and 7 treatment groups treated with ALA-PDT for 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours, as well as 3 and 7 days respectively. After treatment, these mice were sacrificed at different time points, and skin tissues measuring 5 mm3 in size were resected. Immunohistochemical study and flow cytometry were performed to detect local infiltration of immune cells in cSCC tissues at different time points, including neutrophils, macrophages, T cells, B cells, natural killer cells and dendritic cells. Statistical analysis was done by the two-sample t test using SPSS 16.0 software. Results The number and proportion of local neutrophils and macrophages showed the most significant increase in mouse cSCC tumors 1 hour after ALA-PDT compared with those before treatment （immunohistochemical results ［number of cells per 400 × field］: 61.22 ± 6.65 vs. 22.56 ± 4.13, 59.67 ± 4.30 vs. 21.89 ± 3.26, respectively, both P < 0.05; flow cytometry results: 35.64% ± 15.33% vs. 5.46% ± 2.44%, 12.15% ± 4.86% vs. 1.98% ± 1.49%, respectively, both P < 0.05）. Both immunohistochemical study and flow cytometry showed that the expression of T cells, B cells, natural killer cells and dendritic cells significantly increased in cSCC tissues 6 hours after treatment （all P < 0.05）. After reaching the peak, the number and proportion of the above-mentioned cells decreased in cSCC tissues, but were still higher than those before treatment, and the increase continued until the end of this study, that is, day 7 after treatment. Conclusion ALA-PDT may exert anti-tumor effects by recruiting immune cells, especially neutrophils and macrophages.

Key words: Photochemotherapy, Carcinoma, squamous cell, Immunity, cellular, Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy