Overexpression of Regulatory T Cell-Related Markers (FOXP۳, CTLA-۴ and GITR) by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Patients withBreast Cancer

Background: Regulatory T (Treg) cells are immunosuppressor lymphocytes that play acritical role in the establishment and progression of cancers. A number of markers, especiallyFOXP۳, CTLA-۴ and GITR influence the function of Treg cells. This investigation aimed toevaluate the expression of a number of important Treg cell-related markers by peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMCs) from newly-diagnosed women with breast cancer. Methods: Thefresh PBMCs were obtained from ۲۰ women with breast cancer and ۲۰ healthy individuals.The PBMCs from both groups were cultured for ۳۲ hours in the presence or absence of PHA(۱۰ μg/ml). After total RNA extraction from cultured PBMCs, the expression of the FOXP۳,CTLA-۴ and GITR transcripts was assessed using real time-PCR. Results: The mRNAexpression of FOXP۳, CTLA-۴ and GITR in unstimulated PBMCs from patients with breastcancer were significantly higher than healthy control group (P<۰.۰۵, P<۰.۰۳ and P<۰.۰۴,respectively). Similarly, the expression of FOXP۳, CTLA-۴ and GITR transcripts in PHAstimulatedPBMCs from patients with breast cancer were significantly increased in comparisonwith healthy individuals (P<۰.۰۱, P<۰.۰۰۵ and P<۰.۰۱, respectively).Conclusion: The increased expression of FOXP۳, CTLA-۴ and GITR represent higher activityof Treg cells in patients with breast cancer that may play an important role in the tumorestablishment and development.