Elevated CD38 expression characterizes impaired CD8+ T cell immune response in metastatic pleural effusions

Immunol Lett. 2022 May:245:61-68. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2022.04.003. Epub 2022 Apr 13.

Abstract

Highly coordinated signaling following TCR stimulation triggers activation and subsequent differentiation of T cells. CD38 is a major mammalian nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)+ glycohydrolase expressed on T cells, and appears to be an important modulator of T cell response in tumor models. However, the functional involvement of CD38 in T cells remains largely unknown. Therefore, we characterize the presence and function of CD38 in lymphocytes from metastatic pleural effusions (MPE). Of note, a significant accumulation of CD38+CD8+ T cells was observed in MPE compared with matched peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Moreover, PD-1 expression was significantly increased within the CD38+CD8+ T cell fraction compared to CD38- counterparts. We further showed decreased amounts of IFNγ and TNFα production together with reduced mitochondrial membrane potential in CD38+CD8+ T cells. Indeed, the impaired capacity of secreting IFNγ and TNFα by CD38+CD8+ T cells was likely due to damaged mitochondrial function. Taken together, we have identified a subset of CD38+CD8+ T cells in MPE, which possessed exhausted phenotype accompanied by altered mitochondrial metabolism.

Keywords: CD38; CD8(+)T cell; Malignancy; Mitochondria; Pleural effusion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1
  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
  • Immunity
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Mammals / metabolism
  • Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Pleural Effusion* / pathology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Substances

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1