Tumor-associated B cells and humoral immune response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: B lymphocytes are important players in immune responses to cancer. However, their composition and function in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been well described. Here, we analyzed B cell subsets in HNSCC (n = 38), non-cancerous mucosa (n = 14) and peripheral blood from HNSCC patients (n = 38) and healthy controls (n = 20) by flow cytometry. Intratumoral B cells contained high percentages of activated (CD86⁺), antigen-presenting (CD86⁺/CD21^-) and memory B cells (IgD^-/CD27⁺). T follicular helper cells (CD4⁺/CXCR5⁺/CD45RA^-/CCR7^-) as key components of tertiary lymphoid structures and plasma cells made up high percentages of the lymphocyte infiltrate. Percentages of regulato

SUBMITTER: Lechner A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6350680 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature