Blood Monocyte Subsets with Activation Markers in Relation with Macrophages in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This study characterized monocyte subtypes: classical, intermediate, and non-classical with the expression of surfaces markers: CD62L, CD11c, CD18, HLA-DR in non-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLC) compared to healthy controls and correlations between monocyte subtypes and macrophages in the lung cancer microenvironment. We confirmed the presence of various monocyte subtypes in the blood with predominance of classic monocytes and a higher proportion of classical and intermediate monocytes in NSCLC patients than in healthy subjects. Our observation that intermediate monocytes with CD11c+ and HLA-DR+ expression correlation with the amount of macrophages from the lung cancer microenvironment may indicate role of these cells in cancer immunity. A high proportion of monocytes with low expression of CD62L indicates participation of monocytes in attenuation of anticancer response. The detection and monitoring of the presented monocyte subsets in the blood might be a useful test in lung cancer. ABSTRACT: (1) The cells from the monocyte line play an important role as regulators of cancer development and progression. Monocytes present pro- and anti-tumor immunity and differentiation into macrophages. Macrophages are predominant in the lung cancer environment and could be evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). (2) The aim of the study was analysis of monocytes: classical, intermediate and non-classical with expression of: CD62L, CD11c, CD18, HLA-DR in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and their correlation with BALF macrophages from lungs with cancer (clBALF) and healthy lungs (hlBALF). (3) A total of 24 patients with NSCLC and 20 healthy donors were investigated. Monocyte subtyping and macrophage counts were performed by flow cytometry. (4) There are three types in peripheral blood (PB): classical monocytes (CD14++CD16-), intermediate (CD14+CD16+) and non-classical (CD14-/+CD16++). We noticed a higher proportion of classical and intermediate monocytes in lung cancer than in healthy donors (76.2 vs. 67.3, and 7.9 vs. 5.2 p < 0.05). We observed a higher proportion of macrophages in clBALF then in hlBALF. A higher CD62L expression on all monocyte subtypes in healthy donors than in study group was found. There were positive correlations between: classical CD11c+, intermediate CD11c+, intermediate HLA-DR+ monocytes in PB with macrophages in clBALF. We did not observe these correlations with macrophages from hlBALF. (5) A predominance of classical and intermediate monocytes in lung cancer and the correlation between intermediate monocytes with CD11c+ and HLA-DR+ and macrophages from the NSCLC milieu support a role of monocyte-line cells in cancer immunity. A high proportion of monocytes with low expression of CD62L indicates the participation of monocytes in attenuation of anticancer response.