Dendritic cell subpopulations in nasopharyngeal cancer

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and EBV antigen may be utilized for therapeutic purposes, including targeting of dendritic cells (DCs). Although DCs may be present in NPC, the information is limited and not up-to-date with current knowledge on DC subsets. In the present study, biopsies from untreated NPC were obtained and subjected to multicolor flow-cytometry focusing on DC subtype markers: CD123 for plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs); and CD1c and CD141 for myeloid DCs (mDCs). Furthermore, subset-specific expression of the C-lectin receptor (CLR) CD207 (also termed langerin) was assessed. pDCs and mDCs were detected in the NPC lesions, contributing to a frequency mean average of 0.78% of CD45(+) leukocytes in situ. Different subpopulations, previously not described in NPC, were observed, including: CD123(+) pDCs; CD1c(+) mDCs; CD141(+) mDCs; and CD1c(-)CD141(-) mDCs. A high frequency of CD1c(+) mDCs expressing CD207 was observed, compared with other subsets. In conclusion, different DC subsets are present in NPC lesions. The CLR CD207, a selective endocytic marker on CD1c(+) mDCs, may be targeted for therapeutic purposes to facilitate cross-presentation of antigens and aid cell-mediated antitumor effects.