Interleukin 27 (IL27) as a novel therapeutic tool in lung cancer immune therapy

Introduction: IL27 is a cytokine secreted by antigen presenting cells and responsible mainly for the Th1 immune polarization and cytotoxic response. Because of its properties, IL27 may be a potential therapeutic tool for lung cancer immune therapy. Previously we constructed a plasmid encoding IL27 (pXMs-IL27). Aim: To evaluate a clinical potential of pXMs-IL27 as a therapeutic tool applied to human small- (H82) and non-small (A549) cell lung cancer lines. Materials and Methods: The expression of IL27 was performed by cell lines (A549 and H82) transfection with a pXMs-IL27 and empty control plasmid. Transfection efficacy was proved by RT-PCR and anti-IL27 indirect immunostaining. Additionally, the expression of CD80, CD83, CD86, CD120a, CD120b, CD178 molecules after transfection with plasmids was studied by direct immunofluorescence and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: RT-PCR and flow cytometry confirmed the expression of IL27 in transfected cells (A549: 79%; H82: 56%, median of 5 experiments). With use of flow cytometry the baseline expression of IL27 was found in both cell lung cancer lines, particularly in A549 (40%). Tumor cells transfected with pXMs-IL27 plasmid showed in microscopic observations intense apoptosis, as compared with empty plasmid control. Conclusions: Cell lines were successfully transfected with pXMs-IL27 plasmid. Phenotypic changes and increased apoptosis rate in transfected cells suggest that IL27 will be useful in future immune therapy of lung cancer.