Langerhans Cells from Human Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Induce Strong Type 1 Immunity

Langerhans cells (LCs) are dendritic cells (DCs) localized to the epidermis. They should be the first antigen-presenting cells to encounter squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of LCs isolated from human SCC to induce T-cell proliferation and polarization. We investigated the ability of LCs from SCC and peritumoral skin to induce T-cell proliferation and polarization. We also studied the effect of SCC supernatant on the ability of LCs from normal skin, in vitro–generated LCs, and DCs to activate and polarize T cells. LCs from SCC were stronger inducers of allogeneic CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell proliferation and IFN-γ production than LCs from peritumoral skin. We found that tumor supernatants (TSNs) were rich in immunosuppressive cytokines; despite this, allogeneic CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell proliferation and IFN-γ induction by LCs were augmented by TSN. Moreover, TSN facilitated IFN-γ induction by in vitro–generated LCs, but suppressed the ability of in vitro–generated DCs to expand allogeneic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. We have demonstrated that LCs from SCC can induce type 1 immunity. TSN induces IFN-γ induction by in vitro–generated LCs. This contrasts greatly with prior studies showing that DCs from SCC cannot stimulate T cells. These data indicate that LCs may be superior to DCs for SCC immunotherapy and may provide a new rationale for harnessing LCs for the treatment of cancer patients.