Analysis of Th22, Th17 and CD4+cells co-producing IL-17/IL-22 at different stages of human colon cancer.

T-helper (Th) 22 cells are involved in the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, but their specific role in the immunopathogenesis of cancer is unknown. In this study, we examined the profile of circulating and intratumoral Th17, Th22 and CD4+ cells co-producing IL-17/IL-22 in colon cancer (CC) patients in relation to tumor staging. Thirty newly diagnosed colon cancer (CC) patients participated in this study. The percentage of Th1 (CD4+IFN-γ+IL-17-IL-22-), Th17 (CD4+IFN-γ-IL-17+IL-22-), Th22 (CD4+IFN-γ-IL-17-IL-22+) and CD4+ cells co-producing IL-17/IL-22 (CD4+IFN-γ-IL-17+IL-22+) in the peripheral blood, tumor and paratumor tissues was assessed by multicolor flow cytometry. The percentage of circulating Th17 and Th22 cells was significantly increased in CC patients compared to that in healthy controls (HCs). In addition, the percentage of infiltrating Th1, Th17, Th22 and CD4+ cells co-producing IL-17/IL-22 was significantly increased in the tumor tissues compared to that in the parartumor tissues. Furthermore, we also found that the percentage of circulating and intratumoral Th17, Th22 and CD4+ cells co-producing IL-17/IL-22 was higher in advanced stages than in early stages. Our findings revealed that Th17, Th22 and CD4+ cells co-producing IL-17/IL-22 were accumulated in colon cancer tissues and may be involved in the tumor development and progression. A better comprehension of the immunopathogenesis of Th17, Th22 and CD4+ cells co-producing IL-17/IL-22 in colon cancer patients would help in the development of novel therapies.