肝癌小鼠脾脏免疫细胞的变化及其意义

目的:观察小鼠H22细胞原位种植性肝癌模型中,脾脏正性免疫细胞和负性免疫细胞比例的变化,并且观察脾脏切除后外周血和肿瘤组织免疫细胞比例的变化以及对肿瘤生长的影响。方法:建立小鼠H22细胞原位种植性肝癌模型,在荷瘤的不同时期,用流式细胞术检测脾脏中负性免疫细胞（MDSC、Treg）和正性免疫细胞（总CD3+T细胞、CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞、NK细胞、NKT细胞）比例的变化。荷瘤1 w后切除脾脏,用流式细胞术检测外周血及肿瘤组织中免疫细胞比例的变化,并比较切脾前后肿瘤重量、腹水量、荷瘤小鼠生存期的变化。 结果:荷瘤小鼠脾脏MDSC细胞的比例一直高于正常组;Treg细胞在荷瘤2 w时显著升高;总CD3+T细胞和CD4+T细胞在荷瘤1 w时显著升高,2 w时显著下降;CD8+T细胞在荷瘤2 w时明显下降;NK细胞在荷瘤3 w时明显下降;NKT细胞无显著变化。脾脏切除后外周血和肿瘤组织MDSC的比例下降,CD8+T细胞的比例升高;肿瘤重量和荷瘤小鼠生存期无显著变化,腹水量在荷瘤2 w时显著减少,腹水发生率明显降低。 结论:小鼠肝脏种植H22细胞株后,脾脏中正性免疫细胞的比例下降,负性免疫细胞的比例升高,脾脏的负性免疫状态逐渐占主导地位,从而促进了肝癌的发展。     

三氧化二砷负向调控MDSC的肿瘤免疫抑制功能

目的:研究三氧化二砷(arsenic trioxide,As2O3)是否通过抑制髓系来源抑制性细胞(myeloid-derived suppressor cells,MDSCs)负向调控MDSCs诱导的肿瘤免疫耐受作用.方法:C57BL/6小鼠皮下注射黑素瘤B16细胞和肝癌H22细胞构建移植瘤模型,As2O3处理,观察移植瘤生长情况,流式细胞术检测荷瘤小鼠脾脏内MDSCs和其他免疫细胞的免疫表型,流式细胞术检测2 μmol/L As2O3对B16模型小鼠来源的MDSCs分化的影响.取B16模型小鼠随机分为As2O3处理及对照组,混合淋巴细胞反应检测MDSCs对T细胞免疫抑制活性的改变,ELISA检测B16模型小鼠血清及MDSCs培养上清中TNF-α、IL-10的水平.结果:As2O3抑制B16和H22模型鼠的肿瘤生长,延长B16模型小鼠的生存期,并可显著下调小鼠脾脏内MDSCs的比例.体外经2 μmol/L As2O3处理5d后,B16模型小鼠来源的MDSCs中成熟DCs(CD11c+ CD40+)的比例较对照组显著升高[(27.38±4.57)％ vs (17.44±4.51)％,P=0.0078];As2O3组来源的MDSCs对T细胞的免疫抑制活性明显低于对照组(P =0.016);As2O3组小鼠血清及MDSCs培养上清中TNF-α(F=5.78,P=0.014)和IL-10(F=17.83,P=0.045)的含量均较对照组显著降低.结论:As2O3可通过诱导MDSCs向成熟表型分化、下调其免疫抑制活性等,负调控MDSCs的肿瘤免疫抑制功能.     

乳腺癌髓系来源抑制细胞中IDO表达与调节性T细胞相关性及其临床意义的研究

  目的  研究不同期别乳腺癌组织中CD33+髓系来源抑制细胞(MDSCs)和Foxp3+调节性T细胞(Tregs)的分布情况, 探讨MDSCs中吲哚胺2, 3-双加氧酶(IDO)表达与Tregs分布关系及其临床意义。   方法  收集天津医科大学附属肿瘤医院2005年1月至2007年1月手术患者的乳腺癌石蜡切片50例, 采用免疫组织化学单染方法对肿瘤局部CD33+MDSCs和Foxp3+Tregs分布和比例进行检测; 采用免疫组织化学双染方法检测肿瘤原位浸润MDSCs中IDO的表达情况; 分析MDSCs中IDO表达与Tregs分布、比例及其他临床病理资料之间的相关性。   结果  Foxp3+Tregs和CD33+MDSCs细胞在乳腺癌组织中呈散在性分布。MDSCs中IDO表达水平与腋窝淋巴结转移密切相关(P < 0.05)。Foxp3+Tregs高表达组中MDSCs中IDO表达水平显著高于Foxp3+Tregs低表达或不表达组(P < 0.05)。   结论  MDSCs中IDO过表达可能有利于Tregs的募集和乳腺癌的转移。      

髓样抑制细胞在肿瘤生物学中作用的研究进展

髓样抑制细胞(myeloid-derived suppressor cells,MDSCs)是存在于荷瘤小鼠及肿瘤患者体内、具有免疫抑制功能的细胞群。它由髓系来源的未分化成熟的具有异质性的细胞组成,其中包括树突状细胞、巨噬细胞和粒细胞等。肿瘤细胞分泌的各种因子能诱导MDSCs的产生、运动及活化。荷瘤小鼠来源的MDSCs主要表达CD11b+Gr1+,而肿瘤患者来源的MDSCs主要表达CD11b+CD14-。在荷瘤小鼠骨髓、脾脏和外周血及肿瘤患者的外周血中MDSCs水平升高。MDSCs通过抑制机体免疫功能和促进新生血管生成等机制参与肿瘤的生长及向远处转移。抑制体内MDSCs的功能和降低其数量有助于恢复机体识别、杀伤肿瘤细胞的能力,并提高药物疗效。本文对MDSCs在肿瘤领域的最新研究进展进行综述。     

荷瘤小鼠脾脏过度增大的机制

目的研究H22荷瘤小鼠生长过程中脾脏过度增大的机制。方法通对小鼠脾指数与脾脏细胞总数进行相关性分析、检测脾细胞生长周期以及T、B淋巴细胞比例。结果小鼠脾指数与脾脏细胞总数呈显著正相关性(r=1.000,P<0.01);H22荷瘤小鼠与对照组小鼠脾脏细胞的细胞周期无明显差异;H22荷瘤小鼠与对照组小鼠相比脾脏总T淋巴细胞、CD8+T与CD4+T细胞比例增大(P<0.05),B细胞比例基本不变,CD4+ /CD8+ 减小。结论H22荷瘤小鼠脾脏增大与各类免疫细胞转移至脾脏后滞留有直接的关系,其中CD8+T细胞的积累最显著,脾脏的免疫抑制作用与CD8+T细胞有密切的关系。     

食管癌患者外周血中自然杀伤性T细胞含量的检测及其临床意义

 　目的　研究食管癌患者外周血中自然杀伤性（NK）T细胞在手术前后的表达情况。方法　采用流式细胞术（FCM）分析59例食管癌患者手术前后外周血中CD3、CD56、CD4、CD8抗体的表达,研究NKT细胞及其亚群的表达情况及所占比例。结果　随着CD+3 CD+56 CD+8／CD+3 CD+56 CD+4的比值逐渐升高,Ⅲ～Ⅳ期食管癌患者的比例逐渐降低,ANOVA示组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;CD+3 CD+56 CD+8／CD+3 CD+56 CD+4的比值与CD+3 CD+56 CD+4 NKT细胞非线性相关;CD+3 CD+56 CD+8 NKT细胞与NK细胞正相关,与CD+3 T细胞负相关。结论　CD+3 CD+56 CD+8／CD+3 CD+56 CD+4 的比值可能与肿瘤负荷有关,并且有助于判断食管癌患者的疾病程度及预后。     

CD4+CD25+CCR6+调节性T细胞在小鼠乳腺癌模型中对CD8+T细胞的抑制作用

目的：观察CD4+CD25+CCR6+调节性T细胞（简称CCR6+Tregs）体内对CD8+T细胞功能的抑制作用,并探讨其与肿瘤免疫逃逸的关系。方法：建立4T1乳腺癌细胞荷瘤裸鼠模型,FACS分选CCR6+Tregs,检测其Foxp3的表达;FACS分选4T1特异性CD8+T细胞,CFSE标记后分别与CCR6+Tregs或CCR6Tregs共同过继转输入4T1荷瘤裸鼠体内,观察荷瘤裸鼠肿瘤生长情况和小鼠存活时间;FACS检测肿瘤组织中CD8+T细胞的增殖、细胞因子IFNγ的产生和颗粒酶B的表达情况。结果：CCR6+Tregs和CCR6Tregs均高表达Foxp3;CCR6+Tregs和CD8+T细胞共转输组4T1荷瘤裸鼠肿瘤的生长明显快于CCR6Tregs共转输组和CD8+T细胞单转输组,同时该组荷瘤裸鼠生存时间也明显缩短（P<0.05）;CCR6+Tregs和CD8+T细胞共转输组CD8+T细胞的增殖、IFNγ的产生和颗粒酶B的表达均明显低于CCR6Tregs共转输组和CD8+T细胞单转输组（P<0.05）。结论：CCR6+Tregs在体内可以有效抑制CD8+T细胞的功能,其在肿瘤免疫逃逸和肿瘤发生、发展中发挥重要作用。     

CD11b + NKT细胞抑制Poly I:C诱导小鼠肝损伤中CD8 +T细胞增殖反应

目的： 研究Poly I:C诱导的肝损伤模型中肝脏内上调的CD11b + NKT细胞对CD8 +T细胞增殖反应的作用。 方法： 经腹腔注射Poly I:C（20 μg/g）制备Poly I:C诱导小鼠肝损伤模型,流式细胞术检测CD11b + NKT细胞的比例、T细胞增殖反应和CD8 +T细胞的杀伤功能,ELISA法检测细胞培养上清中的细胞因子浓度。 结果： Poly I:C诱导的肝损伤模型小鼠的肝脏中CD11b + NKT细胞的比例显著上升\[（71.7±5.3）% vs （12.4±3.6）%, P <0.01\]。细胞因子表达谱分析发现,CD11b + NKT细胞分泌IFN-γ、IL-4和IL-10的能力显著低于CD11b - NKT细胞。功能分析发现,CD11b + NKT细胞能够显著抑制anti-CD3/CD28单抗诱导非特异性的和OVA特异性的CD8 +T细胞增殖反应,而CD11b - NKT细胞没有此抑制功能;进一步分析发现,CD11b + NKT细胞并不影响CD8 +T细胞的杀伤功能。 结论： Poly I:C诱导的肝损伤模型小鼠肝脏中CD11b + NKT细胞比例升高,该细胞能够负反馈抑制CD8 +T细胞的增殖反应,但是并不影响CD8 +T细胞的杀伤功能。     

微波消融治疗对肝癌小鼠调节性 T 细胞的影响

目的：研究微波消融治疗荷肿瘤后小鼠的Treg和淋巴细胞亚群的变化,探讨微波消融治疗荷瘤小鼠后的机体免疫功能的变化.方法：建立H22荷瘤小鼠模型,分为荷瘤对照组和微波消融组.微波消融荷瘤小鼠肿瘤.流式细胞术检测脾脏中的CD4＋CD25＋T细胞、CD25＋FOXP3＋T细胞、CD4＋T细胞、CD8＋T细胞.结果：与荷瘤对照组相比,微波消融治疗后21天、28天组小鼠CD25＋FOXP3＋T细胞明显下降,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,以术后28天下降更为明显（P＜0.01）.微波消融术后各组小鼠CD4＋/CD8＋比值明显增高（P＜0.05）.结论：微波消融治疗减低Tregs比例可能是热消融治疗提高机体抗肿瘤免疫作用的主要机制.微波消融治疗肿瘤后,Treg数量下降及功能降低,且CD4＋/CD8＋比值升高,提示了微波消融治疗肝癌可以改善机体的免疫状态.     

食管鳞癌患者手术前后外周血T细胞亚群与NK、NKT细胞检测的临床意义

目的:分析食管鳞癌患者手术前后外周血中T淋巴细胞亚群与NK、NKT细胞变化规律及其临床意义.方法:应用流式细胞术检测78例食管鳞癌患者外周血中T淋巴细胞亚群及NK、NKT细胞的水平.结果:肿瘤切除术前NKT细胞水平在中低分化组较高分化组显著下降(P<0.05);术后外周血中CD8+T细胞含量明显降低(P<0.01),CIM+/CD8+比值显著升高(P<0.01),同时NK与NKT细胞水平较术前显著下降(P<0.01).结论:手术可一定程度改善患者机体免疫功能,检查手术前后外周血T淋巴细胞亚群及NK、NKT细胞水平有助于患者的细胞免疫功能监测,为食管鳞癌临床治疗提供依据.     

Enhanced suppressive capacity of tumor‐infiltrating myeloid‐derived suppressor cells compared with their peripheral counterparts

Although the main site of action for myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) is most likely the tumor microenvironment, so far the study of these cells has been largely restricted to spleen‐derived MDSCs. In this study, we compared the suppressive capacity of splenic and tumor‐derived MDSCs in different subcutaneous mouse tumor models. We investigated which suppressive mechanisms were involved. Finally, we investigated whether MDSCs and regulatory T cells (T_reg) cooperate in the suppression of T‐cell responses. In all models, splenic granulocytic MDSCs (grMDSC) strongly suppress CD4⁺ T‐cell proliferation while the suppressive effect on CD8⁺ T cells is less pronounced. Splenic monocytic MDSCs (moMDSC) have a lower suppressive capacity, compared to grMDSC, on both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T‐cell proliferation. Both grMDSC and moMDSC isolated from the tumor have a much stronger suppressive activity compared to MDSCs isolated from the spleen of tumor‐bearing mice, associated with a higher NO₂^? production by the tumor‐derived moMDSC and arginase activity for both subsets. The expression of CD80 is also elevated on tumor‐derived grMDSC compared with their peripheral counterparts. Direct contact with tumor cells is required for the upregulation of CD80 and CD80⁺ MDSCs are more suppressive than CD80^? MDSCs. Coculture of T_reg and MDSCs leads to a stronger suppression of CD8⁺ T‐cell proliferation compared to the suppression observed by T_reg or MDSCs alone. Thus, we showed that tumor‐infiltrating MDSCs possess a stronger suppressive capacity than their peripheral counterparts and that various suppressive mechanisms account for this difference.     

NK depletion results in increased CCL22 secretion and Treg levels in Lewis Lung Carcinoma via the accumulation of CCL22‐secreting CD11b+CD11c+ cells

Tumor‐induced immune suppression involves the accumulation of suppressive infiltrates in the tumor microenvironment such as regulatory T‐cells (Tregs). Previous studies demonstrated that NK‐dependant increases in CCL22 secretion selectively recruit Tregs toward murine lungs bearing Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC). To extend the in vitro studies, the present studies utilized in vivo depletion of NK cells to ascertain the contribution of NK‐derived CCL22 toward total CCL22 and subsequent Treg levels in both normal and LLC‐bearing lungs. However, NK depletion had the unexpected effect of increasing both CCL22 secretion and Treg levels in the lungs of NK‐depleted LLC‐bearing mice. This was concurrent with an increase in tumor burden. Flow cytometry and a series of both immunomagnetic and FACS isolations were used to identify the CCL22‐producing cellular fractions in LLC‐bearing lungs. A novel CD11b⁺CD11c⁺ cell population was identified that accumulates in large numbers in NK‐depleted LLC‐bearing lung tissue. These CD11b⁺CD11c⁺ cells secreted large amounts of CCL22 that may overcompensate for the loss of NK‐derived CCL22 in the lungs of NK‐depleted LLC‐bearing mice. Taken together, these data suggest that NK cells play both a positive and negative role in the regulation of CCL22 secretion and, in turn, the recruitment of Tregs toward LLC‐bearing lungs.     

A reduction of recipient regulatory T cells by cyclophosphamide contributes to an anti-tumor effect of nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation in mice

We have recently established a unique model system of nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for treatment of murine solid tumors, based on cyclophosphamide‐induced tolerance. An injection of allogeneic donor spleen cells and bone marrow cells (BMC) followed by cyclophosphamide treatment induced a stable mixed chimerism with long lasting tolerance to the allografts. A donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) in the cyclophosphamide‐induced tolerant mice exerted strong anti‐tumor effects on an MBT‐2 murine bladder tumor, MBT‐2 via their graft versus tumor (GVT) activity. In the present study, we determined whether a cyclophosphamide‐induced reduction of naturally occurring regulatory T cells (Tregs) was associated with the anti‐tumor activity in our nonmyeloablative SCT system. The number of recipient CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Tregs significantly decreased 3 days after an intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide in C3H/HeN mice that had been injected with spleen cells and BMC of donor AKR/J mice, compared with the number of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3‐ T cells. An adoptive transfer of CD4+ CD25+ T cells from naïve C3H/He x AKR/J F1 mice into recipient mice 1 day after DLI significantly suppressed the expansion and IFN‐γ production of host‐reactive donor CD4+T cells and hampered the MBT‐2 anti‐tumor activity when compared with the transfer of CD4+ CD25‐ T cells. These results indicated that cyclophosphamide‐induced reduction of recipient Tregs is associated with retardation of tumor progression via the expansion of host‐reactive donor T cells and IFN‐γ production after DLI in our nonmyeloablative SCT system.     

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with breast cancer can be reprogrammed to enhance anti-HER-2/neu reactivity and overcome myeloid-derived suppressor cells

Two major barriers in the immunotherapy of breast cancer include tumor-induced immune suppression and the establishment of long-lasting immune responses against the tumor. Recently, we demonstrated in an animal model of breast carcinoma that expanding and reprogramming tumor-sensitized lymphocytes, ex vivo, yielded T memory (Tm) cells as well as activated CD25+ NKT cells and NK cells. The presence of activated CD25+ NKT and NK cells rendered reprogrammed T cells resistant to MDSC-mediated suppression, and adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) of reprogrammed lymphocytes protected the host from tumor development and relapse. Here, we performed a pilot study to determine the clinical applicability of our protocol using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of breast cancer patients, ex vivo. We show that bryostatin 1 and ionomycin combined with IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15 can expand and reprogram tumor-sensitized PBMCs. Reprogrammed lymphocytes contained activated CD25+ NKT and NK cells as well as Tm cells and displayed enhanced reactivity against HER-2/neu in the presence of MDSCs. The presence of activated NKT cells was highly correlated with the rescue of anti-HER-2/neu immune responses from MDSC suppression. Ex vivo blockade experiments suggest that the NKG2D pathway may play an important role in overcoming MDSC suppression. Our results show the feasibility of reprogramming tumor-sensitized immune cells, ex vivo, and provide rationale for ACT of breast cancer patients.     

Potent anti-tumor killing activity of the multifunctional Treg cell line HOZOT against human tumors with diverse origins

The T cell line HOZOT has a unique FOXP3+CD4+ CD8+CD25+ phenotype, exhibits suppressive activity in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR), and produces IL-10, defining HOZOT as regulatory T cells (Tregs). Interestingly, in addition to possessing a suppressive Treg ability, HOZOT was also found to show cytotoxicity against certain representative human cancer cell types. In order to disclose the range of anti-tumor activity by HOZOT, we screened it by using a panel of twenty human tumor cell lines with different origins. Consequently, HOZOT showed potent cytocidal effects against a wide spectrum of neoplastic cells including carcinomas, sarcomas, mesotheliomas and glioblastomas except for hematopoietic malignancies. Its anti-tumor activity was strong enough with an E:T ratio of 4:1, which is considered to be more effective than that by conventional CTLs. Furthermore, an in vivo representative mouse tumor model by implanting human colon adenocarcinoma cells revealed that adoptive transfer of HOZOT almost completely eradicated disseminated lesions on peritoneum, markedly reduced metastases in lung and liver, and dramatically decreased bloody ascites caused by peritoneal carcinomatosis. Treatment of the tumor model mice by HOZOT with an E:T ratio of 2:1 even indicated the prolongation of their survival, although not reaching obvious statistical significance. In vitro blocking experiments using antibodies and inhibitors suggested that the cytotoxic mechanism of HOZOT against tumors is different from conventional cytotoxic cells such as CTL, NK or NKT cells. Altogether, our studies demonstrated the potent killing activity of HOZOT against a broad range of human malignancies, which indicates that HOZOT is a powerful tool in immunotherapy for advanced stage tumors.     

Immunogene therapy using immunomodulating HVJ-E vector augments anti-tumor effects in murine malignant glioma

The hemagglutinating virus of Japan envelope (HVJ-E) vector derived from inactivated replication-defective Sendai virus enhances anti-tumor immunity through activation of effector T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and inhibition of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Interleukin (IL)-2 enhances T cell proliferation and activates T cells and NK cells. However, recent studies have revealed that the application of IL-2 also has immune suppressive effects through expansion of Tregs. Here, we investigated the efficacy of IL-2 gene therapy using immunomodulating HVJ-E vector in murine malignant glioma models. A single intratumoral injection of HVJ-E containing pVAX-mIL-2 significantly suppressed tumor growth of intracranial gliomas, resulting in prolonged survival. Furthermore, HVJ-E, following intracavitary administration, delivered genes into post-operative residual tumor cells. Consequently, prolonged survival resulted from a single intracavitary administration of HVJ-E containing pVAX-mIL-2 following tumor removal. IL-2 gene therapy delivered via the HVJ-E vector significantly inhibited the expansion of Tregs in tumors compared to IL-2 gene transfer using retroviral vector and resulted in marked infiltration of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells into tumors. Through inhibition of Treg-mediated immunosuppression, HVJ-E enhanced effector T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity induced by IL-2. This combination of an immunomodulating vector and immunostimulating cytokine gene shows promise as an attractive, novel immunogene therapy for malignant glioma.     

Tumor-infiltrating Treg,MDSC, and IDO expression associated with outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer

Background: Regulatory T cells(Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs) represent two immunosuppressive cell populations that are important in the establishment and maintenance of cancer immune tolerance. MDSCs can express IDO and promote immune tolerance via expansion of Treg cell.Method: We use needle biopsy breast cancer tissues prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NCT) staining for CD33, Foxp3 and IDO by immunohistochemistry to evaluate whether they were correlated with subsequent treatment responses in breast cancer.Results: Expressions of IDO, CD33⁺MDSCs and Foxp3⁺Tregs were correlated with each other. Immunohistochemical double staining revealed that IDO expression in CD33⁺MDSCs was positively correlated with Foxp3⁺Tregs (P < 0.05). CD33⁺MDSCs, Foxp3⁺Tregs, and IDO expression in tumor tissues were associated with advanced clinical stage prior to NCT (P < 0.05). CD33⁺MDSCs, Foxp3⁺Tregs, IDO expression, IDO expression in CD33⁺MDSCs and clinical T3–T4 stage prior to NCT, pathological T3–T4 stage, ER(+), luminal type were correlated with clinical responses of PD+SD (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that CD33⁺MDSCs, IDO expression, IDO expression in CD33⁺MDSCs, and advanced pathological T stage were risk factors for PD+SD. Focusing on the pCR of NCT, only CD33⁺MDSCs, clinical T3–T4, and N1–N3 stage prior to NCT were associated with no-pCR (P < 0.05). The multivariate analysis showed that advanced clinical T stage and N stage were risk factors for no-pCR. Clinical stage prior to NCT were significantly correlated with progression free survival (P = 0.021), while Foxp3⁺Tregs and clinical T stage were significantly correlated with overall survival (P = 0.022 and P = 0.001, respectively). Foxp3+Treg was significant risk factor for overall survival after adjusting covariates by COX regression.Conclusion: Tumor-infiltrating MDSCs, Tregs, IDO expression and IDO expression in MDSCs were correlated with clinicopathological features, NCT response, and prognosis of breast cancer patients, suggesting that they might be potential markers for clinical outcomes of NCT and help clinical decision-making for improved therapies for breast cancer.     

Associations Between Infiltrating Lymphocyte Subsets and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Aims: We aimed to analyze the phenotype of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and non-tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (NILs) in HCC and non-tumor tissues, and evaluate relationships between changes in these cells and the prognosis of HCC. Methods: Lymphocytes were isolated from HCC and corresponding non-tumor tissues and tested by flow cytometry. For comparison, clinical parameters were analyzed. Results: Compared with the non-tumor tissue, tumor tissue had a lower intensity of NK, NKT andCD8+T cell infiltration. TILs had higher intensity of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+regulatory T cell (Treg cells) infiltration compared with that in NILs. The prevalence of Treg cells was associated with fewer CD8 + T lymphocytes in the HCC immune microenvironment. The frequencies of NK cells and CD8+T cells in TILs of HCC patients with metastasis less than 12 months were lower than those without metastasis. However, the frequency of Treg cells was higher than those without metastasis. Conclusion: These results suggest that the frequencies of CD8+T, NK and NKT cells as well as Treg cells in the tumor tissue of HCC are significantly associated with patient survival, and could be applied as predictive indicators for HCC prognosis.