Modulation of human macrophage functions by gangliosides

In human tumors of neuroectodermal origin cell surface expression of individual gangliosides is either increased or decreased relative to comparable normal cells. We have previously shown that gangliosides shed from melanoma cells can immunomodulate T cell activity. Monocytes/macrophages (m/m) are known to play an important role as accessory and effector cells in immune responses. We therefore investigated the effect of exogenous gangliosides derived from melanoma on m/m functions in vitro. Gangliosides commonly expressed on human melanoma such as GM3, GD3, GM2, and GD2 were investigated, as well as GM1, a major component of human neural tissue. Monocytes were isolated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations, treated with gangliosides in vitro, and evaluated in several functional assays. Treatment of m/m with GM2 and GM3 gave the greatest inhibition of Fc receptor expression. GM1 and GD3 on the other hand most inhibited the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) by m/m. Production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) like monocytoxin was not affected by incubation with individual gangliosides. These studies suggest that individual melanoma gangliosides have different regulatory effects on m/m functions.