Immunosuppressive Effect Of Elevated Epidermal Ornithine Decarboxylase Activity

Tumor promoting agents, such as phorbol esters, promote tumorigenesis via induction of inflammation and hyperplasia. However, the immunosuppressive/immunomodulating properties of tumor promoting agents may play a relevant role in tumor promotion as well. Because elevated polyamine biosynthesis is sufficient to promote skin tumorigenesis, we hypothesized that increased activity of epidermal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a key regulatory enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, may suppress the cutaneous immune response in addition to stimulating proliferation. To investigate the role of ODC in the control of cutaneous inflammation, a well-known model of T cell mediated inflammation was used. A contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response was elicited in the ears of both ODC transgenic mice, in which ODC is targeted to the epidermis, and their normal littermates by topical sensitization and challenge with oxazolone. Unlike in normal littermate mice, ear swelling was dramatically reduced in ODC transgenic mice after elicitation of CHS. Flow cytometric and immunohistochemical analyses of the infiltrating immune cells revealed fewer infiltrating immune cells, especially neutrophils, in the elicited ears of ODC transgenic mice. The specific ODC inhibitor, α-difluoromethylornithine, abrogated the suppressive effects of ODC in CHS reactions. Adoptive transfer of sensitized lymphocytes from either ODC transgenic or normal littermate mice to naive ODC transgenic or wild-type mice indicated that elevated epidermal ODC activity suppress both the sensitization and elicitation phases of CHS. Cytokines are central mediators of immune functions associated with inflammatory reactions. The cytokine profile of ex vivo stimulated lymphocytes isolated from draining lymph nodes showed reduced levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in sensitized and challenged ODC transgenic mice. In vivo labeling of dendritic cells by topical application of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) showed fewer FITC-labeled dendritic cells in the draining lymph nodes of ODC transgenic mice compared to normal littermates. Vascular permeability was assessed using Evans blue extravasation assays during the elicitation phase of CHS. At 24 hours after induction of CHS, there was 45% less plasma extravasation of Evans blue dye into the ear skin of ODC transgenic mice compared to normal littermates. Collectively these data indicate elevated epidermal ODC activity can suppress a number of functions associated with cutaneous inflammatory reactions. In addition to promoting cellular proliferation, the immune suppression mediated by increased epidermal ODC activity may provide an environment conducive to tumor growth. This work was supported by NIH grant CA070739. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2471.