Review Article

Hapten-Induced Contact Hypersensitivity, Autoimmune Reactions, and Tumor Regression: Plausibility of Mediating Antitumor Immunity

Table 2

Contact hypersensitivity immune mechanisms that may lead to tumor regression.

CHS immune cellCHS immune reactionPlausible direct and indirect mechanisms of tumor regression

Hapten modification of epidermal cells → release of danger signalsATP release → P2RX7 → NLRP3 activationIL-18 and IL-1β → protection against colorectal tumorigenesis [115]
ROSInhibit MDSC maturation [116]
Induce cell death in established tumor [117]

Dermal APCsStimulation by haptenizationPossibly stimulate exhausted CD8+ T-cells [118, 119]

KeratinocytesIL-18 releaseProtection against colorectal tumorigenesis [116]
IL-1β releasePolarization of IFNγ CD8+ T-cells [115]

iNKT cells IFNγ productionProtective role dependent on Th1 cytokines [140] and antitumor activity [150]

Mast cellsTNFα and CXCL2 releaseNeutrophil activation [4]
TNFα and serotonin releaseChemokine, selectin and adhesion molecule upregulation for hapten-specific T-cell trafficking

NeutrophilsKC damage (FasL and perforin)Potential tumor damage, although neutrophils not known to directly kill tumor cells in the first 24 hours [121, 122]
CXCL1 and CXCL2Chemokine, selectin and adhesion molecule upregulation for hapten-specific T-cell trafficking

CS initiating B-1 cellsHapten-antibody productionHapten-tumor IgM → ADCC

CD8+ T-cellsIFNγTIL activation [125] and antitumor activity [150]
Hapten-specific CD8+ T-cellsHaptenated-tumor cell killing
Infiltration into CHS siteTumor-infiltrating lymphocytes [125]

CD4+ T-cellsHapten-specificRescue exhausted CD8+ T-cells [123]

Tc17/Th17IL-17 CD4+ and CD8+ CellsAntitumor immune responses [126, 127]

Hepatic NK cellsHapten-specific NK-cellsHapten-tumor cell killing [128]

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