CCL9/CCR1 induces myeloid‑derived suppressor cell recruitment to the spleen in a murine H22 orthotopic hepatoma model

Myeloid‑derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are the major negative regulators of immune responses and expand in numerous tumor models. They contribute to tumor progression and metastasis, and are involved in limiting the effects of cancer immunotherapy. To selectively target MDSCs, it is required to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive MDSC expansion. The mechanisms of their accumulation in tumor tissue have been extensively studied, while the mechanisms of their expansion in lymphoid organs have been rarely explored. The spleen is the largest lymphoid organ in the human body. A previous study by our group reported that a negative immune status in the spleen facilitated tumor growth, with MDSCs being the major immunosuppressive cells. In the present study, a murine H22 orthotopic hepatoma model was established and the mechanisms of splenic MDSC accumulation were studied, including MDSC proliferation, apoptosis and chemotaxis. The proliferation and apoptosis of splenic MDSCs did not differ between normal and tumor‑bearing (TB) mice. Cytokine array and ELISA of splenic tissues indicated elevated chemokine (C‑C motif) ligand 9 (CCL9) levels in TB mice. Furthermore, splenic macrophages were able to secrete CCL9. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that splenic MDSCs from TB mice also overexpressed C‑C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1), the receptor for CCL9. Taken together, the present results indicate that CCL9 secreted by splenic macrophages induces a CCR1‑dependent accumulation of MDSCs in the spleen in a murine H22 hepatoma model.