LAIR-1 overexpression and correlation with advanced pathological grade and immune suppressive status in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background This study aims to investigate the characteristic role of inhibitory receptor leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 1 (LAIR-1) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods The expressions of LAIR-1 and other immune-related molecules were detected in a human OSCC tissue microarray. LAIR-1 expression difference among different clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. The correlations of LAIR-1 with several immune-related markers were assessed. Results Compared with dysplasia and oral mucosa, the expression of LAIR-1 was significantly upregulated in the stroma of OSCC, and its overexpression was correlated with advanced pathological grade. Overexpression of LAIR-1 was significantly associated with tumor-associated macrophage and myeloid-derived suppressor cell markers (CD68, CD163; CD33, CD11b), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and two immune checkpoints (B7-H3 and VISTA). Conclusions Overexpression of LAIR-1 was associated with advanced pathological grade and correlated with immune suppressive features in OSCC. Further studies are required to identify the specific immunological role of LAIR-1.