Granzyme B and perforin are important for regulatory T cell-mediated suppression of tumor clearance

Immunity. 2007 Oct;27(4):635-46. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2007.08.014. Epub 2007 Oct 4.

Abstract

Granzyme B is important for the ability of NK cells and CD8(+) T cells to kill their targets. However, we showed here that granzyme B-deficient mice clear both allogeneic and syngeneic tumor cell lines more efficiently than do wild-type (WT) mice. To determine whether regulatory T (Treg) cells utilize granzyme B to suppress immune responses against these tumors, we examined the expression and function of granzyme B in Treg cells. Granzyme B was not expressed in naive Treg cells but was highly expressed in 5%-30% of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells in the tumor environment. Adoptive transfer of WT Treg cells, but not granzyme B- or perforin-deficient Treg cells, into granzyme B-deficient mice partially restored susceptibility to tumor growth; Treg cells derived from the tumor environment could induce NK and CD8(+) T cell death in a granzyme B- and perforin-dependent fashion. Granzyme B and perforin are therefore relevant for Treg cell-mediated suppression of tumor clearance in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Granzymes / immunology*
  • Granzymes / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / immunology
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Congenic
  • Models, Immunological
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology*
  • Perforin / immunology*
  • Perforin / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism

Substances

  • Perforin
  • Granzymes