Regulatory T cell: a protection for tumour cells

J Cell Mol Med. 2012 Mar;16(3):425-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2011.01437.x.

Abstract

Characterized by immunosuppression regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in maintaining immune tolerance. A growing number of tumours have been found with Tregs accumulating in microenvironment and patients with high density of Tregs in tumour stroma get a worse prognosis, which suggests that Tregs may inhibit anti-tumour immunity in stroma, resulting in a poor prognosis. In this paper, we demonstrate the accumulation of Tregs in tumour stroma and the possible suppressive mechanisms. We also state the immunotherapy that has being used in animal and clinical trials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Immunotherapy
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis*
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Tumor Escape
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Interleukin-10