[PDF][PDF] Regulatory T cells in tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures suppress anti-tumor T cell responses

NS Joshi, EH Akama-Garren, Y Lu, DY Lee, GP Chang… - Immunity, 2015 - cell.com
NS Joshi, EH Akama-Garren, Y Lu, DY Lee, GP Chang, A Li, M DuPage, T Tammela
Immunity, 2015cell.com
Infiltration of regulatory T (Treg) cells into many tumor types correlates with poor patient
prognoses. However, mechanisms of intratumoral Treg cell function remain to be elucidated.
We investigated Treg cell function in a genetically engineered mouse model of lung
adenocarcinoma and found that Treg cells suppressed anti-tumor responses in tumor-
associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TA-TLSs). TA-TLSs have been described in human
lung cancers, but their function remains to be determined. TLSs in this model were spatially …
Summary
Infiltration of regulatory T (Treg) cells into many tumor types correlates with poor patient prognoses. However, mechanisms of intratumoral Treg cell function remain to be elucidated. We investigated Treg cell function in a genetically engineered mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma and found that Treg cells suppressed anti-tumor responses in tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TA-TLSs). TA-TLSs have been described in human lung cancers, but their function remains to be determined. TLSs in this model were spatially associated with >90% of tumors and facilitated interactions between T cells and tumor-antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs). Costimulatory ligand expression by DCs and T cell proliferation rates increased in TA-TLSs upon Treg cell depletion, leading to tumor destruction. Thus, we propose that Treg cells in TA-TLSs can inhibit endogenous immune responses against tumors, and targeting these cells might provide therapeutic benefit for cancer patients.
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