Tgf-β1 produced by activated CD4+ T Cells Antagonizes T Cell Surveillance of Tumor Development

MK Donkor, A Sarkar, MO Li - Oncoimmunology, 2012 - Taylor & Francis
MK Donkor, A Sarkar, MO Li
Oncoimmunology, 2012Taylor & Francis
TGFβ1 is a regulatory cytokine with a crucial function in the control of T cell tolerance to
tumors. Our recent study revealed that T cell-produced TGFβ1 is essential for inhibiting
cytotoxic T cell responses to tumors. However, the exact TGFβ1-producing T cell subset
required for tumor immune evasion remains unknown. Here we showed that deletion of
TGFβ1 from CD8+ T cells or Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells did not protect mice against
transplanted tumors. However, absence of TGFβ1 produced by activated CD4+ T cells and …
TGFβ1 is a regulatory cytokine with a crucial function in the control of T cell tolerance to tumors. Our recent study revealed that T cell-produced TGFβ1 is essential for inhibiting cytotoxic T cell responses to tumors. However, the exact TGFβ1-producing T cell subset required for tumor immune evasion remains unknown. Here we showed that deletion of TGFβ1 from CD8+ T cells or Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells did not protect mice against transplanted tumors. However, absence of TGFβ1 produced by activated CD4+ T cells and Treg cells inhibited tumor growth, and protected mice from spontaneous prostate cancer. These findings suggest that TGFβ1 produced by activated CD4+ T cells is a necessary requirement for tumor evasion from immunosurveillance.
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