Tregs in Tumor Escape

In cancer, regulatory T cells (Tregs) accumulate in the tumor microenvironment and can play a role in immune suppression and tumor escape. Tregs aid in immunosuppression is through the expression and upregulation of immune checkpoint molecules, including CTLA4 and PD1, and pro-apoptotic molecules, like Fas and TRAIL. Additionally, Tregs produce cytotoxic molecules, like perforin and granzymes, leading to T cell apoptosis and suppressive cytokines, like IL-10 and TGF-β, leading to T cell anergy and APC dysfunction. Production of IL-10 and TGF- β by Tregs also results in an increase of tolerogenic dendritic cells and impairs the activation of other immune cell types.

 

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