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Published in:

01-02-2004 | Symposium in Writing

Anti-tumor immunity and autoimmunity: a balancing act of regulatory T cells

Authors: Wei-Zen Wei, Gerald P. Morris, Yi-chi M. Kong

Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy | Issue 2/2004

Abstract

Regulatory T (Treg) cell activity has been observed in anti-tumor and autoimmunity since the 1970s. Functional and molecular characterization of Treg cells has been made possible by the recent association of cell markers, such as CD25, CTLA-4, GITR, and Foxp3 gene product, with immunoregulatory activity. Here the influence of Treg cells in both anti-tumor immunity and autoimmunity was measured in BALB/c mice. Depletion of CD4⁺CD25⁺ Treg cells with CD25 mAb resulted in mammary tumor regression and increased susceptibility to thyroiditis. This in vivo priming to both tumor-associated antigens and self-thyroglobulin attests to the presence of otherwise undetectable immune effectors which are under negative regulation. Modulation of Treg cells is a powerful strategy in cancer therapy, but may potentiate autoimmune complications. Murine models exhibiting breakable tolerance to tumor-associated antigens, such as ErbB-2 (HER-2/neu), and increased susceptibility to autoimmunity following Treg-cell depletion are being established to test new vaccination or therapeutic strategies involving Treg-cell modulation.

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Title: Anti-tumor immunity and autoimmunity: a balancing act of regulatory T cells
Authors: Wei-Zen Wei
Gerald P. Morris
Yi-chi M. Kong
Publication date: 01-02-2004
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy / Issue 2/2004
Print ISSN: 0340-7004
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-003-0444-1

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