The role of CD8+ regulatory T cells in anti-tumour immune responses in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Tumour specific effector T-cells can be detected in the blood and tumours of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but fail to mount effective immune responses. Attempts to amplify anti-tumour immune responses using immunotherapy show promise, but are hampered by the presence of suppressive regulatory T-cells (Treg) that inhibit anti-tumour immune responses. Many different subsets of Treg have since been identified including regulatory T-cells expressing the surface marker CD8 (CD8\\(^+\\)Treg). A set of experiments was designed in an attempt to increase our understanding on how CD8\\(^+\\)Treg may disrupt anti-tumour response and by what mechanisms they are induced. \n \nCD8\\(^+\\)Treg was analysed by isolation of liver-derived T-cells from human HCC. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC) matured with tumour tissue conditioned medium were used to assess they potential to induce CD8\\(^+\\)Treg. \n \nCD8\\(^+\\)Treg infiltrating HCC demonstrated a suppressive phenotype. The co-culture of naïve CD8\\(^+\\)T-cells with tumour-conditioned moDC induces a population of CD8\\(^+\\)Treg through an IDO dependent mechanism. This population of induced T-cells was able to suppress via the CD39-adenosine pathway. \n \nThe findings of the mechanisms involved in the induction of CD8\\(^+\\)Treg by DC and the involvement of CD39 in the suppressive capacity of these novel T-cells, may guide the development of future immunotherapeutic in HCC.
Author: Ka‐Kit Li
Language: English
Topic: T-cell and B-cell Immunology
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Wellcome Trust
OpenAlex ID: W2783745985