Dissecting the tumor myeloid compartment reveals rare activating antigen-presenting cells critical for T cell immunity

Cancer Cell. 2014 Nov 10;26(5):638-52. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2014.09.007. Epub 2014 Oct 16.

Abstract

It is well understood that antigen-presenting cells (APCs) within tumors typically do not maintain cytotoxic T cell (CTL) function, despite engaging them. Across multiple mouse tumor models and human tumor biopsies, we have delineated the intratumoral dendritic cell (DC) populations as distinct from macrophage populations. Within these, CD103(+) DCs are extremely sparse and yet remarkably capable CTL stimulators. These are uniquely dependent on IRF8, Zbtb46, and Batf3 transcription factors and are generated by GM-CSF and FLT3L cytokines. Regressing tumors have higher proportions of these cells, T-cell-dependent immune clearance relies on them, and abundance of their transcripts in human tumors correlates with clinical outcome. This cell type presents opportunities for prognostic and therapeutic approaches across multiple cancer types.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Myeloid Cells / immunology
  • Myeloid Cells / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Antigens, CD

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE61462