Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Tumor Transplantation for Assessing the Dynamics of Tumor-Infiltrating CD8+ T Cells in Mice
07:36

Tumor Transplantation for Assessing the Dynamics of Tumor-Infiltrating CD8+ T Cells in Mice

Published on: June 12, 2021

Impact of tumor-derived CCL2 on T cell effector function

Peter F Vitiello1, Mara G Shainheit, Erin M Allison

  • 1Department of Biology, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042, USA.

Immunology Letters
|March 17, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Tumor-derived monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (CCL2) can reduce T cell effector function. However, CCL2 does not impact the overall immunogenicity of the tumor, suggesting a complex role in anti-tumor immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1, CCL2) is a chemokine implicated in immune cell recruitment and function.
  • Tumor-derived chemokines can modulate the anti-tumor immune response.
  • The specific role of CCL2 in shaping T cell responses within the tumor microenvironment requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of tumor-derived CCL2 on T cell responses and anti-tumor immunity.
  • To determine if CCL2 influences T cell effector functions, such as cytokine production.
  • To assess the effect of CCL2 on tumor immunogenicity in vivo.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma model, generating CCL2-expressing and CCL2-null variants.
  • Analyzed T cell populations and cytokine production (e.g., IFN-gamma) in draining lymph nodes.
  • Exposed splenic T cells to recombinant CCL2 in vitro to assess direct effects on function.
  • Conducted vaccination/challenge experiments to evaluate tumor immunogenicity.

Main Results:

  • CCL2-null tumors altered T cell responses compared to CCL2-expressing tumors.
  • CD62Llo T cells from lymph nodes draining CCL2-null tumors produced higher levels of IFN-gamma.
  • In vitro exposure to CCL2 reduced the IFN-gamma production capacity of splenic T cells.
  • Despite enhanced effector function in vitro, CCL2-null and CCL2-expressing tumors showed similar immunogenicity in vaccination/challenge models.

Conclusions:

  • Tumor-derived CCL2 can suppress T cell effector function, specifically IFN-gamma production.
  • CCL2 does not appear to significantly alter the overall immunogenicity of the tumor.
  • These findings suggest that while CCL2 impacts T cell function, its role in determining tumor rejection is complex and may be compensated by other mechanisms.

Related Concept Videos

T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...