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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Tumor Transplantation for Assessing the Dynamics of Tumor-Infiltrating CD8+ T Cells in Mice
Published on: June 12, 2021
CD4+ T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity can be uncoupled from autoimmunity via the STAT4/STAT6 signaling axis
Sheng Zhang1, Dannie Bernard, Waliul I Khan
1Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
Previous reports have suggested that autoimmune sequelae may be an unavoidable consequence of successful immunization against tumor-associated antigens, which are typically non-mutated self-antigens. Using a melanoma model, we demonstrated that CD4(+) T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity and autoimmunity could be separated by modulating the STAT4/STAT6 signaling axis. Our results have revealed an unexpected dichotomy in the effector phase following cancer vaccination where anti-tumor immunity is mediated via a STAT6 and IL-4-dependent pathway, whereas autoimmune pathology is mediated via STAT4 through a mechanism that relies partially on IFN-gamma. Our results offer a possibility to elicit specific anti-tumor responses without triggering unwanted tissue autoimmune diseases.
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