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Published on: July 20, 2016
Regulation of tumor infiltrated innate immune cells by adenosine
Regina Strakhova1, Octavia Cadassou1, Emeline Cros-Perrial1
1Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, 69008, Lyon, France.
Abstract:
Cancer has the ability to escape the immune system using different molecular actors. Adenosine is known to be involved in mechanisms which control inflammatory reactions and prevent excessive immune response. This purine nucleoside can be translocated from the cell or produced in the extracellular space by 5'-ectonucleotidases. Once bound to its receptors on the surface of immune effector cells, adenosine activates various molecular pathways, which lead to functional inhibition of the cell or its death. Some tumors are infiltrated by the different cells of immune system but are able to use adenosine as an immunosuppressive molecule and thus inhibit immune anticancer response. This mechanism is well described on adaptive cells, but much less on innate cells. This review outlines major effects of adenosine on innate immune cells, its consequences on cancer progression, and possible ways to block the adenosine-dependent immunosuppressive effect.
Insights
Cancer cells exploit adenosine, a molecule that regulates immune responses, to suppress the immune system. This review examines adenosine
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cancer immune evasion involves molecular mechanisms.
- Adenosine regulates inflammatory responses and immune suppression.
- Tumors utilize adenosine to inhibit anti-cancer immune responses, particularly in innate immune cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of adenosine on innate immune cells in cancer.
- To outline adenosine's role in cancer progression.
- To explore strategies for blocking adenosine-mediated immunosuppression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific articles on adenosine and cancer immunology.
- Analysis of molecular pathways involving adenosine and immune cells.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on adenosine's immunosuppressive effects.
Main Results:
- Adenosine, produced extracellularly, binds to receptors on immune cells.
- Adenosine activation leads to immune cell functional inhibition or death.
- Tumors leverage adenosine to dampen anti-cancer immunity, especially in innate immune cells.
Conclusions:
- Adenosine is a key immunosuppressive molecule in the tumor microenvironment.
- Understanding adenosine's impact on innate immunity is crucial for cancer therapy.
- Targeting adenosine pathways offers potential for enhancing anti-cancer immune responses.
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