Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 7, 2025

Mass Cytometry Analysis of Systemic and Local Immune Responses in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
08:25

Mass Cytometry Analysis of Systemic and Local Immune Responses in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Published on: April 25, 2025

505

Regulatory T cell control of systemic immunity and immunotherapy response in liver metastasis

James C Lee1,2,3,4, Sadaf Mehdizadeh2,3, Jennifer Smith2,3

  • 1Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. jeff.bluestone@ucsf.edu james.lee4@ucsf.edu.

Science Immunology
|October 3, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Liver metastasis suppresses anti-tumor immunity by activating regulatory T cells (Tregs) and monocytes. Combining anti-PD-1 therapy with Treg-targeting agents may improve cancer treatment outcomes in patients with liver metastases.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Patients with cancer and liver metastases have poorer outcomes with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
  • The mechanism behind liver metastasis-induced suppression of anti-tumor immunity is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism by which liver metastases suppress systemic anti-tumor immunity.
  • To identify potential therapeutic strategies to overcome this suppression.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a dual-tumor immunocompetent mouse model.
  • Investigated immune responses to liver tumor antigens.
  • Analyzed the roles of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD11b+ monocytes.

Main Results:

  • Immune responses to liver tumor antigens caused systemic suppression of anti-tumor immunity.
  • This suppression was antigen-specific, involving regulatory T cells (Tregs) and intratumoral CD11b+ monocytes.
  • Anti-PD-1 monotherapy was ineffective unless Tregs were depleted or destabilized.

Conclusions:

  • Liver metastasis induces antigen-specific immune suppression via Tregs and CD11b+ monocytes.
  • Combination therapy targeting Tregs and CD11b+ monocytes with anti-PD-1 offers a rationale for treating liver metastatic cancer.

More Related Videos

Experimental Metastasis and CTL Adoptive Transfer Immunotherapy Mouse Model08:06

Experimental Metastasis and CTL Adoptive Transfer Immunotherapy Mouse Model

Published on: November 26, 2010

20.0K
Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells09:04

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells

Published on: March 7, 2025

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

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.
1.3K
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...
1.8K
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
82.1K
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...
7.4K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
1.5K
Inflammatory Response01:28

Inflammatory Response

An inflammatory response is a localized, nonspecific immune reaction that occurs when a tissue is injured. It is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which are commonly called the cardinal signs and symptoms of inflammation. Inflammation can sometimes result in a loss of function.
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
15.4K