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The Tumor Microenvironment

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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...

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Control of Dendritic Cell Function Within the Tumour Microenvironment.

Yukti Hari Gupta¹, Abida Khanom¹, Sophie E Acton¹

¹Stromal Immunology Laboratory, MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.

Frontiers in Immunology

|March 31, 2022

Summary

The tumor microenvironment (TME) hinders anti-tumor immunity by altering dendritic cells (DCs). Understanding TME-immune cell interactions is key to enhancing cancer immunotherapy effectiveness.

Keywords:

Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS)anti-tumour immunity dendritic cells draining lymph nodes immune infiltration inflammatory cytokines tumour microenvironment (TME)

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Preparation of Tumor Antigen-loaded Mature Dendritic Cells for Immunotherapy

Preparation of Tumor Antigen-loaded Mature Dendritic Cells for Immunotherapy

Published on: August 1, 2013

Area of Science:

Immunology
Cancer Biology
Oncology

Background:

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex milieu of cells, mediators, and extracellular matrix that significantly impacts anti-tumor immune responses.
Inflammatory mediators within the TME, including cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and prostaglandins, critically influence the phenotype and function of dendritic cells (DCs).
Dendritic cells (DCs) are pivotal antigen-presenting cells essential for initiating adaptive immune responses against tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

To review how tumor cells and stromal components within the TME modulate dendritic cell (DC) maturation and migration.
To explore the impact of TME-induced DC alterations on T cell function and anti-tumor immunity.
To discuss the significance of antigen-presentation sites (local TME vs. tumor-draining lymph nodes) in shaping anti-tumor immune responses.

Main Methods:

This mini-review synthesizes existing literature on the TME's influence on immune cells.
It examines the roles of inflammatory mediators and stromal components in modulating DC function.
The review analyzes the consequences for T cell activation and anti-tumor immunity.

Main Results:

Tumor cells and stromal elements actively shape the TME, leading to altered DC maturation and impaired trafficking.
The TME's inflammatory milieu can suppress DC function, thereby compromising the generation of effective T cell-driven anti-tumor immunity.
Physical barriers imposed by the tumor stroma can further restrict immune cell infiltration and function.

Conclusions:

Modulation of dendritic cell function by the tumor microenvironment is a critical barrier to effective cancer immunotherapy.
Understanding the intricate interplay between the TME and immune cells, particularly DCs, is essential for developing strategies to overcome immune suppression.
Further research into the relative importance of local vs. lymph node antigen presentation is needed to enhance immune surveillance and anti-tumor immunity.