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Subverting Attachment to Prevent Attacking: Alteration of Effector Immune Cell Migration and Adhesion as a Key

Marta Mastrogiovanni1,2, Emmanuel Donnadieu3, Rajiv Pathak4

  • 1Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.

Biology
|November 27, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Tumors evade immune attack by altering cell adhesion, disrupting immune cell movement into the tumor and within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Understanding these adhesion changes is key for improving cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Cell adhesion is critical for immune cell function, including migration, communication, and interaction with the extracellular matrix.
  • Effective anti-tumor immunity relies on precise immune cell trafficking and effector program initiation within a specific spatiotemporal sequence.
  • Immune cells transition from patrolling to adhesive interactions with vascular endothelial cells to extravasate and reach cancer sites.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how altered adhesion cues in the tumor context promote tumor escape.
  • To examine mechanisms by which tumors modulate immune cell adhesion and migration.
  • To explore indirect immune escape strategies involving tumor microenvironment (TME) modifications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on cell adhesion in cancer immunology.
  • Analysis of mechanisms of direct tumor modulation of immune cell adhesion and migration.
  • Exploration of indirect immune escape mechanisms related to TME characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Alterations in adhesion cues within the tumor microenvironment (TME) favor tumor escape by hindering effector immune cell infiltration and trafficking.
  • Tumors directly manipulate immune cell adhesion and migration to impair anti-tumor immunity and promote evasion.
  • Indirect mechanisms, including modifications in TME vascularization, immunogenicity, and topography, also contribute to immune escape.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding tumor-induced alterations in cell adhesion is crucial for overcoming immune escape.
  • Targeting adhesion mechanisms offers potential for developing more effective cancer drug treatments and cellular immunotherapies.
Keywords:
effector immune cellsimmune cell biologyleukocyte adhesionleukocyte migrationtumor microenvironment

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