CD8⁺ Foxp3⁺ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes accumulate in the context of an effective anti-tumor response.

ABSTRACT: The composition of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is heterogeneous. In addition, the ratio of various subpopulations in the tumor microenvironment is highly dependent on the nature of the host's immune response. Here, we characterize Foxp3-expressing CD8(+) T cells in the tumor that demonstrate effector function and accumulate in the context of an effective anti-tumor response. CD8(+) Foxp3(+) T cells are induced in TIL in regressing tumors of FVB/N mice treated with a GM-CSF secreting HER-2/neu targeted whole cell vaccine. Foxp3 expression in tumor antigen-specific CD8 T cells is restricted to the tumor microenvironment and influenced by cues in the tumor. Interestingly, Foxp3(+) and Foxp3(-) CD8(+) T cells have similar IFN-γ production and antigen-specific degranulation after stimu

SUBMITTER: Le DT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3064958 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature