The expression of MHC class II molecules on murine breast tumors delays T-cell exhaustion, expands the T-cell repertoire, and slows tumor growth.

ABSTRACT: The expression of MHC class II molecules (MHCII) on tumor cells correlates with survival and responsiveness to immunotherapy. However, the mechanisms underlying these observations are poorly defined. Using a murine breast tumor line, we showed that MHCII-expressing tumors grew more slowly than controls and recruited more functional CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. In addition, MHCII-expressing tumors contained more TCR clonotypes expanded to a larger degree than control tumors. Functional CD8⁺ T cells in tumors depended on CD4⁺ T cells. However, both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells eventually became exhausted, even in MHCII-expressing tumors. Treatment with anti-CTLA4, but not anti-PD-1 or anti-TIM-3, promoted complete eradication of MHCII-expr

SUBMITTER: McCaw TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6504180 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature