C3aR Signaling Inhibits NK-cell Infiltration into the Tumor Microenvironment in Mouse Models.

ABSTRACT: Many solid tumors have low levels of cytotoxic CD56^dim natural killer (NK) cells, suggesting that CD56^dim NK-cell exclusion from the tumor microenvironment (TME) contributes to the decreased response rate of immunotherapy. Complement component 3a (C3a) is known for its tumor-promoting and immunosuppressive roles in solid tumors. Previous reports have implicated the involvement of the C3a receptor (C3aR) in immune cell trafficking into the TME. C3aR is predominantly expressed on the surface of activated cytotoxic NK cells, but a specific role for C3aR in NK-cell biology has not been investigated. Because solid tumors generate elevated C3a and have decreased NK-cell infiltration, we hypothesized that C3aR might play a role in cytotoxic NK-cell recruitment into the TME.

SUBMITTER: Nandagopal S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9351714 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature