Activin A backs-up TGF-ß to promote regulatory T cells

Mara De Martino; Camille Daviaud; Claire Vanpouille-Box

doi:10.1080/2162402X.2021.1883288

Activin A backs-up TGF-ß to promote regulatory T cells

Oncoimmunology. 2021 Feb 11;10(1):1883288. doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2021.1883288.

Authors

Mara De Martino¹, Camille Daviaud¹, Claire Vanpouille-Box^{2

1}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
² Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.

Abstract

The mechanisms accountable for the infiltration of regulatory T cells into an irradiated tumor remain elusive. In our recent study, we demonstrate that activin A promotes regulatory T cells in tumors, and impairs anti-tumor immune responses induced by radiotherapy and TGF-β blockade. Dual blockade of activin A and TGF-β may be necessary to reduce regulatory T cells mediated immunosuppression driven by radiation therapy.

Keywords: Activin A; TGF-beta; immunosuppression; radiotherapy; regulatory T cells.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Activins*
Immune Tolerance
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory*

Substances

activin A
Activins

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program [BCRF; W81XWH-13-1-0012] to C. Vanpouille-Box. Additional funding was provided by intramural start-up funds to C. Vanpouille-Box.