Crosstalk between T lymphocyte and extracellular matrix in tumor microenvironment

Front Immunol. 2024 Apr 16:15:1340702. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1340702. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex three-dimensional structure composed of proteins, glycans, and proteoglycans, constituting a critical component of the tumor microenvironment. Complex interactions among immune cells, extracellular matrix, and tumor cells promote tumor development and metastasis, consequently influencing therapeutic efficacy. Hence, elucidating these interaction mechanisms is pivotal for precision cancer therapy. T lymphocytes are an important component of the immune system, exerting direct anti-tumor effects by attacking tumor cells or releasing lymphokines to enhance immune effects. The ECM significantly influences T cells function and infiltration within the tumor microenvironment, thereby impacting the behavior and biological characteristics of tumor cells. T cells are involved in regulating the synthesis, degradation, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix through the secretion of cytokines and enzymes. As a result, it affects the proliferation and invasive ability of tumor cells as well as the efficacy of immunotherapy. This review discusses the mechanisms underlying T lymphocyte-ECM interactions in the tumor immune microenvironment and their potential application in immunotherapy. It provides novel insights for the development of innovative tumor therapeutic strategies and drug.

Keywords: T lymphocytes; extracellular matrix; immune escape; targeted therapy; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Communication / immunology
  • Extracellular Matrix* / immunology
  • Extracellular Matrix* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • T-Lymphocytes* / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes* / metabolism
  • Tumor Microenvironment* / immunology

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant number 81802717 and 81372892); Sichuan Science and Technology Program (2023NSFSC0555 and 2022YFS0118); the Youth Science Foundation of Sichuan University (Grant number 2016SCU11040); the Open Foundation from the State Key Laboratory of Oral Disease Sichuan University (Grant number SKLOD201917); Research and Develop Program of West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University (RD-02-202105).