Immune-mediated eradication of tumors through the blockade of transforming growth factor-β signaling in T cells
Abstract
Despite the existence of tumor-specific antigens and demonstrated presence of tumor-specific immune cells, the majority of tumors manage to avoid immune-mediated destruction. Various mechanisms have been suggested for tumor evasion from immune response. One such mechanism is thought to be mediated by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), an immunosuppressive cytokine found at the site of most tumors. We demonstrate here that T-cell-specific blockade of TGF-beta signaling allows the generation of an immune response capable of eradicating tumors in mice challenged with live tumor cells. In addition, we provide mechanisms through which abrogation of TGF-beta signaling leads to the enhancement of anti-tumor immunity. Our data indicate that T-cell-specific blockade of TGF-beta signaling has strong therapeutic potential to shift the balance of the immune response in favor of anti-tumor immunity.
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TGF-β signaling in T cells activates SHP1 expression, which represses protein tyrosine kinase activities required for TCR signaling.
“Furthermore, TGF-β signaling in T cells activates SHP1 expression, which represses protein tyrosine kinase activities required for TCR signaling203,204.”
From TGFβ biology in cancer progression and immunotherapy (2021) · cites this paper as [203]
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- Authors
- Gorelik, L., & Flavell, R. A.
- Affiliations
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
- Corresponding author
- Flavell, Richard A.
- ORCID
- Flavell, Richard A.
- Venue
- Nature Medicine
- Published
- 2001-10
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1118-1122
- ISSN
- 1078-8956 (ISSN-L)
- 1546-170X
- OpenAlex
- W2040074251
- Cited by
- 770
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 33
- FWCI
- 11.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Nature Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › TGF-β signaling in diseases
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- Keywords
- TGF-beta, tumor immunosuppression, tumor immune evasion, antitumor immunity, T cells, tumor-specific immunity, cancer immunotherapy
- MeSH terms
- Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II, Animals, Melanoma, Experimental, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Transgenic, T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic, Signal Transduction, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Transforming Growth Factor beta, Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases, Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Mice
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