A stealthy way to combat tumors

Good news! Cancer is history, one step at a time!

"... The researchers then analyzed the dendritic cell populations that were present in each of these tumors. One of the main functions of dendritic cells is to take up debris from dying cells, such as cancer cells or cells infected with a pathogen, and then present the protein fragments to T cells, alerting them to the infection or tumor.

The best-known type of dendritic cells required for antitumor immunity  are DC1 cells, which interact with T cells that are able to eliminate cancer cells. However, the researchers found that DC1 cells were not needed for tumor regression. Instead, using single-cell RNA sequencing technology, they identified a previously unknown activation state of DC2 cells, a different type of dendritic cell, that was driving T cell activation in the regressing tumors.
The MIT team found that instead of ingesting cellular debris, these dendritic cells swipe proteins called MHC complexes from tumor cells and display them on their own surfaces. When T cells encounter these dendritic cells masquerading as tumor cells, the T cells become strongly activated and begin killing the tumor cells. ..."

From the abstract (difficult to understand for a lay person):

"... Transcriptional profiling of intra-tumoral DCs within regressor tumors revealed an activation state of CD11b+ conventional DCs (DC2s) characterized by expression of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs) (ISG+ DCs). ISG+ DC-activated CD8+ T cells ex vivo comparably to DC1. Unlike cross-presenting DC1, ISG+ DCs acquired and presented intact tumor-derived peptide-major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I) complexes. Constitutive type I IFN production by regressor tumors drove the ISG+ DC state, and activation of MHC class I-dressed ISG+ DCs by exogenous IFN-β rescued anti-tumor immunity against progressor tumors in Batf3−/− mice. The ISG+ DC gene signature is detectable in human tumors. Engaging this functional DC state may present an approach for the treatment of human disease."

A stealthy way to combat tumors | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT biologists show that helper immune cells disguised as cancer cells can help rejuvenate T cells that attack tumors.

Type I interferon activates MHC class I-dressed CD11b+ conventional dendritic cells to promote protective anti-tumor CD8+ T cell immunity (no public access)