Novel discovery in T cells, for future anti-cancer therapies
The body’s immune system is a remarkable defense mechanism made up of organs, cells, and proteins to protect the body against infections and diseases
Among the various components, T cells are part of this complex immune system and play a major role in fighting infections and are also thought to help fight cancer.
T cells have the unique property to inhibit tumor growth, by releasing interferon and tumor necrosis factor.
The immune response by the T cells is prompted when an antigen from the foreign body (the tumor in cancers) targets and attacks human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expressing tumor cells.
This process occurs through the binding of a specific receptor on the T cells (CD28) with a protein (B7) on the surface of the antigen cells.
A new experimental study was carried out by the University of California, San Diego, USA which focused on a mouse model with cancer. The study revealed that circulating T cells can identify and locate B7 of the tumor and initiate anti-tumor activity through auto-signaling.
The scientists found that T cells could self-activate by forming inward creases in their cell membrane, facilitating the binding of B7 to the CD28 receptor.
This self- activation and the subsequent bonding of CD28:B7 enhanced anti-tumor activity slowing tumor progression and leading to rapid tumor cell death.
This discovery could hypothetically lead to the development of new anti-tumor treatment.
The authors suggest that cancer therapy could be more fruitful if T cells could be engineered with auto-signaling capabilities and given externally to patients with cancer, to prevent progression or even treat the tumor completely.
Another proposal made by the researchers in this study is that the CD28:B7 bonding could be used as a potential biomarker in cancer which could lead to better prognosis. In conclusion, scientists can explore methods to enhance T cell function and develop clinical interventions with better outcomes, for different diseases including cancer.