Induction of lymphoidlike stroma and immune escape by tumors that express the chemokine CCL21

JD Shields, IC Kourtis, AA Tomei, JM Roberts… - Science, 2010 - science.org
JD Shields, IC Kourtis, AA Tomei, JM Roberts, MA Swartz
Science, 2010science.org
Tumor manipulation of host immunity is important for tumor survival and invasion. Many
cancers secrete CCL21, a chemoattractant for various leukocytes and lymphoid tissue
inducer cells, which drive lymphoid neogenesis. CCL21 expression by melanoma tumors in
mice was associated with an immunotolerant microenvironment, which included the
induction of lymphoid-like reticular stromal networks, an altered cytokine milieu, and the
recruitment of regulatory leukocyte populations. In contrast, CCL21-deficient tumors induced …
Tumor manipulation of host immunity is important for tumor survival and invasion. Many cancers secrete CCL21, a chemoattractant for various leukocytes and lymphoid tissue inducer cells, which drive lymphoid neogenesis. CCL21 expression by melanoma tumors in mice was associated with an immunotolerant microenvironment, which included the induction of lymphoid-like reticular stromal networks, an altered cytokine milieu, and the recruitment of regulatory leukocyte populations. In contrast, CCL21-deficient tumors induced antigen-specific immunity. CCL21-mediated immune tolerance was dependent on host rather than tumor expression of the CCL21 receptor, CCR7, and could protect distant, coimplanted CCL21-deficient tumors and even nonsyngeneic allografts from rejection. We suggest that by altering the tumor microenvironment, CCL21-secreting tumors shift the host immune response from immunogenic to tolerogenic, which facilitates tumor progression.
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