[PDF][PDF] Granzyme B and perforin are important for regulatory T cell-mediated suppression of tumor clearance

X Cao, SF Cai, TA Fehniger, J Song, LI Collins… - Immunity, 2007 - cell.com
X Cao, SF Cai, TA Fehniger, J Song, LI Collins, DR Piwnica-Worms, TJ Ley
Immunity, 2007cell.com
Granzyme B is important for the ability of NK cells and CD8+ T cells to kill their targets.
However, we showed here that granzyme B-deficient mice clear both allogeneic and
syngeneic tumor cell lines more efficiently than do wild-type (WT) mice. To determine
whether regulatory T (Treg) cells utilize granzyme B to suppress immune responses against
these tumors, we examined the expression and function of granzyme B in Treg cells.
Granzyme B was not expressed in naive Treg cells but was highly expressed in 5%–30% of …
Summary
Granzyme B is important for the ability of NK cells and CD8+ T cells to kill their targets. However, we showed here that granzyme B-deficient mice clear both allogeneic and syngeneic tumor cell lines more efficiently than do wild-type (WT) mice. To determine whether regulatory T (Treg) cells utilize granzyme B to suppress immune responses against these tumors, we examined the expression and function of granzyme B in Treg cells. Granzyme B was not expressed in naive Treg cells but was highly expressed in 5%–30% of CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells in the tumor environment. Adoptive transfer of WT Treg cells, but not granzyme B- or perforin-deficient Treg cells, into granzyme B-deficient mice partially restored susceptibility to tumor growth; Treg cells derived from the tumor environment could induce NK and CD8+ T cell death in a granzyme B- and perforin-dependent fashion. Granzyme B and perforin are therefore relevant for Treg cell-mediated suppression of tumor clearance in vivo.
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