Researchers found that cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) directly interact with T regulatory cells (Tregs), hampering Treg activation and proliferation, in a process affected by CAF autophagy. Their results suggest that disrupting CAF-Treg synapses could be a promising therapeutic strategy to inhibit tumor progression.
Immunological synapse formation between T regulatory cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes tumour development
Athina Varveri, Miranta Papadopoulou, Zacharias Papadovasilakis, Ewoud B. Compeer, Aigli-Ioanna Legaki, Anastasios Delis, Vasileia Damaskou, Louis Boon, Sevasti Papadogiorgaki, Martina Samiotaki, Periklis G. Foukas, Aristides G. Eliopoulos, Aikaterini Hatzioannou, Themis Alissafi, Michael L. Dustin & Panayotis Verginis
Nat Commun. 2024 Jun 11;15(1):4988. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-49282-1