Fates of CD8+ T cells in Tumor Microenvironment

• Published in: Computational and structural biotechnology journal Vol. 17; pp. 1 - 13
• Main Authors: Maimela, Nomathamsanqa Resegofetse, Liu, Shasha, Zhang, Yi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.01.2019; Research Network of Computational and Structural Biotechnology; Elsevier
• Subjects: biotechnology; CD8+ T cell differentiation; CD8+ T cell fates; CD8+ T cell trafficking; CD8-positive T-lymphocytes; cell growth; immunosuppression; neoplasms; prognosis; Review; T cell exhaustion; Tumor microenvironment; T cell exhaustion; CD8+ T cell differentiation; CD8+ T cell fates; Tumor microenvironment; CD8+ T cell trafficking
• ISSN: 2001-0370; 2001-0370
• DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2018.11.004

Studies have reported a positive correlation between elevated CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and good prognosis in cancer. However, the mechanisms linking T cell tumor-infiltration and tumor rejection are yet to be fully understood. The cells and factors of the TME facilitate tumor development in various ways. CD8+ T cell function is influenced by a number of factors, including CD8+ T cell trafficking and localization into tumor sites; as well as CD8+ T cell growth and differentiation. This review highlights recent literature as well as currently evolving concepts regarding the fates of CD8+ T cells in the TME from three different aspects CD8+ T cell trafficking, differentiation and function. A thorough understanding of factors contributing to the fates of CD8+ T cells will allow researchers to develop new strategies and improve on already existing strategies to facilitate CD8+ T cell mediated anti-tumor function, impede T cell dysfunction and modulate the TME into a less immunosuppressive TME.