T regulatory cells in B-cell malignancy - tumour support or kiss of death?

Lindqvist CA, Loskog AS

Immunology 135 (4) 255-260 [2012-04-00; online 2011-11-25]

It is well established that T regulatory (Treg) cells counteract tumour immunity. However, conflicting results describing the role of Treg cells in haematological tumours warrant further investigations to clarify the interactions between Treg cells and the tumour. B-cell malignancy derives from different stages of B-cell development and differentiation in which T cells play a profound role. The transformed B cell may still be in need of T-cell help to thrive but simultaneously they may be recognized and destroyed by cytotoxic lymphocytes. Recent reports demonstrate that Treg cells can suppress and even kill B cells as part of their normal function to rescue the body from autoimmunity. An emerging body of evidence points out that Treg cells not only inhibit tumour-specific T cells but may also have a role in suppressing the progression of the B-cell tumour. In this review, we discuss the origin and function of Treg cells and their role in patients with B-cell tumours.

Affiliated researcher

PubMed 22112044

DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2011.03539.x

Crossref 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2011.03539.x

pmc: PMC3372741


Publications 9.5.0