Interplay between cancer-associated fibroblasts and dendritic cells: implications for tumor immunity
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in cancer progression, with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) emerging as key players in immune evasion. This review explores the complex interactions between CAFs and dendritic cells (DCs), essential antigen-presenting cells that activate im...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Immunology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1515390/full |
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| Summary: | The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in cancer progression, with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) emerging as key players in immune evasion. This review explores the complex interactions between CAFs and dendritic cells (DCs), essential antigen-presenting cells that activate immune responses. CAFs impair DC maturation and function by secreting cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, reducing their ability to present antigens and stimulate T cells, thus promoting an immunosuppressive environment favorable to tumor growth. Additionally, CAFs contribute to the differentiation of tolerogenic DCs, fostering regulatory T cells (Tregs) that further suppress antitumor immunity. This review examines the molecular mechanisms underlying CAF-DC crosstalk and discusses potential therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring DC functionality. Targeting the CAF-driven immunosuppressive network offers promising opportunities to enhance the efficacy of DC-based vaccines and immunotherapies, paving the way for improved cancer treatment outcomes. |
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| ISSN: | 1664-3224 |