T Cell Exhaustion.
Annu Rev Immunol
; 42(1): 179-206, 2024 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38166256
ABSTRACT
T cell responses must be balanced to ensure adequate protection against malignant transformation and an array of pathogens while also limiting damage to healthy cells and preventing autoimmunity. T cell exhaustion serves as a regulatory mechanism to limit the activity and effector function of T cells undergoing chronic antigen stimulation. Exhausted T cells exhibit poor proliferative potential; high inhibitory receptor expression; altered transcriptome, epigenome, and metabolism; and, most importantly, reduced effector function. While exhaustion helps to restrain damage caused by aberrant T cells in settings of autoimmune disease, it also limits the ability of cells to respond against persistent infection and cancer, leading to disease progression. Here we review the process of T cell exhaustion, detailing the key characteristics and drivers as well as highlighting our current understanding of the underlying transcriptional and epigenetic programming. We also discuss how exhaustion can be targeted to enhance T cell functionality in cancer.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
T-Lymphocytes
/
Neoplasms
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Annu Rev Immunol
Year:
2024
Type:
Article