Table 1 Immune system elements in the TME
Cell type | Description | Role in the TME |
|---|---|---|
CC | Cancer (tumor) cells | Produce antigens |
NK | Natural Killer cells | Respond to tumor antigens and recruit other IS elements |
M\(\upvarphi\) | Macrophages | Innate immune system element |
M\(_1\) | Anti-tumor Assocd. M\(\upvarphi\)s | Pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic (anti-tumoral) effects |
M\(_2\) | Pro-tumor Assocd. M\(\upvarphi\)s | Anti-inflammatory (pro-tumoral) and wound healing effects |
N | Neutrophils | Part of the IIS; phagocytes and first responders to inflammation |
N\(_1\) | Anti-tumor Assocd. Ns | Cytotoxic; activate T and B cells, NKs and DCs |
N\(_2\) | Pro-tumor Assocd. Ns | Promote tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis |
T\(_{\mathrm{reg}}\) | Regulatory T cells | Immunosuppessive, modulate IS and maintain tolerance |
CD4+T | Helper T cells | Promote activation of other cells via cytokines and co-stimulation |
CD8+T | Killer T cells | Cytotoxic; attack tumor cells, recruit other cells via cytokines |
B | B lymphocytes | Present antigens and secrete cytokines |
B\(_{\mathrm{reg}}\) | Regulatory B cells | Suppression of immune responses by production of IL-10 |
DC | Dendritic Cells | Present antigens to T cells and B cells |
\(\upgamma \updelta \,\)T | Gamma delta T cells | Multiple effector (anti-tumoral) and regulatory (pro-tumoral) functions |
NKT | Natural Killer T cells | Recognize CD1d molecule (an antigen-presenting molecule) |
MDSC | Myeloid-derived suppressors | Interact with other IS cells to regulate their functions |