Open AccessVLM catecholaminergic neurons control tumor growth by regulating CD8 + T cells
Author(s) -
Ze Zhang,
Yehua Li,
Xueyuan Lv,
Linlin Zhao,
Xiaodong Wang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2103505118
Subject(s) - catecholaminergic cell groups , biology , catecholaminergic , central nervous system , cd8 , nervous system , neuron , cancer research , immune system , medicine , endocrinology , neuroscience , dopamine , immunology
Significance We have discovered that the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) catecholaminergic (CA) neurons, a group of neurons that control mouse stress response, are activated in tumor-bearing mice, and the neuronal activity promotes tumor growth in multiple syngeneic and spontaneous mouse tumor models. The tumor-promoting effect of these VLM CA neurons is mediated by cytotoxic T cells. These findings establish an interaction between a tumor and a group of neurons in the mouse brain that influences tumorigenesis and tumor growth by modulating adaptive immunity.