Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, China.
Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, 313000, Huzhou, China.
Cell Death Dis. 2023 Sep 4;14(9):586. doi: 10.1038/s41419-023-06119-x.
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a highly intricate milieu, comprising a multitude of components, including immune cells and stromal cells, that exert a profound influence on tumor initiation and progression. Within the TME, angiogenesis is predominantly orchestrated by endothelial cells (ECs), which foster the proliferation and metastasis of malignant cells. The interplay between tumor and immune cells with ECs is complex and can either bolster or hinder the immune system. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the intricate crosstalk between ECs and immune cells is essential to advance the development of immunotherapeutic interventions. Despite recent progress, the underlying molecular mechanisms that govern the interplay between ECs and immune cells remain elusive. Nevertheless, the immunomodulatory function of ECs has emerged as a pivotal determinant of the immune response. In light of this, the study of the relationship between ECs and immune checkpoints has garnered considerable attention in the field of immunotherapy. By targeting specific molecular pathways and signaling molecules associated with ECs in the TME, novel immunotherapeutic strategies may be devised to enhance the efficacy of current treatments. In this vein, we sought to elucidate the relationship between ECs, immune cells, and immune checkpoints in the TME, with the ultimate goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets and charting new avenues for immunotherapy.
肿瘤微环境（TME）是一个高度复杂的环境，包含多种成分，包括免疫细胞和基质细胞，它们对肿瘤的发生和发展有深远的影响。在 TME 中，血管生成主要由内皮细胞（ECs）协调，促进恶性细胞的增殖和转移。肿瘤细胞和免疫细胞与 ECs 之间的相互作用非常复杂，既可以增强也可以抑制免疫系统。因此，全面了解 ECs 和免疫细胞之间复杂的相互作用对于推进免疫治疗干预的发展至关重要。尽管最近取得了进展，但调控 ECs 和免疫细胞相互作用的潜在分子机制仍不清楚。然而，ECs 的免疫调节功能已成为免疫反应的关键决定因素。有鉴于此，研究 ECs 与免疫检查点之间的关系在免疫治疗领域引起了广泛关注。通过靶向 TME 中与 ECs 相关的特定分子途径和信号分子，可能会设计出新的免疫治疗策略来增强当前治疗的效果。在这方面，我们试图阐明 TME 中 ECs、免疫细胞和免疫检查点之间的关系，最终目的是确定新的治疗靶点，为免疫治疗开辟新途径。
