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Protean role of epigenetic mechanisms and their impact in regulating the Tregs in TME

Cancer Gene Therapy volume 29, pages 661–664 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Constitutive expression of Foxp3+ Tregs in the tumor microenvironment (TME) specifically renders immune suppression in the tumor tissues. Being highly stable and self-tolerant, Tregs may be influenced by various epigenetic-associated mechanisms while exhibiting their functions. DNA methylation, histone acetylation, epigenetic silencing, alteration in chromatin networks, etc., are some of the main factors underlying the epigenetic-based Treg cell functional modulations in the TME. The possible reasons on why these epigenetic modulations should be specifically targeted are thus discussed, so that enhanced anti-tumor immunity in TME can be achieved.

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Fig. 1: Epigenetics-based regulation of Tregs portraying suitable targets or pathways in modulating anti-tumor immunity in TME.

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  1. Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, 600 077, India

    A. S. Smiline Girija

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ASSG made (1) substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; or the creation of new software used in the work; (2) drafted the work or revised it critically for important intellectual content; (3) approved the version to be published; and (4) agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

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Correspondence to A. S. Smiline Girija.

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Smiline Girija, A.S. Protean role of epigenetic mechanisms and their impact in regulating the Tregs in TME. Cancer Gene Ther 29, 661–664 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41417-021-00371-z

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