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B cells inhibit induction of T cell-dependent tumor immunity

Nature Medicine volume 4, pages 627–630 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) mediated tumor immunity against major histocompatibility antigen (MHC) class I-positive but class II-negative tumors often requires help from CD4+ T cells. These CD4 cells are activated by MHC class II-positive cells that present tumor derived antigens1,2. Considering that different antigen presenting cells, such as B cells, macrophages and dendritic cells compete for antigen and influence the outcome of an immune response3–13, we analyzed tumor immunity in B cell-deficient mice14. These mice appear normal with regard to T cell immunity and tolerance to some pure foreign antigens15–19. We show here that the low immunogenicity of tumors is caused by B cells whose presence in the priming phase results in disabled CD4+ T cell help for CTL mediated tumor immunity. Instead, in the presence of B cells, a non-protective humoral immune response is induced. Our results may explain the enigmatic observation that tumor-reactive antibodies occur frequently in cancer patients20.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13122, Berlin, FRG

    Zhihai Qin, Günther Richter, Thomas Schüler, Sabrina Ibe & Thomas Blankenstein

  2. Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiang Yin Road, Shanghai, 200433, China

    Xuetao Cao

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Qin, Z., Richter, G., Schüler, T. et al. B cells inhibit induction of T cell-dependent tumor immunity. Nat Med 4, 627–630 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0598-627

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