TNF Receptor 2 Makes Tumor Necrosis Factor a Friend of Tumors

• Main Authors: Yuqiao Sheng, Feng Li, Zhihai Qin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2018-05-01
• Series: Frontiers in Immunology
• Subjects: tumor necrosis factor; TNF receptor 2; tumor; myeloid-derived suppressor cells; regulatory T cells; macrophages
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fimmu.2018.01170/full

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is widely accepted as a tumor-suppressive cytokine via its ubiquitous receptor TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). The other receptor, TNFR2, is not only expressed on some tumor cells but also on suppressive immune cells, including regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. In contrast to TNFR1, TNFR2 diverts the tumor-inhibiting TNF into a tumor-advocating factor. TNFR2 directly promotes the proliferation of some kinds of tumor cells. Also activating immunosuppressive cells, it supports immune escape and tumor development. Hence, TNFR2 may represent a potential target of cancer therapy. Here, we focus on expression and role of TNFR2 in the tumor microenvironment. We summarize the recent progress in understanding how TNFR2-dependent mechanisms promote carcinogenesis and tumor growth and discuss the potential value of TNFR2 in cancer treatment.