Chinese Journal of Nature ›› 2019, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (4): 261-265.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-9608.2019.04.004

• Review Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The research progress of inhibition of tumor-associated regulatory T cells by traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients#br#

YANG Yang, CHEN Xin   

  1. State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau
    SAR 999078, China
  • Received:2019-05-26 Online:2019-08-25 Published:2019-09-12

Abstract: Although only comprising ~10 % of peripheral CD4 T cells, CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are an indispensable
components of immune system, they played a crucial role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis and in the prevention of
autoimmune responses. In the tumor patients, Treg cells accumulate in a large number in the tumor microenvironment, and potently inhibit the protective immune surveillance against tumor and anti-tumor immune responses. Thus, Treg cells help tumor immune evasion and promote the development and metastasis of tumors. Recently studies have shown that Chinese medicine can inhibit the growth and metastasis of tumor by decreasing the number or proportion of Tregcells, or by inhibiting Treg activity or their capacity to produce immunosuppressive cytokines or their Foxp3 expression. In this article, the relevant published studies are reviewed and analyzed, and the research progress regarding the effects and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine on tumor-associated Treg cells are introduced and discussed.