Immunological synapse formation between T regulatory cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes tumour development

Abstract

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a predominant stromal cell population in the tumour microenvironment. Here, the authors demonstrate that αSMA + CAFs can form an immunological synapse with regulatory T cells (Tregs) in tumours, which results in Treg activation and expansion in a process that is antigen- and autophagy-dependent.