Immunome Research
Open Access
ISSN: 1745-7580
+44-77-2385-9429
ISSN: 1745-7580
+44-77-2385-9429
Nima Taefehshokr and Su-Ling Li
Brunel University London, England
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Immunome Res
The immune system is evolved to defend the body against pathogens and is composed of thousands of complicated and intertwined approaches, which are highly controlled by regulatory processes such as transcription and repression of cellular genes. Early growth response gene (EGR2) is important for maintaining immune stability and it has a vital role in controlling inflammation and preventing the development of autoimmune diseases. A recent study by our group demonstrated the function of EGR2 as a checkpoint molecule controlling the proliferation and differentiation of the T cells, confirming its regulatory role, which is essential for optimal immune responses against pathogens; however the EGR2 expression mechanism is still unclear. EGR2 and EGR3 play indispensable roles in T cell immune response, but its role in tumor regression is less well known. In this study, we have found that EGR2 expression is regulated by antigens and cytokines, including INFg and IL-6 which is mediated by INFg/STAT1 and IL6/STAT3 signaling pathways. Furthermore, it is shown that EGR2 can be significantly expressed in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as we observed in a mouse melanoma tumor model. Also, tumor growth is delayed in WT mice model in comparison with EGR2/3 KO counterpart, which is followed by higher TILs expansion in WT model. This was supported by IL-2 and Ki-67 significant expression in WT CD8+ TILs, suggesting the positive role of EGR2 in CD8+ TILs expansion and tumor regression. Collectively, our results demonstrate that EGR2 is an intrinsic regulator of adaptive immunity and tumor microenvironment.