Biology of Immune Cells:
A growing tumor affects not only its cells, but also the surrounding tissue, changing the biology of the area. Immune cells communicate by transporting vital signaling proteins to their surfaces, creating physical “tangles” between cells. This process is essential for coordinating immune system responses against microbes and cancer cells. Researchers often isolate immune cells and analyze which genes are active in each type, or use fluorescent tags to identify proteins. But these methods do not clarify the location of proteins on the surface of cells or in synapses.
Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory have developed a new technique that combines advanced computer imaging with new techniques to study immune cell interactions in breast cancers and melanoma. The study showed that strong interactions between two types of immune cells are associated with longer survival, especially in breast cancer patients.
The technique, called computational immunological crosslinking analysis (CISA), allows researchers to identify which cells are physically connected and whether key molecules are clustering at these points. This method analyzed images of immune cells and showed how interactions between T cells and other immune cells in the tumor environment may help predict immune response and patient outcomes. The results also indicated that crosslinks between T cells and macrophages promote T cell proliferation.
In a study of breast cancer, connections between T cells and B cells were found to be associated with improved survival rates for patients. This information may open the way to the development of new methods to predict patient outcomes and select candidates for immunotherapies.
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