Tumors cells (light-gray) surrounded by sympathetic nerve (Tyrosine hydroxylase, red)
Vincent.feuillet@inserm.fr +33 (0)1 40 51 65 56
The tumor microenvironment has a major effect on tumor growth and the establishment of an associated immune response. It includes inflammatory mediators, hormones and neurotransmitters. Local secretion of these factors may be related to tumor development itself but may also depend on external events, such as psychological stress. We study the immunosuppressive effects of these mediators and try to understand by which mechanisms they alter T-cell reactivity.
Vincent Feuillet: CR1 Inserm
Ralitsa Stoeva: Master 2
Among the molecules of the microenvironment that may influence tumor growth, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), adenosine and adrenaline have well known pro-tumor effects. Although it is generally admitted that these factors directly promote tumor growth, we believe that their pro-tumor effect could also be due to their action on the immune response and more specifically to their ability to alter T cells reactivity. Indeed, these mediators have in common the capacity to induce sustained increases in intracellular cAMP, a molecule whose immunosuppressive effect on T response is well demonstrated.
In this context, our research focuses on two areas:
These programs are supported by La Ligue contre le cancer