Tumors can manipulate helper T cells through various mechanisms:
- Cytokine Secretion: Tumors can secrete cytokines like TGF-β and IL-10 that convert helper T cells into Tregs, which suppress immune responses. - Antigen Presentation: Some tumors express antigens in a way that induces anergy (a state of unresponsiveness) in helper T cells, making them ineffective. - Checkpoint Molecules: Tumors can express checkpoint molecules such as PD-L1, which interact with PD-1 on helper T cells, leading to their functional exhaustion.
