Gut microbiota orchestrate immune defense against cancer

The nuclear receptor NR2F6 plays an essential role in the rejection of tumors with the help of the immune system. In the course of our previous work, NR2F6 was characterized as a key gene in activated T lymphocytes. The aim of the present project is to elucidate the detailed molecular function of NR2F6 with a focus on the interaction between tumor immunity and intestinal bacteria. For this purpose, molecular-cell biological investigations are to be carried out in well-characterized cell models as well as in NR2F6 KO mice. This procedure shown here is the next necessary step to successfully elucidate the function and role of NR2F6 in the T-cell mediated tumor defense, but also the possible regulation by intestinal bacteria and their metabolic products. This work may evaluate NR2F6 as a suitable target for pharmacological intervention in cancer patients.

We were able to show that there are major differences in tumour development when mice with different hygiene standards are compared. Furthermore, our investigated gene-deficient mouse shows differences in the microbiota composition. The next step is to investigate which bacteria are responsible for this and whether they can be used as immune activators to offer patients an additional cancer immunotherapy in the future.