Scientific article
OA Policy
English

Positioning and reversible suppression of CCR7+ dendritic cells in perivascular tumor niches shape cancer immunity

Published inImmunity, vol. 59, no. 1, p. 161-176.e12
Publication date2026-01-13
First online date2025-12-19
Abstract

Tumor-resident CCR7+ dendritic cells (DCs) are key determinants of antitumor T cell responses. Here, we examined the localization of CCR7+ DCs within tumors and the impact of this positioning on antitumor immunity. Spatial, single-cell, and intravital analyses of human cancers and mouse models reveal that CCR7+ DCs form perivascular clusters. Fibroblasts surrounding venous blood vessels produced CCL19, guiding CCR7+ DCs into perivascular niches. Regulatory T (Treg) cells frequently contact perivascular CCR7+ DCs, suppressing CD40 expression and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation. Treg cell depletion restored CD40 expression by CCR7+ DCs, enhanced immunostimulatory programs, and improved T cell-dependent tumor control. Anti-PD-1 not only increased perivascular CCR7+ DC clustering and IL-12 production but also strengthened Treg-DC interactions through a CCL22-dependent mechanism, limiting therapeutic efficacy. CCR7+ DCs expressed both co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecules, which may underlie their capacity for antitumor activation and concurrent vulnerability to suppression. Modulating the mechanisms that form and restrain CCR7+ DC perivascular immune hubs may improve cancer immunotherapy.

Keywords
  • T cells
  • Cancer immunity
  • Cancer immunity cycle
  • Chemokines
  • Dendritic cells
  • Immunotherapy
  • Regulatory
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Receptors, CCR7 / metabolism
  • Receptors, CCR7 / immunology
  • Mice
  • Humans
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Chemokine CCL19 / metabolism
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • CD40 Antigens / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Communication / immunology
Funding
Citation (ISO format)
ZITTI, Béatrice et al. Positioning and reversible suppression of CCR7+ dendritic cells in perivascular tumor niches shape cancer immunity. In: Immunity, 2026, vol. 59, n° 1, p. 161–176.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2025.11.020
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accessLevelPublic
Identifiers
Journal ISSN1074-7613
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Creation17/06/2026 09:53:36
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Update20/07/2026 09:24:42
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