Figure 8.

A proposed model of MDSC expansion and increased oral cancer in CD24^−/− mice. For simplicity, only four factors are highlighted during oral cancer development (left and right panels): (1) MDSC homeostasis; (2) tolerogenic function of MDSC; (3) anti-tumor immunity; and (4) carcinogenesis. Comparing with the CD24 heterozygous mice (left panel), total loss of CD24 (right panel) leads to heightened carcinogenesis, as a result of diminished antitumor immunity secondary to increased tolerogenic function of MDSCs and enhanced MDSC expansion.