Figure 3.

Multilayered roles of various subsets of CD4⁺ T Cells in Colorectal Carcinoma. Chronic inflammation, driven by Th17 cells in response to commensal organisms, promotes tumor development. Sustained exposure to IL-22, produced by Th22 cells, contributes to tumorigenesis. Th1 cells promote tumor cell destruction via production of IFN-γ. Treg cells oppose tumor development by suppressing chronic inflammation, but contribute to progression by opposing optimal tumor responses. Some types of pro-inflammatory eTreg cells, in contrast, promote tumor immune responses. Tumor colonization by protective commensal species drives accumulation of Tfh, which organize tertiary lymphoid structures. These structures enhance tumor immune responses and predict responses to chemo- and immune-therapeutics. Arrows indicate positive modulation; perpendicular lines indicate inhibitory relationships. Green indicates an overall anti-tumor effect, while red indicates an overall pro-tumorigenic effect. Created with BioRender.com.