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. 2022 Nov 8;14(22):5488. doi: 10.3390/cancers14225488

Figure 3.

Figure 3

The role of Tregs in cancer development. Tregs may influence early cancer growth via unknown means. In breast cancer, another solid cancer, the presence of Tregs reduces the chance of cancer cells becoming invasive [45]. During cancer growth, tumors recruit immune cells, such as Tregs and tumor-associated macrophages. The main factor secreted by Tregs that assists in proliferation is TGF-β [16]. The secretion of TGF-β encourages growth in cancerous cells and represses anti-tumor immunity. During angiogenesis, TGF-β and VEGF are the primary factors that act on cancer cells [16,44]. These factors are secreted by Tregs and promote the growth of blood vessels and increase the stability of existing blood vessels. In metastasis, VEGF and IL-8 are secreted by Tregs and work to increase cell movement and adhesion [46,47]. Cancer cells also upregulate CCR6 in response to IL-10, which is associated with increased cell mobility [18].