Immunological modulation of the Th1/Th2 shift by ionizing radiation in tumors (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Jiali Li
    • Zihang Zeng
    • Qiuji Wu
    • Jiarui Chen
    • Xingyu Liu
    • Jianguo Zhang
    • Yuan Luo
    • Wenjie Sun
    • Zhengrong Huang
    • Junhong Zhang
    • Yan Gong
    • Conghua Xie
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 7, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2021.5230
  • Article Number: 50
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Abstract

Extensive evidence has documented that the balance between cytokines from T helper type 1 (Th1) and type 2 (Th2) cells is disrupted in the tumorigenic microenvironment compared with immunocompetent individuals. Ionizing radiation (IR) has been reported to markedly modulate the Th1/Th2 polarization in a concentration‑dependent manner. In the present review article, the immune modulation of Th1/Th2 and the IR‑induced crosstalk of the Th1/Th2 shift with immunocytes and tumor cells are summarized. The involvement of the Th1/Th2 shift in post‑radiotherapy complications is highlighted. Specifically, high‑dose IR has been shown to promote the Th2 shift, leading to an immunosuppressive cytokine network, while the impact of low‑dose IR remains controversial. The IR‑induced modulation of the Th1/Th2 shift is mediated by tumor cells and multiple immunocytes, including dendritic cells, tumor‑associated macrophages, cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. However, the excessive production of pro‑inflammatory factors, such as IFN‑γ and IL‑2, by Th1 cells, aggravates the clinical side‑effects of radiotherapy, including radiation‑induced lung and intestinal injury, radiation encephalopathy, as well as other complications. Therefore, further research into the underlying mechanism is required to confirm the potential applicability of the Th1/Th2 shift combined with IR in the treatment of malignant tumors.
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July-2021
Volume 59 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Li J, Zeng Z, Wu Q, Chen J, Liu X, Zhang J, Luo Y, Sun W, Huang Z, Zhang J, Zhang J, et al: Immunological modulation of the Th1/Th2 shift by ionizing radiation in tumors (Review). Int J Oncol 59: 50, 2021.
APA
Li, J., Zeng, Z., Wu, Q., Chen, J., Liu, X., Zhang, J. ... Xie, C. (2021). Immunological modulation of the Th1/Th2 shift by ionizing radiation in tumors (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 59, 50. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2021.5230
MLA
Li, J., Zeng, Z., Wu, Q., Chen, J., Liu, X., Zhang, J., Luo, Y., Sun, W., Huang, Z., Zhang, J., Gong, Y., Xie, C."Immunological modulation of the Th1/Th2 shift by ionizing radiation in tumors (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 59.1 (2021): 50.
Chicago
Li, J., Zeng, Z., Wu, Q., Chen, J., Liu, X., Zhang, J., Luo, Y., Sun, W., Huang, Z., Zhang, J., Gong, Y., Xie, C."Immunological modulation of the Th1/Th2 shift by ionizing radiation in tumors (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 59, no. 1 (2021): 50. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2021.5230