Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in T-Cell Immunity and Cancer Immunotherapy

Wnt ligands are lipid-modified secreted glycoproteins that regulate embryonic development, cell fate specification, and the homeostasis of self-renewing adult tissues. In addition to its well-established role in thymocyte development, recent studies have indicated that Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is critical for the differentiation, polarization, and survival of mature T lymphocytes. Here, we describe our current understanding of Wnt signaling in the biology of post-thymic T cells, and discuss how harnessing the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway might improve the efficacy of vaccines, T-cell-based therapies, and allogeneic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of patients with cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 16( 19); 4695-701. (C) 2010 AACR.