ATF7ip inhibits the tumor immune response by promoting terminal CD8+ T cell Exhaustion III

Thus, therapies that inhibit T-cell exhaustion are critical for optimizing cancer treatment. Recent studies have implicated epigenetic proteins in T-cell exhaustion.

Here, we identified activating transcription factor 7 interacting protein (ATF7ip) as an epigenetic protein critical for inducing T cell exhaustion. Loss of Atf7ip in CD8+ T cells results in decreased terminal exhaustion and increased numbers of progenitor-exhausted cells in both chronic viral infections and cancer. Owing to decreased exhaustion, Atf7ip-deficiency in CD8+ T cells leads to an enhanced immune response to tumors.