Multiple immune and stromal cell populations via secreted cytokines, growth factors, extracellular vesicles, and metabolites

This entry describes the complex network of interactions within a tissue microenvironment, particularly the tumor microenvironment (TME), involving diverse cell populations and signaling modalities (National Cancer Institute, 2024). It encompasses the crosstalk between immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages, and stromal cells, including fibroblasts and endothelial cells, which collectively shape the disease landscape (Nature Reviews Cancer, 2020). Communication within this system is mediated by secreted cytokines and growth factors that regulate cell fate, extracellular vesicles that transport proteins and RNA between cells, and metabolic byproducts that modulate the local environment (Cell, 2018). While these interactions are central to pathologies like cancer and chronic inflammation, the description refers to a systemic biological process rather than a discrete therapeutic target. Consequently, pharmacological intervention typically focuses on specific nodes within this network, such as individual receptors or ligands, rather than the system as a whole (PubMed, PMID: 31053568). Understanding this multifaceted communication is vital for developing combination therapies that can overcome microenvironment-mediated drug resistance (Science, 2021). The complexity of these interactions presents significant challenges for drug development, as targeting one component may lead to compensatory signaling in another (Nature, 2019).

Other names

Tumor microenvironmentTMECell-to-cell communicationParacrine signaling networkStromal-immune crosstalk

Not applicable as this entry describes a complex cellular system and signaling network rather than a single molecular target.