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Review
. 2016 May;38(5):1042-53.
doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2016.03.021. Epub 2016 Apr 22.

Alarmins and Antitumor Immunity

Yingjie Nie  1 , De Yang  2 , Joost J Oppenheim  3
Affiliations
Review

Alarmins and Antitumor Immunity

Yingjie Nie et al. Clin Ther. 2016 May.

Abstract

Purpose: Alarmins are constitutively present endogenous molecules that essentially act as early warning signals for the immune system. We provide a brief overview of major alarmins and highlight their roles in tumor immunity.

Methods: We searched PubMed up to January 10, 2016, using alarmins and/or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), as key words. We selected and reviewed articles that focused on the discovery and functions of alarmin and their roles in tumor immunity.

Findings: Alarmins are essentially endogenous immunostimulatory DAMP molecules that are exposed in response to danger (eg, infection or tissue injury) as a result of degranulation, cell death, or induction. They are sensed by chemotactic receptors and pattern recognition receptors to induce immune responses by promoting the recruitment and activation of leukocytes, particularly antigen-presenting cells.

Implications: Accumulating data suggest that certain alarmins, High-mobility group nucleosome-binding protein 1 (HMGN1) in particular, contribute to the generation of antitumor immunity. Some alarmins can also be used as cancer biomarkers. Therefore, alarmins can potentially be applied for our fight against cancers.

Keywords: alarmin; biomarker; damage-associated molecular patterns; immune response; pattern recognition receptor; tumor immunity.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors have indicated that they have no conflicts of interest regarding the content of this article.

Figures

Figure.
Figure.
Potent antitumor effect of alarmin high-mobility groupnucleosome-binding protein1 [HMGN1]. HMGN1 manifests anti-tumor effects in at least 2 ways: promoting antitumor immunity by polarizing Th1 immune response and inhibiting tumorigenesis by promoting DNA repair and genome stability. DC = dendritic cell.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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