Protean role of epigenetic mechanisms and their impact in regulating the Tregs in TME.

Constitutive expression of Foxp3+ Tregs in the tumor microenvironment (TME) specifically renders immune suppression in the tumor tissues. Being highly stable and self-tolerant, Tregs may be influenced by various epigenetic-associated mechanisms while exhibiting their functions. DNA methylation, histone acetylation, epigenetic silencing, alteration in chromatin networks, etc., are some of the main factors underlying the epigenetic-based Treg cell functional modulations in the TME. The possible reasons on why these epigenetic modulations should be specifically targeted are thus discussed, so that enhanced anti-tumor immunity in TME can be achieved.