Fig. 2

DC signatures of tumorigenesis and progression. The proportion of pDCs increases during tumorigenesis, accompanied by a decrease in cDC2s and a downregulation of ICOSL. LAMP3⁺ DCs exhibit elevated expressions of immune checkpoint molecules CD274, PDCD1LG2, and IDO1. As tumors progress, the abundance of cDC1/2 and pDCs decreases, while LAMP3⁺ DCs become more abundant. In recurrent or metastatic tumors, LAMP3⁺ DCs interact with tumor cells via CD274/CD80 and CTLA4/CD80, suppressing T-cell activation. moDCs exhibit a signature associated with angiogenesis. Various DC subpopulations are present at different stages of tumors. The figure illustrates subpopulations that undergo significant quantitative or functional changes during tumor development