Inhibition of dopamine receptor D3 signaling in dendritic cells increases antigen cross-presentation to CD8+ T-cells favoring anti-tumor immunity

•Dopamine receptor D3 signaling reduces antigen cross-presentation in dendritic cells.•Dopamine receptor D3 antagonism in dendritic cells increases CD8+ T-cells response.•Dopamine receptor D3 deficiency in dendritic cells strengthens anti-tumor immunity.

Dendritic cells (DCs) display the unique ability for cross-presenting antigens to CD8+ T-cells, promoting their differentiation into cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs), which play a pivotal role in anti-tumor immunity. Emerging evidence points to dopamine receptor D3 (D3R) as a key regulator of immunity. Accordingly, we studied how D3R regulates DCs function in anti-tumor immunity. The results show that D3R-deficiency in DCs enhanced expansion of CTLs in vivo and induced stronger anti-tumor immunity. Co-culture experiments indicated that D3R-inhibition in DCs potentiated antigen cross-presentation and CTLs activation. Our findings suggest that D3R in DCs constitutes a new therapeutic target to strengthen anti-tumor immunity.

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