In addition, Th9 cells induce IL-9-dependent expression of CCL20 in lung epithelial cells, thereby promoting the recruitment of CD8α+CCR6+ DCs, leading to a strong activation of tumor- reactive CCR6+CD8+ CTLs.
The authors demonstrate an IL-9-based antitumor potency of Th9 cells, which is in quality and quantity superior to the immune response steered by Th1 cells.