Loss of p16: A Bouncer of the Immunological Surveillance?

p16(INK4A) (hereafter called p16) is an important tumor suppressor protein frequently suppressed in human cancer and highly upregulated in many types of senescence. Although its role as a cell cycle regulator is very well delineated, little is known about its other non-cell cycle-related roles. Importantly, recent correlative studies suggest that p16 may be a regulator of tissue immunological surveillance through the transcriptional regulation of different chemokines, interleukins and other factors secreted as part of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Here, we summarize the current evidence supporting the hypothesis that p16 is a regulator of tumor immunity.

Automated summary

p16, an important tumor suppressor protein, is frequently suppressed in human cancer and highly upregulated in senescence. Besides its role as a cell cycle regulator, p16 may also regulate tissue immunological surveillance by transcriptionally regulating different cytokines secreted as part of SASP.