TF and neoplasm: For instance, PRDM1 could regulate the expression level of IFNG ligand that was secreted by CD8+ T exhausted cells and could bind to the IFNGR1/IFNGR2 receptors on the intermediate tumor cells, and then activate the downstream mesenchymal-related TFs, such as FOS and NR3C1. The expression levels of those molecules in the above TF–ligand–receptor–TF link were almost significantly positively associated with the CD8+ T exhausted state and the tumor intermediate state (Figures 6B, S4A,B, Wilcoxon rank-sum test).