TREM2 deficiency reprograms intestinal macrophages and microbiota to enhance anti-PD-1 tumor immunotherapy

Sci Immunol. 2024 May 17;9(95):eadi5374. doi: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adi5374. Epub 2024 May 17.

Abstract

The gut microbiota and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) affect tumor responses to anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint blockade. Reprogramming TAM by either blocking or deleting the macrophage receptor triggering receptor on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) attenuates tumor growth, and lack of functional TREM2 enhances tumor elimination by anti-PD-1. Here, we found that anti-PD-1 treatment combined with TREM2 deficiency in mice induces proinflammatory programs in intestinal macrophages and a concomitant expansion of Ruminococcus gnavus in the gut microbiota. Gavage of wild-type mice with R. gnavus enhanced anti-PD-1-mediated tumor elimination, recapitulating the effect occurring in the absence of TREM2. A proinflammatory intestinal environment coincided with expansion, increased circulation, and migration of TNF-producing CD4+ T cells to the tumor bed. Thus, TREM2 remotely controls anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade through modulation of the intestinal immune environment and microbiota, with R. gnavus emerging as a potential probiotic agent for increasing responsiveness to anti-PD-1.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / immunology
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Immunotherapy* / methods
  • Intestines / immunology
  • Macrophages* / immunology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins* / deficiency
  • Membrane Glycoproteins* / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins* / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL*
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor* / immunology
  • Receptors, Immunologic* / deficiency
  • Receptors, Immunologic* / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic* / immunology

Substances

  • Trem2 protein, mouse
  • Pdcd1 protein, mouse