Reprogramming immunosuppressive myeloid cells by activated T cells promotes the response to anti-PD-1 therapy in colorectal cancer

Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2021 Jan 8;6(1):4. doi: 10.1038/s41392-020-00377-3.

Abstract

Overcoming local immunosuppression is critical for immunotherapy to produce robust anti-tumor responses. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are key regulators of immunosuppressive networks and promote tumor progression. However, it remains unclear whether and how tumor-infiltrating MDSCs are shaped in response to anti-PD-1 treatment and what their impact on therapeutic efficacy is in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, the levels of infiltrating MDSCs were significantly higher in the non-responding organoids and were selectively reduced in the responding group, with MDSCs showing increased apoptosis and attenuated functional activity after anti-PD-1 treatment. A negative correlation between T-cell activation and MDSC function was also observed in fresh human CRC tissues. Mechanistic studies revealed that autocrine IFN-α/β upregulated TRAIL expression on activated T cells to elicit MDSC apoptosis via the TRAIL-DR5 interaction and acted synergistically with TNF-α to inhibit MDSC function of suppressing the T-cell response through the JNK-NMDAR-ARG-1 pathway. Moreover, blockade of IFN-α/β and TNF-α abolished the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-1 treatment by preserving the frequency and suppressive activity of infiltrating MDSCs in a CRC mouse model. This result suggested that reprogramming MDSCs by IFN-α/β and TNF-α from activated T cells was necessary for successful anti-PD-1 treatment and might serve as a novel strategy to improve the response and efficacy of anticancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Mice
  • Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells / immunology*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / immunology
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • PDCD1 protein, human
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor