Tumor-associated macrophages expressing the transcription factor IRF8 promote T cell exhaustion in cancer
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ABSTRACT: Tumor progression is associated with overstimulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), resulting in a dysfunctional state of exhaustion. However, the identity of antigen-presenting cells that drive CTL exhaustion is poorly defined. Here we show that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) expressing the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor-8 (IRF8) promote CTL exhaustion in a murine model of breast cancer. While CTL priming in tumor-draining lymph nodes was enabled by IRF8-dependent type 1 dendritic cells, CTL exhaustion in tumor required TAM expression of IRF8 that supported the cancer cell antigen-presenting function of TAMs. Macrophage-specific ablation of IRF8 reversed exhaustion of cancer cell antigen-reactive CTLs, and suppressed tumor growth. Analysis of the immune-infiltrated human renal cell carcinoma tumors revealed abundant TAMs that expressed IRF8 and were enriched for an IRF8 gene expression signature. Furthermore, the TAM-IRF8 signature co-segregated with CTL exhaustion signatures across multiple cancer types. Thus, CTL exhaustion is promoted by TAMs via IRF8.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE212643 | GEO | 2022/09/06
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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