Project description:Although tumor growth requires the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), the relative contribution of Complex I (CI) and II (CII), the gatekeepers for initiating electron flow, remains unclear. Here, we report that loss of CII, but not CI, reduces melanoma tumor growth by increasing antigen presentation and T cell-mediated killing. This is driven by succinate-mediated transcriptional and epigenetic activation of major histocompatibility complex I-antigen processing and presentation (MHC-APP) genes that is independent of interferon signaling. Furthermore, knock-out of MCJ, to promote electron entry preferentially via CI, provides proof-of-concept of ETC rewiring to achieve anti-tumor responses without side effects associated with an overall reduction in mitochondrial respiration in non-cancer cells. Our results hold therapeutic potential for tumors that have reduced MHC-APP expression, a common mechanism of cancer immunoevasion.
Project description:Rewiring the Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain Enhances Tumor Antigen Presentation and Immunogenicity [scRNA-seq and scTCR-seq]
Project description:Loss of antigen presentation by MHCI is a common mechanism of tumor immune evasion. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity influences MHCI expression, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the relative flow of electrons through complex I or II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) regulates MHCI expression and antigen presentation in cancer cells. Specifically, reducing electron flow from complex II increases mitochondrial succinate which activates transcription of MHCI and antigen processing and presentation (APP) genes. These phenotypes are independent of the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway and driven by succinate-mediated enzymatic inhibition of lysine-specific demethylases, KDM5A/B and destabilization of polycomb repressor complex 2 (PRC2). Finally, knockout of the mitochondrial Complex I inhibitor protein, MCJ, preferentially reduces electron flow through Complex II and increases succinate which drives an enhanced antigen-dependent CD8+ T cell response to mouse melanoma tumors in vivo. These findings suggest that the mitochondrial ETC can be manipulated therapeutically to enhance antitumor immune responses independently of IFNγ.
Project description:Cancer cells reprogram their metabolism to support cell growth and proliferation in harsh environments. To assess how human cells respond to defective mitochondrial respiration, we analyzed metabolomics profiles in cells with deficient electron transport chain (ETC). We found that ETC deficiency induces an accumulation of purine nucleotides. Additionally, we revealed that ETC blockade suppressed de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis while enhanced purine salvage. This metabolic rewiring of purine nucleotide biosynthesis is not regulated at the transcriptional level. Instead, stable isotope tracing experiments showed that ETC blockade promoted the oxidative branch of pentose phosphate pathway to elevate phosphoribosyl diphosphate to drive purine salvage. In summary, our findings delineate how cells remodel purine metabolism in response to ETC blockade, and uncover a new metabolic vulnerability in tumors with low respiration.
Project description:The NLRP3 inflammasome is linked to sterile and pathogen-dependent inflammation, and its dysregulation underlies many chronic diseases. Mitochondria have been implicated as regulators of NLRP3 inflammasome through multiple mechanisms including generation of mitochondrial ROS. Here we report that mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes I, II, III and V inhibitors all prevent NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Ectopic expression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NADH dehydrogenase (NDI1) or Ciona intestinalis alternative oxidase (AOX), which can respectively complement the functional loss of mitochondrial complex I or III, without generation of ROS, rescued NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the absence of endogenous mitochondrial complex I or complex III function. Metabolomics revealed phosphocreatine (PCr), which can sustain ATP levels, as a common metabolite that is diminished by mitochondrial ETC inhibitors. PCr depletion decreased ATP levels and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Thus, mitochondrial ETC sustains NLRP3 inflammasome activation through PCr-dependent generation of ATP but a ROS independent mechanism.