Project description:Natural killer (NK) cells are primarily responsible for tumor surveillance, and their activation entirely depends on optimal metabolic signals. The adaptation of NK cell anti-tumor responses to nutritional stress is still poorly understood. Here, based on single-cell RNA sequencing, we discovered that dietary restriction (DR) enriches the rejuvenated subset of CD27+CD11b+ NK cells and improves their activation via Eomesodermin (Eomes), a transcription factor upregulated during DR treatment. Eomes reverses the differentiation of rejuvenated to senescent NK cells by antagonizing the T-bet-Zeb2 axis while improving chemotaxis and adhesion. Furthermore, DR increases the chromatin accessibility of Eomes to genes that regulate chemotaxis and adhesion in NK cells. To summarize, tumor control under dietary restriction requires Eomes-regulated NK cell anti-tumor immunity.
2024-01-01 | GSE249425 | GEO
Project description:Zhx2 restricts NK cell antitumor immunity
Project description:Fasting has long been associated with the improved elimination of cancer cells. However, the distinctive role of specific immune subsets mediating these anti-tumor properties remain elusive. Using a cyclic fasting diet (CFD) after tumor initiation, we investigated the impact of fasting on NK cell anti-tumor immunity. We found that adherence to a CFD improved anti-tumor immunity against both solid and metastatic tumors in a NK cell-dependent manner. During periods of fasting, NK cells underwent tissue redistribution where NK cells in the spleen experienced tissue-specific metabolic rewiring. These NK cells were exposed to elevated concentrations of fatty acids and glucocorticoids which increased fatty acid metabolism via expression of CPT1A, and was essential for NK cell survival and anti-tumor functions. In parallel, a population of NK cells were redistributed to the bone marrow during CFD in a S1PR5- and CXCR4-dependent manner. These cells were primed by an increased pool of IL-12-expressing myeloid cells which improved IFN-g production. Together, these data uncover a novel dietary strategy to improve tumor clearance and identifies a previously unknown mechanistic link between dietary restriction and optimized innate immune responses.
Project description:We report an in situ vaccination, adaptable to nearly any type of cancer, that combines radiotherapy targeting one tumor and intratumoral injection of this site with tumor-specific antibody and interleukin-2 (IL-2; 3xTx). In a phase I clinical trial, administration of 3xTx (with an immunocytokine fusion of tumor-specific antibody and IL-2, hu14.18-IL2) to subjects with metastatic melanoma increases peripheral CD8+ T cell effector polyfunctionality. This suggests the potential for 3xTx to promote antitumor immunity against metastatic tumors. In poorly immunogenic syngeneic murine melanoma or head and neck carcinoma models, 3xTx stimulates CD8+ T cell-mediated antitumor responses at targeted and non-targeted tumors. During 3xTx treatment, natural killer (NK) cells promote CTLA4+ regulatory T cell (Treg) apoptosis in non-targeted tumors. This is dependent on NK cell expression of CD86, which is upregulated downstream of KLRK1. NK cell depletion increases Treg infiltration, diminishing CD8+ T cell-dependent antitumor response. These findings demonstrate that NK cells sustain and propagate CD8+ T cell immunity following 3xTx
2023-12-21 | GSE209945 | GEO
Project description:Dietary methionine restriction impairs anti-tumor immunity in part through gut microbiota
Project description:The tumor's metabolic landscape significantly influences anti-tumor immunity, but it remains unclear how metabolic pathways commonly active in the organ of tumor-origin influence immunosurveillance. This study focused on the liver and identified accumulation of primary conjugated and secondary bile acids (BAs) as metabolic features associated with hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cancer models. Inhibiting conjugated BA synthesis through BAAT-deletion in hepatocytes enhanced tumor-specific T cell responses, reduced growth, and sensitized tumors to immune checkpoint blockade. BAs regulated CD8+ T cells differently; primary BAs like TCDCA induced oxidative stress and secondary BAs like LCA impaired T cell function through ER stress, which was countered by UDCA. Indeed, dietary UDCA provision suppressed tumor progression. These findings demonstrate how manipulating organ-specific metabolites affects antitumor immunity and modifying BA synthesis or dietary intake could enhance immunotherapy in liver cancer.
Project description:The tumor's metabolic landscape significantly influences anti-tumor immunity, but it remains unclear how metabolic pathways commonly active in the organ of tumor-origin influence immunosurveillance. This study focused on the liver and identified accumulation of primary conjugated and secondary bile acids (BAs) as metabolic features associated with hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cancer models. Inhibiting conjugated BA synthesis through BAAT-deletion in hepatocytes enhanced tumor-specific T cell responses, reduced growth, and sensitized tumors to immune checkpoint blockade. BAs regulated CD8+ T cells differently; primary BAs like TCDCA induced oxidative stress and secondary BAs like LCA impaired T cell function through ER stress, which was countered by UDCA. Indeed, dietary UDCA provision suppressed tumor progression. These findings demonstrate how manipulating organ-specific metabolites affects antitumor immunity and modifying BA synthesis or dietary intake could enhance immunotherapy in liver cancer.