Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) include immature monocytic (M-MDSC) and granulocytic (PMN-MDSC) cells that share the ability to suppress adaptive immunity and hinder the effectiveness of anti-cancer treatments. Of note, in response to interferon-γ (IFNγ) M-MDSC release the tumor-promoting and immunosuppressive molecule nitric oxide (NO), whereas macrophages largely express anti-tumor properties. Investigating these opposing activities, we found that tumor-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) induces nuclear accumulation of p50 NF-κB in M-MDSC, diverting their response to IFNγ towards NO-mediated immunosuppression and reducing TNFα expression. At the genome level, p50 NF-κB promoted binding of STAT1 to regulatory regions of selected IFNγ-dependent genes, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (Nos2). In agreement, ablation of p50 as well as pharmacological inhibition of either the PGE2 receptor EP2 or NO production reprogrammed M-MDSC towards a NOS2low/TNFαhigh phenotype, restoring the in vivo antitumor activity of IFNγ. Our results indicate that inhibition of the PGE2/p50/NO axis prevents MDSC suppressive functions and restores the efficacy of anticancer immunotherapy.
Lingua originale | Inglese |
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Rivista | Cancer Research |
DOI | |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2020 |
Keywords
- Myeloid-derived suppressor cells
- NF-κB
- immunosuppression
- immunotherapy
- interferon-γ
- prostaglandin E2
- tumor microenvironment