CXCR6 orchestrates brain CD8+ T cell residency and limits mouse Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), are characterized by innate immune-mediated inflammation, but functional and mechanistic effects of the adaptive immune system remain unclear. Here we identify brain-resident CD8+ T cells that coexpress CXCR6 and PD-1 and are in proximity to plaque-associated microglia in human and mouse AD brains. We also establish that CD8+ T cells restrict AD pathologies, including ß-amyloid deposition and cognitive decline. Ligand-receptor interaction analysis identifies CXCL16-CXCR6 intercellular communication between microglia and CD8+ T cells. Further, Cxcr6 deficiency impairs accumulation, tissue residency programming and clonal expansion of brain PD-1+CD8+ T cells. Ablation of Cxcr6 or CD8+ T cells ultimately increases proinflammatory cytokine production from microglia, with CXCR6 orchestrating brain CD8+ T cell-microglia colocalization. Collectively, our study reveals protective roles for brain CD8+ T cells and CXCR6 in mouse AD pathogenesis and highlights that microenvironment-specific, intercellular communication orchestrates tissue homeostasis and protection from neuroinflammation.

Single-cell CRISPR screens in vivo map T cell fate regulomes in cancer.

CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) orchestrate antitumour immunity and exhibit inherent heterogeneity1,2, with precursor exhausted T (Tpex) cells but not terminally exhausted T (Tex) cells capable of responding to existing immunotherapies3-7. The gene regulatory network that underlies CTL differentiation and whether Tex cell responses can be functionally reinvigorated are incompletely understood. Here we systematically mapped causal gene regulatory networks using single-cell CRISPR screens in vivo and discovered checkpoints for CTL differentiation. First, the exit from quiescence of Tpex cells initiated successive differentiation into intermediate Tex cells. This process is differentially regulated by IKAROS and ETS1, the deficiencies of which dampened and increased mTORC1-associated metabolic activities, respectively. IKAROS-deficient cells accumulated as a metabolically quiescent Tpex cell population with limited differentiation potential following immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Conversely, targeting ETS1 improved antitumour immunity and ICB efficacy by boosting differentiation of Tpex to intermediate Tex cells and metabolic rewiring. Mechanistically, TCF-1 and BATF are the targets for IKAROS and ETS1, respectively. Second, the RBPJ-IRF1 axis promoted differentiation of intermediate Tex to terminal Tex cells. Accordingly, targeting RBPJ enhanced functional and epigenetic reprogramming of Tex cells towards the proliferative state and improved therapeutic effects and ICB efficacy. Collectively, our study reveals that promoting the exit from quiescence of Tpex cells and enriching the proliferative Tex cell state act as key modalities for antitumour effects and provides a systemic framework to integrate cell fate regulomes and reprogrammable functional determinants for cancer immunity.

SLC38A2 and glutamine signalling in cDC1s dictate anti-tumour immunity.

Cancer cells evade T cell-mediated killing through tumour-immune interactions whose mechanisms are not well understood1,2. Dendritic cells (DCs), especially type-1 conventional DCs (cDC1s), mediate T cell priming and therapeutic efficacy against tumours3. DC functions are orchestrated by pattern recognition receptors3-5, although other signals involved remain incompletely defined. Nutrients are emerging mediators of adaptive immunity6-8, but whether nutrients affect DC function or communication between innate and adaptive immune cells is largely unresolved. Here we establish glutamine as an intercellular metabolic checkpoint that dictates tumour-cDC1 crosstalk and licenses cDC1 function in activating cytotoxic T cells. Intratumoral glutamine supplementation inhibits tumour growth by augmenting cDC1-mediated CD8+ T cell immunity, and overcomes therapeutic resistance to checkpoint blockade and T cell-mediated immunotherapies. Mechanistically, tumour cells and cDC1s compete for glutamine uptake via the transporter SLC38A2 to tune anti-tumour immunity. Nutrient screening and integrative analyses show that glutamine is the dominant amino acid in promoting cDC1 function. Further, glutamine signalling via FLCN impinges on TFEB function. Loss of FLCN in DCs selectively impairs cDC1 function in vivo in a TFEB-dependent manner and phenocopies SLC38A2 deficiency by eliminating the anti-tumour therapeutic effect of glutamine supplementation. Our findings establish glutamine-mediated intercellular metabolic crosstalk between tumour cells and cDC1s that underpins tumour immune evasion, and reveal glutamine acquisition and signalling in cDC1s as limiting events for DC activation and putative targets for cancer treatment.

Trans-vaccenic acid reprograms CD8+ T cells and anti-tumour immunity.

Diet-derived nutrients are inextricably linked to human physiology by providing energy and biosynthetic building blocks and by functioning as regulatory molecules. However, the mechanisms by which circulating nutrients in the human body influence specific physiological processes remain largely unknown. Here we use a blood nutrient compound library-based screening approach to demonstrate that dietary trans-vaccenic acid (TVA) directly promotes effector CD8+ T cell function and anti-tumour immunity in vivo. TVA is the predominant form of trans-fatty acids enriched in human milk, but the human body cannot produce TVA endogenously1. Circulating TVA in humans is mainly from ruminant-derived foods including beef, lamb and dairy products such as milk and butter2,3, but only around 19% or 12% of dietary TVA is converted to rumenic acid by humans or mice, respectively4,5. Mechanistically, TVA inactivates the cell-surface receptor GPR43, an immunomodulatory G protein-coupled receptor activated by its short-chain fatty acid ligands6-8. TVA thus antagonizes the short-chain fatty acid agonists of GPR43, leading to activation of the cAMP-PKA-CREB axis for enhanced CD8+ T cell function. These findings reveal that diet-derived TVA represents a mechanism for host-extrinsic reprogramming of CD8+ T cells as opposed to the intrahost gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids. TVA thus has translational potential for the treatment of tumours.

Lipid signalling enforces functional specialization of Treg cells in tumours.

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are essential for immune tolerance1, but also drive immunosuppression in the tumour microenvironment2. Therapeutic targeting of Treg cells in cancer will therefore require the identification of context-specific mechanisms that affect their function. Here we show that inhibiting lipid synthesis and metabolic signalling that are dependent on sterol-regulatory-element-binding proteins (SREBPs) in Treg cells unleashes effective antitumour immune responses without autoimmune toxicity. We find that the activity of SREBPs is upregulated in intratumoral Treg cells. Moreover, deletion of SREBP-cleavage-activating protein (SCAP)-a factor required for SREBP activity-in these cells inhibits tumour growth and boosts immunotherapy that is triggered by targeting the immune-checkpoint protein PD-1. These effects of SCAP deletion are associated with uncontrolled production of interferon-γ and impaired function of intratumoral Treg cells. Mechanistically, signalling through SCAP and SREBPs coordinates cellular programs for lipid synthesis and inhibitory receptor signalling in these cells. First, de novo fatty-acid synthesis mediated by fatty-acid synthase (FASN) contributes to functional maturation of Treg cells, and loss of FASN from Treg cells inhibits tumour growth. Second, Treg cells in tumours show enhanced expression of the PD-1 gene, through a process that depends on SREBP activity and signals via mevalonate metabolism to protein geranylgeranylation. Blocking PD-1 or SREBP signalling results in dysregulated activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase in intratumoral Treg cells. Our findings show that metabolic reprogramming enforces the functional specialization of Treg cells in tumours, pointing to new ways of targeting these cells for cancer therapy.

CRISPR screens unveil signal hubs for nutrient licensing of T cell immunity.

Nutrients are emerging regulators of adaptive immunity1. Selective nutrients interplay with immunological signals to activate mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a key driver of cell metabolism2-4, but how these environmental signals are integrated for immune regulation remains unclear. Here we use genome-wide CRISPR screening combined with protein-protein interaction networks to identify regulatory modules that mediate immune receptor- and nutrient-dependent signalling to mTORC1 in mouse regulatory T (Treg) cells. SEC31A is identified to promote mTORC1 activation by interacting with the GATOR2 component SEC13 to protect it from SKP1-dependent proteasomal degradation. Accordingly, loss of SEC31A impairs T cell priming and Treg suppressive function in mice. In addition, the SWI/SNF complex restricts expression of the amino acid sensor CASTOR1, thereby enhancing mTORC1 activation. Moreover, we reveal that the CCDC101-associated SAGA complex is a potent inhibitor of mTORC1, which limits the expression of glucose and amino acid transporters and maintains T cell quiescence in vivo. Specific deletion of Ccdc101 in mouse Treg cells results in uncontrolled inflammation but improved antitumour immunity. Collectively, our results establish epigenetic and post-translational mechanisms that underpin how nutrient transporters, sensors and transducers interplay with immune signals for three-tiered regulation of mTORC1 activity and identify their pivotal roles in licensing T cell immunity and immune tolerance.

Targeting REGNASE-1 programs long-lived effector T cells for cancer therapy.

Adoptive cell therapy represents a new paradigm in cancer immunotherapy, but it can be limited by the poor persistence and function of transferred T cells1. Here we use an in vivo pooled CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis screening approach to demonstrate that, by targeting REGNASE-1, CD8+ T cells are reprogrammed to long-lived effector cells with extensive accumulation, better persistence and robust effector function in tumours. REGNASE-1-deficient CD8+ T cells show markedly improved therapeutic efficacy against mouse models of melanoma and leukaemia. By using a secondary genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screening, we identify BATF as the key target of REGNASE-1 and as a rheostat that shapes antitumour responses. Loss of BATF suppresses the increased accumulation and mitochondrial fitness of REGNASE-1-deficient CD8+ T cells. By contrast, the targeting of additional signalling factors-including PTPN2 and SOCS1-improves the therapeutic efficacy of REGNASE-1-deficient CD8+ T cells. Our findings suggest that T cell persistence and effector function can be coordinated in tumour immunity and point to avenues for improving the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy for cancer.

Metabolic heterogeneity underlies reciprocal fates of TH17 cell stemness and plasticity.

A defining feature of adaptive immunity is the development of long-lived memory T cells to curtail infection. Recent studies have identified a unique stem-like T-cell subset amongst exhausted CD8-positive T cells in chronic infection1-3, but it remains unclear whether CD4-positive T-cell subsets with similar features exist in chronic inflammatory conditions. Amongst helper T cells, TH17 cells have prominent roles in autoimmunity and tissue inflammation and are characterized by inherent plasticity4-7, although how such plasticity is regulated is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that TH17 cells in a mouse model of autoimmune disease are functionally and metabolically heterogeneous; they contain a subset with stemness-associated features but lower anabolic metabolism, and a reciprocal subset with higher metabolic activity that supports transdifferentiation into TH1-like cells. These two TH17-cell subsets are defined by selective expression of the transcription factors TCF-1 and T-bet, and by discrete levels of CD27 expression. We also identify signalling via the kinase complex mTORC1 as a central regulator of TH17-cell fate decisions by coordinating metabolic and transcriptional programmes. TH17 cells with disrupted mTORC1 signalling or anabolic metabolism fail to induce autoimmune neuroinflammation or to develop into TH1-like cells, but instead upregulate TCF-1 expression and acquire stemness-associated features. Single-cell RNA sequencing and experimental validation reveal heterogeneity in fate-mapped TH17 cells, and a developmental arrest in the TH1 transdifferentiation trajectory upon loss of mTORC1 activity or metabolic perturbation. Our results establish that the dichotomy of stemness and effector function underlies the heterogeneous TH17 responses and autoimmune pathogenesis, and point to previously unappreciated metabolic control of plasticity in helper T cells.

Targeted deletion of CD244 on monocytes promotes differentiation into anti-tumorigenic macrophages and potentiates PD-L1 blockade in melanoma.

BACKGROUND: In the myeloid compartment of the tumor microenvironment, CD244 signaling has been implicated in immunosuppressive phenotype of monocytes. However, the precise molecular mechanism and contribution of CD244 to tumor immunity in monocytes/macrophages remains elusive due to the co-existing lymphoid cells expressing CD244. METHODS: To directly assess the role of CD244 in tumor-associated macrophages, monocyte-lineage-specific CD244-deficient mice were generated using cre-lox recombination and challenged with B16F10 melanoma. The phenotype and function of tumor-infiltrating macrophages along with antigen-specific CD8 T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and single cell RNA sequencing data analysis, and the molecular mechanism underlying anti-tumorigenic macrophage differentiation, antigen presentation, phagocytosis was investigated ex vivo. Finally, the clinical feasibility of CD244-negative monocytes as a therapeutic modality in melanoma was confirmed by adoptive transfer experiments. RESULTS: CD244fl/flLysMcre mice demonstrated a significant reduction in tumor volume (61% relative to that of the CD244fl/fl control group) 14 days after tumor implantation. Within tumor mass, CD244fl/flLysMcre mice also showed higher percentages of Ly6Clow macrophages, along with elevated gp100+IFN-γ+ CD8 T cells. Flow cytometry and RNA sequencing data demonstrated that ER stress resulted in increased CD244 expression on monocytes. This, in turn, impeded the generation of anti-tumorigenic Ly6Clow macrophages, phagocytosis and MHC-I antigen presentation by suppressing autophagy pathways. Combining anti-PD-L1 antibody with CD244-/- bone marrow-derived macrophages markedly improved tumor rejection compared to the anti-PD-L1 antibody alone or in combination with wild-type macrophages. Consistent with the murine data, transcriptome analysis of human melanoma tissue single-cell RNA-sequencing dataset revealed close association between CD244 and the inhibition of macrophage maturation and function. Furthermore, the presence of CD244-negative monocytes/macrophages significantly increased patient survival in primary and metastatic tumors. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the novel role of CD244 on monocytes/macrophages in restraining anti-tumorigenic macrophage generation and tumor antigen-specific T cell response in melanoma. Importantly, our findings suggest that CD244-deficient macrophages could potentially be used as a therapeutic agent in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Furthermore, CD244 expression in monocyte-lineage cells serve as a prognostic marker in cancer patients.

Lipid metabolism in T cell signaling and function.

T cells orchestrate adaptive immunity against pathogens and other immune challenges, but their dysfunction can also mediate the pathogenesis of cancer and autoimmunity. Metabolic adaptation in response to immunological and microenvironmental signals contributes to T cell function and fate decision. Lipid metabolism has emerged as a key regulator of T cell responses, with selective lipid metabolites serving as metabolic rheostats to integrate environmental cues and interplay with intracellular signaling processes. Here, we discuss how extracellular, de novo synthesized and membrane lipids orchestrate T cell biology. We also describe the roles of lipids as regulators of intracellular signaling at the levels of transcriptional, epigenetic and post-translational regulation in T cells. Finally, we summarize therapeutic targeting of lipid metabolism and signaling, and conclude with a discussion of important future directions. Understanding the molecular and functional interplay between lipid metabolism and T cell biology will ultimately inform therapeutic intervention for human disease.

Development of a dried blood spot sampling method towards therapeutic monitoring of radotinib in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling is a minimally invasive method of blood sampling that enables monitoring of drug concentrations to be more convenient. This study aimed at developing a DBS sampling method for an accurate and precise prediction of radotinib plasma concentrations (Cp ) in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). METHODS: Dried blood spot and venous blood samples were simultaneously collected from fifty CML patients who had been receiving radotinib for at least a week. Radotinib concentrations were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method with tandem mass spectrometric detection. Unmeasured Cp was predicted directly based on a Deming regression between DBS concentrations (CDBS ) and Cp . Unmeasured Cp was also predicted from CDBS corrected by each patient's haematocrit (Hct). Both prediction methods were evaluated for their accuracy and precision using Deming regression and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The Deming regression equation between CDBS and Cp was obtained as follows: Cp  = 1.34∙CDBS  + 4.26 (r2  = .97). Cp was directly predictable using Cp,pred1  = 1.34∙CDBS  + 4.26. With Hct correction, Cp was alternatively predictable using Cp,pred2  = CDBS / (1-Hct + Hct2 ). The slopes of Deming regression line between predicted and measured Cp were 0.99 and 1.02 for the direct and Hct-corrected method, respectively. The mean biases (accuracy) were -0.44% and 1.6% with the 95% limits of agreement (precision) of -22.4% to 21.5% and -20.5% to 23.7%, respectively. More than 93% of predicted and measured Cp pairs had their differences within 20% of the mean of each pair in both methods. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS: Radotinib CDBS are highly correlated with radotinib Cp. Radotinib Cp can be accurately and precisely predicted from CDBS using direct or Hct-corrected prediction methods. Both appear to be appropriate for the therapeutic monitoring of radotinib in patients with CML.

NKG2D ligation relieves 2B4-mediated NK-cell self-tolerance in mice.

Along with MHC class I (MHCI), 2B4 provides nonredundant NK-cell inhibition in mice. The immunoregulatory role of 2B4 has been increasingly appreciated in models of tumor and viral infection, however, the interactions among 2B4, MHCI, and other activating NK-cell receptors remain uncertain. Here, we dissect the influence of two distinct inhibitory pathways in modulating NK-cell-mediated control of tumors expressing strong activating ligands, including RAE-1γ. In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo peritoneal clearance assays using MHCI(+) CD48(+) (RMA-neo), MHCI(+) CD48(+) RAE-1γ (RMA-RAE-1γ), MHCI(-) CD48(+) (RMA-S-neo), and MHCI(-) CD48(+) RAE-1γ (RMA-S-RAE-1γ) tumor lines demonstrated that NKG2D activation supersedes the inhibitory effect of both 2B4- and MHCI-mediated immune-tolerance systems. Furthermore, 2B4KO mice subcutaneously challenged with RMA-neo and RMA-S-neo exhibited reduced tumor growth and significantly prolonged survival compared with WT mice, implying that 2B4 is constitutively engaged in the NK-cell tolerance mechanism in vivo. Nevertheless, the inhibitory effect of 2B4 is significantly attenuated when NK cells encountered highly stressed tumor cells expressing RAE-1γ, resulting in an immune response shift toward NK-cell activation and tumor regression. Therefore, our data highlight the importance of the 2B4-mediated inhibitory system as an alternate self-tolerance mechanism, whose role can be modulated by the strength of activating receptor signaling within the tumor microenvironment.

Metabolic reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment to enhance immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy represents a promising treatment strategy for targeting various tumor types. However, the overall response rate is low due to the tumor microenvironment (TME). In the TME, numerous distinct factors actively induce immunosuppression, restricting the efficacy of anticancer immune reactions. Recently, metabolic reprogramming of tumors has been recognized for its role in modulating the tumor microenvironment to enhance immune cell responses in the TME. Furthermore, recent elucidations underscore the critical role of metabolic limitations imposed by the tumor microenvironment on the effectiveness of antitumor immune cells, guiding the development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches. Hence, achieving a comprehensive understanding of the metabolic requirements of both cancer and immune cells within the TME is pivotal. This insight not only aids in acknowledging the current limitations of clinical practices but also significantly shapes the trajectory of future research endeavors in the domain of cancer immunotherapy. In addition, therapeutic interventions targeting metabolic limitations have exhibited promising potential as combinatory treatments across diverse cancer types. In this review, we first discuss the metabolic barriers in the TME. Second, we explore how the immune response is regulated by metabolites. Finally, we will review the current strategy for targeting metabolism to not simply inhibit tumor growth but also enhance antitumor immune responses. Thus, we could suggest potent combination therapy for improving immunotherapy with metabolic inhibitors.

Single step isolation and activation of primary CD3+ T lymphocytes using alcohol-dispersed electrospun magnetic nanofibers.

Electrospun polymer nanofibers with entrapped magnetic nanoparticles (magnetic NP-NF) represent a novel scaffold substrate that can be functionalized for single-step isolation and activation of specific lymphocyte subsets. Using a surface-embedded T cell receptor ligand/trigger (anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody), we demonstrate, as proof of principle, the use of magnetic NP-NF to specifically isolate, enrich, and activate CD3(+) T cells from a heterogeneous cell mixture, leading to preferential expansion of CD8(+)CD3(+) T cells. The large surface area, adjustable antibody density, and embedded paramagnetic properties of the NP-NF permitted enhanced activation and expansion; its use represents a strategy that is amenable to an efficient selection process for adoptive cellular therapy as well as for the isolation of other cellular subsets for downstream translational applications.

Differential expression of immune-associated cancer regulatory genes in low- versus high-dose-rate irradiated AKR/J mice.

AKR/J mice carrying leukemia viral inserts develop thymic lymphoma. Recently, we demonstrated that the incidence of thymic lymphoma was decreased when these mice were raised in a low-dose-rate γ-irradiation facility. In contrast, mice irradiated at a high-dose rate developed severe thymic lymphoma and died much earlier. To understand the genetic changes occurred by low- versus high-dose-rate γ-irradiation whole genome microarray was performed. Both groups of mice demonstrated up-regulation of Ifng, Igbp1, and IL7 in their thymuses, however, mice exposed to high-dose-rate γ-irradiation exhibited marked down-regulation of Sp3, Il15, Traf6, IL2ra, Pik3r1, and Hells. In contrast, low-dose-rate irradiated mice demonstrated up-regulation of Il15 and Jag2. These gene expression profiles imply the impaired immune signaling pathways by high-dose-rate γ-irradiation while the facilitation of anti-tumor immune responses by low-dose-rate γ-irradiation. Therefore, our data delineate common and distinct immune-associated pathways downstream of low- versus high-dose-rate irradiation in the process of cancer progression in AKR/J mice.

PTEN directs developmental and metabolic signaling for innate-like T cell fate and tissue homeostasis.

Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) is frequently mutated in human cancer, but its roles in lymphopoiesis and tissue homeostasis remain poorly defined. Here we show that PTEN orchestrates a two-step developmental process linking antigen receptor and IL-23-Stat3 signalling to type-17 innate-like T cell generation. Loss of PTEN leads to pronounced accumulation of mature IL-17-producing innate-like T cells in the thymus. IL-23 is essential for their accumulation, and ablation of IL-23 or IL-17 signalling rectifies the reduced survival of female PTEN-haploinsufficient mice that model human patients with PTEN mutations. Single-cell transcriptome and network analyses revealed the dynamic regulation of PTEN, mTOR and metabolic activities that accompanied type-17 cell programming. Furthermore, deletion of mTORC1 or mTORC2 blocks PTEN loss-driven type-17 cell accumulation, and this is further shaped by the Foxo1 and Stat3 pathways. Collectively, our study establishes developmental and metabolic signalling networks underpinning type-17 cell fate decisions and their functional effects at coordinating PTEN-dependent tissue homeostasis.

Hypoxia-Driven HIF-1α Activation Reprograms Pre-Activated NK Cells towards Highly Potent Effector Phenotypes via ERK/STAT3 Pathways.

NK cells are the predominant innate lymphocyte subsets specialized to kill malignant tumor cells. In patients with advanced cancer, hypoxic stress shapes NK cells toward tumor-resistant and immunosuppressive phenotypes, hence a strategy to restore NK function is critical for successful tumor immunotherapy. Here, we present evidence that pre-activation and subsequent HIF-1α-dependent metabolic shift of NK cells from oxidative phosphorylation into glycolysis are keys to overcome hypoxia-mediated impairment in NK cell survival, proliferation, and tumor cytotoxicity. Specifically, exposing NK cells to 7-9 days of normoxic culture followed by a pO2 of 1.5% hypoxia led to a highly potent effector phenotype via HIF-1α stabilization and upregulation of its target genes, BNIP3, PDK1, VEGF, PKM2, and LDHA. RNA sequencing and network analyses revealed that concomitant reduction of p21/p53 apoptotic pathways along with upregulation of cell cycle-promoting genes, CCNE1, CDC6, CDC20, and downregulation of cell cycle-arrest genes, CDKN1A, GADD45A, and MDM2 were accountable for superior expansion of NK cells via ERK/STAT3 activation. Furthermore, HIF-1α-dependent upregulation of the NKp44 receptor in hypoxia-exposed NK cells resulted in increased killing against K562, CEM, and A375 tumor targets both in-vitro and in-vivo tumor clearance assays. Therefore, hypoxic exposure on pre-activated proliferating NK cells triggered HIF-1α-dependent pathways to initiate coordinated regulation of cell cycle, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity at the global gene transcription level. Our results uncover a previously unidentified role of HIF-1α-mediated metabolic reprogramming that can reverse impaired NK effector phenotypes to generate requisite numbers of functionally robust NK cells for adoptive cellular therapy for clinical evaluation.

Signaling networks in immunometabolism.

Adaptive immunity is essential for pathogen and tumor eradication, but may also trigger uncontrolled or pathological inflammation. T cell receptor, co-stimulatory and cytokine signals coordinately dictate specific signaling networks that trigger the activation and functional programming of T cells. In addition, cellular metabolism promotes T cell responses and is dynamically regulated through the interplay of serine/threonine kinases, immunological cues and nutrient signaling networks. In this review, we summarize the upstream regulators and signaling effectors of key serine/threonine kinase-mediated signaling networks, including PI3K-AGC kinases, mTOR and LKB1-AMPK pathways that regulate metabolism, especially in T cells. We also provide our perspectives about the pending questions and clinical applicability of immunometabolic signaling. Understanding the regulators and effectors of immunometabolic signaling networks may uncover therapeutic targets to modulate metabolic programming and T cell responses in human disease.

Defective Localization With Impaired Tumor Cytotoxicity Contributes to the Immune Escape of NK Cells in Pancreatic Cancer Patients.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), found in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), are shown to correlate with overall survival (OS) rate. Although majority of TILs consist of CD8+/CD4+ T cells, the presence of NK cells and their role in the pathogenesis of PDAC remains elusive. We performed comprehensive analyses of TIL, PBMC, and autologous tumor cells from 80 enrolled resectable PDAC patients to comprehend the NK cell defects within PDAC. Extremely low frequencies of NK cells (<0.5%) were found within PDAC tumors, which was attributable not to the low expression of tumor chemokines, but to the lack of chemokine receptor, CXCR2. Forced expression of CXCR2 in patients' NK cells rendered them capable of trafficking into PDAC. Furthermore, NK cells exhibited impaired cell-mediated killing of autologous PDAC cells, primarily due to insufficient ligation of NKG2D and DNAM-1, and failed to proliferate within the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Importantly, these defects could be overcome by ex-vivo stimulation of NK cells from such patients. Importantly, when the proliferative capacity of NK cells in vitro was used to stratify patients on the basis of cell expansion, patients whose NK cells proliferated <250-fold experienced significantly lower DFS and OS than those with ≥250-fold. Ex-vivo activation of NK cells restored tumor trafficking and reactivity, hence provided a therapeutic modality while their fold expansion could be a potentially significant prognostic indicator of OS and DFS in such patients.

CD160 serves as a negative regulator of NKT cells in acute hepatic injury.

CD160 and BTLA both bind to herpes virus entry mediator. Although a negative regulatory function of BTLA in natural killer T (NKT) cell activation has been reported, whether CD160 is also involved is unclear. By analyzing CD160-/- mice and mixed bone marrow chimeras, we show that CD160 is not essential for NKT cell development. However, CD160-/- mice exhibit severe liver injury after in vivo challenge with α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer). Moreover, CD160-/- mice are more susceptible to Concanavalin A challenge, and display elevated serum AST and ALT levels, hyperactivation of NKT cells, and enhanced IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-4 production. Lastly, inhibition of BTLA by anti-BTLA mAb aggravates α-GalCer-induced hepatic injury in CD160-/- mice, suggesting that both CD160 and BTLA serve as non-overlapping negative regulators of NKT cells. Our data thus implicate CD160 as a co-inhibitory receptor that delivers antigen-dependent signals in NKT cells to dampen cytokine production during early innate immune activation.