EBF1-COX4I2 signaling axis promotes a myofibroblast-like phenotype in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and is associated with an immunosuppressive microenvironment.
Int Immunopharmacol
; 139: 112666, 2024 Sep 30.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39002521
ABSTRACT
Immunotherapy has limited response rates in colorectal cancer (CRC) due to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Combining transcriptome sequencing, clinical specimens, and functional experiments, we identified a unique group of CAF subpopulations (COX4I2 + ) with inhibited mitochondrial respiration and enhanced glycolysis. Through bioinformatics predictions and luciferase reporter assays, we determined that EBF1 can upstreamly regulate COX4I2 transcription. COX4I2 + CAFs functionally and phenotypically resemble myofibroblasts, are important for the formation of the fibrotic TME, and are capable of activating the M2 phenotype of macrophages. In vitro experiments demonstrated that COX4I2 + CAFs promote immunosuppressive TME by blocking CD8 + T cell infiltration and inducing CD8 + T cell dysfunction. Using multiple independent cohorts, we also found a strong correlation between the immunotherapy response rate of CRC patients and COX4I2 expression in their tumors. Our results identify a CAF subpopulation characterized by activation of the EBF1-COX4I2 axis, and this group of CAFs can be targeted to improve cancer immunotherapy outcomes.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Neoplasias Colorrectales
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Transducción de Señal
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Transactivadores
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Miofibroblastos
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Microambiente Tumoral
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Fibroblastos Asociados al Cáncer
Límite:
Animals
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int Immunopharmacol
Asunto de la revista:
ALERGIA E IMUNOLOGIA
/
FARMACOLOGIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
China