The DNA Structure-Specific Endonuclease MUS81 Mediates DNA Sensor STING-Dependent Host Rejection of Prostate Cancer Cells.

Self-DNA is present in the cytosol of many cancer cells and can promote effective immune rejection of tumor cells, but the mechanisms leading to the presence of cytosolic DNA are unknown. Here, we report that the cleavage of genomic DNA by DNA structure-specific endonuclease MUS81 and PARP-dependent DNA repair pathways leads to the accumulation of cytosolic DNA in prostate cancer cells. The number of nuclear MUS81 foci and the amount of cytosolic dsDNA increased in tandem from hyperplasia to clinical stage II prostate cancers and decreased at stage III. Cytosolic DNA generated by MUS81 stimulated DNA sensor STING-dependent type I interferon (IFN) expression and promoted phagocytic and T cell responses, resulting in type I and II IFN-mediated rejection of prostate tumor cells via mechanisms that partly depended on macrophages. Our results demonstrate that the tumor suppressor MUS81 alerts the immune system to the presence of transformed host cells.

Genome-derived cytosolic DNA contributes to type I interferon expression and immunogenicity of B-cell lymphoma cells.

We recently provided evidence that genome-derived DNA is present in the cytosol of many tumor cells. Genomic loci that give rise to cytosolic DNA can potentially form non-B DNA structures including triple-stranded RNA:DNA structures (R-loops). The RNA:DNA-specific endonuclease RNaseh1 reduced the levels of cytosolic DNA and type I interferon-dependent rejection of B-cell lymphoma suggesting that cytosolic DNA may contribute to immune surveillance of B-cell lymphoma.

Ras activation induces expression of Raet1 family NK receptor ligands.

NK cells play a crucial role in innate immunity against tumors. In many human tumors, Ras is chronically active, and tumor cells frequently express ligands for the activating NK cell receptor NKG2D. In this study, we report that Ras activation upregulates the expression of Raet1 protein family members Rae1α and Rae1ß in mouse and ULBP1-3 in human cells. In addition, Ras also induced MHC class I chain-related protein expression in some human cell lines. Overexpression of the constitutively active H-RasV12 mutant was sufficient to induce NKG2D ligand expression. H-RasV12-induced NKG2D ligand upregulation depended on Raf, MAPK/MEK, and PI3K, but not ATM or ATR, two PI3K-like kinases previously shown to induce NKG2D ligand expression. Analysis of the 5' untranslated regions of Raet1 family members suggested the presence of features known to impair translation initiation. Overexpression of the rate-limiting translation initiation factor eIF4E induced Rae1 and ULBP1 expression in a Ras- and PI3K-dependent manner. Upregulation of NKG2D ligands by H-RasV12 increased sensitivity of cells to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. In summary, our data suggest that chronic Ras activation is linked to innate immune responses, which may contribute to immune surveillance of H-Ras transformed cells.

Genome-derived cytosolic DNA mediates type I interferon-dependent rejection of B cell lymphoma cells.

The DNA damage response (DDR) induces the expression of type I interferons (IFNs), but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we show the presence of cytosolic DNA in different mouse and human tumor cells. Treatment of cells with genotoxic agents increased the levels of cytosolic DNA in a DDR-dependent manner. Cloning of cytosolic DNA molecules from mouse lymphoma cells suggests that cytosolic DNA is derived from unique genomic loci and has the potential to form non-B DNA structures, including R-loops. Overexpression of Rnaseh1, which resolves R-loops, reduced the levels of cytosolic DNA, type I Ifn transcripts, and type I IFN-dependent rejection of lymphoma cells. Live-cell imaging showed a dynamic contact of cytosolic DNA with mitochondria, an important organelle for innate immune recognition of cytosolic nucleotides. In summary, we found that cytosolic DNA is present in many tumor cells and contributes to the immunogenicity of tumor cells.

NKG2D ligands link oncogenic RAS to innate immunity.

RAS is constitutively active in multiple types of tumor cells. We have recently demonstrated that H-RASV12 enhances the translation of ligands for the activating immune receptor NKG2D, hence rendering cells more susceptible to natural killer (NK) cell-mediated lysis. This effect depends on MAPK and PI3K signaling, but not on the DNA damage response.