Co-inhibition of TGF-β and PD-L1 pathways in a metastatic colorectal cancer mouse model triggers interferon responses, innate cells and T cells, alongside metabolic changes and tumor resistance

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide with a high mortality rate (20–30%), especially due to metastasis to adjacent organs. Clinical responses to chemotherapy, radiation, targeted and immunotherapies are limited to a subset of patients making metastatic CRC (mCRC) diff...

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Main Authors: Reshmi Nair, Tamsin R. M. Lannagan, Rene Jackstadt, Anna Andrusaite, John Cole, Caitlin Boyne, Robert J. B. Nibbs, Owen J. Sansom, Simon Milling
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:OncoImmunology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2162402X.2024.2330194
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author Reshmi Nair
Tamsin R. M. Lannagan
Rene Jackstadt
Anna Andrusaite
John Cole
Caitlin Boyne
Robert J. B. Nibbs
Owen J. Sansom
Simon Milling
author_facet Reshmi Nair
Tamsin R. M. Lannagan
Rene Jackstadt
Anna Andrusaite
John Cole
Caitlin Boyne
Robert J. B. Nibbs
Owen J. Sansom
Simon Milling
author_sort Reshmi Nair
collection DOAJ
description Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide with a high mortality rate (20–30%), especially due to metastasis to adjacent organs. Clinical responses to chemotherapy, radiation, targeted and immunotherapies are limited to a subset of patients making metastatic CRC (mCRC) difficult to treat. To understand the therapeutic modulation of immune response in mCRC, we have used a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM), “KPN”, which resembles the human ‘CMS4’-like subtype. We show here that transforming growth factor (TGF-β1), secreted by KPN organoids, increases cancer cell proliferation, and inhibits splenocyte activation in vitro. TGF-β1 also inhibits activation of naive but not pre-activated T cells, suggesting differential effects on specific immune cells. In vivo, the inhibition of TGF-β inflames the KPN tumors, causing infiltration of T cells, monocytes and monocytic intermediates, while reducing neutrophils and epithelial cells. Co-inhibition of TGF-β and PD-L1 signaling further enhances cytotoxic CD8+T cells and upregulates innate immune response and interferon gene signatures. However, simultaneous upregulation of cancer-related metabolic genes correlated with limited control of tumor burden and/or progression despite combination treatment. Our study illustrates the importance of using GEMMs to predict better immunotherapies for mCRC.
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spelling doaj-art-990e4b206f444c4f9e950f6acf44d5d02024-12-03T13:49:35ZengTaylor & Francis GroupOncoImmunology2162-402X2024-12-0113110.1080/2162402X.2024.2330194Co-inhibition of TGF-β and PD-L1 pathways in a metastatic colorectal cancer mouse model triggers interferon responses, innate cells and T cells, alongside metabolic changes and tumor resistanceReshmi Nair0Tamsin R. M. Lannagan1Rene Jackstadt2Anna Andrusaite3John Cole4Caitlin Boyne5Robert J. B. Nibbs6Owen J. Sansom7Simon Milling8School of infection and immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UKCancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UKCancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UKSchool of infection and immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UKSchool of infection and immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UKSchool of infection and immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UKSchool of infection and immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UKCancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UKSchool of infection and immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UKColorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide with a high mortality rate (20–30%), especially due to metastasis to adjacent organs. Clinical responses to chemotherapy, radiation, targeted and immunotherapies are limited to a subset of patients making metastatic CRC (mCRC) difficult to treat. To understand the therapeutic modulation of immune response in mCRC, we have used a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM), “KPN”, which resembles the human ‘CMS4’-like subtype. We show here that transforming growth factor (TGF-β1), secreted by KPN organoids, increases cancer cell proliferation, and inhibits splenocyte activation in vitro. TGF-β1 also inhibits activation of naive but not pre-activated T cells, suggesting differential effects on specific immune cells. In vivo, the inhibition of TGF-β inflames the KPN tumors, causing infiltration of T cells, monocytes and monocytic intermediates, while reducing neutrophils and epithelial cells. Co-inhibition of TGF-β and PD-L1 signaling further enhances cytotoxic CD8+T cells and upregulates innate immune response and interferon gene signatures. However, simultaneous upregulation of cancer-related metabolic genes correlated with limited control of tumor burden and/or progression despite combination treatment. Our study illustrates the importance of using GEMMs to predict better immunotherapies for mCRC.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2162402X.2024.2330194immunotherapycolorectal cancerT-lymphocytesmyeloid cellsCheck point inhibitionmetabolism
spellingShingle Reshmi Nair
Tamsin R. M. Lannagan
Rene Jackstadt
Anna Andrusaite
John Cole
Caitlin Boyne
Robert J. B. Nibbs
Owen J. Sansom
Simon Milling
Co-inhibition of TGF-β and PD-L1 pathways in a metastatic colorectal cancer mouse model triggers interferon responses, innate cells and T cells, alongside metabolic changes and tumor resistance
OncoImmunology
immunotherapy
colorectal cancer
T-lymphocytes
myeloid cells
Check point inhibition
metabolism
title Co-inhibition of TGF-β and PD-L1 pathways in a metastatic colorectal cancer mouse model triggers interferon responses, innate cells and T cells, alongside metabolic changes and tumor resistance
title_full Co-inhibition of TGF-β and PD-L1 pathways in a metastatic colorectal cancer mouse model triggers interferon responses, innate cells and T cells, alongside metabolic changes and tumor resistance
title_fullStr Co-inhibition of TGF-β and PD-L1 pathways in a metastatic colorectal cancer mouse model triggers interferon responses, innate cells and T cells, alongside metabolic changes and tumor resistance
title_full_unstemmed Co-inhibition of TGF-β and PD-L1 pathways in a metastatic colorectal cancer mouse model triggers interferon responses, innate cells and T cells, alongside metabolic changes and tumor resistance
title_short Co-inhibition of TGF-β and PD-L1 pathways in a metastatic colorectal cancer mouse model triggers interferon responses, innate cells and T cells, alongside metabolic changes and tumor resistance
title_sort co inhibition of tgf β and pd l1 pathways in a metastatic colorectal cancer mouse model triggers interferon responses innate cells and t cells alongside metabolic changes and tumor resistance
topic immunotherapy
colorectal cancer
T-lymphocytes
myeloid cells
Check point inhibition
metabolism
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2162402X.2024.2330194
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