NR4a1/2 deletion promotes accumulation of TCF1+ stem-like precursors of exhausted CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment

Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved..

T cell exhaustion impairs tumor immunity and contributes to resistance against immune checkpoint inhibitors. The nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A (NR4a) family of nuclear receptors plays a crucial role in driving T cell exhaustion. In this study, we observe that NR4a1 and NR4a2 deficiency in CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) results in potent tumor eradication and exhibits not only reduced exhaustion characteristics but also an increase in the precursors/progenitors of exhausted T (Pre-Tex) cell fraction. Serial transfers of NR4a1-/-NR4a2-/-CD8+ TILs into tumor-bearing mice result in the expansion of TCF1+ (Tcf7+) stem-like Pre-Tex cells, whereas wild-type TILs are depleted upon secondary transfer. NR4a1/2-deficient CD8+ T cells express higher levels of stemness/memory-related genes and illustrate potent mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Collectively, these findings suggest that inhibiting NR4a in tumors represents a potent immuno-oncotherapy strategy by increasing stem-like Pre-Tex cells and reducing exhaustion of CD8+ T cells.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2024

Erschienen:

2024

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:43

Enthalten in:

Cell reports - 43(2024), 3 vom: 26. März, Seite 113898

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Srirat, Tanakorn [VerfasserIn]
Hayakawa, Taeko [VerfasserIn]
Mise-Omata, Setsuko [VerfasserIn]
Nakagawara, Kensuke [VerfasserIn]
Ando, Makoto [VerfasserIn]
Shichino, Shigeyuki [VerfasserIn]
Ito, Minako [VerfasserIn]
Yoshimura, Akihiko [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

CP: Cancer
CP: Immunology
Journal Article
Memory T cell
Mitochondria
NR4a
Nr4a1 protein, mouse
Nr4a2 protein, mouse
Stemness
T cell exhaustion
TCF1
Tumor immunity

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 01.04.2024

Date Revised 03.04.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113898

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM369415744