IFN-γ-dependent NK cell activation is essential to metastasis suppression by engineered Salmonella

Nat Commun. 2021 May 5;12(1):2537. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22755-3.

Abstract

Metastasis accounts for 90% of cancer-related deaths and, currently, there are no effective clinical therapies to block the metastatic cascade. A need to develop novel therapies specifically targeting fundamental metastasis processes remains urgent. Here, we demonstrate that Salmonella YB1, an engineered oxygen-sensitive strain, potently inhibits metastasis of a broad range of cancers. This process requires both IFN-γ and NK cells, as the absence of IFN-γ greatly reduces, whilst depletion of NK cells in vivo completely abolishes, the anti-metastatic ability of Salmonella. Mechanistically, we find that IFN-γ is mainly produced by NK cells during early Salmonella infection, and in turn, IFN-γ promotes the accumulation, activation, and cytotoxicity of NK cells, which kill the metastatic cancer cells thus achieving an anti-metastatic effect. Our findings highlight the significance of a self-regulatory feedback loop of NK cells in inhibiting metastasis, pointing a possible approach to develop anti-metastatic therapies by harnessing the power of NK cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Female
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism*
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, SCID
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / immunology*
  • Salmonella / genetics*
  • Salmonella Infections / drug therapy
  • Salmonella Infections / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interferon-gamma