Targeting macrophage priming by polyphyllin VII triggers anti-tumor immunity via STING-governed cytotoxic T-cell infiltration in lung cancer

Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 7;10(1):21360. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-77800-w.

Abstract

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) controlled innate immune pathway is essential for host defense against pathogenic infection and effective anti-tumor adaptive immunity initiation. Although macrophages transformed across diverse phenotypes play crucial roles in anti-tumor immune response, events determining this transformation and the host-intrinsic role of STING in this process remain controversial. Here we report how STING signaling acts as a key switch to dominate the gene expression patterns of macrophage transformation for promoting priming and releasing immunosuppression. Furthermore, polyphyllin VII, a potential STING agonist, exerts anti-tumor efficacy upon macrophages priming and subsequent cytotoxic T lymphocytes intratumoral infiltration. Meanwhile, the simultaneous PD-L1 amplification on macrophages in response to PP VII is also ruled by STING, thus PP VII may benefit immune-checkpoint blockade therapy for combining. Moreover, PP VII suppresses carcinogenesis upon restraining the immunosuppressed macrophage transformation. This is due to the boosted STING that negatively regulates a STAT3 propagated crosstalk between immune cells and tumor cells. Overall, PP VII-stimulated STING in macrophages provides a paradigm for anti-tumor, and if possible, anti-infection immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / metabolism
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / agonists
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • STING Protein
  • Saponins / pharmacology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-10
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Saponins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Sting1 protein, mouse
  • STING Protein
  • polyphyllin VII