Tumor-initiating stem cells fine-tune the plasticity of neutrophils to sculpt a protective niche

Abstract

The heterogeneous nature of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) has been recognized, but how different cell states of TANs emerge, evolve, distribute, and impact cancer immunotherapy efficacy remain elusive. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and genetic manipulations, we show that anti-PDL1 + CD40 agonist immunotherapy can induce interferon responses in TANs, allowing them to regain anti-tumor activities in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). In contrast, TANs residing at the tumor-stroma interface can preserve their immune-suppressive state. Importantly, we identify a group of SOX2^High tumor-initiating stem cells (tSCs) at the tumor-stroma interface that upregulate fatty acid desaturase 1 (Fads1) to produce arachidonic acid (AA). This tSC-specific pathway enhances the prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) signaling in TANs, which can disrupt the interferon response and prevent the interferon-induced anti-tumor functions in TANs. By fine-tuning the plasticity of neutrophils, tSCs shape neutrophil heterogeneity and sculpt a protective micro-niche to survive from immunotherapy and drive cancer relapse.

Keywords: Fads1; Sox2; arachidonic acid; cancer relapse; immunotherapy; interferon response; prostaglandin E2; squamous cell carcinoma; tumor-associated neutrophils; tumor-initiaiting stem cells.