Targeting tumor cell-to-macrophage communication by blocking Vtn-C1qbp interaction inhibits tumor progression via enhancing macrophage phagocytosis. 2024

Chen Zhang, and Yi Liu, and Jiayu Jiang, and Chong Chen, and Zhaojun Duan, and Huifang Su, and Shijian Wang, and Baorui Tian, and Yi Shi, and Rong Xiang, and Yunping Luo
The School of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.

Background: Cancer cells are capable of evading clearance by macrophages through overexpression of anti-phagocytic surface proteins known as "don't eat me" signals. Monoclonal antibodies that antagonize the "don't-eat-me" signaling in macrophages and tumor cells by targeting phagocytic checkpoints have shown therapeutic promises in several cancer types. However, studies on the responses to these drugs have revealed the existence of other unknown "don't eat me" signals. Moreover, identification of key molecules and interactions regulating macrophage phagocytosis is required for tumor therapy. Methods: CRISPR screen was used to identify genes that impede macrophage phagocytosis. To explore the function of Vtn and C1qbp in phagocytosis, knockdown and subsequent functional experiments were conducted. Flow cytometry were performed to explore the phagocytosis rate, polarization of macrophage, and immune microenvironment of mouse tumor. To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, RNA sequencing, immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and immunofluorescence were conducted. Then, in vivo experiments in mouse models were conducted to explore the probability of Vtn knockdown combined with anti-CD47 therapy in breast cancer. Single-cell sequencing data from the Gene Expression Omnibus from The Cancer Genome Atlas database were analyzed. Results: We performed a genome-wide CRISPR screen to identify genes that impede macrophage phagocytosis, followed by analysis of cell-to-cell interaction databases. We identified a ligand-receptor pair of Vitronectin (Vtn) and complement C1Q binding protein (C1qbp) in tumor cells or macrophages, respectively. We demonstrated tumor cell-secreted Vtn interacts with C1qbp localized on the cell surface of tumor-associated macrophages, inhibiting phagocytosis of tumor cells and shifting macrophages towards the M2-like subtype in the tumor microenvironment. Mechanistically, the Vtn-C1qbp axis facilitated FcγRIIIA/CD16-induced Shp1 recruitment, which reduced the phosphorylation of Syk. Furthermore, the combination of Vtn knockdown and anti-CD47 antibody effectively enhanced phagocytosis and infiltration of macrophages, resulting in a reduction of tumor growth in vivo. Conclusions: This work has revealed that the Vtn-C1qbp axis is a new anti-phagocytic signal in tumors, and targeting Vtn and its interaction with C1qbp may sensitize cancer to immunotherapy, providing a new molecular target for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008264 Macrophages The relatively long-lived phagocytic cell of mammalian tissues that are derived from blood MONOCYTES. Main types are PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES; ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES; HISTIOCYTES; KUPFFER CELLS of the liver; and OSTEOCLASTS. They may further differentiate within chronic inflammatory lesions to EPITHELIOID CELLS or may fuse to form FOREIGN BODY GIANT CELLS or LANGHANS GIANT CELLS. (from The Dictionary of Cell Biology, Lackie and Dow, 3rd ed.) Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages,Monocyte-Derived Macrophages,Macrophage,Macrophages, Monocyte-Derived,Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages,Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophage,Macrophage, Bone Marrow-Derived,Macrophage, Monocyte-Derived,Macrophages, Bone Marrow-Derived,Macrophages, Monocyte Derived,Monocyte Derived Macrophages,Monocyte-Derived Macrophage
D008807 Mice, Inbred BALB C An inbred strain of mouse that is widely used in IMMUNOLOGY studies and cancer research. BALB C Mice, Inbred,BALB C Mouse, Inbred,Inbred BALB C Mice,Inbred BALB C Mouse,Mice, BALB C,Mouse, BALB C,Mouse, Inbred BALB C,BALB C Mice,BALB C Mouse
D010587 Phagocytosis The engulfing and degradation of microorganisms; other cells that are dead, dying, or pathogenic; and foreign particles by phagocytic cells (PHAGOCYTES). Phagocytoses
D001943 Breast Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the human BREAST. Breast Cancer,Breast Tumors,Cancer of Breast,Breast Carcinoma,Cancer of the Breast,Human Mammary Carcinoma,Malignant Neoplasm of Breast,Malignant Tumor of Breast,Mammary Cancer,Mammary Carcinoma, Human,Mammary Neoplasm, Human,Mammary Neoplasms, Human,Neoplasms, Breast,Tumors, Breast,Breast Carcinomas,Breast Malignant Neoplasm,Breast Malignant Neoplasms,Breast Malignant Tumor,Breast Malignant Tumors,Breast Neoplasm,Breast Tumor,Cancer, Breast,Cancer, Mammary,Cancers, Mammary,Carcinoma, Breast,Carcinoma, Human Mammary,Carcinomas, Breast,Carcinomas, Human Mammary,Human Mammary Carcinomas,Human Mammary Neoplasm,Human Mammary Neoplasms,Mammary Cancers,Mammary Carcinomas, Human,Neoplasm, Breast,Neoplasm, Human Mammary,Neoplasms, Human Mammary,Tumor, Breast
D002352 Carrier Proteins Proteins that bind or transport specific substances in the blood, within the cell, or across cell membranes. Binding Proteins,Carrier Protein,Transport Protein,Transport Proteins,Binding Protein,Protein, Carrier,Proteins, Carrier
D002450 Cell Communication Any of several ways in which living cells of an organism communicate with one another, whether by direct contact between cells or by means of chemical signals carried by neurotransmitter substances, hormones, and cyclic AMP. Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interaction,Cell Communications,Cell Interactions,Cell to Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interactions,Communication, Cell,Communications, Cell,Interaction, Cell,Interaction, Cell-to-Cell,Interactions, Cell,Interactions, Cell-to-Cell
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D015398 Signal Transduction The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway. Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal

Related Publications

Chen Zhang, and Yi Liu, and Jiayu Jiang, and Chong Chen, and Zhaojun Duan, and Huifang Su, and Shijian Wang, and Baorui Tian, and Yi Shi, and Rong Xiang, and Yunping Luo
January 2010, Cell cycle (Georgetown, Tex.),
Chen Zhang, and Yi Liu, and Jiayu Jiang, and Chong Chen, and Zhaojun Duan, and Huifang Su, and Shijian Wang, and Baorui Tian, and Yi Shi, and Rong Xiang, and Yunping Luo
January 2022, Journal of Cancer,
Chen Zhang, and Yi Liu, and Jiayu Jiang, and Chong Chen, and Zhaojun Duan, and Huifang Su, and Shijian Wang, and Baorui Tian, and Yi Shi, and Rong Xiang, and Yunping Luo
May 2020, Acta neuropathologica,
Chen Zhang, and Yi Liu, and Jiayu Jiang, and Chong Chen, and Zhaojun Duan, and Huifang Su, and Shijian Wang, and Baorui Tian, and Yi Shi, and Rong Xiang, and Yunping Luo
February 2022, International immunopharmacology,
Chen Zhang, and Yi Liu, and Jiayu Jiang, and Chong Chen, and Zhaojun Duan, and Huifang Su, and Shijian Wang, and Baorui Tian, and Yi Shi, and Rong Xiang, and Yunping Luo
January 2017, Theranostics,
Chen Zhang, and Yi Liu, and Jiayu Jiang, and Chong Chen, and Zhaojun Duan, and Huifang Su, and Shijian Wang, and Baorui Tian, and Yi Shi, and Rong Xiang, and Yunping Luo
July 2022, Biomaterials science,
Chen Zhang, and Yi Liu, and Jiayu Jiang, and Chong Chen, and Zhaojun Duan, and Huifang Su, and Shijian Wang, and Baorui Tian, and Yi Shi, and Rong Xiang, and Yunping Luo
May 2016, Biochemical and biophysical research communications,
Chen Zhang, and Yi Liu, and Jiayu Jiang, and Chong Chen, and Zhaojun Duan, and Huifang Su, and Shijian Wang, and Baorui Tian, and Yi Shi, and Rong Xiang, and Yunping Luo
June 2003, Oncogene,
Chen Zhang, and Yi Liu, and Jiayu Jiang, and Chong Chen, and Zhaojun Duan, and Huifang Su, and Shijian Wang, and Baorui Tian, and Yi Shi, and Rong Xiang, and Yunping Luo
March 2021, Cell death and differentiation,
Chen Zhang, and Yi Liu, and Jiayu Jiang, and Chong Chen, and Zhaojun Duan, and Huifang Su, and Shijian Wang, and Baorui Tian, and Yi Shi, and Rong Xiang, and Yunping Luo
January 2021, Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry,
Copied contents to your clipboard!