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Pericyte phenotype switching alleviates immunosuppression and sensitizes vascularized tumors to immunotherapy in preclinical models.

Authors :
Li ZJ
He B
Domenichini A
Satiaputra J
Wood KH
Lakhiani DD
Bashaw AA
Nilsson LM
Li J
Bastow ER
Johansson-Percival A
Denisenko E
Forrest AR
Sakaram S
Carretero R
Hämmerling GJ
Nilsson JA
Lee GY
Ganss R
Source :
The Journal of clinical investigation [J Clin Invest] 2024 Sep 17; Vol. 134 (18). Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Sep 17.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

T cell-based immunotherapies are a promising therapeutic approach for multiple malignancies, but their efficacy is limited by tumor hypoxia arising from dysfunctional blood vessels. Here, we report that cell-intrinsic properties of a single vascular component, namely the pericyte, contribute to the control of tumor oxygenation, macrophage polarization, vessel inflammation, and T cell infiltration. Switching pericyte phenotype from a synthetic to a differentiated state reverses immune suppression and sensitizes tumors to adoptive T cell therapy, leading to regression of melanoma in mice. In melanoma patients, improved survival is correlated with enhanced pericyte maturity. Importantly, pericyte plasticity is regulated by signaling pathways converging on Rho kinase activity, with pericyte maturity being inducible by selective low-dose therapeutics that suppress pericyte MEK, AKT, or notch signaling. We also show that low-dose targeted anticancer therapy can durably change the tumor microenvironment without inducing adaptive resistance, creating a highly translatable pathway for redosing anticancer targeted therapies in combination with immunotherapy to improve outcome.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1558-8238
Volume :
134
Issue :
18
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The Journal of clinical investigation
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
39286984
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI179860