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Pharmacological induction of MHC-I expression in tumor cells revitalizes T cell antitumor immunity
Qian Yu, Yu Dong, Xiaobo Wang, Chenxuan Su, Runkai Zhang, Wei Xu, Shuai Jiang, Yongjun Dang, Wei Jiang
Qian Yu, Yu Dong, Xiaobo Wang, Chenxuan Su, Runkai Zhang, Wei Xu, Shuai Jiang, Yongjun Dang, Wei Jiang
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Research Article Oncology

Pharmacological induction of MHC-I expression in tumor cells revitalizes T cell antitumor immunity

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Abstract

Antigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) is crucial for T cell–mediated killing, and aberrant surface MHC-I expression is tightly associated with immune evasion. To address MHC-I downregulation, we conducted a high-throughput flow cytometry screen, identifying bleomycin (BLM) as a potent inducer of cell surface MHC-I expression. BLM-induced MHC-I augmentation rendered tumor cells more susceptible to T cells in coculture assays and enhanced antitumor responses in an adoptive cellular transfer mouse model. Mechanistically, BLM remodeled the tumor immune microenvironment, inducing MHC-I expression in a manner dependent on ataxia-telangiectasia mutated/ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related–NF-κB. Furthermore, BLM improved T cell–dependent immunotherapeutic approaches, including bispecific antibody therapy, immune checkpoint therapy, and autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy. Importantly, low-dose BLM treatment in mouse models amplified the antitumor effect of immunotherapy without detectable pulmonary toxicity. In summary, our findings repurpose BLM as a potential inducer of MHC-I, enhancing its expression to improve the efficacy of T cell–based immunotherapy.

Authors

Qian Yu, Yu Dong, Xiaobo Wang, Chenxuan Su, Runkai Zhang, Wei Xu, Shuai Jiang, Yongjun Dang, Wei Jiang

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