Immune-checkpoint protein VISTA regulates antitumor immunity by controlling myeloid cell–mediated inflammation and immunosuppression

W Xu, J Dong, Y Zheng, J Zhou, Y Yuan, HM Ta… - Cancer immunology …, 2019 - AACR
Cancer immunology research, 2019AACR
Immune-checkpoint protein V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T-cell activation
(VISTA) controls antitumor immunity and is a valuable target for cancer immunotherapy. This
study identified a role of VISTA in regulating Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling in myeloid
cells and controlling myeloid cell–mediated inflammation and immunosuppression. VISTA
modulated the polyubiquitination and protein expression of TRAF6. Consequently, VISTA
dampened TLR-mediated activation of MAPK/AP-1 and IKK/NF-κB signaling cascades. At …
Abstract
Immune-checkpoint protein V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) controls antitumor immunity and is a valuable target for cancer immunotherapy. This study identified a role of VISTA in regulating Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling in myeloid cells and controlling myeloid cell–mediated inflammation and immunosuppression. VISTA modulated the polyubiquitination and protein expression of TRAF6. Consequently, VISTA dampened TLR-mediated activation of MAPK/AP-1 and IKK/NF-κB signaling cascades. At cellular levels, VISTA regulated the effector functions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and tolerogenic dendritic cell (DC) subsets. Blocking VISTA augmented their ability to produce proinflammatory mediators and diminished their T cell–suppressive functions. These myeloid cell–dependent effects resulted in a stimulatory tumor microenvironment that promoted T-cell infiltration and activation. We conclude that VISTA is a critical myeloid cell–intrinsic immune-checkpoint protein and that the reprogramming of tolerogenic myeloid cells following VISTA blockade promotes the development of T cell–mediated antitumor immunity.
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