SNAI1-dependent upregulation of CD73 increases extracellular adenosine release to mediate immune suppression in TNBC

Meriem Hasmim, Malina Xiao, Kris Van Moer, Akinchan Kumar, Alexandra Oniga, Michel Mittelbronn, Caroline Duhem, Anwar Chammout, Guy Berchem, Jean Paul Thiery, Marianna Volpert, Brett Hollier, Muhammad Zaeem Noman (Main author), Bassam Janji*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Triple-negative subtype of breast cancer (TNBC) is hallmarked by frequent disease relapse and shows highest mortality rate. Although PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockades have recently shown promising clinical benefits, the overall response rate remains largely insufficient. Hence, alternative therapeutic approaches are warranted. Given the immunosuppressive properties of CD73-mediated adenosine release, CD73 blocking approaches are emerging as attractive strategies in cancer immunotherapy. Understanding the precise mechanism regulating the expression of CD73 is required to develop effective anti-CD73-based therapy. Our previous observations demonstrate that the transcription factors driving epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT-TF) can regulate the expression of several inhibitory immune checkpoints. Here we analyzed the role of the EMT-TF SNAI1 in the regulation of CD73 in TNBC cells. We found that doxycycline-driven SNAI1 expression in the epithelial -like TNBC cell line MDA-MB-468 results in CD73 upregulation by direct binding to the CD73 proximal promoter. SNAI1-dependent upregulation of CD73 leads to increased production and release of extracellular adenosine by TNBC cells and contributes to the enhancement of TNBC immunosuppressive properties. Our data are validated in TNBC samples by showing a positive correlation between the mRNA expression of CD73 and SNAI1. Overall, our results reveal a new CD73 regulation mechanism in TNBC that participates in TNBC-mediated immunosuppression and paves the way for developing new treatment opportunities for CD73-positive TNBC.

Original languageEnglish
Article number982821
Number of pages1
JournalFrontiers in Immunology
Volume13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Sept 2022

Keywords

  • adenosine
  • anti-tumor immune response
  • breast cancer
  • CD73
  • epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
  • immune checkpoints
  • immunotherapy
  • SNAI1

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'SNAI1-dependent upregulation of CD73 increases extracellular adenosine release to mediate immune suppression in TNBC'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this