HIF1α epigenetically repressed macrophages via CRISPR/Cas9-EZH2 system for enhanced cancer immunotherapy

Immune suppressive micmenvironment in tumor emerges as the main obstacle for cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we identified that HIF1 alpha was activated in the tumor associated macrophages and acted as an important factor for the immune suppressive microenvironment. Epigenetically silencing of Hif1 alpha via histone H3 methylation in the promoter region was achieved by CRISPR/dCas9-EZH2 system, in which histone H3 methylase EZH2 was recruited to the promoter region specifically. The Hif1 alpha silenced macrophage, namely HERM (Hif1 alpha Epigenetically Repressed Macrophage) manifested as inheritable tumor suppressing phenotype. In the subcutaneous B16-F10 melanoma syngeneic model, intratumoral injection of HERMs reprogrammed the immune suppressive microenvironment to the active one, reducing tumor burden and prolonging overall survival. Additionally, HERMs therapy remarkably inhibited tumor angiogenesis. Together, our study has not only identified a promising cellular and molecular target for reverting immune suppressive microenvironment, but also provided a potent strategy for reprogramming tumor microenvironment via epigenetically reprogrammed macrophages.

Automated summary

The study identified that HIF1α activation in tumor-associated macrophages played a crucial role in immune suppressive microenvironment, and epigenetically silenced Hif1α macrophages inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis. This research offers a promising strategy for reprogramming tumor microenvironment through epigenetically reprogrammed macrophages.