The unfolded protein response links tumor aneuploidy to local immune dysregulation

Aneuploidy is a chromosomal abnormality associated with poor prognosis in many cancer types. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the unfolded protein response (UPR) mechanistically links aneuploidy and local immune dysregulation. Using a single somatic copy number alteration (SCNA) score inclusive of whole-chromosome, chromosome arm, and focal alterations in a pan-cancer analysis of 9,375 samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we found an inverse correlation with a cytotoxicity (CYT) score across disease stages. Co-expression patterns of UPR genes changed substantially between SCNA(low) and SCNA(high) groups. Pathway activity scores showed increased activity of multiple branches of the UPR in response to aneuploidy. The PERK branch showed the strongest association with a reduced CYT score. The conditioned medium of aneuploid cells transmitted XBP1 splicing and caused IL-6 and arginase 1 transcription in receiver bone marrow-derived macrophages and markedly diminished the production of IFN-gamma and granzyme B in activated human T cells. We propose the UPR as a mechanistic link between aneuploidy and immune dysregulation in the tumor microenvironment.

Automated summary

Aneuploidy is associated with poor prognosis in cancer types, and the unfolded protein response (UPR) is proposed as a mechanistic link between aneuploidy and immune dysregulation in the tumor microenvironment, showing increased activity of multiple UPR branches in response to aneuploidy.