IFN-γ-induced ER stress impairs autophagy and triggers apoptosis in lung cancer cells

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a major effector molecule of immunity and a common feature of tumors responding to immunotherapy. Active IFN-gamma signaling can directly trigger apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human cancer cells. However, the mechanisms underlying these actions remain unclear. Here, we report that IFN-gamma rapidly increases protein synthesis and causes the unfolded protein response (UPR), as evidenced by the increased expression of glucose-regulated protein 78, activating transcription factor-4, and c/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in cells treated with IFN-gamma. The JAK1/2-STAT1 and AKT-mTOR signaling pathways are required for IFN-gamma-induced UPR. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress promotes autophagy and restores homeostasis. Surprisingly, in IFN-gamma-treated cells, autophagy was impaired at the step of autophagosome-lysosomal fusion and caused by a significant decline in the expression of lysosomal membrane protein-1 and -2 (LAMP-1/LAMP-2). The ER stress inhibitor 4-PBA restored LAMP expression in IFN-gamma-treated cells. IFN-gamma stimulation activated the protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK)-eukaryotic initiation factor 2a subunit (eIF2 alpha) axis and caused a reduction in global protein synthesis. The PERK inhibitor, GSK2606414, partially restored global protein synthesis and LAMP expression in cells treated with IFN-gamma. We further investigated the functional consequences of IFN-gamma-induced ER stress. We show that inhibition of ER stress significantly prevents IFN-gamma-triggered apoptosis. CHOP knockdown abrogated IFN-gamma-mediated apoptosis. Inhibition of ER stress also restored cyclin D1 expression in IFN-gamma-treated cells. Thus, ER stress and the UPR caused by IFN-gamma represent novel mechanisms underlying IFN-gamma-mediated anticancer effects. This study expands our understanding of IFN-gamma-mediated signaling and its cellular actions in tumor cells.

Automated summary

IFN-gamma induces protein synthesis and unfolded protein response, leading to impaired autophagy and apoptosis in cancer cells. Inhibition of ER stress prevents IFN-gamma-triggered apoptosis, while CHOP knockdown abrogates IFN-gamma-mediated apoptosis and restores cyclin D1 expression. These findings suggest that ER stress and UPR are novel mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of IFN-gamma.