Tumor cell-derived spermidine is an oncometabolite that suppresses TCR clustering for intratumoral CD8+T cell activation

The activation and expansion of T cells that recognize cancer cells is an essential aspect to antitumor immunity. Tumors may escape destruction by the immune system through ectopic expression of inhibitory immune ligands typically exemplified by the PD-L1/PD-1 pathway. Here, we reveal another facet of tumor evasion from T cell surveillance. By secretome profiling of necrotic tumor cells, we identified an oncometabolite spermidine as a unique inhibitor of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. Mechanistically, spermidine causes the downregulation of the plasma membrane cholesterol levels, resulting in the suppression of TCR clustering. Using syngeneic mouse models, we show that spermidine is abundantly detected in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and that administration of the polyamine synthesis inhibitor effectively enhanced CD8+ T cell-dependent antitumor responses. Further, the combination of the polyamine synthesis inhibitor with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint antibody resulted in a much stronger antitumor immune response. This study reveals an aspect of immunosuppressive TIME, wherein spermidine functions as a metabolic T cell checkpoint that may offer a unique approach for promoting tumor immunotherapy.

Automated summary

Ectopic expression of inhibitory immune ligands by tumors can escape immune destruction, and spermidine, an oncometabolite, has been identified as an inhibitor of T cell receptor signaling. The use of polyamine synthesis inhibitors enhances CD8+ T cell-dependent antitumor responses and combining it with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint antibody results in a stronger antitumor immune response.