SIGLEC10+ macrophages drive gastric cancer progression by suppressing CD8+ T cell function

Existing immune checkpoint inhibitors focus on activating T cells and show limited effectiveness in gastric cancer (GC). SIGLEC10 is identified as a novel tumor-associated macrophage-related immune checkpoint in other cancer types. However, its immunosuppressive role and clinical significance in GC remain unclear. In this study, we find a dominant expression of SIGLEC10 on CD68(+) macrophages in GC. SIGLEC10 can suppress the proliferation and function of tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) T cells in vitro via the Akt/P38/Erk signaling pathway. Furthermore, in ex vivo and in vivo models, SIGLEC10 blockade promotes CD8(+) T cell effector function. Finally, SIGLEC10(+) macrophages are positively correlated with the adverse prognosis of GC. Our study highlights that SIGLEC10 directly suppresses T cell function and serves as a promising target for immunotherapy and suggests SIGLEC10(+) macrophages as a novel potential predictor of the clinical prognosis of GC.

Automated summary

SIGLEC10 is shown to have an immunosuppressive role in gastric cancer by suppressing the proliferation and function of CD8(+) T cells through the Akt/P38/Erk signaling pathway. Blocking SIGLEC10 promotes CD8(+) T cell effector function and is correlated with a better clinical prognosis. Thus, SIGLEC10 holds promise as a target for immunotherapy and as a potential predictor of the clinical prognosis of gastric cancer.