EMT impairs breast carcinoma cell susceptibility to CTL-mediated lysis through autophagy induction
Intissar Akalay1, Bassam Janji, Meriem Hasmim
1Unité INSERM U753; Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France.
Abstract:
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has become one of the most exciting fields in cancer biology. While its role in cancer cell invasion, metastasis and drug resistance is well established, the molecular basis of EMT-induced immune escape remains unknown. We recently reported that EMT coordinately regulates target cell recognition and sensitivity to specific lysis. In addition to the well-characterized role for EMT in tumor phenotypic change including a tumor-initiating cell phenotype, we provided evidence indicating that EMT-induced tumor cell resistance to cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) also correlates with autophagy induction. Silencing of BECN1 in target cells that have gone through the EMT restored CTL susceptibility to CTL-induced lysis. Although EMT may represent a critical target for the development of novel immunotherapy approaches, a more detailed understanding of the inter-relationship between EMT and autophagy and their reciprocal regulation will be a key determinant in the rational approach to future tumor immunotherapy design.
Insights
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) promotes cancer immune escape by inducing resistance to cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) through autophagy. Silencing BECN1 reversed this resistance, offering potential for novel cancer immunotherapies.
Area of Science:
- Cancer Biology
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial for cancer invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance.
- The molecular mechanisms underlying EMT-induced immune escape are not fully understood.
- EMT influences tumor cell recognition and susceptibility to lysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of EMT in cancer immune escape.
- To elucidate the molecular basis of EMT-induced resistance to cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs).
- To explore the connection between EMT, autophagy, and immune evasion.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of EMT-induced changes in target cell recognition and lysis sensitivity.
- Investigating the correlation between EMT and autophagy induction.
- Experimental silencing of BECN1 in EMT-derived cells.
Main Results:
- EMT was found to regulate target cell recognition and sensitivity to lysis.
- EMT-induced tumor cell resistance to CTLs correlated with autophagy induction.
- Silencing BECN1 in EMT cells restored susceptibility to CTL-induced lysis.
Conclusions:
- EMT contributes to immune escape by inducing resistance to CTLs, partly via autophagy.
- Targeting the EMT-autophagy interplay may offer novel immunotherapy strategies.
- Further understanding of EMT and autophagy reciprocal regulation is key for future tumor immunotherapy design.
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