GILT in tumor cells improves T cell-mediated anti-tumor immune surveillance

The lysosomal thiol reductase GILT catalyzes the reduction of disulfide bonds of protein antigens, facilitating antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to present antigen to T cells. However, whether GILT expression in tumor cells can be associated with improved T cell-mediated anti-tumor responses remains unknown. Here, we identify that GILT is able to facilitate anti-tumor immune surveillance via promoting MHC class I mediated-antigen presentation in colon carcinoma. By using mice model bearing colon tumors, we find that GILT inhibites tumor growth in vivo with more leucocytes infiltration but has no effect on tumor cell development in vitro in terms of proliferation, cell cycle and migration. Furthermore, by using transgenic OT-I mice, we recognize the tumor-expressing OVA peptide, a surrogate tumor antigen, we find that GILT is capable of enhancing MHC class I mediated antigen presentation and improving specific CD8⁺ T cell anti-tumor responses in murine colon carcinoma. These findings propose the boost of GILT-MHC-I axis in tumors as a viable option for immune system against cancer.