Role of BCLAF-1 in PD-L1 stabilization in response to ionizing irradiation

Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a major immunosuppressive checkpoint protein expressed by tumor cells to subvert anticancer immunity. Recent studies have shown that ionizing radiation (IR) upregulates the expression of PD-L1 in tumor cells. However, whether an IR-induced DNA damage response (DDR) directly regulates PD-L1 expression and the functional significance of its upregulation are not fully understood. Here, we show that IR-induced upregulation of PD-L1 expression proceeds through both transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms. Upregulated PD-L1 was predominantly present on the cell membrane, resulting in T-cell apoptosis in a co-culture system. Using mass spectrometry, we identified PD-L1 interacting proteins and found that BCLAF1 (Bcl2 associated transcription factor 1) is an important regulator of PD-L1 in response to IR. BCLAF1 depletion decreased PD-L1 expression by promoting the ubiquitination of PD-L1. In addition, we show that CMTM6 is upregulated in response to IR and participates in BCLAF1-dependent PD-L1 upregulation. Finally, we demonstrated that the ATM/BCLAF1/PD-L1 axis regulated PD-L1 stabilization in response to IR. Together, our findings reveal a novel regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 expression in the DDR.