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Updated: Aug 1, 2025

Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells
Published on: February 22, 2020
Programmed cell death-1 receptor-mediated regulation of Tbet+NK1.1- innate lymphoid cells within the tumor
Jing Xuan Lim1,2, Chester Y Lai3,4, Grace E Mallett1,2
1Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) play a key role in tissue-mediated immunity and can be controlled by coreceptor signaling. Here, we define a subset of ILCs that are Tbet+NK1.1- and are present within the tumor microenvironment (TME). We show programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1) expression on ILCs within TME is found in Tbet+NK1.1- ILCs. PD-1 significantly controlled the proliferation and function of Tbet+NK1.1- ILCs in multiple murine and human tumors. We found tumor-derived lactate enhanced PD-1 expression on Tbet+NK1.1- ILCs within the TME, which resulted in dampened the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling along with increased fatty acid uptake. In line with these metabolic changes, PD-1-deficient Tbet+NK1.1- ILCs expressed significantly increased IFNγ and granzyme B and K. Furthermore, PD-1-deficient Tbet+NK1.1- ILCs contributed toward diminished tumor growth in an experimental murine model of melanoma. These data demonstrate that PD-1 can regulate antitumor responses of Tbet+NK1.1- ILCs within the TME.
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