DDX10 Exacerbates Exosomal PD-L1-Dependent T Cell Exhaustion via Phase Separation of Rab27b in Oral Squamous Cell

Bowen Li1, Hao Cui1, Wei Liu1

  • 1Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510280, China.

PubMed

Insights

DEAD-box ATPase 10 (DDX10) is elevated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), driving cancer progression. Inhibiting DDX10 reduces exosomal PD-L1 and restores T cell function, offering a potential immunotherapy strategy for OSCC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • DEAD-box ATPase 10 (DDX10) is an RNA-binding protein implicated in cancer progression.
  • The specific role and mechanisms of DDX10 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function and mechanism of DDX10 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
  • To explore DDX10's role in regulating exosome secretion and T cell exhaustion in OSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative analysis of DDX10 expression in OSCC tissues.
  • Investigation of DDX10's interaction with Rab27b using phase separation.
  • Assessment of exosome secretion and PD-L1 expression upon DDX10 knockdown.
  • Evaluation of T cell function and infiltration in response to DDX10 modulation.

Main Results:

  • DDX10 expression is significantly increased in OSCC and correlates with poor prognosis.
  • DDX10 interacts with Rab27b via phase separation, inhibiting Rab27b-mediated exosome secretion.
  • Knockdown of DDX10 reduces exosomal programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and restores T cell activity.
  • DDX10 promotes OSCC progression by inducing T cell exhaustion through exosomal PD-L1.

Conclusions:

  • DDX10 acts as an oncogene in OSCC by promoting exosomal PD-L1 secretion via phase separation with Rab27b.
  • DDX10 contributes to T cell exhaustion in the OSCC tumor microenvironment.
  • Inhibition of DDX10 presents a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing OSCC immunotherapy.