[HTML][HTML] CD73 immune checkpoint defines regulatory NK cells within the tumor microenvironment

SY Neo, Y Yang, J Record, R Ma… - The Journal of …, 2020 - Am Soc Clin Investig
SY Neo, Y Yang, J Record, R Ma, X Chen, Z Chen, NP Tobin, E Blake, C Seitz, R Thomas…
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2020Am Soc Clin Investig
High levels of ecto-5′-nucleotidase (CD73) have been implicated in immune suppression
and tumor progression, and have also been observed in cancer patients who progress on
anti–PD-1 immunotherapy. Although regulatory T cells can express CD73 and inhibit T cell
responses via the production of adenosine, less is known about CD73 expression in other
immune cell populations. We found that tumor-infiltrating NK cells upregulate CD73
expression and the frequency of these CD73-positive NK cells correlated with larger tumor …
High levels of ecto-5′-nucleotidase (CD73) have been implicated in immune suppression and tumor progression, and have also been observed in cancer patients who progress on anti–PD-1 immunotherapy. Although regulatory T cells can express CD73 and inhibit T cell responses via the production of adenosine, less is known about CD73 expression in other immune cell populations. We found that tumor-infiltrating NK cells upregulate CD73 expression and the frequency of these CD73-positive NK cells correlated with larger tumor size in breast cancer patients. In addition, the expression of multiple alternative immune checkpoint receptors including LAG-3, VISTA, PD-1, and PD-L1 was significantly higher in CD73-positive NK cells than in CD73-negative NK cells. Mechanistically, NK cells transport CD73 in intracellular vesicles to the cell surface and the extracellular space via actin polymerization–dependent exocytosis upon engagement of 4-1BBL on tumor cells. These CD73-positive NK cells undergo transcriptional reprogramming and upregulate IL-10 production via STAT3 transcriptional activity, suppressing CD4-positive T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production. Taken together, our results support the notion that tumors can hijack NK cells as a means to escape immunity and that CD73 expression defines an inducible population of NK cells with immunoregulatory properties within the tumor microenvironment.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation