Deubiquitination and stabilization of programmed cell death ligand 1 by ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 9, X‐linked in oral squamous cell carcinoma
W Jingjing, G Wenzheng, W Donghua… - Cancer …, 2018 - Wiley Online Library
W Jingjing, G Wenzheng, W Donghua, H Guangyu, Z Aiping, W Wenjuan
Cancer medicine, 2018•Wiley Online LibraryBackground The immune checkpoint protein programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) binds
to PD 1 to promote tumor cell escape from the killing effect of the immune system. However,
there are few studies on the regulatory mechanisms of PD‐L1 in tumors. Although PD‐L1
has been reported to undergo ubiquitination in some cancers, its regulatory mechanisms in
oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this
phenomenon. Methods We examined the expression and function of USP 9X and PD‐L1 in …
to PD 1 to promote tumor cell escape from the killing effect of the immune system. However,
there are few studies on the regulatory mechanisms of PD‐L1 in tumors. Although PD‐L1
has been reported to undergo ubiquitination in some cancers, its regulatory mechanisms in
oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this
phenomenon. Methods We examined the expression and function of USP 9X and PD‐L1 in …
Background
The immune checkpoint protein programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) binds to PD1 to promote tumor cell escape from the killing effect of the immune system. However, there are few studies on the regulatory mechanisms of PD‐L1 in tumors. Although PD‐L1 has been reported to undergo ubiquitination in some cancers, its regulatory mechanisms in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this phenomenon.
Methods
We examined the expression and function of USP9X and PD‐L1 in human oral keratinocytes (HOK) and OSCC cell lines (HN4 and HN30) as the control and relevant cancer cells using western blotting, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry (IHC), T‐cell‐mediated tumor cell killing assay, and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry.
Results
Programmed cell death ligand 1 was highly expressed in OSCC by the regulation of the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway. Furthermore, we discovered that ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 9, X‐linked (USP9X) could be combined with PD‐L1 to induce its deubiquitination and stabilize its protein expression in OSCC.
Conclusion
Our data indicate that USP9X deubiquitinates and stabilizes PD‐L1. Suppressing the expression of USP9X blocks tumor cell growth. The results provide a theoretical basis for USP9X as a therapeutic target.
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