Inhibition of the DNA damage response phosphatase PPM1D reprograms neutrophils to enhance anti-tumor immune responses

Nat Commun. 2021 Jun 15;12(1):3622. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23330-6.

Abstract

PPM1D/Wip1 is a negative regulator of the tumor suppressor p53 and is overexpressed in several human solid tumors. Recent reports associate gain-of-function mutations of PPM1D in immune cells with worse outcomes for several human cancers. Here we show that mice with genetic knockout of Ppm1d or with conditional knockout of Ppm1d in the hematopoietic system, in myeloid cells, or in neutrophils all display significantly reduced growth of syngeneic melanoma or lung carcinoma tumors. Ppm1d knockout neutrophils infiltrate tumors extensively. Chemical inhibition of Wip1 in human or mouse neutrophils increases anti-tumor phenotypes, p53-dependent expression of co-stimulatory ligands, and proliferation of co-cultured cytotoxic T cells. These results suggest that inhibition of Wip1 in neutrophils enhances immune anti-tumor responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • DNA Damage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity*
  • Lung
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Phosphatase 2C / genetics*
  • Protein Phosphatase 2C / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes
  • Tumor Microenvironment
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Trp53 protein, mouse
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • PPM1D protein, human
  • Ppm1d protein, mouse
  • Protein Phosphatase 2C