Activation and antitumor immunity of CD8+ T cells are supported by the glucose transporter GLUT10 and disrupted by lactic acid

Sci Transl Med. 2024 Aug 28;16(762):eadk7399. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adk7399. Epub 2024 Aug 28.

Abstract

CD8+ T cell activation leads to the rapid proliferation and differentiation of effector T cells (Teffs), which mediate antitumor immunity. Although aerobic glycolysis is preferentially activated in CD8+ Teffs, the mechanisms that regulate CD8+ T cell glucose uptake in the low-glucose and acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) remain poorly understood. Here, we report that the abundance of the glucose transporter GLUT10 is increased during CD8+ T cell activation and antitumor immunity. Specifically, GLUT10 deficiency inhibited glucose uptake, glycolysis, and antitumor efficiency of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Supplementation with glucose alone was insufficient to rescue the antitumor function and glucose uptake of CD8+ T cells in the TME. By analyzing tumor environmental metabolites, we found that high concentrations of lactic acid reduced the glucose uptake, activation, and antitumor effects of CD8+ T cells by directly binding to GLUT10's intracellular motif. Disrupting the interaction of lactic acid and GLUT10 by the mimic peptide PG10.3 facilitated CD8+ T cell glucose utilization, proliferation, and antitumor functions. The combination of PG10.3 and GLUT1 inhibition or anti-programmed cell death 1 antibody treatment showed synergistic antitumor effects. Together, our data indicate that GLUT10 is selectively required for glucose uptake of CD8+ T cells and identify that TME accumulated lactic acid inhibits CD8+ T cell effector function by directly binding to GLUT10 and reducing its glucose transport capacity. Last, our study suggests disrupting lactate-GLUT10 binding as a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance CD8+ T cell-mediated antitumor effects.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes* / drug effects
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes* / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes* / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative* / metabolism
  • Glucose* / metabolism
  • Glycolysis / drug effects
  • Lactic Acid* / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Lactic Acid
  • Glucose
  • Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative