Regulation of antitumour CD8 T-cell immunity and checkpoint blockade immunotherapy by Neuropilin-1

Nat Commun. 2019 Jul 26;10(1):3345. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11280-z.

Abstract

Neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1) is a marker for murine CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells, a subset of human CD4+ Treg cells, and a population of CD8+ T cells infiltrating certain solid tumours. However, whether Nrp-1 regulates tumour-specific CD8 T-cell responses is still unclear. Here we show that Nrp-1 defines a subset of CD8+ T cells displaying PD-1hi status and infiltrating human lung cancer. Interaction of Nrp-1 with its ligand semaphorin-3A inhibits migration and tumour-specific lytic function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In vivo, Nrp-1+PD-1hi CD8+ tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in B16F10 melanoma are enriched for tumour-reactive T cells exhibiting an exhausted state, expressing Tim-3, LAG-3 and CTLA-4 inhibitory receptors. Anti-Nrp-1 neutralising antibodies enhance the migration and cytotoxicity of Nrp-1+PD-1hi CD8+ TIL ex vivo, while in vivo immunotherapeutic blockade of Nrp-1 synergises with anti-PD-1 to enhance CD8+ T-cell proliferation, cytotoxicity and tumour control. Thus, Nrp-1 could be a target for developing combined immunotherapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Movement
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neuropilin-1 / genetics
  • Neuropilin-1 / immunology*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / genetics
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / immunology
  • Semaphorin-3A / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology

Substances

  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Semaphorin-3A
  • Neuropilin-1