Tumor-associated neutrophils upregulate Nectin2 expression, creating the immunosuppressive microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Background

Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) constitute an abundant component among tumor-infiltrating immune cells and have recently emerged as a critical player in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression. This study aimed to elucidate the pro-tumor mechanisms of TAN and identify a novel target for effective immunotherapy against PDAC.

Methods

Microarray and cytokine array analyses were performed to identify the mechanisms underlying the function of TANs. Human and mouse TANs were obtained from differentiated HL-60 cells and orthotopically transplanted PDAC tumors, respectively. The interactions of TANs with cancer and cytotoxic T-cells were evaluated through in vitro co-culture and in vivo orthotopic or subcutaneous models. Single-cell transcriptomes from patients with PDAC were analyzed to validate the cellular findings.

Results

Increased neutrophil infiltration in the tumor microenvironment was associated with poor survival in patients with PDAC. TANs secreted abundant amounts of chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), subsequently enhancing cancer cell migration and invasion. TANs subpopulations negatively correlated with cytotoxic CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration in PDAC and promoted T-cell dysfunction. TANs upregulated the membranous expression of Nectin2, which contributed to CD8⁺ T-cell exhaustion. Blocking Nectin2 improved CD8⁺ T-cell function and suppressed tumor progression in the mouse model. Single-cell analysis of human PDAC revealed two immunosuppressive TANs phenotypes: Nectin2⁺ TANs and OLR1⁺ TANs. Endoplasmic reticulum stress regulated the protumor activities in TANs.

Conclusions

TANs enhance PDAC progression by secreting CCL5 and upregulating Nectin2. Targeting the immune checkpoint Nectin2 could represent a novel strategy to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in PDAC.