c-Cbl targets PD-1 in immune cells for proteasomal degradation and modulates colorectal tumor growth

Sci Rep. 2019 Dec 27;9(1):20257. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-56208-1.

Abstract

Casitas B lymphoma (c-Cbl) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase and a negative regulator of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite its high expression in immune cells, the effect of c-Cbl on the tumor microenvironment remains poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that c-Cbl alters the tumor microenvironment and suppresses Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) protein, an immune checkpoint receptor. Using syngeneic CRC xenografts, we observed significantly higher growth of xenografts and infiltrating immune cells in c-Cbl+/- compared to c-Cbl+/+ mice. Tumor-associated CD8+ T-lymphocytes and macrophages of c-Cbl+/- mice showed 2-3-fold higher levels of PD-1. Functionally, macrophages from c-Cbl+/- mice showed a 4-5-fold reduction in tumor phagocytosis, which was restored with an anti-PD-1 neutralizing antibody suggesting regulation of PD-1 by c-Cbl. Further mechanistic probing revealed that C-terminus of c-Cbl interacted with the cytoplasmic tail of PD-1. c-Cbl destabilized PD-1 through ubiquitination- proteasomal degradation depending on c-Cbl's RING finger function. This data demonstrates c-Cbl as an E3 ligase of PD-1 and a regulator of tumor microenvironment, both of which were unrecognized components of its tumor suppressive activity. Advancing immune checkpoint and c-Cbl biology, our study prompts for probing of PD-1 regulation by c-Cbl in conditions driven by immune checkpoint abnormalities such as cancers and autoimmune diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phosphorylation
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / genetics*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / metabolism
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl / metabolism
  • Tumor Burden / genetics
  • Tumor Microenvironment / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex