The fatty-acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 inhibits MICA/B shedding

Sci Rep. 2020 Sep 23;10(1):15556. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-72688-y.

Abstract

MICA/B proteins are expressed on the surface of various types of stressed cells, including cancer cells. Cytotoxic lymphocytes expressing natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) receptor recognize MICA/B and eliminate the cells. However, cancer cells evade such immune recognition by inducing proteolytic shedding of MICA/B proteins. Therefore, preventing the shedding of MICA/B proteins could enhance antitumor immunity. Here, by screening a protease inhibitor library, we found that the fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor, URB597, suppresses the shedding of MICA/B. URB597 significantly reduced the soluble MICA level in culture medium and increased the MICA level on the surface of cancer cells. The effect was indirect, being mediated by increased expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP3). Knockdown of TIMP3 expression reversed the effect of URB597, confirming that TIMP3 is required for the MICA shedding inhibition by URB597. In contrast, FAAH overexpression reduced TIMP3 expression and the cell-surface MICA level and increased the soluble MICA level. These results suggest that inhibition of FAAH could prevent human cancer cell evasion of immune-mediated clearance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amidohydrolases / genetics*
  • Benzamides / chemistry
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Carbamates / chemistry
  • Carbamates / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Culture Media / chemistry
  • Culture Media / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / drug effects
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics*
  • Humans
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K / genetics
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K / immunology
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 / genetics*

Substances

  • Benzamides
  • Carbamates
  • Culture Media
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • KLRK1 protein, human
  • MHC class I-related chain A
  • MICB antigen
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
  • TIMP3 protein, human
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3
  • cyclohexyl carbamic acid 3'-carbamoylbiphenyl-3-yl ester
  • Amidohydrolases
  • fatty-acid amide hydrolase