Human papillomavirus E5 suppresses immunity via inhibition of the immunoproteasome and STING pathway

Sayuri Miyauchi; Sangwoo S Kim; Riley N Jones; Lin Zhang; Kripa Guram; Sonia Sharma; Stephen P Schoenberger; Ezra E W Cohen; Joseph A Califano; Andrew B Sharabi

doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112508

Human papillomavirus E5 suppresses immunity via inhibition of the immunoproteasome and STING pathway

Cell Rep. 2023 May 30;42(5):112508. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112508. Epub 2023 May 11.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
² La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
³ Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
⁴ Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
⁵ Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Electronic address: sharabi@ucsd.edu.

Abstract

The role that human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenes play in suppressing responses to immunotherapy in cancer deserves further investigation. In particular, the effects of HPV E5 remain poorly understood relative to E6 and E7. Here, we demonstrate that HPV E5 is a negative regulator of anti-viral interferon (IFN) response pathways, antigen processing, and antigen presentation. Using head and neck cancer as a model, we identify that E5 decreases expression and function of the immunoproteasome and that the immunoproteasome, but not the constitutive proteasome, is associated with improved overall survival in patients. Moreover, immunopeptidome analysis reveals that HPV E5 restricts the repertoire of antigens presented on the cell surface, likely contributing to immune escape. Mechanistically, we discover a direct interaction between E5 and stimulator of interferon genes (STING), which suppresses downstream IFN signaling. Taken together, these findings identify a powerful molecular mechanism by which HPV E5 limits immune detection and mediates resistance to immunotherapy.

Keywords: CP: Immunology; HPV; HPV E5; MAVS; STING; anti-viral response; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; immunoproteasome; type I interferon.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Head and Neck Neoplasms*
Human Papillomavirus Viruses
Human papillomavirus 16 / genetics
Human papillomavirus 16 / metabolism
Humans
Interferons / metabolism
Papillomavirus Infections*

Substances

Interferons

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding