Suboptimal ER stress Induced Autophagy Potentiates Anti-tumor T Cell Response

Abstract

Abstract Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced by external or internal stimuli, activates a number of well-orchestrated cellular signaling processes aiming either to promote cell apoptosis or to restore cellular function and resolve the stress. In tumor microenvironment, induction of ER stress is known to dampen the antitumor activity of T cells by reducing their mitochondrial function. However, if magnitude of ER stress governs the T cell fate and function is unknown. Using melanoma antigen gp100 reactive T cells, we found that low level of ER stress enhances T cell stemness and promotes mitochondrial biogenesis, whereas high level of ER stress triggers T cell death. Moreover, upon adoptive transfer, T cells treated with low dose ER stress inducer are able to form long-lived memory in vivo, express reduced level of co-inhibitory molecule, and demonstrate superior anti-tumor immunity by increasing overall survival of B16 melanoma bearing mouse. Mechanistically, we discovered that, upon ER insult at suboptimal level, a protective autophagy pathway is induced to promote cell survival and maintain stemness through the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/ activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4)-dependent manner. Conversely, knockdown of PERK abrogates autophagy activation, hampers mitochondrial biogenesis in response to suboptimal ER stress, which in-turn compromises the antitumor function of melanoma antigen specific T cells. Overall, these preclinical data highlights that, low level of ER stress is important for healthy cellular function and therapeutically, ER stress pathways can be manipulated in T cells in order to regulate their antitumor potential.