Biology subjects

Lorigan, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Lorigan, P..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Splenic granulopoiesis and S100A9 drive resistance to checkpoint inhibitors conferred by liver metastases

Here, we investigate why liver metastases reduce the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI). The poor prognosis of patients with liver metastases is associated with a systemic increase in neutrophils. Using experimental models, we confirm that mice with liver metastases respond poorly to CPI, have elevated neutrophils and suppress the response of subcutaneous lesions to CPI. We demonstrate that liver metastases, acting partly via IL-6, boost granulopoiesis in the spleen and promote the generation of immature S100A9hi neutrophils that suppress T-cell proliferation. Human liver metastases exhibit a similar increase in S100A9hi neutrophils. Neutrophil depletion attenuates the growth of liver metastases, but not subcutaneous metastases. Moreover, genetic deletion of S100A9 enables liver metastases to be effectively treated with CPI, and prevents liver metastases from suppressing the response in subcutaneous metastases. Thus, we document how liver metastases specifically change splenic granulopoiesis leading to changes in the microenvironment of non-hepatic lesions, and how targeting a key neutrophil protein restores the efficacy of CPI.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2022

PARP14 inhibition restores PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor response following IFNγ-driven adaptive resistance

Adaptive resistance limits immune checkpoint blockade therapy (ICBT) response duration and magnitude. Interferon {gamma} (IFN{gamma}), a critical cytokine that promotes cellular immunity, also induces adaptive resistance to ICBT. Using syngeneic mouse tumour models, we confirmed that chronic IFN{gamma} exposure confers resistance to anti-Programmed cell death protein 1 (-PD-1) therapy. We identified consistent upregulation of poly-ADP ribosyl polymerase 14 (PARP14) in both chronic IFN{gamma}-treated cancer cells and patient melanoma with elevated IFNG expression. Knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of PARP14 increased effector T cell infiltration into tumours derived from cells pre-treated with IFN{gamma} and decreased the presence of regulatory T cells, leading to restoration of -PD-1 sensitivity. Finally, we determined that tumours which spontaneously relapsed following -PD-1 therapy could be re-sensitised upon receiving PARP14 inhibitor treatment, establishing PARP14 as an actionable target to reverse IFN{gamma}-driven ICBT resistance.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2020

DGAT1 is a lipid metabolism oncoprotein that enables cancer cells to accumulate fatty acid while avoiding lipotoxicity

ABSTRACTDysregulated cellular metabolism is a hallmark of cancer. As yet, few druggable oncoproteins directly responsible for this hallmark have been identified. Increased fatty acid acquisition allows cancer cells to meet their membrane biogenesis, ATP, and signaling needs. Excess fatty acids suppress growth factor signaling and cause oxidative stress in non-transformed cells, but surprisingly not in cancer cells. Molecules underlying this cancer adaptation may provide new drug targets. Here, we identify Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), an enzyme integral to triacylglyceride synthesis and lipid droplet formation, as a frequently up-regulated oncoprotein allowing cancer cells to tolerate excess fatty acids. DGAT1 over-expression alone induced melanoma in zebrafish melanocytes, and co-operated with oncogenic BRAF or NRAS for more rapid melanoma formation. Mechanistically, DGAT1 stimulated melanoma cell growth through sustaining mTOR kinase–S6 kinase signaling and suppressed cell death by tempering fatty acid oxidation, thereby preventing accumulation of reactive oxygen species including lipid peroxides.SIGNIFICANCE We show that DGAT1 is a bona fide oncoprotein capable of inducing melanoma formation and co-operating with other known drivers of melanoma. DGAT1 facilitates enhanced fatty acid acquisition by melanoma cells through suppressing lipototoxicity. DGAT1 is also critical for maintaining S6K activity required for melanoma cell growth.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.View Full Text

cancer biology↗