MERTK Acts as a costimulatory receptor on human cd8 t cells

Marlies J.W. Peeters*, Donata Dulkeviciute, Arianna Draghi, Cathrin Ritter, Anne Rahbech, Signe K. Skadborg, Tina Seremet, Ana Micaela Carnaz Simoes, Evelina Martinenaite, Holmfridur R. Halldorsdottir, Mads Hald Andersen, Gitte Holmen Olofsson, Inge Marie Svane, Lene Juel Rasmussen, Ozcan Met, Jeurgen C. Becker, Marco Donia, Claus Desler, Per Thor Straten

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde
13 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

The TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) is known to be expressed on antigen-presenting cells and function as oncogenic drivers and as inhibitors of inflammatory responses. Both human and mouse CD8 T cells are thought to be negative for TAM receptor expression. In this study, we show that T-cell receptor (TCR)-activated human primary CD8 T cells expressed MERTK and the ligand PROS1 from day 2 postactivation. PROS1-mediated MERTK signaling served as a late costimulatory signal, increasing proliferation and secretion of effector and memory- associated cytokines. Knockdown and inhibition studies confirmed that this costimulatory effect was mediated through MERTK. Transcriptomic and metabolic analyses of PROS1-blocked CD8 T cells demonstrated a role of the PROS1-MERTK axis in differentiation of memory CD8 T cells. Finally, using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from melanoma patients, we show that MERTK signaling on T cells improved TIL expansion and TIL-mediated autologous cancer cell killing. We conclude that MERTK serves as a late costimulatory signal for CD8 T cells. Identification of this costimulatory function of MERTK on human CD8 T cells suggests caution in the development of MERTK inhibitors for hematologic or solid cancer treatment.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftCancer Immunology Research
Vol/bind7
Udgave nummer9
Sider (fra-til)1472-1484
Antal sider13
ISSN2326-6066
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2019

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