# Cancer Stem Cells Shift Metabolite Acetyl‐Coenzyme A to Abrogate the Differentiation of CD103+ T Cells

## TL;DR

Cancer stem cells impair CD103+ T cell differentiation in lung cancer by transferring acetyl-CoA, which disrupts a key protein, offering a new therapeutic target.

## Contribution

Identifies cancer stem cells as a source of acetyl-CoA that suppresses CD103+ T cell differentiation via Blimp-1 modification.

## Key findings

- Cancer stem cells transfer acetyl-CoA to T cells via exosomes, impairing their differentiation.
- Acetylation of Blimp-1 promotes its degradation, blocking CD103+ T cell development.
- Targeting acetyl-CoA production or exosome secretion restores T cell differentiation in lung cancer models.

## Abstract

CD103+ T cells mediate potent anti‐tumor immune responses and correlate with favorable clinical outcomes in cancer patients. However, the mechanisms by which cancer cells influence the differentiation of these cells remain elusive. Herein, we demonstrate that cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a pivotal role in suppressing CD103+ T cell differentiation in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Specifically, CSCs facilitate the transfer of the metabolite acetyl‐coenzyme A (acetyl‐CoA) into interacting T cells via an exosome‐dependent pathway. This process enhances the acetylation of B lymphocyte‐induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp‐1), a critical transcription factor governing CD103+ T cell differentiation. Acetylation of Blimp‐1 strengthens its interaction with the E3 ubiquitin ligase LIS1, thereby promoting Blimp‐1 degradation, which ultimately blocks CD103+ T cell differentiation. Accordingly, targeting CSCs and acetyl‐CoA biosynthesis using CD133 antibody‐conjugated nanoparticles increases tumor‐infiltrating CD8+CD103+ T cells and suppresses tumor growth. Importantly, studies using NSCLC patient‐derived organoids (PDOs) and humanized PDO‐NSG chimeras confirmed that blocking acetyl‐CoA production, exosome secretion from CSCs, and key enzymes involved in Blimp‐1 acetylation and ubiquitination effectively restores CD103+ T cell differentiation. Altogether, CSC acetyl‐CoA is a key contributor in impairing CD103+ T cells through programming post‐translational modifications, serving as a promising therapeutic target in anti‐tumor therapy.

Lei et al. demonstrate that cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a pivotal role in impairing the differentiation of CD103+ T cells in patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer. The key mechanism involves CSC‐derived acetyl‐CoA, which disrupts CD103+ T cell differentiation by sequentially inducing acetylation and ubiquitination of the Blimp‐1 protein. Targeting this pathway offers a promising therapeutic strategy for anti‐tumor therapy.