Multiomics analysis of polyamine metabolism in colorectal cancer, highlighting the key role of extracellular putrescine in impairing CXCR6+CD8+ T cell anti-tumor activity

TL;DR

This study shows that extracellular putrescine weakens the anti-tumor activity of CXCR6+CD8+ T cells in colorectal cancer, linking polyamine metabolism to poor outcomes.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel 'Pi value' to estimate local putrescine accumulation and reveals its inhibitory effect on T cell function in CRC.

Findings

Higher expression of ODC1 and AGMAT genes correlates with better prognosis in CRC.

Extracellular putrescine inhibits the cytotoxic function of CXCR6+CD8+ T cells in vitro and in a colitis model.

CXCR6+CD8+ T cells show increased cytotoxicity but also exhaustion markers in tumor tissue.

Abstract

The contribution of putrescine (PUT) metabolism to impaired tumor immunosurveillance in colorectal cancer (CRC) requires a thorough examination of its biosynthesis, catabolism, and transport during tumor development. This study found, unexpectedly, that a better prognosis was associated with higher expression of the PUT biosynthesis genes ODC1 and AGMAT, while elevated expression of biosynthesis inhibitors and transport genes predicted worse outcomes. Two independent cohorts were deconvoluted by integrating data from 517,191 cells across 221 samples from 131 subjects. Higher percentages of epithelial subpopulations with low PUT transport scores were linked to improved prognosis. In contrast, greater proportions of T/natural killer/ILC cells with low biosynthesis but relatively higher transport scores were associated with poorer outcomes. PUT supplementation in HCT-116 and RKO cells promoted the tumor cell proliferation, but had no effect on cell migration or the expression of N-cadherin and E-cadherin. CXCR6+ CD8+ T cells, which were more prevalent in tumor tissue, exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity compared to CXCR6− CD8+ T cells, as assessed using updated gene sets for T cell functional evaluation . However, CXCR6+CD8+ T cells also displayed elevated markers of exhaustion. Notably, higher CXCR6 expression and increased infiltration of CXCR6+ CD8+ T cells correlated with improved prognosis in both mismatch repair-proficient and mismatch repair-deficient CRC. To estimate the local accumulation of PUT around CXCR6+ CD8+ T cells, a novel “Pi value” was defined. A negative correlation was found between Pi values and both the cytotoxic activity and pro-inflammatory potential of these cells. Further investigation using a CRC tumor antigen-based in vitro system for the efficient induction of CXCR6+ CD8+ T cells revealed that extracellular PUT inhibits their cytotoxic function. Additionally, in a Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model combined with single-cell RNA sequencing, PUT supplementation resulted in the elimination of CXCR6+ CD8+ T cells in the colon. These findings provide new insights into how polyamine metabolism, particularly involving extracellular PUT, impairs the anti-tumor activity of CXCR6+CD8+ T cells, potentially contribut ing to CRC progression.

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