Single-cell transcriptomic analyses reveal distinct immune cell contributions to epithelial barrier dysfunction in checkpoint inhibitor colitis

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Title: Single-cell transcriptomic analyses reveal distinct immune cell contributions to epithelial barrier dysfunction in checkpoint inhibitor colitis
Authors: Thomas, Molly Fisher, Slowikowski, Kamil, Manakongtreecheep, Kasidet, Sen, Pritha, Samanta, Nandini, Tantivit, Jessica, Nasrallah, Mazen, Zubiri, Leyre, Smith, Neal P., Tirard, Alice, Ramesh, Swetha, Arnold, Benjamin Y., Nieman, Linda T., Chen, Jonathan H., Eisenhaure, Thomas, Pelka, Karin, Song, Yuhui, Xu, Katherine H., Jorgji, Vjola, Pinto, Christopher J., Sharova, Tatyana, Glasser, Rachel, Chan, PuiYee, Sullivan, Ryan J., Khalili, Hamed, Juric, Dejan, Boland, Genevieve M., Dougan, Michael, Hacohen, Nir, Li, Bo, Reynolds, Kerry L., Villani, Alexandra-Chloé
Source: Nature Medicine; 20240101, Issue: Preprints p1-14, 14p
Abstract: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has revolutionized oncology, but treatments are limited by immune-related adverse events, including checkpoint inhibitor colitis (irColitis). Little is understood about the pathogenic mechanisms driving irColitis, which does not readily occur in model organisms, such as mice. To define molecular drivers of irColitis, we used single-cell multi-omics to profile approximately 300,000 cells from the colon mucosa and blood of 13 patients with cancer who developed irColitis (nine on anti-PD-1 or anti-CTLA-4 monotherapy and four on dual ICI therapy; most patients had skin or lung cancer), eight controls on ICI therapy and eight healthy controls. Patients with irColitis showed expanded mucosal Tregs, ITGAEHiCD8 tissue-resident memory T cells expressing CXCL13and Th17 gene programs and recirculating ITGB2HiCD8 T cells. Cytotoxic GNLYHiCD4 T cells, recirculating ITGB2HiCD8 T cells and endothelial cells expressing hypoxia gene programs were further expanded in colitis associated with anti-PD-1/CTLA-4 therapy compared to anti-PD-1 therapy. Luminal epithelial cells in patients with irColitis expressed PCSK9, PD-L1 and interferon-induced signatures associated with apoptosis, increased cell turnover and malabsorption. Together, these data suggest roles for circulating T cells and epithelial–immune crosstalk critical to PD-1/CTLA-4-dependent tolerance and barrier function and identify potential therapeutic targets for irColitis.
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ISSN:10788956
1546170X
DOI:10.1038/s41591-024-02895-x
Published in:Nature Medicine
Language:English