[PDF][PDF] Tumor-associated macrophages are shaped by intratumoral high potassium via Kir2. 1

S Chen, W Cui, Z Chi, Q Xiao, T Hu, Q Ye, K Zhu, W Yu… - Cell Metabolism, 2022 - cell.com
S Chen, W Cui, Z Chi, Q Xiao, T Hu, Q Ye, K Zhu, W Yu, Z Wang, C Yu, X Pan, S Dai, Q Yang…
Cell Metabolism, 2022cell.com
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a unique niche governed by constant crosstalk within
and across all intratumoral cellular compartments. In particular, intratumoral high potassium
(K+) has shown immune-suppressive potency on T cells. However, as a pan-cancer
characteristic associated with local necrosis, the impact of this ionic disturbance on innate
immunity is unknown. Here, we reveal that intratumoral high K+ suppresses the anti-tumor
capacity of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We identify the inwardly rectifying K+ …
Summary
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a unique niche governed by constant crosstalk within and across all intratumoral cellular compartments. In particular, intratumoral high potassium (K+) has shown immune-suppressive potency on T cells. However, as a pan-cancer characteristic associated with local necrosis, the impact of this ionic disturbance on innate immunity is unknown. Here, we reveal that intratumoral high K+ suppresses the anti-tumor capacity of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We identify the inwardly rectifying K+ channel Kir2.1 as a central modulator of TAM functional polarization in high K+ TME, and its conditional depletion repolarizes TAMs toward an anti-tumor state, sequentially boosting local anti-tumor immunity. Kir2.1 deficiency disturbs the electrochemically dependent glutamine uptake, engendering TAM metabolic reprogramming from oxidative phosphorylation toward glycolysis. Kir2.1 blockade attenuates both murine tumor- and patient-derived xenograft growth. Collectively, our findings reveal Kir2.1 as a determinant and potential therapeutic target for regaining the anti-tumor capacity of TAMs within ionic-imbalanced TME.
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