Tracking interactions between TAMs and CAFs mediated by arginase-induced
proline production during immune evasion of HCC
Abstract
Synergistic changes between tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and
tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) aggravated immune evasion of
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, the underlying molecular
mechanisms remain elusive. Their continuous and dynamic interactions are
subject to bioactive molecule changes. A real-time and in-situ
monitoring method suitable for in vivo research of these processes would
be indispensable but is scarce. In this study, a dual imaging strategy
that tracing the TAMs and CAFs simultaneously was developed using a new
arginase-specific probe and established CAFs-specific probe. The
emerging roles of arginase in mediating CAFs activation in mice were
explored. Results showed arginase up-regulation in TAMs, followed by
proline increase. Subsequently, proline produced by TAMs initiated the
activation of CAFs. Through the JAK-STAT signaling, CAFs up-regulated
the PD-L1 and CTLA-4, ultimately promoting immune evasion of HCC. This
study revealed a new mechanism by which TAMs and CAFs collaborate in
immune evasion, providing new targets for HCC immunotherapy.