BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) represent a major obstacle to cancer treatment, as they negatively regulate anti-tumour immunity through the suppression of tumour-specific T lymphocytes. Thus, the efficacy of immunotherapies may be improved by targeting MDSCs. In this study, we assessed the ability of hydrogen sulfide (H S), a gasotransmitter whose anti-cancer effects are well known, to inhibit the accumulation and immunosuppressive functions of MDSCs in melanoma.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Effects of H S on the host immune response to cancer were evaluated using an in vivo syngeneic model of murine melanoma. B16F10-melanoma-bearing mice were treated with the H S donor, diallyl trisulfide (DATS) and analysed for content of MDSCs, dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells. Effects of H S on expression of immunosuppressive genes in MDSCs and on T cell proliferation were evaluated.

KEY RESULTS

In melanoma-bearing mice, DATS inhibited tumour growth, and this effect was associated with a reduction in the frequency of MDSCs in the spleen, in the blood as well as in the tumour micro-environment. In addition, we found that CD8 T cells and DCs were increased. Furthermore, DATS reduced the immuno-suppressive activity of MDSCs, restoring T cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The H S donor compound, DATS, inhibited the expansion and the suppressive functions of MDSCs, suggesting a novel role for H S as a modulator of MDSCs in cancer. Therefore, H S donors may provide a novel approach for enhancing the efficacy of melanoma immunotherapy.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed section on Hydrogen Sulfide in Biology & Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.4/issuetoc.