Tumor cell-derived LC3Bextracellular vesicles mediate the crosstalk between tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma via the HSP90α-IL-6/IL-8 signaling axis.

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory factors are being recognized as critical modulators of host antitumor immunity in liver cancer. We have previously shown that tumor cell-released LC3B positive extracellular vesicles (LC3B EVs) are responsible for malignant progression by dampening antitumor immunity. However, the relationship between LC3B EVs and inflammatory factors in the regulation of the liver cancer microenvironment remains unclear.

METHODS

Flow cytometry analyses were performed to examine the panel of 12 cytokines, the main source of positive cytokines, and plasma LC3B EVs carrying HSP90α in peripheral blood of liver cancer patients. We correlated the levels of plasma IL-6, IL-8 with LC3B EVs carrying HSP90α and with prognosis. In vitro culture of healthy donor leukocytes with liver cancer-derived LC3B EVs was performed to evaluate the potential effect of blocking HSP90α, IL-6 or IL-8 alone or in combination with PD-1 inhibitor on CD8 T cell function. We also investigated the potential associations of MAP1LC3B, HSP90AA1, IL6 or IL8 with immunotherapy efficacy using the TCGA databases.

RESULTS

In liver cancer patients, plasma IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher than in healthy controls and associated with poor clinical outcome. In peripheral blood, levels of plasma LC3B EVs carrying HSP90α were significantly elevated in HCC patients and positively associated with IL-6 and IL-8 levels, which are predominantly secreted by monocytes and neutrophils. Moreover, LC3B EVs from human liver cancer cells promoted the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 by leukocytes through HSP90α. Besides, we show that the cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 secreted by LC3B EVs-induced leukocytes were involved in the inhibition of CD8 T-cell function, while blockade of the HSP90α on the LC3B EVs, IL-6, or IL-8 could enhance anti-PD-1-induced T cell reinvigoration. Finally, patients who received anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy with high MAP1LC3B, HSP90AA1, IL6, or IL8 expression had a lower immunotherapy efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that liver cancer-derived LC3B EVs promote a pro-oncogenic inflammatory microenvironment by carrying membrane-bound HSP90α. Targeting HSP90α on the LC3B EVs, IL-6, or IL-8 may synergize with anti-PD-1 treatment to enhance the CD8 T-cell functions, which may provide novel combination strategies in the clinic for the treatment of liver cancer.