Squamous cell carcinoma is associated with reduced IL34 expression, alterations in the Langerhans cell antigen-processing-presentation machinery and poor patient survival.

OBJECTIVES

Langerhans cells (LCs) are epithelial antigen-presenting cells (APC) contributing to immune surveillance. LCs depend on interleukin 34 (IL34) production by epithelial cells. This study aimed to uncover mechanisms of alteration of IL34 and LC function in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

METHODS

Cancer cohort data were used to identify associations between SCC and IL34. ATAC-seq of keratinocytes (KCs) and LCs from a murine model of epithelial hyperplasia, driven by HPV16 E7 oncoprotein (K14E7), was analysed. Transcriptomic data were used to validate findings. RNAscope, RT-qPCR, ELISA and confocal imaging was used to analyse IL34 expression and LCs in a spatial context.

RESULTS

mRNA is downregulated in human SCCs of the head and neck, the cervix, the lung and the oesophagus, and low expression is associated with poor survival. We demonstrate that KCs of K14E7 mice have reduced gene accessibility, mRNA and protein, as well as broad changes in promotor accessibility associated with cell adhesion and immune responses. Chromatin accessibility was substantially changed in LCs, including increased accessibility of the gene, and changes in promotors associated with cytoskeleton arrangement and antigen processing and presentation. We discovered altered spatial LC dendrite organisation in hyperproliferative epithelium.

CONCLUSION

Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, head and neck, oesophagus and lung demonstrate downregulation of IL34, which is associated with poor survival, and with alterations in LC spatial organisation and function. These findings suggest that reduced IL34 expression in SCC may contribute to impaired local immunity through LC dysregulation.