Han Dianwen, Wang Lijuan, Jiang Shan, Su Peng, Chen Bing, Zhao Wenjing, Chen Tong, Zhang Ning, Wang Xiaolong, Liang Yiran, Li Yaming, Li Chen, Chen Xi, Luo Dan, Yang Qifeng
Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Biological Resource Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Cell Death Differ. 2025 Jul 24. doi: 10.1038/s41418-025-01548-x.
M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the main immunosuppressive cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment (TME), the activation of which is essential for cancer progression and resistance promotion to immunotherapy. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying TAM activation have not been fully elucidated. Utilizing a CRISPR-Cas9-based genetically engineered mouse model, we discovered that USP1Lyz2 and WDR48Lyz2 mice exhibited decreased tumor formation and lung metastasis. Mechanistically, the USP1-WDR48 deubiquitinase complex regulated M2-TAM activation and infiltration in the TME by modulating DDX3X ubiquitination. Specifically, this complex interacted with the N-terminal RecA-like domain 1 of DDX3X, leading to K48-linked deubiquitination and stabilization of DDX3X. Then, DDX3X promoted the translation of signaling molecules Jak1 and Rac1 via its RNA helicase activity, activating the Jak1-Stat3/6 and Rac1-Akt pathways to drive M2-TAM activation. Furthermore, combined inhibition of the USP1/WDR48 and CD47/SIRPα signaling pathways showed synergistic antitumor effects in immunocompetent mice. Notably, USP1 protein expression in tumor stromal tissues independently predicts prognosis in breast cancer patients. These findings indicated the role of the USP1-WDR48 complex as a critical molecular switch controlling TAM activation, presenting novel and promising targets for breast cancer treatment.
M2样肿瘤相关巨噬细胞(TAM)是浸润肿瘤微环境(TME)的主要免疫抑制细胞,其激活对于癌症进展和促进免疫治疗耐药性至关重要。然而,TAM激活的调控机制尚未完全阐明。利用基于CRISPR-Cas9的基因工程小鼠模型,我们发现USP1Lyz2和WDR48Lyz2小鼠的肿瘤形成和肺转移减少。机制上,USP1-WDR48去泛素酶复合物通过调节DDX3X泛素化来调控TME中M2-TAM的激活和浸润。具体而言,该复合物与DDX3X的N端RecA样结构域1相互作用,导致DDX3X的K48连接去泛素化和稳定。然后,DDX3X通过其RNA解旋酶活性促进信号分子Jak1和Rac1的翻译,激活Jak1-Stat3/6和Rac1-Akt途径以驱动M2-TAM激活。此外,联合抑制USP1/WDR48和CD47/SIRPα信号通路在免疫活性小鼠中显示出协同抗肿瘤作用。值得注意的是,肿瘤基质组织中USP1蛋白表达可独立预测乳腺癌患者的预后。这些发现表明USP1-WDR48复合物作为控制TAM激活的关键分子开关发挥作用,为乳腺癌治疗提供了新的且有前景的靶点。
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