DKK2 imparts tumor immunity evasion through β-catenin-independent suppression of cytotoxic immune-cell activation

Qian Xiao, Jibo Wu, Wei Jia Wang, Shiyang Chen, Yingxia Zheng, Xiaoqing Yu, Katrina Meeth, Mahnaz Sahraei, Alfred L.M. Bothwell, Lieping Chen, Marcus Bosenberg, Jianfeng Chen, Veronika Sexl, Le Sun, Lin Li, Wenwen Tang, Dianqing Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

101 Scopus citations

Abstract

Immunotherapy offers new options for cancer treatment, but efficacy varies across cancer types. Colorectal cancers (CRCs) are largely refractory to immune-checkpoint blockade, which suggests the presence of yet uncharacterized immune-suppressive mechanisms. Here we report that the loss of adenomatosis polyposis coli (APC) in intestinal tumor cells or of the tumor suppressor PTEN in melanoma cells upregulates the expression of Dickkopf-related protein 2 (DKK2), which, together with its receptor LRP5, provides an unconventional mechanism for tumor immune evasion. DKK2 secreted by tumor cells acts on cytotoxic lymphocytes, inhibiting STAT5 signaling by impeding STAT5 nuclear localization via LRP5, but independently of LRP6 and the Wnt-β-catenin pathway. Genetic or antibody-mediated ablation of DKK2 activates natural killer (NK) cells and CD8 + T cells in tumors, impedes tumor progression, and enhances the effects of PD-1 blockade. Thus, we have identified a previously unknown tumor immune-suppressive mechanism and immunotherapeutic targets particularly relevant for CRCs and a subset of melanomas.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)262-270
Number of pages9
JournalNature Medicine
Volume24
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'DKK2 imparts tumor immunity evasion through β-catenin-independent suppression of cytotoxic immune-cell activation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this