Glioblastoma Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Subsets Express Differential Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Receptor Profiles That Can Be Targeted to Reduce Immune Suppression

Tyler J. Alban, Defne Bayik, Balint Otvos, Anja Rabljenovic, Lin Leng, Leu Jia-Shiun, Gustavo Roversi, Adam Lauko, Arbaz A. Momin, Alireza M. Mohammadi, David M. Peereboom, Manmeet S. Ahluwalia, Kazuko Matsuda, Kyuson Yun, Richard Bucala, Michael A. Vogelbaum, Justin D. Lathia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

93 Scopus citations

Abstract

The application of tumor immunotherapy to glioblastoma (GBM) is limited by an unprecedented degree of immune suppression due to factors that include high numbers of immune suppressive myeloid cells, the blood brain barrier, and T cell sequestration to the bone marrow. We previously identified an increase in immune suppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in GBM patients, which correlated with poor prognosis and was dependent on macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). Here we examine the MIF signaling axis in detail in murine MDSC models, GBM-educated MDSCs and human GBM. We found that the monocytic subset of MDSCs (M-MDSCs) expressed high levels of the MIF cognate receptor CD74 and was localized in the tumor microenvironment. In contrast, granulocytic MDSCs (G-MDSCs) expressed high levels of the MIF non-cognate receptor CXCR2 and showed minimal accumulation in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, targeting M-MDSCs with Ibudilast, a brain penetrant MIF-CD74 interaction inhibitor, reduced MDSC function and enhanced CD8 T cell activity in the tumor microenvironment. These findings demonstrate the MDSC subsets differentially express MIF receptors and may be leveraged for specific MDSC targeting.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1191
Pages (from-to)1191
JournalFrontiers in immunology
Volume11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 18 2020

Keywords

  • MDSC
  • MIF–macrophage migration inhibitory factor
  • glioma
  • immunesuppresion
  • immunetherapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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