Identification of the JNK-Active Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cluster Associated With an Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment

Author:

Semba Takashi12ORCID,Wang Xiaoping12ORCID,Xie Xuemei12ORCID,Cohen Evan N23ORCID,Reuben James M23,Dalby Kevin N45,Long James P6,Phi Lan Thi Hanh12,Tripathy Debu1ORCID,Ueno Naoto T12ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

2. Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

3. Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

4. Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

5. Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

6. Department of Biostatistics, Division of Basic Science Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

Abstract

Abstract Background Although an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is key for tumor progression, the molecular characteristics associated with the immunosuppressive TME remain unknown in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Our previous functional proteomic study of TNBC tumors identified that C-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway–related molecules were enriched in a cluster associated with the inflammatory pathway. However, the role of the JNK pathway in the TNBC TME is still unclear. Methods Transcriptomic analysis was conducted using The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets. The effect of JNK-IN-8, a covalent pan-JNK inhibitor, on TNBC tumor growth, lung metastasis, and the TME was measured in TNBC syngeneic mouse models (n = 13 per group). Tumor (n = 43) or serum (n = 46) samples from TNBC patients were analyzed using multiplex immunohistochemistry or Luminex assay. All statistical tests were 2-sided. Results CIBERSORT analysis revealed that TNBC patients with high phosphorylated JNK level (n = 47) had more regulatory T cell (Treg) infiltration than those with a low phosphorylated JNK level (n = 47) (P = .02). Inhibition of JNK signaling statistically significantly reduced tumor growth (P < .001) and tumor-infiltrating Tregs (P = .02) while increasing the infiltration of CD8+ T cells in TNBC mouse models through the reduction of C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2). Tumor-associated macrophages were the predominant cells secreting CCL2, and inhibition of JNK signaling reduced CCL2 secretion of human primary macrophages. Moreover, in patients with TNBC (n = 43), those with high levels of CCL2+ tumor-associated macrophages had more Treg and less CD8+ T cell infiltration (P = .04), and the serum CCL2 level was associated with poor overall survival (hazard ratio = 2.65, 95% confidence interval = 1.29 to 5.44, P = .008) in TNBC patients (n = 46). Conclusions The JNK/C-JUN/CCL2 axis contributes to TNBC aggressiveness via forming an immunosuppressive TME and can offer novel therapeutic strategies for TNBC.

Funder

Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic; State of Texas Rare and Aggressive Breast Cancer Research Program; National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute

Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas

Welch Foundation

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Cancer Research,Oncology

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