Regulation of chitinase-3-like-1 in T cell elicits Th1 and cytotoxic responses to inhibit lung metastasis

Nat Commun. 2018 Feb 5;9(1):503. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02731-6.

Abstract

Chitinase-3-like-1 (Chi3l1) is known to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Type 2 inflammation and cancer. However, the function of Chi3l1 in T cell and its clinical implications are largely unknown. Here we show that Chi3l1 expression was increased in activated T cells, especially in Th2 cells. In addition, Chi3l1-deficient T cells are hyper-responsive to TcR stimulation and are prone to differentiating into Th1 cells. Chi3l1-deficient Th1 cells show increased expression of anti-tumor immunity genes and decreased Th1 negative regulators. Deletion of Chi3l1 in T cells in mice show reduced melanoma lung metastasis with increased IFNγ and TNFα-producing T cells in the lung. Furthermore, silencing of Chi3l1 expression in the lung using peptide-siRNA complex (dNP2-siChi3l1) efficiently inhibit lung metastasis with enhanced Th1 and CTL responses. Collectively, this study demonstrates Chi3l1 is a regulator of Th1 and CTL which could be a therapeutic target to enhance anti-tumor immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 / genetics*
  • Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Melanoma, Experimental / immunology*
  • Melanoma, Experimental / secondary
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • RNAi Therapeutics
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

Substances

  • Chil1 protein, mouse
  • Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma