Neoantigen-specific CD4 + T cells in human melanoma have diverse differentiation states and correlate with CD8 + T cell, macrophage, and B cell function

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-11-2022

Publication Title

Cancer cell

Keywords

oregon; portland; chiles; Animals; Antigens, Neoplasm; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Humans; Macrophages; Melanoma; Mice; Tumor Microenvironment

Abstract

CD4+ T cells that recognize tumor antigens are required for immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy in murine models, but their contributions in human cancer are unclear. We used single-cell RNA sequencing and T cell receptor sequences to identify signatures and functional correlates of tumor-specific CD4+ T cells infiltrating human melanoma. Conventional CD4+ T cells that recognize tumor neoantigens express CXCL13 and are subdivided into clusters expressing memory and T follicular helper markers, and those expressing cytolytic markers, inhibitory receptors, and IFN-γ. The frequency of CXCL13+ CD4+ T cells in the tumor correlated with the transcriptional states of CD8+ T cells and macrophages, maturation of B cells, and patient survival. Similar correlations were observed in a breast cancer cohort. These results identify phenotypes and functional correlates of tumor-specific CD4+ T cells in melanoma and suggest the possibility of using such cells to modify the tumor microenvironment.

Clinical Institute

Cancer

Department

Earle A. Chiles Research Institute

Department

Oncology

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