Tumor-derived stearic acid induces macrophage Egr2 signaling to suppress anti-tumor immunity in breast cancer

BackgroundMacrophages in breast cancer are highly heterogeneous and targeting both tissue-resident and bone marrow-derived macrophages represents a high-potential strategy in breast cancer immunotherapy. MethodsMyeloid-specific Egr2 knockout (KO) mice were used to determine roles of macrophage Egr2 signaling in tumor progression and anti-tumor immune responses. RNA-seq analysis and Flow cytometry were used to examine regulation of Egr2 in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and fatty acid-stimulated macrophages. Tumor cell and macrophage admixture study was used to evaluate effects of fatty acid educated macrophages on anti-tumor responses. ResultsHere we showed that early growth response 2 (Egr2) was highly expressed in mammary tissue macrophages and recruited macrophages upon tumor progression. Depletion of Egr2 in myeloid cells significantly decreased the immunosuppressive function of polarized M2-like macrophages and TAMs. Tumor progression was delayed in myeloid cell Egr2 knockout mice, which was associated with enhanced function of effector CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Mechanistically, we showed that retinol and nicotinamide metabolism in TAMs were impaired after Egr2 depletion. Further, tumor cell-derived stearic acid (SA) was identified as an important fatty acid inducing Egr2 expression. SA stimulation induced macrophage-mediated immunosuppression in an Egr2 dependent manner. Addition of oleic acid (OA) uniquely repressed SA-induced Egr2 expression and immunosuppressive activity in macrophages. ConclusionsOur study thus uncovers a novel SA-Egr2 pathway driving macrophage immunosuppression and novel molecular mechanism of OA mediated anti-tumor effect. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPICLipid-associated macrophages (LAMs) accumulate lipids and promote immune suppression, tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancers. Fatty acids play a dual, complex role in tumor immunity, acting as both pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic effects. However, molecular mechanisms underlying fatty acid modulated macrophages and their roles in tumor remain not fully elucidated. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDSWe demonstrate that Egr2 is essential for the immunosuppressive function of IL-4 polarized M2-like macrophages and TAMs. Tumor cell-derived stearic acid (SA) was identified as an important fatty acid inducing Egr2 expression and immunosuppression in macrophages. Adding oleic acid (OA) uniquely repressed SA-induced Egr2 expression and immunosuppression. HOW THIS STUDY MIGHT AFFECT RESEARCH, PRACTICE OR POLICYSA-Egr2 axis is a novel pathway driving macrophage immunosuppression. OA treatment enhances macrophage anti-tumor immunity via inhibiting Egr2 signaling and immunosuppression. The data supports the notion that diets enriched in OA may have potential for prevention and suppression of breast cancer.