(PQ#3) Novel tumor intrinsic PD-L1 signals direct tumor immune cell infiltration

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We respond to PQ3 with our data showing that tumor PD-L1 (CD274, B7-H1) is a major regulator of tumor inflammatory infiltrates. Our preliminary data show that melanoma PD-L1 regulates TIL through several previously unknown tumor-intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. We define novel effects of tumor intrinsic PD-L1 signaling on tumor proliferation, sensitivity to immune killing, in vivo growth independent of anti-tumor immunity, and regulation of mTOR signals. We identified intracellular PD-L1, including those whose surface expression is low or negative, and identified interactions with tumor PD-1. We hypothesize that melanoma intrinsic PD-L1-driven signals, particularly mTOR signals, alter tumor progression and treatment responses. The research team is comprised of tumor immunotherapy, tumor immunology and PD-L1 experts at UTHSCSA and Dartmouth. We focus on melanoma for scientific reasons and based on our expertise. Aim 1 Define how tumor PD-L1 alters tumor immune infiltrates and immunotherapy responses. We use control versus PD-L1lo (shRNA) B16 in a novel model to study differential treatment outcomes by tumor PD-L1 status. We generated PD-L1KO B16 by CRISPR for highly detailed follow up mechanistic studies, and to assess if PD-L1 null status differentially affects treatment versus PD-L1lo. Effects will also be tested in transplanted BrafV600E mutated D4M melanoma (PD-L1+) engineered to be PD-L1lo and PD-L1KO, in mice with induced BrafV600E melanomas, and in syngeneic skin grafts of skin from Braf/Pten versus PD-L1KO Braf/Pten mice. Aim 2 Test tumor PD-L1-driven mTOR signal effects on TIL and immunotherapy responses. We will test PD-L1 KO, PD-1 KO and double KO melanoma cells for mTOR signals, TIL and treatment effects. Cells will be engineered for defects in mTORC1/2 for mechanistic studies, complemented with mTOR inhibitor treatments. We will use engineered tumors that express cytoplasm-only versus cell surface-only PD-L1, to define novel, intracellular PD-L1 signals. Constructs with mutations in known PD-1 signal sites will be engineered into these tumors for a complete understanding of PD-L1/PD-1 interactions. Aim 3 Define cell-intrinsic PD-L1 effects in human melanoma. We use well-defined human melanoma lines that are basal PD-L1+ and/or PD-1+ and/or BrafV600E mutated. We will use human vectors to knock down or knock out PD-L1, PD-1 and mTORC1/2 genes. In vitro assessments of effects on proliferation, responses to mTOR inhibitors, αPD-L1 and αPD-1 will be assessed. In vivo effects in NSG mice will be assessed. Primary human melanoma lines will be studied to complement data from long-term lines.