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Irreversible JNK blockade overcomes PD-L1-mediated resistance to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer

Oncogene volume 40, pages 5105–5115 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells have low or absent tumor cell PD-L1 expression that we previously demonstrated can confer chemotherapy resistance. Here, we demonstrate that PD-L1 depletion enhances JNK activity resulting in increased BimThr116 phosphorylation and its sequestration by MCL-1 and BCL-2. Activated JNK signaling in PD-L1-depeted cells was due to reduced mRNA stability of the CYLD deubiquitinase. PD-L1 was found to compete with the ribonuclease EXOSC10 for binding to CYLD mRNA. Thus, loss of PD-L1 promoted binding and degradation of CYLD mRNA by EXOSC10 which enhanced JNK activity. An irreversible JNK inhibitor (JNK-IN-8) reduced BimThr116 phosphorylation and unsequestered Bim from MCL-1 and BCL-2 to promote apoptosis. In cells lacking PD-L1, treatment with JNK-IN-8, an MCL-1 antagonist (AZD5991), or their combination promoted apoptosis and reduced long-term clonogenic survival by anticancer drugs. Similar effects of the JNK inhibitor on cell viability were observed in CRC organoids with suppression of PD-L1. These data indicate that JNK inhibition may represent a promising strategy to overcome drug resistance in CRC cells with low or absent PD-L1 expression.

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Fig. 1: Irreversible inhibition of JNK using JNK-IN-8 suppresses the interaction of Bim with MCL-1/BCL-2 in PD-L1 knockout cells.
Fig. 2: Loss of PD-L1 destabilizes CYLD mRNA and activates JNK signaling in RKO cells.
Fig. 3: The JNK inhibitor JNK-IN-8 sensitizes PD-L1 knockout cells to multiple anticancer drugs.
Fig. 4: Patient-derived CRC organoids with PD-L1 knockdown were sensitized to chemotherapy by JNK inhibition.
Fig. 5: BH3 mimetics inhibit the interaction of Bim with MCL-1/BCL-2 in PD-L1 knockout cells.
Fig. 6: Combination of inhibitors of JNK (JNK-IN-8), MCL-1 (AZD5991), and MEK1/2 (cobimetinib) overcomes drug resistance in PD-L1 knockout cells.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported, by NCI R01 CA210509-01A1 and Mayo Clinic Center for Biomedical Discovery Pilot Grant Program (both to FAS). LS is supported by the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China. AP is supported by the Rosztoczy Foundation Hungarian Scholarship Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastrointestinal Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Lei Sun, Árpád V. Patai, Bo Qin & Frank A. Sinicrope

  2. Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China

    Lei Sun

  3. Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Tara L. Hogenson & Martin E. Fernandez-Zapico

  4. Departments of Medicine and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Frank A. Sinicrope

  5. Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA

    Frank A. Sinicrope

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FS and BQ designed the experiments, BQ and LS performed the experiments, TLH and MEF provided the organoid model, LS, BQ, and FS analyzed and interpreted the study data. BQ and FS wrote the paper that was reviewed by all authors.

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Correspondence to Bo Qin or Frank A. Sinicrope.

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Sun, L., Patai, Á.V., Hogenson, T.L. et al. Irreversible JNK blockade overcomes PD-L1-mediated resistance to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. Oncogene 40, 5105–5115 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-021-01910-6

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