GPR34 is a metabolic immune checkpoint for ILC1-mediated antitumor immunity

Abstract

Type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) are a class of tissue-resident cells with antitumor activity, suggesting its possible role in solid tumor immune surveillance, but it is not clear whether manipulating ILC1s can induce potent antitumor immune responses. Here, we found that G-protein-coupled receptor 34 (GPR34), a receptor for lysophosphatidylserine (LysoPS), was highly expressed on ILC1s but not on conventional natural killer cells in the tumor microenvironment. LysoPS was enriched in the tumor microenvironment and could inhibit ILC1 activation via GPR34. Genetic deletion of LysoPS synthase Abhd16a expression in tumors or Gpr34 expression in ILC1s or antagonizing GPR34 enhanced ILC1 antitumor activity. In individuals with cancer, ABHD16A expression in tumors or GPR34 expression in ILC1s was inversely correlated with the antitumor activity of ILC1s or ILC1-like cells. Thus, our results demonstrate that manipulating ILC1s can induce potent antitumor immunity, and GPR34 is a metabolic immune checkpoint that can be targeted to develop ILC1-based immunotherapy.