The role of lipid uptake in inducing PD ⁃1 and CTLA ⁃4 expression on CD4 + regulatory T cells in the ovarian cancer microenvironment
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Department of Laboratory Medicine,Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine,the FirstAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University,Nanjing 210029 ,China

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    Abstract:

    Objective:This study aimed to investigate the lipid metabolism characteristics,particularly lipid uptake and accumulation of regulatory CD4 + T cells(Treg)in the ovarian cancer microenvironment,and its potential impact on the expression of programmed cell death protein 1(PD - 1)and lymphocyte associated protein 4(CTLA - 4). Methods:The lipophilic fluorescent dye BODIPYTM 493/503 and the fluorescent fatty acid probe BODIPY™ 500/510 C1 C12 were used to detect intracellular lipid content and lipid uptake capacity,respectively,in human CD4 + Tregs isolated from ovarian cancer tissues or co -cultured with supernatants from various ovarian cancer cell lines(ES -2,SKOV3,CAOV3). Lipid metabolism was modulated using the fatty acid oxidation inhibitor Etomoxir,the fatty acid synthesis inhibitor C75,and the fatty acid uptake inhibitor sulfo-N-succinimidyl oleate(SSO). Lipid content and the expression of immunosuppressive molecules PD - 1 and CTLA - 4 were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results:CD4 + Treg infiltrating ovarian cancer tissues exhibited significantly higher lipid content and lipid uptake capacity compared to conventional CD4+ T cells(P < 0.01). Among the ovarian cancer tumor supernatant tested in vitro,CAOV3-derived supernatant most significantly enhanced intracellular lipid content and uptake capacity in CD4 + Treg relative to basal medium(P < 0.05). Furthermore,CAOV3-conditioned medium upregulated PD - 1 and CTLA -4 expression in CD4 + Treg(P < 0.05). This was accompanied by a concentration - dependent increase in both lipid accumulation and fluorescent fatty acid analog uptake(P < 0.05). Notably,the fatty acid uptake inhibitor SSO effectively reversed the CAOV3 supernatant-induced lipid accumulation(P < 0.05)in CD4+ Treg and the elevated expression of PD-1 and CTLA - 4(all P < 0.05),whereas the oxidation inhibitor Etomoxir and the synthesis inhibitor C75 had no significant effect. Conclusion:The ovarian cancer microenvironment promotes lipid uptake in CD4 + Tregs,leading to intracellular lipid droplet accumulation,which in turn enhances their immunosuppressive function,as evidenced by upregulated PD-1 and CTLA-4 expression. Targeting the fatty acid uptake pathway may represent a potential strategy to reverse Treg - mediated immunosuppression in ovarian cancer.

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LIU Zhijie, TAO Ziqi, HUANG Xi, ZHANG Yuelu, YAN Lina, ZHOU Lingfei, HUANG Menghui, WANG Fang. The role of lipid uptake in inducing PD ⁃1 and CTLA ⁃4 expression on CD4 + regulatory T cells in the ovarian cancer microenvironment[J].,2026,(3):315-323.

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History
  • Received:October 17,2025
  • Revised:November 29,2025
  • Adopted:December 15,2025
  • Online: March 12,2026
  • Published:
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