Recruited Monocyte-Derived Macrophages Drive T Cell Inflammation in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Mediated Pneumonitis.
Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor-mediated pneumonitis (CIP) constitutes a major toxicity that limits the clinical application of cancer immunotherapy, whereas its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Current management relies on nonspecific immunosuppressants, lacking precision therapies. Although single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) has implicated T cell activation and inflammatory myeloid responses in CIP pathogenesis, critical gaps persist regarding interstitial lung immunity and mechanisms governing monocyte/macrophage-T cell co-enrichment and crosstalk. We aimed to delineate the lung immune circuits that drive CIP and to identify targetable monocyte/macrophage-T cell pathways that could be leveraged for precision intervention. Methods: To elucidate CIP pathogenesis, we performed integrated scRNA-seq analysis of BALF from CIP+ and CIP- patients with validation in a prospective cohort using flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Mechanistic studies were performed using an established tumor-bearing forkhead box P3-diphtheria toxin receptor-green fluorescent protein (Foxp3-DTR-GFP) mouse model of programmed death-1 inhibitor-induced CIP via micro-computed tomography, histopathology, scRNA-seq, flow cytometry, multiplex immunofluorescence, Western blotting, Transwell migration assays, and pharmacologic interventions. Results: In CIP+ patient BALF and mouse lung tissues, CD8+ T cells expressing cytotoxic effectors and C-X-C chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) expanded concomitantly with distinct C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2)+ monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMΦ) exhibiting a highly inflammatory phenotype, while tissue-resident macrophages were markedly reduced. Mouse models revealed that expanded CCR2+ MoMΦ originating from circulation replenished the depleted niche of lung-resident interstitial macrophages. Mechanistically, integrated in silico prediction and experimental validation demonstrated that CCR2+ MoMΦ recruited CD8+ T cells via the C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9/10 (CXCL9/10)-CXCR3 axis. Conversely, CD8+ T cells drove CCR2+ MoMΦ expansion and pro-inflammatory phenotype via the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) axis, suggesting the existence of a positive feedback loop between these cell types. Pharmacological targeting of CCR2/CCR5 or CXCR3 signaling attenuated pneumonitis, reduced pulmonary CCR2+ MoMΦ infiltration, diminished pathogenic T cell activation and cytotoxicity, and improved survival without compromising antitumor immunity. Conclusions: Our findings establish CCR2+ MoMΦ and the IFN-γ-CXCL9/10-CXCR3 axis as core drivers of CIP pathogenesis and validate their therapeutic targeting potential. This work provides a scientific foundation for developing CIP-specific prevention and treatment strategies.
Authors
Cui Cui, Zhi Zhi, Li Li, Ji Ji, Hu Hu, Cui Cui, Qin Qin, Li Li, Wu Wu, Wang Wang, Li Li, Bai Bai, Li Li, Liu Liu, Hu Hu
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