CD36 promotes iron accumulation and dysfunction in CD8+ T cells via the p38-CEBPB-TfR1 axis in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background/aims

The identification of factors that lead to CD8+ T cell dysfunction within the tumor microenvironment (TME) holds great promise for the development of innovative immunotherapies. However, the mechanisms underlying the exhausted phenotype of CD8+ T cells infiltrating early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors remain unclear.

Methods

Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed using a murine HCC model. Flow cytometry and additional experimental approaches were employed to investigate the mechanisms of CD8+ T cell exhaustion.

Results

CD8+ T cells infiltrating early-stage HCC exhibited a functionally exhausted phenotype, which escalated with HCC progression. At early stages of HCC, the TME was characterized by significant iron accumulation. Moreover, tu

SUBMITTER: Qin Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12260632 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature