Zinc finger protein 600 is essential for the cytotoxic function of esophageal cancer-associated natural killer cells

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ID: 326526
2026
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Abstract
Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells are active tumoricidal cells that inhibit esophageal cancer (EC) development, making them a prospective immunotherapeutic tool. Nonetheless, NK cells undergo both activation and exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment, but the related mechanisms have not been thoroughly understood. Using a chemical-induced EC model, we investigated the expression pattern and functional properties of zinc finger protein 600 (ZNF600) in EC-associated NK cells. For the first time, we revealed that ZNF600 expression was diminished in EC-associated NK cells, particularly those exhibiting the exhaustion phenotype. In vitro silencing of ZNF600 resulted in a remarkable downregulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and cytolytic perforin and granzyme B, leading to an impairment of NK cell tumoricidal capacity. On the contrary, ZNF600 overexpression promoted NK cell tumoricidal capacity. Adoptive transfer of ZNF600-overexpressing NK cells significantly inhibited the growth of EC implants. Furthermore, EC cells significantly down-regulated ZNF600 in NK cells. Interestingly, neutralizing carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3) partially restored ZNF600 expression after co-culture with EC cells. Conclusively, the CEACAM1-TIM-3 signaling axis might decrease ZNF600 in EC-associated NK cells and subsequently suppress NK cell-mediated killing of EC cells. This research discovers a novel mechanism by which the EC microenvironment induces NK cell dysfunction.
Reference Key
openalex_W7204248046 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Jiongming He, Shan Liu, Lingying Wang, Fei Xiong
Journal journal of leukocyte biology
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/jleuko/qiag119
URL
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