Arginine synthesis pathway and ASS1 play a critical role in mRNA translation reprogramming and ICI resistance in cutaneous melanoma

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized cancer treatment, but their efficacy has now reached a plateau. ICIs are the first class of treatment targeting the crosstalk between immune and tumor cells, making it crucial to understand the complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) to enhance therapeutic responses. The elevated consumption of resources by cancer cells, coupled with limited vascularization, often results in a TME that is deficient in nutrients, leading to competition for resources between cancer and stromal cells. Consequently, targeting tumor metabolism has emerged as a promising strategy to improve the efficacy of ICIs. Through metabolomic analysis, we have identified metabolic alterations in melanoma cells that are resistant to ICIs, specifically an increase in arginine synthesis and upregulation of ASS1, the rate-limiting enzyme in this pathway. By using gain and loss of function models, as well as a pharmacological inhibitor specific for ASS1, we demonstrated that modulations in the expression or activity of ASS1 is associated with translational reprogramming, characterized by an inhibition of the cap-dependent mRNA translation mediated through mTORC1/4EBP1 axis. We also demonstrated that targeting ASS1 in vivo, resensitize tumors initially resistant to ICI. Taken together, our results highlight the interaction between modulations of arginine synthesis pathway, mRNA translation reprogramming, antitumor immunity, and restauration of sensitivity to anti-PD-1. Our work also demonstrates the therapeutic potential of targeting arginine synthesis pathway, and especially ASS1, to offer new treatments to patients suffering from cutaneous melanoma resistant to ICIs.