YTHDF2 upregulation and relocation dictate CD8 T cell polyfunctionality in tumor immunity

Abstract

Epigenetic traits impact the antitumor function of CD8 T cells, yet whether and how RNA methylation programs engage in T cell immunity is poorly understood. Here we show that the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA reader YTHDF2 is highly expressed in early effector or effector-like CD8 T cells and is partially distributed in the nucleus. YTHDF2 loss in T cells exacerbates tumor progression and confers unresponsiveness to PD-1 blockade in mice and humans. In addition to initiating RNA decay for mitochondrial fitness, YTHDF2 can orchestrate chromatin regulation to promote T cell polyfunctionality. YTHDF2-mediatd preservation of gene transcription arises from the interaction of YTHDF2 with IKZF1/3. Accordingly, immunotherapy-induced efficacy could be largely restored in YTHDF2-deficient T cells through combinational use of lenalidomide. Moreover, m6A recognition is fundamental for YTHDF2 translocation to the nucleus and autoregulation at the RNA level. Thus, YTHDF2 coordinates epitranscriptional and transcriptional networks to potentiate T cell immunity. HighlightsO_LIYTHDF2 expression and distribution underpin the threshold for bona fide CD8 T cell effector response C_LIO_LICanonical YTHDF2-mRNA decay pathway alleviates mitochondrial stress and CD8 T cell exhaustion C_LIO_LINuclear YTHDF2 sequesters IKZF1/3-mediated transcriptional repression to safeguard CD8 T cell polyfunctionality C_LIO_LIThe tumoricidal activity of YTHDF2-deficient CD8 T cells could be repaired through the synergy of anti-PD-1 and lenalidomide C_LI