PLA2G2D in tumour-draining lymph nodes regulates anti-tumour immunity.

PLA2G2D in tumour-draining lymph nodes acts as a novel immune checkpoint that suppresses anti-tumour T cell responses, with inhibition reducing tumour growth in melanoma models.

• Why it matters: Understanding immune suppression in tumour-draining lymph nodes is crucial because it influences systemic anti-tumour immunity and metastasis, yet mechanisms remain poorly defined.
• What they did: The study used imaging mass cytometry and spatial transcriptomics on melanoma patient samples and mouse models to identify PLA2G2D-expressing myeloid cells as key suppressors of T cell proliferation.
• The result: Inhibiting PLA2G2D enhanced tumour-specific T cell expansion and improved anti-tumour responses, especially when combined with PD-1 blockade, suggesting PLA2G2D as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy.