Microenvironment and Immunology TLR2 Limits Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Reducing IL18-Mediated Immunosuppression

Immune mechanisms underlying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not well understood. Here, we show that the Toll-like receptor TLR2 inhibits production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL18 and protects mice from DEN-induced liver carcinogenesis. On this protocol, Tlr2 / mice exhibited more aggressive HCC development associated with impaired CD8þ T-cell function. Furthermore, Ly6ChighIL18Raþmyeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) were increased in number in the livers of Tlr2 / mice before tumor onset. MDSC in this setting exhibited higher iNOS levels that could inhibit IFNg production and CD8þ T-cell proliferation in vitro. Notably,Tlr2 / hepatocytes producedmore mature IL18 after DEN treatment that was sufficient to drive MDSC accumulation there. IL18 adminstration was sufficient to induce accumulation of MDSC, whereas hepatocyte-specific silencing of IL18 in Tlr2 / mice decreased the proportion of MDSC, increased the proportion of functional CD8þ T cells, and alleviated HCC progression. IL18 production was mediated by caspase-8 insofar as the decrease in its silencing was sufficient to attenuate levels of mature IL18 in Tlr2 / mice. Furthermore, the TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4 inhibited both caspase-8 and IL18 expression, decreasing MDSC, increasing CD8þ T-cell function, and promoting HCC regression. Overall, our findings show how TLR2 deficiency accelerates IL18-mediated immunosuppression during liver carcinogenesis, providing new insights into immune control thatmay assist the design of effective immunotherapies to treat HCC. Cancer Res; 75(6); 1–10. 2015 AACR.