Inhibition of KDM5B participates in immune microenvironment remodeling in pancreatic cancer by inducing STING expression

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of lysine demethylase 5B (KDM5B)-mediated dimethyl-lysine 4 histone H3 (H3K4me2) demethylation on immune microenvironment remodeling in pancreatic cancer.

Methods: Pan 02 mouse pancreatic cancer cell lines were cultured and used to establish tumor model in vivo. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of stimulator of interferon gene (STING) and KDM5B in pancreatic cancer tissues and Pan 02 cells. The specific demethylation domain of KDM5B was detected by isothermal titration calorimetry binding assay. The regulatory roles of KDM5B in cell apoptosis and remodeling of immune microenvironment in vitro and in vivo were explored after loss-of functions in KDM5B.

Results: KDM5B was highly expressed but STING was poorly expressed in pancreatic cancer tissues and Pan 02 cells. After knockdown of KDM5B, CD8⁺ T cells recognized and killed Pan 02 cells, which promoted the infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells in Pan 02 cells, thus improving the anti-tumor ability. The PHD domain in KDM5B specifically bound to H3K4me2 peptide and inhibition of KDM5B induced STING expression. Knockdown of KDM5B up-regulated STING expression to promote apoptosis, thus regulating the immune microenvironment and inhibiting the growth of tumor in mice. Meanwhile, knockdown of KDM5B and STING simultaneously counteracted the knockdown effect of KDM5B.

Conclusion: Inhibition of KDM5B can promote the expression of STING through H3K4me2 demethylation, which promoted the recognition and killing of Pan 02 cells by CD8⁺ T cells, thus improving the anti-tumor ability and regulating the immune microenvironment.