An ALK1-governed monocytic lineage shapes an immunosuppressive landscape in breast cancer metastases

Abstract

The biology centered around the TGF-β type I receptor ALK1 (encoded byACVRL1)has been almost exclusively based on its reported endothelial expression pattern since its first functional characterization more than two decades ago. Here, in efforts to better define the therapeutic context in which to use ALK1 inhibitors, we uncover a population of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that, by virtue of their unanticipatedAcvrl1expression, are effector targets for adjuvant anti-angiogenic immunotherapy in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer. The combinatorial benefit depended on ALK1-mediated modulation of the differentiation potential of bone marrow-derived granulocyte-macrophage progenitors, the release of CD14+monocytes into circulation, and their eventual extravasation. Notably,ACVRL1+TAMs coincided with an immunosuppressive phenotype, and were over-represented in human cancers progressing on therapy. Accordingly, breast cancer patients with a prominentACVRL1hiTAM signature exhibited a significantly shorter survival. In conclusion, we shed light on an unexpected multimodal regulation of tumorigenic phenotypes by ALK1 and demonstrate its utility as a target for anti-angiogenic immunotherapy.Graphical abstractSee submitted file