Immune checkpoint blockade and other cancer immunotherapies have achieved great success in clinic but problems such as low response rate still remain. Cholesterol is a key component of cell membrane, whose cellular metabolism can influence the plasma membrane environment and effector function of T cells. We have found that the anti-tumor immune response of CD8⁺ T cells can be potentiated by modulating cellular cholesterol metabolism. Inhibiting the activity of ACAT1, a key cholesterol esterification enzyme, can upregulate the cholesterol level on CD8⁺ T cell plasma membrane, and significantly enhance the anti-tumor effector function. This finding provides a new method for cancer immunotherapy.

CD8⁺ T cells  /  cholesterol metabolism  /  ACAT1  /  anti-tumor immunity