Pancreatic epithelial IL-17/IL-17RA signaling drives B7-H4 to promote tumorigenesis

IL-17 is required for the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer, particularly in the context of inflammation, as previously shown by genetic and pharmacological approaches. The cellular compartment and downstream molecular mediators of IL-17-mediated pancreatic tumorigenesis have not been fully identified. We interrogated the cellular compartment required by generating transgenic animals with Interleukin 17 receptor A (IL-17RA) genetically deleted from the pancreatic epithelial compartment vs. the hematopoietic compartment via generation of IL-17RA-deficient (IL17-RA-/-) bone marrow chimeras, in the context of embryonically activated or inducible Kras. Deletion of IL-17RA from the pancreatic epithelial compartment, but not from hematopoietic, resulted in delayed premalignant lesions initiation and progression and increased CD8+ cytotoxic T cells infiltration to the tumor microenvironment. Absence of IL-17RA in the pancreatic compartment affected transcriptional profiles of epithelial cells, modulating stemness and immunological pathways. Interestingly, B7-H4, a known inhibitor of T cell activation encoded by the gene Vtcn1, was the most upregulated checkpoint molecule via IL17 early during pancreatic tumorigenesis, and its genetic deletion delayed pancreatic premalignant lesions development and reduced immunosuppression. We reveal pancreatic epithelial IL-17RA requirement for pancreatic tumorigenesis by reprogramming the immune pancreatic landscape which is partially orchestrated by regulation of B7-H4.