Cancer SLC6A6-mediated taurine uptake transactivates immune checkpoint genes and induces exhaustion in CD8(+) T cells. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38565142/)

These scientists wanted to understand how a substance called taurine affects the immune system's ability to fight cancer. They found that when cancer cells consume taurine, it makes a type of immune cell called CD8(+) T cells tired and less effective at attacking tumors. This happens because the cancer cells have a special transporter called SLC6A6 that allows them to take in more taurine, leaving less for the CD8(+) T cells.

The scientists discovered that when CD8(+) T cells don't have enough taurine, they experience stress in their cells, which leads to the activation of certain genes that make the T cells tired and less able to fight the cancer. In some cases, chemotherapy can also affect how taurine is used by the cancer cells.

To help the CD8(+) T cells become stronger again, the scientists suggested giving them more taurine. This could potentially make the immune system better at fighting cancer and improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

Cao T., Zhang W., Wang Q., Wang C., Ma W., Zhang C., Ge M., Tian M., Yu J., Jiao A., Wang L., Liu M., Wang P., Guo Z., Zhou Y., Chen S., Yin W., Yi J., Guo H., Han H., Zhang B., Wu K., Fan D., Wang X., Nie Y., Lu Y., Zhao X. Cancer SLC6A6-mediated taurine uptake transactivates immune checkpoint genes and induces exhaustion in CD8(+) T cells. Cell. 2024 Mar 28:S0092-8674(24)00303-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.03.011.