Lactate-induced metabolic reprogramming of TAMs impairs antigen presentation capacity via C/EBPα-CD74 axis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Key Points

• This research investigates the role of lactate in altering the function of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
• Analyzed CD74 expression in TAMs during OSCC progression.
• Examined the effect of tumor-derived lactate on C/EBPα acetylation.
• Assessed how loss of CD74 affects antigen presentation and T cell activation.
• CD74^hi TAMs decrease in OSCC, correlating with poor prognosis.
• Lactate inhibits CD74 transcription through C/EBPα acetylation.
• Reduced CD74 expression leads to impaired antigen presentation and T cell activation.