CCL20 secreted by KRT15high tumor Cells promotes tertiary lymphoid structure formation and enhances anti-PD-1 therapy response in HPV+HNSCC

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) are associated with an improved response to Immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection constitutes a high-risk factor for HNSCC carcinogenesis. However, its role in TLS formation has yet to be elucidated. Herein, immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis from 59 HNSCC patients revealed a higher prevalence of mature TLS in HPV-positive (HPV + ) HNSCC compared to HPV-negative (HPV - ) cases. Furthermore, integrated analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and RNA-seq data indicated that TLS-positive tumors were characterized by an expanded population of KRT15 high tumor cells in HNSCC. IHC and cytological experiments confirmed upregulation of KRT15 in HPV + HNSCC tumor cells, which also showed high expression of cancer stem cell marker genes. These KRT15 high stem-like tumor cells specifically secreted CCL20, which was related to the infiltration of TLS-associated immune cells in HPV + HNSCC. Murine models confirmed that CCL20 treatment promoted TLS formation and enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Multiplex immunofluorescence showed that TLS provided specialized microenvironments that supported the proliferation of CD39 + PD-1 + CD8 + T cells. Collectively, our findings proposed that CCL20 secreted by HPV-infected KRT15 high tumor cells promoted TLS formation, thereby enhancing anti-PD-1 therapy responses in HPV + HNSCC. This study provides mechanistic insights into HPV-mediated TLS development and supports precision immunotherapeutic strategies for HNSCC.