PD-L1 and MRN synergy in platinum-based chemoresistance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background We have been investigating the molecular mechanisms of cisplatin-induced chemoresistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Based on our previous findings, the present study investigates how the Mre11, Rad50, and NBS1 (MRN) DNA repair complex interacts at the molecular level with the programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in cisplatin-induced chemoresistance. Methods Human HNSCC cell lines were used to determine the role played by PD-L1 in cisplatin resistance. Initial experiments investigated PD-L1 expression levels in cells exposed to cisplatin and whether PD-L1 interacts directly with the MRN complex. Finally, in vitro studies and in vivo experiments on BALB/c nu/nu mice were performed to determine whether interference of PD-L1 or NBS1 synthesis modulated cisplatin resistance. Results Exposure to cisplatin resulted in PD-L1 being upregulated in the chemoresistant but not the chemosensitive cell line. Subsequent co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that PD-L1 associates with NBS1. In addition, we found that the knockdown of either PD-L1 or NBS1 re-sensitised the chemoresistant cell line to cisplatin. Finally, but perhaps most importantly, synergy was observed when both PD-L1 and NBS1 were knocked down making the formerly chemoresistant strain highly cisplatin sensitive. Conclusions PD-L1 plays a pivotal role in cisplatin resistance in chemoresistant human HNSCC cell lines.