D-mannose targets PD-1 to lysosomal degradation and enhances T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity

High expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), a typical immune checkpoint, results in dysfunction of T cells in tumor microenvironment. Antibodies and inhibitors against PD-1 or its ligand (PD-L1) have been widely used in various malignant tumors. However, the mechanisms by which PD-1 is regulated are not fully understood. Here, we report a mechanism of PD-1 degradation triggered by D-mannose and the universality of this mechanism in anti-tumor immunity. We show that D-mannose inactivates GSK38 via promoting phosphorylation of GSK38 at Ser9, thereby leading to TFE3 translocation to nucleus and subsequent PD-1 proteolysis induced by enhanced lysosome biogenesis. Notably, combination of D-mannose and PD-1 blockade exhibits remarkable tumor growth suppression attributed to elevated cytotoxicity activity of T cells in vivo. Furthermore, D-mannose treatment dramatically improves the therapeutic efficacy of MEK inhibitor (MEKi) trametinib in vivo. Our findings unveil a universally unrecognized anti-tumor mechanism of D-mannose by destabilizing PD-1 and provide strategies to enhance the efficacy of both immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and MEKi -based therapies.