IL33-induced lipid droplet formation in mature low-density neutrophils drives colorectal cancer liver metastasis

Abstract The microenvironment of distant organs affects the colonization and growth of disseminated tumor cells. It remains unclear how tumor-associated neutrophils are influenced by the microenvironment of distant organs. Here, we demonstrate that mature low-density neutrophils in colorectal cancer patients abnormally accumulate neutral lipids and induce the reactivation of dormant tumor cells, a process regulated by hepatic stellate cells. Mechanistically, activated hepatic stellate cells increased DGAT1/2-dependent lipid droplet synthesis in low-density neutrophils through the secretion of IL33, thereby maintaining the survival and immunosuppressive function of these neutrophils. The uptake of lipids from lipid-laden low-density neutrophils drives dormant tumor cell reactivation through the potentiation of β-oxidation and the stimulation of protumorigenic eicosanoid synthesis. In mouse models, targeting IL33 blocked neutrophil lipid synthesis, decreased the colonization of colorectal cancer cells in the liver, and enhanced the efficacy of immunotherapy. Overall, our study revealed that lipid accumulation in mature low-density neutrophils regulates the growth of dormant tumor cells and antitumor immunity to facilitate colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Targeting IL33 could be a promising therapeutic approach for colorectal cancer liver metastases.