Deletion of the TMEM30A gene enables leukemic cell evasion of NK cell cytotoxicity

Natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy has gained attention as a promising strategy for treatment of various malignancies. In this study, we used a genome-wide CRISPR screen to identify genes that provide protection or susceptibility to NK cell cytotoxicity. The screen confirmed the role of several genes in NK cell regulation, such as genes involved in interferon-γ signaling and antigen presentation, as well as genes encoding the NK cell receptor ligands B7-H6 and CD58. Notably, the gene TMEM30A, encoding CDC50A-beta-subunit of the flippase shuttling phospholipids in the plasma membrane, emerged as crucial for NK cell killing. Accordingly, a broad range of TMEM30A knock-out (KO) leukemia and lymphoma cells displayed increased surface levels of phosphatidylserine (PtdSer). TMEM30A KO cells triggered less NK cell degranulation, cytokine production and displayed lower susceptibility to NK cell cytotoxicity. Blockade of PtdSer or the inhibitory receptor TIM-3, restored the NK cell ability to eliminate TMEM30A-mutated cells. The key role of the TIM-3 - PtdSer interaction for NK cell regulation was further substantiated by disruption of the receptor gene in primary NK cells, which significantly reduced the impact of elevated PtdSer in TMEM30A KO leukemic cells. Our study underscores the potential significance of agents targeting the interaction between PtdSer and TIM-3 in the realm of cancer immunotherapy.

Knockdown of TMEM30A in renal tubular epithelial cells leads to reduced glucose absorption

The kidney reabsorbs large amounts of glucose through Na+-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2). P4-ATPase acts together with the β-subunit TMEM30A to mediate the asymmetric distribution of phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and other amino phospholipids, promoting plasma membrane and internal vesicle fusion, and facilitating vesicle protein transport. We observed reduced TMEM30A expression in renal tubules of DKD and IgA patients, suggesting a potential role of TMEM30A in renal tubular cells. To investigate the role of TMEM30A in renal tubules, we constructed a TMEM30A knockdown cell model by transfecting mouse kidney tubular epithelium cells (TCMK-1) with TMEM30A shRNA. Knockdown of TMEM30A in TCMK-1 cells attenuated vesicle transporter protein synthesis, resulting in reduced transport and expression of SGLT2, which in turn reduced glucose absorption. These data suggested that TMEM30A plays a crucial role in renal tubules.

The biology of the tumor microenvironment in DLBCL: Targeting the "don't eat me" signal

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of malignant lymphoma with biologically and clinically heterogeneous features. Recently, the tumor microenvironment of this disease has been recognized as an important biological aspect of tumor development and therapeutic targets. Recurrent genetic alterations play significant roles in immune recognition of lymphoma cells. In particular, novel genetic alterations promoting phagocytosis were identified, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy targeting the “don’t eat me” signal.

TMEM30A deficiency in endothelial cells impairs cell proliferation and angiogenesis

Phosphatidylserine (PS) asymmetry in the eukaryotic cell membrane is maintained by a group of proteins belonging to the P4-ATPase family, namely, PS flippases. The folding and transporting of P4-ATPases to their cellular destination requires a β-subunit member of the TMEM30 protein family. Loss of Tmem30a has been shown to cause multiple disease conditions. However, its roles in vascular development have not been elucidated. Here, we show that TMEM30A plays critical roles in retinal vascular angiogenesis, which is a fundamental process in vascular development. Our data indicate that knockdown of TMEM30A in primary human retinal endothelial cells led to reduced tube formation. In mice, endothelial cell (EC)-specific deletion of Tmem30a led to retarded retinal vascular development with a hyperpruned vascular network as well as blunted-end, aneurysm-like tip ECs with fewer filopodia at the vascular front and a reduced number of tip cells. Deletion of Tmem30a also impaired vessel barrier integrity. Mechanistically, deletion of TMEM30A caused reduced EC proliferation by inhibiting VEGF-induced signaling. Our findings reveal essential roles of TMEM30A in angiogenesis, providing a potential therapeutic target.

Tmem30a deficiency leads to retinal rod bipolar cell degeneration

Phospholipids are asymmetrically distributed across the mammalian plasma membrane, with phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine concentrated in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the membrane bilayer and phosphatidylcholine in the exoplasmic leaflet. This asymmetric distribution is dependent on a group of P4 ATPases called PS flippases. The proper transport and function of PS flippases require a β-subunit transmembrane protein 30A (TMEM30A). Disruption of PS flippases leads to several human diseases. Tmem30a is essential for photoreceptor survival. However, the roles of Tmem30a in the retinal rod bipolar cells (RBC) remain elusive. To investigate the role of Tmem30a in the RBCs, we generated a RBC-specific Tmem30a knockout (cKO) mouse model using PCP2-Cre line. The Tmem30a cKO mice exhibited defect in RBC function and progressive RBC death. PKCα staining of retinal cryosections from cKO mice revealed a remarkable dendritic sprouting of rod bipolar cells during the early degenerative process. Immunostaining analysis of PSD95 and mGluT6 expression demonstrated that rod bipolar cells in Tmem30a cKO retinas exhibited aberrant dendritic sprouting as a result of impaired synaptic efficacy, which implied a crucial role for Tmem30a in synaptic transmission in the retina. In addition, loss of Tmem30a led to reactive gliosis with increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and CD68. TUNEL staining suggested that apoptotic cell death occurred in the retinal inner nuclear layer (INL). Our data show that loss of Tmem30a in RBCs results in dendritic sprouting of rod bipolar cells, increased astrogliosis and RBC death. Taken together, our studies demonstrate an essential role for Tmem30a in the retinal bipolar cells. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14492.