Inhibition of Autophagy by Berbamine Hydrochloride Mitigates Tumor Immune Escape by Elevating MHC-I in Melanoma Cells

Abstract

Impaired tumor cell antigen presentation contributes significantly to immune evasion. This study identifies Berbamine hydrochloride (Ber), a compound derived from traditional Chinese medicine, as an effective inhibitor of autophagy that enhances antigen presentation in tumor cells. Ber increases MHC-I-mediated antigen presentation in melanoma cells, improving recognition and elimination by CD8+ T cells. Mutation of Atg4b, which blocks autophagy, also raises MHC-I levels on the cell surface, and further treatment with Ber under these conditions does not increase MHC-I, indicating Ber’s role in blocking autophagy to enhance MHC-I expression. Additionally, Ber treatment leads to the accumulation of autophagosomes, with elevated levels of LC3-II and p62, suggesting a disrupted autophagic flux. Fluorescence staining and co-localization analyses reveal that Ber likely inhibits lysosomal acidification without hindering autophagosome–lysosome fusion. Importantly, Ber treatment suppresses melanoma growth in mice and enhances CD8+ T cell infiltration, supporting its therapeutic potential. Our findings demonstrate that Ber disturbs late-stage autophagic flux through abnormal lysosomal acidification, enhancing MHC-I-mediated antigen presentation and curtailing tumor immune escape.