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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder,with no effective treatment currently available. Recently,non-pharmacological therapy,especially gamma frequency stimulation has shown promising therapeutic effects in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mouse models. Electric field (EF) is a non-invasive biophysical approach for neuronal protection. However,whether EF is beneficial in AD neuropathology remains unknown. In this study,we exposed the P301S tauopathy mouse model to EF at gamma frequency on the head. We demonstrated that EF treatment significantly improved the cognitive impairments in the P301S mice. This was accompanied by reduced tau pathologies,suppressed microglial activation,neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the tauopathy mouse brain. Moreover,EF treatment induced cell-specific responses in neural cells,with neurons being more susceptible,followed by microglia and oligodendrocytes. EF also had favorable effects on synaptic protein in neurons,inflammatory response and complement signaling in microglia,and myelination in oligodendrocytes. This study provides strong evidence that EF at gamma frequency may have great potential to be a novel therapeutic intervention for P301S by attenuating neuropathology and offering neuroprotection.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13195-025-01859-8. View Publication

Autoantibodies against envelope (Env) protein encoded by human endogenous retrovirus group K (HERV-K) are prevalent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),but it remains unclear which proviruses are responsible for this autoantigen. It also remains poorly understood how the transcription of HERV-K loci is regulated in cells that can produce Env.ResultsWe aligned our neutrophil RNA sequencing data to the new telomere-to-telomere reference genome and found uniquely mapping transcripts from HERV-K101,K102,K104,K108,K109,K117 and ERVK5,of which only K102,K108,and K109 encode an intact Env. Expression of K102 and K108 were higher in SLE than in healthy donors or RA (padj < 0.05). Transcripts from these proviruses increased in response to interferon-α in monocytes and neutrophils from RA patients and healthy donors,but not in SLE,presumably because they have chronically elevated type I interferons in vivo. Indeed,HERV-K expression was significantly higher in SLE patients with high type I interferon gene signature. Tumor necrosis factor-α and other cytokines and TLR ligands also induced HERV-K102 and K108 transcripts. Interferon-α also increased detectable Env protein in monocytes,macrophages,and neutrophils from RA patients. Among the genes for epigenetic silencers of HERV-K,only TRIM28 was significantly decreased in SLE patients with high interferons (padj = 0.00024).ConclusionsOur data establish a role for interferons in maintaining increased HERV-K expression in SLE and suggest that interferons or other cytokines can upregulate HERV-K to similar levels in RA. A transient increase may also accompany normal immune responses,suggesting that endogenous retroviruses may have been co-opted for efficient immune responses.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13100-025-00371-y. View Publication

T cell dysfunction is a pivotal driving factor in autoimmune diseases,yet its underlying regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely understood. The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in immune regulation has gradually been recognized,although their functional mechanisms in T cells remain elusive. This study focuses on lncBADR (LncRNA Branched-chain Amino acids Degradation Regulator),elucidating its mechanism by which it regulates branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) metabolism to influence T cell effector functions. Mice with specific knockout of lncBADR (T celllncBADR−/−) exhibited markedly ameliorated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) symptoms. Mechanistic investigations revealed that lncBADR inhibits BCAAs degradation by binding to the enzymes Mccc1 and Pcca,leading to the accumulation of BCAAs within T-cells. This,in turn,activates the mTOR-Stat1 signaling pathway,promoting IFN-γ secretion and exacerbating EAE pathology. In contrast,knockout of lncBADR restored BCAAs degradation,significantly reducing IFN-γ secretion in T cells and suppressing their pathogenic functions. Further studies demonstrated that high-BCAAs feeding partially reversed the protective effects of lncBADR knockout,indicating that lncBADR plays a crucial role in autoimmune inflammation by regulating BCAAs metabolism. This study offers new insights into targeting lncBADR or modulating BCAAs metabolism as potential therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases. View Publication

Primary human endothelial cells represent an essential tool to model endothelial dysfunction and to screen interventions for its treatment. Here,we developed a protocol for the synchronous isolation of primary human saphenous vein endothelial cells (HSaVEC),human internal thoracic artery endothelial cells (HITAEC),and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) from SV and ITA utilized as conduits during coronary artery bypass graft surgery and from subcutaneous adipose tissue excised while providing an access to the heart. Treatment by collagenase type IV and magnetic separation with anti-CD31-antibody-coated beads ensured relatively high efficiency of the isolation (≈60% for HSaVEC,≈50% for HITAEC,and ≈20% for HMVEC) and high purity (≥99%) of isolated ECs within ≈2 weeks (HSaVEC),≈2–3 weeks (HITAEC),and ≈3–4 weeks (HMVEC). A colorimetric assay of cell viability and proliferation,as well as real-time bioimpedance monitoring using the xCELLigence instrument,demonstrated high proliferative activity in HSaVEC,HITAEC,and HMVEC,whilst the in vitro tube formation assay indicated their angiogenic potential. The isolation of HSaVEC,HITAEC,and HMVEC from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery is a promising option to investigate endothelial heterogeneity,to interrogate endothelial responses to various stresses,and to pinpoint the optimal approaches for restoring endothelial homeostasis,thereby reproducing them within the bedside-to-bench-to-bedside concept. View Publication

BackgroundHigh densities of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are associated with improved clinical outcomes in various malignancies,including human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However,the role of TLSs in shaping antitumor immunity in HPV-induced cervical cancer (CESC) remains unclear. Therefore,we analyzed the density,composition,and prognostic impact of TLSs in patients with CESC as well as patients with HNSCC.MethodsMultiplex immunofluorescence,immunohistochemistry,and spatial transcriptomics were used to analyze TLS density and composition in HNSCC and CESC tissue sections with respect to patient prognosis. The spatial approach was supplemented by flow cytometry-based analysis of the polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cell (PMN-MDSC) phenotype in freshly resected primary tumor tissues.ResultsAlthough both indications were associated with HPV infection,we confirmed a positive correlation between TLS density and improved overall survival only in patients with HNSCC. The TLS composition differed markedly between HNSCC and CESC samples,with a shift toward high regulatory T cell (Treg) and PMN-MDSC abundance in CESC samples. The highest Treg and PMN-MDSC levels were observed in patients with CESC who died of the disease. CESC-infiltrating PMN-MDSCs showed high arginase 1 expression,which correlated with diminished T-cell receptor (TCR)ζ chain expression in CESC-infiltrating T cells. Additionally,the high number of PMN-MDSCs in TLSs was associated with the absence of HPV-specific T cells in CESC.ConclusionsUnlike in HNSCC,the composition of TLSs,rather than their quantity,was associated with the overall survival of patients with CESC. High numbers of Tregs and PMN-MDSCs infiltrating immature TLSs prevail in patients with CESC who succumbed to the disease and seem to affect tumor-specific immune responses. View Publication

Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) has been implicated in multiple inflammatory diseases by regulating pro-inflammatory mediators or altering immune cell polarization. However,the expression and direct functional role of CB1 in T cells remain largely unexplored. Here,we demonstrate that primary murine T cells express CB1 and that its novel agonist,BI-5756,directly increases the frequencies of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in primary murine pan T cells after activation. In addition,BI-5756 exhibits an in vivo protective effect against graft-versus-host disease (GvHD),an allogeneic T cell-mediated inflammatory complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT),resulting in an improved overall survival with enhanced platelet recovery and reconstitution of bone marrow-derived B and T cells. BI-5756 also directly suppresses tumor cell growth and upregulates MHC I,MHC II,and CD80 on tumor cells,which may subsequently enhance T cell-mediated anti-tumor responses in mixed lymphocyte reaction with A20 cells. The ability of BI-5756 to increase Tregs was significantly abrogated by rimonabant,a potent and selective CB1 antagonist,suggesting that the immunomodulatory effect of BI-5756 is mediated via CB1. In summary,BI-5756,a potent CB1 agonist,increases Tregs while preserving anti-tumor responses in vitro and effectively reduces GvHD in vivo. View Publication

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic potential of inducible pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based vascular repair,we evaluated two vascular reparative cell populations,CD34+ cells derived from hiPSC (hiPSC-CD34+) and endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) derived from hiPSC (iPS-ECFCs),alone and in combination,in a type 2 diabetic (db/db) mouse model of DR. Methods: hiPSC-CD34+ cells (1 × 104) or iPSC- ECFCs (1 × 105) alone or in combination (1.1 × 105) were injected into the vitreous of immunosuppressed db/db mice with six months of established diabetes. One month post-injection,mice underwent electroretinography (ERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate functional and structural retinal recovery with iPSC administration. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess recruitment and incorporation of cells into the retinal vasculature. Retinas from the experimental groups were analyzed using Functional Proteomics via Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA). Results: Functional assessment via ERG demonstrated significant improvements in retinal response in the diabetic cohorts treated with either hiPSC-derived CD34+ cells or hiPSC-ECFCs. Retinal thickness,assessed by OCT,was restored to near-nondiabetic levels in mice treated with hiPSC-CD34+ cells alone and the combination group,whereas hiPSC-ECFCs alone did not significantly affect retinal thickness. One month following intravitreal injection,hiPSC-CD34+ cells were localized to perivascular regions,whereas hiPSC-ECFCs were observed to integrate directly into the retinal vasculature. RPPA analysis revealed interaction-significant changes,and this was interpreted as a combination-specific,non-additive host responses (m6A,PI3K–AKT–mTOR,glycolysis,endothelial junction pathways). Conclusions: The studies support that injection of hiPSC-CD34+ cells and hiPSC-ECFCs,both individually and in combination,showed benefit; however,iPSC combination-specific effects were identified by measurement of retinal thickness and by RPPA. View Publication

Retinoic acid (RA) plays a key role in mucosal immune regulation and tolerance,with implications for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However,its effects have not been extensively studied in humanized in vitro models that recapitulate epithelial–immune interactions. We established a 3D in vitro small intestinal model composed of three epithelial cell types,naïve CD4+ T cells,and monocyte/dendritic cell (M/DC) precursors derived from CD34+ umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. The epithelial microenvironment strongly suppressed monocyte/DC differentiation and T cell activation,indicating a regulatory role of epithelial-derived signals. Retinoic acid (RA) priming of M/DC precursors induced CD103+CD11b+Sirp1α− regulatory DCs and promoted a shift from naive to memory-type T cells. Upon addition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α,IFN-γ,IL-1β),the model mimicked an inflamed intestinal state,resulting in CD14+CD16+ inflammatory monocytes and increased T cell activation (CD25+CD69+). RA-primed DCs modestly counterbalanced T cell activation and IBD-like responses,even under inflammatory conditions. Flow cytometry and clustering analysis revealed distinct immune cell phenotypes depending on RA exposure and cytokine context. This model provides a reproducible and physiologically relevant human system to study RA-mediated immune programming in the intestinal mucosa and may support the development of novel therapeutic strategies for IBD and related inflammatory conditions. Statistical differences were evaluated using ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test (n = 4; p < 0.05). View Publication

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays important roles in inflammation. Several studies have shown that IL-6 regulates various aspects of T cell function,including the differentiation of CD4+ T cells into the pro-inflammatory Th17 subset. Given the tight link between T cell metabolism and function,and the role of IL-6 in regulating cellular metabolism across tissues,we investigated the role of IL-6 signaling in Th17 cell metabolism. Using T cell specific IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) conditional knockout mice and littermate controls,we found that IL-6R signaling regulates the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and drives CD4+ T cell differentiation into Th17 cells. We also found that IL-6R signaling is required for Th17 cell glycolytic metabolism. In T cell-specific IL-6R knockout mice,Th17 cells had reduced glucose uptake and glycolysis,as well as decreased expression of key glycolytic enzymes,while showing increased basal oxygen consumption. However,we also found that IL-6R signaling enhanced oxidative capacity and mitochondrial coupling efficiency in Th17 T cells. Importantly,inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase using FX11 selectively impaired Th17 cell differentiation with minimal effects on Treg cells. These findings suggest that targeting metabolic pathways regulated by IL-6R signaling can selectively inhibit inflammatory Th17 responses,offering a potential strategy for controlling IL-6 mediated inflammation. View Publication

Multiplex gene-edited chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies face significant challenges,including potential oncogenic risks associated with double-strand DNA breaks. Targeted microRNAs (miRNAs) may provide a safer,functional,and tunable alternative for gene silencing without the need for DNA editing. As a proof of concept for multiplex gene silencing,we employed an optimized miRNA backbone and gene architecture to silence T-cell receptor (TCR) and major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) in mesothelin-directed CAR (M5CAR) T cells. The efficacy of this approach was compared to CD3ζ and β2-microglobulin (β2M) CRISPR/Cas9 knockout (KO) cells. miRNA-expressing cassettes were incorporated into M5CAR lentiviral vectors,enabling combined gene silencing and CAR expression. Antitumor activity was evaluated using in vitro assays and in vivo pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma models. Silenced (S) M5CAR T cells retained antitumor functionality comparable to,and in some cases exceeding,that of KO cells. In vivo,S M5CAR T cells achieved tumor control with higher persistence and superior metastasis prevention. In vitro assays demonstrated enhanced resistance to alloreactive natural killer (NK) cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Titratable multiplex gene silencing via targeted miRNAs offers an alternative to gene editing for CAR T cells,with potential advantages in potency,persistence,metastasis prevention,and immune evasion for allogeneic products. This strategy may overcome tumor-induced immunosuppression while avoiding the risks associated with DNA double-strand breaks. View Publication

IntroductionAmid the persistent threat of future pandemics,the continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 exposed critical challenges for vaccine efficacy and therapeutic interventions,highlighting the need for rapid and adaptable approaches to respond to immune escape variants.MethodsHere,we report the use of immortalized B cell libraries from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tonsil tissues to uncover B cell clones exhibiting cross-reactive neutralization against various SARS-CoV-2 variants and perform directed evolution of immortalized B cell clones to produce antibodies with improved binding and neutralization against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.ResultsImmortalization of PBMC and tonsil-derived human B cells was achieved through transduction with retroviral vectors encoding apoptosis inhibitors,yielding transduction efficiencies of 67.5% for PBMCs and 50.2% for tonsil-derived cells. Analysis revealed that immortalized B cell libraries produced with this method retain diverse immunoglobulin isotype representations. Through high-throughput functional screening of approximately 40,000 B cells per library,we identified 12 unique clones with neutralization activity for SARS-CoV-2,leading to selection of monoclonal antibodies with robust neutralization activity against Delta and BA.5 variants. We applied our directed evolution approach to libraries generated by ex vivo AID-induced somatic hypermutation (SHM) of immortalized B cell clones to enhance the affinity and cross-reactivity,resulting in improved binding and neutralization potency to escape variants such as EG.5.1 and JN.1. Furthermore,we engineered a bi-paratopic antibody combining KBA2401,a broadly neutralizing antibody binding to highly conserved epitope on Spike-RBD,and KBA2402,a broadly binding non-neutralizing antibody,resulting in enhanced potency against SARS-CoV-2 variant JN.1 and KP.3.DiscussionOur findings illustrate the use of immortalized B cell libraries for development of therapeutics that adapt to viral evolution and highlight the application of ex vivo directed evolution in refining antibody responses against emerging immune escape SARS-CoV-2 variants. The approach here described offers a promising pathway for rapid therapeutic development in the face of evolving viral threats. View Publication

BackgroundLung cancer has become one of the most fatal cancers at present. Traditional treatments showed limited therapeutic effects on lung cancer. The phototherapy has emerged as a powerful approach for lung cancer treatment. Aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) exhibit excellent optical performance such as strong fluorescence,enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation,and effective thermal effect after aggregation,which show great potential in phototherapy. However,the disadvantages including hydrophobicity,low specificity,and short circulation lifetime limited their efficacy on cancer therapy.MethodsWe developed a biomimetic AIEgens constructed using CD8+ T cells membrane to camouflage the AIEgen C41H37N2O3S2 (named BITT) nanoparticles (termed TB). The prepared TB improved the tumor accumulation of AIEgen by PD-1/PD-L1 recognition on the CD8+ T and LLC cell membranes,respectively.ResultsThe prepared TB showed improved binding efficiency,photothermal effects,and ROS generation ability to kill the lung cancer cells. TB also showed improved circulation lifetime and excellent tumor targeting ability,leading to effective phototherapy and immunotherapy in vivo based on BITT and the CD8+ T cell-derived membranes. Based on the AIE and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) strategies,TB enhanced the antitumor activities of lung cancer by phototherapy and immunotherapy.ConclusionThe present work developed a type of biomimetic AIEgens,which overcame the inherent limitations of conventional AIEgens and leveraged immune recognition for targeted tumor accumulation. Furthermore,the integration of AIE-driven phototherapy with immune checkpoint blockade demonstrated potent synergistic antitumor efficacy,establishing a promising combinatorial strategy against aggressive lung malignancies. View Publication