技术资料

Despite the success of chimeric antigen receptor T (CART) cell therapy in hematological malignancies,durable remissions remain low. Here,we report CART senescence as a potential resistance mechanism in 41BB-costimulated CART cell therapy. To mimic cancer relapse,we utilized an in vitro model with repeated CART cell activation cycles followed by rest periods. Using CD19-targeted CART cells with costimulation via 4-1BB-CD3ζ (BBζ) or CD28-CD3ζ (28ζ),we showed that CART cells undergo functional,phenotypical,and transcriptomic changes of senescence,which is more prominent in BBζ. We then utilized two additional independent strategies to induce senescence through MYC activation and irradiation. Induction of senescence impaired BBζ activity but improved 28ζ activity in preclinical studies. These findings were supported by analyses of independent patient data sets; senescence signatures in CART cell products were associated with non-response to BBζ but with improved clinical outcomes in 28ζ treatment. In summary,our study identifies senescence as a potential mechanism of failure predominantly in 41BB-costimulated CART cells.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12943-025-02371-1. SignificanceWe identified senescence as a cause of failure in CART cell therapy,predominantly in 4-1BB-costimulated CART cells.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12943-025-02371-1. View Publication

The lack of curative therapies for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remains an ongoing challenge despite recent advances in the understanding of the molecular basis of the disease. Here we identify the WNK1-OXSR1/STK39 pathway as a previously uncharacterised dependency in AML. We show that genetic depletion and pharmacological inhibition of WNK1 or its downstream phosphorylation targets OXSR1 and STK39 strongly reduce cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in leukaemia cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore,we show that the WNK1-OXSR1/STK39 pathway controls mTORC1 signalling via regulating amino acid uptake through a mechanism involving the phosphorylation of amino acid transporters,such as SLC38A2. Our findings underscore an important role of the WNK1-OXSR1/STK39 pathway in regulating amino acid uptake and driving AML progression. With-No-lysine (K) kinase 1 (WNK1) is an atypical serine-threonine kinase that has been implicated in ion transport. Here,the authors show that WNK1 regulates amino acid transport and mTORC1 activity,and that the axis is a vulnerability for acute myeloid leukemia View Publication

CD4+ T cells have been well-regarded as “helper” cells in activating the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells for effective tumor eradication,while few studies have focused on whether CD8+ T cells regulate CD4+ T cells. Our previous studies provided evidence for an interaction between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after cryo-thermal therapy,but the mechanism remains unclear,especially pertaining to how CD8+ T cells promote the Th1 differentiation of CD4+ T cells. This study revealed that activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are critical for CTT-induced antitumor immunity,and the interaction between activated T cells is enhanced. The reciprocal regulation of activated CD8+ and CD4+ T cells was through LFA-1/ICAM-1 interactions,in which CD8+ T cells facilitate Notch1-dependent CD4+ Th1-dominant differentiation and promote IL-2 secretion of CD4+ T cells. Meanwhile,IL-2 derived from CD4+ T cells enhances the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells and establishes a positive feedback loop via increasing the expression of LFA-1 and ICAM-1 on T cells. Clinical analyses further validated that LFA-1/ICAM interactions between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are correlated with clinical outcomes. Our study extends the functions of the LFA-1/ICAM-1 adhesion pathway,indicating its novel role in the interaction of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. View Publication

Microsporidia are single-celled intracellular parasites that cause opportunistic diseases in humans. Encephalitozoon intestinalis is a prevalent human-infecting species that invades the small intestine. Macrophages are potential reservoirs of infection,and dissemination to other organ systems is also observed. The macrophage response to infection and the developmental trajectory of the parasite are not well studied. Here we use single cell RNA sequencing to investigate transcriptional changes in both the parasite and the host during E. intestinalis infection of human macrophages in vitro. The parasite undergoes large transcriptional changes throughout the life cycle,providing a blueprint for parasite development. While a small population of infected macrophages mount a response,most remain transcriptionally unchanged,suggesting that the majority of parasites may avoid host detection. The stealthy microsporidian lifestyle likely allows these parasites to harness macrophages for replication. Together,our data provide insights into the host response in primary human macrophages and the E. intestinalis developmental program. Microsporidia such as Encephalitozoon intestinalis are single-celled intracellular parasites that cause opportunistic infections and disease in humans involving infection of macrophages. Here the authors infect human macrophages with E. intestinalis,in vitro and use single cell transcriptomics to assess the consequences of cellular infection compared to bystander effects on macrophages and provide insights into the E. intestinalis developmental program. View Publication

The excessive accumulation of neutrophils within the epidermis is a significant hallmark of cutaneous diseases; however,the mechanisms governing neutrophil transepidermal migration (NTEM) remain inadequately understood. In this study,we develop trichromatic-fluorescence-labeled chimeric mice by utilizing Cx3cr1GFP/+Lyz2RFP/+ mice as bone marrow donors and Krt14YFP/+ mice as recipients. This approach enables us to visualize the process of NTEM and the crosstalk between neutrophils and monocytes in a murine model of irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). Intravital imaging reveals a preferential transmigration of neutrophils through hair follicle (HF),where dermal neutrophils exhibit limited mobility and interact with dermal monocytes. Notably,18 h following hapten exposure,dermal neutrophils continuously migrate toward HF regions and form clusters within 3 h. Importantly,MMP-9 is identified as essential for the NTEM process; the depletion of dermal monocytes results in a significant reduction of MMP-9 expression in the skin and inhibits the NTEM process in ICD. Mechanistically,dermal monocytes are found to be a crucial source of the cytokines TNF-α and CXCL2,which promote the upregulation of MMP-9 in neutrophils. Therefore,our results highlight HF regions as crucial gateways for dermal monocyte-modulated NTEM and provide visual insights into the crosstalk between neutrophils and monocytes in inflammatory skin disorders. Intravital imaging reveals that dermal monocytes orchestrate neutrophil transepidermal migration through hair follicles in skin inflammation via TNF-α and CXCL2,driving enhanced MMP-9 expression in neutrophils for epidermal infiltration. View Publication

AbstractThe landscape of cancer treatment has been transformed by immune checkpoint inhibitors; however,the failure to benefit a large number of patients with cancer has underlined the need to identify promising targets for more effective interventions. In this study,we leverage 23andMe,Inc.’s large-scale human germline genetic and health database to uncover the previously unknown role of UL16-binding protein 6 (ULBP6),a high-affinity NK group 2D (NKG2D) ligand,in cancer and its promise as an immuno-oncology therapeutic target. We confirm ULBP6 expression in human tumors and demonstrate that soluble ULBP6 shed from tumors circumvents NKG2D activation provided by membrane-anchored NKG2D ligands to inhibit immune cell activation and tumor cell killing. Based on these findings,we developed 23ME-01473,a humanized Fc effector–enhanced antibody that binds to ULBP6 and its closely related family members,ULBP2 and ULBP5. 23ME-01473 effectively blocks soluble ULBP6-mediated immunosuppression to restore the NKG2D axis on NK and T cells to elicit tumor growth control. Moreover,the Fc effector–enhanced design of 23ME-01473 increases its binding affinity to fragment crystallizable gamma receptor IIIa,which,together with 23ME-01473’s binding to membrane-anchored ULBP6/2/5 on cancer cells,allows for augmented antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity induction,providing a second activation node for NK cells. Our studies demonstrate the therapeutic potential of an Fc effector–enhanced anti-ULBP6/2/5 antibody to reinvigorate NK cell and T-cell activation and cytotoxicity for the treatment of cancer.Significance:This study emphasizes the utility of population-based genome-wide assessments for discovering naturally occurring genetic variants associated with lifetime risks for cancer or immune diseases as novel drug targets. We identify ULBP6 as a potential keystone member of the NKG2D pathway,which is important for antitumor immunity. Targeting ULBP6 may hold therapeutic promise for patients with cancer. View Publication

Background and aimsMortality rates for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain high,while multimodal treatment approaches offer new perspectives. Here,we investigated the association of extracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (eNAD+) on ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (CD203a,ENPP1 or PC-1) on Th17 cells in relation to the likelihood of HCC recurrence following liver resection.MethodThe study compared heparinized blood plasma samples from 95 patients who underwent liver resection,including 25 patients with HCC and 24 control patients without liver disease. Plasma eNAD+ concentrations were determined using a heat-based dichotomous pH extraction method,followed by enzymatic cycling and a colorimetric assay for quantification. Fibrosis was graded histologically using the Desmet score (F0–F4). Surface expression analysis was performed using flow cytometry.ResultsWith increasing grades of liver fibrosis predominant in HCC patients,a significant reduction in plasma eNAD+ concentrations was measured (p < 0.05). Further,a significant correlation was found between HCC patients and CD203a expression on CD4+,CCR4+ as well as CCR6+ T cells (p < 0.05). Patients who exhibited high proportions of CD203a expressing Th17 cells (CD4+,CCR6+ CCR4+) post surgery were found to be at a sixfold increased risk (HR 6.38,95% Cl 1.51–27.00) of HCC recurrence and had a median recurrence-free survival of 233 days (p < 0.05),compared to patients with low CD203a expressing Th17 cells (CD4+ CCR6+ CCR4+). Similarly,patients who had a high proportion of CD203a expressing Th17 cells (CD4+ CCR6+) following surgery had a fivefold increased risk (HR 5.56,95% Cl 1.58–19.59) of HCC recurrence and a median recurrence-free survival of 334 days (p < 0.05) compared to those with low CD203a expressing Th17 cells (CCR6+).ConclusionThe data indicates that eNAD+ levels are decreased in patients with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Strikingly,patients with high CD203a expression on Th17 cells had a significantly increased likelihood of recurrence,highlighting its potential as a valuable prognostic marker and a possible therapeutic target.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00432-025-06155-4. View Publication

BackgroundMyeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in tumor microenvironment reduce the efficacy of immunotherapy. PKN2 plays a role in colon cancer,but its function in esophageal cancer (EC) remains unclear. This study investigated PKN2 expression in MDSCs derived from EC tissues and determined whether PKN2 regulates immunosuppressive activity of MDSCs by mediating fatty acid oxidation (FAO).Materials and methodsPKN2 expression was determined in GEO database,EC patients,and 4-NQO-induced EC mice,as well as in different types of immune cells. The effect of PKN2 on the function of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) was investigated by co-culture of PMN-MDSCs and CD4+/CD8+ T cells. The co-culture of patient-derived organoids and autologous immune cells was performed to observe the effect of PKN2 on the immunosuppressive function of PMN-MDSCs.ResultsPKN2 is highly expressed in EC tumor tissues compared to normal tissues,especially in tumor-infiltrated PMN-MDSCs. Overexpressing PKN2 in PMN-MDSCs contributes to the immunosuppressive activity of PMN-MDSCs in vitro. PKN2-overexpressing PMN-MDSCs inhibited the killing ability of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and promoted EC organoid growth. PKN2 promotes FAO in PMN-MDSCs via CPT1B (a key enzyme of FAO). Mechanistically,PKN2 promotes CPT1B transcription by upregulating STAT3 phosphorylation.ConclusionsPKN2 expression was increased in PMN-MDSCs derived from human and mouse EC tissues. PKN2 plays a role in enhancing the immunosuppressive activity of PMN-MDSCs by facilitating STAT3 phosphorylation and CPT1B transcription,which in turn leads to increased CPT1B-mediated FAO in PMN-MDSCs. Targeted inhibition of PKN2 is expected to improve immunotherapeutic efficacy in EC patients.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10020-025-01132-6. View Publication

This protocol offers an ex vivo method for screening host-targeting antivirals (HTAs) using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). Unlike virus-targeting antivirals (VTAs),HTAs provide advantages in overcoming drug resistance and offering broad-spectrum protection,especially against rapidly mutating or newly emerging viruses. By focusing on PBMCs or pDCs,known for their high production of humoral factors such as Type I interferons (IFNs),the protocol enables the screening of antivirals that modulate immune responses against viruses. Targeting host pathways,especially innate immunity,allows for species-independent antiviral activity,reducing the likelihood of viral escape mutations. Additionally,the protocol's versatility makes it a powerful tool for testing potential antivirals against various viral pathogens,including emerging viruses,positioning it as an essential resource in both pandemic preparedness and broad-spectrum antiviral research. This approach differentiates itself from existing protocols by focusing on host immune modulation through pDCs,offering a novel avenue for HTA discovery. Key features • Optimized protocol for screening HTAs against dengue virus (DENV),chikungunya virus (CHIKV),and Zika virus (ZIKV). • This protocol is ideal for screening soluble or intravenous-formulated compounds for evaluating their efficacy in experimental settings. • This protocol builds upon the method developed by Tsuji et al. [1] and extends its application to PBMCs and testing against DENV,CHIKV,and ZIKV. View Publication

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells that are crucial for anticancer activity and have been developed as an immune cell therapy for leukemia. However,their limited effectiveness against solid tumors has prompted research into methods to enhance NK cell activity through combination therapies. Health supplements capable of boosting immune surveillance against tumor cells are gaining attention owing to their potential benefits. Resveratrol,a stilbenoid produced by several plants including peanuts and grapes,reportedly exerts anticancer effects and can activate immune cells. The peanut sprout extract cultivated with fermented sawdust medium (PSEFS) is rich in resveratrol,leveraging its health benefits in terms of the dry weight of herbal products,thus maximizing the utilization of resveratrol’s beneficial properties. Our study compared the efficacy of resveratrol and PSEFS and revealed that PSEFS significantly enhanced NK cell activation compared with an equivalent dose of resveratrol. We investigated the ability of PSEFS to potentiate NK cell anticancer activity,focusing on NK cell survival,tumor cell lysis,and NK cell activation in PSEFS-administered mice. Our findings suggest that PSEFS could be a potential NK cell booster for cancer immunotherapy. View Publication