Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaohui Si, Lu Xiao, Christine E. Brown, Dongrui Wang
Summary: This review provides an overview of the development of in vitro and in vivo models for evaluating CAR T cell function, and discusses how these models can provide information for the preclinical assessment of CAR T cell therapies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Enrique Conde, Enric Vercher, Marta Soria-Castellano, Jesus Suarez-Olmos, Uxua Mancheno, Edurne Elizalde, M. Luis Rodriguez, Javier Glez-Vaz, Noelia Casares, Estefania Rodriguez-Garcia, Mirja Hommel, Gloria Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza, Iratxe Uranga-Murillo, Julian Pardo, Gorka Alkorta, Ignacio Melero, Juan Lasarte, Sandra Hervas-Stubbs
Summary: The combination of CART cells and STING-L can prevent the emergence of antigen-loss tumor variants and induce an endogenous T-cell response to prevent cancer relapse.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Na Tao, Lei Jiao, Huihuang Li, Liu Deng, Wei Wang, Senfeng Zhao, Wansong Chen, Limiao Chen, Chengzhou Zhu, You-Nian Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates a mild hyperthermia-enhanced pyroptosis-mediated immunotherapy based on hollow carbon nanozyme, which can amplify anticancer responses in the tumor microenvironment and has implications for clinical immunotherapy.
Review
Oncology
Alessia Volpe, Prasad S. Adusumilli, Heiko Schoder, Vladimir Ponomarev
Summary: Cellular immunotherapies have shown success in treating diseases like cancer, but their effectiveness varies among patients and tumor types. Understanding the complexity of cellular immunotherapies and identifying factors that affect treatment response is crucial. Non-invasive molecular imaging can play a significant role in evaluating treatment outcomes and predicting therapeutic responses. This review outlines the strategies for molecular imaging of cellular immunotherapies and discusses their current role in clinical practice.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Kyoko Nakamura, Ankur Karmokar, Paul M. Farrington, Neil H. James, Antonio Ramos-Montoya, Susan J. Bickerton, Gareth D. Hughes, Timothy M. Illidge, Elaine B. Cadogan, Barry R. Davies, Simon J. Dovedi, Viia Valge-Archer
Summary: The combination of AZD7648 with radiotherapy induced complete tumor regressions in a significant proportion of mice, dependent on CD8T cells and modulating an anticancer immune response. Immunological consequences included a reduction in T-cell PD-1 expression, increased NK-cell granzyme B expression, and elevated type I IFN signaling.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Dan Zhang, Jie Yang, Yuanhui Zhao, Jinjun Shan, Lingling Wang, Guang Yang, Susu He, Erguang Li
Summary: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection can lead to the accumulation of eosinophils and other inflammatory cells in the lungs of neonatal mice, exacerbating the pathological changes of allergic asthma. Adoptive transfer of eosinophils from asthmatic mice with RSV infection can further enhance the pulmonary inflammatory response, but this can be effectively reduced by treatment with an anti-inflammatory drug.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alba Rodriguez-Garcia, Rachel C. Lynn, Mathilde Poussin, Monika A. Eiva, Lauren C. Shaw, Roddy S. O'Connor, Nicholas G. Minutolo, Victoria Casado-Medrano, Gonzalo Lopez, Takami Matsuyama, Daniel J. Powell
Summary: The study demonstrates that targeting FR beta-expressing TAMs with CAR-T cells can enhance antitumor immune responses and improve the efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapy in pre-clinical models.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Bernice Ling Zhi Oh, Louis Wei Yong Chan, Louis Yi Ann Chai
Summary: The ideal strategy to fight against invasive fungal infections is to weaken the pathogens through antimicrobial therapy and strengthen the host immunity. Natural killer (NK) cells are efficient innate executioners that can kill both tumor cells and pathogens, making them attractive for adoptive cellular therapy against invasive fungal infections. Recent advances in ex vivo NK cell activation and genetic engineering have provided an opportunity to utilize NK cells as a key component in a multipronged strategy against these infections.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rodrigo C. C. De Marco, Hector J. J. Monzo, Paivi M. Ojala
Summary: With the continuous advancements in immunotherapy and precision medicine, adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has emerged as a new treatment approach in oncology. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, genetically modified lymphocytes, have shown promising results in targeting and killing cancer cells. Commercialization of CAR T cell therapy has paved the way for future bright developments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Zihao Dai, Zongren Wang, Kai Lei, Junbin Liao, Zhenwei Peng, Manxia Lin, Ping Liang, Jie Yu, Sui Peng, Shuling Chen, Ming Kuang
Summary: Ablative treatment using irreversible electroporation (IRE) can induce CD8(+) T cell immunity to suppress hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth. Research indicates that vaccination using IRE-processed H22 lysates can prevent tumorigenesis and alleviate immunosuppression.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
HyeJin Yang, Seon-Young Park, Hyunjung Baek, Chanju Lee, Geehoon Chung, Xiao Liu, Ji Hwan Lee, Byungkyu Kim, Minjin Kwon, Hyojung Choi, Hyung Joon Kim, Jae Yoon Kim, Younsub Kim, Ye-Seul Lee, Gaheon Lee, Sun Kwang Kim, Jin Su Kim, Young -Tae Chang, Woo Sang Jung, Kyung Hwa Kim, Hyunsu Bae
Summary: AP antigen-specific regulatory T cells can suppress microglial proinflammatory activity and modulate microglial phenotype via bystander suppression. Single adoptive transfer of AP+ Tregs is sufficient to ameliorate cognitive impairments, AP accumulation, hyper-phosphorylation of tau, and neuroinflammation during AD pathology. AP-specific Tregs effectively inhibit inflammation in primary microglia induced by AP exposure, indicating bystander suppression where AP-specific Tregs promote immune tolerance by secreting cytokines to modulate immune responses during neurodegeneration.
Article
Immunology
Jasmina Bier, Sebastian M. Steiger, Holger M. Reichardt, Fred Luehder
Summary: The study investigated the impact of antigen priming on the sensitivity of T cells to glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis, revealing the different responses of antigen-primed effector T cells compared to naïve T cells to synthetic GCs in vitro and in vivo. The findings suggest that antigen priming influences the sensitivity of T cells to therapeutic GCs in the context of inflammatory diseases.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nadia Mensali, Pierre Dillard, Artem Fayzullin, Hakan Koksal, Gustav Gaudernack, Gunnar Kvalheim, Else Marit Inderberg, Sebastien Walchli
Summary: The success of adoptive cell therapy relies on the ability of immune cells to persist and function optimally in the tumor microenvironment. Novel genetic strategies to manipulate the PD1/PD-L1 axis can improve antitumor immunity and reveal new targets through PD-L1 positivity.
Article
Oncology
Quinn T. Storozynsky, Kate C. Agopsowicz, Ryan S. Noyce, Amirali B. Bukhari, Xuefei Han, Natalie Snyder, Brittany A. Umer, Armin M. Gamper, Roseline Godbout, David H. Evans, Mary M. Hitt
Summary: Glioblastoma (GB) is an incurable brain cancer with immune suppression. Radiotherapy is commonly used, but it cannot completely eliminate GB cells due to radioresistance. In this study, researchers found that combining radiation with the oncolytic AF4LAJ2R vaccinia virus (VACV) had significantly superior anticancer effects compared to monotherapy in mouse models. The combination therapy also increased the ratio of CD8+ effector T cells to regulatory T cells. This study validates the use of radiation with an oncolytic AF4LAJ2R VACV to improve the treatment of GB.
Article
Oncology
Bangxing Hong, Upasana Sahu, Matthew P. Mullarkey, Evan Hong, Guangsheng Pei, Yuanqing Yan, Yoshihiro Otani, Yeshavanth Banasavadi-Siddegowda, Huihui Fan, Zhongming Zhao, Jianhua Yu, Michael A. Caligiuri, Balveen Kaur
Summary: PKR is a major barrier to oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) therapy, as it inhibits antiviral immune response. The activation of PKR also induces TGF-beta signaling, suppressing antitumor immune responses. Therefore, targeting PKR with an oncolytic virus significantly improves virotherapy response.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Achia Khatun, Moujtaba Y. Kasmani, Ryan Zander, David M. Schauder, Jeremy P. Snook, Jian Shen, Xiaopeng Wu, Robert Burns, Yi-Guang Chen, Chien-Wei Lin, Matthew A. Williams, Weiguo Cui
Summary: Single-cell sequencing technology was used to track individual virus-specific CD4 T cells during an acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection, revealing previously unappreciated clonal diversity and cellular heterogeneity among virus-specific helper T cells. Despite most naive CD4 T cells giving rise to multiple lineages, approximately 28% of naive cells exhibited a preference towards either Th1 or T-FH cells, with the TCR structure influencing lineage decisions.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Paytsar Topchyan, Gang Xin, Yao Chen, Shikan Zheng, Robert Burns, Jian Shen, Moujtaba Y. Kasmani, Matthew Kudek, Na Yang, Weiguo Cui
Summary: Our study investigates the dysfunction of CD8(+) T cells in cancer and how they can be enhanced by CD4(+) T cells or modification to improve their effector function against tumors. We found that BATF may play a key role in regulating the anti-tumor function of CD8(+) T cells, providing insights for novel therapeutic treatments for cancer patients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gang Cheng, Micael Hardy, Paytsar Topchyan, Ryan Zander, Peter Volberding, Weiguo Cui, Balaraman Kalyanaraman
Summary: Mito-HUs are a new class of mitochondria-targeted drugs that inhibit oxidative phosphorylation and have antiproliferative effects on tumor cells by increasing hydrophobicity through elongating the alkyl side chain length.
Article
Immunology
Xiaopeng Wu, Moujtaba Y. Kasmani, Shikan Zheng, Achia Khatun, Yao Chen, Wendy Winkler, Ryan Zander, Robert Burns, Elizabeth J. Taparowsky, Jie Sun, Weiguo Cui
Summary: Through single-cell RNA sequencing, a transcriptionally distinct subset of ILC2 cells that is enriched for wound healing genes and regulated by the transcription factor BATF has been identified. BATF promotes the proliferation and function of ILC2 cells and restricts their plasticity during influenza virus infection. In the absence of BATF, ILC2 cells lose their immune protective properties and acquire pathogenic ILC3-like functions, leading to tissue damage and respiratory failure.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ryan Zander, Moujtaba Y. Kasmani, Yao Chen, Paytsar Topchyan, Jian Shen, Shikan Zheng, Robert Burns, Jennifer Ingram, Can Cui, Nikhil Joshi, Joseph Craft, Allan Zajac, Weiguo Cui
Summary: This study found that CD4(+) T cells consist of three distinct subsets during chronic viral infection, and IL-21 derived from Tfh cells is critical for sustaining CD8(+) T cell responses and viral control.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Prachi Gupta, Ishaque Pulikkal Kadamberi, Sonam Mittal, Shirng-Wern Tsaih, Jasmine George, Sudhir Kumar, Dileep K. Vijayan, Anjali Geethadevi, Deepak Parashar, Paytsar Topchyan, Lindsey McAlarnen, Brian F. Volkman, Weiguo Cui, Kam Y. J. Zhang, Dolores Di Vizio, Pradeep Chaluvally-Raghavan, Sunila Pradeep
Summary: SPHK1-packaged EVs increase S1P levels in the tumor microenvironment, leading to immunosuppression and promoting ovarian cancer progression. Inhibiting SPHK1/S1P signaling may enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in ovarian cancer.
Article
Immunology
Moujtaba Y. Kasmani, Ryan Zander, H. Kay Chung, Yao Chen, Achia Khatun, Martina Damo, Paytsar Topchyan, Kaitlin E. Johnson, Darya Levashova, Robert Burns, Ulrike M. Lorenz, Vera L. Tarakanova, Nikhil S. Joshi, Susan M. Kaech, Weiguo Cui
Summary: Using single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing, researchers investigated the developmental relationships and fate decisions of CD8(+) T cells during chronic infection. They found substantial clonal and phenotypic diversity, and identified a subset of intermediate cells that can differentiate into terminal effector and exhausted cells. Type I IFN and IRF7 were found to drive exhaustion, while Zeb2 was critical for effector cell generation. TCR avidity correlated with exhausted fate and SHP-1 selectively restricted accumulation of low-avidity effector cells.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Ryan Zander, Achia Khatun, Moujtaba Y. Kasmani, Yao Chen, Weiguo Cui
Summary: Recent evidence reveals the complex developmental relationships between different subsets of CD4(+) T cells responding to chronic viral infection. Single-cell RNA sequencing and T cell receptor sequencing were performed on virus-specific CD4(+) T cells isolated from mice infected with chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. The study identifies unique transcriptional states among various CD4(+) T cell subsets and suggests the potential impact of T cell receptor usage on CD4(+) T cell development during chronic infection.
Meeting Abstract
Hematology
Matthew Kudek, Gang Xin, Sandra Lynn Holzhauer, Tony Alson, Jian Shen, Moujtaba Kasmani, Matthew Riese, Weiguo Cui
Article
Immunology
Sabelo Lukhele, Diala Abd Rabbo, Mengdi Guo, Jian Shen, Heidi J. Elsaesser, Rene Quevedo, Madeleine Carew, Ramy Gadalla, Laura M. Snell, Lawanya Mahesh, M. Teresa Ciudad, Bryan E. Snow, Annick You-Ten, Jillian Haight, Andrew Wakeham, Pamela S. Ohashi, Tak W. Mak, Weiguo Cui, Tracy L. McGaha, David G. Brooks
Summary: Type I and II interferons stimulate pro-inflammatory programs critical for immune activation, but also induce immune-suppressive feedback circuits that hinder cancer control. This study reveals that the transcription factor IRF2 plays a key role in redirecting interferon signals to suppress T cell responses and prevent T cell exhaustion within the tumor microenvironment, leading to improved tumor control and increased responsiveness to immune therapies.
Article
Cell Biology
Paytsar Topchyan, Ryan Zander, Moujtaba Y. Kasmani, Christine Nguyen, Ashley Brown, Siying Lin, Robert Burns, Weiguo Cui
Summary: CD4 T cell help is crucial for sustaining CD8 T cell responses during chronic infection. By using spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA sequencing, we investigated the heterogeneity of CD4 T cells under CD4-replete and-deplete conditions and explored cellular interactions during chronic infection.