技术资料

Tissue-repair regulatory T cells (trTregs) comprise a specialized cell subset essential for tissue homeostasis and repair. While well-studied in sterile injury models,their role in infection-induced tissue damage and antimicrobial immunity is less understood. We investigated trTreg dynamics during acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection,marked by extensive tissue damage and strong CD8+ immunity. Unlike sterile injury models,trTregs significantly declined in secondary lymphoid organs and non-lymphoid target tissues during infection,correlating with systemic and local tissue damage,and downregulation of function-associated genes in skeletal muscle. This decline was linked to decreased systemic IL-33 levels,a key trTreg growth factor,and promoted by the Th1 cytokine IFN-γ. Early recombinant IL-33 treatment increased trTregs,type 2 innate lymphoid cells,and parasite-specific CD8+ cells at specific time points after infection,leading to reduced tissue damage,lower parasite burden,and improved disease outcome. Our findings not only provide novel insights into trTregs during infection but also highlight the potential of optimizing immune balance by modulating trTreg responses to promote tissue repair while maintaining effective pathogen control during infection-induced injury. Author summaryDuring Chagas’ disease,caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi,severe organ damage is generated by the interplay between the parasite and the immune response. In our investigation,we examined the role of tissue-repair regulatory T cells (trTregs) during the acute phase of T. cruzi infection in mice. Surprisingly,we observed a reduction in trTregs at the peak of tissue damage,contrary to their usual accumulation after injury in other contexts. This decline aligned with decreased levels of interleukin-33,a critical factor for trTreg survival,and was promoted by the effector cytokine IFN-γ. Administering interleukin-33 at early infection times not only boosted trTregs but also expanded other reparative and antiparasitic immune cells. Consequently,these treated mice exhibited reduced damage and lower parasite levels in tissues. Our findings provide new insights into how trTreg function during infection-related injury,paving the way for strategies that balance the immune response to support tissue repair without weakening the body’s ability to fight the infection. This approach could have broader implications for treating infectious diseases and conditions involving tissue damage. 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

BackgroundTriple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype characterized with poor prognosis and high metastatic potential. Although traditional chemotherapy,radiation,and surgical resection remain the standard treatment options for TNBC,bispecific antibody-based immunotherapy is emerging as new strategy in TNBC treatment. Here,we found that the receptor tyrosine kinase-like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1) was highly expressed in TNBC but minimally expressed in normal tissue. A bispecific ROR1-targeted CD3 T cell engager (TCE) was designed in IgG-based format with extended half-life.MethodThe expression of ROR1 in TNBC was detected by RT-qPCR and immunohistology analysis. The killing of ROR1/CD3 antibody on TNBC cells was determined by the in vitro cytotoxicity assay and in vivo PBMC reconstituted mouse model. The activation of ROR1/CD3 on T cells was analyzed by the flow cytometry and ELISA assay. Pharmacokinetics study of ROR1/CD3 was performed in mouse.ResultsThe ROR1/CD3 TCE triggered T cell activation and proliferation,which showed potent and specific killing to TNBC cells in ROR1-depedent manner. In vivo mouse model indicated that ROR1/CD3 TCE redirected the cytotoxic activity of T cells to lyse TNBC cells and induced significant tumor regression. Additionally,the ROR1/CD3 bispecific antibody exhibited an extended half-life in mouse,which may enable intermittent administration in clinic.ConclusionsCollectively,these results demonstrated that ROR1/CD3 TCE has a promising efficacy profile in preclinical studies,which suggested it as a possible option for the treatment of ROR1-expressing TNBC.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13058-025-02005-w. View Publication

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are multifunctional immune cells with roles in both the innate and adaptive immune system. Their hallmark function is production of large amounts of type I interferons in response to viral infections,but they are also capable of producing a range of other cytokines,antigen presentation,and cytotoxicity. Their potential as an immunotherapy for cancer and infectious disease is being explored,but broad application of these cells is challenged by low frequency in the blood and low viability during ex vivo culturing. We have previously developed an effective in vitro differentiation protocol for producing pDCs from CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC-pDCs),which provides an attainable and large source of pDCs. HSPC-pDCs present pDC characteristics and functions,and like naturally occurring pDCs they exhibit large phenotypic and functional heterogeneity. Here,we characterize different cell subsets from in vitro pDC differentiation and identify a distinct population,which is the major producer of IFNα in response to TLR9 stimulation and display a transcriptomic profile similar to what is seen for pDCs circulating in the blood. We also investigate the possibility of rerouting subset specification during HSPCs-to-pDC differentiation by controlling gene expression of key master transcription factors (TFs). We identify TFs associated with the pDC differentiation trajectory that are essential for the development of TLR9-responsive HSPC-pDCs,and we also identify TFs that increase their frequency. In conclusion,we phenotypically and functionally characterize different cell subsets and modulate their relative frequencies by manipulating TF expression during pDC differentiation. These findings provide a deeper understanding of in vitro-differentiated pDC cultures that may spur further developments in their use as an immunomodulatory cell therapy. View Publication

BackgroundAnti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has proven effective for treating relapsed or refractory acute B cell leukemia. However,challenges such as cytokine release syndrome,T cell dysfunction,and exhaustion persist. Enhancing CAR-T cell efficacy through changing CAR internalization and recycling is a promising approach. The transmembrane domain is the easiest motif to optimize for modulating CAR internalization and recycling without introducing additional domains,and its impact on CAR internalization and recycling has not yet been thoroughly explored. In this study,we aim to enhance CAR-T cell function by focusing on the solely transmembrane domain design.MethodsUtilizing plasmid construction and lentivirus generation,we get two different transmembrane CAR-T cells [19CAR-T(1a) and 19CAR-T(8α)]. Through co-culture with tumor cells,we evaluate CAR dynamic change,activation levels,exhaustion markers,mitochondrial function,and differentiation in both CAR-T cells. Furthermore,immunofluorescence microscopy analysis is performed to reveal the localization of internalized CAR molecules. RNA sequencing is used to detect the transcriptome of activated CAR-T cells. Finally,a mouse study is utilized to verify the anti-tumor efficacy of 19CAR-T(1a) cells in vivo.ResultsOur findings demonstrate that 19CAR-T(1a) has lower surface CAR expression,faster internalization,and a higher recycling rate compared to 19CAR-T(8α). Internalized 19CAR(1a) co-localizes more with early and recycling endosomes,and less with lysosomes than 19CAR(8α). These features result in lower activation levels,less cytokine release,and reduced exhaustion markers in 19CAR-T(1a). Furthermore,CAR-T cells with CD1a transmembrane domain also exhibit a superior anti-tumor ability and reduced exhaustion in vivo.ConclusionOverall,we demonstrate that the transmembrane domain plays a critical role in CAR-T cell function. An optimized transmembrane domain can alleviate cytokine release syndrome and reduce CAR-T cell exhaustion,providing a direction for CAR design to enhance CAR-T cell function. 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

ObjectiveThis study investigated the impact of innate lymphoid cell type 2 (ILC2s) on the function of regulatory T cells (Treg) and CD8+ T cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) through IL-9.MethodsPeripheral blood samples were collected from CLL patients (n = 52) and healthy controls (n = 30). ILC2 proportions and IL-9 levels were assessed using flow cytometry and ELISA. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to stain GATA3,CRTH2,and IL-9 in cervical lymph nodes from CLL patients (n = 10) and control subjects with reactive lymphadenitis (n = 10). Correlation analysis between ILC2s and IL-9 was conducted using the Spearman test. ILC2s were sorted and cultured from CLL patients,followed by co-culture experiments with PBMCs of healthy controls and MEC-1 cells,with or without anti-IL-9 antibody intervention. Flow cytometry was used to measure the proportions of ILC2s,Treg cells,PD-1+/TIGIT+/CTLA-4+ Treg subsets,and granzyme B+/perforin+ CD8+ T cells,along with MEC-1 cell apoptosis.ResultsThe proportions of ILC2s and Treg,along with serum IL-9 levels,were significantly elevated in CLL patients (P < 0.05). Peripheral blood ILC2s were positively correlated with IL-9 (r = 0.609,P < 0.001). The average fluorescence intensity of GATA3,CRTH2,and IL-9 in the cervical lymph nodes of CLL patients increased significantly (P < 0.001),and IL-9 showed colocalization with GATA3 and CRTH2. In vitro,IL-9 levels in the supernatant of sorted ILC2s from CLL patients increased. Treatment with anti-IL-9 antibody significantly reduced the PD-1+ Treg and TIGIT+ Treg cells while increasing granzyme B+ CD8+ T cells (P < 0.05). However,there was no significant effect on Treg,CTLA-4+ Treg,and perforin+ CD8+ T cells (P > 0.05). Additionally,anti-IL-9 antibody significantly increased early apoptosis (P < 0.05).ConclusionILC2s affect CD8+ T cells and Treg cells through IL-9,weakening the anti-tumor effects of CD8+ T cells and enhancing the immunosuppressive effects of Treg cells,thereby contributing to CLL pathogenesis.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00262-025-04082-4. View Publication

Memory T cells are a highly heterogeneous collection of antigen-experienced cells that undergo dynamic adaptations upon antigen re-encounter and environmental signals. This heterogeneity hinders studies on memory T cell durability and age-related dysfunction. Using chronic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and barcode-enabled antigen tracing,we assess the influence of age on memory states at the level of single antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. In young adults (<40 years),EBV-specific CD8+ T cells recognizing different antigenic peptides assume divergent preferred differentiation phenotypes. In older adults (>65-years),antigen-specific cells show largely distinct phenotypic and transcriptomic aging trajectories. Common to many albeit not all antigen-specific populations are maintained TCR diversity,gained natural killer cell-like,innate signatures and lost stem-like features while no evidence is seen for cellular senescence or exhaustion. TCR avidity contributes to these phenotypic differences and aging-related changes. Collectively,our data uncover divergent antigen-guided aging shifts in memory T cell phenotypes,which are informative for antigen selection in optimizing vaccine design and adoptive T cell therapy. Homeostasis of memory T cells is modulated by each antigen encounter,thereby creating a heterogeneous population preventing precise tracking. Here,the authors use barcode-assisted tracing of Epstein-Barr virus-specific CD8+ memory T cells of young and older individuals to find antigen-guided,clonally divergent aging trajectories. View Publication

SummaryHIV-1 latency results from tightly regulated molecular processes that act at distinct steps of HIV-1 gene expression. Here,we characterize PCI domain-containing 2 (PCID2) protein,a subunit of the transcription and export complex 2 (TREX2) complex,to enforce transcriptional repression and post-transcriptional blocks to HIV-1 gene expression during latency. PCID2 bound the latent HIV-1 LTR (long terminal repeat) and repressed transcription initiation during latency. Depletion of PCID2 remodeled the chromatin landscape at the HIV-1 promoter and resulted in transcriptional activation and latency reversal. Immunoprecipitation coupled to mass spectrometry identified PCID2-interacting proteins to include negative viral RNA (vRNA) splicing regulators,and PCID2 depletion resulted in over-splicing of intron-containing vRNA in cell lines and primary cells obtained from PWH. MCM3AP and DSS1,two other RNA-binding TREX2 complex subunits,also inhibit transcription initiation and vRNA alternative splicing during latency. Thus,PCID2 is a novel HIV-1 latency-promoting factor,which in context of the TREX2 sub-complex PCID2-DSS1-MCM3AP blocks transcription and dysregulates vRNA processing. Graphical abstract Highlights•PCID2 is bound to the latent HIV-1 LTR as a transcriptional repressor•PCID2 enforces latency by acting on transcription initiation•PCID2 establishes blocks to alternative splicing during HIV-1 latency•PCID2 misregulates alternative splicing in cells obtained from people with HIV-1 Virology; Cell biology View Publication

BackgroundSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by vasculopathy and progressive fibrosis of skin and several internal organs,including lungs. Macrophages are the main cells involved in the immune-inflammatory damage of skin and lungs,and alternatively activated (M2) macrophages seem to have a profibrotic role through the release of profibrotic cytokines (IL10) and growth factors (TGFβ1). Nintedanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting several fibrotic mediators and it is approved for the treatment of SSc-related interstitial lung disease (ILD). The study aimed to evaluate the effect of nintedanib in downregulating the profibrotic M2 phenotype in cultured monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) obtained from SSc-ILD patients.MethodsFourteen SSc patients,fulfilling the 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria for SSc,10 SSc patients affected by ILD (SSc-ILD pts),4 SSc patients non affected by ILD (SSc pts no-ILD),and 5 voluntary healthy subjects (HSs),were recruited at the Division of Clinical Rheumatology-University of Genova,after obtaining Ethical Committee approval and patients’ informed consent. Monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood,differentiated into MDMs,and then maintained in growth medium without any treatment (untreated cells),or treated with nintedanib (0.1 and 1µM) for 3,16,and 24 h. Gene expression of macrophage scavenger receptors (CD204,CD163),mannose receptor-1 (CD206),Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK),identifying M2 macrophages,together with TGFβ1 and IL10,were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Protein synthesis was investigated by Western blotting and the level of active TGFβ1 was evaluated by ELISA. Statistical analysis was carried out using non-parametric Wilcoxon test.ResultsCultured untreated SSc-ILD MDMs showed a significant increased protein synthesis of CD206 (p < 0.05),CD204,and MerTK (p < 0.01),together with a significant upregulation of the gene expression of MerTK and TGFβ1 (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) compared to HS-MDMs. Moreover,the protein synthesis of CD206 and MerTK and the gene expression of TGFβ1 were significantly higher in cultured untreated MDMs from SSc-ILD pts compared to MDMs without ILD (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). In cultured SSc-ILD MDMs,nintedanib 0.1 and 1µM significantly downregulated the gene expression and protein synthesis of CD204,CD206,CD163 (p < 0.05),and MerTK (p < 0.01) compared to untreated cells after 24 h of treatment. Limited to MerTK and IL10,both nintedanib concentrations significantly downregulated their gene expression already after 16 h of treatment (p < 0.05). In cultured SSc-ILD MDMs,nintedanib 0.1 and 1µM significantly reduced the release of active TGFβ1 after 24 h of treatment (p < 0.05 vs. untreated cells).ConclusionsIn cultured MDMs from SSc-ILD pts,nintedanib seems to downregulate the profibrotic M2 phenotype through the significant reduction of gene expression and protein synthesis of M2 cell surface markers,together with the significant reduction of TGFβ1 release,and notably MerTK,a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in lung fibrosis.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-024-03308-7. View Publication

The corneal epithelium acts as a barrier to pathogens entering the eye; corneal epithelial cells are continuously renewed by uni-potent,quiescent limbal stem cells (LSCs) located at the limbus,where the cornea transitions to conjunctiva. There has yet to be a consensus on LSC markers and their transcriptome profile is not fully understood,which may be due to using cadaveric tissue without an intact stem cell niche for transcriptomics. In this study,we addressed this problem by using single nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) on healthy human limbal tissue that was immediately snap-frozen after excision from patients undergoing cataract surgery. We identified the quiescent LSCs as a sub-population of corneal epithelial cells with a low level of total transcript counts. Moreover,TP63,KRT15,CXCL14,and ITGβ4 were found to be highly expressed in LSCs and transiently amplifying cells (TACs),which constitute the corneal epithelial progenitor populations at the limbus. The surface markers SLC6A6 and ITGβ4 could be used to enrich human corneal epithelial cell progenitors,which were also found to specifically express the putative limbal progenitor cell markers MMP10 and AC093496.1. View Publication

Allogeneic CAR T–cell therapies are being developed for hematologic malignancies. The authors implement a Cas12a chRDNA platform to generate allogeneic immune-cloaked BCMA-specific CAR T cells with resistance to host response–mediated rejection for evaluation in multiple myeloma. AbstractAllogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies hold the potential to overcome many of the challenges associated with patient-derived (autologous) CAR T cells. Key considerations in the development of allogeneic CAR T cell therapies include prevention of graft-vs-host disease (GvHD) and suppression of allograft rejection. Here,we describe preclinical data supporting the ongoing first-in-human clinical study,the CaMMouflage trial (NCT05722418),evaluating CB-011 in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. CB-011 is a hypoimmunogenic,allogeneic anti–B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR T cell therapy candidate. CB-011 cells feature 4 genomic alterations and were engineered from healthy donor–derived T cells using a Cas12a CRISPR hybrid RNA–DNA (chRDNA) genome-editing technology platform. To address allograft rejection,CAR T cells were engineered to prevent endogenous HLA class I complex expression and overexpress a single-chain polyprotein complex composed of beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) tethered to HLA-E. In addition,T-cell receptor (TCR) expression was disrupted at the TCR alpha constant locus in combination with the site-specific insertion of a humanized BCMA-specific CAR. CB-011 cells exhibited robust plasmablast cytotoxicity in vitro in a mixed lymphocyte reaction in cell cocultures derived from patients with multiple myeloma. In addition,CB-011 cells demonstrated suppressed recognition by and cytotoxicity from HLA-mismatched T cells. CB-011 cells were protected from natural killer cell–mediated cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo due to endogenous promoter-driven expression of B2M–HLA-E. Potent antitumor efficacy,when combined with an immune-cloaking armoring strategy to dampen allograft rejection,offers optimized therapeutic potential in multiple myeloma. See related Spotlight by Caimi and Melenhorst,p. 385 View Publication