技术资料

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) hold significant promise for cancer diagnosis,prognosis,and treatment monitoring. We previously developed a technique for a single‐cell filtering device known as the microcavity array (MCA),specifically designed for the efficient recovery of CTCs from whole blood samples. Efficient enrichment and release of cells from the MCA remains challenging because of cell adhesion that occurs on the MCA surface during the enrichment phase. This study investigated the effects of surface modification with 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) on the recovery efficiency of cancer cell lines from MCA. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) demonstrated reduced cell‐substrate interactions,leading to improved recovery efficiency. Comparative analyses showed that the MCA method provided superior recovery efficiency and reduced processing time compared to traditional methods such as density gradient centrifugation (DGC),while maintaining cell viability and proliferative capacity. CTCs were successfully detected in patients with gastric cancer,and short‐term cultures were achieved even when fewer than 20 CTCs per milliliter of blood were isolated. These findings emphasize the importance of surface modification for enhancing CTC isolation and the need for optimized culture conditions. The optimized MCA method offers a promising approach for rapid CTC recovery and potential integration with automated systems. Practical application : The Microcavity array (MCA) is a device specifically designed for efficient recovery of CTCs from whole blood. However cell adhesion on the MCA surface can limit release efficiency. This study demonstrated that surface modification with MPC signigicantly reduces cell‐substrate adhesion,improving recovery efficiency while maintaining cell viability and proliferative capacity. Compared to traditional density gradient centrifugation,the MPC‐modified MCA offers shorter processing time and better performance. CTCs were successfully detected in gastric cancer,and short‐term cultures were achieved even when fewer than 20 CTCs per mL of blood were isolated. The method supports downstearm applications such as cancer cell characterization and treatment monitoring. With potential for integration into automated system,the optimized MCA provides a practical,scalable solution for clinical liquid biopsy and personalized oncology. View Publication

Severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs) are life-threatening diseases,which are associated with human leukocyte antigen ( HLA ) risk variants. However,the low positive predictive values of HLA variants suggest additional factors influence disease susceptibility. Using dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) as a paradigm for SCARs,we show that the DHS patients harbor a sex-related global reduction in blood NK cells,contributing to the higher incidence of reactions in females. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed a decrease in the immunoregulatory CD56 low XCL1/2 low NK cell subset and an expansion of CD56 high XCL1/2 high NK cell subsets with an effector phenotype in DHS patients compared to dapsone-tolerant individuals. Functionally,interleukin-15 superagonist-induced activation of NK cells exacerbated SCARs-like symptoms in a murine model. Mechanistically,TSC22 domain family member 3 (TSC22D3) deficiency enhanced NK cell effector function,shifting the immune response from CD4+ T cell to CD8+ T cell function. These results demonstrate that TSC22D3-regulated NK cells play a critical role in predisposing to drug hypersensitivity reactions,bridging innate and adaptive immune dysregulation in SCARs pathogenesis. Our study highlights the importance of NK cell heterogeneity and TSC22D3 in immune-mediated hypersensitivity disorders,offering potential therapeutic targets for SCARs and related conditions. Subject terms: Innate immunity,Innate immunity View Publication

Genetic variations in the Trpm8 gene that encodes the cold receptor TRPM8 have been linked to protection against polygenic migraine,a disabling condition primarily affecting women. Noteworthy,TRPM8 has been recently found in brain areas related to emotional processing,suggesting an unrecognized role in migraine comorbidities. Here,we use mouse behavioural models to investigate the role of Trpm8 in migraine-related phenotypes. Subsequently,we test the efficacy of rapamycin,a clinically relevant TRPM8 agonist,in these behavioural traits and in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived sensory neurons. We report that Trpm8 null mice exhibited impulsive and depressive-like behaviours,while also showing frequent pain-like facial expressions detected by an artificial intelligence algorithm. In a nitroglycerin-induced migraine model,Trpm8 knockout mice of both sexes developed anxiety and mechanical hypersensitivity,whereas wild-type females also displayed depressive-like phenotype and hypernociception. Notably,rapamycin alleviated pain-related behaviour through both TRPM8-dependent and independent mechanisms but lacked antidepressant activity,consistent with a peripheral action. The macrolide ionotropically activated TRPM8 signalling in human sensory neurons,emerging as a new candidate for intervention. Together,our findings underscore the potential of TRPM8 for migraine relief and its involvement in affective comorbidities,emphasizing the importance of addressing emotional symptoms to improve clinical outcomes for migraine sufferers,especially in females. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10194-025-02082-4. View Publication

Natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies represent a promising approach for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapse,yet their efficacy is hindered by immunosuppressive factors such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in the tumor microenvironment. This study investigated the effects of TGF-β on NK cell cytotoxicity and migration using 2D and 3D co-culture models that mimic the leukemic microenvironment. TGF-β production was evaluated in AML-derived leukemic cell lines and mesenchymal stromal cells (hTERT-MSCs) using ELISA. Bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to analyze global gene expression changes in TGF-β-treated primary human NK cells. NK cell cytotoxicity and migration were assessed in 2D monolayer and 3D spheroid co-cultures containing hTERT-MSCs and leukemic cells using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Both leukemic cells and MSCs produced TGF-β,with increased levels observed in MSCs after co-culture with primary AML blasts. RNA sequencing revealed that TGF-β altered key gene pathways associated with NK cell cytotoxicity,adhesion,and migration,supporting its immunosuppressive role. In functional assays,TGF-β exposure significantly reduced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in a time-dependent manner and impaired NK cell infiltration into 3D spheroids,particularly in models incorporating MSCs. Additionally,MSCs themselves provided a protective environment for leukemic cells,further reducing NK cell effectiveness in 2D co-cultures. TGF-β suppresses both NK cell cytotoxicity and migration,limiting their ability to eliminate leukemic cells and infiltrate the bone marrow niche (BMN). These findings provide novel insights into TGF-β–mediated immune evasion mechanisms and provide important insights for the future design of NK-based immunotherapies and clinical trials. View Publication

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a rapidly growing,aggressive brain tumor with very poor prognosis without currently effective therapies. The immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in GBM hinders the development of effective tumor-eradicating immunotherapies. This hostile TME can be modulated by administering immune-activating cytokines in combination with agents inducing tumor cell death. To achieve these objectives,we sought to harness the cancer-selective cell death-inducing properties of an enhanced “Superkine” version of melanoma differentiation associated gene-7/interleukin-24,IL-24S,and the immune-activating properties of IL-15 to modulate the TME of GBM to maximize therapeutic outcomes. A fusion “Superkine” ( FSK ) comprised of IL‐24S linked to IL-15 was generated,and antitumor effects were evaluated when transduced by a type 5 adenovirus (Ad.5) in a GBM immunocompetent mouse tumor model. To target the delivery of Ad.5 FSK systemically,we employed an innovative approach of focused ultrasound (FUS) paired with microbubbles (MBs),FUS-DMB (FUS plus double MB),to safely transport the FSK engineered Ad.5 construct into mouse brain to overcome limitations of systemic viral delivery and selectivity of the blood-brain barrier. The FSK stimulated higher tumor regression and enhanced survival in vivo than the individual “Superkine” or cytokine in GBM cancer models. Apoptosis of GBM cells was induced,as well as increased tumor infiltration of T cells,dendritic cells,macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells. The antitumor-inducing activity of FSK is a consequence of induction of cancer-specific growth suppression and induction of apoptosis (IL-24S) as well as diverse effects on immune cells (IL-15 and IL-24S). Antibody neutralization indicates that a primary immune mediator of anticancer activity of FSK is through recruitment and activation of NK cells. Global cytokine analyses indicated no changes in inflammatory cytokines during therapy,suggesting that this strategy will be safe. In summary,treatment with an FSK,consisting of a fusion of IL-24S to IL-15,promotes GBM cell killing and remodeling of the TME by recruiting and activating immune cells supporting the feasibility of developing safe and effective cancer immunotherapeutic fusion proteins and selective delivery in the brain for the therapy of GBM. View Publication

Maturation of human pluripotent stem (hPS) cell-derived cardiomyocytes is critical for their use as a model system. Here we mimic human heart maturation pathways in the setting of hPS cell-derived cardiac organoids (hCOs). Specifically,transient activation of 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase and estrogen-related receptor enhanced cardiomyocyte maturation,inducing expression of mature sarcomeric and oxidative phosphorylation proteins,and increasing metabolic capacity. hCOs generated using the directed maturation protocol (DM-hCOs) recapitulate cardiac drug responses and,when derived from calsequestrin 2 ( CASQ2 ) and ryanodine receptor 2 ( RYR2 ) mutant hPS cells exhibit a pro-arrhythmia phenotype. These DM-hCOs also comprise multiple cell types,which we characterize and benchmark to the human heart. Modeling of cardiomyopathy caused by a desmoplakin ( DSP ) mutation resulted in fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction and led to identifying the bromodomain and extra-terminal inhibitor INCB054329 as a drug mitigating the desmoplakin-related functional defect. These findings establish DM-hCOs as a versatile platform for applications in cardiac biology,disease and drug screening. Subject terms: Tissue engineering,Differentiation,Cardiomyopathies View Publication

CD38,an ecto-enzyme involved in NAD + catabolism,is highly expressed in exhausted CD8 + T cells and has emerged as an attractive target to improve response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) by blunting T cell exhaustion. However,the precise role(s) and regulation of CD38 in exhausted T cells and the efficacy of CD38-directed therapeutic strategies in human cancer remain incompletely defined. Here,we show that CD38 + CD8 + T cells are induced by chronic TCR activation and type I interferon stimulation and confirm their association with ICB resistance in human melanoma. Disrupting CD38 restores cellular NAD + pools and improves T cell bioenergetics and effector functions. Targeting CD38 restores ICB sensitivity in a cohort of patient-derived organotypic tumor spheroids from explanted melanoma specimens. These results support further preclinical and clinical evaluation of CD38-directed therapies in melanoma and underscore the importance of NAD + as a vital metabolite to enhance those therapies. View Publication

Ageing-dependent low-grade inflammation is a hallmark of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Vascular and immune abnormalities are implicated in the progression of gliomas and occur in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however,the mechanisms by which these alterations manifest in the brain parenchyma remain unclear. Using RNAseq,scRNAseq,bioinformatics tools and a cohort of patients with glioma and Alzheimer's disease for validation of results,we have established an analysis of blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and neuron loss. A mouse model for glioblastoma pathology was also used that reversed BBB disruption and neuron loss,with the incorporation of the IDH mutation. Finally,we established a characterization of the relevant immune populations with an IHC analysis and transcriptional profile. In this study,molecular analyses of the brain ecosystem revealed that blood–brain barrier dysfunction and neuronal synapse integrity exhibit significant threshold-dependent changes that correlate directly and inversely,respectively,with brain ageing (significant changes at 57 years) and the progression of AD and gliomas (survival of 1525 vs 4084 days for patients with High vs Low BBB dysfunction). Using human samples and mouse models,we identified immunoageing processes characterized by an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signals. This dysregulation promotes the extravasation of monocyte-derived macrophages (85% increase of cells),particularly those with a suppressive phenotype,alongside an increase in inflammatory cytokine levels. Notably,our data show that vascular normalization in a glioma model can reverse neuronal loss and attenuate the aggressiveness of the tumours. Finally,tumour development can be prevented by reactivating the ageing immune system. We propose that the ageing brain represents a common,BBB dysfunction-associated process driving chronic inflammation. This inflammation is regulated by TREM2+/TIM3+ suppressive myeloid cells,which play a central role in disease progression. Our findings suggest that targeting these pathways could offer therapeutic strategies to mitigate CNS pathologies linked to ageing,characterized by toxic neuroinflammation and myeloid dysfunction. This study was funded by ISCIII and co-funded by the European Union. View Publication

Several years after the COVID‐19 pandemic,the impact of SARS‐CoV‐2 on immunity and the potential protective role of Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination through trained immunity remain a subject of investigation. This study aimed to determine the long‐term impact of SARS‐CoV‐2 on immune cells and the association between BCG vaccination,latent infections and COVID‐19 severity and sepsis progression. We conducted a prospective analysis of patients who recovered from mild/severe/critical COVID‐19 ( n = 97,3–17 months after COVID‐19) and sepsis patients ( n = 64). First,we assessed the impact of COVID‐19 and its severity on immune cell frequencies and expression of functional markers. Further,we analysed plasma titres of anti‐ Toxoplasma gondii /cytomegalovirus/BCG antibodies and their association with COVID‐19 severity and sepsis outcome. To examine monocyte responses to secondary challenge,monocytes isolated from COVID‐19 convalescent patients,BCG vaccinated and unvaccinated volunteers were stimulated with SARS‐CoV‐2 and LPS. Post‐COVID‐19 patients showed immune dysregulation regardless of disease severity characterised by altered expression of activation and functional markers in myeloid (CD39,CD64,CD85d,CD11b) and lymphoid cells (CD39,CD57,TIGIT). Strikingly,post‐critical COVID‐19 patients showed elevated expression of CD57 in CD8 + T cells compared to other severity groups. A trend toward improved outcomes in BCG‐seropositive COVID‐19/sepsis patients was observed,although this may be confounded by age differences between groups. In contrast,the monocyte response to stimulation appeared unaffected by COVID‐19 severity. These findings highlight the long‐term alterations of immune cells in post‐COVID‐19 patients,emphasising the substantial impact of COVID‐19 on immune function. View Publication

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for colorectal cancer (CRC) chemoresistance,recurrence,and metastasis. Therefore,identifying molecular stemness targets that are involved in tumor growth is crucial for effective treatment. Here,we performed an extensive in vitro and in vivo molecular and functional characterization,revealing the pivotal role of the lysine methyltransferase SET and MYND Domain Containing 3 (SMYD3) in colorectal cancer stem cell (CRC-SC) biology. Specifically,we showed that SMYD3 interacts with and methylates c-MYC at K158 and K163,thereby modulating its transcriptional activity,which is implicated in stemness and colorectal malignancy. Our in vitro data suggest that SMYD3 pharmacological inhibition or its stable genetic ablation affects the clonogenic and self-renewal potential of patient-derived CRC-SCs and organoids by altering their molecular signature. Moreover,we found that SMYD3 stable knock-out or pharmacological inhibition drastically reduces CRC tumorigenicity in vivo and CRC-SC metastatic potential. Overall,our findings identify SMYD3 as a promising therapeutic target acting directly on c-MYC,with potential implications for countering CRC-SC proliferation and metastatic dissemination. Subject terms: Gastrointestinal cancer,Cancer stem cells View Publication

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a life-threatening bone marrow (BM) failure syndrome characterized by pancytopenia. Recent studies revealed that dysfunctional endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs),critical components of the BM microenvironment,are involved in hematopoietic-dysfunction-related diseases,including AA. However,the mechanism underlying EPC damage in AA remains unknown. Here we find that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is hyperactive in dysfunctional AA EPCs with impaired hematopoietic support and immune regulatory ability,and TGF-β inhibition promotes hematopoiesis and immune rebalance by repairing dysfunctional EPCs. Through impaired EPC and AA murine models,we validated that TGF-β inhibition restores EPC dysfunction to improve hematopoiesis and immune status in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction provided further validation. These results indicate that dysfunctional BM EPCs with hyperactive TGF-β signaling are involved in AA. TGF-β inhibition promotes multilineage hematopoiesis recovery and immune balance by repairing dysfunctional EPCs,providing a potential therapeutic strategy for AA. Subject terms: Experimental models of disease,Translational research View Publication

VEXAS syndrome is a clonal hematopoietic disorder characterized by hyperinflammation,bone marrow failure,and high mortality. The molecular hallmark of VEXAS is somatic mutations at methionine 41 (M41) in the E1 ubiquitin enzyme,UBA1. These mutations induce a protein isoform switch,but the mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis remain unclear. Here,we developed a human cell model of VEXAS syndrome by engineering the male monocytic THP1 cell line to express the common UBA1 M41V mutation. We found that mutant UBA1 M41V cells exhibit aberrant UBA1 isoform expression,increased vacuolization,and upregulation of the unfolded protein response,recapitulating key features of VEXAS. Moreover,proteomic analyses revealed dysregulated ubiquitination and proteotoxic stress in UBA1 M41V cells,with alterations in inflammatory and stress-response pathways. Functional studies demonstrated that UBA1 M41V cells were highly sensitive to genetic or pharmacological inhibition of E1 ubiquitin enzymes. Treatment with the E1 enzyme inhibitor TAK-243 preferentially suppressed colony formation of UBA1 M41V cells as compared to WT cells. Moreover,UBA1 M41V cells exhibited greater sensitivity to TAK-243 in competition assays and showed increased apoptosis. Interestingly,TAK-243 preferentially inhibited UBA6 activity over UBA1,suggesting that UBA6 may compensate for UBA1 dysfunction in UBA1 M41V cells. Targeting UBA6 using shRNA or the UBA6-specific inhibitor phytic acid further revealed an acquired dependency on UBA6 in UBA1 M41V cells. Phytic acid selectively impaired growth and colony formation in UBA1 M41V cells while sparing WT cells,highlighting a potential therapeutic vulnerability. Together,these findings establish a novel human model of VEXAS syndrome,identify key roles for UBA1 and UBA6 in disease pathogenesis,and demonstrate that UBA6 inhibition represents a promising therapeutic strategy for selectively targeting UBA1 mutant clones. Subject terms: Haematological cancer,Cell signalling View Publication