Molecular mechanisms of T cell co-stimulation and co-inhibition

Genomic Insights into the Role of TOP Gene Family in Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: Implications for Prognosis and Therapy

This study focuses on the role of topoisomerases (TOPs) in sarcomas (SARCs), highlighting TOPs' influence on sarcoma prognosis through mRNA expression, genetic mutations, immune infiltration, and DNA methylation analysis using transcriptase sequencing and other techniques. The findings indicate that TOP gene mutations correlate with increased inflammation, immune cell infiltration, DNA repair abnormalities, and mitochondrial fusion genes alterations, all of which negatively affect sarcoma prognosis. Abnormal TOP expression may independently affect sarcoma patients' survival. Cutting-edge genomic tools such as Oncomine, gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA), and cBio Cancer Genomics Portal (cBioPortal) are utilized to explore the TOP gene family (TOP1/1MT/2A/2B/3A/3B) in soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs). This in-depth analysis reveals a notable upregulation of TOP mRNA in STS patients arcoss various SARC subtypes, French Federation Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer classification (FNCLCC) grades, and specific molecular profiles correlating with poorer clinical outcomes. Furthermore, this investigation identifies distinct patterns of immune cell infiltration, genetic mutations, and somatic copy number variations linked to TOP genes that inversely affect patient survival rates. These findings underscore the diagnostic and therapeutic relevance of the TOP gene suite in STSs.

Effect of Cyclosporine A on Th1/Th2 Cytokine Production by Decidual Stromal Cells Mediated by Trophoblast-derived Galectin-9

This study aimed to investigate the effect of cyclosporine A (CsA) on secretion of Th1 and Th2 cytokines by decidual stromal cells (DSCs) mediated by galectin (Gal)-9.HTR8/SVneo cells and primary trophoblasts were used for in vitro studies. Gal-9 expression was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, CsA was used to regulate Gal-9 expression in trophoblasts. DSCs were treated with trophoblast supernatant and changes in Th1 and Th2 cytokine levels were analyzed. Changes in DSC levels of the T-cell immunoglobulin mucin receptor 3 (TIM-3) levels in DSCs after treatment with Gal-9 were assessed. Western blotting and ERK and AKT inhibitors were used to assess the involvement of the corresponding signaling pathways. Gal-9 was expressed by both primary trophoblasts and HTR8/SVneo cells. CsA treatment increased Gal-9 secretion by trophoblasts, which in turn increased IL-6 (Th2 cytokine) and decreased TNF-α and IFN-γ (Th1 cytokines) secretion in DSCs. Upon downregulation of trophoblast Gal-9 secretion, DSCs secreted lower levels of Th2 cytokines and higher levels of Th1 cytokines, and the effect was reversed by addition of CsA. TIM-3 expression changed in parallel with Gal-9 secretion. CsA treatment upregulated expression of Gal-9 in trophoblasts, promoted secretion of Th2 cytokines, and inhibited secretion of Th1 cytokines via ERK signaling.

Extracellular vesicle-packaged lncRNA from cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes immune evasion by downregulating HLA-A in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterised by immune evasion that contribute to poor prognosis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivotal role in orchestrating the PDAC tumour microenvironment. We investigated the role of CAF-derived extracellular vesicle (EV)-packaged long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in immune evasion and explored gene therapy using engineered EVs loading small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) as a potential therapeutic strategy. Our findings highlight the significance of EV-packaged lncRNA RP11-161H23.5 from CAF in promoting PDAC immune evasion by downregulating HLA-A expression, a key component of antigen presentation. Mechanistically, RP11-161H23.5 forms a complex with CNOT4, a subunit of the mRNA deadenylase CCR4-NOT complex, enhancing the degradation of HLA-A mRNA by shortening its poly(A) tail. This immune evasion mechanism compromises the anti-tumour immune response. To combat this, we propose an innovative approach utilising engineered EVs as natural and biocompatible nanocarriers for siRNA-based gene therapy and this strategy holds promise for enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy in PDAC. Overall, our study sheds light on the critical role of CAF-derived EV-packaged lncRNA RP11-161H23.5/CNOT4/HLA-A axis in PDAC immune evasion and presents a novel avenue for therapeutic intervention.

HLA-A+ tertiary lymphoid structures with reactivated tumor infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with a positive immunotherapy response in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy provides remarkable clinical benefits for multiple cancer types. However, the overall response rate to ICB therapy remains low in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study aimed to identify biomarkers of ICB therapy for ESCC and interrogate its potential clinical relevance.

METHODS

We investigated gene expression in 42 treatment-naïve ESCC tumor tissues and identified differentially expressed genes, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and immune-related genes signatures associated with differential immunotherapy responses. We systematically assessed the tumor microenvironment using the NanoString GeoMx digital spatial profiler, single-cell RNA-seq and multiplex immunohistochemistry in ESCC. Finally, we evaluated the associations between HLA-A-positive tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) and patients' responses to ICB in 60 ESCC patients.

RESULTS

Tumor infiltrating B lymphocytes and several immune-related gene signatures, such as the antigen presenting machinery (APM) signature, are significantly elevated in ICB treatment responders. Multiplex immunohistochemistry identified the presence of HLA-A+ TLSs and showed that TLS-resident cells increasingly express HLA-A as TLSs mature. Most TLS-resident HLA-A+ cells are tumor-infiltrating T (TIL-T) or tumor-infiltrating B (TIL-B) lymphocytes. Digital spatial profiling of spatially distinct TIL-T lymphocytes and single-cell RNA-seq data from 60 ESCC tumor tissues revealed that CXCL13-expressing exhausted TIL-Ts inside TLSs are reactivated with elevated expression of the APM signature as TLSs mature. Finally, we demonstrated that HLA-A+ TLSs and their major cellular components, TIL-Ts and TIL-Bs, are associated with a clinical benefit from ICB treatment for ESCC.

CONCLUSIONS

HLA-A+ TLSs are present in ESCC tumor tissues. TLS-resident TIL-Ts with elevated expression of the APM signature may be reactivated. HLA-A+ TLSs and their major cellular components, TIL-Ts and TIL-Bs, may serve as biomarkers for ICB-treated ESCC patients.

Pharmacological inhibition of HPK1 synergizes with PD-L1 blockade to provoke antitumor immunity against tumors with low antigenicity

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly transformed the landscape of cancer therapy. Nevertheless, while these inhibitors are highly effective for certain patient groups, many do not benefit due to primary or acquired resistance. Specifically, these treatments often lack sufficient therapeutic efficacy against cancers with low antigenicity. Thus, the development of an effective strategy to overcome cancers with low antigenicity is imperative for advancing next-generation cancer immunotherapy. Here, we show that small molecule inhibitor of hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) combined with programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade can enhance T-cell response to tumor with low antigenicity. We found that treatment of OT-1 splenocytes with HPK1 inhibitor enhanced the activation of signaling molecules downstream of T-cell receptor provoked by low-affinity-antigen stimulation. Using an in vivo OT-1 T-cell transfer model, we demonstrated that combining the HPK1 inhibitor with the anti-PD-L1 antibody significantly suppressed the growth of tumors expressing low-affinity altered peptide ligand of chicken ovalbumin, while anti-PD-L1 antibody monotherapy was ineffective. Our findings offer crucial insights into the potential for overcoming tumors with low antigenicity by combining conventional immune checkpoint inhibitors with HPK1 inhibitor.

Non-viral-mediated gene transfer of OX40 ligand for tumor immunotherapy

Background

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is rapidly becoming a standard of care in the treatment of many cancer types. However, the subset of patients who respond to this type of therapy is limited. Another way to promote antitumoral immunity is the use of immunostimulatory molecules, such as cytokines or T cell co-stimulators. The systemic administration of immunotherapeutics leads to significant immune-related adverse events (irAEs), therefore, the localized antitumoral action is needed. One way to achieve this is intratumoral non-viral gene-immune therapy, which allows for prolonged and localized gene expression, and multiple drug administration. In this study, we combined the previously described non-viral gene delivery system, PEG-PEI-TAT copolymer, PPT, with murine OX40L-encoding plasmid DNA.

Methods

The resulting OX40L/PPT nanoparticles were characterized via gel mobility assay, dynamic light scattering analysis and in vitro transfection efficiency evaluation. The antitumoral efficacy of intratumorally (i.t.) administered nanoparticles was estimated using subcutaneously (s.c.) implanted CT26 (colon cancer), B16F0 (melanoma) and 4T1 (breast cancer) tumor models. The dynamics of stromal immune cell populations was analyzed using flow cytometry. Weight loss and cachexia were used as irAE indicators. The effect of combination of i.t. OX40L/PPT with intraperitoneal PD-1 ICB was estimated in s.c. CT26 tumor model.

Results

The obtained OX40L/PPT nanoparticles had properties applicable for cell transfection and provided OX40L protein expression in vitro in all three investigated cancer models. We observed that OX40L/PPT treatment successfully inhibited tumor growth in B16F0 and CT26 tumor models and showed a tendency to inhibit 4T1 tumor growth. In B16F0 tumor model, OX40L/PPT treatment led to the increase in antitumoral effector NK and T killer cells and to the decrease in pro-tumoral myeloid cells populations within tumor stroma. No irAE signs were observed in all 3 tumor models, which indicates good treatment tolerability in mice. Combining OX40L/PPT with PD-1 ICB significantly improved treatment efficacy in the CT26 subcutaneous colon cancer model, providing protective immunity against CT26 colon cancer cells.

Conclusion

Overall, the anti-tumor efficacy observed with OX40L non-viral gene therapy, whether administered alone or in combination with ICB, highlights its potential to revolutionize cancer gene therapy, thus paving the way for unprecedented advancements in the cancer therapy field.

Hypomethylation-enhanced CRTC2 expression drives malignant phenotypes and primary resistance to immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

The cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB)-regulated transcription coactivator 2 (CRTC2) is a crucial regulator of hepatic lipid metabolism and gluconeogenesis and correlates with tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism through which CRTC2 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression is largely unknown. Here, we found that increased CRTC2 expression predicted advanced tumor grade and stage, as well as worse prognosis in patients with HCC. DNA promoter hypomethylation led to higher CRTC2 expression in HCC. Functionally, CRTC2 contributed to HCC malignant phenotypes through the activated Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which could be abrogated by the small-molecular inhibitor XAV-939. Moreover, Crtc2 facilitated tumor growth while concurrently downregulating the PD-L1/PD-1 axis, resulting in primary resistance to immunotherapy. In immunocompetent mice models of HCC, targeting Crtc2 in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy prominently suppressed tumor growth by synergistically enhancing responsiveness to immunotherapy. Collectively, targeting CRTC2 might be a promising therapeutic strategy to sensitize immunotherapy in HCC.

Current advances in photocatalytic proximity labeling

Understanding the intricate network of biomolecular interactions that govern cellular processes is a fundamental pursuit in biology. Over the past decade, photocatalytic proximity labeling has emerged as one of the most powerful and versatile techniques for studying these interactions as well as uncovering subcellular trafficking patterns, drug mechanisms of action, and basic cellular physiology. In this article, we review the basic principles, methodologies, and applications of photocatalytic proximity labeling as well as examine its modern development into currently available platforms. We also discuss recent key studies that have successfully leveraged these technologies and importantly highlight current challenges faced by the field. Together, this review seeks to underscore the potential of photocatalysis in proximity labeling for enhancing our understanding of cell biology while also providing perspective on technological advances needed for future discovery.

Regulation of temporal cytokine production by co-stimulation receptors in TCR-T cells is lost in CAR-T cells

CD8+ T cells contribute to immune responses by producing cytokines when their T-cell receptors (TCRs) recognise peptide antigens on major-histocompability-complex class I. However, excessive cytokine production can be harmful. For example, cytokine release syndrome is a common toxicity observed in treatments that activate T cells, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy. While the engagement of costimulatory receptors is well known to enhance cytokine production, we have limited knowledge of their ability to regulate the kinetics of cytokine production by CAR-T cells. Here we compare early (0-12 h) and late (12-20 h) production of IFN-gg, IL-2, and TNF-a production by T cells stimulated via TCR or CARs in the presence or absence ligands for CD2, LFA-1, CD28, CD27, and 4-1BB. For T cells expressing TCRs and 1st-generation CARs, activation by antigen alone was sufficient to stimulate early cytokine production, while co-stimulation by CD2 and 4-1BB was required to maintain late cytokine production. In contrast, T cells expressing 2nd-generation CARs, which have intrinsic costimulatory signalling motifs, produce high levels of cytokines in both early and late periods in the absence of costimulatory receptor ligands. Losing the requirement for costimulation for sustained cytokine production may contribute to the effectiveness and/or toxicity of 2nd-generation CAR-T-cell therapy.

Protein Haptenation and Its Role in Allergy

Humans are exposed to numerous electrophilic chemicals either as medicines, in the workplace, in nature, or through use of many common cosmetic and household products. Covalent modification of human proteins by such chemicals, or protein haptenation, is a common occurrence in cells and may result in generation of antigenic species, leading to development of hypersensitivity reactions. Ranging in severity of symptoms from local cutaneous reactions and rhinitis to potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis and severe hypersensitivity reactions such as Stephen-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), all these reactions have the same Molecular Initiating Event (MIE), i.e. haptenation. However, not all individuals who are exposed to electrophilic chemicals develop symptoms of hypersensitivity. In the present review, we examine common chemistry behind the haptenation reactions leading to formation of neoantigens. We explore simple reactions involving single molecule additions to a nucleophilic side chain of proteins and complex reactions involving multiple electrophilic centers on a single molecule or involving more than one electrophilic molecule as well as the generation of reactive molecules from the interaction with cellular detoxification mechanisms. Besides generation of antigenic species and enabling activation of the immune system, we explore additional events which result directly from the presence of electrophilic chemicals in cells, including activation of key defense mechanisms and immediate consequences of those reactions, and explore their potential effects. We discuss the factors that work in concert with haptenation leading to the development of hypersensitivity reactions and those that may act to prevent it from developing. We also review the potential harnessing of the specificity of haptenation in the design of potent covalent therapeutic inhibitors.

Progress and prospects of biomarker-based targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced gastric cancer

Gastric cancer and gastroesophageal junction cancer represent the leading cause of tumor-related death worldwide. Although advances in immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy have expanded treatment options, they have not significantly altered the prognosis for patients with unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer. A minority of patients, particularly those with PD-L1-positive, HER-2-positive, or MSI-high tumors, may benefit more from immune checkpoint inhibitors and/or HER-2-directed therapies in advanced stages. However, for those lacking specific targets and unique molecular features, conventional chemotherapy remains the only recommended effective and durable regimen. In this review, we summarize the roles of various signaling pathways and further investigate the available targets. Then, the current results of phase II/III clinical trials in advanced gastric cancer, along with the superiorities and limitations of the existing biomarkers, are specifically discussed. Finally, we will offer our insights in precision treatment pattern when encountering the substantial challenges.

Recent advances in understanding the immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer

The occurrence of ovarian cancer (OC) is a major factor in women's mortality rates. Despite progress in medical treatments, like new drugs targeting homologous recombination deficiency, survival rates for OC patients are still not ideal. The tumor microenvironment (TME) includes cancer cells, fibroblasts linked to cancer (CAFs), immune-inflammatory cells, and the substances these cells secrete, along with non-cellular components in the extracellular matrix (ECM). First, the TME mainly plays a role in inhibiting tumor growth and protecting normal cell survival. As tumors progress, the TME gradually becomes a place to promote tumor cell progression. Immune cells in the TME have attracted much attention as targets for immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has the potential to regulate the TME, suppressing factors that facilitate tumor advancement, reactivating immune cells, managing tumor growth, and extending the survival of patients with advanced cancer. This review presents an outline of current studies on the distinct cellular elements within the OC TME, detailing their main functions and possible signaling pathways. Additionally, we examine immunotherapy rechallenge in OC, with a specific emphasis on the biological reasons behind resistance to ICIs.

A journey to your self: The vague definition of immune self and its practical implications

The identification of immunogenic peptides has become essential in an increasing number of fields in immunology, ranging from tumor immunotherapy to vaccine development. The nature of the adaptive immune response is shaped by the similarity between foreign and self-protein sequences, a concept extensively applied in numerous studies. Can we precisely define the degree of similarity to self? Furthermore, do we accurately define immune self? In the current work, we aim to unravel the conceptual and mechanistic vagueness hindering the assessment of self-similarity. Accordingly, we demonstrate the remarkably low consistency among commonly employed measures and highlight potential avenues for future research.

Dendritic Cells: A Bridge between Tolerance Induction and Cancer Development in Transplantation Setting

Dendritic cells (DCs) are a heterogeneous group of antigen-presenting cells crucial for fostering allograft tolerance while simultaneously supporting host defense against infections and cancer. Within the tumor microenvironment, DCs can either mount an immune response against cancer cells or foster immunotolerance, presenting a dual role. In immunocompromised individuals, posttransplant malignancies pose a significant health concern, with DCs serving as vital players in immune responses against cancer cells. Both recipient- and donor-derived DCs play a critical role in the rejection process, infiltrating the transplanted organ and sustaining T-cell responses. The use of immunosuppressive drugs represents the predominant approach to control this immunological barrier in transplanted organs. Evidence has shed light on the immunopharmacology of these drugs and novel strategies for manipulating DCs to promote allograft survival. Therefore, comprehending the mechanisms underlying this intricate microenvironment and the effects of immunosuppressive therapy on DCs is crucial for developing targeted therapies to reduce graft failure rates. This review will delve into the fundamental immunobiology of DCs and provide a detailed exploration of their clinical significance concerning alloimmune responses and posttransplant malignancies.

Immune checkpoint molecules in solid organ transplantation: A promising way to prevent rejection

Immune checkpoint (IC) molecules modulate immune responses upon antigen presentation; the interaction between different IC molecules will result in the stimulation or, rather, the thwarting of such responses. Tumor cells express increased amounts of inhibitory IC molecules in an attempt to evade immune responses; therapeutic agents have been developed that bind inhibitory IC molecules, restoring tumor-directed immune responses and changing the prognosis of a number of cancers. Stimulation of inhibitory IC molecules could be beneficial in preventing rejection in the setting of solid organ transplantation (SOT), and in vivo as well as in vivo results obtained in animal models show this to indeed to be the case. With the exception of belatacept, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) in which an IgG Fc fragment is linked to the extracellular domain of CTLA-4, this has not yet translated into the generation of novel therapeutic approaches to prevent SOT rejection. We provide a review of state-of-the art knowledge on the role played by IC molecules in transplantation, confident that innovative research will lead to new avenues to manage rejection in solid organ transplant.

Discovery of 4-phenyl-1H-indazole derivatives as novel small-molecule inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction

The inhibition of the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway with small molecules is a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy. Herein, novel small molecules compounds bearing various scaffolds including thiophene, thiazole, tetrahydroquinoline, benzimidazole and indazole were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. Among them, compound Z13 exhibited the most potent activity with IC50 of 189.6 nM in the homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) binding assay. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay demonstrated that Z13 bound to PD-L1 with high affinity (KD values of 231 nM and 311 nM for hPD-L1 and mPD-L1, respectively). In the HepG2/Jurkat T co-culture cell model, Z13 decreased the viability rate of HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, Z13 showed significant in vivo antitumor efficacy (TGI = 52.6 % at 40 mg/kg) without obvious toxicity in the B16-F10 melanoma model. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that Z13 inhibited tumor growth in vivo by activating the tumor immune microenvironment. These findings indicate that Z13 is a promising PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor deserving further investigation.

Costimulatory and Coinhibitory Immune Checkpoints in Atherosclerosis: Therapeutic Targets in Atherosclerosis?

The benefits of current state-of-the-art treatments to combat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) have stagnated. Treatments are mostly based on controlling cardiovascular risk factors, especially hyperlipidemia. Although the most recent advances with PCSK-9 inhibitors support the hyperlipidemia aspect of ASCVD, several lines of experimental evidence have outlined that atherosclerosis is also driven by inflammation. In the past years, phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials targeting inflammation to combat ASCVD have revealed that patients do tolerate such immune therapies, show decreases in inflammatory markers, and/or have reductions in cardiovascular endpoints. However, the search for the optimal anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating strategy and the stratification of patients who would benefit from such treatments and appropriate treatment regimens to combat ASCVD is only just beginning. In this review, we focus on immune checkpoint-based therapeutics (costimulation and coinhibition), many of which are already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of cancer or autoimmune diseases, and discuss their use as a novel immunotherapeutic strategy to treat ASCVD.

Multiplex, high-throughput method to study cancer and immune cell mechanotransduction

Studying cellular mechanoresponses during cancer metastasis is limited by sample variation or complex protocols that current techniques require. Metastasis is governed by mechanotransduction, whereby cells translate external stimuli, such as circulatory fluid shear stress (FSS), into biochemical cues. We present high-throughput, semi-automated methods to expose cells to FSS using the VIAFLO96 multichannel pipetting device custom-fitted with 22 G needles, increasing the maximum FSS 94-fold from the unmodified tips. Specifically, we develop protocols to semi-automatically stain live samples and to fix, permeabilize, and intracellularly process cells for flow cytometry analysis. Our first model system confirmed that the pro-apoptotic effects of TRAIL therapeutics in prostate cancer cells can be enhanced via FSS-induced Piezo1 activation. Our second system implements this multiplex methodology to show that FSS exposure (290 dyn cm-2) increases activation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. These methodologies greatly improve the mechanobiology workflow, offering a high-throughput, multiplex approach.

zDHHC20-driven S-palmitoylation of CD80 is required for its costimulatory function

CD80 is a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the B7 family, which has emerged as a crucial molecule in T cell modulation via the CD28 or CTLA4 axes. CD80-involved regulation of immune balance is a finely tuned process and it is important to elucidate the underlying mechanism for regulating CD80 function. In this study we investigated the post-translational modification of CD80 and its biological relevance. By using a metabolic labeling strategy, we found that CD80 was S-palmitoylated on multiple cysteine residues (Cys261/262/266/271) in both the transmembrane and the cytoplasmic regions. We further identified zDHHC20 as a bona fide palmitoyl-transferase determining the S-palmitoylation level of CD80. We demonstrated that S-palmitoylation protected CD80 protein from ubiquitination degradation, regulating the protein stability, and ensured its accurate plasma membrane localization. The palmitoylation-deficient mutant (4CS) CD80 disrupted these functions, ultimately resulting in the loss of its costimulatory function upon T cell activation. Taken together, our results describe a new post-translational modification of CD80 by S-palmitoylation as a novel mechanism for the regulation of CD80 upon T cell activation.

Systematic decoding of cis gene regulation defines context-dependent control of the multi-gene costimulatory receptor locus in human T cells

Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) interact with trans regulators to orchestrate gene expression, but how transcriptional regulation is coordinated in multi-gene loci has not been experimentally defined. We sought to characterize the CREs controlling dynamic expression of the adjacent costimulatory genes CD28, CTLA4 and ICOS, encoding regulators of T cell-mediated immunity. Tiling CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) screens in primary human T cells, both conventional and regulatory subsets, uncovered gene-, cell subset- and stimulation-specific CREs. Integration with CRISPR knockout screens and assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq) profiling identified trans regulators influencing chromatin states at specific CRISPRi-responsive elements to control costimulatory gene expression. We then discovered a critical CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) boundary that reinforces CRE interaction with CTLA4 while also preventing promiscuous activation of CD28. By systematically mapping CREs and associated trans regulators directly in primary human T cell subsets, this work overcomes longstanding experimental limitations to decode context-dependent gene regulatory programs in a complex, multi-gene locus critical to immune homeostasis.

A 67-Year-Old Man with Grade 3 Reactive Cutaneous Capillary Endothelial Proliferation Induced by Camrelizumab First Manifested in the Oral Mucosa - A Case Report

Reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation (RCCEP) is the most common immune-related adverse event induced by camrelizumab (SHR-1210). Very rare cases have been reported in oral tissues, especially the oral mucosa. We reported a 67-year-old male with Grade 3 RCCEP. Multiple dome-shaped and bright red papules were first observed in the oral mucosa, which gradually developed on his lip, face, scalp, neck, foot, calf, abdomen and groin. The patient's symptoms gradually improved at 4 weeks after SHR-1210 discontinuation and were mostly relieved at 7 weeks after discontinuation. Our findings revealed that oral examination should be performed regularly during SHR-1210 treatment.

Expression of HLA-DR and KLRG1 enhances the cytotoxic potential and cytokine secretion capacity of CD3+ T cells in tuberculosis patients

BACKGROUND

Human T cells play an important role in immunity against tuberculosis (TB) infection. Activating receptor HLA-DR and inhibitory receptor KLRG1 are critical regulators of T cell function during viral infection and tumorigenesis, but they have been less studied in TB infection.

METHODS

In this study, we explored the relationship between CD3+ T cell expression of HLA-DR and KLRG1 receptors and function against TB infection. Flow cytometry was conducted to assess the immunomodulatory effects of HLA-DR and KLRG1 receptors on CD3+ T cells in patients with different TB infection status.

RESULTS

We found activating receptors HLA-DR, NKG2C, CD57 and NKP46, and inhibitory receptors KLRG1 and KIR on CD3+ T cells in different TB infection status showed different distribution patterns; the cytotoxic potential and cytokine secretion capacity of CD3+ T cells after Mtb-specific antigen stimulation were significantly enhanced in TB infection groups. Further studies revealed HLA-DR+ T and KLRG1+ T cells expressed higher activating and inhibitory receptors than the negative population. In addition, the expression of cytotoxic potential and cytokine secretion capacity of HLA-DR+ T and KLRG1+ T cells was significantly higher than that of HLA-DR- T and KLRG1- T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression of HLA-DR and KLRG1 enhances the cytotoxic potential and cytokine secretion capacity of CD3+ T cells in TB patients, suggesting CD3+ T cells expressing HLA-DR and KLRG1 are important effector cell phenotypes involved in the host anti-TB infection. HLA-DR and KLRG1 expressed by CD3+ T cells may be potential predictive markers of TB disease progression and clinical immune assessment.

Nanomaterial-Driven Precision Immunomodulation: A New Paradigm in Therapeutic Interventions

Immunotherapy is a rapidly advancing field of research in the treatment of conditions such as cancer and autoimmunity. Nanomaterials can be designed for immune system manipulation, with precise targeted delivery and improved immunomodulatory efficacy. Here, we elaborate on various strategies using nanomaterials, including liposomes, polymers, and inorganic NPs, and discuss their detailed design intricacies, mechanisms, and applications, including the current regulatory issues. This type of nanomaterial design for targeting specific immune cells or tissues and controlling release kinetics could push current technological frontiers and provide new and innovative solutions for immune-related disorders and diseases without off-target effects. These materials enable targeted interactions with immune cells, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapies. Moreover, they allow for fine-tuning of immune responses while minimizing side effects. At the intersection of nanotechnology and immunology, nanomaterial-based platforms have immense potential to revolutionize patient-centered immunotherapy and reshape disease management. By prioritizing safety, customization, and compliance with regulatory standards, these systems can make significant contributions to precision medicine, thereby significantly impacting the healthcare landscape.

TWIST1 Drives Cytotoxic CD8+ T-Cell Exhaustion through Transcriptional Activation of CD274 (PD-L1) Expression in Breast Cancer Cells

In breast cancer, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is positively associated with programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and immune escape, and TWIST1 silences ERα expression and induces EMT and cancer metastasis. However, how TWIST1 regulates PD-L1 and immune evasion is unknown. This study analyzed TWIST1 and PD-L1 expression in breast cancers, investigated the mechanism for TWIST1 to regulate PD-L1 transcription, and assessed the effects of TWIST1 and PD-L1 in cancer cells on cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Interestingly, TWIST1 expression is correlated with high-level PD-L1 expression in ERα-negative breast cancer cells. The overexpression and knockdown of TWIST1 robustly upregulate and downregulate PD-L1 expression, respectively. TWIST1 binds to the PD-L1 promoter and recruits the TIP60 acetyltransferase complex in a BRD8-dependent manner to transcriptionally activate PD-L1 expression, which significantly accelerates the exhaustion and death of the cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Accordingly, knockdown of TWIST1 or BRD8 or inhibition of PD-L1 significantly enhances the tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells to suppress the growth of breast cancer cells. These results demonstrate that TWIST1 directly induces PD-L1 expression in ERα-negative breast cancer cells to promote immune evasion. Targeting TWIST1, BRD8, and/or PD-L1 in ERα-negative breast cancer cells with TWIST1 expression may sensitize CD8+ T-cell-mediated immunotherapy.

Regulatory mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 in cancers

Immune evasion contributes to cancer growth and progression. Cancer cells have the ability to activate different immune checkpoint pathways that harbor immunosuppressive functions. The programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligands (PD-Ls) are considered to be the major immune checkpoint molecules. The interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1 negatively regulates adaptive immune response mainly by inhibiting the activity of effector T cells while enhancing the function of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs), largely contributing to the maintenance of immune homeostasis that prevents dysregulated immunity and harmful immune responses. However, cancer cells exploit the PD-1/PD-L1 axis to cause immune escape in cancer development and progression. Blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 by neutralizing antibodies restores T cells activity and enhances anti-tumor immunity, achieving remarkable success in cancer therapy. Therefore, the regulatory mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 in cancers have attracted an increasing attention. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the roles of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in human autoimmune diseases and cancers. We summarize all aspects of regulatory mechanisms underlying the expression and activity of PD-1 and PD-L1 in cancers, including genetic, epigenetic, post-transcriptional and post-translational regulatory mechanisms. In addition, we further summarize the progress in clinical research on the antitumor effects of targeting PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies alone and in combination with other therapeutic approaches, providing new strategies for finding new tumor markers and developing combined therapeutic approaches.

The role of extracellular vesicle immune checkpoints in cancer

Immune checkpoints (ICPs) play a crucial role in regulating the immune response. In the tumor, malignant cells can hijack the immunosuppressive effects of inhibitory ICPs to promote tumor progression. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are produced by a variety of cells and contain bioactive molecules on their surface or within their lumen. The expression of ICPs has also been detected in EVs. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that extracellular vesicle immune checkpoints (EV ICPs) have immunomodulatory effects and are involved in tumor immunity. EV ICPs isolated from the peripheral blood of cancer patients are closely associated with the tumor progression and the prognosis of cancer patients. Blocking inhibitory ICPs has been recognized as an effective strategy in cancer treatment. However, the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer treatment is hindered by the emergence of therapeutic resistance, which limits their widespread use. Researchers have demonstrated that EV ICPs are correlated with clinical response to ICIs therapy and were involved in therapeutic resistance. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the immunomodulatory effects, underlying mechanisms, and clinical significance of EV ICPs in cancer. This review aims to comprehensively explore these aspects. We have provided a comprehensive description of the cellular origins, immunomodulatory effects, and clinical significance of EV ICPs in cancer, based on relevant studies.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Shows T-Cell Exhaustion Landscape in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

Background/Aims

The occurrence and development of hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is closely related to the immune pathway. We explored the heterogeneity of peripheral blood T cell subsets and the characteristics of exhausted T lymphocytes, in an attempt to identify potential therapeutic target molecules for immune dysfunction in ACLF patients.

Methods

A total of 83,577 T cells from HBV-ACLF patients and healthy controls were screened for heterogeneity by single-cell RNA sequencing. In addition, exhausted T-lymphocyte subsets were screened to analyze their gene expression profiles, and their developmental trajectories were investigated. Subsequently, the expression of exhausted T cells and their capacity in secreting cytokines (interleukin 2, interferon γ, and tumor necrosis factor α) were validated by flow cytometry.

Results

A total of eight stable clusters were identified, among which CD4+ TIGIT+ subset and CD8+ LAG-3+ subset, with high expression of exhaust genes, were significantly higher in the HBV-ACLF patients than in normal controls. As shown by pseudotime analysis, T cells experienced a transition from naïve T cells to effector T cells and then exhausted T cells. Flow cytometry confirmed that the CD4+TIGIT+ subset and CD8+LAG-3+ subset in the peripheral blood of the ACLF patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls. Moreover, in vitro cultured CD8+LAG-3+ T cells were significantly fewer capable of secreting cytokines than CD8+LAG-3- subset.

Conclusions

Peripheral blood T cells are heterogeneous in HBV-ACLF. The exhausted T cells markedly increase during the pathogenesis of ACLF, suggesting that T-cell exhaustion is involved in the immune dysfunction of HBV-ACLF patients.

The cholera toxin B subunit induces trained immunity in dendritic cells and promotes CD8 T cell antitumor immunity

Introduction

Innate immune training is a metabolic, functional, and epigenetic long-term reprogramming of innate cells triggered by different stimuli. This imprinting also reaches hematopoietic precursors in the bone marrow to sustain a memory-like phenotype. Dendritic cells (DCs) can exhibit memory-like responses, enhanced upon subsequent exposure to a pathogen; however, whether this imprinting is lineage and stimulus-restricted is still being determined. Nevertheless, the functional consequences of DCs training on the adaptive and protective immune response against non-infectious diseases remain unresolved.

Methods

We evaluated the effect of the nontoxic cholera B subunit (CTB), LPS and LTA in the induction of trained immunity in murine DCs revealed by TNFa and LDH expression, through confocal microscopy. Additionally, we obtained bone marrow DCs (BMDCs) from mice treated with CTB, LPS, and LTA and evaluated training features in DCs and their antigen-presenting cell capability using multiparametric cytometry. Finally, we design an experimental melanoma mouse model to demonstrate protection induced by CTB-trained DCs in vivo.

Results

CTB-trained DCs exhibit increased expression of TNFa, and metabolic reprogramming indicated by LDH expression. Moreover, CTB training has an imprint on DC precursors, increasing the number and antigen-presenting function in BMDCs. We found that training by CTB stimulates the recruitment of DC precursors and DCs infiltration at the skin and lymph nodes. Interestingly, training-induced by CTB promotes a highly co-stimulatory phenotype in tumor-infiltrating DCs (CD86+) and a heightened functionality of exhausted CD8 T cells (Ki67+, GZMB+), which were associated with a protective response against melanoma challenge in vivo.

Conclusion

Our work indicates that CTB can induce innate immune training on DCs, which turns into an efficient adaptive immune response in the melanoma model and might be a potential immunotherapeutic approach for tumor growth control.

Modulation of the tumor microenvironment and mechanism of immunotherapy-based drug resistance in breast cancer

Breast cancer, the most frequent female malignancy, is often curable when detected at an early stage. The treatment of metastatic breast cancer is more challenging and may be unresponsive to conventional therapy. Immunotherapy is crucial for treating metastatic breast cancer, but its resistance is a major limitation. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is vital in modulating the immunotherapy response. Various tumor microenvironmental components, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), are involved in TME modulation to cause immunotherapy resistance. This review highlights the role of stromal cells in modulating the breast tumor microenvironment, including the involvement of CAF-TAM interaction, alteration of tumor metabolism leading to immunotherapy failure, and other latest strategies, including high throughput genomic screening, single-cell and spatial omics techniques for identifying tumor immune genes regulating immunotherapy response. This review emphasizes the therapeutic approach to overcome breast cancer immune resistance through CAF reprogramming, modulation of TAM polarization, tumor metabolism, and genomic alterations.

Emerging strategies for treating autoimmune disease with genetically modified dendritic cells

Gene editing of living cells has become a crucial tool in medical research, enabling scientists to address fundamental biological questions and develop novel strategies for disease treatment. This technology has particularly revolutionized adoptive transfer cell therapy products, leading to significant advancements in tumor treatment and offering promising outcomes in managing transplant rejection, autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory diseases. While recent clinical trials have demonstrated the safety of tolerogenic dendritic cell (TolDC) immunotherapy, concerns remain regarding its effectiveness. This review aims to discuss the application of gene editing techniques to enhance the tolerance function of dendritic cells (DCs), with a particular focus on preclinical strategies that are currently being investigated to optimize the tolerogenic phenotype and function of DCs. We explore potential approaches for in vitro generation of TolDCs and provide an overview of emerging strategies for modifying DCs. Additionally, we highlight the primary challenges hindering the clinical adoption of TolDC therapeutics and propose future research directions in this field.

Microbiome dynamics in immune checkpoint blockade

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is one of the leading immunotherapies, although a variable extent of resistance has been observed among patients and across cancer types. Among the efforts underway to overcome this challenge, the microbiome has emerged as a factor affecting the responsiveness and efficacy of ICB. Active research, facilitated by advances in sequencing techniques, is assessing the predominant influence of the intestinal microbiome, as well as the effects of the presence of an intratumoral microbiome. In this review, we describe recent findings from clinical trials, observational studies of human patients, and animal studies on the impact of the microbiome on the efficacy of ICB, highlighting the role of the intestinal and tumor microbiomes and the contribution of methodological advances in their study.

Association of immune cells and the risk of esophageal cancer: A Mendelian randomization study in a East Asian population

Immunotherapy has been used in esophageal cancer (EC), but the causal relationship between EC and immune cells is not clear. Although the cellular phenotype has been reported as a biomarker for immunotherapy, the biomarker studies for immunotherapy in EC still face great challenges. Comprehensive 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to determine the causal association between immune cell signatures and EC in this study. Based on publicly available genetic data, we explored causal associations between 731 immune cell signatures and EC risk. EC had no statistically significant effect on immunophenotypes. Nine immunophenotype types were positively associated with the risk of EC: CD20-%B cell, CD20% lymphocytes, CD25 on IgD- CD27-, CD25 on IgD+ CD24+, CD27 on IgD+ CD24+, CD28+ CD45RA- CD8br AC, CD3 on TD CD8br, IgD-CD38dim%B cells, and Mo MDSC AC. In addition, a total of 15 immunophenotypes were identified as causally associated with EC. IgD+ CD38- %B cell, IgD- CD24- %lymphocyte, CD19 on IgD- CD38dim, CD20 on IgD+ CD24+, CD62L-myeloid DC AC, CD4+ AC, Lymphocyte %leukocyte, CD3 on HLA-DR+ T cell, CD3 on CD45RA- CD4+, HVEM on naive CD4+ AC, HVEM on CD45RA- CD4+, CD4 on TD CD4+, CD4 on CD4 Treg, and CD4 on CD39+ resting Treg, and CD4 on activated & secreting Treg. Our study has demonstrated the close connection between immune cells and EC by genetic means, thus providing guidance for future clinical research.

The ATP-exporting channel Pannexin-1 promotes CD8+ T cell effector and memory responses

Sensing of extracellular ATP (eATP) controls CD8+ T cell function. Their accumulation can occur through export by specialized molecules, such as the release channel Pannexin-1 (Panx1). Whether Panx1 controls CD8+ T cell immune responses in vivo, however, has not been previously addressed. Here, we report that T cell-specific Panx1 is needed for CD8+ T cell responses to viral infections and cancer. We found that CD8-specific Panx1 promotes both effector and memory CD8+ T cell responses. Panx1 favors initial effector CD8+ T cell activation through extracellular ATP (eATP) export and subsequent P2RX4 activation, which helps promote full effector differentiation through extracellular lactate accumulation and its subsequent recycling. In contrast, Panx1 promotes memory CD8+ T cell survival primarily through ATP export and subsequent P2RX7 engagement, leading to improved mitochondrial metabolism. In summary, Panx1-mediated eATP export regulates effector and memory CD8+ T cells through distinct purinergic receptors and different metabolic and signaling pathways.

Integration Analysis of Single-Cell Multi-Omics Reveals Prostate Cancer Heterogeneity

Prostate cancer (PCa) is an extensive heterogeneous disease with a complex cellular ecosystem in the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the manner in which heterogeneity is shaped by tumors and stromal cells, or vice versa, remains poorly understood. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and bulk ATAC-sequence are integrated from a series of patients with PCa and healthy controls. A stemness subset of club cells marked with SOX9highARlow expression is identified, which is markedly enriched after neoadjuvant androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). Furthermore, a subset of CD8+CXCR6+ T cells that function as effector T cells is markedly reduced in patients with malignant PCa. For spatial transcriptome analysis, machine learning and computational intelligence are comprehensively utilized to identify the cellular diversity of prostate cancer cells and cell-cell communication in situ. Macrophage and neutrophil state transitions along the trajectory of cancer progression are also examined. Finally, the immunosuppressive microenvironment in advanced PCa is found to be associated with the infiltration of regulatory T cells (Tregs), potentially induced by an FAP+ fibroblast subset. In summary, the cellular heterogeneity is delineated in the stage-specific PCa microenvironment at single-cell resolution, uncovering their reciprocal crosstalk with disease progression, which can be helpful in promoting PCa diagnosis and therapy.

Recent development of oral vaccines (Review)

Oral immunization can elicit an effective immune response and immune tolerance to specific antigens. When compared with the traditional injection route, delivering antigens via the gastrointestinal mucosa offers superior immune effects and compliance, as well as simplicity and convenience, making it a more optimal route for immunization. At present, various oral vaccine delivery systems exist. Certain modified bacteria, such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli and particularly Lactobacillus, are considered promising carriers for oral vaccines. These carriers can significantly enhance immunization efficiency by actively replicating in the intestinal tract following oral administration. The present review provided a discussion of the main mechanisms of oral immunity and the research progress made in the field of oral vaccines. Additionally, it introduced the advantages and disadvantages of the currently more commonly administered injectable COVID-19 vaccines, alongside the latest advancements in this area. Furthermore, recent developments in oral vaccines are summarized, and their potential benefits and side effects are discussed.

Therapeutic induction of antigen-specific immune tolerance

The development of therapeutic approaches for the induction of robust, long-lasting and antigen-specific immune tolerance remains an important unmet clinical need for the management of autoimmunity, allergy, organ transplantation and gene therapy. Recent breakthroughs in our understanding of immune tolerance mechanisms have opened new research avenues and therapeutic opportunities in this area. Here, we review mechanisms of immune tolerance and novel methods for its therapeutic induction.

Plant-derived Durvalumab variants show efficient PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and therapeutically favourable FcR binding

Immune checkpoint blocking therapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitory signalling pathway has produced encouraging results in the treatment of a variety of cancers. Durvalumab (Imfinzi®) targeting PD-L1 is currently used for immunotherapy of several tumour malignancies. The Fc region of this IgG1 antibody has been engineered to reduce FcγR interactions with the aim of enhancing blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 interactions without the depletion of PD-L1-expressing immune cells. Here, we used Nicotiana benthamiana to produce four variants of Durvalumab (DL): wild-type IgG1 and its 'Fc-effector-silent' variant (LALAPG) carrying further modifications to increase antibody half-life (YTE); IgG4S228P and its variant (PVA) with Fc mutations to decrease binding to FcγRI. In addition, DL variants were produced with two distinct glycosylation profiles: afucosylated and decorated with α1,6-core fucose. Plant-derived DL variants were compared to the therapeutic antibody regarding their ability to (i) bind to PD-L1, (ii) block PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitory signalling and (iii) engage with the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) and various Fcγ receptors. It was found that plant-derived DL variants bind to recombinant PD-L1 and to PD-L1 expressed in gastrointestinal cancer cells and are able to effectively block its interaction with PD-1 on T cells, thereby enhancing their activation. Furthermore, we show a positive impact of Fc amino acid mutations and core fucosylation on DL's therapeutic potential. Compared to Imfinzi®, DL-IgG1 (LALAPG) and DL-IgG4 (PVA)S228P show lower affinity to CD32B inhibitory receptor which can be therapeutically favourable. Importantly, DL-IgG1 (LALAPG) also shows enhanced binding to FcRn, a key determinant of serum half-life of IgGs.

The Current and Future of Biomarkers of Immune Related Adverse Events

With their groundbreaking clinical responses, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have ushered in a new chapter in cancer therapeutics. However, they are often associated with life-threatening or organ-threatening autoimmune/autoinflammatory phenomena, collectively termed immune-related adverse events (irAEs). In this review, we will first describe the mechanisms of action of ICIs as well as irAEs. Next, we will review biomarkers for predicting the development of irAEs or stratifying risks.

Pharmacological suppression of HHLA2 glycosylation restores anti-tumor immunity in colorectal cancer

Immunotherapy aimed at inhibiting the negative co-stimulatory molecule programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) has limited effectiveness, with clinical response rates remaining below 10%-15%. Therefore, new immune checkpoints need to be explored. Our study focused on human endogenous retrovirus H long terminal repeat-associating protein 2 (HHLA2), a highly glycosylated member of the B7 family that is widely expressed in colorectal cancer. HHLA2 expression negatively correlates with the prognosis of colorectal cancer. Glycosylation of HHLA2, which is regulated by the glycosyltransferase STT3 oligosaccharyltransferase complex catalytic subunit A (STT3A), is crucial for protein stability and expression in cell membranes. Additionally, the binding of HHLA2 to the receptors killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor, three immunoglobulin domains and long cytoplasmic tail 3 (KIR3DL3) and transmembrane and immunoglobulin (Ig) domain containing 2 (TMIGD2) is dependent on N-glycosylation. Moreover, N-glycosylation of HHLA2 promotes immune evasion in colorectal cancer by suppressing the immune response of NK cells. Notably, the STT3A inhibitor NGI-1 enhances the anti-tumor immune response of NK cells. Our findings provide new insights and a molecular basis for targeting HHLA2 in immunotherapy for colorectal cancer.

Crosstalking with Dendritic Cells: A Path to Engineer Advanced T Cell Immunotherapy

Crosstalk between dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells plays a crucial role in modulating immune responses in natural and pathological conditions. DC-T cell crosstalk is achieved through contact-dependent (i.e., immunological synapse) and contact-independent mechanisms (i.e., cytokines). Activated DCs upregulate co-stimulatory signals and secrete proinflammatory cytokines to orchestrate T cell activation and differentiation. Conversely, activated T helper cells "license" DCs towards maturation, while regulatory T cells (Tregs) silence DCs to elicit tolerogenic immunity. Strategies to efficiently modulate the DC-T cell crosstalk can be harnessed to promote immune activation for cancer immunotherapy or immune tolerance for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Here, we review the natural crosstalk mechanisms between DC and T cells. We highlight bioengineering approaches to modulate DC-T cell crosstalk, including conventional vaccines, synthetic vaccines, and DC-mimics, and key seminal studies leveraging these approaches to steer immune response for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Comprehensive analysis of human monocyte subsets using full-spectrum flow cytometry and hierarchical marker clustering

Introduction

Exploring monocytes' roles within the tumor microenvironment is crucial for crafting targeted cancer treatments.

Methods

This study unveils a novel methodology utilizing four 20-color flow cytometry panels for comprehensive peripheral immune system phenotyping, specifically targeting classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocyte subsets.

Results

By applying advanced dimensionality reduction techniques like t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (tSNE) and FlowSom analysis, we performed an extensive profiling of monocytes, assessing 50 unique cell surface markers related to a wide range of immunological functions, including activation, differentiation, and immune checkpoint regulation.

Discussion

This in-depth approach significantly refines the identification of monocyte subsets, directly supporting the development of personalized immunotherapies and enhancing diagnostic precision. Our pioneering panel for monocyte phenotyping marks a substantial leap in understanding monocyte biology, with profound implications for the accuracy of disease diagnostics and the success of checkpoint-inhibitor therapies. Key findings include revealing distinct marker expression patterns linked to tumor progression and providing new avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions.

Adoptive cell immunotherapy for breast cancer: harnessing the power of immune cells

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignant neoplasm worldwide, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic strategies owing to the limitations posed by conventional treatment modalities. Immunotherapy is an innovative approach that has demonstrated significant efficacy in modulating a patient's innate immune system to combat tumor cells. In the era of precision medicine, adoptive immunotherapy for breast cancer has garnered widespread attention as an emerging treatment strategy, primarily encompassing cellular therapies such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, chimeric antigen receptor T/natural killer/M cell therapy, T cell receptor gene-engineered T cell therapy, lymphokine-activated killer cell therapy, cytokine-induced killer cell therapy, natural killer cell therapy, and γδ T cell therapy, among others. This treatment paradigm is based on the principles of immune memory and antigen specificity, involving the collection, processing, and expansion of the patient's immune cells, followed by their reintroduction into the patient's body to activate the immune system and prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis. Currently, multiple clinical trials are assessing the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of adoptive immunotherapy in breast cancer. However, this therapeutic approach faces challenges associated with tumor heterogeneity, immune evasion, and treatment safety. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest advancements in adoptive immunotherapy for breast cancer and discusses future research directions and prospects, offering valuable guidance and insights into breast cancer immunotherapy.

Treatment Options for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Immunotherapy: Present and Future

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer, and the body's immune responses greatly affect its progression and the prognosis of patients. Immunological suppression and the maintenance of self-tolerance in the tumor microenvironment are essential responses, and these form part of the theoretical foundations of immunotherapy. In this review, we first discuss the tumor microenvironment of HCC, describe immunosuppression in HCC, and review the major biomarkers used to track HCC progression and response to treatment. We then examine antibody-based therapies, with a focus on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), monoclonal antibodies that target key proteins in the immune response (programmed cell death protein 1, anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4, and programmed death-ligand 1) which have transformed the treatment of HCC and other cancers. ICIs may be used alone or in conjunction with various targeted therapies for patients with advanced HCC who are receiving first-line treatments or subsequent treatments. We also discuss the use of different cellular immunotherapies, including T cell receptor (TCR) T cell therapy and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. We then review the use of HCC vaccines, adjuvant immunotherapy, and oncolytic virotherapy, and describe the goals of future research in the development of treatments for HCC.

Sensitive bispecific chimeric T cell receptors for cancer therapy

The expression of a synthetic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to redirect antigen specificity of T cells is transforming the treatment of hematological malignancies and autoimmune diseases [1-7]. In cancer, durable efficacy is frequently limited by the escape of tumors that express low levels or lack the target antigen [8-12]. These clinical results emphasize the need for immune receptors that combine high sensitivity and multispecificity to improve outcomes. Current mono- and bispecific CARs do not faithfully recapitulate T cell receptor (TCR) function and require high antigen levels on tumor cells for recognition [13-17]. Here, we describe a novel synthetic chimeric TCR (ChTCR) that exhibits superior antigen sensitivity and is readily adapted for bispecific targeting. Bispecific ChTCRs mimic TCR structure, form classical immune synapses, and exhibit TCR-like proximal signaling. T cells expressing Bi-ChTCRs more effectively eliminated tumors with heterogeneous antigen expression in vivo compared to T cells expressing optimized bispecific CARs. The Bi-ChTCR architecture is resilient and can be designed to target multiple B cell lineage and multiple myeloma antigens. Our findings identify a broadly applicable approach for engineering T cells to target hematologic malignancies with heterogeneous antigen expression, thereby overcoming the most frequent mechanism of relapse after current CAR T therapies.

Identification and validation of a costimulatory molecule-related signature to predict the prognosis for uveal melanoma patients

Uveal melanoma (UVM) is the most common primary tumor in adult human eyes. Costimulatory molecules (CMs) are important in maintaining T cell biological functions and regulating immune responses. To investigate the role of CMs in UVM and exploit prognostic signature by bioinformatics analysis. This study aimed to identify and validate a CMs associated signature and investigate its role in the progression and prognosis of UVM. The expression profile data of training cohort and validation cohort were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. 60 CM genes were identified, and 34 genes were associated with prognosis by univariate Cox regression. A prognostic signature was established with six CM genes. Further, high- and low-risk groups were divided by the median, and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curves indicated that high-risk patients presented a poorer prognosis. We analyzed the correlation of gender, age, stage, and risk score on prognosis by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. We found that risk score was the only risk factor for prognosis. Through the integration of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), it was found that the high-risk group presented more immune cell infiltration and expression of immune checkpoints and obtained higher immune scores. Enrichment analysis of the biological functions of the two groups revealed that the differential parts were mainly related to cell-cell adhesion, regulation of T-cell activation, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. No differences in tumor mutation burden (TMB) were found between the two groups. GNA11 and BAP1 have higher mutation frequencies in high-risk patients. Finally, based on the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer 2 (GDSC2) dataset, drug sensitivity analysis found that high-risk patients may be potential beneficiaries of the treatment of crizotinib or temozolomide. Taken together, our CM-related prognostic signature is a reliable biomarker that may provide ideas for future treatments for the disease.

Recent Findings on Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines: An Updated Review

Cancer remains one of the global leading causes of death and various vaccines have been developed over the years against it, including cell-based, nucleic acid-based, and viral-based cancer vaccines. Although many vaccines have been effective in in vivo and clinical studies and some have been FDA-approved, there are major limitations to overcome: (1) developing one universal vaccine for a specific cancer is difficult, as tumors with different antigens are different for different individuals, (2) the tumor antigens may be similar to the body's own antigens, and (3) there is the possibility of cancer recurrence. Therefore, developing personalized cancer vaccines with the ability to distinguish between the tumor and the body's antigens is indispensable. This paper provides a comprehensive review of different types of cancer vaccines and highlights important factors necessary for developing efficient cancer vaccines. Moreover, the application of other technologies in cancer therapy is discussed. Finally, several insights and conclusions are presented, such as the possibility of using cold plasma and cancer stem cells in developing future cancer vaccines, to tackle the major limitations in the cancer vaccine developmental process.

Coagulation Protease-Driven Cancer Immune Evasion: Potential Targets for Cancer Immunotherapy

Blood coagulation and cancer are intrinsically connected, hypercoagulation-associated thrombotic complications are commonly observed in certain types of cancer, often leading to decreased survival in cancer patients. Apart from the common role in coagulation, coagulation proteases often trigger intracellular signaling in various cancers via the activation of a G protein-coupled receptor superfamily protease: protease-activated receptors (PARs). Although the role of PARs is well-established in the development and progression of certain types of cancer, their impact on cancer immune response is only just emerging. The present review highlights how coagulation protease-driven PAR signaling plays a key role in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses. This is followed by a detailed discussion on the contribution of coagulation protease-induced signaling in cancer immune evasion, thereby supporting the growth and development of certain tumors. A special section of the review demonstrates the role of coagulation proteases, thrombin, factor VIIa, and factor Xa in cancer immune evasion. Targeting coagulation protease-induced signaling might be a potential therapeutic strategy to boost the immune surveillance mechanism of a host fighting against cancer, thereby augmenting the clinical consequences of targeted immunotherapeutic regimens.

The clinical regimens and cell membrane camouflaged nanodrug delivery systems in hematologic malignancies treatment

Hematologic malignancies (HMs), also referred to as hematological or blood cancers, pose significant threats to patients as they impact the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. Despite significant clinical strategies using chemotherapy, radiotherapy, stem cell transplantation, targeted molecular therapy, or immunotherapy, the five-year overall survival of patients with HMs is still low. Fortunately, recent studies demonstrate that the nanodrug delivery system holds the potential to address these challenges and foster effective anti-HMs with precise treatment. In particular, cell membrane camouflaged nanodrug offers enhanced drug targeting, reduced toxicity and side effects, and/or improved immune response to HMs. This review firstly introduces the merits and demerits of clinical strategies in HMs treatment, and then summarizes the types, advantages, and disadvantages of current nanocarriers helping drug delivery in HMs treatment. Furthermore, the types, functions, and mechanisms of cell membrane fragments that help nanodrugs specifically targeted to and accumulate in HM lesions are introduced in detail. Finally, suggestions are given about their clinical translation and future designs on the surface of nanodrugs with multiple functions to improve therapeutic efficiency for cancers.

Strategies for improving the performance of prediction models for response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy in cancer

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy holds promise for bringing long-lasting clinical gains for the treatment of cancer. However, studies show that only a fraction of patients respond to the treatment. In this regard, it is valuable to develop gene expression signatures based on RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data and machine learning methods to predict a patient's response to the ICB therapy, which contributes to more personalized treatment strategy and better management of cancer patients. However, due to the limited sample size of ICB trials with RNAseq data available and the vast number of candidate gene expression features, it is challenging to develop well-performed gene expression signatures. In this study, we used several published melanoma datasets and investigated approaches that can improve the construction of gene expression-based prediction models. We found that merging datasets from multiple studies and incorporating prior biological knowledge yielded prediction models with higher predictive accuracies. Our finding suggests that these two strategies are of high value to identify ICB response biomarkers in future studies.

Engineered Nanomaterials for Tumor Immune Microenvironment Modulation in Cancer Immunotherapy

Tumor immunotherapy, represented by immune checkpoint blocking and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, has achieved promising results in clinical applications. However, it faces challenges that hinder its further development, such as limited response rates and poor tumor permeability. The efficiency of tumor immunotherapy is also closely linked to the structure and function of the immune microenvironment where the tumor resides. Recently, nanoparticle-based tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) modulation strategies have attracted a great deal of attention in cancer immunotherapy. This is primarily due to the distinctive physical characteristics of nanoparticles, which enable them to effectively infiltrate the TIME and selectively modulate its key constituents. This paper reviews recent advances in nanoparticle engineering to improve anti-cancer immunotherapy. Emerging nanoparticle-based approaches for modulating immune cells, tumor stroma, cytokines and immune checkpoints are discussed, aiming to overcome current challenges in the clinic. In addition, integrating immunotherapy with various treatment modalities such as chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy can be facilitated through the utilization of nanoparticles, thereby enhancing the efficacy of cancer treatment. The future challenges and opportunities of using nanomaterials to reeducate the suppressive immune microenvironment of tumors are also discussed, with the aim of anticipating further advancements in this growing field.