Negative Regulation of Zap70 by Lck Forms the Mechanistic Basis of Differential Expression in CD4 and CD8 T Cells

Targeted Drug Screening Leveraging Senescence-Induced T-Cell Exhaustion Signatures in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most prevalent cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with most patients diagnosed at advanced stages and facing limited early treatment options. This study aimed to identify characteristic genes associated with T-cell exhaustion due to senescence in hepatocellular carcinoma patients, elucidating the interplay between senescence and T-cell exhaustion. We constructed prognostic models based on five signature genes (ENO1, STMN1, PRDX1, RAN, and RANBP1) linked to T-cell exhaustion, utilizing elastic net regression. The findings indicate that increased expression of ENO1 in T cells may contribute to T-cell exhaustion and Treg infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, molecular docking was employed to screen small molecule compounds that target the anti-tumor effects of these exhaustion-related genes. This study provides crucial insights into the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, establishing a strong foundation for the development of predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for affected patients.

Impact of vitamin C on the development, differentiation and functional properties of T cells

Vitamin C plays a multifaceted role in various biological processes and is well-known to facilitate pleiotropic activities in both innate and adaptive immune responses, where the antioxidant capacity of vitamin C is most likely highly relevant since immune responses mainly occur in reducing environments. Beyond its antioxidant properties, vitamin C can enhance the transcription potential of genes by promoting DNA demethylation through ten-eleven-translocation (Tet) methylcytosine dioxygenases, which have been recently demonstrated to be critical for the development and differentiation of T cells. In this minireview, we will provide a broader overview on the impact of vitamin C on signaling and regulatory activities in both innate and adaptive immune cells. Particularly, we will summarize recent findings on the decisive role of finely tuned vitamin C concentrations for T cell development, T helper cell differentiation, and optimal T cell-mediated immune responses.

Mechanical forces amplify TCR mechanotransduction in T cell activation and function

Adoptive T cell immunotherapies, including engineered T cell receptor (eTCR) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapies, have shown efficacy in treating a subset of hematologic malignancies, exhibit promise in solid tumors, and have many other potential applications, such as in fibrosis, autoimmunity, and regenerative medicine. While immunoengineering has focused on designing biomaterials to present biochemical cues to manipulate T cells ex vivo and in vivo, mechanical cues that regulate their biology have been largely underappreciated. This review highlights the contributions of mechanical force to several receptor-ligand interactions critical to T cell function, with central focus on the TCR-peptide-loaded major histocompatibility complex (pMHC). We then emphasize the role of mechanical forces in (i) allosteric strengthening of the TCR-pMHC interaction in amplifying ligand discrimination during T cell antigen recognition prior to activation and (ii) T cell interactions with the extracellular matrix. We then describe approaches to design eTCRs, CARs, and biomaterials to exploit TCR mechanosensitivity in order to potentiate T cell manufacturing and function in adoptive T cell immunotherapy.