Journal Articles

Tumors hijack immune-privileging regulons via distinct cell types to confer T cell desertion and immunotherapy resistance across various cancers Spotlight 

Bashir Lawal 1 2, Akshat Gupta 1 2, Renu Sharma 1 2, Huayan Ren 1 2, Rohit Bhargava 2 3, Yue Wang 1 2, Xiao-Song Wang 4 5

Nature communications

Lawal et al. identified an immune-privileging regulon signature (IMPREG) from tumor samples of patients who were non-responsive to ICB. IMPREG mirrors transcriptional programs of immune-privileged organs. Transcriptomics revealed that IMPREG was activated via three compartments: immature neuronal-like malignant cells, myofibroblastic CAFs, or endothelial cells, forming niches devoid of effector T cells and enriched for TGFβ3, CXCL12, and IL-34-driven suppressive circuits. High IMPREG scores predicted ICB resistance in 14 cancer types, and was associated with increased sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors and anti-angiogenic therapies.

Contributed by Shishir Pant

Bashir Lawal 1 2, Akshat Gupta 1 2, Renu Sharma 1 2, Huayan Ren 1 2, Rohit Bhargava 2 3, Yue Wang 1 2, Xiao-Song Wang 4 5

Nature communications

Lawal et al. identified an immune-privileging regulon signature (IMPREG) from tumor samples of patients who were non-responsive to ICB. IMPREG mirrors transcriptional programs of immune-privileged organs. Transcriptomics revealed that IMPREG was activated via three compartments: immature neuronal-like malignant cells, myofibroblastic CAFs, or endothelial cells, forming niches devoid of effector T cells and enriched for TGFβ3, CXCL12, and IL-34-driven suppressive circuits. High IMPREG scores predicted ICB resistance in 14 cancer types, and was associated with increased sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors and anti-angiogenic therapies.

Contributed by Shishir Pant

ABSTRACT: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has transformed oncology, yet most patients fail to respond, suffer from hyper-progressive disease, or face severe immune-related toxicities, underscoring the urgent need for biomarkers that identify non-responders. Here we show that tumors co-opt an immune-privileging regulon signature (IMPREG) mirroring transcriptional programs of immune-privileged organs - to enforce T-cell desertion and ICB resistance across solid tumor types. Single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analyses reveal that tumors activate IMPREG through three distinct cellular routes: malignant cells adopting immature neuronal states, cancer-associated fibroblasts assuming myofibroblast identities, or endothelial cells - each creating localized niches of immune suppression and antigen-presentation collapse. Across 4 discovery and 36 validation clinical datasets, IMPREG consistently predicts immunotherapy resistance in 14 distinct cancer types, functioning as an orthogonal marker independent of established biomarkers. Crucially, IMPREG-expressing tumors show enhanced sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors or anti-angiogenic therapies in specific tumor entities. These findings suggest IMPREG as a dual-utility predictive biomarker for personalized treatment stratification.

Author Info: 1UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. 2Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. 3Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC,

Author Info: 1UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. 2Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. 3Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. 4UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. xiaosongw@pitt.edu. 5Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. xiaosongw@pitt.edu.

Citation: Nat Commun 2026 May 8 Epub05/08/2026

Link to PUBMED: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42103714

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    CD39+CD49a+CD103+ cytotoxic tissue-resident natural killer cells infiltrate and control solid epithelial tumor growth in mice

    Featured  

    Nina B Horowitz 1 2, Imran A Mohammad 1, June Ho Shin 1, John W Hickey 3 4, Peter Chockley 5 6, Gail Snyder 1, Chen Chen 1, Keene Lee 1, Krishna Sharma 1, Quan Tran 1, Anahita Nejatfard 7, Sainiteesh Maddineni 1, Vasu Divi 1, Catherine A Blish 8, Garry P Nolan 4, Jennifer A Foltz 9 10, John B Sunwoo 1

    Science translational medicine

    Two recent papers phenotyped tumoral NK cell subsets. Lozada et al. detected a tissue-resident (TR) adaptive subset that was IFNG-driven, associated with better clinical outcomes and response to checkpoint blockade, while canonical NK cells expressed high TGFB1 and were suppressive. Horowitz, Mahammad, Ho Shin et al. also found that tissue-resident CD49a+CD103+ NK cells (trNK cells) can have suppressive or cytotoxic functions. A cytotoxic trNK population expressing CD39 had the highest cytolytic antitumor activity and could be differentiated and expanded ex vivo for adoptive transfer.

    Nina B Horowitz 1 2, Imran A Mohammad 1, June Ho Shin 1, John W Hickey 3 4, Peter Chockley 5 6, Gail Snyder 1, Chen Chen 1, Keene Lee 1, Krishna Sharma 1, Quan Tran 1, Anahita Nejatfard 7, Sainiteesh Maddineni 1, Vasu Divi 1, Catherine A Blish 8, Garry P Nolan 4, Jennifer A Foltz 9 10, John B Sunwoo 1

    Science translational medicine

    Two recent papers phenotyped tumoral NK cell subsets. Lozada et al. detected a tissue-resident (TR) adaptive subset that was IFNG-driven, associated with better clinical outcomes and response to checkpoint blockade, while canonical NK cells expressed high TGFB1 and were suppressive. Horowitz, Mahammad, Ho Shin et al. also found that tissue-resident CD49a+CD103+ NK cells (trNK cells) can have suppressive or cytotoxic functions. A cytotoxic trNK population expressing CD39 had the highest cytolytic antitumor activity and could be differentiated and expanded ex vivo for adoptive transfer.

    ABSTRACT: Human tissue-resident natural killer (NK) cells (trNK cells), broadly defined by markers of tissue residency, such as CD49a [integrin α1 (ITGA1)] and CD103 [integrin αE (ITGAE)], are increasingly recognized for their immunoregulatory role in host control of infection, malignancy, and autoimmunity. Although the importance of transforming growth factor-β in trNK cell differentiation has been demonstrated, the context in which the differentiation of CD49a+CD103+ trNK cells occurs can result in either an immunosuppressive phenotype (e.g., decidual NK cells) or a highly cytotoxic one (e.g., some tumor trNK subsets). To understand this dichotomy better, we used a multiomic approach to molecularly characterize these cells. We identified a cytotoxic trNK (ctrNK) cell population, characterized by the expression of CD39. These ctrNK cells exhibited superior cytolytic activity against tumor target cells, enhanced capacity to infiltrate into solid tumor microenvironments, and augmented ability to control solid tumor growth in vivo compared with conventionally activated peripheral NK cells. This heightened cytolytic and infiltrative functionality of ctrNK cells appeared to be conferred, in part, by the expression of CD103 and by avidity for tumor targets. Because adoptive immune cell therapy of solid tumor malignancies has been challenged by the inefficiency of ex vivo expanded immune cells to infiltrate immunosuppressive solid tumor microenvironments, our observations that ctrNK cells can be differentiated and expanded ex vivo present a potential platform for adoptive cell therapy of solid tumor malignancies.

    Author Info: 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. 2Department of Bioengineering, Stanfo

    Author Info: 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. 2Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. 3Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. 4Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. 5Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-the James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. 6Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. 7Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. 8Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. 9Section of Computational Biology, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. 10Siteman Cancer Center at WashU Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.

    Citation: Sci Transl Med 2026 May 6 18:eadw5567 Epub05/06/2026

    Link to PUBMED: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42090477

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      Integrated Single-Cell Profiling Reveals Dichotomous NK Cell Populations Associated with Immunosuppression in Solid Tumors Featured  

      John R Lozada 1, Atef Ali 1, Christine Luo 1, Rosemary N Plagens 2, Bin Zhang 3, Andrew Elliott 4, Ella Boytim 5, Nicholas A Zorko 6, Elisabeth I Heath 7, Akash Patnaik 8, Ari M VanderWalde 9, Emmanuel S Antonarakis 1, Jeffrey S Miller 10, Justin H Hwang 10, Frank Cichocki 1

      Cancer immunology research | Free PMC Article

      Two recent papers phenotyped tumoral NK cell subsets. Lozada et al. detected a tissue-resident (TR) adaptive subset that was IFNG-driven, associated with better clinical outcomes and response to checkpoint blockade, while canonical NK cells expressed high TGFB1 and were suppressive. Horowitz, Mahammad, Ho Shin et al. also found that tissue-resident CD49a+CD103+ NK cells (trNK cells) can have suppressive or cytotoxic functions. A cytotoxic trNK population expressing CD39 had the highest cytolytic antitumor activity and could be differentiated and expanded ex vivo for adoptive transfer.

      John R Lozada 1, Atef Ali 1, Christine Luo 1, Rosemary N Plagens 2, Bin Zhang 3, Andrew Elliott 4, Ella Boytim 5, Nicholas A Zorko 6, Elisabeth I Heath 7, Akash Patnaik 8, Ari M VanderWalde 9, Emmanuel S Antonarakis 1, Jeffrey S Miller 10, Justin H Hwang 10, Frank Cichocki 1

      Cancer immunology research | Free PMC Article

      Two recent papers phenotyped tumoral NK cell subsets. Lozada et al. detected a tissue-resident (TR) adaptive subset that was IFNG-driven, associated with better clinical outcomes and response to checkpoint blockade, while canonical NK cells expressed high TGFB1 and were suppressive. Horowitz, Mahammad, Ho Shin et al. also found that tissue-resident CD49a+CD103+ NK cells (trNK cells) can have suppressive or cytotoxic functions. A cytotoxic trNK population expressing CD39 had the highest cytolytic antitumor activity and could be differentiated and expanded ex vivo for adoptive transfer.

      ABSTRACT: Natural killer (NK) cells represent key effectors of antitumor immunity, yet emerging evidence highlights populations with distinct roles in cancer. Despite such expanded diversity within the NK cell repertoire, we lack an understanding of how this heterogeneity impacts immune responses and downstream clinical outcomes. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), we systematically profiled NK cells across cancer and uncovered a dichotomous phenotypic and functional landscape of tumor-infiltrating NK cells shaped by opposing intrinsic signaling programs that drive the expression of IFNG or TGFB1. These divergent programs are associated with distinct transcription factor circuits that integrate cues within the tumor microenvironment and skew NK cells towards pro-inflammatory or suppressive functions. We found that the capacity for NK cells to engage in either functional direction is intrinsically linked to their phenotypic identity. Canonical NK cells recruited from circulation predominantly directed suppressive TGFB1 signals towards effector CD8+ T cells in tumors. Of note, these subsets exhibited higher TGFB1 expression than intratumoral myeloid cells across tumor types. In contrast, a tissue-resident adaptive subset exhibited exclusively pro-inflammatory IFNG-driven profiles and was associated with prolonged survival in both primary and metastatic tumor settings. Moreover, these tissue-resident adaptive NK cells, but not other subsets, were linked to response to immune checkpoint blockade. Collectively, our study reveals a previously unrecognized regulatory axis in NK cells that shapes NK cell diversity and augments broader antitumor immune responses.

      Author Info: 1University of Minnesota Minneapolis United States. 2Caris Life Sciences (United States) Irving, Texas United States. 3University of Minnesota Cancer Center Minneapolis United Stat

      Author Info: 1University of Minnesota Minneapolis United States. 2Caris Life Sciences (United States) Irving, Texas United States. 3University of Minnesota Cancer Center Minneapolis United States. 4Caris Life Sciences (United States) Phoenix, AZ United States. 5University of Minnesota Minnesota, MN United States. 6University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota United States. 7Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN United States. 8University of Chicago Chicago, IL United States. 9Caris Life Sciences (United States) Los Angeles, CA United States. 10University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN United States.

      Citation: Cancer Immunol Res 2026 Feb 27 Epub02/27/2026

      Link to PUBMED: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41758966

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        Ferroptosis-armed dendritic cell vaccines for glioma immunotherapy Spotlight 

        Mariia Saviuk 1 2, Victoria D Turubanova 1 3, Sara De Brée 1 2, Sandra Van Lint 2 4, Teresa Mendes Maia 5 6 7, Simon Devos 5 6 7, Iuliia Efimova 1 2, Julie Braet 2 4, Lore Van Oudenhove 8, Gitta Boons 8, Faye Naessens 1 2, Robin Demuynck 1 2, Ellen Saeys 1 2, Christian Vanhove 9, Lukas Bunse 10 11, Peter M van Endert 12 13, Robrecht Raedt 14, Maria V Vedunova 15, Olga Krysko 1, Roosmarijn E Vandenbroucke 16 17, Karim Vermaelen 2 4, Tatiana A Mishchenko 15, Elena Catanzaro # 18 19, Dmitri V Krysko # 1 2

        Nature communications

        A prophylactic DC vaccine loaded with ferroptotic (iron-dependent cell death) glioma cell line lysates protected against glioma growth in mice, superior to immunogenic cell death (ICD) or freeze/thaw (non-ICD) lysates. The vaccine also mediated therapeutic efficacy, induced antigen-specific CTL responses in SLOs, and increased i.t. CTLs (particularly CD39+ effector-memory cells) compared to controls. Ferroptosis induced ICD markers on glioma cells, and blocking calreticulin or ATP, but not HMGB1, abrogated vaccine efficacy. Ferroptotic lysates activated DCs and displayed a unique proteomic profile, potentially presenting novel TAAs.

        Contributed by Alex Najibi

        Mariia Saviuk 1 2, Victoria D Turubanova 1 3, Sara De Brée 1 2, Sandra Van Lint 2 4, Teresa Mendes Maia 5 6 7, Simon Devos 5 6 7, Iuliia Efimova 1 2, Julie Braet 2 4, Lore Van Oudenhove 8, Gitta Boons 8, Faye Naessens 1 2, Robin Demuynck 1 2, Ellen Saeys 1 2, Christian Vanhove 9, Lukas Bunse 10 11, Peter M van Endert 12 13, Robrecht Raedt 14, Maria V Vedunova 15, Olga Krysko 1, Roosmarijn E Vandenbroucke 16 17, Karim Vermaelen 2 4, Tatiana A Mishchenko 15, Elena Catanzaro # 18 19, Dmitri V Krysko # 1 2

        Nature communications

        A prophylactic DC vaccine loaded with ferroptotic (iron-dependent cell death) glioma cell line lysates protected against glioma growth in mice, superior to immunogenic cell death (ICD) or freeze/thaw (non-ICD) lysates. The vaccine also mediated therapeutic efficacy, induced antigen-specific CTL responses in SLOs, and increased i.t. CTLs (particularly CD39+ effector-memory cells) compared to controls. Ferroptosis induced ICD markers on glioma cells, and blocking calreticulin or ATP, but not HMGB1, abrogated vaccine efficacy. Ferroptotic lysates activated DCs and displayed a unique proteomic profile, potentially presenting novel TAAs.

        Contributed by Alex Najibi

        ABSTRACT: The type of cell death has proven to play a crucial role in cancer immunotherapy efficacy. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) enhances tumor adjuvanticity and antigenicity by releasing danger signals and altering the immune peptidome. The immunogenicity of ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death, remains uncertain. Here, we show that dendritic cell (DC) vaccines loaded with ferroptotic lysates protect mice against glioma growth, inducing IFN-_ production, and promoting robust CD8_ T cell infiltration, activation, and effector memory formation in the tumor microenvironment. The intrinsic immunogenicity of ferroptosis was independent of the glioma type and the ferroptosis inducer. Instead, it critically required the presence of the damage-associated molecular patterns calreticulin and ATP, rather than involving HMGB1-TLR4 signaling. However, supplementing these DAMPs into DC vaccines loaded with non-ICD lysates did not restore efficacy to the level of the ferroptosis-based DC vaccine, suggesting a more complex mechanism beyond a purely DAMP-mediated effect. These findings demonstrate that ferroptosis-loaded DC vaccines elicit a potent, tumor-specific immune response, capable of eradicating intracranial gliomas in mice, which highlights their potential in cancer immunotherapy.

        Author Info: 1Cell Death Investigation and Therapy (CDIT) Laboratory, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent Unive

        Author Info: 1Cell Death Investigation and Therapy (CDIT) Laboratory, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 2Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium. 3Institute of Neurosciences, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny, Russia. 4Thoracic Tumor Immunology Laboratory (TTIL), Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 5VIB Proteomics Core, VIB, Ghent, Belgium. 6VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium. 7Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 8myNEO Therapeutics, Ghent, Belgium. 9IBiTech-MEDISIP-Infinity Laboratory, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 10Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany. 11Neurology Clinic, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany. 12Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France. 13Service Immunologie Biologique, AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France. 144Brain, Department of Head and Skin, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 15Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny, Russia. 16VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium. 17Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 18Cell Death Investigation and Therapy (CDIT) Laboratory, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. elena.catanzaro@ugent.be. 19Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium. elena.catanzaro@ugent.be. #Contributed equally.

        Citation: Nat Commun 2026 May 7 Epub05/07/2026

        Link to PUBMED: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42098128

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          In vivo reprogramming of cytotoxic effector CD8+ T cells via fractalkine-conjugated mRNA-LNP

          Spotlight 

          Angela R Corrigan 1, Shin Foong Ngiow 2 3 4, Maura Statzu 5, Amie Albertus 6, M Betina Pampena 1, Jayme M L Nordin 1, Stephen D Carro 7, Justin Harper 5, Rachelle L Stammen 8, Jennifer Wood 8, Houping Ni 6, Justin Su 6, Marziyeh Hajialyani 6, Vladimir V Shuvaev 6, Victor Alcalde 3, Mohammed-Alkhatim A Ali 3, Jacob T Hamilton 1, Rajesvaran Ramalingam 9, Vincent H Wu 1 10, Mirko Paiardini 5 11, Drew Weissman 6 12, E John Wherry 2 3 4, Edward F Kreider 6 12, Michael R Betts 1 12

          Science immunology

          Corrigan et al. developed and tested mRNA lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNP) conjugated with fractalkine (CX3CL1) and found that they were able to specifically target CX3CR1+ cells – primarily effector T cells and NK cells – inducing transient expression of the payload mRNA. Administration of fraktalkine-conjugated mRNA-LNPs could be used to induce secretion of IL-2 or cell membrane expression of CD62L in target cells in vivo, with detectable expression of payload expression in up to 95% and 100% of Teff in the peripheral blood of mice and rhesus macaques, respectively. CD62L expression may have enabled lymph node trafficking of CX3CR1+ Teff cells.

          Contributed by Lauren Hitchings

          Angela R Corrigan 1, Shin Foong Ngiow 2 3 4, Maura Statzu 5, Amie Albertus 6, M Betina Pampena 1, Jayme M L Nordin 1, Stephen D Carro 7, Justin Harper 5, Rachelle L Stammen 8, Jennifer Wood 8, Houping Ni 6, Justin Su 6, Marziyeh Hajialyani 6, Vladimir V Shuvaev 6, Victor Alcalde 3, Mohammed-Alkhatim A Ali 3, Jacob T Hamilton 1, Rajesvaran Ramalingam 9, Vincent H Wu 1 10, Mirko Paiardini 5 11, Drew Weissman 6 12, E John Wherry 2 3 4, Edward F Kreider 6 12, Michael R Betts 1 12

          Science immunology

          Corrigan et al. developed and tested mRNA lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNP) conjugated with fractalkine (CX3CL1) and found that they were able to specifically target CX3CR1+ cells – primarily effector T cells and NK cells – inducing transient expression of the payload mRNA. Administration of fraktalkine-conjugated mRNA-LNPs could be used to induce secretion of IL-2 or cell membrane expression of CD62L in target cells in vivo, with detectable expression of payload expression in up to 95% and 100% of Teff in the peripheral blood of mice and rhesus macaques, respectively. CD62L expression may have enabled lymph node trafficking of CX3CR1+ Teff cells.

          Contributed by Lauren Hitchings

          ABSTRACT: Selective in vivo reprogramming of cytotoxic effector CD8 T (Teff) cells holds tremendous promise as a therapeutic tool but has not yet been accomplished. Here, we demonstrate that fractalkine-conjugated mRNA lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNPs) can specifically target and deliver mRNA to CX3CR1+ Teff cells in vitro and in vivo. In mice, fractalkine-conjugated mRNA-LNPs targeted up to 95% of blood and splenic Teff cells. In addition, delivery of IL-2-encoding mRNA and human CD62L-encoding mRNA to mouse Teff cells enabled robust exogenous IL-2 secretion and CD62L expression. In rhesus macaques, fractalkine-conjugated mRNA-LNPs targeted up to ~100% of peripheral blood Teff cells, and delivery of human CD62L-encoding mRNA enabled cell-surface human CD62L expression on peripheral blood Teff cells and detection of human CD62L+ Teff cells in lymphoid tissue. Collectively, these data demonstrate the potential of natural receptor ligand-based targeting of mRNA-LNPs for rapid, efficient, and transient in vivo modification of Teff cells.

          Author Info: 1Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 2Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

          Author Info: 1Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 2Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 3Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 4Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 5Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. 6Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 7Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 8Division of Animal Resources, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. 9Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, Canada. 10Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 11Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. 12Center for AIDS Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

          Citation: Epub 2026 May 8.

          Link to PUBMED: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42102231/

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            Dendritic cell redundancy enables priming of anti-tumor CD4+ T cells in pancreatic cancer

            Spotlight 

            (1) Kureshi CTS (2) Walsh MJ (3) Kureshi R (4) Cardot-Ruffino V (5) Agardy DA (6) Ali LR (7) Dougan JM (8) Qiang L (9) Shen J (10) Zuo C (11) Lenehan PJ (12) Wang SJ (13) Chang E (14) Remland J (15) Brais L (16) Clancy TE (17) Cleary JM (18) Hornick JL (19) Huffman BM (20) Mancias JD (21) Molina G (22) Fairweather M (23) Nowak JA (24) Perez KJ (25) Rubinson DA (26) Slater S (27) van Dams R (28) Wang J (29) Wolpin BM (30) Zhao L (31) Barrientos K (32) Novosiadly R (33) Broz M (34) Singh H (35) Dougan M (36) Dougan SK

            Cancer cell

            Kureshi et al. showed that localized STING agonist combined with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 induced durable tumor remission and memory in poorly immunogenic subcutaneous and orthotopic PDAC models, including β2m-/- tumors. Triple therapy increased activated cDC2-to-cDC1 ratios and cDC2 accumulation. Tumor control required tumor antigen-loaded cDC2 priming of IFNγ-producing Th1 CD4+ T cells in tumor-draining lymph nodes, but was independent of cDC1s, CD8+ T cells, and tumor cell MHC-I. In multiagent chemotherapy-treated PDAC patients, CD4+ T cells and cDC2s persisted, even after treatment.

            Contributed by Shishir Pant

            (1) Kureshi CTS (2) Walsh MJ (3) Kureshi R (4) Cardot-Ruffino V (5) Agardy DA (6) Ali LR (7) Dougan JM (8) Qiang L (9) Shen J (10) Zuo C (11) Lenehan PJ (12) Wang SJ (13) Chang E (14) Remland J (15) Brais L (16) Clancy TE (17) Cleary JM (18) Hornick JL (19) Huffman BM (20) Mancias JD (21) Molina G (22) Fairweather M (23) Nowak JA (24) Perez KJ (25) Rubinson DA (26) Slater S (27) van Dams R (28) Wang J (29) Wolpin BM (30) Zhao L (31) Barrientos K (32) Novosiadly R (33) Broz M (34) Singh H (35) Dougan M (36) Dougan SK

            Cancer cell

            Kureshi et al. showed that localized STING agonist combined with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 induced durable tumor remission and memory in poorly immunogenic subcutaneous and orthotopic PDAC models, including β2m-/- tumors. Triple therapy increased activated cDC2-to-cDC1 ratios and cDC2 accumulation. Tumor control required tumor antigen-loaded cDC2 priming of IFNγ-producing Th1 CD4+ T cells in tumor-draining lymph nodes, but was independent of cDC1s, CD8+ T cells, and tumor cell MHC-I. In multiagent chemotherapy-treated PDAC patients, CD4+ T cells and cDC2s persisted, even after treatment.

            Contributed by Shishir Pant

            ABSTRACT: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is resistant to current immunotherapies and lacks effective anti-tumor CD8(+) T cells, which is potentially due to insufficient cross-presentation by cDC1s. Here, we combine a STING agonist with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 to achieve durable remissions and immunologic memory in multiple mouse models of poorly immunogenic PDAC. We find that tumor control does not depend on CD8(+) T cells or tumor cell MHC expression but instead requires IFN_-producing CD4(+) T cells (Th1s) that are primed by dendritic cells in lymph nodes. The triple combination immunotherapy induces an accumulation of activated cDC2s carrying tumor antigen into tumor-draining lymph nodes; cDC2s are required for orthotopic tumor clearance. Intratumoral CD4(+) T cells and cDC2s remain present in treatment-naive and chemotherapy-exposed human PDAC. In chemotherapy-exposed patients' blood, cDC2s outnumber cDC1s by 10-fold. Therefore, therapeutic targeting of the cDC2-CD4(+) T cell-IFN_ axis could be efficacious in PDAC.

            Author Info: (1) Harvard Medical School Program in Immunology, Boston, MA, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farbe

            Author Info: (1) Harvard Medical School Program in Immunology, Boston, MA, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA. (2) Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School Program in Virology, Boston, MA, USA. (3) Harvard Medical School Program in Immunology, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA. (4) Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (5) Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA. (6) Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (7) Brookline High School, Brookline, MA, USA. (8) Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (9) Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (10) Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (11) Harvard Medical School Program in Immunology, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA. (12) Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA. (13) Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA. (14) Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (15) Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (16) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Division of Surgical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (17) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (18) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Pathology, Boston, MA, USA. (19) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (20) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Radiation Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (21) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Division of Surgical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (22) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Division of Surgical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (23) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Oncologic Pathology, Boston, MA, USA. (24) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (25) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (26) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (27) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Radiation Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (28) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Division of Surgical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (29) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (30) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Pathology, Boston, MA, USA. (31) Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA. (32) Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA. (33) Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA. (34) Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA. (35) Harvard Medical School Program in Immunology, Boston, MA, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA. (36) Harvard Medical School Program in Immunology, Boston, MA, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: stephanie_dougan@dfci.harvard.edu.

            Citation: Cancer Cell 2026 May 7 Epub05/07/2026

            Link to PUBMED: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42102812

            Tags:

            Cancer stem cells orchestrate immune evasion through extracellular vesicle-mediated non-canonical signaling pathways Spotlight 

            (1) Fan G (2) Jin J (3) Wang J (4) Xu J (5) Ge W (6) Liu S (7) Tang L (8) Reziya W (9) Yang X (10) Li J (11) Ng LG (12) Di L (13) Zheng Y (14) Lan F (15) Chen S (16) Zhang Y (17) Wang X (18) Gao D (19) Liu X (20) Sun H (21) Liu Y (22) Li T (23) Cao Y (24) Tao Z (25) Liu W (26) Wang H

            Cancer cell

            Fan et al. found that in patient specimens of untreated TNBC, cancer stem cells produced extracellular vesicles enriched for TSPAN8 (EVs-TSPAN8), which interacted with CD103 on T cells via a paracrine signaling mechanism – independent of canonical EV internalization – inducing activation of the LKB1-AMPK-FOXP3 axis. This resulted in enhanced Foxp3 expression, which further increased CD103 expression, resulting in a positive feedback loop that enhanced the formation of pro-tumor CD103+Foxp3+ Tregs. In mouse models of TNBC, neutralizing EVs-TSPAN8+ synergized with anti-PD-1, reducing tumor growth and increasing survival.

            Contributed by Lauren Hitchings

            (1) Fan G (2) Jin J (3) Wang J (4) Xu J (5) Ge W (6) Liu S (7) Tang L (8) Reziya W (9) Yang X (10) Li J (11) Ng LG (12) Di L (13) Zheng Y (14) Lan F (15) Chen S (16) Zhang Y (17) Wang X (18) Gao D (19) Liu X (20) Sun H (21) Liu Y (22) Li T (23) Cao Y (24) Tao Z (25) Liu W (26) Wang H

            Cancer cell

            Fan et al. found that in patient specimens of untreated TNBC, cancer stem cells produced extracellular vesicles enriched for TSPAN8 (EVs-TSPAN8), which interacted with CD103 on T cells via a paracrine signaling mechanism – independent of canonical EV internalization – inducing activation of the LKB1-AMPK-FOXP3 axis. This resulted in enhanced Foxp3 expression, which further increased CD103 expression, resulting in a positive feedback loop that enhanced the formation of pro-tumor CD103+Foxp3+ Tregs. In mouse models of TNBC, neutralizing EVs-TSPAN8+ synergized with anti-PD-1, reducing tumor growth and increasing survival.

            Contributed by Lauren Hitchings

            ABSTRACT: Tumor cells evade anti-tumor immunity by reprogramming tumor microenvironment (TME). Using multiplexed single-cell proteomics to analyze 50 TME-associated proteins across treatment-naive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) specimens, we discovered that cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive differentiation and expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) via extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated paracrine signaling. TSPAN8, an integral membrane protein on CSC-derived EVs, interacts with CD103 (integrin αEβ7) on T cells, triggering the formation of LKB1-STRAD-MO25 complex and sequential phosphorylation of LKB1 and AMPKα. This cascade enhances FOXP3 expression, which transactivates CD103, creating a positive feedback loop that drives clonal expansion of immunosuppressive CD103+FOXP3+ Tregs and their associated niche. This EV membrane topology-based mechanism operates independently of canonical EV cargo internalization. Neutralizing EVs-TSPAN8+ with a monoclonal antibody synergized with anti-PD-1 therapy in preclinical models, suggesting a potential approach targeting both CSCs and TME immunosuppression, particularly in TNBC subpopulation with high TSPAN8+ CSCs.

            Author Info: (1) State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 20080, China; Precision Research Cent

            Author Info: (1) State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 20080, China; Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Pioneer Research Institute for Molecular and Cell Therapies, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 20080, China; Breast and Thyroid Surgery Department, General Surgery Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 20080, China. (2) Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. (3) Department of Breast, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 910 Hengshan Road, Shanghai, China. (4) State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 20080, China. (5) Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. (6) Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. (7) Department of Oncology, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Suzhou 21500, China. (8) State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 20080, China. (9) State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 20080, China. (10) State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 20080, China. (11) Research Unit of Immune Regulation and Immune Diseases of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai 200127, China. (12) Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Science, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China. (13) State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. (14) Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, State International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. (15) Department of Biophysics and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China. (16) Department of Biophysics and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China. (17) Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin 999077, Hong Kong SAR, China. (18) State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, CAS, Shanghai 200031, China. (19) Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China. (20) Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. (21) Shanghai Key Laboratory of Cancer Systems Regulation and Clinical Translation, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China. (22) Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. (23) Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: gem23@163.com. (24) Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. Electronic address: drtaozhh@126.com. (25) Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. Electronic address: liuwenting1015@163.com. (26) Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 20080, China. Electronic address: whx365@126.com.

            Citation: Cancer Cell 2026 May 7 Epub05/07/2026

            Link to PUBMED: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42102811

            Tags:

            Foxp3 drives context-dependent epigenetic programs that define regulatory T cell molecular identity and function Spotlight 

            (1) Wei Y (2) Ago H (3) Murakami R (4) Funatsu S (5) Osaki M (6) Nakajima A (7) Hasegawa Y (8) Kawakami R (9) Sakaguchi S (10) Hori S

            Science immunology

            Wei et al. used Foxp3-transduced conventional T cells as a gain-of-function probe, and identified an endogenous Foxp3+ subset that acquired Treg-like transcriptional, chromatin, and suppressive features, exclusively in vivo. Endogenous Foxp3 induction in vivo required a permissive environment created by reduced AKT-mTOR signaling and Foxp3 engagement with STAT5 and NF-κB at Foxp3 regulatory elements. Foxp3 drove a stepwise chromatin remodeling program at Foxp3-induced open chromatin regions, establishing NFκB-linked core modules shared across Treg subsets, and effector-specific modules co-regulated with AP-1.

            Contributed by Shishir Pant

            (1) Wei Y (2) Ago H (3) Murakami R (4) Funatsu S (5) Osaki M (6) Nakajima A (7) Hasegawa Y (8) Kawakami R (9) Sakaguchi S (10) Hori S

            Science immunology

            Wei et al. used Foxp3-transduced conventional T cells as a gain-of-function probe, and identified an endogenous Foxp3+ subset that acquired Treg-like transcriptional, chromatin, and suppressive features, exclusively in vivo. Endogenous Foxp3 induction in vivo required a permissive environment created by reduced AKT-mTOR signaling and Foxp3 engagement with STAT5 and NF-κB at Foxp3 regulatory elements. Foxp3 drove a stepwise chromatin remodeling program at Foxp3-induced open chromatin regions, establishing NFκB-linked core modules shared across Treg subsets, and effector-specific modules co-regulated with AP-1.

            Contributed by Shishir Pant

            ABSTRACT: Regulatory T cells (T(reg) cells) express the master regulator, Foxp3, and display distinctive epigenetic landscapes ensuring T(reg) cell-specific gene expression and stable suppressive functions, yet Foxp3's contribution to this epigenetic identity remains unclear. Leveraging Foxp3-transduced conventional T cells as a gain-of-function probe in mice, we identified a previously unrecognized subset that acquires endogenous Foxp3 expression, T(reg) cell-like transcriptomic and chromatin features, and suppressive functions exclusively in vivo. These Foxp3-driven features were conserved in T(reg) cells but impaired in Foxp3-mutant T(reg)-like cells, demonstrating a Foxp3 requirement. Induction of endogenous Foxp3 expression in vivo required reduced AKT-mTOR signaling and Foxp3-dependent engagement of STAT5 and nuclear factor _B (NF-_B). Temporal chromatin profiling revealed stepwise Foxp3-driven regulatory programs, including a core program shared across T(reg) cell subsets and effector-specific programs, both associated with NF-_B activity and Foxp3 binding. Thus, Foxp3 integrates cell-intrinsic and environmental contexts to drive epigenetic programs defining T(reg) cell identities and functions, with implications for Foxp3-based therapies.

            Author Info: (1) Laboratory of Immunology and Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. (2) Laboratory of Immunology and Microbiology, Graduat

            Author Info: (1) Laboratory of Immunology and Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. (2) Laboratory of Immunology and Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. (3) Laboratory of Immunology and Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan. (4) Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan. (5) Laboratory of Immunology and Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. (6) Laboratory of Immunology and Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. (7) Department of Applied Genomics, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Chiba 292-0818, Japan. (8) Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. (9) Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. (10) Laboratory of Immunology and Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan.

            Citation: Sci Immunol 2026 May 11:eaed2111 Epub05/01/2026

            Link to PUBMED: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42066061

            Tags:

            Lymphoid tissue chemokines limit priming duration to preserve CD8+ T cell functionality

            Spotlight 

            (1) Altenburger LM (2) Carvoeiro DC (3) Dehio P (4) Zhou J (5) Laura C (6) Bofi I Cuadros Ë (7) Katoch M (8) KrŸger C (9) de Albuquerque JB (10) Pfenninger P (11) Magdaleno JM (12) Mehling M (13) Iannacone M (14) Gheinani AH (15) Dengjel J (16) Abe J (17) Stein JV

            Science

            Altenburger et al. showed that although in vitro-activated CD8+ T cells that were attached to DCs for long periods exhibited persistent TCR signaling during cell division, in lymphoid tissue, DCs and T cells detached before T cell proliferation began. DC-attached T cells were transiently unresponsive, but regained CCR7 response to CCL19/21 over 24-48hrs to reposition F-actin-promoting factor DOCK2 away from the immune synapse and allow T cell detachment, effector gene transcription, and enhanced cytolysis. Prolonged DC–T cell interaction increased PD-1 and LAG3. Detachment favored increased effector function that lasted throughout the memory phase.

            Contributed by Paula Hochman

            (1) Altenburger LM (2) Carvoeiro DC (3) Dehio P (4) Zhou J (5) Laura C (6) Bofi I Cuadros Ë (7) Katoch M (8) KrŸger C (9) de Albuquerque JB (10) Pfenninger P (11) Magdaleno JM (12) Mehling M (13) Iannacone M (14) Gheinani AH (15) Dengjel J (16) Abe J (17) Stein JV

            Science

            Altenburger et al. showed that although in vitro-activated CD8+ T cells that were attached to DCs for long periods exhibited persistent TCR signaling during cell division, in lymphoid tissue, DCs and T cells detached before T cell proliferation began. DC-attached T cells were transiently unresponsive, but regained CCR7 response to CCL19/21 over 24-48hrs to reposition F-actin-promoting factor DOCK2 away from the immune synapse and allow T cell detachment, effector gene transcription, and enhanced cytolysis. Prolonged DC–T cell interaction increased PD-1 and LAG3. Detachment favored increased effector function that lasted throughout the memory phase.

            Contributed by Paula Hochman

            ABSTRACT: The generation of effector CD8(+) T cells (T(EFF)) requires activation of nave CCR7(+) T cells (T(N)) by dendritic cells (DCs) in lymphoid tissue. How T(N)-DC interaction duration and signal integration are controlled remains unclear. In this study, we show that lymphoid stroma-secreted CCR7 ligands limit interaction duration by progressively inducing CD8(+) T cell release from DCs. At late interaction stages, CCR7 ligands relocalize the F-actin regulator DOCK2 away from the DC interface, permitting T cell detachment, proliferation onset, and acquisition of cytotoxicity. Disruption of CCR7 signaling causes prolonged T cell-DC contacts and produces dysfunctional T(EFF) with elevated inhibitory receptors, reduced antimicrobial activity, and impaired recall responses. Stromal chemokines therefore act as critical regulators of T cell priming by DCs, preserving CD8(+) effector function during acute and memory phases.

            Author Info: (1) Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. (2) Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribo

            Author Info: (1) Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. (2) Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. (3) Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. (4) Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. (5) Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. (6) Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. (7) Institute of Neuropathology, UniversitŠtsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-UniversitŠt Erlangen-NŸrnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany. (8) Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. (9) Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. (10) Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. (11) Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. (12) Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. (13) Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. (14) Functional Urology Research Group, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. Department of Urology, Inselspital University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland. Urological Diseases Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. Harvard Medical School, Department of Surgery, Boston, MA, USA. Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. (15) Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. (16) Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. (17) Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.

            Citation: Science 2026 Apr 30 392:eadq2080 Epub04/30/2026

            Link to PUBMED: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42060746

            Tags:

            The circadian gene Dec2 promotes pancreatic cancer progression and dormancy through immune evasion Spotlight 

            (1) Wang L (2) Harris CR (3) Dudgeon C (4) Prela O (5) Cazares de Menezes J (6) Shih CH (7) Davidson C (8) Casabianca A (9) De S (10) Narrow W (11) Becker J (12) Grandgenett PM (13) Hollingsworth MA (14) Grem JL (15) Kim M (16) Hong Y (17) Gerber S (18) Vertino PM (19) Gao C (20) Klamer Z (21) Repesh A (22) Hao Y (23) Ryan AT (24) Breitenbach M (25) Bianchi A (26) Datta J (27) Altman BJ (28) Haab B (29) Carpizo DR

            Developmental cell

            Wang, Harris, and Dudgeon et al. identified the circadian rhythm gene Dec2 as a tumor-intrinsic regulator of dormancy and immune evasion in pancreatic cancer models. Dormant PDAC cells and occult disseminated tumor cells expressed high levels of Dec2, which repressed multiple components of the MHC-I antigen presentation pathway and reduced T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Tumor surface MHC-I levels oscillated in antiphase to Dec2. Dec2 deletion restored antigen presentation, repolarized the PDAC TME from immune-cold to inflamed, and improved survival in immunocompetent (Ink4a.1 and 6419c5 models), but not immunodeficient mice.

            Contributed by Shishir Pant

            (1) Wang L (2) Harris CR (3) Dudgeon C (4) Prela O (5) Cazares de Menezes J (6) Shih CH (7) Davidson C (8) Casabianca A (9) De S (10) Narrow W (11) Becker J (12) Grandgenett PM (13) Hollingsworth MA (14) Grem JL (15) Kim M (16) Hong Y (17) Gerber S (18) Vertino PM (19) Gao C (20) Klamer Z (21) Repesh A (22) Hao Y (23) Ryan AT (24) Breitenbach M (25) Bianchi A (26) Datta J (27) Altman BJ (28) Haab B (29) Carpizo DR

            Developmental cell

            Wang, Harris, and Dudgeon et al. identified the circadian rhythm gene Dec2 as a tumor-intrinsic regulator of dormancy and immune evasion in pancreatic cancer models. Dormant PDAC cells and occult disseminated tumor cells expressed high levels of Dec2, which repressed multiple components of the MHC-I antigen presentation pathway and reduced T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Tumor surface MHC-I levels oscillated in antiphase to Dec2. Dec2 deletion restored antigen presentation, repolarized the PDAC TME from immune-cold to inflamed, and improved survival in immunocompetent (Ink4a.1 and 6419c5 models), but not immunodeficient mice.

            Contributed by Shishir Pant

            ABSTRACT: The mechanisms that regulate immune evasion by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) remain poorly understood. Using a mouse model of resectable PDAC, we identified an unknown role of the circadian rhythm gene Differentially Expressed in Chondrocytes 2 (Dec2) in regulating tumor progression and dormancy. Deletion of Dec2 from tumor cells substantially increased mouse survival after resection due to an immune-mediated mechanism, as the survival benefit was abrogated under immunodeficient conditions. Dec2 promotes immune evasion by repressing major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-dependent antigen presentation and by repolarizing the tumor microenvironment from immunologically cold (low T cell infiltration) to hot (elevated T cell infiltration). Dec2 is also a regulator of circadian rhythms, and we found that genes involved in MHC-I antigen presentation and MHC-I surface localization oscillated in a circadian manner, which was lost upon deletion of Dec2 in vitro. We conclude that Dec2 promotes primary PDAC progression and likely metastatic dormancy through immune evasion.

            Author Info: (1) Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (2) Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical O

            Author Info: (1) Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (2) Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (3) Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. (4) Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (5) Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (6) Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (7) Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (8) Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (9) Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. (10) Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA; Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA. (11) Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. (12) Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. (13) Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. (14) Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. (15) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (16) Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA. (17) Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA. (18) Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (19) Center for Advanced Research Technologies, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA. (20) Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA. (21) Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA. (22) Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (23) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (24) Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (25) Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. (26) Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. (27) Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. (28) Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA. (29) Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA; Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. Electronic address: darren_carpizo@urmc.rochester.edu.

            Citation: Dev Cell 2026 Apr 28 Epub04/28/2026

            Link to PUBMED: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42055006

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