Projects per year
Abstract
The presence of conventional dendritic cells type 1 (cDC1) in the tumor correlates with positive treatment outcome. The ability to cross-present neoantigens and prime protective CD8+ T-cell responses, makes cDC1s central for tumor immunity. However, in tumors cDC1 are rare and often functionally impaired. Our group reported that overexpression of the transcription factors PU.1, IRF8 and BATF3 (PIB) converts mouse and human fibroblasts into cross-presenting cDC1-like cells. We employed the minimal gene regulatory network of highly immunogenic cDC1 and restored the immunogenicity of low immunogenic lung cancer and melanoma cell lines by reprogramming into professional tumor antigen presenting cells (tumor-APCs).
Here, we report that upon transduction with PIB, 23 solid syngeneic cancer lines initiate reprogramming into cDC1-like cells expressing CD45 and MHC-II at efficiencies ranging from 0.5-57.7%. Functionally, PIB overexpression endows tumor cells with the capacity to cross-present exogenous antigen and prime naïve CD8+ T-cells. Adoptive transfer of ovalbumin cross-presenting B16 tumor-APCs into established ovalbumin expressing B16 tumors (B16-OVA) elicits tumor growth control and extends animal survival. Treated animals show a systemic antigen-specific T cell response against ovalbumin and endogenous tumor-associated antigen MuLV p15E. Intratumoral injection of reprogrammed B2905 and LLC into tumors shows differential response, correlating with their cross-presentation capacity.
This approach combines cDC1 antigen cross-presentation abilities with the generation of tumor antigens. The induction of a cDC1 identity in tumor cells sets in motion T cell responses in vitro and in vivo. In the future of this project, dendritic cell reprogramming will be object in a 2-cell CRISPR/Cas9 screen using induced cDC1-like tumor cells and reporter T-cells to explore mechanistically cross-presentation regulators. The generation of cross-presenting tumor-APCs will be also used to map and characterize presented and cross-presented neoantigens. Finally, dendritic cell reprogramming of tumor cells will be explored in vivo by replenishing cDC1 within the tumor microenvironment through in vivo reprogramming. Ultimately, this project will provide insight into mechanisms of cross-presentation and pave the way for the development of novel cDC1-centric therapies.
Here, we report that upon transduction with PIB, 23 solid syngeneic cancer lines initiate reprogramming into cDC1-like cells expressing CD45 and MHC-II at efficiencies ranging from 0.5-57.7%. Functionally, PIB overexpression endows tumor cells with the capacity to cross-present exogenous antigen and prime naïve CD8+ T-cells. Adoptive transfer of ovalbumin cross-presenting B16 tumor-APCs into established ovalbumin expressing B16 tumors (B16-OVA) elicits tumor growth control and extends animal survival. Treated animals show a systemic antigen-specific T cell response against ovalbumin and endogenous tumor-associated antigen MuLV p15E. Intratumoral injection of reprogrammed B2905 and LLC into tumors shows differential response, correlating with their cross-presentation capacity.
This approach combines cDC1 antigen cross-presentation abilities with the generation of tumor antigens. The induction of a cDC1 identity in tumor cells sets in motion T cell responses in vitro and in vivo. In the future of this project, dendritic cell reprogramming will be object in a 2-cell CRISPR/Cas9 screen using induced cDC1-like tumor cells and reporter T-cells to explore mechanistically cross-presentation regulators. The generation of cross-presenting tumor-APCs will be also used to map and characterize presented and cross-presented neoantigens. Finally, dendritic cell reprogramming of tumor cells will be explored in vivo by replenishing cDC1 within the tumor microenvironment through in vivo reprogramming. Ultimately, this project will provide insight into mechanisms of cross-presentation and pave the way for the development of novel cDC1-centric therapies.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 2022 May 23 |
Event | Lund Stem Cell Center Retreat - Hotel Riviera Strand, Båstad, Sweden Duration: 2022 May 23 → 2022 May 24 Conference number: 2022 |
Conference
Conference | Lund Stem Cell Center Retreat |
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Abbreviated title | SCC Retreat |
Country/Territory | Sweden |
City | Båstad |
Period | 2022/05/23 → 2022/05/24 |
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Cancer and Oncology
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Dive into the research topics of 'Harnessing Dendritic Cell Reprogramming to Elucidate Mechanisms of Tumor Immunity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Active
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Harnessing Dendritic Cell Reprogramming to Elucidate Mechanisms of Tumor Immunity
Ascic, E. (Research student)
2022/03/01 → 2026/03/01
Project: Dissertation
Activities
- 1 Participation in conference
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Lund Stem Cell Center Retreat
Ascic, E. (Presenter)
2022 May 23 → 2022 May 24Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference