Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are synthetic molecules composed of an extracellular antigen-binding domain and an intracellular signaling domain, leading to tonic signaling and manufacturing challenges. We present a protocol for the expansion of tonic CARs by using a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved kinase inhibitor, dasatinib. We report steps for T cell transduction with retrovirus, expansion and verification of CAR quality using flow cytometry, and killing assay. At only 30 nM, dasatinib improves tonic CAR T cell proliferation and quality after expansion. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Caulier et al.1.
Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Metabolic abnormalities associated with liver disease have a significant impact on the risk and prognosis of cholecystitis. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here, we investigated this issue using Wilson's disease (WD) as a model, which is a genetic disorder characterized by impaired mitochondrial function and copper metabolism. Our retrospective clinical study found that WD patients have a significantly higher incidence of cholecystitis and a poorer prognosis. The hepatic immune cell landscape using single-cell RNA sequencing showed that the tissue immune microenvironment is altered in WD, mainly a major change in the constitution and function of the innate immune system. Exhaustion of natural killer (NK) cells is the fundamental factor, supported by the upregulated expression of inhibitory receptors and the downregulated expression of cytotoxic molecules, which was verified in clinical samples. Further bioinformatic analysis confirmed a positive correlation between NK cell exhaustion and poor prognosis in cholecystitis and other inflammatory diseases. The study demonstrated dysfunction of liver immune cells triggered by specific metabolic abnormalities in WD, with a focus on the correlation between NK cell exhaustion and poor healing of cholecystitis, providing new insights into the improvement of inflammatory diseases by assessing immune cell function.
© 2024, Jin, Xing, Dai et al.

Metabolic abnormalities associated with liver disease have a significant impact on the risk and prognosis of cholecystitis. However, the underlying mechanism is complicated and remains to be elucidated. In particular, the effect of metabolic abnormalities on the progression of cholecystitis through the regulation of immune cell function is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated this issue using Wilson’s disease (WD) as a model. Wilson’s disease is a genetic disorder characterized by impaired mitochondrial function and abnormal copper metabolism. Our retrospective clinical study of over 600 patients with WD found that they have a significantly higher incidence of cholecystitis and a poorer prognosis. The immune cell landscape in the hepatic mesenchymal stromal microenvironment using single-cell RNA sequencing showed that the tissue immune microenvironment is altered in patients with WD, mainly a major change in the constitution and function of the innate immune system, including enhanced antigen presentation process, activation of the immune response, and activation of lymphocytes. Exhaustion of natural killer (NK) cells is the fundamental factor, supported by an increase in the expression of the inhibitory receptors NKG2A and TIGIT and a decrease in the expression of cytotoxic molecules. Clinical tissue and blood samples verified increased NKG2A + and TIGIT + NK cells and decreased IFNγ + NK cells in WD. Further bioinformatic analysis has confirmed a positive correlation between NK cell exhaustion and poor prognosis in cholecystitis and other inflammatory diseases. The study demonstrated abnormal function of liver mesenchymal immune cells triggered by specific metabolic dysfunction in WD, with a focus on the correlation between NK cell exhaustion and poor healing of cholecystitis. Our findings highlight the immune cell dysfunction due to metabolic changes in hepatocytes and provide new insights into the improvement of inflammatory diseases by assessing immune cell function.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, leading to increased interest in utilizing immunotherapy strategies for better cancer treatments. In the past decade, CD103+ T cells have been associated with better clinical prognosis in patients with cancer. However, the specific immune mechanisms contributing toward CD103-mediated protective immunity remain unclear. Here, we show an unexpected and transient CD61 expression, which is paired with CD103 at the synaptic microclusters of T cells. CD61 colocalization with the T cell antigen receptor further modulates downstream T cell antigen receptor signaling, improving antitumor cytotoxicity and promoting physiological control of tumor growth. Clinically, the presence of CD61+ tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes is associated with improved clinical outcomes, mediated through enhanced effector functions and phenotype with limited evidence of cellular exhaustion. In conclusion, this study identified an unconventional and transient CD61 expression and pairing with CD103 on human immune cells, which potentiates a new target for immune-based cellular therapies.
© 2024. The Author(s).