Biology subjects

Reijmers, R. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Reijmers, R. M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Enhancing the iNKT cell immunotherapy platform by combining optimised CAR endodomains with novel iNKT engagers

iNKT cells are emerging as a highly promising immunotherapy platform for the treatment of cancer. To maximise the anti-cancer activity of CAR-iNKT against the blood cancer multiple myeloma we investigated optimal CAR designs and their combination with novel iNKT-specific engagers. We find that amongst five different CAR endodomains, underpinned by increased avidity and a cross talk between Plexin D1 on CAR-iNKT and Semaphorin 4A on myeloma cells, BCMA CD28z CAR-iNKT exert the highest anti-myeloma activity. Notably, CD28z CAR-iNKT outperform their CAR-T counterparts. To expand the anti-myeloma potential of CAR-iNKT, we designed and validated a high efficacy BCMA iNKT-specific engager which exerts significant anti-myeloma activity in conjunction with adoptively transferred iNKT cells. Finally, combined, dual target therapy with FCRL5 CAR-iNKT and BCMA iNKT engagers outperforms FCRL5 CAR-iNKT and limits immune escape of FCRL5-negative myeloma. Thus, optimised iNKT-based, dual-target, dual-modality immunotherapy has enhanced anti-tumor activity against multiple myeloma and potentially other malignancies. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=159 SRC="FIGDIR/small/683869v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (33K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@11e843corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7bb408org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1687b84org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@8542ea_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

Bifunctional Phagocytic Synapse Enhancers for Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy profoundly impacted cancer treatments by harnessing the patients immune system. Phagocytosis, the process whereby immune cells engulf and destroy foreign particles or cells, plays a critical role in tumour cell clearance. Herein, we introduce a novel concept termed "ENPHASYS" - Enhancement of Phagocytic Synapses - designed to direct and amplify phagocytosis of cancer cells using heterobifunctional molecules named phagocytic synapse enhancers (PSEs). By engineering a de novo PD-L1 binder linked to a natural phagocytosis promoting peptide, tuftsin, the resulting PSE combines PD-L1 blockade with enhanced tumour cell phagocytosis; in addition, the PSEs induce macrophages to internalize a membrane or extracellular target. Intratumoural treatment of colorectal carcinoma- or glioblastoma-burdened immunocompetent animals resulted in beneficial overall survival, delayed tumour growth and a potent antitumor response driven by T-cell activation and TAM reprogramming, underpinning the translational relevance of ENPHASYS. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=118 SRC="FIGDIR/small/642658v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (19K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1673fd4org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18fa319org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@11cf680org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7b8784_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Development of follicular dendritic cells in lymph nodes depends on retinoic acid mediated signaling

Specialized stromal cells occupy and help define B- and T cell domains, which is crucial for proper functioning of our immune system. Signaling through lymphotoxin and TNF-receptors is crucial for development of different stromal subsets which are thought to arise from a common precursor. However, mechanisms that control the selective generation of the different stromal phenotypes are not known. Here we show that in mice, retinoic acid mediated signaling is important for the differentiation of precursors towards the Cxcl13pos follicular dendritic cell (FDC) lineage, while blocking lymphotoxin mediated Ccl19pos fibroblastic reticular cell (FRC) lineage differentiation. Consequently, we see at day of birth Cxcl13posCcl19neg/low and Cxcl13neg/lowCcl19pos cells within neonatal lymph nodes. Furthermore, ablation of retinoic acid receptor signaling in stromal precursors early after birth reduces Cxcl13 expression, while in addition, complete blockade of retinoic acid signaling prevents formation of FDC networks in lymph nodes.

immunology↗