Biology subjects

Zamat, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Zamat, A..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2021

In vivo mRNA delivery to virus-specific T cells by light-induced ligand exchange of MHC class I antigen-presenting nanoparticles

Simultaneous delivery of mRNA to multiple populations of antigen (Ag)-specific CD8+ T cells is challenging given the diversity of peptide epitopes and polymorphism of class I major histocompatibility complexes (MHCI). We developed Ag-presenting nanoparticles (APNs) for mRNA delivery using pMHCI molecules that were refolded with photocleavable peptides to allow rapid ligand exchange by UV light and site-specifically conjugated with a lipid tail for post-insertion into preformed mRNA lipid nanoparticles. Across different TCR transgenic mouse models (P14, OT-1, Pmel), UV-exchanged APNs bound and transfected their cognate Ag-specific CD8+ T cells equivalent to APNs produced using conventionally refolded pMHCI molecules. In mice infected with PR8 influenza, multiplexed delivery of UV-exchanged APNs against three immunodominant epitopes led to ~50% transfection of a VHH mRNA reporter in cognate Ag-specific CD8+ T cells. Our data shows that UV-mediated peptide exchange can be used to rapidly produce APNs for mRNA delivery to multiple populations of Ag-specific T cells in vivo. TeaserLight-induced rapid production of antigen-presenting nanoparticles for mRNA delivery to multiple virus-specific T cell populations.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2020

Remote control of CAR T cell therapies by thermal targeting

The limited ability to control anti-tumor activity within tumor sites contributes to poor CAR T cell responses against solid malignancies. Systemic delivery of biologic drugs such as cytokines can augment CAR T cell activity despite off-target toxicity in healthy tissues that narrows their therapeutic window. Here we develop a platform for remote control of CAR T therapies by thermal targeting. To enable CAR T cells to respond to heat, we construct synthetic thermal gene switches that trigger expression of transgenes in response to mild elevations in local temperature (40-42 {degrees}C) but not to orthogonal cellular stresses such as hypoxia. We show that short pulses of heat (15-30 min) lead to more than 60-fold increases in gene expression without affecting key T cell functions including proliferation, migration, and cytotoxicity. We demonstrate thermal control of broad classes of immunostimulatory agents including CARs, Bispecific T cell Engagers (BiTEs), and cytokine superagonists to enhance proliferation and cell targeting. In mouse models of adoptive transfer, photothermal targeting of intratumoral CAR T cells to control the production of an IL-15 superagonist significantly enhances anti-tumor activity and overall survival. We envision that thermal targeting could improve the safety and efficacy of next-generation therapies by allowing remote control of CAR T cell activity.

bioengineering↗