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Identification of genetic modifiers enhancing B7-H3-targeting CAR T cell therapy against glioblastoma through large-scale CRISPRi screening
- Source :
- Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, Vol 43, Iss 1, Pp 1-16 (2024)
- Publication Year :
- 2024
- Publisher :
- BMC, 2024.
-
Abstract
- Abstract Background Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor with a poor prognosis. Current treatment options are limited and often ineffective. CAR T cell therapy has shown success in treating hematologic malignancies, and there is growing interest in its potential application in solid tumors, including GBM. However, current CAR T therapy lacks clinical efficacy against GBM due to tumor-related resistance mechanisms and CAR T cell deficiencies. Therefore, there is a need to improve CAR T cell therapy efficacy in GBM. Methods We conducted large-scale CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) screens in GBM cell line U87 MG cells co-cultured with B7-H3 targeting CAR T cells to identify genetic modifiers that can enhance CAR T cell-mediated tumor killing. Flow cytometry-based tumor killing assay and CAR T cell activation assay were performed to validate screening hits. Bioinformatic analyses on bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data and the TCGA database were employed to elucidate the mechanism underlying enhanced CAR T efficacy upon knocking down the selected screening hits in U87 MG cells. Results We established B7-H3 as a targetable antigen for CAR T therapy in GBM. Through large-scale CRISPRi screening, we discovered genetic modifiers in GBM cells, including ARPC4, PI4KA, ATP6V1A, UBA1, and NDUFV1, that regulated the efficacy of CAR T cell-mediated tumor killing. Furthermore, we discovered that TNFSF15 was upregulated in both ARPC4 and NDUFV1 knockdown GBM cells and revealed an immunostimulatory role of TNFSF15 in modulating tumor-CAR T interaction to enhance CAR T cell efficacy. Conclusions Our study highlights the power of CRISPR-based genetic screening in investigating tumor-CAR T interaction and identifies potential druggable targets in tumor cells that confer resistance to CAR T cell killing. Furthermore, we devised targeted strategies that synergize with CAR T therapy against GBM. These findings shed light on the development of novel combinatorial strategies for effective immunotherapy of GBM and other solid tumors.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 17569966
- Volume :
- 43
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.2d8193a6cb334d349eb318abc602e3eb
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-024-03027-6