Automated cell cluster analysis provides insight into multi-cell-type interactions between immune cells and their targets

One CD4+TCR and One CD8+TCR Targeting Autochthonous Neoantigens Are Essential and Sufficient for Tumor Eradication

PURPOSE

To achieve eradication of solid tumors, we examined how many neoantigens need to be targeted with how many T-cell receptors (TCR) by which type of T cells.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Unmanipulated, naturally expressed (autochthonous) neoantigens were targeted with adoptively transferred TCR-engineered autologous T cells (TCR-therapy). TCR-therapy used CD8+ T-cell subsets engineered with TCRs isolated from CD8+ T cells (CD8+TCR-therapy), CD4+ T-cell subsets engineered with TCRs isolated from CD4+ T cells (CD4+TCR-therapy), or combinations of both. The targeted tumors were established for at least 3 weeks and derived from primary autochthonous cancer cell cultures, resembling natural solid tumors and their heterogeneity as found in humans.

RESULTS

Relapse was common with CD8+TCR-therapy even when targeting multiple different autochthonous neoantigens on heterogeneous solid tumors. CD8+TCR-therapy was only effective against homogenous tumors artificially derived from a cancer cell clone. In contrast, a combination of CD8+TCR-therapy with CD4+TCR-therapy, each targeting one neoantigen, eradicated large and established solid tumors of natural heterogeneity. CD4+TCR-therapy targeted a mutant neoantigen on tumor stroma while direct cancer cell recognition by CD8+TCR-therapy was essential for cure. In vitro data were consistent with elimination of cancer cells requiring a four-cell cluster composed of TCR-engineered CD4+ and CD8+ T cells together with antigen-presenting cells and cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Two cancer-specific TCRs can be essential and sufficient to eradicate heterogeneous solid tumors expressing unmanipulated, autochthonous targets. We demonstrate that simplifications to adoptive TCR-therapy are possible without compromising efficacy.

Utilizing 3D Printing Technology to Create Prosthetic Irises: Proof of Concept and Workflow

PURPOSE

There are currently limited treatment options for aniridia. In this context, 3D printed iris implants may provide a cost-effective, cosmetically acceptable alternative for patients with aniridia. The purpose of this study was to develop a proof-of-concept workflow for manufacturing 3D printed iris implants using a silicone ink palette that aesthetically matches iris shades, identified in slit lamp images.

METHODS

Slit lamp iris photos from 11 healthy volunteers (3 green; 4 blue; 4 brown) were processed using k-means binning analyses to identify two or three prominent colors each. Candidate silicone inks were created by precisely combining pigments. A crowdsourcing survey software was used to determine color matches between the silicone ink swatches and three prominent iris color swatches in 2 qualifying and 11 experimental workflows.

RESULTS

In total, 54 candidate silicone inks (20 brown; 16 green; 18 blue) were developed and analyzed. Survey answers from 29 individuals that had passed the qualifying workflow were invited to identify "best matches" between the prominent iris colors and the silicone inks. From this color-match data, brown, blue, and green prototype artificial irises were printed with the silicone ink that aesthetically matched the three prominent colors. The iris was printed using a simplified three-layer five-branch starburst design at scale (12.8 mm base disc, with 3.5 mm pupil).

CONCLUSIONS

This proof-of-concept workflow produced color-matched silicone prosthetic irises at scale from a panel of silicone inks using prominent iris colors extracted from slit lamp images. Future work will include printing a more intricate iris crypt design and testing for biocompatibility.

An m6A/m5C/m1A/m7G-Related Long Non-coding RNA Signature to Predict Prognosis and Immune Features of Glioma

Background: Gliomas are the most common and fatal malignant type of tumor of the central nervous system. RNA post-transcriptional modifications, as a frontier and hotspot in the field of epigenetics, have attracted increased attention in recent years. Among such modifications, methylation is most abundant, and encompasses N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), N1 methyladenosine (m1A), and 7-methylguanosine (m7G) methylation.

Methods: RNA-sequencing data from healthy tissue and low-grade glioma samples were downloaded from of The Cancer Genome Atlas database along with clinical information and mutation data from glioblastoma tumor samples. Forty-nine m6A/m5C/m1A/m7G-related genes were identified and an m6A/m5C/m1A/m7G-lncRNA signature of co-expressed long non-coding RNAs selected. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression analysis was used to identify 12 m6A/m5C/m1A/m7G-related lncRNAs associated with the prognostic characteristics of glioma and their correlation with immune function and drug sensitivity analyzed. Furthermore, the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas dataset was used for model validation.

Results: A total of 12 m6A/m5C/m1A/m7G-related genes (AL080276.2, AC092111.1, SOX21-AS1, DNAJC9-AS1, AC025171.1, AL356019.2, AC017104.1, AC099850.3, UNC5B-AS1, AC006064.2, AC010319.4, and AC016822.1) were used to construct a survival and prognosis model, which had good independent prediction ability for patients with glioma. Patients were divided into low and high m6A/m5C/m1A/m7G-LS groups, the latter of which had poor prognosis. In addition, the m6A/m5C/m1A/m7G-LS enabled improved interpretation of the results of enrichment analysis, as well as informing immunotherapy response and drug sensitivity of patients with glioma in different subgroups.

Conclusion: In this study we constructed an m6A/m5C/m1A/m7G-LS and established a nomogram model, which can accurately predict the prognosis of patients with glioma and provides direction toward promising immunotherapy strategies for the future.