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The Siglec-sialic acid axis is a target for innate immunotherapy of glioblastoma

Schmassmann, Philip Daniel. The Siglec-sialic acid axis is a target for innate immunotherapy of glioblastoma. 2022, Doctoral Thesis, University of Basel, Faculty of Science.

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Official URL: https://edoc.unibas.ch/91057/

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Abstract

In spite of the paradigm shift in cancer therapy that came with the discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors, current treatment modalities which are predominantly T cell centric, fail to evoke durable tumor rejection in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Leaving aside the fundamental role innate immune cells play in the tumor microen-vironment (TME), especially in less immunogenic tumors such as GBM.
Upregulation of sialic acid-containing glycans on the cell surface and in the tumor microenvironment (hypersialylation) is a key change in malignant tissue and capable of impacting tumorigenesis by promoting cell invasion and metastatic po-tential. By engaging immunomodulatory sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs), tumor hypersialylation can trigger tolerogenic programs in different immune cell types and contributes to the establishment of the immunosuppressive TME.
By targeting inhibitory Siglec-E receptor on GBM-associated microglia (MG) and monocyte-derived cells (MdCs), we show increased tumor cell phagocytosis and improved subsequent T cell activation. Using a poorly immunogenic GBM pre-clinical model, we further demonstrate the synergistic potential of Siglec-E blockade in combined immunotherapies against GBM. Finally, we showcase the translational relevance of Siglec disruption on patient-derived samples.
To explore other tolerogenic programs within the GBM immune TME on a single-cell level, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on paired biopsies from the tumor center, peripheral infiltration zone and blood of five primary GBM patients. We revealed a regionally distinct transcription profile of microglia (MG) and monocyte-derived macrophages (MdMs) and an impaired activation sig-nature in the tumor-peripheral cytotoxic-cell compartment. Comparing tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells with circulating cells identified CX3CR1high and CX3CR1int CD8+ T cells with effector and memory phenotype, respectively, enriched in blood but absent in the TME.
Based on our data, we propose Siglec-E as innate immune checkpoint in GBM-associated MG and MdCs and underscore the value of Siglec blockade in lib-erating innate immune responses to potentiate anti-tumor immunity. Further, our scRNA-seq analysis provides a regionally-resolved mapping of transcriptional states in GBM-associated leukocytes, serving as an additional asset to the research community in their effort to uncover novel therapeutic strategies to combat this fatal disease.
Advisors:Hutter, Gregor and Doetsch, Fiona and Glass, Rainer
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Biomedizin > Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel > Brain Tumor Immunotherapy (Hutter)
05 Faculty of Science > Departement Biozentrum > Neurobiology > Stem Cell Biology (Doetsch)
UniBasel Contributors:Doetsch, Fiona
Item Type:Thesis
Thesis Subtype:Doctoral Thesis
Thesis no:14892
Thesis status:Complete
Number of Pages:vi, 157
Language:English
Identification Number:
  • urn: urn:nbn:ch:bel-bau-diss148924
edoc DOI:
Last Modified:19 Jul 2024 12:21
Deposited On:15 Dec 2022 14:41

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