Publications by authors named "J Filtjens"

Local delivery of mRNA-based immunotherapy offers a promising avenue as it enables the production of specific immunomodulatory proteins that can stimulate the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells while limiting systemic exposure and toxicities. Here, we develop and employ lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) to intratumorally deliver an mRNA mixture encoding the cytokines interleukin (IL)-21 and IL-7 and the immunostimulatory molecule 4-1BB ligand (Triplet LNP). IL-21 synergy with IL-7 and 4-1BBL leads to a profound increase in the frequency of tumor-infiltrating CD8 T cells and their capacity to produce granzyme B and IFN-γ, leading to tumor eradication and the development of long-term immunological memory.

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Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) exemplifies a severe cytokine storm disorder with liver inflammation. In the liver, classical natural killer (cNK) cells and liver-resident type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) dominate the ILC population. Thus far, research has primarily focused on the corresponding role of cNK cells.

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Background: Severe congenital neutropenia presents with recurrent infections early in life as a result of arrested granulopoiesis. Multiple genetic defects are known to block granulocyte differentiation; however, a genetic cause remains unknown in approximately 40% of cases.

Objective: We aimed to characterize a patient with severe congenital neutropenia and syndromic features without a genetic diagnosis.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates the role and behavior of natural killer (NK) cells in COVID-19 patients, using techniques like flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing, to understand how these immune cells respond during different stages and severity of the disease.* -
  • Results show that NK cells from different patient groups (like those in low-care vs. ICU) exhibit distinct activated phenotypes, with early-stage patients showing higher levels of cytotoxic molecules, while later-stage patients display increased levels of specific cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α) without typical stimulation.* -
  • Key findings also reveal that, although NK cells in severe patients had lower cytotoxic molecules, they still managed to kill target cells effectively, while
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