Augmenting CAR T-cell Functions with LIGHT.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has resulted in remarkable clinical success in the treatment of B-cell malignancies. However, its clinical efficacy in solid tumors is limited, primarily by target antigen heterogeneity. To overcome antigen heterogeneity, we developed CAR T cells that overexpress LIGHT, a ligand of both lymphotoxin-β receptor on cancer cells and herpes virus entry mediator on immune cells.

Mycobacterial phosphodiesterase Rv0805 is a virulence determinant and its cyclic nucleotide hydrolytic activity is required for propionate detoxification.

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling is essential to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) pathogenesis. However, the roles of phosphodiesterases (PDEs) Rv0805, and the recently identified Rv1339, in cAMP homeostasis and Mtb biology are unclear. We found that Rv0805 modulates Mtb growth within mice, macrophages and on host-associated carbon sources.