Cellular differentiation allows cells to transition between different functional states and adapt to various environmental cues. The diversity and plasticity of this process is beautifully exemplified by T cells responding to pathogens, which undergo highly specialized differentiation tailored to the ongoing infection. Such antigen-induced T cell differentiation is regulated at the transcriptional level by DNA-binding proteins and at the post-transcriptional level by RNA-binding proteins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdoptive transfer of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL therapy) has proven highly effective for treating solid cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, not all patients benefit from this therapy for yet unknown reasons. Defining markers that correlate with high tumor-reactivity of the autologous TIL products is thus key for achieving better tailored immunotherapies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCD8 T cells kill target cells by releasing cytotoxic molecules and proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF and IFN-γ. The magnitude and duration of cytokine production are defined by posttranscriptional regulation, and critical regulator herein are RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Although the functional importance of RBPs in regulating cytokine production is established, the kinetics and mode of action through which RBPs control cytokine production are not well understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe sensitivity of malignant tissues to T cell-based immunotherapies depends on the presence of targetable human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I ligands. Peptide-intrinsic factors, such as HLA class I affinity and proteasomal processing, have been established as determinants of HLA ligand presentation. However, the role of gene and protein sequence features as determinants of epitope presentation has not been systematically evaluated.
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