Summary
Lymph nodes (LN) are communication centers within the lymphatic network that instruct T cell priming and differentiation in homeostasis and disease. Multiple layers of control are achieved by a complex network of signals from stromal and immune cell compartments. As a result, spatially segregated LN niches coexist that foster diverse T cell lineages. In the context of cancer, T cell differentiation is pushed towards the lineage of exhaustion, with a progenitor exhausted T cell population arising in the LN. Hence, LN are central anatomic sites where T cell exhaustion can be controlled and reversed to eliminate cancer. The key question of REWIRE is: What microenvironmental factors determine the differentiation and maintenance of progenitor exhausted T cells in the LN?
Tumor-derived signals reprogram stromal and immune cells within tumor-draining LN. Thus, a premetastatic niche is formed that supports future metastatic seeding while establishing an immunosuppressive microenvironment. I hypothesize that signals guiding T cell differentiation are altered by premetastatic remodeling of the LN niche, resulting in the generation of exhausted T cells.
In this project, I aim to (1) decode spatial determinants of the progenitor exhausted T cell niche; and to (2) manipulate the tumor-draining LN ecosystem to control T cell immunity. The overarching goal is to dissect how tissue architecture directs molecular responses within the LN niche to regulate T cell exhaustion. We will use high-dimensional imaging technologies to chart the spatial context of progenitor exhausted T cells following tumor progression; as well as a novel myeloid cell-based in vivo delivery platform to specifically target tumor-draining LN.
REWIRE will uncover basic mechanisms of communication between the LN microenvironment and differentiating T cells in the LN; as well as explore the novel concept of controlling T cell responses via manipulating key-features of the LN niche.
Tumor-derived signals reprogram stromal and immune cells within tumor-draining LN. Thus, a premetastatic niche is formed that supports future metastatic seeding while establishing an immunosuppressive microenvironment. I hypothesize that signals guiding T cell differentiation are altered by premetastatic remodeling of the LN niche, resulting in the generation of exhausted T cells.
In this project, I aim to (1) decode spatial determinants of the progenitor exhausted T cell niche; and to (2) manipulate the tumor-draining LN ecosystem to control T cell immunity. The overarching goal is to dissect how tissue architecture directs molecular responses within the LN niche to regulate T cell exhaustion. We will use high-dimensional imaging technologies to chart the spatial context of progenitor exhausted T cells following tumor progression; as well as a novel myeloid cell-based in vivo delivery platform to specifically target tumor-draining LN.
REWIRE will uncover basic mechanisms of communication between the LN microenvironment and differentiating T cells in the LN; as well as explore the novel concept of controlling T cell responses via manipulating key-features of the LN niche.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101115832 |
Start date: | 01-01-2024 |
End date: | 31-12-2028 |
Total budget - Public funding: | 1 499 730,00 Euro - 1 499 730,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
Lymph nodes (LN) are communication centers within the lymphatic network that instruct T cell priming and differentiation in homeostasis and disease. Multiple layers of control are achieved by a complex network of signals from stromal and immune cell compartments. As a result, spatially segregated LN niches coexist that foster diverse T cell lineages. In the context of cancer, T cell differentiation is pushed towards the lineage of exhaustion, with a progenitor exhausted T cell population arising in the LN. Hence, LN are central anatomic sites where T cell exhaustion can be controlled and reversed to eliminate cancer. The key question of REWIRE is: What microenvironmental factors determine the differentiation and maintenance of progenitor exhausted T cells in the LN?Tumor-derived signals reprogram stromal and immune cells within tumor-draining LN. Thus, a premetastatic niche is formed that supports future metastatic seeding while establishing an immunosuppressive microenvironment. I hypothesize that signals guiding T cell differentiation are altered by premetastatic remodeling of the LN niche, resulting in the generation of exhausted T cells.
In this project, I aim to (1) decode spatial determinants of the progenitor exhausted T cell niche; and to (2) manipulate the tumor-draining LN ecosystem to control T cell immunity. The overarching goal is to dissect how tissue architecture directs molecular responses within the LN niche to regulate T cell exhaustion. We will use high-dimensional imaging technologies to chart the spatial context of progenitor exhausted T cells following tumor progression; as well as a novel myeloid cell-based in vivo delivery platform to specifically target tumor-draining LN.
REWIRE will uncover basic mechanisms of communication between the LN microenvironment and differentiating T cells in the LN; as well as explore the novel concept of controlling T cell responses via manipulating key-features of the LN niche.
Status
SIGNEDCall topic
ERC-2023-STGUpdate Date
12-03-2024
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EU-Programme-Call
Horizon Europe
HORIZON.1 Excellent Science
HORIZON.1.1 European Research Council (ERC)
HORIZON.1.1.0 Cross-cutting call topics
ERC-2023-STG