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dos Santos, Matheus Henrique
;
de Azevedo, Julia Teixeira Cottas
;
Januario, Mara Elisama da Silva
;
Schmidt, Dayane De Fatima
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Tirapelle, Mariane Cariati
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Biggi, Alison Felipe Bordini
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Ebrahimabadi, Sima
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Silvestre, Renata Nacasaki
;
Covas, Dimas Tadeu
;
Calado, Rodrigo T.
;
Picanco-Castro, Virginia
Número total de Autores: 11
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| Tipo de documento: | Artigo Científico |
| Fonte: | FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY; v. 16, p. 17-pg., 2025-12-12. |
| Resumo | |
Introduction Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-based therapies have transformed cancer treatment, especially in hematological malignancies. While the impact of co-stimulatory domains on CAR-T cell efficacy is well established, the optimal signaling modules for CAR-natural killer (CAR-NK) cells remain less defined. Identifying NK-tailored co-stimulatory domains is essential for maximizing CAR-NK cytotoxicity and clinical potential.Methods Using the NK-92 cell line as a controlled proof-of-concept platform, we engineered CAR19 constructs incorporating NK-specific co-stimulatory domains, including 2B4 and DAP12. We performed functional assays to quantify cytotoxicity and cytokine production, and conducted transcriptomic profiling to evaluate transcriptional programs associated with each CAR design. To assess pharmacologic modulation, we exposed CAR-NK cells to transient dasatinib treatment and evaluated its reversible effects on CAR signaling and function. In vivo antitumor activity was tested in a xenograft model.Results Both 2B4- and 2B4-DAP12-containing CARs enhanced NK cytotoxic programming as demonstrated by functional assays and transcriptomic signatures. Short-term dasatinib exposure reversibly suppressed CAR-NK effector function but led to enhanced activity upon drug withdrawal. In vivo, 2B4-DAP12 CAR19-NK-92 cells pretreated with dasatinib displayed superior tumor control relative to conventional 4-1BB zeta CAR19-NK-92 cells.Discussion These results highlight the importance of selecting NK-specific co-stimulatory domains and leveraging reversible Src-family kinase inhibition to optimize CAR-NK performance. The use of NK-92 cells enabled controlled mechanistic dissection of CAR signaling and pharmacologic effects, providing insights with translational relevance for engineering next-generation CAR-NK therapies in primary NK cells. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-based therapies have transformed cancer treatment, especially for hematological malignancies. While the choice of co-stimulatory domains is a well-established determinant of CAR-T success, the optimal signaling modules for CAR-natural killer (CAR-NK) cells remain less defined. In this proof-of-concept study, we used the NK-92 cell line as a controlled experimental platform to evaluate CAR constructs incorporating NK-specific co-stimulatory domains, including 2B4 (CD244) and DAP12. Functional assays and transcriptomic profiling demonstrated that 2B4- and 2B4-DAP12-based CARs promoted NK cytotoxic programming. We further explored transient pharmacologic modulation with dasatinib, showing that short-term exposure reversibly suppressed CAR-NK activity but enhanced function upon withdrawal. In vivo, 2B4-DAP12 CAR19-NK-92 cells pretreated with dasatinib achieved superior tumor control compared to conventional 4-1BB zeta CAR19-NK-92 cells. These findings underscore the value of different settings of co-stimulatory domains and reversible kinase inhibition as strategies to optimize CAR design. Importantly, by employing NK-92 cells as a proof-of-concept system, this work provides mechanistic insights that will guide the development of next-generation CAR-NK therapies in primary NK cells.Discussion These results highlight the importance of selecting NK-specific co-stimulatory domains and leveraging reversible Src-family kinase inhibition to optimize CAR-NK performance. The use of NK-92 cells enabled controlled mechanistic dissection of CAR signaling and pharmacologic effects, providing insights with translational relevance for engineering next-generation CAR-NK therapies in primary NK cells. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-based therapies have transformed cancer treatment, especially for hematological malignancies. While the choice of co-stimulatory domains is a well-established determinant of CAR-T success, the optimal signaling modules for CAR-natural killer (CAR-NK) cells remain less defined. In this proof-of-concept study, we used the NK-92 cell line as a controlled experimental platform to evaluate CAR constructs incorporating NK-specific co-stimulatory domains, including 2B4 (CD244) and DAP12. Functional assays and transcriptomic profiling demonstrated that 2B4- and 2B4-DAP12-based CARs promoted NK cytotoxic programming. We further explored transient pharmacologic modulation with dasatinib, showing that short-term exposure reversibly suppressed CAR-NK activity but enhanced function upon withdrawal. In vivo, 2B4-DAP12 CAR19-NK-92 cells pretreated with dasatinib achieved superior tumor control compared to conventional 4-1BB zeta CAR19-NK-92 cells. These findings underscore the value of different settings of co-stimulatory domains and reversible kinase inhibition as strategies to optimize CAR design. Importantly, by employing NK-92 cells as a proof-of-concept system, this work provides mechanistic insights that will guide the development of next-generation CAR-NK therapies in primary NK cells. (AU) | |
| Processo FAPESP: | 20/08279-8 - Estabelecimento de uma plataforma para geração de células NK-CAR com maior eficácia terapêutica in vitro e in vivo |
| Beneficiário: | Júlia Teixeira Cottas de Azevedo |
| Modalidade de apoio: | Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado |
| Processo FAPESP: | 19/25309-0 - NK-CAR (off-the-shelf) para o tratamento de Leucemias e Linfomas |
| Beneficiário: | Virginia Picanço e Castro |
| Modalidade de apoio: | Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular |
| Processo FAPESP: | 08/57877-3 - Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Células-Tronco e Terapia Celular - INCTC |
| Beneficiário: | Roberto Passetto Falcão |
| Modalidade de apoio: | Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático |
| Processo FAPESP: | 20/07055-9 - Núcleo de Terapia Celular - NuTeC |
| Beneficiário: | Rodrigo do Tocantins Calado de Saloma Rodrigues |
| Modalidade de apoio: | Auxílio à Pesquisa - Núcleos de Pesquisa Orientada a Problemas em São Paulo |
| Processo FAPESP: | 22/13495-7 - Desenvolvimento de CARs anti-CD19 específicos para células NK para o aumento de efeitos anti-tumorais no tratamento de leucemias e linfomas. |
| Beneficiário: | Matheus Henrique dos Santos |
| Modalidade de apoio: | Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado |
| Processo FAPESP: | 13/08135-2 - CTC - Centro de Terapia Celular |
| Beneficiário: | Dimas Tadeu Covas |
| Modalidade de apoio: | Auxílio à Pesquisa - Centros de Pesquisa, Inovação e Difusão - CEPIDs |