Basic Leucine Zipper ATF-like Transcription Research Articles

BATF promotes extramedullary infiltration through TGF-β1/Smad/MMPs axis in acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most prevalent types of leukemia and is challenging to cure for most patients. Basic Leucine Zipper ATF-Like Transcription Factor (BATF) has been reported to participate in the development and progression of numerous tumors. However, its role in AML is largely unknown. In this study, the expression and prognostic value of BATF were examined in AML. Our results demonstrated that BATF expression was upregulated in AML patients, which was significantly correlated with poor clinical characteristics and survival. Afterward, functional experiments were performed after knocking down or overexpressing BATF by transfecting small interfering RNAs and overexpression plasmids into AML cells. Our findings revealed that BATF promoted the migratory and invasive abilities of AML cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the target genes of BATF were searched from databases to explore the binding of BATF to the target gene using ChIP and luciferase assays. Notably, our observations validated that BATF is bound to the promoter region of TGF-β1, which could transcriptionally enhance the expression of TGF-β1 and activate the TGF-β1/Smad/MMPs signaling pathway. In summary, our study established the aberrantly high expression of BATF and its pro-migratory function via the TGF-β1-Smad2/3-MMP2/9 axis in AML, which provides novel insights into extramedullary infiltration of AML.

Interplay of Zeb2a, Id2a and Batf3 regulates microglia and dendritic cell development in the zebrafish brain.

In vertebrates, the central nervous system (CNS) harbours various immune cells, including parenchymal microglia, perivascular macrophages and dendritic cells, which act in coordination to establish an immune network to regulate neurogenesis and neural function, and to maintain the homeostasis of the CNS. Recent single cell transcriptomic profiling has revealed that the adult zebrafish CNS contains microglia, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and two conventional dendritic cells (cDCs), ccl35+ cDCs and cnn3a+cDCs. However, how these distinct myeloid cells are established in the adult zebrafish CNS remains incompletely defined. Here, we show that the Inhibitor of DNA binding 2a (Id2a) is essential for the development of pDCs and cDCs but is dispensable for the formation of microglia, whereas the Basic leucine zipper transcription factor ATF-like 3 (Batf3) acts downstream of id2a and is required exclusively for the formation of the cnn3a+ cDC subset. In contrast, the Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox2a (Zeb2a) promotes the expansion of microglia and inhibits the DC specification, possibly through repressing id2a expression. Our study unravels the genetic networks that govern the development of microglia and brain-associated DCs in the zebrafish CNS.

BATF and BATF3 deficiency alters CD8+ effector/exhausted T cells balance in skin transplantation

BackgroundIt is well-established that CD8+ T-cells play a critical role in graft rejection. The basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor (BATF) and BATF3 are transcriptional factors expressed in T lymphocytes. Herein, we investigated the functions of BATF and BATF3 in the differentiation and exhaustion of CD8+ T cells following alloantigen activation.MethodsWild-type CD8+ T cells, BATF-deficient (Batf−/−) CD8+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells deficient in both BATF and BATF3 (Batf−/−Batf3−/−) were transferred to B6.Rag1−/− mice, which received skin allografts from BALB/c mice. Flow cytometry was conducted to investigate the number of CD8+ T cells and the percentage of effector subsets.ResultsBATF expression positively correlated with effector CD8+ T cell differentiation. BATF and BATF3 deficiency promoted skin allograft long-term survival and attenuated the CD8+ T cell allo-response and cytokine secretion. Finally, BATF and BATF3 deficiency prompted the generation of exhausted CD8+ T cells.ConclusionsOverall, our findings provide preliminary evidence that both BATF and BATF3 deficiency influences the differentiation of effector CD8+ T cells and mediates the exhaustion of CD8+ T cells, prolonging transplant survival. Targeting BATF and BATF3 to inhibit CD8+ T cell function has huge prospects for application as a therapeutic approach to prevent transplant rejection.

BATF-mediated regulation of exhausted CD8+ T-cell responses and potential implications for chimeric antigen receptor-T therapy.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for malignant tumors has reached a crucial stage, with recent studies underscoring the role of T-cell exhaustion in determining the efficacy of CAR-T therapy. This trailblazing discovery has opened new avenues to augment the potency ofCAR-T therapy. Basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor (BATF)is indispensable in alleviating T-cell exhaustion and is pivotal in the early stages of CD8+ T-cell differentiation. In cooperation with other transcription factors, it plays a key role in the differentiation and maturation processes of exhausted T cells. A deeper comprehension of BATF's mechanisms in T-cell biology may yield novel insights into amplifying the efficacy ofCAR-T therapy.

BATF relieves hepatic steatosis by inhibiting PD1 and promoting energy metabolism

The rising prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a global health threat that needs to be addressed urgently. Basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor (BATF) is commonly thought to be involved in immunity, but its effect on lipid metabolism is not clear. Here, we investigated the function of BATF in hepatic lipid metabolism. BATF alleviated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis and inhibited elevated programmed cell death protein (PD)1 expression induced by HFD. A mechanistic study confirmed that BATF regulated fat accumulation by inhibiting PD1 expression and promoting energy metabolism. PD1 antibodies alleviated hepatic lipid deposition. In conclusion, we identified the regulatory role of BATF in hepatic lipid metabolism and that PD1 is a target for alleviation of NAFLD. This study provides new insights into the relationship between BATF, PD1, and NAFLD.

BATF relieves hepatic steatosis by inhibiting PD1 and promoting energy metabolism.

The rising prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a global health threat that needs to be addressed urgently. Basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor (BATF) is commonly thought to be involved in immunity, but its effect on lipid metabolism is not clear. Here, we investigated the function of BATF in hepatic lipid metabolism. BATF alleviated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis and inhibited elevated programmed cell death protein (PD)1 expression induced by HFD. A mechanistic study confirmed that BATF regulated fat accumulation by inhibiting PD1 expression and promoting energy metabolism. PD1 antibodies alleviated hepatic lipid deposition. In conclusion, we identified the regulatory role of BATF in hepatic lipid metabolism and that PD1 is a target for alleviation of NAFLD. This study provides new insights into the relationship between BATF, PD1, and NAFLD.

The CRM1‐mediated nuclear export effectuates the role conversion of tumour suppressor gene BATF2 in colorectal cancer

The CRM1‐mediated nuclear export effectuates the role conversion of tumour suppressor gene BATF2 in colorectal cancer

BATF2 promotes HSC myeloid differentiation by amplifying IFN response mediators during chronic infection

Basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor 2 (BATF2), an interferon-activated immune response regulator, is a key factor responsible for myeloid differentiation and depletion of HSC during chronic infection. To delineate the mechanism of BATF2 function in HSCs, we assessed Batf2 KO mice during chronic infection and found that they produced less pro-inflammatory cytokines, less immune cell recruitment to the spleen, and impaired myeloid differentiation with better preservation of HSC capacity compared to WT. Co-IP analysis revealed that BATF2 forms a complex with JUN to amplify pro-inflammatory signaling pathways including CCL5 during infection. Blockade of CCL5 receptors phenocopied Batf2 KO differentiation defects, whereas treatment with recombinant CCL5 was sufficient to rescue IFNγ-induced myeloid differentiation and recruit more immune cells to the spleen in Batf2 KO mice. By revealing the mechanism of BATF2-induced myeloid differentiation of HSCs, these studies elucidate potential therapeutic strategies to boost immunity while preserving HSC function during chronic infection.

Depletion of BATF in CAR-T cells enhances antitumor activity by inducing resistance against exhaustion and formation of central memory cells.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) Tcell therapy has limited efficacy against solid tumors, and one major challenge is Tcell exhaustion. To address this challenge, we performed a candidate gene screen using a hypofunction CAR-T cell model and found that depletion of basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor (BATF) improved the antitumor performance of CAR-T cells. In different types of CAR-T cells and mouse OT-1 cells, loss of BATF endows Tcells with improved resistance to exhaustion and superior tumor eradication efficacy. Mechanistically, we found that BATF binds to and up-regulates a subset of exhaustion-related genes in human CAR-T cells. BATF regulates the expression of genes involved in development of effector and memory Tcells, and knocking out BATF shifts the population toward a more central memory subset. We demonstrate that BATF is a key factor limiting CAR-T cell function and that its depletion enhances the antitumor activity of CAR-T cells against solid tumors.

M6A modification-mediated BATF2 suppresses metastasis and angiogenesis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma through inhibiting VEGFA

ABSTRACT The aim is to explore the underlying mechanism of basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor 2 (BATF2) in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). The expression of BATF2 in TSCC tissues and corresponding adjacent normal TSCC tissues, human TSCC cell lines (SCC-15 and CAL-27) and human normal tongue epithelial cells NTEC was detected. Then, SCC-15 cells with stable BATF2 knockdown and CAL-27 cells with BATF2 overexpression were established to investigate the functional effect of BATF2 on TSCC. Thereafter, the effect of BATF2 on TSCC angiogenesis and BATF2 m6A methylation was also examined. BATF2 was significantly downregulated in TSCC tissues and cell lines, and BATF2 overexpression could suppress growth, metastasis and angiogenesis of TSCC. Mechanistically, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) was identified as a downstream gene of BATF2, and it was confirmed that BATF2 suppressed growth, metastasis and angiogenesis of TSCC via inhibiting VEGFA. In addition, the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of BATF2 mRNA mediated by METTL14 suppressed its expression in TSCC. METTL14/BATF2 axis could serve as a novel promising therapeutic candidate against angiogenesis for TSCC.

Glypican-3-specific CAR-NKT cells overexpressing BATF3 mediate potent antitumor activity against hepatocellular carcinoma.

e14521 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, is amenable to immunotherapies that target glypican-3 (GPC3), a protein expressed by over 75% of HCCs but not by healthy tissues. The invariant natural killer T cells (NKTs) prevent HCC tumorogenesis through interactions with the gut microbiome in mice, and the presence of tumor-infiltrating NKTs is associated with improved clinical outcomes. We previously tested GPC3-specific chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and selected a receptor with both CD28 and 41BB costimulatory endodomains based on its ability to mediate superior antitumor activity of transduced NKTs in vivo. Co-expression of interleukin-15 (IL15), a cytokine that supports NKT expansion and persistence, with the chosen GPC3-CAR further enhanced this activity. GPC3-CAR NKTs co-expressing IL15 (15.GPC3-CAR) overexpressed the Basic Leucine Zipper ATF-Like Transcription Factor 3 (BATF3), a member of the AP-1 family. Since AP-1 family proteins are master regulators of cell survival and proliferation, we hypothesized that overexpressing BATF3 in GPC3-CAR NKTs (BATF3.GPC3-CAR) will lead to superior expansion, persistence, and antitumor activity compared to 15.GPC3-CAR NKTs. Methods: We used RNAseq and flow cytometry to define the transcriptomic and phenotypic characteristics, respectively, of BATF3-overexpressing NKTs at baseline and after tumor cell killing in co-culture. We also used co-culture assays to evaluate the ability of BATF3- or IL15-expressing NKTs to proliferate, produce effector cytokines, and kill tumor cells after multiple rounds of exposure. Finally, we evaluated the ability of BATF3.GPC3-CAR and IL15.GPC3-CAR NKTs to expand, persist, and target tumors in an HCC xenograft murine model. Results: BATF3 overexpression in NKTs induced significant differences in gene expression profiles compared to a GFP control at baseline (DEGs up: 20; down: 26, p < 0.01) and after tumor cell killing (DEGs up: 19; down: 32; p < 0.01; fold change > 2 or < 0.5, respectively) corresponding to enrichment of gene sets related to metabolic fitness. Importantly, CD62L+ NKTs, which have enhanced antitumor properties, were enriched in BATF3-expressing NKTs (27.6% vs 8.2%, p < 0.05, versus GFP control). Further, BATF3 significantly enhanced NKT proliferation (area under the curve of absolute NKT cell counts: 5x1011 vs 1.1x1011, p = 0.001; fold expansion: 6.12x104 vs 1.2x104, p = 0.001, versus IL15 NKTs). Finally, BATF3.GPC3-CAR NKTs induced long-term tumor control and significantly improved survival of HCC xenograft-bearing mice compared to 15.GPC3-CAR NKTs (p = 0.0002, Mantel-Cox analysis). Conclusions: BATF3.GPC3-CAR NKTs induce robust antitumor activity in pre-clinical models of HCC. These results provide a foundation for evaluating BATF3.GPC3-CAR NKTs in patients with relapsed/refractory HCC.

The Immunomodulating Effect of Phlorotannins from a Brown Alga, Eisenia nipponica, on Mice Stimulated with Ovalbumin through T Cell Regulation.

The immunomodulating effect of phlorotannin was investigated in mice stimulated by ovalbumin. When analyzing the main components of phlorotannin concentrate (PTC) from Eisenia nipponica, seven phlorotannins [eckol, 6,6'-bieckol, 6,8'-bieckol, 8,8'-bieckol, dieckol, phlorofucofuroeckol (PFF)-A, and PFF-B] were detected. These phlorotannins accounted for approximately 80% of PTC. Oral administration of PTC to mice daily for 21days reduced serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and total IgG1 levels attributable to Th2 cells. The production of splenic cytokines [interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor-β1] and Treg cell-mediated expression of forkhead box protein P3 mRNA were significantly increased whereas the production of inflammatory cytokines (interferon-γ, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-17) by Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells was markedly suppressed. IL-21 production and basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor mRNA expression attributable to follicular helper T (Tfh) cells were also suppressed. Flow cytometric analyses demonstrated increased number of Treg cells despite a decrease in the total T cell population. An increase in total B cells was also observed by the flow cytometric analyses in addition to increases in IL-10 production, which activates B cells. In contrast, the significantly suppressed production of inflammatory cytokines and moderate increase in Treg cell subpopulation indicated a direct impact of PTC on inflammatory lymphocytes (Th1, Th2, Th17, and Tfh). Thus, PTC may exert antiallergic effects by immunomodulation of T cells and inactivation of inflammatory lymphocyte.

Ablation of BATF Alleviates Transplant Rejection via Abrogating the Effector Differentiation and Memory Responses of CD8+ T Cells.

Allogeneic CD8+ T cells are prominently involved in allograft rejection, but how their effector differentiation and function are regulated at a transcriptional level is not fully understood. Herein, we identified the basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor (BATF) as a key transcription factor that drives the effector program of allogeneic CD8+ T cells. We found that BATF is highly expressed in graft-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, and its ablation in CD8+ T cells significantly prolonged skin allograft survival in a fully MHC-mismatched transplantation model. To investigate how BATF dictates allogeneic CD8+ T cell response, BATF–/– and wild-type (WT) CD8+ T cells were mixed in a 1:1 ratio and adoptively transferred into B6.Rag1 –/– mice 1 day prior to skin transplantation. Compared with WT CD8+ T cells at the peak of rejection response, BATF–/– CD8+ T cells displayed a dysfunctional phenotype, evident by their failure to differentiate into CD127–KLRG1+ terminal effectors, impaired proliferative capacity and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines/cytotoxic molecules, and diminished capacity to infiltrate allografts. In association with the failure of effector differentiation, BATF–/– CD8+ T cells largely retained TCF1 expression and expressed significantly low levels of T-bet, TOX, and Ki67. At the memory phase, BATF-deficient CD8+ T cells displayed impaired effector differentiation upon allogeneic antigen re-stimulation. Therefore, BATF is a critical transcriptional determinant that governs the terminal differentiation and memory responses of allogeneic CD8+ T cells in the transplantation setting. Targeting BATF in CD8+ T cells may be an attractive therapeutic approach to promote transplant acceptance.

Batf-mediated epigenetic control of effector CD8+ T cell differentiation.

The response of naive CD8+ T cells to their cognate antigen involves rapid and broad changes to gene expression that are coupled with extensive chromatin remodeling, but the mechanisms governing these changes are not fully understood. Here, we investigated how these changes depend on the basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor Batf, which is essential for the early phases of the process. Through genome scale profiling, we characterized the role of Batf in chromatin organization at several levels, including the accessibility of key regulatory regions, the expression of their nearby genes, and the interactions that these regions form with each other and with key transcription factors. We identified a core network of transcription factors that cooperated with Batf, including Irf4, Runx3, and T-bet, as indicated by their colocalization with Batf and their binding in regions whose accessibility, interactions, and expression of nearby genes depend on Batf. We demonstrated the synergistic activity of this network by overexpressing the different combinations of these genes in fibroblasts. Batf and Irf4, but not Batf alone, were sufficient to increase accessibility and transcription of key loci, normally associated with T cell function. Addition of Runx3 and T-bet further contributed to fine-tuning of these changes and was essential for establishing chromatin loops characteristic of T cells. These data provide a resource for studying the epigenomic and transcriptomic landscape of effector differentiation of cytotoxic T cells and for investigating the interdependency between transcription factors and its effects on the epigenome and transcriptome of primary cells.

Genetically targeting the BATF family transcription factors BATF and BATF3 in the mouse abrogates effector T cell activities and enables long-term heart allograft survival

T cells must be activated and become effectors first before executing allograft rejection, a process that is regulated by diverse signals and transcription factors. In this study, we studied the basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor (BATF) family members in regulating T cell activities in a heart transplant model and found that mice deficient for both BATF and BATF3 (Batf-/- Batf3-/- mice) spontaneously accept the heart allografts long-term without tolerizing therapies. Similarly, adoptive transfer of wild type T cells into Rag1-/- hosts induced prompt rejection of heart and skin allografts, whereas the Batf-/- Batf3-/- T cells failed to do so. Analyses of graft-infiltrating cells showed that Batf-/- Batf3-/- T cells infiltrate the graft but fail to acquire an effector phenotype (CD44high KLRG1+ ). Co-transfer experiments in a T cell receptor transgenic TEa model revealed that the Batf-/- Batf3-/- T cells fail to expand in vivo, retain a quiescent phenotype (CD62L+ CD127+ ), and unable to produce effector cytokines to alloantigen stimulation, which contrasted sharply to that of wild type T cells. Together, our data demonstrate that the BATF and BATF3 are critical regulators of T effector functions, thus making them attractive targets for therapeutic interventions in transplant settings.

SARS-CoV-2 expresses a microRNA-like small RNA able to selectively repress host genes

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), continues to be a pressing health concern. In this study, we investigated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on host microRNA (miRNA) populations in three human lung-derived cell lines, as well as in nasopharyngeal swabs from SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. We did not detect any major and consistent differences in host miRNA levels after SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, we unexpectedly discovered a viral miRNA-like small RNA, named CoV2-miR-O7a (for SARS-CoV-2 miRNA-like ORF7a-derived small RNA). Its abundance ranges from low to moderate as compared to host miRNAs and it associates with Argonaute proteins-core components of the RNA interference pathway. We identify putative targets for CoV2-miR-O7a, including Basic Leucine Zipper ATF-Like Transcription Factor 2 (BATF2), which participates in interferon signaling. We demonstrate that CoV2-miR-O7a production relies on cellular machinery, yet is independent of Drosha protein, and is enhanced by the presence of a strong and evolutionarily conserved hairpin formed within the ORF7a sequence.

Intratumoral co-injection of the poly I:C-derivative BO-112 and a STING agonist synergize to achieve local and distant anti-tumor efficacy

BackgroundBO-112 is a nanoplexed form of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid that acting on toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) and protein kinase RNA-activated (PKR) elicits rejection of directly injected...

Diagnostic and Prognostic Potential of Circulating and Tissue BATF2 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Background: Current biomarkers for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are less effective for early diagnosis and prognosis. The basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor 2 (BATF2) gene has been shown to have a tight association with the pathogenesis of various malignancies but received scant attention in NPC research. We aimed to assess the performances of circulating and tissue BATF2 in the diagnosis and prognosis of NPC. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) microarrays were performed to quantitate the BATF2 protein expression in NPC tissues. The relationships of BATF2 protein expression with clinicopathological characteristics and NPC prognosis were assessed. BATF2 mRNA expressions in serum and serum-derived exosomes were determined using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. Results: The IHC microarrays revealed a predominant nuclear expression of BATF2 in NPC cells. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that BATF2-positive NPC patients enjoyed longer overall survival than BATF2-negative patients. NPC patients with serum and exosomal BATF2 mRNA expressions made up 51.47 and 48.52% of all patients, respectively. The AUCs of serum and exosomal BATF2 mRNA expressions in discriminating NPC from healthy controls were 0.9409 and 0.8983. Patients who had received radiochemotherapy exhibited higher serum and exosomal BATF2 mRNA expressions versus the levels at baseline as well as those detected in recurrent patients. Conclusion: BATF2 is expressed cancerous tissues, serum, and serum-derived exosomes in NPC patients. Circulating and tissue BATF2 can serve as a multipurpose biomarker capable of the diagnosis, prognosis prediction, efficacy evaluation, and recurrence monitoring in NPC.

Expression and clinical implications of basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor 2 in breast cancer

BackgroundBasic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor 2 (BATF2) has been reported to participate in the occurrence and development of some malignancies. Herein, we aimed to explore the expression pattern and clinical implications of BATF2 in breast cancer (BC).MethodsWe assessed the differences in BATF2 mRNA expression between cancerous and noncancerous tissues in BC using GEPIA and UALCAN data and in BATF2 protein expression pattern using Human Protein Atlas (HPA) data. BATF2 co-expression networks were analyzed in Coexpedia. The association between the differentially expressed BATF2 mRNA and BC prognosis was assessed using UALCAN, OSbrca, and GEPIA databases. In external validations, BATF2 protein expression in BC tissues was quantitated using a tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis, and BATF2 mRNA expression in serum and serum-derived exosomes of BC patients using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).ResultsNo difference in the BATF2 mRNA expression level was found between cancerous and noncancerous tissues in BC based on databases. There were low-to-moderate levels of increases in BATF2 protein expressions in BC cases from the HPA cohort. BATF2 mRNA expression was negatively correlated with androgen receptor (AR) and positively correlated with BRCA2 DNA repair associated (BRCA2), marker of proliferation Ki-67 (Mki67), and tumor protein p53 (TP53) expressions. Generally, BATF2 mRNA exhibited a non-significant association with BC prognosis; yet the subgroup analyses showed that triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with high BATF2 mRNA expressions had a longer overall survival (OS). Our IHC analysis revealed a positive rate of BATF2 protein expression of 46.90%, mainly located in the nucleus of cancer cells in BC, and the OS of BC patients with high BATF2 protein expressions was prolonged. The positive rates of BATF2 mRNA expressions in the serum and exosomes were 45.00 and 41.67%, respectively. Besides, the AUCs of serum and exosomal BATF2 mRNA for BC diagnosis were 0.8929 and 0.8869, respectively.ConclusionsBC patients exhibit low-to-moderate expressions in BATF2 mRNA expression levels in cancerous tissues. The high BATF2 protein expression can be a potential indicator of a better BC prognosis. Serum and exosomal BATF2 mRNA levels also serve as promising noninvasive biomarkers for BC diagnosis.

A Sampling of Highlights from the Literature: Article Recommendations from Our Deputy and Senior Editors.

Modulating RNA splicing can augment antitumor T-cell responses (by Srosenbe via Wikimedia Commons)Altered RNA splicing in cancer cells can give rise to neoantigens, but it is unclear whether this is clinically relevant and therapeutically targetable. Using B16-F10 and MC38 tumor models, Lu et al. find several compounds that modulate RNA splicing can inhibit tumor growth and improve responses to anti-PD1 checkpoint blockade. These effects are dependent on T cells and MHC class I peptide presentation. Neoepitopes induced by pharmacologic modulation of RNA splicing in B16-F10 cells can trigger antitumor T-cell responses in mice. The data suggest potential new approaches to enhancing cancer immunotherapy.Lu SX, …, Bradley RK. Cell 2021 Jul 22;184:4032–47.e31.Arming CAR T cells with BATF enhances efficacy (from Spezadams via Wikimedia Commons)The transcriptional networks underlying T-cell exhaustion, including exhaustion in CAR T cells, are not fully known. Seo et al. show that basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor (BATF) and interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) act in a cooperative manner to offset T-cell exhaustion. Overexpression of BATF in CAR T cells increases cell persistence and cytokine production and decreases expression of inhibitory receptors and exhaustion-related markers. These effects are dependent on interactions between BATF and IRF4. The data highlight potential therapeutic targets to improve CAR T-cell therapy.Seo H, …, Hogan PG. Nat Immunol 2021 Aug 1;22:983–95.TILs with differing specificities have different functional states (from Brandon Dilbeck via Wikimedia Commons)Understanding of the relationship between the functional state of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and the specificity of their TCRs is limited, but advances in single-cell technology are changing this. Using such technologies, Caushi et al. show that non–small cell lung cancer TILs with TCRs specific for mutation-associated neoantigens (MANA) have a unique transcriptional profile that is largely characteristic of tissue-resident memory cells and that MANA-specific T cells from tumors nonresponsive to anti-PD1 express significantly reduced levels of genes associated with T-cell dysfunction. Oliveira et al. show that melanoma-reactive TILs are predominantly in an exhausted state and only rarely acquire memory properties, and that disease persistence correlates with persistence of exhausted melanoma-reactive cells in peripheral blood. These data will inform further development of cancer immunotherapy.Caushi JX, …, Smith KN. Nature 2021 Aug 5;596:126–32.Oliveira G, …, Wu CJ. Nature 2021 Aug 5;596:119–25.A targeted radionuclide and checkpoint inhibition combination enhances antitumor immunity (by MichaelFrey via Wikimedia Commons)External beam radiotherapy enhances responses to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in preclinical models. Patel et al. show that a targeted radionuclide therapy comprising the alkylphosphocholine analogue NM600 chelated to yittrium-90 (90Y) enhances responses to ICB in mouse models of melanoma, neuroblastoma, and breast cancer without causing toxicity to normal tissues. The 90Y-NM600 plus ICB combination increases immune-cell infiltration into the tumor, and production of proinflammatory cytokines and clonal expansion of CD8+ T cells in the tumor, highlighting the immunologic mechanisms behind this potential new therapeutic combination.Patel RB, …, Morris ZS. Sci Transl Med 2021 Jul 14;13:eabb3631.TFR cells can suppress antitumor responses induced by ICB (from Fig. 1C of Rodriguez and Engelhard, Cancer Immunol Res 2020)The mechanisms behind the effects of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) are not completely understood. Eschweiler et al. show that follicular regulatory T (TFR) cells are present in tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and that they are more suppressive than regulatory T cells. Anti-PD1 can increase the number of TFR cells in tumors, and administration of anti-CTLA4 to deplete regulatory cells prior to anti-PD1 improves treatment efficacy in mice and humans.Eschweiler S, …, Vijayanand P. Nat Immunol 2021 Aug 1;22:1052–63.β2M can accumulate in the tumor microenvironment (β2M staining, from Fig. 1A of Roemer et al., Cancer Immunol Res 2016)β2-microglobulin (β2M) concentrations increase during progression of multiple myeloma (MM), but β2M's role in disease is not well-known. Hofbauer et al. find that MM-associated macrophages can phagocytose β2M, which then leads to NLRP3-mediated inflammasome activation. The resulting cytokine secretion and inflammation contribute to MM severity. Inhibition of the inflammasome or related cytokines ameliorates disease in a mouse model of MM, thus highlighting potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of MM.Hofbauer D, …, Bruns H. Immunity 2021 Jul 20. DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.07.002.