CAR macrophages with built-In CD47 blocker combat tumor antigen heterogeneity and activate T cells via cross-presentation

Abstract Macrophage-based cancer cellular therapy has gained substantial interest. However, the capability of engineered macrophages to target cancer heterogeneity and modulate adaptive immunity remains unclear. Here, exploiting the myeloid antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis biology and phagoc...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Siqi Chen, Yingyu Wang, Jessica Dang, Nuozi Song, Xiaoxin Chen, Jinhui Wang, Guo N. Huang, Christine E. Brown, Jianhua Yu, Irving L. Weissman, Steven T. Rosen, Mingye Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59326-9
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Summary:Abstract Macrophage-based cancer cellular therapy has gained substantial interest. However, the capability of engineered macrophages to target cancer heterogeneity and modulate adaptive immunity remains unclear. Here, exploiting the myeloid antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis biology and phagocytosis checkpoint blockade, we report the enhanced synthetic phagocytosis receptor (eSPR) that integrate FcRγ-driven phagocytic chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) with built-in secreted CD47 blockers. The eSPR engineering empowers macrophages to combat tumor antigen heterogeneity. Transduced by adenoviral vectors, eSPR macrophages are intrinsically pro-inflammatory imprinted and resist tumoral polarization. Transcriptomically and phenotypically, eSPR macrophages elicit a more favorable tumor immune landscape. Mechanistically, eSPR macrophages in situ stimulate CD8 T cells via phagocytosis-dependent antigen cross-presentation. We also validate the functionality of the eSPR system in human primary macrophages.
ISSN:2041-1723