A stable, engineered TL1A ligand co-stimulates T cells via specific binding to DR3

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 20538
• Main Authors: Zwolak, Adam, Chan, Szeman Ruby, Harvilla, Paul, Mahady, Sally, Armstrong, Anthony A, Luistro, Leopoldo, Tamot, Ninkka, Yamada, Douglas, Derebe, Mehabaw, Pomerantz, Steven, Chiu, Mark, Ganesan, Rajkumar, Chowdhury, Partha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 29.11.2022; Nature Publishing Group UK; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: CD4 antigen; CD8 antigen; Cell proliferation; Cytokines; Design; Effector cells; Inflammation; Ligands; Lymphocyte Count; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes T; Polypeptides; Proteins; R&D; Research & development; Signal Transduction; T cell receptors; T-Lymphocytes; Tumor necrosis factor; Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 15 - genetics; Tumors
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24984-y

TL1A (TNFSF15) is a TNF superfamily ligand which can bind the TNFRSF member death receptor 3 (DR3) on T cells and the soluble decoy receptor DcR3. Engagement of DR3 on CD4+ or CD8+ effector T cells by TL1A induces downstream signaling, leading to proliferation and an increase in secretion of inflammatory cytokines. We designed a stable recombinant TL1A molecule that (1) displays high monodispersity and stability, (2) displays the ability to activate T cells in vitro and in vivo, and (3) lacks binding to DcR3 while retaining functional activity via DR3. Together these results suggest the TL1A ligand can be amenable to therapeutic development on its own or paired with a tumor-targeting moiety.