B Cell Engineering and Tertiary Lymphoid Structure Induction via Biomaterials for Cancer Immunotherapy

Project Information

BeaT-IT

Grant agreement ID: 101040996

DOI

10.3030/101040996

EC signature date 11 February 2022

Start date 1 July 2022

End date 30 June 2027

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 1 488 762,50

EU contribution

€ 1 488 762,50

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM AACHEN
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BeaT-IT (B Cell Engineering and Tertiary Lymphoid Structure Induction via Biomaterials for Cancer Immunotherapy)

Reporting period: 2022-07-01 to 2024-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

B lymphocytes exhibit diverse immunological functions, including antibody production and antigen presentation. Emerging evidence indicates that these cells also create niches known as B cell-associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) that sustain an immune response. The role of TLS in cancer is only beginning to emerge, and understanding it requires further insight into cellular and spatial composition. Funded by the European Research Council, the BeaT-IT project aims to determine the factors that stimulate B cells and induce TLS. Researchers will employ novel polymeric biomaterials and test different agents and cells for their capacity to stimulate TLS formation. The materials can be further combined with immunotherapy or chemotherapy as a synergistic anticancer strategy. We have successfully managed to develop and establish multiscale biomaterials to stimulate B cells via their intracellular and extracellular receptors to engineer their immunological functions such as antigen presentation and antibody production.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In the BeaT-IT project (101040996), a series of biomaterials ranging from the nano- to macroscale have been designed, synthesized, and characterized. These biomaterials have been utilized to engineer B cells and induce tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

During the project, new phenomena regarding how B cells interact with nano- to macroscale biomaterials, as well as their response to clinically used modalities, have been observed. Currently, the mechanisms underlying these stimulation effects are under investigation.