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

Informacje na temat projektu

BeaT-IT

Identyfikator umowy o grant: 101040996

DOI

10.3030/101040996

Data podpisania przez KE 11 Lutego 2022

Data rozpoczęcia 1 Lipca 2022

Data zakończenia 30 Czerwca 2027

Finansowanie w ramach

• European Research Council (ERC)

Koszt całkowity

€ 1 488 762,50

Wkład UE

€ 1 488 762,50

Koordynowany przez

UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM AACHEN
Germany

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

Okres sprawozdawczy: 2022-07-01 do 2024-12-31

Podsumowanie kontekstu i ogólnych celów projektu

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.

Prace wykonane od początku projektu do końca okresu sprawozdawczego oraz najważniejsze dotychczasowe rezultaty

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.

Innowacyjność oraz oczekiwany potencjalny wpływ (w tym dotychczasowe znaczenie społeczno-gospodarcze i szersze implikacje społeczne projektu)

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.