Objective
The infiltration of CD8+ T cells in tumors is crucial for the development of immunity against cancer. We have recently identified a tissue-resident macrophage population expressing the folate receptor 2 (FOLR2) and infiltrating human and murine breast tumors. We have shown that tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cell form lymphoid aggregate around FOLR2+ macrophages in a perivascular niche. The abundance of FOLR2+ macrophages associates with lymphocyte infiltration, the onset of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and favorable prognosis. The abundance of TLS in cancer correlates with better prognosis and clinical response to immunotherapy. Yet, the molecular and cellular cues underlying TLS formation in tumors are ill understood. Here we hypothesize that FOLR2+ macrophages locally shape the compartment of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Mechanistically, we will address if FOLR2+ macrophages spark local CD8+ T cell responses directly, by interacting with T lymphocytes or indirectly, by fostering TLS formation. To this end, we will (1) develop a high dimensional analysis of the FOLR2+ macrophage-perivascular niche using tissue imaging, spatial transcriptomic and single-cell RNA sequencing; (2) implement a new murine genetic model developed in the lab enabling the inducible ablation of FOLR2+ macrophages and conditional gene inactivation; (3) deliver a mechanistic analysis of cellular cross-talks involving FOLR2+ macrophages and supporting the development and maintenance of TLS. Lastly, we will explore new immunotherapy strategies harnessing the immunogenic function of FOLR2+ macrophages purposed to induce anti-tumor CD8+ T cell responses. To this end, we will use antibody-mediated targeting of FOLR2+ macrophages to increase antigen presentation and/or innate activation. This study will provide fundamental insights on how tissue-resident macrophages regulate tumor-immunity and a proof of concept for macrophage subset-specific therapeutic interventions to treat cancer.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology immunotherapy
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75654 PARIS
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.