Engineering tissue-resident lymphocytes for the modulation of tissue-microenvironments (B03)

• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 452881907

This project investigates how to improve the in vivo expansion, persistence and functionality of CAR NK cells in tissues and tumors. Building on findings about the roles of Tcf1, Hobit, Blimp1, BATF and BATF3, the team will use genetic engineering of these transcription factors in CAR NK cells to promote their “stemness”, in vivo expansion, and the acquisition of features of tissue-resident cells. In addition, the team generated compelling evidence that CD4+ T cells can help NK cell target cell interaction and effector function in tissues. Therefore, novel strategies for engineering of CD4-help for CAR-NK cells will be developed.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 338: LETSIMMUN - Lymphocyte Engineering for Therapeutic Synthetic Immunity
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität München
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Georg Gasteiger