New study unveils PPARβ/δ as a key player in immune memory and cancer therapy.
This new research published in Science Immunology reveals PPARβ/δ as a crucial regulator of metabolic reprogramming that directs memory CD8+ T cell differentiation and survival, with implications for cancer and chronic viral infections.
Researchers from Ho Lab at the University of Lausanne and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch have uncovered a crucial mechanism that could pave the way for more effective cancer treatments and long-term immune protection. The study, lead by Alessio Bevilacqua and directed by Prof. Ho, identifies the nuclear receptor PPARβ/δ as a key regulator of metabolic reprogramming in memory CD8+ T cells, which are vital for maintaining durable immune responses.
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PPARβ/δ’s role in immune memory: The research highlights how PPARβ/δ facilitates a metabolic switch in CD8+ T cells, allowing them to shift from glycolysis to oxidative metabolism. This shift is essential for the survival and function of memory T cells, which provide long-term immunity against previously encountered pathogens.
Implications for cancer therapy: By enhancing the longevity and resilience of memory T cells, the study suggests that targeting the PPARβ/δ pathway could significantly improve the effectiveness of immunotherapies. This approach holds promise for better outcomes in treating cancers and chronic infections.
The study is the result of a collaboration between leading institutions, including Academia Sinica in Taiwan, New York University, and Xi’an Jiao Tong University Health Science Center in China. Funding support came from the Swiss National Science Foundation, the European Research Council (ERC) and the Cancer Research Institute.
“This discovery sheds new light on the fundamental processes that govern immune memory and opens up exciting possibilities for enhancing cancer immunotherapy,” said Prof. Ping-Chih Ho, the corresponding author of the study and a leading researcher at the University of Lausanne.
Impact on Future Research and Therapy: The findings from this study could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies that harness the PPARβ/δ pathway to sustain and boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. By ensuring that memory T cells remain metabolically fit, these therapies could offer more durable and personalized treatment options for patients.
by Carine Dournes Söhnlein (DO communication)