SLAMF7 (CD319) enhances cytotoxic T-cell differentiation and sensitizes CD8⁺ T cells to immune checkpoint blockade.

ABSTRACT: Tumors frequently evade immune destruction by impairing cytotoxic CD8⁺ T-cell responses, highlighting the need for strategies that restore T-cell functionality. Here, we identify SLAMF7 (CD319) as a key enhancer of human CD8⁺ T-cell responses against tumors. SLAMF7 expression is induced by pro-inflammatory signals such as IL-12 and CD28 co-stimulation. Agonistic SLAMF7 signaling, in synergy with TCR activation, is able to strongly induce T-cell activation and clonal expansion, a finding consistently observed in CD8⁺ T cells from healthy adults as well as derived from blood and tumor-draining lymph nodes of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Moreover it drives a distinct differentiation programme characterized by elevated expression

SUBMITTER: Sander JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12405405 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature