CRISPR/Cas9 mediated deletion of the adenosine A2A receptor enhances CAR T cell efficacy.

ABSTRACT: Adenosine is an immunosuppressive factor that limits anti-tumor immunity through the suppression of multiple immune subsets including T cells via activation of the adenosine A_2A receptor (A_2AR). Using both murine and human chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, here we show that targeting A_2AR with a clinically relevant CRISPR/Cas9 strategy significantly enhances their in vivo efficacy, leading to improved survival of mice. Effects evoked by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene deletion of A_2AR are superior to shRNA mediated knockdown or pharmacological blockade of A_2AR. Mechanistically, human A_2AR-edited CAR T cells are significantly resistant to adenosine-mediated transcriptional changes, resulting in enhanced production of cytokin

SUBMITTER: Giuffrida L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8163771 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature