Lactobacillus species can exert health promoting effects in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) through many mechanisms, which include pathogen inhibition, maintenance of microbial balance, immunomodulation, and enhancement of the epithelial barrier function. Different species of the genus Lactobacillus can evoke different responses in the host, and not all strains of the same species can be considered beneficial. Strain variations may be related to diversity of the cell surface architecture of lactobacilli and the bacteria's ability to express certain surface components or secrete specific compounds in response to the host environment. Lactobacilli are known to modify their surface structures in response to stress factors such as bile and low pH, and these adaptations may help their survival in the face of harsh environmental conditions encountered in the GIT. In recent years, multiple cell surface-associated molecules have been implicated in the adherence of lactobacilli to the GIT lining, immunomodulation, and protective effects on intestinal epithelial barrier function. Identification of the relevant bacterial ligands and their host receptors is imperative for a better understanding of the mechanisms through which lactobacilli exert their beneficial effects on human health.

No abstract

ObjectivesAutologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) αβ T‐cell therapies have demonstrated remarkable antitumor efficacy in patients with haematological malignancies; however, not all eligible cancer patients receive clinical benefit. Emerging strategies to improve patient access and clinical responses include using premanufactured products from healthy donors and alternative cytotoxic effectors possessing intrinsic tumoricidal activity as sources of CAR cell therapies. γδ T cells, which combine innate and adaptive mechanisms to recognise and kill malignant cells, are an attractive candidate platform for allogeneic CAR T‐cell therapy. Here, we evaluated the manufacturability and functionality of allogeneic peripheral blood‐derived CAR+ Vδ1 γδ T cells expressing a second‐generation CAR targeting the B‐cell‐restricted CD20 antigen.MethodsDonor‐derived Vδ1 γδ T cells from peripheral blood were ex vivo‐activated, expanded and engineered to express a novel anti‐CD20 CAR. In vitro and in vivo assays were used to evaluate CAR‐dependent and CAR‐independent antitumor activities of CD20 CAR+ Vδ1 γδ T cells against B‐cell tumors.ResultsAnti‐CD20 CAR+ Vδ1 γδ T cells exhibited innate and adaptive antitumor activities, such as in vitro tumor cell killing and proinflammatory cytokine production, in addition to in vivo tumor growth inhibition of B‐cell lymphoma xenografts in immunodeficient mice. Furthermore, CD20 CAR+ Vδ1 γδ T cells did not induce xenogeneic graft‐versus‐host disease in immunodeficient mice.ConclusionThese preclinical data support the clinical evaluation of ADI‐001, an allogeneic CD20 CAR+ Vδ1 γδ T cell, and a phase 1 study has been initiated in patients with B‐cell malignancies (NCT04735471).

No abstract