A study on gallic acid enhancing the anti-solid tumor function of CAR-T cells
10.19401/j.cnki.1007-3639.2025.11.005
- VernacularTitle:没食子酸增强CAR-T细胞抗实体瘤作用的研究
- Author:
Dawei SUN
1
;
Jinyu YU
;
Xin ZHANG
;
Songbo ZHAO
;
Xianzheng ZHANG
Author Information
1. 山东第一医科大学附属省立医院影像科,山东 济南 250021
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Gallic acid;
Chimeric antigen receptor T cells;
Anti-solid tumor;
Senescence;
Tumor microenvironment
- From:
China Oncology
2025;35(11):1032-1040
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Background and purpose:Gallic acid(GA)induces tumor cells apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis.Beyond directly attacking tumor cells,another crucial aspect of GA is its ability to modulate and enhance immune system function.For example,it can improve T cell metabolism,alleviate T cell exhaustion,and promote the formation of memory T cell phenotypes.Although several chimeric antigen receptor T(CAR-T)cells products have gained market approval,the technology still faces significant challenges.These limitations include off-target effects,a predisposition to T cell exhaustion and so on.Moreover,similar to exhaustion,cellular senescence is a major hindrance that impairs T cell function.This study aimed to investigate the effects of GA on the anti-tumor function of CAR-T cells both in vitro and in vivo.We further evaluated the impact of GA on CAR-T cells senescence and memory phenotypes,as well as the impact of GA and CAR-T cells on immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment(TME).Methods:Second-generation CAR targeting mouse glypican 3(GPC3)and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)were constructed to generate CAR-T cells.CAR-T cells were co-cultured with GA at a concentration of 5 μg/mL,and flow cytometry was used to assess the senescence status and memory phenotype of CAR-T cells and their killing ability against tumor cells at different effector-to-target ratios.Senescence markers included p53,p21,γ-H2AX and senescence-associated β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal),while CCR7 served as the memory phenotype marker.A subcutaneous tumor model was established to explore the effects of GA on the anti-tumor function of CAR-T cells and immune cell infiltration within the TME.Results:We successfully generated human HER2 and murine GPC3 CAR-T cells,achieving a purity of 30%-50%.GA enhanced the in vitro killing ability of CAR-T cells targeting mouse GPC3 and human HER2(P＜0.001)at different E:T ratios,delayed the senescence of mouse GPC3 CAR-T cells(p53,p21,γ-H2AX,P＜0.05;SA-β-gal,P＜0.001;CCR7,P＜0.001).And GA promoted the differentiation of CAR-T cells toward a memory phenotype(P＜0.001).Additionally,GPC3 CAR-T cells inhibited tumor cell growth(P＜0.05),prolonged mouse survival(P＜0.001),and enhanced the infiltration capacity of CAR-cells(P＜0.001)and endogenous immune cells[CD4+T cells,P＜0.05;CD8+T cells,P＜0.01;natural killer(NK)cells,P＜0.01].Conclusion:GA can enhance the cytotoxic activity of CAR-T cells in vitro,and delay the senescence of CAR-T cells.Furthermore,by modulating TME,GA improved immune cell infiltration,thereby augmenting the overall anti-tumor efficacy of CAR-T cells.
