Researchers at Lund University have developed a platform designed to reprogram readily available cells into specific immune cell types, with the goal of combating various diseases. This process requires identifying the precise "recipe" for cellular transformation. The team compiled a library of over 400 immune-related factors, each marked with a distinct DNA barcode. This system allows for the simultaneous testing of thousands of combinations, enabling researchers to identify which factors trigger the conversion to specific immune cells. This development of the screening technique and the comprehensive library took four years to complete. The immune system comprises different types of cells that specialize in protecting the body from diseases like viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells. Immunotherapies, such as CAR-T cell therapy, aim to strengthen or control the immune system to fight disease. However, current immunotherapies are not universally effective, and many crucial immune cells are rare and challenging to extract from patients. The ability to reprogram easily accessible cells into these rare immune cells offers a promising avenue for future immunotherapies.
The researchers have already identified recipes for six distinct immune cell types using this platform. This includes natural killer (NK) cells, which had previously been inaccessible through reprogramming and are vital for combating cancer. The long-term objective is to discover "recipes" for all human immune cells and their various functional states. This technology has the potential to accelerate the development of personalized therapeutic strategies for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and tissue repair. The immediate next steps involve demonstrating the application of immune cell reprogramming beyond cancer and testing new combinations in models of autoimmune diseases.