Mohamed-Reda Benmebarek

This paper develops GPC3-targeted CAR T cells resistant to immunosuppressive drugs and with reduced alloreactivity, showing efficacy in preclinical models and feasibility for clinical use post-liver transplantation.

Liver tumors in mice and patients hold many tumor-specific CD8+ T cells that are exhausted; SPP1+ macrophages and a liver-specific intermediate macrophage population are linked to this dysfunction.

This study shows that gut microbiota influence liver tumor growth and behavior through the vagus nerve, with cholinergic signaling and CD8+ T cells playing key roles.