Biology subjects

Menon, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Menon, P..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Antibodies with Engineered Fc Domains Having Absolute Binding Selectivity to either FcγRIIa or FcγRI Delineate the Respective Effector Phenotypes by Human Monocytes and Macrophages

IgG1 immune complexes bind to all the Fc{gamma} receptors (Fc{gamma}R) expressed on myeloid cells, making it challenging to determine the precise role of each Fc{gamma}R on Fc effector phenotypes. Here we report the engineering of Fc2KG, an aglycosylated human IgG1 Fc domain that binds with near physiological affinity to Fc{gamma}RIIa/b with no detectable binding to any other Fc{gamma}Rs. Crystallographic analysis elucidated the structural basis of how mutations in the Fc domain compensate for the absence of the N297 glycan and enable selective binding. Using single-cell phagocytosis assays, we show that particles opsonized with Fc-engineered antibodies formatted with Fc2KG or with an Fc domain that binds only Fc{gamma}RI (Fc5), are ingested by THP-1 cells with near identical kinetics. We find that with CD16+ primary human monocytes, selective Fc{gamma}RII engagement is a major contributor to the ADCP mediated by wild-type IgG1. Additionally, we showed that Fc2KG formatted antibodies induce high levels of GM-CSF. With M1-like monocyte-derived human macrophages, trastuzumab formatted with wild-type IgG1 Fc, with Fc2KG or Fc5 were all equally proficient in the trogocytotic killing of opsonized SK-BR-3 HER2+ cells but only Fc{gamma}RI engagement led to secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Collectively, our results highlight how precisely tuned, Fc-engineered antibodies can be deployed to answer long-standing questions regarding the precise effector functions mediated by human Fc{gamma}Rs, information which is key for the optimization of therapeutic antibodies.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2026

HER2 mutation-derived neoantigens in NSCLC as actionable targets for TCR therapy

HER2 mutations are oncogenic drivers in 1-6% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), but therapeutic resistance limits the durability of current HER2-targeted treatments. Here, we identify T-cell receptors (TCRs) targeting recurrent HER2 hotspot mutations as a potential immunotherapeutic strategy for HER2-mutant NSCLC. Using neoepitope prediction and antigen-specific T-cell enrichment, we isolated HLA-A*02:01restricted TCRs recognizing HER2 A775insYVMA, S310F, and G776delinsVC mutations, collectively covering approximately 60% of HER2-mutant NSCLC. These TCRs selectively recognized mutant HER2 epitopes without detectable wild-type reactivity and some displayed cross-recognition of related hotspot variants, expanding the spectrum of targetable tumors. The G776delinsVC-specific TCR also exhibited co-receptorindependent activity showcased by its ability to activate CD4+ T cells. Importantly, timelapse single-cell flow cytometry analyses demonstrated that TCR-engineered T cells repeatedly reacquired activated polyfunctional states following serial antigen stimulation, while serial tumor rechallenge assays confirmed sustained cytotoxic activity across multiple rounds of tumor killing. These findings identify recurrent HER2 mutations as shared immunotherapeutic targets and provide a foundation for the development of TCR-based therapies for HER2-mutant NSCLC.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2024

SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF3a induces Atg8ylation of lysosomal membranes

Atg8ylation is an autophagy associated response to membrane damage that recruits mammalian ATG8 proteins (mATG8s) to damaged membranes to promote their repair or removal. Here, we show that the SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF3a induces lysosomal membrane atg8ylation and that this response protects cells from death. mATG8s interact with ORF3a and are required for lysosomal damage induced by ORF3a. ORF3a targets mTOR in an Atg8ylation dependent manner and promotes lysophagy through mATG8 mediated coordination of TRIM16 and Galectin-3. ORF3a triggers apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, whereas atg8ylation limits ORF3a- induced cell death. Together, our findings identify mATG8s and the autophagy conjugation machinery as key regulators of lysosomal atg8ylation and lysophagy in response to the SARS-CoV-2 virulence factor ORF3a.

cell biology↗