Mechanosensitive regulatory T cell induction for improved adoptive immunotherapy

This technology is a mechanosensitive induction method designed to enhance induced regulatory T cell (iTreg) production for adoptive immunotherapy by modulating substrate stiffness to improve cell stability and function.

Unmet Need: Stable and effective T cell therapies for autoimmune diseases

Current treatments for autoimmune diseases rely heavily on broad-spectrum immunosuppressants, which can impair the immune system's overall function and increase the risk of infections. Although adoptive T cell therapies provide a more targeted approach, traditional methods often produce induced regulatory T cells (iTregs) with limited stability and functional durability. This lack of consistency in T cell performance reduces the potential effectiveness of adoptive immunotherapy as a sustainable solution for autoimmune disease management. There is a clear need for therapies capable of generating stable, high-functioning iTregs to offer a precise, long-lasting alternative to current treatments.

The Technology: Mechanosensitive approach for stable regulatory T cell induction

This technology is a mechanosensitive method that enhances regulatory T cell (iTreg) induction by modulating substrate stiffness to activate key pathways involved in T cell differentiation and stabilization. By adjusting the substrate’s rigidity, this approach produces iTregs with improved stability and functionality, enabling them to sustain immune modulation effectively. This mechanosensitive approach promotes more consistent T cell regulation by influencing transcriptional activity, thereby addressing the limitations of conventional T cell therapies and improving strategies for treating autoimmune diseases.

This technology has been validated in vitro.

Applications:

• Adoptive immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases
• Adoptive immunotherapy for transplant patients
• Adoptive immunotherapy for asthma and allergic diseases
• Production of stable regulatory T cells for immune tolerance
• Research tool for studying T cell differentiation and regulation

Advantages:

• Generates stable, high-functioning regulatory T cells
• Enhances immune tolerance through mechanosensitivity
• Scalable, non-genetic method for regulatory T cell production
• Improves precision in adoptive immunotherapy

Lead Inventor:

Lance Kam, Ph.D

Patent Information:

Patent Pending (WO/2025/184248)

Related Publications:

• Shi L, Lim JY, Kam LC. “Improving regulatory T cell production through mechanosensing.” J Biomed Mater Res A. 2024 Jul; 112(7): 1138-1148

• Shi L, Lim JY, Kam LC. “Substrate stiffness enhances human regulatory T cell induction and metabolism.” Biomaterials. 2023 Jan; 292: 121928.

• Yuan DJ, Shi L, Kam LC. “Biphasic response of T cell activation to substrate stiffness.” Biomaterials. 2021 Jun; 273: 120797

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU23392

• Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu