Our Research
Understanding Cancer Immune Evasion through Trogocytosis
Our laboratory investigates how cancer cells acquire immune regulatory molecules from T cells through a membrane-transfer process called trogocytosis — and how disrupting this mechanism can restore anti-tumor immunity.
What is Trogocytosis?
Trogocytosis is a process by which cancer cells physically extract fragments of membrane — including immune regulatory proteins — from tumor-infiltrating T cells during direct contact. By acquiring these molecules, cancer cells can masquerade as immune cells, suppressing anti-tumor responses and escaping immune surveillance.
Our landmark 2021 PNAS paper demonstrated that colon cancer cells acquire immune regulatory molecules from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes by trogocytosis, opening a new avenue for therapeutic intervention.
Four Investigative Tracks
Trogocytosis Library
Building comprehensive repositories of trogocytosis candidates using mass spectrometry, RNA-seq, and CRISPR/Cas9 knockout organoids across normal, adenoma, and carcinoma stages.
Trogocytosis Screening System
Cancer cell–T cell co-culture and in vivo metastatic colon cancer models using patient-derived organoids and reporter mice to evaluate immune evasion.
Immunotherapeutic Target Identification
Identifying actionable immunotherapeutic targets in metastatic cancers by integrating the trogocytosis library with the screening system.
Therapeutic Development
Developing novel cancer immunotherapies based on validated trogocytosis targets, including mRNA-LNP delivery platforms and in vivo CAR-T cell strategies.
Trogocytosis in Action
Live imaging analysis for 6 h
Cell trackers (undiffusable to adjacent cells) were used to stain T cells as follow
Cytosol: CMFDA (Green)
Membrane: DiD (Red)
Interested in Collaboration?
We welcome collaborations with academic institutions and industry partners. Contact us to discuss potential research partnerships.
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