Nanoscale restructuring of the immune synapse with an engager enhances NK cell function

K Khodor S. Hazime (Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington) S Sam Sheppard (Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington) O Olatz Niembro-Vivanco (Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington) C Cathal Hosty (Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington) H Heather Thomas (Immuno-Oncology Cellular Therapy Thematic Research Center, Bristol Myers Squibb) C Christopher Loosbroock (Immuno-Oncology Cellular Therapy Thematic Research Center, Bristol Myers Squibb) L Leanne Peiser (Immuno-Oncology Cellular Therapy Thematic Research Center, Bristol Myers Squibb) D Daniel M. Davis (Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington)

Abstract

Engagers are antibody-based therapies which bind immune cell receptors and a target cell ligand. Next-gen engagers typically bind two activating receptors, but the effect of this on immune synapse formation and signaling is unknown. Here, we coligated activating receptors CD16a and NKG2D on natural killer (NK) cells with a CD33-binding anti-acute myeloid leukemia (AML) engager. Superresolution microscopy revealed that coligating CD16a and NKG2D with a single molecule triggered their nanoscale coclustering. This enhanced phosphorylation of CD3ζ, ZAP70, and SLP-76 which augmented secretion of IFN-γ and TNF-α, by NK cells from healthy donors and AML patients. Thus, in addition to connecting immune cells to target cells, the clinical promise of engagers results from their ability to manipulate the nanoscale architecture of the immune synapse.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 38
Published September 23, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (8)

K

Khodor S. Hazime

Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington

S

Sam Sheppard

Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington

O

Olatz Niembro-Vivanco

Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington

C

Cathal Hosty

Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington

H

Heather Thomas

Immuno-Oncology Cellular Therapy Thematic Research Center, Bristol Myers Squibb

C

Christopher Loosbroock

Immuno-Oncology Cellular Therapy Thematic Research Center, Bristol Myers Squibb

L

Leanne Peiser

Immuno-Oncology Cellular Therapy Thematic Research Center, Bristol Myers Squibb

D

Daniel M. Davis

Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington