MSC.sensor: Capturing cancer cell interactions with stroma for functional profiling

SLAS Discov. 2023 Oct;28(7):350-354. doi: 10.1016/j.slasd.2023.08.003. Epub 2023 Aug 11.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) contribute to the microenvironment regulating normal and malignant hematopoiesis, and thus may support subpopulations of cancer cells to escape therapeutic pressure. Here, we engineered bone marrow MSCs to express a synthetic CD19-sensor receptor to detect and display interacting primary CD19+ leukemia cells in coculture. This implementation provides a versatile platform facilitating ex vivo drug response profiling of primary CD19+ leukemia cells in coculture with high-sensitivity and scalability.

Keywords: Biosensor; Drug synergy; Ex vivo drug screen; Leukemia; Mesenchymal stromal cell; Synthetic Notch receptor.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD19 / metabolism
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Coculture Techniques*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / metabolism
  • Leukemia / pathology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / metabolism
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • CD19 molecule, human