PhD defence: Metabolic odyssey in the Tumor microenvironment: stories from T Cells and Vesicular Messengers

PLEASE NOTE: The candidate gives a layman's talk, therefore the livestream will start fifteen minutes earlier.

Metabolism, a network of biochemical reactions, provides cells with energy and the building blocks necessary to maintain their growth and function. Moreover, metabolites can act as signaling molecules that are exchanged across cells which impact events both inside and outside a cell.

In cancer, these normal processes are changed profoundly to support tumor growth and avoid the body’s immune system. One part of this thesis addresses metabolic changes inside a type of immune cell called CD4+ T cells when they come across an external signal called Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor (TNFR) family. We showed, in this thesis, different CD4+ T cell types change the usage of nutrients such as glucose, and amino acid glutamine alongside other programs like RNA expression and growth signaling. The changes are complex and differ per T cell types and TNFR family member.

In addition, by using mass spectrometry, we mapped the metabolic contents inside tiny particles called “extracellular vesicles” (EVs) that are released by breast cancer cells. We found EVs have common but also distinct enzymes, metabolites and lipids (fats), which likely contribute to cancer development.

Together, these insights improve our understanding of how metabolism shapes communication in the tumor ecosystem. This knowledge may support the future development of better diagnostic methods and more targeted cancer therapies.