SLAMF7 Unlocking the Potential of T Memory Stem Cells for the New Year, suggested by Nicholas Restifo
Nicholas Restifo, Co-founder and Chief Scientist at Marble Therapeutics, shared an article by Hassen Kared on LinkedIn:
“SLAMF7: Unlocking the Potential of T Memory Stem Cells for the New Year.
T memory stem cells (T_SCM) have redefined immunology, overturning the long-held belief that memory T cells arise from effector cells. In reality, memory cells are developmentally less-differentiated than effectors. T_SCM are clonally expanded naive-like T cells with stem-like persistence and superior therapeutic potential.
A new study by Anis LARBI and colleagues advances this paradigm, identifying SLAMF7 as a critical marker for isolating highly potent T_SCM cells. By incorporating TCF7 or the easily stainable CD127 (IL7R) into screens, researchers are unlocking the therapeutic power of these long-lived, multipotent T cells.
Why It Matters:
SLAMF7 enables precise identification of progenitor-like effector T cells, driving breakthroughs in:
-> Cancer Immunotherapy: Enhancing CAR-T and TIL therapies for long-term durability and tumor-clearing capacity.
-> Vaccines: Priming T_SCM cells for lifelong immunity against cancers and pathogens like HIV and TB.
->Anti-Aging: Rejuvenating T cells to combat immune decline in aging populations.
The Science:
SLAMF7, alongside markers like CD27 and GPR56, distinguishes early progenitor-like T cells from terminally differentiated subsets. This precision is critical for developing durable and effective immune therapies.
Early work on identification T_SCM in mice (2009) and humans (2011) was spearheaded by Luca Gattinoni in the Restifo lab. It should be pointed out that Enrico Lugli working with Mario Roederer were among the best flow cytometrists in the world, and their brilliant use of highly multicolored flow cytometry made characterization of the cells possible.
Moving into the New Year, Luca and Enrico continue to push deeper into the developmental biology of T cell subsets. Their early work fundamentally reshaped T cell biology, showing that memory cells don’t arise from effectors but from naive T cells, enabling cell therapies like TIL and CAR-T cells that can change lives.
Let’s continue reshaping what we know about T cells and use this knowledge to develop transformative therapies for cancer, chronic infections, and aging-related immune decline.
What are your thoughts on SLAMF7 and T_SCM? Let’s discuss below!”
SLAMF7 defines subsets of human effector CD8 T cells.
Authors: Hassen Kared, et al.
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