Journal: Molecular Therapy Oncology

Article Title: Epstein-Barr virus mRNA vaccine synergizes with NK cells to enhance nasopharyngeal carcinoma eradication in humanized mice

doi: 10.1016/j.omton.2025.200986

Figure Lengend Snippet: The nEL mRNA vaccine synergizes with NK cells to promote the eradication of EBV + NPC in humanized mice (A) Scheme of the animal experiment. Human PBMC-engrafted NOG mice were implanted subcutaneously with CNE2-EBV cells. One week after tumor inoculation, mice were treated with mRNA vaccine and NK cells (Vac+NK), NK cells alone (NK), or liposomes and PBS (Control) every 3 to 4 days ( n = 6 per group). Blood and tumor samples were collected for analysis at the end of the experiment. (B) Tumor growth curves of each group (ordinary two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001). (C) Photograph of harvested tumor tissues from each group. The cross symbol indicates eradicated tumors by the combined therapy. (D) Average tumor weight of each group (ordinary one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, ∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001). (E) HE staining and (F) IHC staining of EBNA1 in tumor sections from each group. Scale bars: 500 μm (top), 100 μm (bottom, enlarged boxed regions). (G) Body weight and food intake changes of PBMC-humanized mice in the control, NK, and Vac+NK groups at different time points ( n = 6 per group). A group of non-humanized NOG mice was additionally recorded for reference. (H) Tumor growth curves of each group from humanized mice reconstituted with PBMC source from donor #3 (ordinary two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, ∗∗ p < 0.01, ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001). All data represented as means ± SEM.

Article Snippet: For immunostaining, antigen retrieval was performed and then blocked with 10% goat serum (Solarbio, SL038) for 1 h, followed by incubation with primary antibodies against CD56 (1:200, Affinity, DF7832), granzyme B (1:200, Affinity, AF0175), perforin (1:200, Affinity, DF6004), CD4 (1:100, Abcam, DF16080), CD8 (1:100, Abcam, ab17147), IFN-γ (1:100, Affinity, DF6045), and EBNA1 (1:100, Santa Cruz, 81581) at 4°C for overnight.

Techniques: Liposomes, Control, Staining, Immunohistochemistry