Journal: bioRxiv
Article Title: A Neural Arming Niche in Tumor-Draining Lymph Nodes Programs CD8⁺T Cell Cytotoxicity via GZMB Norepinephrinylation
doi: 10.64898/2026.02.25.707881
Figure Lengend Snippet: a, Targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of a TGM2-transamidated NE to GZMB peptide 37–48. b, EL4 cells were transfected with Flag-fused lentiviruses expressing either WT-GZMB or Gln43 to Ala (Q43A) mutated GZMB (Q43A-GZMB). Cells were stimulated with IL-2 and αCD3/αCD28 for 72 hours, Flag-beads were used to pull down Flag-GZMB, and the ubiquitination level of GZMB protein were detected in EL4 cells with overexpression of WT-GZMB or Q43A-GZMB (3 independent experiments). c, EL4 cells were stimulated with IL-2 and αCD3/αCD28 for 72 hours. After 72 hours, EL4 cells were co-cultured with KPC1199 tumor cells for 24 hours, and then flow cytometry was used to assess the levels of apoptosis in KPC1199 tumor cells. As a control, tumor cells incubation with wide-type EL4 cells were subjected to FACS analysis. Bar graph showed the quantification of apoptosis (EL4 cells: tumor cells = 5:1; n=3 per group; 3 independent experiments). d, EL4 cells were stimulated with IL-2 and αCD3/αCD28 for 72 hours. After 72 hours, cells were treated with inhibitor CHX at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours, and WT-GZMB or Q43A-GZMB protein levels were detected by western blot respectively. Left panels: Representative western blot images, β-actin was set as control. Right panels: Graph showed the relative intensity (3 independent experiments). e, Upper panels: Tgm2 fl/fl or Tgm2 fl/fl CD8-Cre CD8 + T cells were stimulated with IL-2 and αCD3/αCD28 for 72 hours, GZMB was immunoprecipitated and UHRF1 protein binding to GZMB was detected by western blot. GZMB was set as control. Lower panels: UHRF1 protein levels in Tgm2 fl/fl or Tgm2 fl/fl CD8-Cre CD8 + T cells were detected by western blot. β-actin was set as control, IP, immunoprecipitation (3 independent experiments). f, Upper panels: EL4 cells were stimulated with IL-2 and αCD3/αCD28 for 72 hours, Flag-GZMB was immunoprecipitated and UHRF1 protein binding to GZMB were detected by western blot. GZMB was set as control. Lower panels: UHRF1 protein levels in WT-GZMB (EL4) or Q43A-GZMB (EL4) cells were detected by western blot. β-actin was set as control, IP, immunoprecipitation (3 independent experiments). g, A ribbon trace of GZMB with labeled surface loops. The locations are shown for the catalytic residues, H64, D108, S203, and R228 (in yellow), and site of norepinephrinylation amino acids Q43 (in red). This model was from Uniprot (AF-P04187-F1-V4). h, TGM2 monoaminylation assay with GZMB protein in the absence (Vehicle) or presence of 5 μM NE. Activity of norepinephrinylated GZMB was analyzed. The immediately fluorescenceintensity at Ex/Em = 380/500 nm was measured in a microplate reader in kinetic mode for 30 min at 37°C protected from light (n = 3 per group, 3 independent experiments). Statistical significance was determined by two-tailed unpaired Welcht’s t -test (c, h), Error bars: SEM. ** P < 0.01; *** P < 0.001; N.S. , not significant.
Article Snippet: EL4 cells were purchased from ATCC.
Techniques: Liquid Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectroscopy, Transfection, Expressing, Ubiquitin Proteomics, Over Expression, Cell Culture, Flow Cytometry, Control, Incubation, Western Blot, Immunoprecipitation, Protein Binding, Labeling, Activity Assay, Two Tailed Test