Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Change the TME to Promote T cell Exhaustion Following Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in a Murine Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Model

Presenter: Christof Kaltenmeier (Advisors: Drs. David Geller / Samer Tohme)

Christof and his team are studying the effects of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are produced by neutrophils following inflammation/surgical stress. Surgery has been shown to cause systemic inflammation, and patients who undergo hepatic R0 resection for metastatic colorectal cancer often suffer from hepatic recurrence. (50-60% of patients).  Dr. Samer Tohme’s (mentor) group recently published the effect of NETs on tumor cells. NETs change the metabolic profile of tumor cells and promote tumor growth/recurrence of occult metastasis. We are now studying the effect of NETs on infiltrating immune cells to form a bridge between innate and adaptive immunology. Interestingly we also have shown that NETs contain PDL1.

• A nice review

 With time permitting, Dr. Sidrah Khan will guide us through her presentation of a published study that was tabled for discussion at a future conference.