| First Author | Zhang FQ | Year | 2025 |
| Journal | Cell Rep Med | Volume | 6 |
| Issue | 9 | Pages | 102324 |
| PubMed ID | 40897177 | Mgi Jnum | J:376876 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:8247566 | Doi | 10.1016/j.xcrm.2025.102324 |
| Citation | Zhang FQ, et al. (2025) Zeaxanthin augments CD8(+) effector T cell function and immunotherapy efficacy. Cell Rep Med 6(9):102324 |
| abstractText | The detailed mechanisms underlying the regulatory significance of dietary components in modulating anti-tumor immunity remain largely unknown. Here, we apply a co-culture-based screening approach using a blood nutrient compound library and identify zeaxanthin (ZEA), a dietary carotenoid pigment found in many fruits and vegetables and known for its role in eye health, as an immunomodulator that enhances the cytotoxicity of CD8(+) T cells against tumor cells. Oral supplementation with ZEA, but not its structural isomer lutein (LUT), enhances anti-tumor immunity in vivo. Integrated multi-omics mechanistic studies reveal that ZEA promotes T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation on the CD8(+) T cell surface, leading to improved intracellular TCR signaling for effector T cell function. Hence, ZEA treatment augments the efficacy of anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitor in vivo and the cytotoxicity of human TCR gene-engineered CD8(+) T cells in vitro. Our findings uncover a previously unknown immunoregulatory function of ZEA, which has translational potential as a dietary element in bolstering immunotherapy. |
