IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-The BMP-KLF3 circuit promotes resilient programming in CD8+ T cells during chronic infection and cancer

The BMP-KLF3 circuit promotes resilient programming in CD8+ T cells during chronic infection and cancer

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Abby Sadie presented work on how BMP signaling and the transcription factor KLF3 help CD8 T cells resist exhaustion during chronic infection and cancer. She showed that BMP activation and TGF-beta blockade preserve a stem-like, functional T cell state. KLF3 was low in exhausted cells but restored by this treatment. Overexpressing KLF3 in mouse CD8 T cells increased proliferation, progenitor-like cells, longevity, tumor killing, and improved melanoma control. RNA-seq suggested enhanced protein synthesis and ribosome biogenesis may support T cell fitness. Overall, the BMP-KLF3 pathway may help sustain effective anti-tumor and anti-viral CD8 T cell responses.

Meta Tag

Date April 16, 2026 8:00 AM - 8:15 AM

Room 157

Session T Cells in Cancer II

Speaker Abbey Saadey

Track Tumor Immunology: Cellular Responses and Tumor Microenvironment (TIME)

Year 2026

Keywords

BMP signaling

KLF3

CD8 T cells

T cell exhaustion

cancer immunotherapy

April 16, 2026 8:00 AM - 8:15 AM

157

T Cells in Cancer II

Abbey Saadey

Tumor Immunology: Cellular Responses and Tumor Microenvironment (TIME)

2026