Lloyd Bod

The Bod Lab focuses on deciphering the landscape of phenotypic and functional B cell states in inflammatory diseases, in particular cancer. We are interested in exploring which B cell subset is favorable or detrimental for cancer progression, and by which mechanisms these B cells control tumor growth. Our thorough examination of the B cell response towards cancer aims to provide a new angle to harness the anti-tumor immune response more effectively.   Historically, B cells have been at the forefront of research in allergies, infectious diseases, and vaccines. Beyond mediating the humoral response, B cells are potent antigen presenting cells (APCs) and can provide co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory signals and secrete cytokines and chemokines that regulate functions of other cell types including effector T cells. However, the role of B cells in the cancer scenario is unclear. While some studies have shown that B cells are critical for promoting anti-tumor immunity, others report that they may play a detrimental role, favoring relapse and metastasis. Indeed, on one hand, B cells form tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in the context of successful immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy in human cancer patients, suggesting that B cells and TLS provide critical help to promote anti-tumor immunity and inhibit tumor growth. On the other hand, B cells may also play an inhibitory role through the expression of soluble and/or inhibitory molecules on their surface which contribute to dismantle the anti-tumor T cell immunity. Whether the paradoxical effects of B cells in these settings is due to their functional diversity or distinct roles within different tumor types remains to be elucidated.   A more comprehensive understanding of B cell heterogeneity in tumors will allow us to identify B cell subsets and their respective functionality arising during different stages of tumor growth and regulating anti-tumor immunity. Growing evidence suggests that lymphocytes occupy a vast and continuous landscape of possible cellular states, as opposed to the idea of disconnected discrete subtypes. Recent advances in genomic analysis and sophisticated computational methods are enabling us to explore such diversity and are transforming our comprehension of immunology. Using such approaches, the lab aims to generate new insights into the role of B cells in inducing and regulating anti-tumor immunity. The main axes of research in our laboratory are: 1. Deciphering the landscape of B cell states within the tumor microenvironment using multi-omics technologies. Our goal is to establish an atlas of B cell states in cancer, and to thoroughly interpret the spatial, transcriptomic, metabolic and epigenetic status of B cells in different contexts (e.g., different tumor types, healthy tissues, post-treatment with immune checkpoint blockade therapy, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy). 2. Identifying B cell-specific biomarkers and/or -targets in cancer. Using genetic and genomics approaches, we aim to explore potential B cell biomarkers and novel targets that are expressed on B cells, which may synergize with T cell-based checkpoint blockade therapy to enhance anti-tumor immunity. 3. Dissecting the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern the B cell response to cancer. The tumor microenvironment is layered with multiple tissular, cellular and molecular components which are associated with distinct tumor-promoting or -inhibiting mechanisms, and ultimately, open distinct therapeutic windows. We are interested in elucidating how B cells integrate these components and how the anti-tumor B cell response evolves in response to these signals.