The universal receptive system: a novel regulator of antimicrobial and anticancer compound production by white blood cells

Journal of Leukocyte Biology (2025)

The universal receptive system: a novel regulator of antimicrobial and anticancer compound production by white blood cells 

Publication Type  Journal article
 Authors
 Abstract

Despite recent advances, the regulation of anticancer and antimicrobial bioactive compound (AABC) production by leukocytes remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that inactivation of the DNA- and RNA-based Teazeled receptors of the Universal Receptive System in human leukocytes generated so called “Leukocyte-Tells,” which showed enhanced AABC production. Comprehensive analysis of the AABCs produced by Leukocyte-Tells based on LC/MS identified 707 unique or differentially produced peptide or nonpeptide metabolites. Functional testing demonstrated that many of these metabolites exhibited increased antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities. The AABCs produced by the Leukocyte-Tells were effective against different multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of fungi and gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (including their biofilms), as well as various cancer cell lines, with >100,000-fold activity than AABCs derived from control leukocytes. Notably, the AABCs produced by the Leukocyte-Tells exhibited greater stability under adverse environmental conditions. Our findings highlight the important role of the Universal Receptive System in regulating AABC production through a process named here as cell genome-memory management, offering new insights into immune functions and suggesting potential therapeutic applications.

Year of
Publication
 2025
 Journal Journal of Leukocyte Biology
 DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/jleuko/qiaf085