Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42431912›Full record

ArticleNature communications2026

Engineering trispecific IL-2 receptor agonistic antibodies through geometry optimization for enhanced Treg targeting.

Valentina Lykhopiy, Emilie Pollenus, Laurie Rangan, Michelle Stakenborg, Tugsan Tezil, Michiel Varheust, Giel Tanghe, Nina Lambrechts, Vanshika Malviya, Eva De Langhe and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Valentina Lykhopiyargenx, Zwijnaarde, Belgium. vlykhopiy@argenx.com.
Emilie Pollenus *Adaptive Immunology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Laurie Rangan *Adaptive Immunology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Michelle StakenborgLaboratory of Mucosal Immunology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Tugsan TezilDualyx, Zwijnaarde, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0796-3718
Michiel Varheustargenx, Zwijnaarde, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-5223-288X
Giel TangheDualyx, Zwijnaarde, Belgium.
Nina LambrechtsDualyx, Zwijnaarde, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9233-6211
Vanshika MalviyaAdaptive Immunology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Eva De Langheargenx, Zwijnaarde, Belgium.
Gianluca MatteoliLaboratory of Mucosal Immunology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2902-4976
Christophe Blanchetotargenx, Zwijnaarde, Belgium.
Luc Van Rompaey *Dualyx, Zwijnaarde, Belgium.
Susan M Schlenner *Adaptive Immunology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. susan.schlenner@kuleuven.be.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8553-3388

Funding

Agentschap Innoveren en Ondernemen (Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship) HBC.2019.2214Agentschap Innoveren en Ondernemen (Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship) HBC.2021.0529
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are central to maintaining immune tolerance, and their selective activation via interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling presents a promising therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection. Here, we develop IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) agonists, employing trispecific antibodies that simultaneously engage all three IL-2R subunits. This design preferentially activates and expands Tregs over conventional T cells and natural killer cells that express the dimeric IL-2R (CD122 and CD132). Incorporation of a second CD25-targeting VHH domain confers further enhanced specificity and potency for CD25⁺ Tregs. Extensive engineering of antibody geometry was then critical to maximize Treg selectivity, highlighting the importance of spatial configuration in receptor engagement. This study reports the successful development of trispecific IL-2R-targeting antibodies and significantly expands the potential of antibody-based immunomodulation. By selectively activating the high-affinity trimeric IL-2R on Tregs, this versatile platform offers a differentiated and promising strategy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection.

Indexed as

Antibodies, BispecificInterleukin-2 Receptor alpha SubunitReceptors, Interleukin-2T-Lymphocytes, RegulatoryAnimalsAutoimmune DiseasesHumansInterleukin-2Interleukin-2 Receptor beta SubunitKiller Cells, NaturalLymphocyte ActivationMiceProtein EngineeringAntibodies, BispecificInterleukin-2Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha SubunitInterleukin-2 Receptor beta SubunitReceptors, Interleukin-2

Identifiers

PMID42431912
PMCPMC13482293

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.