Maria Suarez

Ms. Maria Suarez


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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Journal Article
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LLLee Seng Mari Lau
Lee Seng Mari Lau
MSMaria Suarez
Maria Suarez
ABAizada Berdalinova
Aizada Berdalinova
Rebecca Z FanRebecca Z Fan
Rebecca Z Fan
RSRajib Kumar Shil
Rajib Kumar Shil
CDCharles Dimitroff
Charles Dimitroff
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in hematologic malignancies; however, durable responses remain limited by tumor microenvironment (TME)-mediated immunosuppression. Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a β-galactoside-binding lectin enriched in the TME, contributes to CAR-T cell dysfunction by impairing cytotoxicity, promoting apoptosis, and altering cellular signaling. While we previously demonstrated that enforced expression of the α2,6 sialyltransferase ST6GAL1 reduces galectin binding and improves CAR-T cell function, the mechanistic basis underlying this protection remains unclear. Here, we report that Gal-3 induced a hypometabolic state in CAR-T cells characterized by reduced mitochondrial function, ATP production, and glucose utilization. In contrast, ST6GAL1-overexpressing CAR-T cells preserved metabolic fitness and functional resilience under Gal-3 stress. Additionally, Gal-3 rewired cytokine signaling by increasing IL-5 expression and dysregulating downstream pathways, whereas enforced ST6GAL1 expressing CAR-T cells exhibited increased SOCS1 and SOCS3 expression and attenuated STAT5 activation. Transcriptomic analysis of CAR-T cells from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients further revealed enrichment of STAT5-associated signaling and SOCS1 expression in complete responders compared to partial responders. Collectively, these findings identify glycoengineering as a promising strategy to enhance CAR-T cell persistence and function under Gal-3-mediated immunosuppressive stress.