Synthetic signaling platform uncovers and rewires cellular responses to PD-1 perturbation

Abstract

Tyrosine phosphorylation motifs are central regulators of cell signaling, yet methods to selectively detect and reprogram these events have been lacking. Here we introduce Sphyder (Selective PHosphotYrosine DEtection and Rewiring), which enables precise detection of signaling at the resolution of individual phosphorylation motifs. Using Sphyder biosensors, we resolved phosphorylation dynamics and uncovered regulatory mechanisms of the checkpoint receptor PD-1 in living cells. Sphyder also provided a framework for reconstructing phosphosignaling pathways. With this approach, we redirected PD-1 signaling from immunosuppressive to immunoactivating outputs and engineered synthetic receptors that linked extracellular sensing to customized transcriptional programs. In addition, Sphyder biosensors revealed previously unrecognized mechanisms of the PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody Ivonescimab, showing that it induces VEGF-dependent clustering, phosphorylation, and degradation of PD-1. These findings may underlie its promising clinical activity relative to conventional PD-1 blockade. Together, our study establishes a broadly applicable strategy for sensing and reprogramming cell signaling, while also providing mechanistic insights into a new class of immune checkpoint inhibitors of major clinical interest.