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Netskar H, Pfefferle A, Goodridge JP, Sohlberg E, Dufva O, Teichmann SA, Brownlie D, Michaëlsson J, Marquardt N, Clancy T, Horowitz A, Malmberg KJ. Pan-cancer profiling of tumor-infiltrating natural killer cells through transcriptional reference mapping. Nat Immunol 2024; 25:1445-1459. [PMID: 38956379 PMCID: PMC11291284 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-024-01884-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The functional diversity of natural killer (NK) cell repertoires stems from differentiation, homeostatic, receptor-ligand interactions and adaptive-like responses to viral infections. In the present study, we generated a single-cell transcriptional reference map of healthy human blood- and tissue-derived NK cells, with temporal resolution and fate-specific expression of gene-regulatory networks defining NK cell differentiation. Transfer learning facilitated incorporation of tumor-infiltrating NK cell transcriptomes (39 datasets, 7 solid tumors, 427 patients) into the reference map to analyze tumor microenvironment (TME)-induced perturbations. Of the six functionally distinct NK cell states identified, a dysfunctional stressed CD56bright state susceptible to TME-induced immunosuppression and a cytotoxic TME-resistant effector CD56dim state were commonly enriched across tumor types, the ratio of which was predictive of patient outcome in malignant melanoma and osteosarcoma. This resource may inform the design of new NK cell therapies and can be extended through transfer learning to interrogate new datasets from experimental perturbations or disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman Netskar
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Aline Pfefferle
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | - Ebba Sohlberg
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olli Dufva
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Clymphoid cells (ILCs)ampus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sarah A Teichmann
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Demi Brownlie
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jakob Michaëlsson
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicole Marquardt
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Trevor Clancy
- Oslo Cancer Cluster, NEC OncoImmunity AS, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Vaccine Informatics, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Amir Horowitz
- Department of Immunology & Immunotherapy, Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karl-Johan Malmberg
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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2
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Becker JC, Stang A, Schrama D, Ugurel S. Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Integrating Epidemiology, Immunology, and Therapeutic Updates. Am J Clin Dermatol 2024; 25:541-557. [PMID: 38649621 PMCID: PMC11193695 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-024-00858-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin cancer characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation. Its carcinogenesis is based either on the integration of the Merkel cell polyomavirus or on ultraviolet (UV) mutagenesis, both of which lead to high immunogenicity either through the expression of viral proteins or neoantigens. Despite this immunogenicity resulting from viral or UV-associated carcinogenesis, it exhibits highly aggressive behavior. However, owing to the rarity of MCC and the lack of epidemiologic registries with detailed clinical data, there is some uncertainty regarding the spontaneous course of the disease. Historically, advanced MCC patients were treated with conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy yielding a median response duration of only 3 months. Starting in 2017, four programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibitors-avelumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab (utilized in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings), and retifanlimab-have demonstrated efficacy in treating patients with disseminated MCC on the basis of prospective clinical trials. However, generating clinical evidence for rare cancers, such as MCC, is challenging owing to difficulties in conducting large-scale trials, resulting in small sample sizes and therefore lacking statistical power. Thus, to comprehensively understand the available clinical evidence on various immunotherapy approaches for MCC, we also delve into the epidemiology and immune biology of this cancer. Nevertheless, while randomized studies directly comparing immune checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy in MCC are lacking, immunotherapy shows response rates comparable to those previously reported with chemotherapy but with more enduring responses. Notably, adjuvant nivolumab has proven superiority to the standard-of-care therapy (observation) in the adjuvant setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen C Becker
- Department of Translational Skin Cancer Research (TSCR), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 1, 45141, Essen, Germany.
- Department of Dermatology, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Andreas Stang
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- Cancer Registry of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bochum, Germany
| | - David Schrama
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Selma Ugurel
- Department of Dermatology, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
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Wang X, Huang L, Wen X, Li D, Yang G, Zheng J. Altered NCR3 Splice Variants May Result in Deficient NK Cell Function in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients. In Vivo 2024; 38:174-183. [PMID: 38148073 PMCID: PMC10756430 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM The natural killer (NK) cell function of patients with malignant tumours may be suppressed by deficiency, and the poor prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients may be due to escape from NK cell cytotoxicity, especially with respect to natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) on the NK cell surface. However, the specific mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we sought to explore the role of NCR, especially NCR3 splice variants, in the process of NK cell deficiency in RCC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used flow cytometry to analyse the phenotype of NK cells from the peripheral blood and kidney tumour tissue of RCC patients. The NKp30-mediated NK cell killing function was measured by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in NK and RCC cell coincubation. We extracted RNA from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of RCC patients and renal carcinoma tissue and carried out real-time quantitative PCR to detect the mRNA levels of NKp30a, NKp30b and NKp30c. mRNA expression levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18 and TGF-β) based on RNA extracted from renal carcinoma tissue and adjacent normal kidney tissues were also measured by real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS Regarding the phenotype of NK cells in RCC patients, the proportion of NK cells in tumour tissue was significantly reduced, with changes in the NK cell proportion being most obvious in NKp30+ NK cells. Furthermore, the results of the ADCC function assay showed limited NKp30+ NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in RCC patients. Through real-time quantitative PCR, we found lower expression of NKp30a and NKp30b, the immunostimulatory splice variants of NCR3 encoding NKp30, in RCC patients. Moreover, expression of activating cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in renal cancer tissue was decreased, though inhibitory cytokine (TGF-β) expression remained unchanged, which may result in an immunosuppressive cytokine microenvironment. CONCLUSION Decreased expression of immunostimulatory NCR3 splice variants and the inhibitory cytokine microenvironment in RCC patients may contribute to deficient NK cell cytotoxicity and renal carcinoma cell immune escape from NK cell killing, which may provide a theoretical basis for finding new immunotherapeutic targets for RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelei Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Liqun Huang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofei Wen
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Dongyang Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Guosheng Yang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Junhua Zheng
- Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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Rahimi A, Malakoutikhah Z, Rahimmanesh I, Ferns GA, Nedaeinia R, Ishaghi SMM, Dana N, Haghjooy Javanmard S. The nexus of natural killer cells and melanoma tumor microenvironment: crosstalk, chemotherapeutic potential, and innovative NK cell-based therapeutic strategies. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:312. [PMID: 38057843 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03134-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The metastasis of melanoma cells to regional lymph nodes and distant sites is an important contributor to cancer-related morbidity and mortality among patients with melanoma. This intricate process entails dynamic interactions involving tumor cells, cellular constituents, and non-cellular elements within the microenvironment. Moreover, both microenvironmental and systemic factors regulate the metastatic progression. Central to immunosurveillance for tumor cells are natural killer (NK) cells, prominent effectors of the innate immune system with potent antitumor and antimetastatic capabilities. Recognizing their pivotal role, contemporary immunotherapeutic strategies are actively integrating NK cells to combat metastatic tumors. Thus, a meticulous exploration of the interplay between metastatic melanoma and NK cells along the metastatic cascade is important. Given the critical involvement of NK cells within the melanoma tumor microenvironment, this comprehensive review illuminates the intricate relationship between components of the melanoma tumor microenvironment and NK cells, delineating their multifaceted roles. By shedding light on these critical aspects, this review advocates for a deeper understanding of NK cell dynamics within the melanoma context, driving forward transformative strategies to combat this cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh Rahimi
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahra Malakoutikhah
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ilnaz Rahimmanesh
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Gordon A Ferns
- Division of Medical Education, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex, BN1 9PH, UK
| | - Reza Nedaeinia
- Pediatric Inherited Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Nasim Dana
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Shaghayegh Haghjooy Javanmard
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Linares I, Berenguer Frances MÁ, Cañas R, Najjari D, Gutiérrez C, Marín S, Comas S, Guedea F, Pujol M. Brachytherapy for targeting the immune system in cervical cancer patients. BMC Immunol 2023; 24:23. [PMID: 37559025 PMCID: PMC10413692 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-023-00559-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New combinations based on standard therapeutic modalities and immunotherapy require understanding the immunomodulatory properties of traditional treatments. The objective was to evaluate the impact of brachytherapy (BT) on the immune system of cervical cancer and to identify the best modality, High-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) vs. Pulsed-dose-rate (PDR-BT), to target it. METHODS Nineteen patients enrolled in a prospective study received chemoradiation (CRT) and subsequently HDR-BT or PDR-BT. Peripheral blood samples were obtained for immunophenotyping analysis by flow-cytometry before CRT, BT, and two and four weeks after BT. The Friedman one-way ANOVA, Conover post hoc test, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare changes in cell populations at different periods, perform multiple pairwise comparisons and assess differences between treatment groups (PDR and HDR). RESULTS Natural killer cells (NKs) were the best target for BT. Patients receiving HDR-BT achieved significantly higher values and longer time of the CD56dimCD16 + NK cells with greater cytotoxic capacity than the PDR-BT group, which presented their highest elevation of CD56-CD16 + NK cells. Furthermore, both BT modalities were associated with an increase in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), related to a worse clinical prognosis. However, there was a decrease in the percentage of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + CD45RA + regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients receiving HDR-BT, although there were no significant differences between BT. CONCLUSIONS Immune biomarkers are important predictive determinants in cervical cancer. Higher cytotoxic NK cells and a trend toward lower values of Tregs might support the use of HDR-BT to the detriment of PDR-BT and help develop effective combinations with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Linares
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain.
- Radiobiology and Cancer Group, ONCOBELL Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | - Rut Cañas
- Radiobiology and Cancer Group, ONCOBELL Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dina Najjari
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Gutiérrez
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susanna Marín
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Comas
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Carretera de Canyet, s/n, 08916, Badalona, Spain
| | - Ferran Guedea
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
- Radiobiology and Cancer Group, ONCOBELL Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Monica Pujol
- Radiobiology and Cancer Group, ONCOBELL Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Avinguda de la Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199-203, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08098, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat d'Antropologia Biològica, Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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Roshandel E, Ghaffari-Nazari H, Mohammadian M, Salimi M, Abroun S, Mirfakhraie R, Hajifathali A. NK cell therapy in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma. Clin Immunol 2023; 246:109168. [PMID: 36415020 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.109168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in adoptive cell therapy have considerably changed the paradigm of cancer immunotherapy. Although current immunotherapies could cure many patients with multiple myeloma (MM), relapsed/refractory MM (RR/MM) is still challenging in some cases. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells that exert effective cytotoxic activity against malignant cells like myeloma cells. In addition to their antitumor properties, NK cells do not induce graft versus host disease following transplantation. Therefore, they provide a promising approach to treating RR/MM patients. Currently, attempts have been made to produce large-scale and good manufacturing practices (GMP) of NK cells. Ex vivo expanded/activated NK cells derived from the own patient or allogenic donors are potential options for NK cell therapy in MM. Besides, novel cell-based products such as NK cell lines and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells may provide an off-the-shelf source for NK cell therapy. Here, we summarized NK cell activity in the MM microenvironment and focused on different NK cell therapy methods for MM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Roshandel
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haniyeh Ghaffari-Nazari
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mozhdeh Mohammadian
- Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Salimi
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeid Abroun
- Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Mirfakhraie
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Hajifathali
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Ghaedrahmati F, Esmaeil N, Abbaspour M. Targeting immune checkpoints: how to use natural killer cells for fighting against solid tumors. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 43:177-213. [PMID: 36585761 PMCID: PMC9926962 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are unique innate immune cells that mediate anti-viral and anti-tumor responses. Thus, they might hold great potential for cancer immunotherapy. NK cell adoptive immunotherapy in humans has shown modest efficacy. In particular, it has failed to demonstrate therapeutic efficiency in the treatment of solid tumors, possibly due in part to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which reduces NK cell immunotherapy's efficiencies. It is known that immune checkpoints play a prominent role in creating an immunosuppressive TME, leading to NK cell exhaustion and tumor immune escape. Therefore, NK cells must be reversed from their dysfunctional status and increased in their effector roles in order to improve the efficiency of cancer immunotherapy. Blockade of immune checkpoints can not only rescue NK cells from exhaustion but also augment their robust anti-tumor activity. In this review, we discussed immune checkpoint blockade strategies with a focus on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells to redirect NK cells to cancer cells in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhoodeh Ghaedrahmati
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Nafiseh Esmaeil
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran,Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non‐Communicable DiseaseIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Maryam Abbaspour
- Department of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyFaculty of PharmacyIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
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8
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Different effects of NK cells and NK-derived soluble factors on cell lines derived from primary or metastatic pancreatic cancers. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 72:1417-1428. [DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03340-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractNatural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphoid cells that play a key role in defenses against tumors. However, their function may be severely impaired in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA). Indeed, PA cells release soluble factors, thereby generating an immunosuppressive environment that dysregulates NK-cell cytolytic function and favors tumor immune evasion. Here, we analyzed the interactions between NK and PA cells using the PANC-1 and CAPAN-1 cell lines derived from a ductal PA and metastatic lesion, respectively. Metastatic and nonmetastatic cell lines were both able to impair NK cytolytic activity. An analysis of the effect of NK cells and NK-cell-derived exosomes revealed substantial differences between the two cell lines. Thus, NK cells displayed higher cytotoxicity against nonmetastatic PA cells than metastatic PA cells in both 2D cultures and in a 3D extracellular matrix cell system. In addition, NK-derived exosomes could penetrate only PANC-1 spheroids and induce cell killing. Remarkably, when PANC-1 cells were exposed to NK-derived soluble factors, they displayed substantial changes in the expression of genes involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and acquired resistance to NK-mediated cytolysis. These results, together with their correlation with poor clinical outcomes in PA patients, suggest that the induction of resistance to cytolysis upon exposure to NK-derived soluble factors could reflect the occurrence of EMT in tumor cells. Our data indicate that a deeper investigation of the interaction between NK cells and tumor cells may be crucial for immunotherapy, possibly improving the outcome of PA treatment by targeting critical steps of NK-tumor cell crosstalk.
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9
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Ma Y, Xiao F, Lu C, Wen L. Multifunctional Nanosystems Powered Photodynamic Immunotherapy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:905078. [PMID: 35645842 PMCID: PMC9130658 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.905078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) with the intrinsic advantages including non-invasiveness, spatiotemporal selectivity, low side-effects, and immune activation ability has been clinically approved for the treatment of head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Nevertheless, the PDT is only a strategy for local control of primary tumor, that it is hard to remove the residual tumor cells and inhibit the tumor metastasis. Recently, various smart nanomedicine-based strategies are developed to overcome the barriers of traditional PDT including the drawbacks of traditional photosensitizers, limited tissue penetrability of light, inefficient induction of tumor cell death and tumor resistance to the therapy. More notably, a growing number of studies have focused on improving the therapeutic efficiency by eliciting host immune system with versatile nanoplatforms, which heralds a broader clinical application prospect of PDT in the future. Herein, the pathways of PDT induced-tumor destruction, especially the host immune response is summarized, and focusing on the recent progress of nanosystems-enhanced PDT through eliciting innate immunity and adaptive immunity. We expect it will provide some insights for conquering the drawbacks current PDT and expand the range of clinical application through this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunong Ma
- Medical College, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Fengfeng Xiao
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Cuixia Lu
- Medical College, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- *Correspondence: Cuixia Lu, ; Liewei Wen,
| | - Liewei Wen
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
- *Correspondence: Cuixia Lu, ; Liewei Wen,
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Dinavahi SS, Chen YC, Punnath K, Berg A, Herlyn M, Foroutan M, Huntington ND, Robertson GP. Targeting WEE1/AKT restores p53-dependent NK cell activation to induce immune checkpoint blockade responses in 'cold' melanoma. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:757-769. [PMID: 35439317 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. Unfortunately, most tumor types do not respond to immunotherapy due to a lack of immune infiltration or 'cold' tumor microenvironment (TME), a contributing factor in treatment failure. Activation of the p53 pathway can increase apoptosis of cancer cells, leading to enhanced antigen presentation, and can stimulate natural killer (NK) cells through expression of stress ligands. Therefore, modulation of the p53 pathway in cancer cells with wildtype TP53 has the potential to enhance tumor immunogenicity to NK cells, produce an inflammatory TME, and ultimately lead to tumor regression. In this study, we report simultaneous targeting of the AKT/WEE1 pathways is a novel and tolerable approach to synergistically induce p53 activation to inhibit tumor development. This approach reduced the growth of melanoma cells and induced plasma membrane surface localization of the ER-resident protein calreticulin, an indicator of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Increase in ICD led to enhanced expression of stress ligands recognized by the activating NK cell receptor NKG2D, promoting tumor lysis. WEE1/AKT inhibition resulted in recruitment and activation of immune cells, including NK cells, in the TME, triggering an inflammatory cascade that transformed the 'cold' TME of B16F10 melanoma into a 'hot' TME that responded to anti-PD-1, resulting in complete regression of established tumors. These results suggest that AKT/WEE1 pathway inhibition is a potential approach to broaden the utility of class-leading anti-PD-1 therapies by enhancing p53-mediated, NK cell-dependent tumor inflammation and supports the translation of this novel approach to further improve response rates for metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu-Chi Chen
- Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Kishore Punnath
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Arthur Berg
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Gavin P Robertson
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
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11
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Changes in the Natural Killer cell repertoire and function induced by the cancer immune adjuvant candidate IMMUNEPOTENT-CRP. Cell Immunol 2022; 374:104511. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2022.104511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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12
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Sarasola MDLP, Táquez Delgado MA, Nicoud MB, Medina VA. Histamine in cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Current status and new perspectives. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2021; 9:e00778. [PMID: 34609067 PMCID: PMC8491460 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and its incidence and mortality are rapidly increasing worldwide. The dynamic interaction of immune cells and tumor cells determines the clinical outcome of cancer. Immunotherapy comes to the forefront of cancer treatments, resulting in impressive and durable responses but only in a fraction of patients. Thus, understanding the characteristics and profiles of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a necessary step to move forward in the design of new immunomodulatory strategies that can boost the immune system to fight cancer. Histamine produces a complex and fine-tuned regulation of the phenotype and functions of the different immune cells, participating in multiple regulatory responses of the innate and adaptive immunity. Considering the important actions of histamine-producing immune cells in the TME, in this review we first address the most important immunomodulatory roles of histamine and histamine receptors in the context of cancer development and progression. In addition, this review highlights the current progress and foundational developments in the field of cancer immunotherapy in combination with histamine and pharmacological compounds targeting histamine receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- María de la Paz Sarasola
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Inflammation, Institute for Biomedical Research (BIOMED), School of Medical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), and the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mónica A Táquez Delgado
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Inflammation, Institute for Biomedical Research (BIOMED), School of Medical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), and the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melisa B Nicoud
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Inflammation, Institute for Biomedical Research (BIOMED), School of Medical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), and the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanina A Medina
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Inflammation, Institute for Biomedical Research (BIOMED), School of Medical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), and the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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13
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Zeng Y, Lv X, Du J. Natural killer cell‑based immunotherapy for lung cancer: Challenges and perspectives (Review). Oncol Rep 2021; 46:232. [PMID: 34498710 PMCID: PMC8444189 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the marked success of molecular targeted therapy in lung cancer in this era of personalized medicine, its efficacy has been limited by the presence of resistance mechanisms. The prognosis of patients with lung cancer remains poor, and there is an unmet need to develop more effective therapies to improve clinical outcomes. The increasing insight into the human immune system has led to breakthroughs in immunotherapy and has prompted research interest in employing immunotherapy to treat lung cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells, which serve as the first line of defense against tumors, can induce the innate and adaptive immune responses. Therefore, the use of NK cells for the development of novel lung-cancer immunotherapy strategies is promising. A growing number of novel approaches that boost NK cell antitumor immunity and expand NK cell populations ex vivo now provide a platform for the development of antitumor immunotherapy. The present review outlined the biology of NK cells, summarized the role of NK cells in lung cancer and the effect of the tumor microenvironment on NK cells, highlighted the potential of NK cell-based immunotherapy as an effective therapeutic strategy for lung cancer and discussed future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqin Zeng
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Xiuzhi Lv
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou 550002, P.R. China
| | - Juan Du
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, P.R. China
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14
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Ding X, Li S, Zhu L. Potential effects of HMGB1 on viral replication and virus infection-induced inflammatory responses: A promising therapeutic target for virus infection-induced inflammatory diseases. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2021; 62:54-61. [PMID: 34503914 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory responses, characterized by the overproduction of numerous proinflammatory mediators by immune cells, is essential to protect the host against invading pathogens. Excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines is a key pathogenic factor accounting for severe tissue injury and disease progression during the infection of multiple viruses, which are therefore termed as "cytokine storm". High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a ubiquitous DNA-binding protein released either over virus-infected cells or activated immune cells, may act as a proinflammatory cytokine with a robust capacity to potentiate inflammatory response and disease severity. Moreover, HMGB1 is a host factor that potentially participates in the regulation of viral replication cycles with complicated mechanisms. Currently, HMGB1 is regarded as a promising therapeutic target against virus infection. Here, we provide an overview of the updated studies on how HMGB1 is differentially manipulated by distinct viruses to regulate viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuyan Ding
- College of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University and Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Shitao Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Liqian Zhu
- College of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University and Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China.
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15
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Immunogenomic pan-cancer landscape reveals immune escape mechanisms and immunoediting histories. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15713. [PMID: 34344966 PMCID: PMC8333422 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95287-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune reactions in the tumor microenvironment are an important hallmark of cancer, and emerging immune therapies have been proven effective against several types of cancers. To investigate cancer genome-immune interactions and the role of immunoediting or immune escape mechanisms in cancer development, we analyzed 2834 whole genome and RNA sequencing datasets across 31 distinct tumor types with respect to key immunogenomic aspects and provided comprehensive immunogenomic profiles of pan-cancers. We found that selective copy number changes in immune-related genes may contribute to immune escape. Furthermore, we developed an index of the immunoediting history of each tumor sample based on the information of mutations in exonic regions and pseudogenes and evaluated the immunoediting history of each tumor. Our immuno-genomic analyses of pan-cancers have the potential to identify a subset of tumors with immunogenicity and diverse backgrounds or intrinsic pathways associated with their immune status and immunoediting history.
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16
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EZH2 inhibits NK cell-mediated antitumor immunity by suppressing CXCL10 expression in an HDAC10-dependent manner. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2102718118. [PMID: 34301901 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102718118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone H3 lysine 27 methyltransferase that has been shown to function as an oncogene in some cancers. Previous reports have largely focused on the ability of EZH2 to regulate cell-intrinsic tumor regulatory pathways as its mechanism-of-oncogenic action. However, the role that EZH2-mediated immune suppression plays in its oncogenic activity is not fully known. In particular, the role of natural killer (NK) cells in EZH2-driven tumor growth remains incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that genetic or pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 induces reexpression of the chemokine CXCL10 in hepatic tumor cells. We find that histone deacetylase 10 (HDAC10) is necessary for EZH2 recruitment to the CXCL10 promoter, leading to CXCL10 transcriptional repression. Critically, CXCL10 is necessary and sufficient for stimulating NK cell migration, and EZH2's ability to inhibit NK cell migration via CXCL10 suppression is conserved in other EZH2-dependent cancers. NK cell depletion in an immunocompetent syngeneic mouse model of hepatic tumorigenesis reverses the tumor inhibitory effects of an EZH2 inhibitor (GSK343), and inhibitor-mediated reexpression of CXCL10 is required for its tumor suppressive effects in the same mouse model. Collectively, these results reveal a decisive role for NK cells and CXCL10 in mediating the oncogenic function of EZH2.
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17
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Wang Y, Shen W, Liu S, Zhu G, Meng X, Mao K, Wang J, Yang YG, Xiao C, Sun T. The Host-Defense-Peptide-Mimicking Synthetic Polypeptides Effectively Enhance Antitumor Immunity through Promoting Immunogenic Tumor Cell Death. Macromol Biosci 2021; 21:e2100171. [PMID: 34169661 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202100171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is to artificially stimulate the immune system against tumor cells. Effectively increasing the immunogenicity of dying tumor cells has great potential to stimulate the anticancer immune responses. Recently, a synthetic cationic anticancer polypeptide (ACPP) is prepared, which mimics the host defense peptides, to effectively inhibit tumor growth by directly inducing rapid necrosis of cancer cells through a membrane-lytic mechanism. Thus, this ACPP has the potential ability to induce immunogenic cancer cell death (ICD) and promote antitumor immunity. Herein, it is reported that ACPP successfully induces ICD in mouse colon cancer cells, resulting in effectively promoting T-cell-dependent antitumor immune responses by enhanced activation of dendritic cells. Interestingly, the level of natural killer cells, which are another kind of antitumor effector cell, in tumor microenvironment is also significantly increased by ACPP. The ratio of M1/M2 tumor-associated macrophages is further obviously increased, indicating that tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment has been effectively reprogramed. More importantly, it is found that the anticancer immunity induced by ACPP is dose dependent. Finally, 40% of the established CT26 tumors are completely eliminated by ACPP treatment with an optimized dose. This study proposes a simple and effective strategy for promoting cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Shuhan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, China
| | - Ge Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, China
| | - Xiandi Meng
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, China
| | - Kuirong Mao
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, China
| | - Jialiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, China
| | - Yong-Guang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, China.,International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130015, China
| | - Chunsheng Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Tianmeng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, China.,International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130015, China
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18
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De Las Rivas J, Brozovic A, Izraely S, Casas-Pais A, Witz IP, Figueroa A. Cancer drug resistance induced by EMT: novel therapeutic strategies. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2279-2297. [PMID: 34003341 PMCID: PMC8241801 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03063-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade, important clinical benefits have been achieved in cancer patients by using drug-targeting strategies. Nevertheless, drug resistance is still a major problem in most cancer therapies. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) and tumour microenvironment have been described as limiting factors for effective treatment in many cancer types. Moreover, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has also been associated with therapy resistance in many different preclinical models, although limited evidence has been obtained from clinical studies and clinical samples. In this review, we particularly deepen into the mechanisms of which intermediate epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) states and its interconnection to microenvironment influence therapy resistance. We also describe how the use of bioinformatics and pharmacogenomics will help to figure out the biological impact of the EMT on drug resistance and to develop novel pharmacological approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier De Las Rivas
- Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics Group, Cancer Research Center (CiC-IBMCC, CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), University of Salamanca (USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Anamaria Brozovic
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sivan Izraely
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Alba Casas-Pais
- Epithelial Plasticity and Metastasis Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Sergas, Spain.,Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Coruña, Spain
| | - Isaac P Witz
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Angélica Figueroa
- Epithelial Plasticity and Metastasis Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Sergas, Spain. .,Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Coruña, Spain.
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19
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Zalfa C, Paust S. Natural Killer Cell Interactions With Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment and Implications for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:633205. [PMID: 34025641 PMCID: PMC8133367 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.633205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and heterogeneous environment composed of cancer cells, tumor stroma, a mixture of tissue-resident and infiltrating immune cells, secreted factors, and extracellular matrix proteins. Natural killer (NK) cells play a vital role in fighting tumors, but chronic stimulation and immunosuppression in the TME lead to NK cell exhaustion and limited antitumor functions. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of myeloid cells with potent immunosuppressive activity that gradually accumulate in tumor tissues. MDSCs interact with innate and adaptive immune cells and play a crucial role in negatively regulating the immune response to tumors. This review discusses MDSC-mediated NK cell regulation within the TME, focusing on critical cellular and molecular interactions. We review current strategies that target MDSC-mediated immunosuppression to enhance NK cell cytotoxic antitumor activity. We also speculate on how NK cell-based antitumor immunotherapy could be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silke Paust
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
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20
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Natural Killer-Dendritic Cell Interactions in Liver Cancer: Implications for Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092184. [PMID: 34062821 PMCID: PMC8124166 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The reciprocal crosstalk between dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells plays a pivotal role in regulating immune defense against viruses and tumors. The Th-cell polarizing ability, cytokine-producing capacity, chemokine expression, and migration of DCs are regulated by activated NK cells. Conversely, the effector functions including lysis and cytokine production, proliferation, and migration of NK cells are influenced by close interactions with activated DCs. In this review, we explore the impact of DC–NK cell crosstalk and its therapeutic potential in immune control of liver malignances. Abstract Natural killer (NK) and dendritic cells (DCs) are innate immune cells that play a crucial role in anti-tumor immunity. NK cells kill tumor cells through direct cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion. DCs are needed for the activation of adaptive immune responses against tumor cells. Both NK cells and DCs are subdivided in several subsets endowed with specialized effector functions. Crosstalk between NK cells and DCs leads to the reciprocal control of their activation and polarization of immune responses. In this review, we describe the role of NK cells and DCs in liver cancer, focusing on the mechanisms involved in their reciprocal control and activation. In this context, intrahepatic NK cells and DCs present unique immunological features, due to the constant exposure to non-self-circulating antigens. These interactions might play a fundamental role in the pathology of primary liver cancer, namely hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Additionally, the implications of these immune changes are relevant from the perspective of improving the cancer immunotherapy strategies in HCC and ICC patients.
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21
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Huang X, Xu J, Wu Y, Sheng L, Li Y, Zha B, Sun T, Yang J, Zang S, Liu J. Alterations in CD8 + Tregs, CD56 + Natural Killer Cells and IL-10 Are Associated With Invasiveness of Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas (NFPAs). Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:598887. [PMID: 34257554 PMCID: PMC8262195 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.598887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Invasive nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) grow rapidly and the mechanisms are unclear. Among many complex mechanisms, the role of immunity in the development of NFPAs has not been fully explored. Here, we analyzed the clinical features 146 NFPA patients who underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery or craniotomy and examined the effects of immune tolerance in invasiveness of NFPA patients using fluorescence-activated cell sorting and immunohistochemical methods. We found patients with invasive NFPAs had more visual deficits and defective fields, higher tumor size, and lower white blood cell count compared with patients with noninvasive NFPAs. Additionally, compared with patients with noninvasive NFPAs, patients with invasive NFPAs had conspicuously lower CD3-CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells and significantly higher levels of CD3+CD8+CD28-T cells (CD8+ Tregs) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in peripheral blood. Moreover, patients with invasive NFPAs had lower infiltrated CD56+ cells, less infiltrated CD28+ cells, and significantly greater IL-10 expression. These results demonstrated that low CD56+ cells infiltration and CD28+ cells infiltration, as well as high IL-10 expression in pituitary tumor tissues, were related with increased invasiveness of NFPAs. Levels of CD3-CD56+ NK cells, CD8+ Tregs and IL-10 in the peripheral blood could be feasible diagnostic markers for invasive NFPAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmei Huang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiong Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueyue Wu
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Sheng
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingbing Zha
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tiange Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ju Yang
- Department of Pathology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shufei Zang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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22
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EZH1/2 Inhibitors Favor ILC3 Development from Human HSPC-CD34 + Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020319. [PMID: 33467134 PMCID: PMC7830003 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary It has been well-demonstrated that EZH1/2 enzymes are involved not only in tumor development and progression, but also in the regulation of normal hematopoiesis from CD34+-HSPC. Given the crucial role of NK cells in tumor immune surveillance, in this study, we investigated whether EZH1/2 inhibitors can interfere with NK cell differentiation and functional maturation. Our results suggest that EZH1/2 inhibitors push CD56+ precursor proliferation, skewing precursor cell lineage commitment towards ILC3. In recent years, several clinical trials on the use of EZH1/2 inhibitors against solid tumors have been carried out. Since these in vitro observations revealed possible epigenetic mechanisms involved in NK/ILC development, it is important to evaluate patient monitoring of competent NK cells repertoire in order to design appropriate therapeutic protocols. Abstract The dysregulation of epigenetic modifications has a well-established role in the development and progression of hematological malignancies and of solid tumors. In this context, EZH1/2 inhibitors have been designed to interfere with EZH1/2 enzymes involved in histone methylation (e.g., H3K27me3), leading to tumor growth arrest or the restoration of tumor suppressor gene transcription. However, these compounds also affect normal hematopoiesis, interfering with self-renewal and differentiation of CD34+-Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells (HSPC), and, in turn, could modulate the generation of potential anti-tumor effector lymphocytes. Given the important role of NK cells in the immune surveillance of tumors, it would be useful to understand whether epigenetic drugs can modulate NK cell differentiation and functional maturation. CD34+-HSPC were cultured in the absence or in the presence of the EZH1/2 inhibitor UNC1999 and EZH2 inhibitor GSK126. Our results show that UNC1999 and GSK126 increased CD56+ cell proliferation compared to the control condition. However, UNC1999 and GSK 126 favored the proliferation of no-cytotoxic CD56+ILC3, according to the early expression of the AHR and ROR-γt transcription factors. Our results describe novel epigenetic mechanisms involved in the modulation of NK cell maturation that may provide new tools for designing NK cell-based immunotherapy.
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23
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Moradpoor R, Salimi M. Crosstalk between Tumor Cells and Immune System Leads to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Induction and Breast Cancer Progression. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2021; 25:1-7. [PMID: 33129234 PMCID: PMC7748115 DOI: 10.29252/ibj.25.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we review the current findings of how a variety of accessory cells could participate in shaping the tumor microenvironment and supporting the mechanisms by which cancer cells undertake the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT, a complex of phenotypic changes, promotes cancer cell invasion and creates resistance to chemotherapies. Among the accessory cells present in the EMT, immune cells (both native and adaptive) can reciprocally influence the tumor cells features, promote EMT and negatively regulate the anticancer immune response. In this review, we look over the role of EMT in crosstalk between tumor cells and the immune system, with specific emphasis on breast tumors. Finally, we suggest that understanding the role of immune cells in cancer progression could create new opportunities for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in cancer combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raheleh Moradpoor
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mona Salimi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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24
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Cao Y, Wang X, Jin T, Tian Y, Dai C, Widarma C, Song R, Xu F. Immune checkpoint molecules in natural killer cells as potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:250. [PMID: 33122640 PMCID: PMC7596531 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00348-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of natural killer (NK) cells in immunotherapy to treat multiple types of cancer. NK cells are innate lymphoid cells that play essential roles in tumor surveillance and control that efficiently kill the tumor and do not require the major histocompatibility complex. The discovery of the NK's potential as a promising therapeutic target for cancer is a relief to oncologists as they face the challenge of increased chemo-resistant cancers. NK cells show great potential against solid and hematologic tumors and have progressively shown promise as a therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. The effector role of these cells is reliant on the balance of inhibitory and activating signals. Understanding the role of various immune checkpoint molecules in the exhaustion and impairment of NK cells when their inhibitory receptors are excessively expressed is particularly important in cancer immunotherapy studies and clinical implementation. Emerging immune checkpoint receptors and molecules have been found to mediate NK cell dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment; this has brought up the need to explore further additional NK cell-related immune checkpoints that may be exploited to enhance the immune response to refractory cancers. Accordingly, this review will focus on the recent findings concerning the roles of immune checkpoint molecules and receptors in the regulation of NK cell function, as well as their potential application in tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- College of Life and Health Science, Northeastern University, 110819, Shenyang, China
| | - Tianqiang Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Chaoliu Dai
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Crystal Widarma
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Rui Song
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA.
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China.
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25
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Merker M, Wagner J, Kreyenberg H, Heim C, Moser LM, Wels WS, Bonig H, Ivics Z, Ullrich E, Klingebiel T, Bader P, Rettinger E. ERBB2-CAR-Engineered Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells Exhibit Both CAR-Mediated and Innate Immunity Against High-Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma. Front Immunol 2020; 11:581468. [PMID: 33193388 PMCID: PMC7641627 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.581468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
High-risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) occurring in childhood to young adulthood is associated with a poor prognosis; especially children above the age of 10 with advanced stage alveolar RMS still succumb to the disease within a median of 2 years. The advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells marked significant progress in the treatment of refractory B cell malignancies, but experience for solid tumors has proven challenging. We speculate that this is at least in part due to the poor quality of the patient's own T cells and therefore propose using CAR-modified cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells as effector cells. CIK cells are a heterogeneous population of polyclonal T cells that acquire phenotypic and cytotoxic properties of natural killer (NK) cells through the cultivation process, becoming so-called T-NK cells. CIK cells can be genetically modified to express CARs. They are minimally alloreactive and can therefore be acquired from haploidentical first-degree relatives. Here, we explored the potential of ERBB2-CAR-modified random-donor CIK cells as a treatment for RMS in xenotolerant mice bearing disseminated high-risk RMS tumors. In otherwise untreated mice, RMS tumors engrafted 13-35 days after intravenous tumor cell injection, as shown by in vivo bioluminescence imaging, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction for human gDNA, and mice died shortly thereafter (median/range: 62/56-66 days, n = 5). Wild-type (WT) CIK cells given at an early stage delayed and eliminated RMS engraftment in 4 of 6 (67%) mice, while ERBB2-CAR CIK cells inhibited initial tumor load in 8 of 8 (100%) mice. WT CIK cells were detectable but not as active as CAR CIK cells at distant tumor sites. CIK cell therapies during advanced RMS delayed but did not inhibit tumor progression compared to untreated controls. ERBB2-CAR CIK cell therapy also supported innate immunity as evidenced by selective accumulation of NK and T-NK cell subpopulations in disseminated RMS tumors, which was not observed for WT CIK cells. Our data underscore the power of heterogenous immune cell populations (T, NK, and T-NK cells) to control solid tumors, which can be further enhanced with CARs, suggesting ERBB2-CAR CIK cells as a potential treatment for high-risk RMS.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Animals
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells/immunology
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Natural Killer T-Cells/immunology
- Receptor, ErbB-2/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/immunology
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Merker
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Juliane Wagner
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Langen, Germany
| | - Hermann Kreyenberg
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Catrin Heim
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Laura M. Moser
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Halvard Bonig
- Department of Cellular Therapeutics/Cell Processing (Good Manufacturing Practice, GMP), Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunotherapy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Langen, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Experimental Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Klingebiel
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Peter Bader
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Eva Rettinger
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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26
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Moloudizargari M, Govahi A, Fallah M, Rezvanfar MA, Asghari MH, Abdollahi M. The mechanisms of cellular crosstalk between mesenchymal stem cells and natural killer cells: Therapeutic implications. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:2413-2429. [PMID: 32892356 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are mesenchymal precursors of various origins, with well-known immunomodulatory effects. Natural killer (NK) cells, the major cells of the innate immune system, are critical for the antitumor and antiviral defenses; however, in certain cases, they may be the main culprits in the pathogenesis of some NK-related conditions such as autoimmunities and hematological malignancies. On the other hand, these cells seem to be the major responders in beneficial phenomena like graft versus leukemia. Substantial data suggest that MSCs can variably affect NK cells and can be affected by these cells. Accordingly, acquiring a profound understanding of the crosstalk between MSCs and NK cells and the involved mechanisms seems to be a necessity to develop therapeutic approaches based on such interactions. Therefore, in this study, we made a thorough review of the existing literature on the interactions between MSCs and NK cells with a focus on the underlying mechanisms. The current knowledge herein suggests that MSCs possess a great potential to be used as tools for therapeutic targeting of NK cells in disease context and that preconditioning of MSCs, as well as their genetic manipulation before administration, may provide a wider variety of options in terms of eliciting more specific and desirable therapeutic outcomes. Nevertheless, our knowledge regarding the effects of MSCs on NK cells is still in its infancy, and further studies with well-defined conditions are warranted herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Moloudizargari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Govahi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marjan Fallah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medicinal Plant Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran
| | - Mohammad A Rezvanfar
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), and Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad H Asghari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mohammad Abdollahi
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), and Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
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27
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McNerney KO, Karageorgos SA, Hogarty MD, Bassiri H. Enhancing Neuroblastoma Immunotherapies by Engaging iNKT and NK Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:873. [PMID: 32457760 PMCID: PMC7225357 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and, in the high-risk group, has a 5-year mortality rate of ~50%. The high mortality rate and significant treatment-related morbidities associated with current standard of care therapies belie the critical need for more tolerable and effective treatments for this disease. While the monoclonal antibody dinutuximab has demonstrated the potential for immunotherapy to improve overall NB outcomes, the 5-year overall survival of high-risk patients has not yet substantially changed. The frequency and type of invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs) and natural killer cells (NKs) has been associated with improved outcomes in several solid and liquid malignancies, including NB. Indeed, iNKTs and NKs inhibit tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), kill cancer stem cells (CSCs) and neuroblasts, and robustly secrete cytokines to recruit additional immune effectors. These capabilities, and promising pre-clinical and early clinical data suggest that iNKT- and NK-based therapies may hold promise as both stand-alone and combination treatments for NB. In this review we will summarize the biologic features of iNKTs and NKs that confer advantages for NB immunotherapy, discuss the barriers imposed by the NB tumor microenvironment, and examine the current state of such therapies in pre-clinical models and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin O McNerney
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Spyridon A Karageorgos
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael D Hogarty
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hamid Bassiri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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28
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Mechanisms of Resistance to NK Cell Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040893. [PMID: 32272610 PMCID: PMC7226138 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has recently been a major breakthrough in cancer treatment. Natural killer (NK) cells are suitable targets for immunotherapy owing to their potent cytotoxic activity that may target cancer cells in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and antigen-unrestricted manner. Current therapies targeting NK cells include monoclonal antibodies that promote NK cell antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the adoptive transfer of NK cells, the redirection of NK cells using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells and the use of cytokines and immunostimulatory drugs to boost the anti-tumor activity of NK cells. Despite some encouraging clinical results, patients receiving these therapies frequently develop resistance, and a myriad of mechanisms of resistance affecting both the immune system and cancer cells have been reported. A first contributing factor that modulates the efficacy of the NK cell therapy is the genetic profile of the individual, which regulates all aspects of NK cell biology. Additionally, the resistance of cancer cells to apoptosis and the immunoediting of cancer cells, a process that decreases their immunogenicity and promotes immunosuppression, are major determinants of the resistance to NK cell therapy. Consequently, the efficacy of NK cell anti-tumor therapy is specific to each patient and disease. The elucidation of such immunosubversive mechanisms is crucial to developing new procedures and therapeutic strategies to fully harness the anti-tumor potential of NK cells.
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29
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Ge Z, Wu S, Zhang Z, Ding S. Mechanism of tumor cells escaping from immune surveillance of NK cells. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2020; 42:187-198. [PMID: 32223464 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2020.1742733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in anti-tumor and anti-infection, and perform their immune surveillance function in various ways. However, no matter what kind of cancer, the functional activity of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is suppressed. Understanding the relationship between tumor cells and NK cells is very critical for tumor immunotherapy. This review discusses the mechanism of tumor cells escaping the immune surveillance of NK cells. These include a variety of factors that inhibit the activity of NK cells, an imbalance of activating receptors and inhibiting receptors on NK cells, abnormal binding of receptors and ligands, cross-talk of surrounding cell groups and NK cells in the TME, and other factors that affect NK cell activity. An understanding of these factors is necessary to provide new treatment strategies for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Ge
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Wu
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuzhe Ding
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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30
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Damele L, Ottonello S, Mingari MC, Pietra G, Vitale C. Targeted Therapies: Friends or Foes for Patient's NK Cell-Mediated Tumor Immune-Surveillance? Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040774. [PMID: 32218226 PMCID: PMC7226262 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last 20 years there has been a huge increase in the number of novel drugs for cancer treatment. Most of them exploit their ability to target specific oncogenic mutations in the tumors (targeted therapies–TT), while others target the immune-checkpoint inhibitor molecules (ICI) or the epigenetic DNA modifications. Among them, TT are the longest established drugs exploited against a wide spectrum of both solid and hematological tumors, often with reasonable costs and good efficacy as compared to other innovative therapies (i.e., ICI). Although they have greatly improved the treatment of cancer patients and their survival, patients often relapse or develop drug-resistance, leading to the impossibility to eradicate the disease. The outcome of TT has been often correlated with their ability to affect not only tumor cells, but also the repertoire of immune cells and their ability to interact with cancer cells. Thus, the possibility to create novel synergies among drugs an immunotherapy prompted scientists and physicians to deeply characterize the effects of TT on immune cells both by in-vitro and by ex-vivo analyses. In this context, NK cells may represent a key issue, since they have been shown to exert a potent anti-tumor activity, both against hematological malignancies and solid tumors. In the present review we will discuss most recent ex-vivo analyses that clarify the effect of TT treatment on patient’s NK cells comparing them with clinical outcome and previous in-vitro data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Damele
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (L.D.); (S.O.); (M.C.M.); (G.P.)
| | - Selene Ottonello
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (L.D.); (S.O.); (M.C.M.); (G.P.)
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (L.D.); (S.O.); (M.C.M.); (G.P.)
- Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), Università degli Studi di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (L.D.); (S.O.); (M.C.M.); (G.P.)
- Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Vitale
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (L.D.); (S.O.); (M.C.M.); (G.P.)
- Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence:
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31
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Giannini R, Zucchelli G, Giordano M, Ugolini C, Moretto R, Ambryszewska K, Leonardi M, Sensi E, Morano F, Pietrantonio F, Cremolini C, Falcone A, Fontanini G. Immune Profiling of Deficient Mismatch Repair Colorectal Cancer Tumor Microenvironment Reveals Different Levels of Immune System Activation. J Mol Diagn 2020; 22:685-698. [PMID: 32173570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2020.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand the immune landscape of deficient mismatch repair colorectal cancer (dMMR CRC) tumor microenvironment, gene expression profiling was performed by the nCounter PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel. This study was conducted retrospectively on 89 dMMR-CRC samples. The expression of CD3, CD8, programmed death-1, and programmed death ligand-1 protein was evaluated on a subset of samples by immunohistochemistry, and lymphocyte density was calculated. A subset of deregulated genes was identified. Functional clustering analysis performed on these genes generated four main factors: antigen processing and presentation, with its major histocompatibility complex-II-related genes; genes correlated with the cytotoxic activity of immune system; T-cell chemotaxis/cell adhesion genes; and T-CD4+ regulator cell-related genes. A deregulation score (DS) was calculated for each sample. On the basis of their DS, tumors were then classified as COLD (DS ≤ -3) to select the samples with a strong down-regulation of the immune system and NOT COLD (DS ≥ -2). The COLD group of patients showed a worse prognosis in terms of survival considering all patients (P = 0.0172) and patients with metastatic disease (P = 0.0031). These results confirm that dMMR-CRCs do not constitute a homogeneous group as concerns the immune system activity of tumor microenvironment. In particular, the distinction between COLD and NOT COLD tumors may improve the management of these two subsets of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Giannini
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gemma Zucchelli
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mirella Giordano
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Clara Ugolini
- Unit of Anatomic Pathology 3, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Moretto
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Elisa Sensi
- Unit of Anatomic Pathology 3, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Federica Morano
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Pietrantonio
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy; Oncology and Hemato-Oncology Department, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Cremolini
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alfredo Falcone
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriella Fontanini
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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32
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Shin MH, Kim J, Lim SA, Kim J, Kim SJ, Lee KM. NK Cell-Based Immunotherapies in Cancer. Immune Netw 2020; 20:e14. [PMID: 32395366 PMCID: PMC7192832 DOI: 10.4110/in.2020.20.e14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
With the development of technologies that can transform immune cells into therapeutic modalities, immunotherapy has remarkably changed the current paradigm of cancer treatment in recent years. NK cells are components of the innate immune system that act as key regulators and exhibit a potent tumor cytolytic function. Unlike T cells, NK cells exhibit tumor cytotoxicity by recognizing non-self, without deliberate immunization or activation. Currently, researchers have developed various approaches to improve the number and anti-tumor function of NK cells. These approaches include the use of cytokines and Abs to stimulate the efficacy of NK cell function, adoptive transfer of autologous or allogeneic ex vivo expanded NK cells, establishment of homogeneous NK cell lines using the NK cells of patients with cancer or healthy donors, derivation of NK cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and modification of NK cells with cutting-edge genetic engineering technologies to generate chimeric Ag receptor (CAR)-NK cells. Such NK cell-based immunotherapies are currently reported as being promising anti-tumor strategies that have shown enhanced functional specificity in several clinical trials investigating malignant tumors. Here, we summarize the recent advances in NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies that have focused on providing improved function through the use of the latest genetic engineering technologies. We also discuss the different types of NK cells developed for cancer immunotherapy and present the clinical trials being conducted to test their safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Hwa Shin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Junghee Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Siyoung A Lim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Jungwon Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Seong-Jin Kim
- Precision Medicine Research Center, Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon 16229, Korea
| | - Kyung-Mi Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
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33
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Dufresne S, Guéritat J, Chiavassa S, Noblet C, Assi M, Rioux‐Leclercq N, Rannou‐Bekono F, Lefeuvre‐Orfila L, Paris F, Rébillard A. Exercise training improves radiotherapy efficiency in a murine model of prostate cancer. FASEB J 2020; 34:4984-4996. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901728r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Dufresne
- Movement, Sport, and Health Sciences Laboratory EA 1274 Université Rennes 2 ENS Rennes Bruz France
| | - Jordan Guéritat
- Movement, Sport, and Health Sciences Laboratory EA 1274 Université Rennes 2 ENS Rennes Bruz France
| | - Sophie Chiavassa
- CRCINA INSERM Université de Nantes Université d'Angers Nantes France
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest Centre René Gauducheau Saint Herblain France
| | - Caroline Noblet
- CRCINA INSERM Université de Nantes Université d'Angers Nantes France
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest Centre René Gauducheau Saint Herblain France
| | - Mohamad Assi
- Movement, Sport, and Health Sciences Laboratory EA 1274 Université Rennes 2 ENS Rennes Bruz France
| | | | - Françoise Rannou‐Bekono
- Movement, Sport, and Health Sciences Laboratory EA 1274 Université Rennes 2 ENS Rennes Bruz France
| | - Luz Lefeuvre‐Orfila
- Movement, Sport, and Health Sciences Laboratory EA 1274 Université Rennes 2 ENS Rennes Bruz France
| | - François Paris
- CRCINA INSERM Université de Nantes Université d'Angers Nantes France
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest Centre René Gauducheau Saint Herblain France
| | - Amélie Rébillard
- Movement, Sport, and Health Sciences Laboratory EA 1274 Université Rennes 2 ENS Rennes Bruz France
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34
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Cancer immunotherapy: Pros, cons and beyond. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 124:109821. [PMID: 31962285 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.109821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 328] [Impact Index Per Article: 82.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is an innovative treatment for tumors today. In various experiments and clinical studies, it has been found that immunotherapy does have incomparable advantages over traditional anti-tumor therapy, which can prolong progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). However, immunotherapy has obvious complexity and uncertainty. Immunotherapy may also cause severe adverse reactions due to an overactive immune system. More effective and fewer adverse reactions immunological checkpoints are still under further exploration. This review gives an overview of recent developments in immunotherapy and indicates a new direction of tumor treatment through analyzing the pros and cons of immunotherapy coupled with keeping a close watch on the development trend of the immunotherapy future.
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35
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Wang S, Liu H, Xin J, Rahmanzadeh R, Wang J, Yao C, Zhang Z. Chlorin-Based Photoactivable Galectin-3-Inhibitor Nanoliposome for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy and NK Cell-Related Immunity in Melanoma. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:41829-41841. [PMID: 31617343 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b09560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an encouraging alternative therapy for melanoma treatment and Ce6-mediated PDT has shown some exciting results in clinical trials. However, PDT in melanoma treatment is still hampered by some melanoma's protective mechanisms like antiapoptosis mechanisms and treatment escape pathways. Combined therapy and enhancing immune stimulation were proposed as effective strategies to overcome this resistance. In this paper, a Chlorin-based photoactivable Galectin-3-inhibitor nanoliposome (PGIL) was designed for enhanced Melanoma PDT and immune activation of Natural Killer (NK) cells. PGIL were synthesized by encapsulating the photosensitizer chlorin e6 and low molecular citrus pectin in the nanoliposome to realize NIR-triggered PDT and low molecular citrus pectin (LCP) release into the cytoplasm. The intracellular release of LCP inhibits the activity of galectin-3, which increases the apoptosis, inhibits the invade ability, and enhances the recognition ability of Natural Killer (NK) cells to tumor cells in melanoma cells after PDT. These effects of PGIL were tested in cells and nude mice, and the mechanisms during the in vivo treatment were preliminarily studied. The results showed that PGIL can be an effective prodrug for melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education , Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi 710049 , China
| | - Huifang Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education , Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi 710049 , China
| | - Jing Xin
- Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education , Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi 710049 , China
| | - Ramtin Rahmanzadeh
- Institute for Biomedical Optics , University of Lübeck , Lübeck 23562 , Germany
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education , Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi 710049 , China
| | - Cuiping Yao
- Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education , Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi 710049 , China
| | - Zhenxi Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education , Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi 710049 , China
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Ojo EO, Sharma AA, Liu R, Moreton S, Checkley-Luttge MA, Gupta K, Lee G, Lee DA, Otegbeye F, Sekaly RP, de Lima M, Wald DN. Membrane bound IL-21 based NK cell feeder cells drive robust expansion and metabolic activation of NK cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14916. [PMID: 31624330 PMCID: PMC6797802 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51287-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cell adoptive therapy is a promising cancer therapeutic approach, but there are significant challenges that limiting its feasibility and clinical efficacy. One difficulty is the paucity of clinical grade manufacturing platforms to support the large scale expansion of highly active NK cells. We created an NK cell feeder cell line termed 'NKF' through overexpressing membrane bound IL-21 that is capable of inducing robust and sustained proliferation (>10,000-fold expansion at 5 weeks) of highly cytotoxic NK cells. The expanded NK cells exhibit increased cytotoxic function against a panel of blood cancer and solid tumor cells as compared to IL-2-activated non-expanded NK cells. The NKF-expanded NK cells also demonstrate efficacy in mouse models of human sarcoma and T cell leukemia. Mechanistic studies revealed that membrane-bound IL-21 leads to an activation of a STAT3/c-Myc pathway and increased NK cell metabolism with a shift towards aerobic glycolysis. The NKF feeder cell line is a promising new platform that enables the large scale proliferation of highly active NK cells in support of large scale third party NK cell clinical studies that have been recently intiatied. These results also provide mechanistic insights into how membrane-bound IL-21 regulates NK cell expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn O Ojo
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Ruifu Liu
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Stephen Moreton
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Mary-Ann Checkley-Luttge
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Kalpana Gupta
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Grace Lee
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Dean A Lee
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Folashade Otegbeye
- Department of Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Marcos de Lima
- Department of Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - David N Wald
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
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The prognostic landscape of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in cervical cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 120:109444. [PMID: 31562978 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) are highly relevant to tumor development and are promising prognostic biomarkers. However, the precise assessment of TICs is limited by the deficiencies of traditional measurements, such as the lack of phenotypic markers. Here, we analyzed the composition of TICs in cervical cancer based on RNA expression data with a metagene approach called CIBERSORT and evaluated the prognostic value of TICs. The immune infiltration profiles functioned as intrinsic features to distinguish cervical cancer from normal tissue. According to the Cox regression analysis, higher levels of activated memory CD4+ T cells were independently associated with favorable overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-0.89; p = 0.003), whereas a higher fraction of activated mast cells was independently associated with adverse outcomes (HR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.23-1.91; p < 0.001). Furthermore, a novel prognostic model named aTMNs (activated memory CD4+ T cells, activated mast cells and activated natural killer [NK] cells) was constructed to predict OS in cervical cancer with high accuracy (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.723, concordance index [C-index] = 0.738): risk score = -0.34508 × (proportion of activated memory CD4+ T cells) + 0.426841 × (proportion of activated mast cells) + 0.272202 × (proportion of activated NK cells). The aTMNs model outperformed the immunomodulator model (AUC = 0.673, C-index = 0.693). Overall, TICs are important prognostic determinants in cervical cancer and may be a useful resource for the development of effective immunotherapy.
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Barani S, Hosseini SV, Ghaderi A. Activating and inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin like receptors (KIR) genes are involved in an increased susceptibility to colorectal adenocarcinoma and protection against invasion and metastasis. Immunobiology 2019; 224:681-686. [PMID: 31248612 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A set of activating and inhibitory KIRs (aKIR, iKIR) are involved in NK cell mediated immunity. This study was carried out in order to investigate the KIRs pattern and its association with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) development and clinical outcomes. METHODS Sequence-specific primers-polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) for typing of 16 KIR genes was utilized in 165 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma with 165 age and gender matched healthy controls (CNs). RESULTS Possessing KIR2DS1, 2DS5, 3DS1, 2DS4fl, 2DL5, telomeric half KIR genes, ≥ 4 aKIR and CXT4 genotype were associated with an increased susceptibility to colorectal adenocarcinoma while KIR2DS4del and iKIR >aKIR confer resistance to CRC. On the other hand, clinical associations revealed the defensive role of telomeric KIR3DL1, 3DS1, 2DS1, 2DS4, genotypes with ≥ 4 aKIR and more inhibitory KIRs than activating ones (I > A) against metastasis and CXTX genotype in perineural invasion. CONCLUSION According to current results it appears that KIRs system play distinctive roles in development and metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaghik Barani
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Abbas Ghaderi
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Natural Killer Cells as Allogeneic Effectors in Adoptive Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060769. [PMID: 31163679 PMCID: PMC6628161 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are attractive within adoptive transfer settings in cancer immunotherapy due to their potential for allogeneic use; their alloreactivity is enhanced under conditions of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) mismatch with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands on cancer cells. In addition to this, NK cells are platforms for genetic modification, and proliferate in vivo for a shorter time relative to T cells, limiting off-target activation. Current clinical studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of allogeneic NK cell adoptive transfer therapies as a means for treatment of hematologic malignancies and, to a lesser extent, solid tumors. However, challenges associated with sourcing allogeneic NK cells have given rise to controversy over the contribution of NK cells to graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Specifically, blood-derived NK cell infusions contain contaminating T cells, whose activation with NK-stimulating cytokines has been known to lead to heightened release of proinflammatory cytokines and trigger the onset of GvHD in vivo. NK cells sourced from cell lines and stem cells lack contaminating T cells, but can also lack many phenotypic characteristics of mature NK cells. Here, we discuss the available published evidence for the varying roles of NK cells in GvHD and, more broadly, their use in allogeneic adoptive transfer settings to treat various cancers.
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40
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Mohan SP, Bhaskaran MK, George AL, Thirutheri A, Somasundaran M, Pavithran A. Immunotherapy in Oral Cancer. JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND BIOALLIED SCIENCES 2019; 11:S107-S111. [PMID: 31198321 PMCID: PMC6555318 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_31_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is one of the newer entities which is promising, at least can be very much helpful as an adjuvant therapy. This newer modality of the treatment in the field of cancer treatment may be the fourth pillar supporting surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Careful selection of patient is the key for success of immunotherapy, which is based on patient's immunological contexture. This review aimed to present the fundamental aspects of tumor immunity and immunotherapy, focused on oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Paramel Mohan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Sree Anjaneya Institute of Dental Sciences, Calicut, Kerala, India
| | - Manoj K. Bhaskaran
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sree Anjaneya Institute of Dental Sciences, Calicut, Kerala, India
| | - Ashford L. George
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sree Anjaneya Institute of Dental Sciences, Calicut, Kerala, India
| | - Abhilash Thirutheri
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sree Anjaneya Institute of Dental Sciences, Calicut, Kerala, India
| | - Maya Somasundaran
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Sree Anjaneya Institute of Dental Sciences, Calicut, Kerala, India
| | - Anegh Pavithran
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sree Anjaneya Institute of Dental Sciences, Calicut, Kerala, India
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41
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Mikulak J, Bruni E, Oriolo F, Di Vito C, Mavilio D. Hepatic Natural Killer Cells: Organ-Specific Sentinels of Liver Immune Homeostasis and Physiopathology. Front Immunol 2019; 10:946. [PMID: 31114585 PMCID: PMC6502999 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is considered a preferential tissue for NK cells residency. In humans, almost 50% of all intrahepatic lymphocytes are NK cells that are strongly imprinted in a liver-specific manner and show a broad spectrum of cellular heterogeneity. Hepatic NK (he-NK) cells play key roles in tuning liver immune response in both physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, there is a pressing need to comprehensively characterize human he-NK cells to better understand the related mechanisms regulating their effector-functions within the dynamic balance between immune-tolerance and immune-surveillance. This is of particular relevance in the liver that is the only solid organ whose parenchyma is constantly challenged on daily basis by millions of foreign antigens drained from the gut. Therefore, the present review summarizes our current knowledge on he-NK cells in the light of the latest discoveries in the field of NK cell biology and clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Mikulak
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Bruni
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Oriolo
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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42
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Natural Killer Cells as Key Players of Tumor Progression and Angiogenesis: Old and Novel Tools to Divert Their Pro-Tumor Activities into Potent Anti-Tumor Effects. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040461. [PMID: 30939820 PMCID: PMC6521276 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune cells, as a consequence of their plasticity, can acquire altered phenotype/functions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Some of these aberrant functions include attenuation of targeting and killing of tumor cells, tolerogenic/immunosuppressive behavior and acquisition of pro-angiogenic activities. Natural killer (NK) cells are effector lymphocytes involved in tumor immunosurveillance. In solid malignancies, tumor-associated NK cells (TANK cells) in peripheral blood and tumor-infiltrating NK (TINK) cells show altered phenotypes and are characterized by either anergy or reduced cytotoxicity. Here, we aim at discussing how NK cells can support tumor progression and how induction of angiogenesis, due to TME stimuli, can be a relevant part on the NK cell-associated tumor supporting activities. We will review and discuss the contribution of the TME in shaping NK cell response favoring cancer progression. We will focus on TME-derived set of factors such as TGF-β, soluble HLA-G, prostaglandin E2, adenosine, extracellular vesicles, and miRNAs, which can exhibit a dual function. On one hand, these factors can suppress NK cell-mediated activities but, on the other hand, they can induce a pro-angiogenic polarization in NK cells. Also, we will analyze the impact on cancer progression of the interaction of NK cells with several TME-associated cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Then, we will discuss the most relevant therapeutic approaches aimed at potentiating/restoring NK cell activities against tumors. Finally, supported by the literature revision and our new findings on NK cell pro-angiogenic activities, we uphold NK cells to a key host cellular paradigm in controlling tumor progression and angiogenesis; thus, we should bear in mind NK cells like a TME-associated target for anti-tumor therapeutic approaches.
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Luna JI, Grossenbacher SK, Sturgill IR, Ames E, Judge SJ, Bouzid LA, Darrow MA, Murphy WJ, Canter RJ. Bortezomib Augments Natural Killer Cell Targeting of Stem-Like Tumor Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11010085. [PMID: 30646520 PMCID: PMC6356940 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells harboring stem-like/cancer stem cell (CSC) properties have been identified and isolated from numerous hematological and solid malignancies. These stem-like tumor cells can persist following conventional cytoreductive therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, thereby repopulating the tumor and seeding relapse and/or metastasis. We have previously shown that natural killer (NK) cells preferentially target stem-like tumor cells via non- major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restricted mechanisms. Here, we demonstrated that the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, augments NK cell targeting of stem cell-like tumor cells against multiple solid human tumor-derived cancer lines and primary tissue samples. Mechanistically, this was mediated by the upregulation of cell surface NK ligands MHC class I chain-related protein A and B (MICA and MICB) on aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH)-positive CSCs. The increased expression of MICA and MICB on CSC targets thereby enhanced NK cell mediated killing in vitro and ex vivo from both human primary tumor and patient-derived xenograft samples. In vivo, the combination of bortezomib and allogeneic NK cell adoptive transfer in immunodeficient mice led to increased elimination of CSCs as well as tumor growth delay of orthotopic glioblastoma tumors. Taken together, our data support the combination bortezomib and NK transfer as a strategy for both CSC targeting and potentially improved outcomes in clinical cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus I Luna
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
| | - Steven K Grossenbacher
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
| | - Ian R Sturgill
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
| | - Erik Ames
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
| | - Sean J Judge
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
| | - Lyes A Bouzid
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Sacramento, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
| | - Morgan A Darrow
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
| | - William J Murphy
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
| | - Robert J Canter
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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44
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Huang Q, Cao W, Mielke LA, Seillet C, Belz GT, Jacquelot N. Innate Lymphoid Cells in Colorectal Cancers: A Double-Edged Sword. Front Immunol 2019; 10:3080. [PMID: 32010138 PMCID: PMC6974476 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system plays a fundamental role at mucosal barriers in maintaining tissue homeostasis. This is particularly true for the gut where cells are flooded with microbial-derived signals and antigens, which constantly challenge the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Multiple immune cell populations equipped with both pro- and anti-inflammatory functions reside in the gut tissue and these cells tightly regulate intestinal health and functions. Dysregulation of this finely tuned system can progressively lead to autoimmune disease and inflammation-driven carcinogenesis. Over the last decade, the contribution of the adaptive immune system in controlling colorectal cancer has been studied in detail, but the role of the innate system, particularly innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), have been largely overlooked. By sensing their microenvironment, ILCs are essential in supporting gut epithelium repair and controling bacterial- and helminth-mediated intestinal infections, highlighting their important role in maintaining tissue integrity. Accumulating evidence also suggests that they may play an important role in carcinogenesis including intestinal cancers. In this review, we will explore the current knowledge about the pro- and anti-tumor functions of ILCs in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiutong Huang
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Wang Cao
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lisa Anna Mielke
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Cyril Seillet
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Gabrielle T. Belz
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- *Correspondence: Gabrielle T. Belz
| | - Nicolas Jacquelot
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Nicolas Jacquelot
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NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Cancer Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 11:cancers11010029. [PMID: 30597841 PMCID: PMC6357056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis represents the leading cause of cancer-related death mainly owing to the limited efficacy of current anticancer therapies on advanced malignancies. Although immunotherapy is rendering promising results in the treatment of cancer, many adverse events and factors hampering therapeutic efficacy, especially in solid tumors and metastases, still need to be solved. Moreover, immunotherapeutic strategies have mainly focused on modulating the activity of T cells, while Natural Killer (NK) cells have only recently been taken into consideration. NK cells represent an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy owing to their innate capacity to eliminate malignant tumors in a non-Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and non-tumor antigen-restricted manner. In this review, we analyze the mechanisms and efficacy of NK cells in the control of metastasis and we detail the immunosubversive strategies developed by metastatic cells to evade NK cell-mediated immunosurveillance. We also share current and cutting-edge clinical approaches aimed at unleashing the full anti-metastatic potential of NK cells, including the adoptive transfer of NK cells, boosting of NK cell activity, redirecting NK cell activity against metastatic cells and the release of evasion mechanisms dampening NK cell immunosurveillance.
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46
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Ni X, Sun X, Wang D, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Li W, Wang L, Suo J. The clinicopathological and prognostic value of programmed death-ligand 1 in colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis. Clin Transl Oncol 2018; 21:674-686. [PMID: 30392153 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-018-1970-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is reportedly expressed in colorectal tumors. However, the prognostic role of PD-L1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic impact of PD-L1 in CRC. METHODS A comprehensive search in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and the ClinicalTrials.gov for publications about PD-L1 expression in colorectal cancer was done. The correlation between PD-L1 expression and clinicopathological features or survival outcomes was analyzed by odds ratios (OR) or hazard ratios (HR), at 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS The results show that the pooled HR of (1.34, 95% CI 1.02-1.65, p = 0.01) indicated the association of PD-L1 expression with overall survival (OS) in CRC patients. Meanwhile, the expression of PD-L1 was positively correlated with the lymph node metastasis (OR: 0.70, 95% CI 0.51-0.95, p = 0.00), gender (OR: 0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.98, p = 0.05) and tumor location (OR: 1.39, 95% CI 1.14-1.71, p = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that high expression of PD-L1 is associated with low OS in CRC. High PD-L1 expression may act as a negative factor for patients with CRC and help to identify patients suitable for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Ni
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - X Sun
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - D Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Y Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Y Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - W Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - L Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - J Suo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, 130021, China.
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Parodi M, Raggi F, Cangelosi D, Manzini C, Balsamo M, Blengio F, Eva A, Varesio L, Pietra G, Moretta L, Mingari MC, Vitale M, Bosco MC. Hypoxia Modifies the Transcriptome of Human NK Cells, Modulates Their Immunoregulatory Profile, and Influences NK Cell Subset Migration. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2358. [PMID: 30459756 PMCID: PMC6232835 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia, which characterizes most tumor tissues, can alter the function of different immune cell types, favoring tumor escape mechanisms. In this study, we show that hypoxia profoundly acts on NK cells by influencing their transcriptome, affecting their immunoregulatory functions, and changing the chemotactic responses of different NK cell subsets. Exposure of human peripheral blood NK cells to hypoxia for 16 or 96 h caused significant changes in the expression of 729 or 1,100 genes, respectively. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis demonstrated that these changes followed a consensus hypoxia transcriptional profile. As assessed by Gene Ontology annotation, hypoxia-targeted genes were implicated in several biological processes: metabolism, cell cycle, differentiation, apoptosis, cell stress, and cytoskeleton organization. The hypoxic transcriptome also showed changes in genes with immunological relevance including those coding for proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and chemokine-receptors. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis confirmed the modulation of several immune-related genes, prompting further immunophenotypic and functional studies. Multiplex ELISA demonstrated that hypoxia could variably reduce NK cell ability to release IFNγ, TNFα, GM-CSF, CCL3, and CCL5 following PMA+Ionomycin or IL15+IL18 stimulation, while it poorly affected the response to IL12+IL18. Cytofluorimetric analysis showed that hypoxia could influence NK chemokine receptor pattern by sustaining the expression of CCR7 and CXCR4. Remarkably, this effect occurred selectively (CCR7) or preferentially (CXCR4) on CD56bright NK cells, which indeed showed higher chemotaxis to CCL19, CCL21, or CXCL12. Collectively, our data suggest that the hypoxic environment may profoundly influence the nature of the NK cell infiltrate and its effects on immune-mediated responses within tumor tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Parodi
- UOC Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Raggi
- Laboratorio di Biologia Molecolare, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Davide Cangelosi
- Laboratorio di Biologia Molecolare, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Claudia Manzini
- Laboratorio di Immunologia Clinica e Sperimentale, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Mirna Balsamo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Fabiola Blengio
- Laboratorio di Biologia Molecolare, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Eva
- Laboratorio di Biologia Molecolare, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Luigi Varesio
- Laboratorio di Biologia Molecolare, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- UOC Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Immunology Area, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambin Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- UOC Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Massimo Vitale
- UOC Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Carla Bosco
- Laboratorio di Biologia Molecolare, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
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48
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Cheung A, Opzoomer J, Ilieva KM, Gazinska P, Hoffmann RM, Mirza H, Marlow R, Francesch-Domenech E, Fittall M, Dominguez Rodriguez D, Clifford A, Badder L, Patel N, Mele S, Pellizzari G, Bax HJ, Crescioli S, Petranyi G, Larcombe-Young D, Josephs DH, Canevari S, Figini M, Pinder S, Nestle FO, Gillett C, Spicer JF, Grigoriadis A, Tutt ANJ, Karagiannis SN. Anti-Folate Receptor Alpha-Directed Antibody Therapies Restrict the Growth of Triple-negative Breast Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:5098-5111. [PMID: 30068707 PMCID: PMC6193548 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-0652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) lack validated therapeutic targets and have high risk of metastatic disease. Folate receptor alpha (FRα) is a central mediator of cell growth regulation that could serve as an important target for cancer therapy.Experimental Design: We evaluated FRα expression in breast cancers by genomic (n = 3,414) and IHC (n = 323) analyses and its association with clinical parameters and outcomes. We measured the functional contributions of FRα in TNBC biology by RNA interference and the antitumor functions of an antibody recognizing FRα (MOv18-IgG1), in vitro, and in human TNBC xenograft models.Results: FRα is overexpressed in significant proportions of aggressive basal like/TNBC tumors, and in postneoadjuvant chemotherapy-residual disease associated with a high risk of relapse. Expression is associated with worse overall survival. TNBCs show dysregulated expression of thymidylate synthase, folate hydrolase 1, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, involved in folate metabolism. RNA interference to deplete FRα decreased Src and ERK signaling and resulted in reduction of cell growth. An anti-FRα antibody (MOv18-IgG1) conjugated with a Src inhibitor significantly restricted TNBC xenograft growth. Moreover, MOv18-IgG1 triggered immune-dependent cancer cell death in vitro by human volunteer and breast cancer patient immune cells, and significantly restricted orthotopic and patient-derived xenograft growth.Conclusions: FRα is overexpressed in high-grade TNBC and postchemotherapy residual tumors. It participates in cancer cell signaling and presents a promising target for therapeutic strategies such as ADCs, or passive immunotherapy priming Fc-mediated antitumor immune cell responses. Clin Cancer Res; 24(20); 5098-111. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Cheung
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Opzoomer
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kristina M Ilieva
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patrycja Gazinska
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ricarda M Hoffmann
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hasan Mirza
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Marlow
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Erika Francesch-Domenech
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Fittall
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Diana Dominguez Rodriguez
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Clifford
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luned Badder
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nirmesh Patel
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Mele
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giulia Pellizzari
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Heather J Bax
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Crescioli
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gyula Petranyi
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Larcombe-Young
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Debra H Josephs
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvana Canevari
- Department of Applied Research and Technology Development, Fondazione, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariangela Figini
- Department of Applied Research and Technology Development, Fondazione, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sarah Pinder
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- King's Health Partners Cancer Biobank, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Frank O Nestle
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Immunology and Inflammation Therapeutic Research Area, Sanofi US, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Cheryl Gillett
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- King's Health Partners Cancer Biobank, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James F Spicer
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anita Grigoriadis
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew N J Tutt
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sophia N Karagiannis
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom.
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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49
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Castriconi R, Carrega P, Dondero A, Bellora F, Casu B, Regis S, Ferlazzo G, Bottino C. Molecular Mechanisms Directing Migration and Retention of Natural Killer Cells in Human Tissues. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2324. [PMID: 30364222 PMCID: PMC6193061 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A large body of data shows that Natural Killer (NK) cells are immune effectors exerting a potent cytolytic activity against tumors and virus infected cells. The discovery and characterization of several inhibitory and activating receptors unveiled most of the mechanisms allowing NK cells to spare healthy cells while selectively attacking abnormal tissues. Nevertheless, the mechanisms ruling NK cell subset recirculation among the different compartments of human body have only lately started to be investigated. This is particularly true for pathological settings such as tumors or infected tissues but also for para-physiological condition like pregnant human uterine mucosa. It is becoming evident that the microenvironment associated to a particular clinical condition can deeply influence the migratory capabilities of NK cells. In this review we describe the main mechanisms and stimuli known to regulate the expression of chemokine receptors and other molecules involved in NK cell homing to either normal or pathological/inflamed tissues, including tumors or organs such as lung and liver. We will also discuss the role played by the chemokine/chemokine receptor axes in the orchestration of physiological events such as NK cell differentiation, lymphoid organ retention/egress and recruitment to decidua during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Castriconi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Carrega
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandra Dondero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesca Bellora
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Beatrice Casu
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Stefano Regis
- Istituto di ricovero e cura a carattere scientifico (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Guido Ferlazzo
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Cristina Bottino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,Istituto di ricovero e cura a carattere scientifico (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
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50
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Bruno A, Bassani B, D'Urso DG, Pitaku I, Cassinotti E, Pelosi G, Boni L, Dominioni L, Noonan DM, Mortara L, Albini A. Angiogenin and the MMP9-TIMP2 axis are up-regulated in proangiogenic, decidual NK-like cells from patients with colorectal cancer. FASEB J 2018; 32:5365-5377. [PMID: 29763380 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201701103r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
NK cells are effector lymphocytes involved in tumor immunosurveillance; however, in patients with solid malignancies, NK cells have compromised functions. We have previously reported that lung tumor-associated NK cells (TANKs; peripheral blood) and tumor-infiltrating NK cells (TINKs) show proangiogenic, decidual NK-like (dNK) phenotype. In this study, we functionally and molecularly investigated TINKs and TANKs from blood and tissue samples of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), a neoplasm in which inflammation and angiogenesis have clinical relevance, and compared them to NK cells from controls and patients with nononcologic inflammatory bowel disease. CRC TINKs/TANKs showed decreased expression for the activatory marker NKG2D, impaired degranulation activity, a decidual-like NK polarization toward the CD56brightCD16dim/-CD9+CD49+ subset. TINKs and TANKs secreted cytokines with proangiogenic activities, and induce endothelial cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and the formation of capillary-like structures in vitro. dNK cells release specific proangiogenic factors; among which, angiogenin and invasion-associated enzymes related to the MMP9-TIMP1/2 axis. Here, we describe, for the first time, to our knowledge, the expression of angiogenin, MMP2/9, and TIMP by TANKs in patients with CRC. This phenotype could be relevant to the invasive capabilities and proangiogenic functions of CRC-NK cells and become a novel biomarker. STAT3/STAT5 activation was observed in CRC-TANKs, and treatment with pimozide, a STAT5 inhibitor, reduced endothelial cell capability to form capillary-like networks, inhibiting VEGF and angiogenin production without affecting the levels of TIMP1, TIMP2, and MMP9, indicating that STAT5 is involved in cytokine modulation but not invasion-associated molecules. Combination of Stat5 or MMP inhibitors with immunotherapy could help repolarize CRC TINKs and TANKs to anti-tumor antimetastatic ones.-Bruno, A., Bassani, B., D'Urso, D. G., Pitaku, I., Cassinotti, E., Pelosi, G., Boni, L., Dominioni, L., Noonan, D. M., Mortara, L., Albini, A. Angiogenin and the MMP9-TIMP2 axis are up-regulated in proangiogenic, decidual NK-like cells from patients with colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Bruno
- Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Science and Technology Pole (PST), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Bassani
- Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Science and Technology Pole (PST), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Giuseppe D'Urso
- Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Science and Technology Pole (PST), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilvana Pitaku
- Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Elisa Cassinotti
- Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pelosi
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Boni
- Department of Medical-Surgical Physiopathology and Transplantation, University of Milan-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Ca' Granda, Polyclinic Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Dominioni
- Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Douglas M Noonan
- Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Science and Technology Pole (PST), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy; and
| | - Lorenzo Mortara
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy; and
| | - Adriana Albini
- Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Science and Technology Pole (PST), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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