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Jalali S, Stankovic S, Westall GP, Reading PC, Sullivan LC, Brooks AG. Examining the impact of immunosuppressive drugs on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of human peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells and gamma delta (γδ) T cells. Transpl Immunol 2024; 82:101962. [PMID: 38007172 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2023.101962] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human natural killer (NK) cells and gamma delta (γδ) T cells may impact outcomes of solid organ transplantation (SOT) such as lung transplantation (LTx) following the differential engagement of an array of activating and inhibitory receptors. Amongst these, CD16 may be particularly important due to its capacity to bind IgG to trigger antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. While the use of immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs) is an integral component of SOT practice, their relative impact on various immune cells, especially γδT cells and CD16-induced functional responses, is still unclear. METHODS The ADCC responses of peripheral blood NK cells and γδT cells from both healthy blood donors and adult lung transplant recipients (LTRs) were assessed by flow cytometry. Specifically, the degranulation response, as reflected in the expression of CD107a, and the capacity of both NK cells and γδT cells to produce IFN-γ and TNF-α was assessed following rituximab (RTX)-induced activation. Additionally, the effect of cyclosporine A (CsA), tacrolimus (TAC), prednisolone (Prdl) and azathioprine (AZA) at the concentration of 1 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, and 1000 ng/ml on these responses was also compared in both cell types. RESULTS Flow cytometric analyses of CD16 expresion showed that its expression on γδT cells was both at lower levels and more variable than that on peripheral blood NK cells. Nevertheless functional analyses showed that despite these differences, γδT cells like NK cells can be readily activated by engagement with RTX to degranulate and produce cytokines such as IFNg and TNF-a. RTX-induced degranulation by either NK cells or γδT cells from healthy donors was not impacted by co-culture with individual ISDs. However, CsA and TAC but not Prdl and AZA did inhibit the production of IFN-γ and TNF-α by both cell types. Flow cytometric analyses of RTX-induced activation of NK cells and γδT cells from LTRs suggested their capacity to degranulate was not markedly impacted by transplantation with similar levels of cells expressing CD107 pre- and post-LTx. However an impairment in the ability of NK cells to produce cytokines was observed in samples obtained post LTx whereas γδT cell cytokine responses were not significantly impacted. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the findings show that despite differences in the expression levels of CD16, γδT cells like NK cells can be readily activated by engagement with RTX and that in vitro exposure to CsA and TAC (calcineurin inhibitors) had a measurable effect on cytokine production but not degranulation by both NK cells and gdT cells from healthy donors. Finally the observation that in PBMC obtained from LTx recipients, NK cells but not γδT cells exhibited impaired cytokine reponses suggests that transplantation or chronic exposure to ISDs differentially impacts their potential to respond to the introduction of an allograft and/or transplant-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedigheh Jalali
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Sanda Stankovic
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Glen P Westall
- Lung Transplant Service, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Patrick C Reading
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Lucy C Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Andrew G Brooks
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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Ott LC, Cuenca AG. Innate immune cellular therapeutics in transplantation. FRONTIERS IN TRANSPLANTATION 2023; 2:1067512. [PMID: 37994308 PMCID: PMC10664839 DOI: 10.3389/frtra.2023.1067512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Successful organ transplantation provides an opportunity to extend the lives of patients with end-stage organ failure. Selectively suppressing the donor-specific alloimmune response, however, remains challenging without the continuous use of non-specific immunosuppressive medications, which have multiple adverse effects including elevated risks of infection, chronic kidney injury, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Efforts to promote allograft tolerance have focused on manipulating the adaptive immune response, but long-term allograft survival rates remain disappointing. In recent years, the innate immune system has become an attractive therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of transplant organ rejection. Indeed, contemporary studies demonstrate that innate immune cells participate in both the initial alloimmune response and chronic allograft rejection and undergo non-permanent functional reprogramming in a phenomenon termed "trained immunity." Several types of innate immune cells are currently under investigation as potential therapeutics in transplantation, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells, dendritic cells, regulatory macrophages, natural killer cells, and innate lymphoid cells. In this review, we discuss the features and functions of these cell types, with a focus on their role in the alloimmune response. We examine their potential application as therapeutics to prevent or treat allograft rejection, as well as challenges in their clinical translation and future directions for investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah C Ott
- Department of General Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alex G Cuenca
- Department of General Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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Zamir MR, Shahi A, Salehi S, Amirzargar A. Natural killer cells and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors in solid organ transplantation: Protectors or opponents? Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2022; 36:100723. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2022.100723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Hitz AM, Bläsing KA, Wiegmann B, Bellmàs-Sanz R, Chichelnitskiy E, Wandrer F, Horn LM, Neudörfl C, Keil J, Beushausen K, Ius F, Sommer W, Avsar M, Kühn C, Tudorache I, Salman J, Siemeni T, Haverich A, Warnecke G, Falk CS, Kühne JF. Donor NK and T Cells in the Periphery of Lung Transplant Recipients Contain High Frequencies of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor-Positive Subsets. Front Immunol 2021; 12:778885. [PMID: 34966390 PMCID: PMC8710687 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.778885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction For end-stage lung diseases, double lung transplantation (DLTx) is the ultimate curative treatment option. However, acute and chronic rejection and chronic dysfunction are major limitations in thoracic transplantation medicine. Thus, a better understanding of the contribution of immune responses early after DLTx is urgently needed. Passenger cells, derived from donor lungs and migrating into the recipient periphery, are comprised primarily by NK and T cells. Here, we aimed at characterizing the expression of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) on donor and recipient NK and T cells in recipient blood after DLTx. Furthermore, we investigated the functional status and capacity of donor vs. recipient NK cells. Methods Peripheral blood samples of 51 DLTx recipients were analyzed pre Tx and at T0, T24 and 3wk post Tx for the presence of HLA-mismatched donor NK and T cells, their KIR repertoire as well as activation status using flow cytometry. Results Within the first 3 weeks after DLTx, donor NK and T cells were detected in all patients with a peak at T0. An increase of the KIR2DL/S1-positive subset was found within the donor NK cell repertoire. Moreover, donor NK cells showed significantly higher frequencies of KIR2DL/S1-positive cells (p<0.01) 3wk post DLTx compared to recipient NK cells. This effect was also observed in donor KIR+ T cells 3wk after DLTx with higher proportions of KIR2DL/S1 (p<0.05) and KIR3DL/S1 (p<0.01) positive T cells. Higher activation levels of donor NK and T cells (p<0.001) were detected compared to recipient cells via CD25 expression as well as a higher degranulation capacity upon activation by K562 target cells. Conclusion Higher frequencies of donor NK and T cells expressing KIR compared to recipient NK and T cells argue for their origin in the lung as a part of a highly specialized immunocompetent compartment. Despite KIR expression, higher activation levels of donor NK and T cells in the periphery of recipients suggest their pre-activation during the ex situ phase. Taken together, donor NK and T cells are likely to have a regulatory effect in the balance between tolerance and rejection and, hence, graft survival after DLTx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Maria Hitz
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kim-Alina Bläsing
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bettina Wiegmann
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research, DZL, BREATH Site, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ramon Bellmàs-Sanz
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Franziska Wandrer
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lisa-Marie Horn
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine Neudörfl
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jana Keil
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Beushausen
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Fabio Ius
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wiebke Sommer
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Murat Avsar
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Kühn
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Igor Tudorache
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital of Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Jawad Salman
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thierry Siemeni
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel Haverich
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gregor Warnecke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine S Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research, DZL, BREATH Site, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, TTU-IICH, Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jenny F Kühne
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Burek Kamenaric M, Ivkovic V, Kovacevic Vojtusek I, Zunec R. The Role of HLA and KIR Immunogenetics in BK Virus Infection after Kidney Transplantation. Viruses 2020; 12:v12121417. [PMID: 33317205 PMCID: PMC7763146 DOI: 10.3390/v12121417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BK virus (BKV) is a polyomavirus with high seroprevalence in the general population with an unremarkable clinical presentation in healthy people, but a potential for causing serious complications in immunosuppressed transplanted patients. Reactivation or primary infection in kidney allograft recipients may lead to allograft dysfunction and subsequent loss. Currently, there is no widely accepted specific treatment for BKV infection and reduction of immunosuppressive therapy is the mainstay therapy. Given this and the sequential appearance of viruria-viremia-nephropathy, screening and early detection are of utmost importance. There are numerous risk factors associated with BKV infection including genetic factors, among them human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) alleles have been shown to be the strongest so far. Identification of patients at risk for BKV infection would be useful in prevention or early action to reduce morbidity and progression to frank nephropathy. Assessment of risk involving HLA ligands and KIR genotyping of recipients in the pre-transplant or early post-transplant period might be useful in clinical practice. This review summarizes current knowledge of the association between HLA, KIR and BKV infection and potential future directions of research, which might lead to optimal utilization of these genetic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Burek Kamenaric
- Tissue Typing Center, Clinical Department of Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Biology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Vanja Ivkovic
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (V.I.); (I.K.V.)
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, 51 000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ivana Kovacevic Vojtusek
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (V.I.); (I.K.V.)
| | - Renata Zunec
- Tissue Typing Center, Clinical Department of Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Biology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Correspondence:
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Pontrelli P, Rascio F, Castellano G, Grandaliano G, Gesualdo L, Stallone G. The Role of Natural Killer Cells in the Immune Response in Kidney Transplantation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1454. [PMID: 32793200 PMCID: PMC7390843 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells (NK) represent a population of lymphocytes involved in innate immune response. In addition to their role in anti-viral and anti-tumor defense, they also regulate several aspects of the allo-immune response in kidney transplant recipients. Growing evidence suggests a key role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated graft damage in kidney transplantation. Specific NK cell subsets are associated with operational tolerance in kidney transplant patients. On the other side, allo-reactive NK cells are associated with chronic antibody-mediated rejection and graft loss. Moreover, NK cells can prime the adaptive immune system and promote the migration of other immune cells, such as dendritic cells, into the graft leading to an increased allo-immune response and, eventually, to chronic graft rejection. Finally, activated NK cells can infiltrate the transplanted kidney and cause a direct graft damage. Interestingly, immunosuppression can influence NK cell numbers and function, thus causing an increased risk of post-transplant neoplasia or infection. In this review, we will describe how these cells can influence the innate and the adaptive immune response in kidney transplantation and how immunosuppression can modulate NK behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Pontrelli
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Rascio
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castellano
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Grandaliano
- Nephrology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Loreto Gesualdo
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Stallone
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Natural killer (NK) cells are effector cells of the innate immune system that can lyse target cells without prior sensitization and are important in host defense to virally infected and transformed cells. Although the concept of 'missing-self' would suggest NK cells could target foreign allografts, the prevailing dogma has been that NK cells are not active participants in the rejection of solid organ allografts. This review summarizes recent studies that challenge this conclusion and instead suggest NK cells are important in outcomes posttransplant. RECENT FINDINGS NK cells expressing specific cell surface receptors may promote graft damage and rejection. However, recent studies suggest some NK cell subsets have tolerogenic or immunoregulatory potential and promote graft stability, suggesting a dichotomous role for NK cells after transplant. Furthermore, NK cells respond to cells infected with cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus, and studies suggest some NK cells have immune memory. SUMMARY Our understanding of the role of NK cells posttransplant has evolved from 'no role' to the current idea that NK cells may have 'complex interactions' that impact graft outcomes. Additional studies, using cutting edge techniques to comprehensively analyze the phenotypic and functional subsets of NK cells in transplant recipients, are clearly necessary.
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Salem ML, El-Naggar SA, Mobasher MA, Elgharabawy RM. The Toll-Like Receptor 3 Agonist Polyriboinosinic Polyribocytidylic Acid Increases the Numbers of NK Cells with Distinct Phenotype in the Liver of B6 Mice. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:2489407. [PMID: 32211442 PMCID: PMC7077049 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2489407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the activating factors of the cells of the innate immune system is the agonists of toll-like receptors (TLRs). Our earlier publications detailed how poly(I:C), a TLR3 agonist, elevates the NK cell population and the associated antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses. This study involved a single treatment of the B6 mice with poly(I:C) intraperitoneally. To perform a detailed phenotypic analysis, mononuclear cells were prepared from each of the liver, peripheral blood, and spleen. These cells were then examined for their NK cell population by flow cytometric analysis following cell staining with indicated antibodies. The findings of the study showed that the NK cell population of the liver with an NK1.1highCD11bhighCD11chigh B220+Ly6G- phenotype was elevated following the treatment with poly(I:C). In the absence of CD11b molecule (CR3-/- mice), poly(I:C) can still increase the remained numbers of NK cells with NK1.1+CD11b- and NK1.1+Ly6G- phenotypes in the liver while their numbers in the blood decrease. After the treatment with anti-AGM1 Ab, which induced depletion of NK1.1+CD11b+ cells and partial depletion of CD3+NK1.1+ and NK1.1+CD11b- cell populations, poly(I:C) normalized the partial decreases in the numbers of NK cells concomitant with increased numbers of NK1.1-CD11b+ cell population in both liver and blood. Regarding mice with a TLR3-/- phenotype, their injection with poly(I:C) resulted in the partial elevation in the NK cell population as compared to wild-type B6 mice. To summarise, the TLR3 agonist poly(I:C) results in the elevation of a subset of liver NK cells expressing the two myeloid markers CD11c and CD11b. The effect of poly(I:C) on NK cells is partially dependent on TLR3 and independent of the presence of CD11b.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed L. Salem
- 1Immunology and Biotechnology Unit, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
- 2Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, New Tanta University Teaching Hospital, Tanta University, Egypt
| | - Sabry A. El-Naggar
- 1Immunology and Biotechnology Unit, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
- 2Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, New Tanta University Teaching Hospital, Tanta University, Egypt
| | - Maysa A. Mobasher
- 3Biochemistry Division, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakakah, Saudi Arabia
- 4Department of Clinical Pathology, El Ahrar Educational Hospital, Ministry of Health, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Rehab M. Elgharabawy
- 5Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
- 6Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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Kildey K, Francis RS, Hultin S, Harfield M, Giuliani K, Law BMP, Wang X, See EJ, John G, Ungerer J, Wilkinson R, Kassianos AJ, Healy H. Specialized Roles of Human Natural Killer Cell Subsets in Kidney Transplant Rejection. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1877. [PMID: 31440252 PMCID: PMC6693357 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Human natural killer (NK) cells are key functional players in kidney transplant rejection. However, the respective contributions of the two functionally distinct human NK cell subsets (CD56bright cytokine-producing vs. CD56dim cytotoxic effector) in episodes of allograft rejection remain uncertain, with current immunohistochemical methods unable to differentiate these discrete populations. We report the outcomes of an innovative multi-color flow cytometric-based approach to unequivocally define and evaluate NK cell subsets in human kidney allograft rejection. Methods: We extracted renal lymphocytes from human kidney transplant biopsies. NK cell subsets were identified, enumerated, and phenotyped by multi-color flow cytometry. Dissociation supernatants were harvested and levels of soluble proteins were determined using a multiplex bead-based assay. Results were correlated with the histopathological patterns in biopsies-no rejection, borderline cellular rejection, T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Results: Absolute numbers of only CD56bright NK cells were significantly elevated in TCMR biopsies. In contrast, both CD56bright and CD56dim NK cell numbers were significantly increased in biopsies with histopathological evidence of AMR. Notably, expression of the activation marker CD69 was only significantly elevated on CD56dim NK cells in AMR biopsies compared with no rejection biopsies, indicative of a pathogenic phenotype for this cytotoxic NK cell subset. In line with this, we detected significantly elevated levels of cytotoxic effector molecules (perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin) in the dissociation supernatants of biopsies with a histopathological pattern of AMR. Conclusions: Our results indicate that human NK cell subsets are differentially recruited and activated during distinct types of rejection, suggestive of specialized functional roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Kildey
- Conjoint Internal Medicine Laboratory, Chemical Pathology, Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Kidney Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Sebastian Hultin
- Conjoint Internal Medicine Laboratory, Chemical Pathology, Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Kidney Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Kurt Giuliani
- Conjoint Internal Medicine Laboratory, Chemical Pathology, Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Kidney Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Becker M. P. Law
- Conjoint Internal Medicine Laboratory, Chemical Pathology, Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Kidney Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Xiangju Wang
- Conjoint Internal Medicine Laboratory, Chemical Pathology, Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Kidney Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Emily J. See
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - George John
- Kidney Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jacobus Ungerer
- Conjoint Internal Medicine Laboratory, Chemical Pathology, Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ray Wilkinson
- Conjoint Internal Medicine Laboratory, Chemical Pathology, Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Kidney Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Kassianos
- Conjoint Internal Medicine Laboratory, Chemical Pathology, Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Kidney Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Helen Healy
- Conjoint Internal Medicine Laboratory, Chemical Pathology, Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Kidney Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Wang Y, Tian M, Wang F, Heng BC, Zhou J, Cai Z, Liu H. Understanding the Immunological Mechanisms of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Allogeneic Transplantation: From the Aspect of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 28:1141-1150. [PMID: 31215341 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2018.0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation therapy appears to be an ideal strategy for repairing structural defects and restoring the functions of diseased tissues and organs. Additionally, MSCs are also used as immunosuppressants in allogeneic organ transplantation. However, owing to their inherent immunogenicity, MSC transplantation can induce the activation of an immune response, which can lead to the death and clearance of the transplanted MSCs. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules are responsible for antigen presentation, help T lymphocytes to recognize endogenous/extrinsic antigens, and trigger immune activation. Many studies have shown that MHC molecules (particularly class I) play key roles in the immunogenicity of MSCs. This review, therefore, focuses on the relationship between MHC-I surface expression on MSCs and its immunogenicity, as well as potential strategies to overcome the hurdle of MHC incompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Wang
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengya Tian
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Boon Chin Heng
- School of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhijian Cai
- Institute of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Orthopedics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hua Liu
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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Cisneros T, Dillard DW, Qu X, Arredondo-Guerrero J, Castro M, Schaffert S, Martin R, Esquivel CO, Krams SM, Martinez OM. Differential role of natural killer group 2D in recognition and cytotoxicity of hepatocyte-like cells derived from embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Am J Transplant 2019; 19:1652-1662. [PMID: 30549427 PMCID: PMC6543818 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell-based approaches have the potential to address the organ shortage in transplantation. Whereas both embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells have been utilized as cellular sources for differentiation and lineage specification, their relative ability to be recognized by immune effector cells is unclear. We determined the expression of immune recognition molecules on hepatocyte-like cells (HLC) generated from murine embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, compared to adult hepatocytes, and we evaluated the impact on recognition by natural killer (NK) cells. We report that HLC lack MHC class I expression, and that embryonic stem cell-derived HLC have higher expression of the NK cell activating ligands Rae1, H60, and Mult1 than induced pluripotent stem cell-derived HLC and adult hepatocytes. Moreover, the lack of MHC class I renders embryonic stem cell-derived HLC, and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived HLC, susceptible to killing by syngeneic and allogeneic NK cells. Both embryonic stem cell-derived HLC, and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived HLC, are killed by NK cells at higher levels than adult hepatocytes. Finally, we demonstrate that the NK cell activation receptor, NKG2D, plays a key role in NK cell cytotoxicity of embryonic stem cell-derived HLC, but not induced pluripotent stem cell-derived HLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trinidad Cisneros
- Stanford Immunology, Stanford University School of
Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA,Department of Surgery/Division of Abdominal
Transplantation, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Danielle W. Dillard
- Department of Surgery/Division of Abdominal
Transplantation, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xiumei Qu
- Department of Surgery/Division of Abdominal
Transplantation, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Martha Castro
- Stanford Immunology, Stanford University School of
Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Steven Schaffert
- Stanford Center for Biomedical Informatics Research,
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Renata Martin
- Department of Biology, Stanford University School of
Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Carlos O. Esquivel
- Department of Surgery/Division of Abdominal
Transplantation, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sheri M. Krams
- Stanford Immunology, Stanford University School of
Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA,Department of Surgery/Division of Abdominal
Transplantation, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Olivia M. Martinez
- Stanford Immunology, Stanford University School of
Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA,Department of Surgery/Division of Abdominal
Transplantation, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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12
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Standardisation of flow cytometry for whole blood immunophenotyping of islet transplant and transplant clinical trial recipients. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217163. [PMID: 31116766 PMCID: PMC6530858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the immunological phenotype of transplant recipients is important to improve outcomes and develop new therapies. Immunophenotyping of whole peripheral blood (WPB) by flow cytometry is a rapid method to obtain large amounts of data relating to the outcomes of different transplant treatments with limited patient impact. Healthy individuals and patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) enrolled in islet transplantation were recruited and WPB was collected. 46 fluorochrome-conjugated mouse-anti-human antibodies were used (43 of 46 antibodies were titrated). BD cytometer setup and tracking beads were used to characterize and adjust for cytometer performance. Antibody cocktails were pre-mixed <60 minutes before staining. Multicolour panels were designed based on fluorochrome brightness, antigen density, co-expression, and fluorochrome spillover into non-primary detectors in each panel on a 5 laser flow cytometer. WPB sample staining used 50–300 μl WPB for each panel and was performed within 2 hours of blood sample collection. Samples were acquired on a BD-LSRFortessa. The operating procedures, including specimen collection, antibody cocktails, staining protocol, flow-cytometer setup and data analysis, were standardized. The staining index of 43 antibodies and the spillover spreading matrix for each panel was calculated. The final concentrations for the 46 antibodies used was determined for staining of WPB samples. Absolute cell-count and 7 leukocyte profiling panels consisting of subsets and/or status of granulocytes, monocytes, dendritic, B, NK, and T cells including regulatory T cells (Tregs) and NKT were designed and established on a 5 laser BD-LSR Fortessa. 13 T1D patients, including 4 islet transplant recipients and 8 healthy controls, were evaluated. The ability to reproducibly measure immune subsets and immune-profiles of islet transplant patients up to 18 months post transplantation has been established as a tool to measure immune cell reconstitution after transplantation.
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13
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Pradier A, Papaserafeim M, Li N, Rietveld A, Kaestel C, Gruaz L, Vonarburg C, Spirig R, Puga Yung GL, Seebach JD. Small-Molecule Immunosuppressive Drugs and Therapeutic Immunoglobulins Differentially Inhibit NK Cell Effector Functions in vitro. Front Immunol 2019; 10:556. [PMID: 30972058 PMCID: PMC6445861 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-molecule immunosuppressive drugs (ISD) prevent graft rejection mainly by inhibiting T lymphocytes. Therapeutic immunoglobulins (IVIg) are used for substitution, antibody-mediated rejection (AbMR) and HLA-sensitized recipients by targeting distinct cell types. Since the effect of ISD and IVIg on natural killer (NK) cells remains somewhat controversial in the current literature, the aim of this comparative study was to investigate healthy donor's human NK cell functions after exposure to ISD and IVIg, and to comprehensively review the current literature. NK cells were incubated overnight with IL2/IL12 and different doses and combinations of ISD and IVIg. Proliferation was evaluated by 3[H]-thymidine incorporation; phenotype, degranulation and interferon gamma (IFNγ) production by flow cytometry and ELISA; direct NK cytotoxicity by standard 51[Cr]-release and non-radioactive DELFIA assays using K562 as stimulator and target cells; porcine endothelial cells coated with human anti-pig antibodies were used as targets in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays. We found that CD69, CD25, CD54, and NKG2D were downregulated by ISD. Proliferation was inhibited by methylprednisolone (MePRD), mycophenolic acid (MPA), and everolimus (EVE). MePRD and MPA reduced degranulation, MPA only of CD56bright NK cells. MePRD and IVIg inhibited direct cytotoxicity and ADCC. Combinations of ISD demonstrated cumulative inhibitory effects. IFNγ production was inhibited by MePRD and ISD combinations, but not by IVIg. In conclusion, IVIg, ISD and combinations thereof differentially inhibit NK cell functions. The most potent drug with an effect on all NK functions was MePRD. The fact that MePRD and IVIg significantly block NK cytotoxicity, especially ADCC, has major implications for AbMR as well as therapeutic strategies targeting cancer and immune cells with monoclonal antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Pradier
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maria Papaserafeim
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ning Li
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anke Rietveld
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Kaestel
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lyssia Gruaz
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Gisella L Puga Yung
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jörg D Seebach
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
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14
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Turner JE, Rickassel C, Healy H, Kassianos AJ. Natural Killer Cells in Kidney Health and Disease. Front Immunol 2019; 10:587. [PMID: 30972076 PMCID: PMC6443628 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a specialized population of innate lymphocytes that have a major effector function in local immune responses. While their immunological functions in many inflammatory diseases are well established, comparatively little is still known about their roles in kidney homeostasis and disease. Our understanding of kidney NK cells is rapidly evolving, with murine studies highlighting the functional significance of NK cells in acute and chronic forms of renal disease. Recent progress has been made in translating these murine findings to human kidneys, with indications of NK cell subset-specific roles in disease progression in both native and allograft kidneys. Clearly, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving NK cell activation and importantly, their downstream interactions with intrinsic renal cells and infiltrating immune cells is necessary for the development of targeted therapeutics to halt disease progression. In this review, we discuss the properties and potential functions of kidney NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Eric Turner
- III Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Constantin Rickassel
- III Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Helen Healy
- Conjoint Kidney Research Laboratory, Chemical Pathology-Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Kidney Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew J Kassianos
- Conjoint Kidney Research Laboratory, Chemical Pathology-Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Kidney Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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15
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Following solid organ transplantation (SOT), populations of donor lymphocytes are frequently found in the recipient circulation. Their impact on host alloimmunity has long been debated but remains unclear, and it has been suggested that transferred donor lymphocytes may either promote tolerance to the graft or hasten its rejection. We discuss possible mechanisms by which the interaction of donor passenger lymphocytes with recipient immune cells may either augment the host alloimmune response or inhibit it. RECENT FINDINGS Recent work has highlighted that donor T lymphocytes are the most numerous of the donor leukocyte populations within a SOT and that these may be transferred to the recipient after transplantation. Surprisingly, graft-versus-host recognition of major histocompatibility complex class II on host B cells by transferred donor CD4 T cells can result in marked augmentation of host humoral alloimmunity and lead to early graft failure. Killing of donor CD4 T cells by host natural killer cells is critical in preventing this augmentation. SUMMARY The ability of passenger donor CD4 T cells to effect long-term augmentation of the host humoral alloimmune response raises the possibility that ex-vivo treatment or modification of the donor organ prior to implantation may improve long-term transplant outcomes.
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16
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Liver Perfusate Natural Killer Cells From Deceased Brain Donors and Association With Acute Cellular Rejection After Liver Transplantation: A Time-to-Rejection Analysis. Transplantation 2019; 103:371-380. [DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000002322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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17
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Yazdani S, Callemeyn J, Gazut S, Lerut E, de Loor H, Wevers M, Heylen L, Saison C, Koenig A, Thaunat O, Thorrez L, Kuypers D, Sprangers B, Noël LH, Van Lommel L, Schuit F, Essig M, Gwinner W, Anglicheau D, Marquet P, Naesens M. Natural killer cell infiltration is discriminative for antibody-mediated rejection and predicts outcome after kidney transplantation. Kidney Int 2018; 95:188-198. [PMID: 30396694 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2018.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite partial elucidation of the pathophysiology of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) after kidney transplantation, it remains largely unclear which of the involved immune cell types determine disease activity and outcome. We used microarray transcriptomic data from a case-control study (n=95) to identify genes that are differentially expressed in ABMR. Given the co-occurrence of ABMR and T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), we built a bioinformatics pipeline to distinguish ABMR-specific mRNA markers. Differential expression of 503 unique genes was identified in ABMR, with significant enrichment of natural killer (NK) cell pathways. CIBERSORT (Cell type Identification By Estimating Relative Subsets Of known RNA Transcripts) deconvolution analysis was performed to elucidate the corresponding cell subtypes and showed increased NK cell infiltration in ABMR in comparison to TCMR and normal biopsies. Other leukocyte types (including monocytes/macrophages, CD4 and CD8 T cells, and dendritic cells) were increased in rejection, but could not discriminate ABMR from TCMR. Deconvolution-based estimation of NK cell infiltration was validated using computerized morphometry, and specifically associated with glomerulitis and peritubular capillaritis. In an external data set of kidney transplant biopsies, activated NK cell infiltration best predicted graft failure amongst all immune cell subtypes and even outperformed a histologic diagnosis of acute rejection. These data suggest that NK cells play a central role in the pathophysiology of ABMR and graft failure after kidney transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Yazdani
- Laboratory of Nephrology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jasper Callemeyn
- Laboratory of Nephrology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stéphane Gazut
- CEA, LIST, Laboratory for Data Analysis and Systems' Intelligence, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Evelyne Lerut
- Department of Morphology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Henriette de Loor
- Laboratory of Nephrology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Max Wevers
- Laboratory of Nephrology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Line Heylen
- Laboratory of Nephrology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carole Saison
- U1111 INSERM, Lyon, France; Department of Transplantation, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Edouard Herriot University Hospital, Lyon, France
| | - Alice Koenig
- U1111 INSERM, Lyon, France; Department of Transplantation, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Edouard Herriot University Hospital, Lyon, France; Claude Bernard University (Lyon-1), Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Thaunat
- U1111 INSERM, Lyon, France; Department of Transplantation, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Edouard Herriot University Hospital, Lyon, France; Claude Bernard University (Lyon-1), Lyon, France
| | - Lieven Thorrez
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Kuypers
- Laboratory of Nephrology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ben Sprangers
- Laboratory of Nephrology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laure-Hélène Noël
- Necker-Enfants Malades Institute, French National Institute of Health and Medical Research U1151, Paris, France
| | - Leentje Van Lommel
- Gene Expression Unit, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frans Schuit
- Gene Expression Unit, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marie Essig
- CHU Limoges, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, University of Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Wilfried Gwinner
- Department of Nephrology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dany Anglicheau
- Necker-Enfants Malades Institute, French National Institute of Health and Medical Research U1151, Paris, France; Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Paris, France; Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, RTRS Centaure, Necker Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Marquet
- U850 INSERM, University of Limoges, CHU Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Maarten Naesens
- Laboratory of Nephrology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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18
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Zhu L, Aly M, Wang H, Karakizlis H, Weimer R, Morath C, Kuon RJ, Toth B, Ekpoom N, Opelz G, Daniel V. Changes of NK cell subsets with time post-transplant in peripheral blood of renal transplant recipients. Transpl Immunol 2018; 49:59-71. [PMID: 29702201 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence that NK cells with low cytotoxicity but strong immunoregulatory characteristics contribute to good graft outcome. We attempted to investigate which NK cell subsets increase post-transplant and might affect graft function. METHOD Lymphocyte and NK cell subsets were determined in whole blood using eight-colour-fluorescence flow cytometry in patients pre-transplant and post-transplant. In total, 31 transplant recipients were studied. RESULTS When cell numbers were compared in 9 patients pre- and 6 months post-transplant, post-transplant CD56dimCD16+ (p = 0.011) NK cells with the phenotype CD158a+ (p = 0.008), CD158e+ (p = 0.038), NKG2A+ (p = 0.008), NKG2D+ (p = 0.011), IFNyR+ (p = 0.008), perforin+ (p = 0.008), granzymeB+ (p = 0.008), perforin+granzymeB+ (p = 0.008) and perforin-granzymeB- (p = 0.021) were lower than those pre-transplant, indicating a post-transplant reduction of cytotoxic NK cells. In 28 patients NK cell subsets were analyzed with respect to time post-transplant (median 888 days post-transplant). CD56dimCD16+ NK cells co-expressing CD158a (p = 0.014), NKG2D (p = 0.047), IL4R (p = 0.038), IL10R (p = 0.008) and IFNy (p = 0.036) as well as CD56bright NK cells with the phenotype TGFß+ (p = 0.017), TGFR+ (p = 0.035), CD158a+ (p = 0.042) and perforin-granzymeB- (p = 0.048) increased with time post-transplant. CONCLUSION Post-transplant, cytotoxic NK cells were lower than pre-transplant and remained low, whereas NK cell subsets with potentially immunoregulatory properties increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhu
- Transplantation-Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030 Wuhan, China
| | - Mostafa Aly
- Transplantation-Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Nephrology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Assiut University, Egypt
| | - Haihao Wang
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030 Wuhan, China
| | - Hristos Karakizlis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, D-35385 Giessen, Germany
| | - Rolf Weimer
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, D-35385 Giessen, Germany
| | - Christian Morath
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ruben Jeremias Kuon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bettina Toth
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Naruemol Ekpoom
- Transplantation-Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Opelz
- Transplantation-Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Daniel
- Transplantation-Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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19
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Dugast E, David G, Oger R, Danger R, Judor JP, Gagne K, Chesneau M, Degauque N, Soulillou JP, Paul P, Picard C, Guerif P, Conchon S, Giral M, Gervois N, Retière C, Brouard S. Broad Impairment of Natural Killer Cells from Operationally Tolerant Kidney Transplanted Patients. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1721. [PMID: 29312288 PMCID: PMC5732263 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of natural killer (NK) cells in organ transplantation is controversial. This study aims to decipher their role in kidney transplant tolerance in humans. Previous studies highlighted several modulated genes involved in NK cell biology in blood from spontaneously operationally tolerant patients (TOLs; drug-free kidney-transplanted recipients with stable graft function). We performed a phenotypic, functional, and genetic characterization of NK cells from these patients compared to kidney-transplanted patients with stable graft function under immunosuppression and healthy volunteers (HVs). Both operationally TOLs and stable patients harbored defective expression of the NKp46 activator receptor and lytic molecules perforin and granzyme compared to HVs. Surprisingly, NK cells from operationally TOLs also displayed decreased expression of the CD16 activating marker (in the CD56Dim NK cell subset). This decrease was associated with impairment of their functional capacities upon stimulation, as shown by lower interferon gamma (IFNγ) production and CD107a membranous expression in a reverse antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay, spontaneous lysis assays, and lower target cell lysis in the 51Cr release assay compared to HVs. Conversely, despite impaired K562 cell lysis in the 51Cr release assay, patients with stable graft function harbored a normal reverse ADCC and even increased amounts of IFNγ+ NK cells in the spontaneous lysis assay. Altogether, the strong impairment of the phenotype and functional cytotoxic capacities of NK cells in operationally TOLs may accord with the establishment of a pro-tolerogenic environment, despite remaining highly activated after transplantation in patients with stable graft function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Dugast
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Gaëlle David
- Etablissement Français du sang, Nantes, France.,CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Romain Oger
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Richard Danger
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Jean-Paul Judor
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Katia Gagne
- Etablissement Français du sang, Nantes, France.,CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,LabEx Transplantex, Université de Strasbourg, France
| | - Mélanie Chesneau
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Nicolas Degauque
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | | | - Pascale Paul
- Nephrology Dialysis Renal Transplantation Center, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hospital de la Conception, UMR 1076, Vascular Research Center of Marseille, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Christophe Picard
- Établissement Français du Sang Alpes Méditerranée, Marseille, France.,ADES UMR 7268, CNRS, EFS, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Pierrick Guerif
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France.,CIC Biotherapy, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Sophie Conchon
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Magali Giral
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France.,CIC Biotherapy, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Nadine Gervois
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Christelle Retière
- Etablissement Français du sang, Nantes, France.,CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Sophie Brouard
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
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20
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Standardized and flexible eight colour flow cytometry panels harmonized between different laboratories to study human NK cell phenotype and function. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43873. [PMID: 28281564 PMCID: PMC5345017 DOI: 10.1038/srep43873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancements in multi-colour fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) panel warrant harmonized procedures to obtain comparable data between various laboratories. The intensifying clinical exploration of Natural Killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy demands standardized and harmonized NK cell FACS panels and acquisition protocols. Eight colour FACS panels were designed to study human NK cell phenotype and function within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The panels were designed around fixed backbone markers and channels, covering antigens for non-NK lineage exclusion (CD3, TCRγδ, CD19, CD14, SYTOX® Blue) and NK cell selection (CD45, CD56, CD16), complemented with variable drop-in markers/channels to study NK cell phenotype (NKG2A, NKG2C, NKG2D and KIR2D) or NK cell function and activation (CD25, NKp44 and CD107a). Harmonized FACS set-up and data analysis for three different flow cytometers has been established, leading to highly comparable and reproducible data sets using the same PBMC reference samples (n = 6). Further studies of NK cells in fresh or cryopreserved PBMC samples (n = 12) confirmed that freezing and thawing of PBMC samples did not significantly affect NK phenotype or function. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that cryopreserved PBMC samples analysed by standardized FACS panels and harmonized analysis protocols will generate highly reliable data sets for multi-center clinical trials under validated conditions.
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Land WG, Agostinis P, Gasser S, Garg AD, Linkermann A. Transplantation and Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs). Am J Transplant 2016; 16:3338-3361. [PMID: 27421829 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.13963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Upon solid organ transplantation and during cancer immunotherapy, cellular stress responses result in the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). The various cellular stresses have been characterized in detail over the last decades, but a unifying classification based on clinically important aspects is lacking. Here, we provide an in-depth review of the most recent literature along with a unifying concept of the danger/injury model, suggest a classification of DAMPs, and review the recently elaborated mechanisms that result in the emission of such factors. We further point out the differences in DAMP responses including the release following a heat shock pattern, endoplasmic reticulum stress, DNA damage-mediated DAMP release, and discuss the diverse pathways of regulated necrosis in this respect. The understanding of various forms of DAMPs and the consequences of their different release patterns are prerequisite to associate serum markers of cellular stresses with clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- W G Land
- German Academy of Transplantation Medicine, Munich, Germany.,Laboratoire d'ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, INSERM UMR_S1109, Plateforme GENOMAX, Faculté de Médecine, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,LabexTRANSPLANTEX, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - P Agostinis
- Cell Death Research and Therapy (CDRT) Lab, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - S Gasser
- Immunology Programme and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - A D Garg
- Cell Death Research and Therapy (CDRT) Lab, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A Linkermann
- Cluster of Excellence EXC306, Inflammation at Interfaces, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.,Clinic for Nephrology and Hypertension, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
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22
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Harper IG, Ali JM, Harper SJF, Wlodek E, Alsughayyir J, Negus MC, Qureshi MS, Motalleb-Zadeh R, Saeb-Parsy K, Bolton EM, Bradley JA, Clatworthy MR, Conlon TM, Pettigrew GJ. Augmentation of Recipient Adaptive Alloimmunity by Donor Passenger Lymphocytes within the Transplant. Cell Rep 2016; 15:1214-27. [PMID: 27134179 PMCID: PMC4870521 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic rejection of solid organ allografts remains the major cause of transplant failure. Donor-derived tissue-resident lymphocytes are transferred to the recipient during transplantation, but their impact on alloimmunity is unknown. Using mouse cardiac transplant models, we show that graft-versus-host recognition by passenger donor CD4 T cells markedly augments recipient cellular and humoral alloimmunity, resulting in more severe allograft vasculopathy and early graft failure. This augmentation is enhanced when donors were pre-sensitized to the recipient, is dependent upon avoidance of host NK cell recognition, and is partly due to provision of cognate help for allo-specific B cells from donor CD4 T cells recognizing B cell MHC class II in a peptide-degenerate manner. Passenger donor lymphocytes may therefore influence recipient alloimmune responses and represent a therapeutic target in solid organ transplantation. Donor CD4 T cells provide cognate, but peptide-degenerate, help to all host B cells Antibody specificity is determined by concurrent B cell receptor ligation Passenger donor CD4 T cells can therefore augment host alloantibody responses Host NK cell allorecognition is critical for preventing this augmentation
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines G Harper
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Jason M Ali
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Simon J F Harper
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Elizabeth Wlodek
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | - Margaret C Negus
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - M Saeed Qureshi
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | - Kourosh Saeb-Parsy
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Eleanor M Bolton
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - J Andrew Bradley
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Menna R Clatworthy
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Thomas M Conlon
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Gavin J Pettigrew
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
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23
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Yabu JM, Siebert JC, Maecker HT. Immune Profiles to Predict Response to Desensitization Therapy in Highly HLA-Sensitized Kidney Transplant Candidates. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153355. [PMID: 27078882 PMCID: PMC4831845 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kidney transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage kidney disease. Sensitization, the formation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies, remains a major barrier to successful kidney transplantation. Despite the implementation of desensitization strategies, many candidates fail to respond. Current progress is hindered by the lack of biomarkers to predict response and to guide therapy. Our objective was to determine whether differences in immune and gene profiles may help identify which candidates will respond to desensitization therapy. METHODS AND FINDINGS Single-cell mass cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) phenotyping, gene arrays, and phosphoepitope flow cytometry were performed in a study of 20 highly sensitized kidney transplant candidates undergoing desensitization therapy. Responders to desensitization therapy were defined as 5% or greater decrease in cumulative calculated panel reactive antibody (cPRA) levels, and non-responders had 0% decrease in cPRA. Using a decision tree analysis, we found that a combination of transitional B cell and regulatory T cell (Treg) frequencies at baseline before initiation of desensitization therapy could distinguish responders from non-responders. Using a support vector machine (SVM) and longitudinal data, TRAF3IP3 transcripts and HLA-DR-CD38+CD4+ T cells could also distinguish responders from non-responders. Combining all assays in a multivariate analysis and elastic net regression model with 72 analytes, we identified seven that were highly interrelated and eleven that predicted response to desensitization therapy. CONCLUSIONS Measuring baseline and longitudinal immune and gene profiles could provide a useful strategy to distinguish responders from non-responders to desensitization therapy. This study presents the integration of novel translational studies including CyTOF immunophenotyping in a multivariate analysis model that has potential applications to predict response to desensitization, select candidates, and personalize medicine to ultimately improve overall outcomes in highly sensitized kidney transplant candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Yabu
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Holden T Maecker
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation, and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America
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24
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Oldhafer F, Bock M, Falk CS, Vondran FWR. Immunological aspects of liver cell transplantation. World J Transplant 2016; 6:42-53. [PMID: 27011904 PMCID: PMC4801804 DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v6.i1.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the field of regenerative medicine, the liver is of major interest for adoption of regenerative strategies due to its well-known and unique regenerative capacity. Whereas therapeutic strategies such as liver resection and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) can be considered standards of care for the treatment of a variety of liver diseases, the concept of liver cell transplantation (LCTx) still awaits clinical breakthrough. Success of LCTx is hampered by insufficient engraftment/long-term acceptance of cellular allografts mainly due to rejection of transplanted cells. This is in contrast to the results achieved for OLT where long-term graft survival is observed on a regular basis and, hence, the liver has been deemed an immune-privileged organ. Immune responses induced by isolated hepatocytes apparently differ considerably from those observed following transplantation of solid organs and, thus, LCTx requires refined immunological strategies to improve its clinical outcome. In addition, clinical usage of LCTx but also related basic research efforts are hindered by the limited availability of high quality liver cells, strongly emphasizing the need for alternative cell sources. This review focuses on the various immunological aspects of LCTx summarizing data available not only for hepatocyte transplantation but also for transplantation of non-parenchymal liver cells and liver stem cells.
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25
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Hoffmann U, Neudörfl C, Daemen K, Keil J, Stevanovic-Meyer M, Lehner F, Haller H, Blume C, Falk CS. NK Cells of Kidney Transplant Recipients Display an Activated Phenotype that Is Influenced by Immunosuppression and Pathological Staging. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132484. [PMID: 26147651 PMCID: PMC4492590 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore phenotype and function of NK cells in kidney transplant recipients, we investigated the peripheral NK cell repertoire, capacity to respond to various stimuli and impact of immunosuppressive drugs on NK cell activity in kidney transplant recipients. CD56dim NK cells of kidney transplanted patients displayed an activated phenotype characterized by significantly decreased surface expression of CD16 (p=0.0003), CD226 (p<0.0001), CD161 (p=0.0139) and simultaneously increased expression of activation markers like HLA-DR (p=0.0011) and CD25 (p=0.0015). Upon in vitro stimulation via Ca++-dependent signals, down-modulation of CD16 was associated with induction of interferon (IFN)-γ expression. CD16 modulation and secretion of NFAT-dependent cytokines such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-31 were significantly suppressed by treatment of isolated NK cells with calcineurin inhibitors but not with mTOR inhibitors. In kidney transplant recipients, IFN-γ production was retained in response to HLA class I-negative target cells and to non-specific stimuli, respectively. However, secretion of other cytokines like IL-13, IL-17, IL-22 and IL-31 was significantly reduced compared to healthy donors. In contrast to suppression of cytokine expression at the transcriptional level, cytotoxin release, i.e. perforin, granzyme A/B, was not affected by immunosuppression in vitro and in vivo in patients as well as in healthy donors. Thus, immunosuppressive treatment affects NK cell function at the level of NFAT-dependent gene expression whereby calcineurin inhibitors primarily impair cytokine secretion while mTOR inhibitors have only marginal effects. Taken together, NK cells may serve as indicators for immunosuppression and may facilitate a personalized adjustment of immunosuppressive medication in kidney transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Hoffmann
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine Neudörfl
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Daemen
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jana Keil
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maja Stevanovic-Meyer
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Lehner
- Department of Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hermann Haller
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Cornelia Blume
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine S. Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- DZIF, German Center for Infectious Diseases, Hannover / Braunschweig, Germany
- * E-mail:
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