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Hasan MZ, Claus M, Krüger N, Reusing S, Gall E, Bade-Döding C, Braun A, Watzl C, Uhrberg M, Walter L. SARS-CoV-2 infection induces adaptive NK cell responses by spike protein-mediated induction of HLA-E expression. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2361019. [PMID: 38804979 PMCID: PMC11212573 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2361019] [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: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
HLA-E expression plays a central role for modulation of NK cell function by interaction with inhibitory NKG2A and stimulatory NKG2C receptors on canonical and adaptive NK cells, respectively. Here, we demonstrate that infection of human primary lung tissue with SARS-CoV-2 leads to increased HLA-E expression and show that processing of the peptide YLQPRTFLL from the spike protein is primarily responsible for the strong, dose-dependent increase of HLA-E. Targeting the peptide site within the spike protein revealed that a single point mutation was sufficient to abrogate the increase in HLA-E expression. Spike-mediated induction of HLA-E differentially affected NK cell function: whereas degranulation, IFN-γ production, and target cell cytotoxicity were enhanced in NKG2C+ adaptive NK cells, effector functions were inhibited in NKG2A+ canonical NK cells. Analysis of a cohort of COVID-19 patients in the acute phase of infection revealed that adaptive NK cells were induced irrespective of the HCMV status, challenging the paradigm that adaptive NK cells are only generated during HCMV infection. During the first week of hospitalization, patients exhibited a selective increase of early NKG2C+CD57- adaptive NK cells whereas mature NKG2C+CD57+ cells remained unchanged. Further analysis of recovered patients suggested that the adaptive NK cell response is primarily driven by a wave of early adaptive NK cells during acute infection that wanes once the infection is cleared. Together, this study suggests that NK cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection are majorly influenced by the balance between canonical and adaptive NK cells via the HLA-E/NKG2A/C axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zahidul Hasan
- Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz-Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
- PhD Program Molecular Biology of Cells, GGNB, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maren Claus
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Nadine Krüger
- Platform Infection Models, German Primate Center, Leibniz-Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Reusing
- Institute for Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eline Gall
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Armin Braun
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH), Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Carsten Watzl
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Markus Uhrberg
- Institute for Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lutz Walter
- Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz-Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
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2
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Piersma SJ. Tissue-specific features of innate lymphoid cells in antiviral defense. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:1036-1050. [PMID: 38684766 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01161-x] [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: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Innate lymphocytes (ILCs) rapidly respond to and protect against invading pathogens and cancer. ILCs include natural killer (NK) cells, ILC1s, ILC2s, ILC3s, and lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells and include type I, type II, and type III immune cells. While NK cells have been well recognized for their role in antiviral immunity, other ILC subtypes are emerging as players in antiviral defense. Each ILC subset has specialized functions that uniquely impact the antiviral immunity and health of the host depending on the tissue microenvironment. This review focuses on the specialized functions of each ILC subtype and their roles in antiviral immune responses across tissues. Several viruses within infection-prone tissues will be highlighted to provide an overview of the extent of the ILC immunity within tissues and emphasize common versus virus-specific responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sytse J Piersma
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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3
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Mele D, Ottolini S, Lombardi A, Conteianni D, Bandera A, Oliviero B, Mantovani S, Cassaniti I, Baldanti F, Gori A, Mondelli MU, Varchetta S. Long-term dynamics of natural killer cells in response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: Persistently enhanced activity postvaccination. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29585. [PMID: 38566585 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29585] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells play a significant role in the early defense against virus infections and cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated the involvement of NK cells in both the induction and effector phases of vaccine-induced immunity in various contexts. However, their role in shaping immune responses following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination remains poorly understood. To address this matter, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of NK cell phenotype and function in SARS-CoV-2 unexposed individuals who received the BNT162b2 vaccine. We employed a longitudinal study design and utilized a panel of 53 15-mer overlapping peptides covering the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein to assess NK cell function at 0 and 20 days following the first vaccine, and 30 and 240 days following booster. Additionally, we evaluated the levels of total IgG anti-Spike antibodies and their potential neutralizing ability. Our findings revealed an increased NK cell activity upon re-exposure to RBD when combined with IL12 and IL18 several months after booster. Concurrently, we observed that the frequencies of NKG2A + NK cells declined over the course of the follow-up period, while NKG2C increased only in CMV positive subjects. The finding that NK cell functions are inducible 9 months after vaccination upon re-exposure to RBD and cytokines, sheds light on the role of NK cells in contributing to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced immune protection and pave the way to further studies in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalila Mele
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Ottolini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Lombardi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniela Conteianni
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bandera
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Barbara Oliviero
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefania Mantovani
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Irene Cassaniti
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Molecular Virology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS, Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic, and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fausto Baldanti
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Molecular Virology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS, Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic, and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Gori
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Immunopathology, L. Sacco Hospital, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Health Science (MACH), University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Mario U Mondelli
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefania Varchetta
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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4
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Wang Y, Yang L, Tang K, Zhang Y, Zhang C, Zhang Y, Jin B, Zhang Y, Zhuang R, Ma Y. Ad5-nCoV Vaccination Could Induce HLA-E Restricted CD8 + T Cell Responses Specific for Epitopes on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Spike Protein. Viruses 2023; 16:52. [PMID: 38257752 PMCID: PMC10820189 DOI: 10.3390/v16010052] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
We evaluated cellular immune responses induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines in an immunized population based on HLA-E-restricted CD8+ T cell epitope identification. HLA-E-restricted SARS-CoV-2 CD8+ T cell nonamer peptides were predicted with software. An HLA-E-transfected K562 cell binding assay was used to screen for high-affinity peptides. IFN-γ enzyme-linked immunospot assays were used to identify HLA-E-restricted epitopes. An HLA-E/epitope tetramer was employed to detect the frequencies of epitope-specific CD8+ T cells. Four CD8+ T cell epitopes on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 restricted by both HLA-E*0101 and E*0103 were identified. HLA-E-restricted epitope-specific IFN-γ-secreting CD8+ T cell responses could be detected in individuals vaccinated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Importantly, the frequencies of epitope-specific CD8+ T cells in Ad5-nCoV vaccinated individuals were higher than in individuals vaccinated with recombinant protein or inactivated vaccines. Moreover, the frequencies of epitope-specific CD8+ T cells could be maintained for at least 120 days after only one dose of Ad5-nCoV vaccine, while the frequencies of epitope-specific CD8+ T cells decreased in individuals after two doses of Ad5-nCoV vaccine. These findings may contribute to a more comprehensive evaluation of the protective effects of vaccines for SARS-CoV-2; meanwhile, they may provide information to characterize HLA-E-restricted CD8+ T cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ran Zhuang
- Department of Immunology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.W.); (L.Y.); (K.T.); (Y.Z.); (C.Z.); (Y.Z.); (B.J.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Ying Ma
- Department of Immunology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.W.); (L.Y.); (K.T.); (Y.Z.); (C.Z.); (Y.Z.); (B.J.); (Y.Z.)
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5
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Middelburg J, Ghaffari S, Schoufour TAW, Sluijter M, Schaap G, Göynük B, Sala BM, Al-Tamimi L, Scheeren F, Franken KLMC, Akkermans JJLL, Cabukusta B, Joosten SA, Derksen I, Neefjes J, van der Burg SH, Achour A, Wijdeven RHM, Weidanz J, van Hall T. The MHC-E peptide ligands for checkpoint CD94/NKG2A are governed by inflammatory signals, whereas LILRB1/2 receptors are peptide indifferent. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113516. [PMID: 38048225 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113516] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune checkpoint NKG2A/CD94 is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy, and its ligand major histocompatibility complex E (MHC-E) is frequently upregulated in cancer. NKG2A/CD94-mediated inhibition of lymphocytes depends on the presence of specific leader peptides in MHC-E, but when and where they are presented in situ is unknown. We apply a nanobody specific for the Qdm/Qa-1b complex, the NKG2A/CD94 ligand in mouse, and find that presentation of Qdm peptide depends on every member of the endoplasmic reticulum-resident peptide loading complex. With a turnover rate of 30 min, the Qdm peptide reflects antigen processing capacity in real time. Remarkably, Qdm/Qa-1b complexes require inflammatory signals for surface expression in situ, despite the broad presence of Qa-1b molecules in homeostasis. Furthermore, we identify LILRB1 as a functional inhibition receptor for MHC-E in steady state. These data provide a molecular understanding of NKG2A blockade in immunotherapy and assign MHC-E as a convergent ligand for multiple immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Middelburg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Soroush Ghaffari
- Department of Biology, College of Science, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Tom A W Schoufour
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Sluijter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gaby Schaap
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Büsra Göynük
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Benedetta M Sala
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute & Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Lejla Al-Tamimi
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute & Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Ferenc Scheeren
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Kees L M C Franken
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jimmy J L L Akkermans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Birol Cabukusta
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Simone A Joosten
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ian Derksen
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jacques Neefjes
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Adnane Achour
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute & Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Ruud H M Wijdeven
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jon Weidanz
- Abexxa Biologics, Inc., Arlington, TX, USA; College of Nursing and Health Innovation, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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6
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Jost S, Lucar O, Lee E, Yoder T, Kroll K, Sugawara S, Smith S, Jones R, Tweet G, Werner A, Tomezsko PJ, Dugan HL, Ghofrani J, Rascle P, Altfeld M, Müller-Trutwin M, Goepfert P, Reeves RK. Antigen-specific memory NK cell responses against HIV and influenza use the NKG2/HLA-E axis. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eadi3974. [PMID: 38064568 PMCID: PMC11104516 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adi3974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Multiple studies have broadened the roles of natural killer (NK) cells functioning as purely innate lymphocytes by demonstrating that they are capable of putative antigen-specific immunological memory against multiple infectious agents including HIV-1 and influenza. However, the mechanisms underlying antigen specificity remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that antigen-specific human NK cell memory develops upon exposure to both HIV and influenza, unified by a conserved and epitope-specific targetable mechanism largely dependent on the activating CD94/NKG2C receptor and its ligand HLA-E. We validated the permanent acquisition of antigen specificity by individual memory NK cells by single-cell cloning. We identified elevated expression of KLRG1, α4β7, and NKG2C as biomarkers of antigen-specific NK cell memory through complex immunophenotyping. Last, we uncovered individual HLA-E-restricted peptides that may constitute the dominant NK cell response in HIV-1- and influenza-infected persons in vivo. Our findings clarify the mechanisms contributing to antigen-specific memory NK cell responses and suggest that they could be potentially targeted therapeutically for vaccines or other therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Jost
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27703, USA
| | - Olivier Lucar
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Esther Lee
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27703, USA
| | - Taylor Yoder
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kyle Kroll
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27703, USA
| | - Sho Sugawara
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27703, USA
| | - Scott Smith
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Rhianna Jones
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27703, USA
| | - George Tweet
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexandra Werner
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Phillip J. Tomezsko
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Haley L. Dugan
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Joshua Ghofrani
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Philippe Rascle
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27703, USA
| | | | - Michaela Müller-Trutwin
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Paul Goepfert
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - R. Keith Reeves
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27703, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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7
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Naidoo K, Altfeld M. SARS-CoV-2 exploits innate miscommunication for persistence. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1974-1975. [PMID: 37919526 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01679-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kewreshini Naidoo
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Altfeld
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany.
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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8
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Huot N, Planchais C, Rosenbaum P, Contreras V, Jacquelin B, Petitdemange C, Lazzerini M, Beaumont E, Orta-Resendiz A, Rey FA, Reeves RK, Le Grand R, Mouquet H, Müller-Trutwin M. SARS-CoV-2 viral persistence in lung alveolar macrophages is controlled by IFN-γ and NK cells. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:2068-2079. [PMID: 37919524 PMCID: PMC10681903 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01661-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA generally becomes undetectable in upper airways after a few days or weeks postinfection. Here we used a model of viral infection in macaques to address whether SARS-CoV-2 persists in the body and which mechanisms regulate its persistence. Replication-competent virus was detected in bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) macrophages beyond 6 months postinfection. Viral propagation in BAL macrophages occurred from cell to cell and was inhibited by interferon-γ (IFN-γ). IFN-γ production was strongest in BAL NKG2r+CD8+ T cells and NKG2Alo natural killer (NK) cells and was further increased in NKG2Alo NK cells after spike protein stimulation. However, IFN-γ production was impaired in NK cells from macaques with persisting virus. Moreover, IFN-γ also enhanced the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-E on BAL macrophages, possibly inhibiting NK cell-mediated killing. Macaques with less persisting virus mounted adaptive NK cells that escaped the MHC-E-dependent inhibition. Our findings reveal an interplay between NK cells and macrophages that regulated SARS-CoV-2 persistence in macrophages and was mediated by IFN-γ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Huot
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France.
| | - Cyril Planchais
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1222, Humoral Immunology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Rosenbaum
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1222, Humoral Immunology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Vanessa Contreras
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM, CEA, Immunologie des Maladies Virales, Auto-Immunes, Hématologiques et Bactériennes (IMVA-HB/IDMIT/UMR1184), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Beatrice Jacquelin
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Petitdemange
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Marie Lazzerini
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Emma Beaumont
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Aurelio Orta-Resendiz
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Félix A Rey
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, Structural Virology Unit, CNRS UMR3569, Paris, France
| | - R Keith Reeves
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Duke Research and Discovery at RTP, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Roger Le Grand
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM, CEA, Immunologie des Maladies Virales, Auto-Immunes, Hématologiques et Bactériennes (IMVA-HB/IDMIT/UMR1184), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Hugo Mouquet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1222, Humoral Immunology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Michaela Müller-Trutwin
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
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9
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Nersesian S, Carter EB, Lee SN, Westhaver LP, Boudreau JE. Killer instincts: natural killer cells as multifactorial cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1269614. [PMID: 38090565 PMCID: PMC10715270 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1269614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells integrate heterogeneous signals for activation and inhibition using germline-encoded receptors. These receptors are stochastically co-expressed, and their concurrent engagement and signaling can adjust the sensitivity of individual cells to putative targets. Against cancers, which mutate and evolve under therapeutic and immunologic pressure, the diversity for recognition provided by NK cells may be key to comprehensive cancer control. NK cells are already being trialled as adoptive cell therapy and targets for immunotherapeutic agents. However, strategies to leverage their naturally occurring diversity and agility have not yet been developed. In this review, we discuss the receptors and signaling pathways through which signals for activation or inhibition are generated in NK cells, focusing on their roles in cancer and potential as targets for immunotherapies. Finally, we consider the impacts of receptor co-expression and the potential to engage multiple pathways of NK cell reactivity to maximize the scope and strength of antitumor activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nersesian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Emily B. Carter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stacey N. Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Jeanette E. Boudreau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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10
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Alrubayyi A, Touizer E, Hameiri-Bowen D, Charlton B, Gea-Mallorquí E, Hussain N, da Costa KAS, Ford R, Rees-Spear C, Fox TA, Williams I, Waters L, Barber TJ, Burns F, Kinloch S, Morris E, Rowland-Jones S, McCoy LE, Peppa D. Natural killer cell responses during SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in people living with HIV-1. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18994. [PMID: 37923825 PMCID: PMC10624865 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45412-9] [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: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell subsets with adaptive properties are emerging as regulators of vaccine-induced T and B cell responses and are specialized towards antibody-dependent functions contributing to SARS-CoV-2 control. Although HIV-1 infection is known to affect the NK cell pool, the additional impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination on NK cell responses in people living with HIV (PLWH) has remained unexplored. Our data show that SARS-CoV-2 infection skews NK cells towards a more differentiated/adaptive CD57+FcεRIγ- phenotype in PLWH. A similar subset was induced following vaccination in SARS-CoV-2 naïve PLWH in addition to a CD56bright population with cytotoxic potential. Antibody-dependent NK cell function showed robust and durable responses to Spike up to 148 days post-infection, with responses enriched in adaptive NK cells. NK cell responses were further boosted by the first vaccine dose in SARS-CoV-2 exposed individuals and peaked after the second dose in SARS-CoV-2 naïve PLWH. The presence of adaptive NK cells associated with the magnitude of cellular and humoral responses. These data suggest that features of adaptive NK cells can be effectively engaged to complement and boost vaccine-induced adaptive immunity in potentially more vulnerable groups such as PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aljawharah Alrubayyi
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Emma Touizer
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Bethany Charlton
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Noshin Hussain
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kelly A S da Costa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rosemarie Ford
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Chloe Rees-Spear
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas A Fox
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ian Williams
- Department of HIV, Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Laura Waters
- Department of HIV, Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Tristan J Barber
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- The Ian Charleson Day Centre, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Fiona Burns
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- The Ian Charleson Day Centre, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sabine Kinloch
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
- The Ian Charleson Day Centre, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Emma Morris
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Laura E McCoy
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dimitra Peppa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK.
- Department of HIV, Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Trust, London, UK.
- The Ian Charleson Day Centre, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
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11
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Momayyezi P, Bilev E, Ljunggren HG, Hammer Q. Viral escape from NK-cell-mediated immunosurveillance: A lesson for cancer immunotherapy? Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2350465. [PMID: 37526136 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350465] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that participate in immune responses against virus-infected cells and tumors. As a countermeasure, viruses and tumors employ strategies to evade NK-cell-mediated immunosurveillance. In this review, we examine immune evasion strategies employed by viruses, focusing on examples from human CMV and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We explore selected viral evasion mechanisms categorized into three classes: (1) providing ligands for the inhibitory receptor NKG2A, (2) downregulating ligands for the activating receptor NKG2D, and (3) inducing the immunosuppressive cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. For each class, we draw parallels between immune evasion by viruses and tumors, reviewing potential opportunities for overcoming evasion in cancer therapy. We suggest that in-depth investigations of host-pathogen interactions between viruses and NK cells will not only deepen our understanding of viral immune evasion but also shed light on how NK cells counter such evasion attempts. Thus, due to the parallels of immune evasion by viruses and tumors, we propose that insights gained from antiviral NK-cell responses may serve as valuable lessons that can be leveraged for designing future cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouria Momayyezi
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eleni Bilev
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Quirin Hammer
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Hammer Q, Cuapio A, Bister J, Björkström NK, Ljunggren HG. NK cells in COVID-19-from disease to vaccination. J Leukoc Biol 2023; 114:507-512. [PMID: 36976012 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad031] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells participate in the host innate immune response to viral infection. Conversely, natural killer cell dysfunction and hyperactivation can contribute to tissue damage and immunopathology. Here, we review recent studies with respect to natural killer cell activity during infection with SARS-CoV-2. Discussed are initial reports of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, which revealed prompt natural killer cell activation during the acute disease state. Another hallmark of COVID-19, early on observed, was a decrease in numbers of natural killer cells in the circulation. Data from patients with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as from in vitro models demonstrated strong anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity by natural killer cells, likely through direct cytotoxicity as well as indirectly by secreting cytokines. Additionally, we describe the molecular mechanisms underlying natural killer cell recognition of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells, which involve triggering of multiple activating receptors, including NKG2D, as well as loss of inhibition through NKG2A. Discussed is also the ability of natural killer cells to respond to SARS-CoV-2 infection via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. With respect to natural killer cells in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, we review studies demonstrating how hyperactivation and misdirected NK cell responses could contribute to disease course. Finally, while knowledge is still rather limited, we discuss current insights suggesting a contribution of an early natural killer cell activation response in the generation of immunity against SARS-CoV-2 following vaccination with anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quirin Hammer
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Alfred Nobels allé 8, Stockholms län, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Angelica Cuapio
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Alfred Nobels allé 8, Stockholms län, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jonna Bister
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Alfred Nobels allé 8, Stockholms län, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Alfred Nobels allé 8, Stockholms län, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Alfred Nobels allé 8, Stockholms län, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
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13
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Lee MJ, Blish CA. Defining the role of natural killer cells in COVID-19. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1628-1638. [PMID: 37460639 PMCID: PMC10538371 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01560-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical effectors of antiviral immunity. Researchers have therefore sought to characterize the NK cell response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the virus that causes it, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The NK cells of patients with severe COVID-19 undergo extensive phenotypic and functional changes. For example, the NK cells from critically ill patients with COVID-19 are highly activated and exhausted, with poor cytotoxic function and cytokine production upon stimulation. The NK cell response to SARS-CoV-2 is also modulated by changes induced in virally infected cells, including the ability of a viral peptide to bind HLA-E, preventing NK cells from receiving inhibitory signals, and the downregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I and ligands for the activating receptor NKG2D. These changes have important implications for the ability of infected cells to escape NK cell killing. The implications of these findings for antibody-dependent NK cell activity in COVID-19 are also reviewed. Despite these advances in the understanding of the NK cell response to SARS-CoV-2, there remain critical gaps in our current understanding and a wealth of avenues for future research on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline J Lee
- Stanford Immunology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Catherine A Blish
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Stanford Medical Scientist Training Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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14
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Razizadeh MH, Zafarani A, Taghavi-Farahabadi M, Khorramdelazad H, Minaeian S, Mahmoudi M. Natural killer cells and their exosomes in viral infections and related therapeutic approaches: where are we? Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:261. [PMID: 37749597 PMCID: PMC10519079 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01266-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity is the first line of the host immune system to fight against infections. Natural killer cells are the innate immunity lymphocytes responsible for fighting against virus-infected and cancerous cells. They have various mechanisms to suppress viral infections. On the other hand, viruses have evolved to utilize different ways to evade NK cell-mediated responses. Viruses can balance the response by regulating the cytokine release pattern and changing the proportion of activating and inhibitory receptors on the surface of NK cells. Exosomes are a subtype of extracellular vesicles that are involved in intercellular communication. Most cell populations can release these nano-sized vesicles, and it was shown that these vesicles produce identical outcomes to the originating cell from which they are released. In recent years, the role of NK cell-derived exosomes in various diseases including viral infections has been highlighted, drawing attention to utilizing the therapeutic potential of these nanoparticles. In this article, the role of NK cells in various viral infections and the mechanisms used by viruses to evade these important immune system cells are initially examined. Subsequently, the role of NK cell exosomes in controlling various viral infections is discussed. Finally, the current position of these cells in the treatment of viral infections and the therapeutic potential of their exosomes are reviewed. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hossein Razizadeh
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Zafarani
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Taghavi-Farahabadi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khorramdelazad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Sara Minaeian
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Mahmoudi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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15
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Pitman MC, Meagher N, Price DJ, Rhodes A, Chang JJ, Scher B, Allan B, Street A, McMahon JH, Rasmussen TA, Cameron PU, Hoy JF, Kent SJ, Lewin SR. Effect of high dose vitamin D 3 on the HIV-1 reservoir: A pilot randomised controlled trial. J Virus Erad 2023; 9:100345. [PMID: 37753336 PMCID: PMC10518338 DOI: 10.1016/j.jve.2023.100345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV-1 must be taken lifelong due to the persistence of latent virus in long-lived and proliferating CD4+ T cells. Vitamin D3 is a steroidal gene transcription regulator which exerts diverse effects on immune and epithelial cells including reductions in CD4+ T cell proliferation and improvement in gut barrier integrity. We hypothesised that a high dose of vitamin D3 would reduce the size of the HIV-1 reservoir by reducing CD4+ T cell proliferation. Methods We performed a randomised placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effect of 24 weeks of vitamin D3 (10,000 international units per day) on the HIV-1 reservoir and immunologic parameters in 30 adults on antiretroviral therapy; participants were followed for 12 weeks post-treatment. The primary endpoint was the effect on total HIV-1 DNA at week 24. Parameters were assessed using mixed-effects models. Results We found no effect of vitamin D3 on the change in total HIV-1 DNA from week 0 to week 24 relative to placebo. There were also no changes in integrated HIV-1 DNA, 2-long-terminal repeat (2-LTR) circles or cell-associated HIV-1 RNA. Vitamin D3 induced a significant increase in the proportion of central memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, a reduction in the proportion of senescent CD8+ T cells and a reduction in the natural killer cell frequency at all time points including week 36, 12 weeks after the study drug cessation. At week 36, there was a significant reduction in total HIV-1 DNA relative to placebo and persistently elevated 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. No significant safety issues were identified. Conclusions Vitamin D3 administration had a significant impact on the T cell differentiation but overall effects on the HIV-1 reservoir were limited and a reduction in HIV-1 DNA was only seen following cessation of the study drug. Additional studies are required to determine whether the dose and duration of vitamin D3 can be optimised to promote a continued depletion of the HIV-1 reservoir over time. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03426592.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Pitman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Niamh Meagher
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population & Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 3, 207 Bouverie St, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - David J. Price
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population & Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 3, 207 Bouverie St, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Ajantha Rhodes
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - J. Judy Chang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Barbara Scher
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Brent Allan
- Living Positive Victoria, Ground Floor, 95 Coventry St, Southbank, Victoria, 3006, Australia
| | - Alan Street
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - James H. McMahon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Thomas A. Rasmussen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Paul U. Cameron
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Jennifer F. Hoy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Stephen J. Kent
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, The Alfred, 580 Swanston St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053, Australia
| | - Sharon R. Lewin
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
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16
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Claus M, Pieris N, Urlaub D, Bröde P, Schaaf B, Durak D, Renken F, Watzl C. Early expansion of activated adaptive but also exhausted NK cells during acute severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1266790. [PMID: 37712059 PMCID: PMC10499356 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1266790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The analysis of immunological parameters during the course of a SARS-CoV-2 infection is of great importance, both to identify diagnostic markers for the risk of a severe course of COVID-19, and to better understand the role of the immune system during the infection. By using multicolor flow cytometry we compared the phenotype of Natural Killer (NK) cells from hospitalized COVID-19 patients during early SARS-CoV-2 infection with samples from recovered and SARS-CoV-2 naïve subjects. Unsupervised high-dimensional analysis of 28-color flow cytometric data revealed a strong enrichment of NKG2C expressing NK cells in response to the acute viral infection. In addition, we found an overrepresentation of highly activated NK cell subsets with an exhausted phenotype. Moreover, our data show long-lasting phenotypic changes within the NK cell compartment that did not completely reverse up to 2 months after recovery. This demonstrates that NK cells are involved in the early innate immune response against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Claus
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Naomi Pieris
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Doris Urlaub
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Peter Bröde
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Bernhard Schaaf
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Klinikum Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
- Faculty of Health, University Witten/Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
| | - Deniz Durak
- Dortmund Health Department, Dortmund, Germany
| | | | - Carsten Watzl
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
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17
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Graydon EK, Malloy AM, Machmach K, Sun P, Paquin-Proulx D, Lizewski S, Lizewski R, Weir DL, Goforth CW, Anderson SK, Letizia AG, Mitre E. High baseline frequencies of natural killer cells are associated with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. CURRENT RESEARCH IN IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 4:100064. [PMID: 37645658 PMCID: PMC10461189 DOI: 10.1016/j.crimmu.2023.100064] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This study tested the hypothesis that high frequencies of natural killer (NK) cells are protective against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Samples were utilized from the COVID-19 Health Action Response for Marines study, a prospective, observational study of SARS-CoV-2 infection in which participants were enrolled prior to infection and then serially monitored for development of symptomatic or asymptomatic infection. Frequencies and phenotypes of NK cells (CD3-CD14-CD19-CD56+) were assessed by flow cytometry. Individuals that developed asymptomatic infections were found to have higher pre-infection frequencies of total NK cells compared to symptomatic individuals (10.61% [SD 4.5] vs 8.33% [SD 4.6], p = 0.011). Circulating total NK cells decreased over the course of infection, reaching a nadir at 4 weeks, while immature NK cells increased, a finding confirmed by multidimensional reduction analysis. These results indicate that NK cells likely play a key role in controlling the severity of clinical illness in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K. Graydon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Kawthar Machmach
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring MD, USA
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Peifang Sun
- Infectious Disease Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Dominic Paquin-Proulx
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring MD, USA
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Dawn L. Weir
- Infectious Disease Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Carl W. Goforth
- Infectious Disease Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Stephen K. Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Andrew G. Letizia
- Infectious Disease Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Edward Mitre
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
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18
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Yang H, Sun H, Brackenridge S, Zhuang X, Wing PAC, Quastel M, Walters L, Garner L, Wang B, Yao X, Felce SL, Peng Y, Moore S, Peeters BWA, Rei M, Canto Gomes J, Tomas A, Davidson A, Semple MG, Turtle LCW, Openshaw PJM, Baillie JK, Mentzer AJ, Klenerman P, Borrow P, Dong T, McKeating JA, Gillespie GM, McMichael AJ. HLA-E-restricted SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells from convalescent COVID-19 patients suppress virus replication despite HLA class Ia down-regulation. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eabl8881. [PMID: 37390223 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abl8881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Pathogen-specific CD8+ T cell responses restricted by the nonpolymorphic nonclassical class Ib molecule human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) are rarely reported in viral infections. The natural HLA-E ligand is a signal peptide derived from classical class Ia HLA molecules that interact with the NKG2/CD94 receptors to regulate natural killer cell functions, but pathogen-derived peptides can also be presented by HLA-E. Here, we describe five peptides from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that elicited HLA-E-restricted CD8+ T cell responses in convalescent patients with coronavirus disease 2019. These T cell responses were identified in the blood at frequencies similar to those reported for classical HLA-Ia-restricted anti-SARS-CoV-2 CD8+ T cells. HLA-E peptide-specific CD8+ T cell clones, which expressed diverse T cell receptors, suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication in Calu-3 human lung epithelial cells. SARS-CoV-2 infection markedly down-regulated classical HLA class I expression in Calu-3 cells and primary reconstituted human airway epithelial cells, whereas HLA-E expression was not affected, enabling T cell recognition. Thus, HLA-E-restricted T cells could contribute to the control of SARS-CoV-2 infection alongside classical T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbing Yang
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Hong Sun
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Simon Brackenridge
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Xiaodong Zhuang
- Nuffield Depertment of Clinical Medicine, NDM Research Building, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter A C Wing
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Depertment of Clinical Medicine, NDM Research Building, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Max Quastel
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Lucy Walters
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Lee Garner
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Beibei Wang
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Xuan Yao
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Suet Ling Felce
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Yanchun Peng
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shona Moore
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Bas W A Peeters
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Margarida Rei
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Joao Canto Gomes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Tomas
- Unidada de Investigacao em Patobiologia Molecular, Instituto Portugues de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, EPE Lisbon, Portugal
- Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andrew Davidson
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Malcolm G Semple
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Respiratory Unit, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK
| | - Lance C W Turtle
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Tropical and Infectious Disease Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (member of Liverpool Health Partners), Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Alexander J Mentzer
- Welcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research and Translational Gastroenterology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Persephone Borrow
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Tao Dong
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jane A McKeating
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Depertment of Clinical Medicine, NDM Research Building, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Geraldine M Gillespie
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew J McMichael
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
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Lenart M, Górecka M, Bochenek M, Barreto-Duran E, Szczepański A, Gałuszka-Bulaga A, Mazur-Panasiuk N, Węglarczyk K, Siwiec-Koźlik A, Korkosz M, Łabaj PP, Baj-Krzyworzeka M, Siedlar M, Pyrc K. SARS-CoV-2 infection impairs NK cell functions via activation of the LLT1-CD161 axis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1123155. [PMID: 37287972 PMCID: PMC10242091 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1123155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Natural killer (NK) cells plays a pivotal role in the control of viral infections, and their function depend on the balance between their activating and inhibitory receptors. The immune dysregulation observed in COVID-19 patients was previously associated with downregulation of NK cell numbers and function, yet the mechanism of inhibition of NK cell functions and the interplay between infected cells and NK cells remain largely unknown. Methods In this study we show that SARS-CoV-2 infection of airway epithelial cells can directly influence NK cell phenotype and functions in the infection microenvironment. NK cells were co-cultured with SARS-CoV-2 infected epithelial cells, in a direct contact with A549ACE2/TMPRSS2 cell line or in a microenvironment of the infection in a 3D ex vivo human airway epithelium (HAE) model and NK cell surface expression of a set of most important receptors (CD16, NKG2D, NKp46, DNAM-1, NKG2C, CD161, NKG2A, TIM-3, TIGIT, and PD-1) was analyzed. Results We observed a selective, in both utilized experimental models, significant downregulation the proportion of CD161 (NKR-P1A or KLRB1) expressing NK cells, and its expression level, which was followed by a significant impairment of NK cells cytotoxicity level against K562 cells. What is more, we confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 infection upregulates the expression of the ligand for CD161 receptor, lectin-like transcript 1 (LLT1, CLEC2D or OCIL), on infected epithelial cells. LLT1 protein can be also detected not only in supernatants of SARS-CoV-2 infected A549ACE2/TMPRSS2 cells and HAE basolateral medium, but also in serum of COVID-19 patients. Finally, we proved that soluble LLT1 protein treatment of NK cells significantly reduces i) the proportion of CD161+ NK cells, ii) the ability of NK cells to control SARS-CoV-2 infection in A549ACE2/TMPRSS2 cells and iii) the production of granzyme B by NK cells and their cytotoxicity capacity, yet not degranulation level. Conclusion We propose a novel mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 inhibition of NK cell functions via activation of the LLT1-CD161 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzena Lenart
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Górecka
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Michal Bochenek
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Emilia Barreto-Duran
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Artur Szczepański
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Adrianna Gałuszka-Bulaga
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Natalia Mazur-Panasiuk
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Kazimierz Węglarczyk
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andżelika Siwiec-Koźlik
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mariusz Korkosz
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Paweł P. Łabaj
- Bioinformatics Research Group, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Monika Baj-Krzyworzeka
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maciej Siedlar
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Pyrc
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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20
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Vavilova JD, Ustiuzhanina MO, Boyko AA, Streltsova MA, Kust SA, Kanevskiy LM, Iskhakov RN, Sapozhnikov AM, Gubernatorova EO, Drutskaya MS, Bychinin MV, Novikova ON, Sotnikova AG, Yusubalieva GM, Baklaushev VP, Kovalenko EI. Alterations in the CD56 - and CD56 + T Cell Subsets during COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109047. [PMID: 37240393 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The effectiveness of the antiviral immune response largely depends on the activation of cytotoxic T cells. The heterogeneous group of functionally active T cells expressing the CD56 molecule (NKT-like cells), that combines the properties of T lymphocytes and NK cells, is poorly studied in COVID-19. This work aimed to analyze the activation and differentiation of both circulating NKT-like cells and CD56- T cells during COVID-19 among intensive care unit (ICU) patients, moderate severity (MS) patients, and convalescents. A decreased proportion of CD56+ T cells was found in ICU patients with fatal outcome. Severe COVID-19 was accompanied by a decrease in the proportion of CD8+ T cells, mainly due to the CD56- cell death, and a redistribution of the NKT-like cell subset composition with a predominance of more differentiated cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. The differentiation process was accompanied by an increase in the proportions of KIR2DL2/3+ and NKp30+ cells in the CD56+ T cell subset of COVID-19 patients and convalescents. Decreased percentages of NKG2D+ and NKG2A+ cells and increased PD-1 and HLA-DR expression levels were found in both CD56- and CD56+ T cells, and can be considered as indicators of COVID-19 progression. In the CD56- T cell fraction, increased CD16 levels were observed in MS patients and in ICU patients with lethal outcome, suggesting a negative role for CD56-CD16+ T cells in COVID-19. Overall, our findings suggest an antiviral role of CD56+ T cells in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia D Vavilova
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria O Ustiuzhanina
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 121205 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A Boyko
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria A Streltsova
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sofya A Kust
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Leonid M Kanevskiy
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Rustam N Iskhakov
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander M Sapozhnikov
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina O Gubernatorova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina S Drutskaya
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Division of Immunobiology and Biomedicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sirius, Krasnodarsky Krai, 354349 Sochi, Russia
| | - Mikhail V Bychinin
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies FMBA of Russia, 115682 Moscow, Russia
| | - Oksana N Novikova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies FMBA of Russia, 115682 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna G Sotnikova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies FMBA of Russia, 115682 Moscow, Russia
| | - Gaukhar M Yusubalieva
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies FMBA of Russia, 115682 Moscow, Russia
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir P Baklaushev
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies FMBA of Russia, 115682 Moscow, Russia
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena I Kovalenko
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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21
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Siemaszko J, Marzec-Przyszlak A, Bogunia-Kubik K. Activating NKG2C Receptor: Functional Characteristics and Current Strategies in Clinical Applications. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2023; 71:9. [PMID: 36899273 PMCID: PMC10004456 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-023-00674-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: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The interest in NK cells and their cytotoxic activity against tumour, infected or transformed cells continuously increases as they become a new efficient and off-the-shelf agents in immunotherapies. Their actions are balanced by a wide set of activating and inhibitory receptors, recognizing their complementary ligands on target cells. One of the most studied receptors is the activating CD94/NKG2C molecule, which is a member of the C-type lectin-like family. This review is intended to summarise latest research findings on the clinical relevance of NKG2C receptor and to examine its contribution to current and potential therapeutic strategies. It outlines functional characteristics and molecular features of CD94/NKG2C, its interactions with HLA-E molecule and presented antigens, pointing out a key role of this receptor in immunosurveillance, especially in the human cytomegalovirus infection. Additionally, the authors attempt to shed some light on receptor's unique interaction with its ligand which is shared with another receptor (CD94/NKG2A) with rather opposite properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagoda Siemaszko
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Marzec-Przyszlak
- Department of Biosensors and Processing of Biomedical Signals, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Katarzyna Bogunia-Kubik
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
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22
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Beltrami S, Rizzo S, Strazzabosco G, Gentili V, Alogna A, Narducci M, Bortolotti D, Schiuma G, Rizzo R. Non-classical HLA class I molecules and their potential role in viral infections. Hum Immunol 2023:S0198-8859(23)00061-7. [PMID: 37005169 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) are classified in three different classes I, II and III, and represent the key mediators of immune responses, self-tolerance development and pathogen recognition. Among them, non-classical subtypes (HLA-Ib), e.g. HLA-E and HLA-G, are characterize by tolerogenic functions that are often exploited by viruses to evade the host immune responses. In this perspective, we will review the main current data referred to HLA-G and HLA-E and viral infections, as well as the impact on immune response. Data were selected following eligibility criteria accordingly to the reviewed topic. We used a set of electronic databases (Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences (WOS), Cochrane library) for a systematic search until November 2022 using MeSH keywords/terms (i.e. HLA, HLA-G, HLA-E, viral infection, SARS-CoV-2, etc.…). Recent studies support the involvement of non-classical molecules, such as HLA-E and HLA-G, in the control of viral infection. On one side, viruses exploit HLA-G and HLA-E molecule to control host immune activation. On the other side, the expression of these molecules might control the inflammatory condition generated by viral infections. Hence, this review has the aim to summarize the state of art of literature about the modulation of these non-classical HLA-I molecules, to provide a general overview of the new strategies of viral immune system regulation to counteract immune defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Beltrami
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rizzo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Strazzabosco
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valentina Gentili
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Andrea Alogna
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marco Narducci
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Temple University, Japan Campus, 1 Chome-14-29 Taishido, Setagaya City, Tokyo 154-0004, Italy
| | - Daria Bortolotti
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanna Schiuma
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberta Rizzo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; LTTA, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
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23
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Hosseini E, Minagar A, Ghasemzadeh M, Arabkhazaeli A, Ghasemzadeh A. HLA-E*01:01 + HLA-E*01:01 genotype confers less susceptibility to COVID-19, while HLA-E*01:03 + HLA-E*01:03 genotype is associated with more severe disease. Hum Immunol 2023; 84:263-271. [PMID: 36822912 PMCID: PMC9922572 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HLA-E interaction with inhibitory receptor, NKG2A attenuates NK-mediated cytotoxicity. NKG2A overexpression by SARS-CoV-2 exhausts NK cells function, whereas virus-induced down-regulation of MHC-Ia reduces its derived-leader sequence peptide levels required for proper binding of HLA-E to NKG2A. This leads HLA-E to become more complex with viral antigens and delivers them to CD8+ T cells, which facilitates cytolysis of infected cells. Now, the fact that alleles of HLA-E have different levels of expression and affinity for MHC Ia-derived peptide raises the question of whether HLA-E polymorphisms affect susceptibility to COVID-19 or its severity. METHODS 104 COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors with/without history of hospitalization and 18 blood donors with asymptomatic COVID-19, all were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody as well as a group of healthy control including 68 blood donors with negative antibody were subjected to HLA-E genotyping. As a privilege, individuals hadn't been vaccinated against COVID-19 and therefore naturally exposed to the SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS The absence of HLA-E*01:03 allele significantly decreases the odds of susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection [p = 0.044; OR (95 %CI) = 0.530 (0.286 - 0.983)], suggesting that HLA-E*01:01 + HLA-E*01:01 genotype favors more protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. HLA-E*01:03 + HLA-E*01:03 genotype was also significantly associated with more severe COVID-19 [p = 0.020; 2.606 (1.163 - 5.844) CONCLUSION: Here, our observation about lower susceptibility of HLA-E*01:01 + HLA-E*01:01 genotype to COVID-19 could be clinical evidence in support of some previous studies suggesting that the lower affinity of HLA-E*01:01 to peptides derived from the leader sequence of MHC class Ia may instead shift its binding to virus-derived peptides, which then facilitates target recognition by restricted conventional CD8+ T cells and leads to efficient cytolysis. On the other hand, according to other studies, less reactivity of HLA-E*01:01 with NKG2A abrogates NK cells or T cells inhibition, which may also lead to a greater cytotoxicity against SARS-CoV-2 infected cells compared to HLA-E*01:03. Taken together given HLA-E polymorphisms, the data presented here may be useful in identifying more vulnerable individuals to COVID-19 for better care and management. Especially since along with other risk factors in patients, having HLA-E*01:03 + HLA-E*01:03 genotype may also be associated with the possibility of severe cases of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehteramolsadat Hosseini
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arefeh Minagar
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehran Ghasemzadeh
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ali Arabkhazaeli
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
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24
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Coordinated Loss and Acquisition of NK Cell Surface Markers Accompanied by Generalized Cytokine Dysregulation in COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031996. [PMID: 36768315 PMCID: PMC9917026 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is accompanied by a dysregulated immune response. In particular, NK cells, involved in the antiviral response, are affected by the infection. This study aimed to investigate circulating NK cells with a focus on their activation, depletion, changes in the surface expression of key receptors, and functional activity during COVID-19, among intensive care unit (ICU) patients, moderately ill patients, and convalescents (CCP). Our data confirmed that NK cell activation in patients with COVID-19 is accompanied by changes in circulating cytokines. The progression of COVID-19 was associated with a coordinated decrease in the proportion of NKG2D+ and CD16+ NK cells, and an increase in PD-1, which indicated their exhaustion. A higher content of NKG2D+ NK cells distinguished surviving patients from non-survivors in the ICU group. NK cell exhaustion in ICU patients was additionally confirmed by a strong negative correlation of PD-1 and natural cytotoxicity levels. In moderately ill patients and convalescents, correlations were found between the levels of CD57, NKG2C, and NKp30, which may indicate the formation of adaptive NK cells. A reduced NKp30 level was observed in patients with a lethal outcome. Altogether, the phenotypic changes in circulating NK cells of COVID-19 patients suggest that the intense activation of NK cells during SARS-CoV-2 infection, most likely induced by cytokines, is accompanied by NK cell exhaustion, the extent of which may be critical for the disease outcome.
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25
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Innate Immunity in Cardiovascular Diseases-Identification of Novel Molecular Players and Targets. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12010335. [PMID: 36615135 PMCID: PMC9821340 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12010335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
During the past few years, unexpected developments have driven studies in the field of clinical immunology. One driver of immense impact was the outbreak of a pandemic caused by the novel virus SARS-CoV-2. Excellent recent reviews address diverse aspects of immunological re-search into cardiovascular diseases. Here, we specifically focus on selected studies taking advantage of advanced state-of-the-art molecular genetic methods ranging from genome-wide epi/transcriptome mapping and variant scanning to optogenetics and chemogenetics. First, we discuss the emerging clinical relevance of advanced diagnostics for cardiovascular diseases, including those associated with COVID-19-with a focus on the role of inflammation in cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias. Second, we consider newly identified immunological interactions at organ and system levels which affect cardiovascular pathogenesis. Thus, studies into immune influences arising from the intestinal system are moving towards therapeutic exploitation. Further, powerful new research tools have enabled novel insight into brain-immune system interactions at unprecedented resolution. This latter line of investigation emphasizes the strength of influence of emotional stress-acting through defined brain regions-upon viral and cardiovascular disorders. Several challenges need to be overcome before the full impact of these far-reaching new findings will hit the clinical arena.
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26
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Lee MJ, Leong MW, Rustagi A, Beck A, Zeng L, Holmes S, Qi LS, Blish CA. SARS-CoV-2 escapes direct NK cell killing through Nsp1-mediated downregulation of ligands for NKG2D. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111892. [PMID: 36543165 PMCID: PMC9742201 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic effector cells that target and lyse virally infected cells; many viruses therefore encode mechanisms to escape such NK cell killing. Here, we interrogate the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to modulate NK cell recognition and lysis of infected cells. We find that NK cells exhibit poor cytotoxic responses against SARS-CoV-2-infected targets, preferentially killing uninfected bystander cells. We demonstrate that this escape is driven by downregulation of ligands for the activating receptor NKG2D (NKG2D-L). Indeed, early in viral infection, prior to NKG2D-L downregulation, NK cells are able to target and kill infected cells; however, this ability is lost as viral proteins are expressed. Finally, we find that SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 1 (Nsp1) mediates downregulation of NKG2D-L and that Nsp1 alone is sufficient to confer resistance to NK cell killing. Collectively, our work demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 evades direct NK cell cytotoxicity and describes a mechanism by which this occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline J Lee
- Stanford Immunology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michelle W Leong
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Arjun Rustagi
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aimee Beck
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Leiping Zeng
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Susan Holmes
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lei S Qi
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Sarafan Chem-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94157, USA
| | - Catherine A Blish
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94157, USA; Stanford Medical Scientist Training Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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27
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Srivastava A, Hollenbach JA. The immunogenetics of COVID-19. Immunogenetics 2022; 75:309-320. [PMID: 36534127 PMCID: PMC9762652 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-022-01284-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was sparked by the severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that first surfaced in December 2019 (COVID-19). The effects of COVID-19 differ substantially not just between patients individually but also between populations with different ancestries. In humans, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system coordinates immune regulation. Since HLA molecules are a major component of antigen-presenting pathway, they play an important role in determining susceptibility to infectious disease. It is likely that differential susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or disease course in COVID-19 in different individuals could be influenced by the variations in the HLA genes which are associated with various immune responses to SARS-CoV-2. A growing number of studies have identified a connection between HLA variation and diverse COVID-19 outcomes. Here, we review research investigating the impact of HLA on individual responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or progression, also discussing the significance of MHC-related immunological patterns and its use in vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshika Srivastava
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Jill A. Hollenbach
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA USA
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Di Vito C, Calcaterra F, Coianiz N, Terzoli S, Voza A, Mikulak J, Della Bella S, Mavilio D. Natural Killer Cells in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Implications. Front Immunol 2022; 13:888248. [PMID: 35844604 PMCID: PMC9279859 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.888248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immunity that play a crucial role in the control of viral infections in the absence of a prior antigen sensitization. Indeed, they display rapid effector functions against target cells with the capability of direct cell killing and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, NK cells are endowed with immune-modulatory functions innate and adaptive immune responses via the secretion of chemokines/cytokines and by undertaking synergic crosstalks with other innate immune cells, including monocyte/macrophages, dendritic cells and neutrophils. Recently, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread globally. Although the specific role of NK cells in COVID-19 pathophysiology still need to be explored, mounting evidence indicates that NK cell tissue distribution and effector functions could be affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection and that a prompt NK cell response could determine a good clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients. In this review, we give a comprehensive overview of how SARS-CoV-2 infection interferes with NK cell antiviral effectiveness and their crosstalk with other innate immune cells. We also provide a detailed characterization of the specific NK cell subsets in relation to COVID-19 patient severity generated from publicly available single cell RNA sequencing datasets. Finally, we summarize the possible NK cell-based therapeutic approaches against SARS-CoV-2 infection and the ongoing clinical trials updated at the time of submission of this review. We will also discuss how a deep understanding of NK cell responses could open new possibilities for the treatment and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Domenico Mavilio, ; Clara Di Vito,
| | - Francesca Calcaterra
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra) , University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicolò Coianiz
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Terzoli
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Voza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- Emergency Medicine Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Joanna Mikulak
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Della Bella
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra) , University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra) , University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Domenico Mavilio, ; Clara Di Vito,
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Rovito R, Augello M, Ben-Haim A, Bono V, d'Arminio Monforte A, Marchetti G. Hallmarks of Severe COVID-19 Pathogenesis: A Pas de Deux Between Viral and Host Factors. Front Immunol 2022; 13:912336. [PMID: 35757770 PMCID: PMC9231592 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.912336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Two years into Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a comprehensive characterization of the pathogenesis of severe and critical forms of COVID-19 is still missing. While a deep dysregulation of both the magnitude and functionality of innate and adaptive immune responses have been described in severe COVID-19, the mechanisms underlying such dysregulations are still a matter of scientific debate, in turn hampering the identification of new therapies and of subgroups of patients that would most benefit from individual clinical interventions. Here we review the current understanding of viral and host factors that contribute to immune dysregulation associated with COVID-19 severity in the attempt to unfold and broaden the comprehension of COVID-19 pathogenesis and to define correlates of protection to further inform strategies of targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Rovito
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Augello
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Assaf Ben-Haim
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Bono
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella d'Arminio Monforte
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Marchetti
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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30
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Abstract
A new study sheds light on how SARS-CoV-2 influences the way natural killer cells can recognize and kill infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Kučan Brlić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ilija Brizić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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31
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Zheng J, Miao J, Guo R, Guo J, Fan Z, Kong X, Gao R, Yang L. Mechanism of COVID-19 Causing ARDS: Exploring the Possibility of Preventing and Treating SARS-CoV-2. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:931061. [PMID: 35774402 PMCID: PMC9237249 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.931061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is spreading worldwide, causing great harm and stress to humans. Since patients with novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) have a high probability of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe cases, the pathways through which SARS-CoV-2 causes lung injury have become a major concern in the scientific field. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and lung injury and explore the possible mechanisms of COVID-19 in ARDS from the perspectives of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 protein, cytokine storm, activation of the immune response, triggering of Fas/FasL signaling pathway to promote apoptosis, JAK/STAT pathway, NF-κB pathway, type I interferon, vitamin D, and explore the possibility of prevention and treatment of COVID-19. To explore the possibility of SARS-CoV-2, and to provide new ideas to stop the development of ARDS in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajing Zheng
- College of Traditional Chinese medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiameng Miao
- College of Traditional Chinese medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jinhe Guo
- College of Traditional Chinese medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Zheng Fan
- Department of Critical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xianbin Kong
- College of Traditional Chinese medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Xianbin Kong, ; Rui Gao, ; Long Yang,
| | - Rui Gao
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xianbin Kong, ; Rui Gao, ; Long Yang,
| | - Long Yang
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Xianbin Kong, ; Rui Gao, ; Long Yang,
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32
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Exploring the Utility of NK Cells in COVID-19. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051002. [PMID: 35625739 PMCID: PMC9138257 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can manifest as acute respiratory distress syndrome and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Extensive data now indicate that immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection determine the COVID-19 disease course. A wide range of immunomodulatory agents have been tested for the treatment of COVID-19. Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in antiviral innate immunity, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and antifibrotic activity are particularly critical for COVID-19 control. Notably, SARS-CoV-2 clearance rate, antibody response, and disease progression in COVID-19 correlate with NK cell status, and NK cell dysfunction is linked with increased SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility. Thus, NK cells function as the key element in the switch from effective to harmful immune responses in COVID-19. However, dysregulation of NK cells has been observed in COVID-19 patients, exhibiting depletion and dysfunction, which correlate with COVID-19 severity; this dysregulation perhaps contributes to disease progression. Given these findings, NK-cell-based therapies with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, antifibrotic activity, and strong safety profiles for cancers may encourage the rapid application of functional NK cells as a potential therapeutic strategy to eliminate SARS-CoV-2-infected cells at an early stage, facilitate immune–immune cell interactions, and favor inflammatory processes that prevent and/or reverse over-inflammation and inhibit fibrosis progression, thereby helping in the fight against COVID-19. However, our understanding of the role of NK cells in COVID-19 remains incomplete, and further research on the involvement of NK cells in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is needed. The rationale of NK-cell-based therapies for COVID-19 has to be based on the timing of therapeutic interventions and disease severity, which may be determined by the balance between beneficial antiviral and potential detrimental pathologic actions. NK cells would be more effective early in SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevent the progression of COVID-19. Immunomodulation by NK cells towards regulatory functions could be useful as an adjunct therapy to prevent the progression of COVID-19.
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