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Park KJ, Jin HM, Cho YN, Yoon JH, Kee SJ, Kim HS, Park YW. Altered Frequency, Activation, and Clinical Relevance of Circulating Innate and Innate-Like Lymphocytes in Patients With Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis. Immune Netw 2023; 23:e22. [PMID: 37416928 PMCID: PMC10320422 DOI: 10.4110/in.2023.23.e22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) is caused by chronic alcohol overconsumption and might be linked to dysregulated immune responses in the gut-liver axis. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on levels and functions of innate lymphocytes including mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, NKT cells, and NK (NK) cells in ALC patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the levels and function of these cells, evaluate their clinical relevance, and explore their immunologic roles in the pathogenesis of ALC. Peripheral blood samples from ALC patients (n = 31) and healthy controls (HCs, n = 31) were collected. MAIT cells, NKT cells, NK cells, cytokines, CD69, PD-1, and lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) levels were measured by flow cytometry. Percentages and numbers of circulating MAIT cells, NKT cells, and NK cells were significantly reduced in ALC patients than in HCs. MAIT cell exhibited increased production of IL-17 and expression levels of CD69, PD-1, and LAG-3. NKT cells displayed decreased production of IFN-γ and IL-4. NK cells showed elevated CD69 expression. Absolute MAIT cell levels were positively correlated with lymphocyte count but negatively correlated with C-reactive protein. In addition, NKT cell levels were negatively correlated with hemoglobin levels. Furthermore, log-transformed absolute MAIT cell levels were negatively correlated with the Age, Bilirubin, INR, and Creatinine score. This study demonstrates that circulating MAIT cells, NKT cells, and NK cells are numerically deficient in ALC patients, and the degree of cytokine production and activation status also changed. Besides, some of their deficiencies are related to several clinical parameters. These findings provide important information about immune responses of ALC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Jeong Park
- Department of Rheumatology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Mi Jin
- Department of Rheumatology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Nan Cho
- Department of Rheumatology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hyun Yoon
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Jung Kee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Sin Kim
- Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Wook Park
- Department of Rheumatology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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Gu X, Chu Q, Ma X, Wang J, Chen C, Guan J, Ren Y, Wu S, Zhu H. New insights into iNKT cells and their roles in liver diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1035950. [PMID: 36389715 PMCID: PMC9643775 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1035950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer T cells (NKTs) are an important part of the immune system. Since their discovery in the 1990s, researchers have gained deeper insights into the physiology and functions of these cells in many liver diseases. NKT cells are divided into two subsets, type I and type II. Type I NKT cells are also named iNKT cells as they express a semi-invariant T cell-receptor (TCR) α chain. As part of the innate immune system, hepatic iNKT cells interact with hepatocytes, macrophages (Kupffer cells), T cells, and dendritic cells through direct cell-to-cell contact and cytokine secretion, bridging the innate and adaptive immune systems. A better understanding of hepatic iNKT cells is necessary for finding new methods of treating liver disease including autoimmune liver diseases, alcoholic liver diseases (ALDs), non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLDs), and liver tumors. Here we summarize how iNKT cells are activated, how they interact with other cells, and how they function in the presence of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingfei Chu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Guan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanli Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haihong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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3
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Ralph E, Evans J, Booth C, Gilmour K. Patients with XLP type 1 have variable numbers of NKT cells. Br J Haematol 2022; 198:151-154. [PMID: 35355252 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18159] [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: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP1) is a rare primary immunodeficiency that usually presents in early childhood. Patients with XLP1 have been reported to have absent NKT cells, and it has been suggested that this can be diagnostic for the disorder. Whilst NKT frequency in adults is variable, little is known about their frequency in children. Therefore, we established a paediatric reference range for these cells. In contrast to previous reports, in our cohort of XLP1 patients, NKT cell numbers were found to be variable, and we would advise against using the finding of NKT cells to exclude a diagnosis of XLP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ralph
- Immunology Laboratory, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Josie Evans
- Immunology Laboratory, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Claire Booth
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Kimberly Gilmour
- Immunology Laboratory, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Senff T, Menne C, Cosmovici C, Lewis-Ximenez LL, Aneja J, Broering R, Kim AY, Westendorf AM, Dittmer U, Scherbaum N, Lauer GM, Timm J. Peripheral blood iNKT cell activation correlates with liver damage during acute hepatitis C. JCI Insight 2021; 7:155432. [PMID: 34905514 PMCID: PMC8855829 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.155432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Invariant NK T (iNKT) cells are implicated in viral clearance; however, their role in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains controversial. Here, iNKT cells were studied during different stages of HCV infection. iNKT cells from patients with acute HCV infection and people who inject drugs (PWID) with chronic or spontaneously resolved HCV infection were characterized by flow cytometry. In a longitudinal analysis during acute HCV infection, frequencies of activated CD38+ iNKT cells reproducibly declined in spontaneously resolving patients, whereas they were persistently elevated in patients progressing to chronic infection. During the first year of infection, the frequency of activated CD38+ or CD69+ iNKT cells strongly correlated with alanine transaminase levels with particularly pronounced correlations in spontaneously resolving patients. Increased frequencies of activated iNKT cells in chronic HCV infection were confirmed in cross-sectional analyses of PWID with chronic or spontaneously resolved HCV infection; however, no apparent functional differences were observed with various stimulation protocols. Our data suggest that iNKT cells are activated during acute hepatitis C and that activation is sustained in chronic infection. The correlation between the frequency of activated iNKT cells and alanine transaminase may point toward a role of iNKT cells in liver damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Senff
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christopher Menne
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christine Cosmovici
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Jasneet Aneja
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
| | - Ruth Broering
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Arthur Y Kim
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States of America
| | - Astrid M Westendorf
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Norbert Scherbaum
- Department for Addiction Medicine and Addictive Behavior, LVR-Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Georg M Lauer
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
| | - Jörg Timm
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Romanelli RG, Vitiello G, Gitto S, Giudizi MG, Biagiotti R, Carraresi A, Vizzutti F, Laffi G, Almerigogna F. Characterization of lymphocyte subsets in ascitic fluid and peripheral blood of decompensated cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease: A pivotal study. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2021; 34:2058738420929587. [PMID: 32524881 PMCID: PMC7290250 DOI: 10.1177/2058738420929587] [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] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus and alcoholic liver disease are major causes of chronic liver diseases worldwide. Little is known about differences between chronic hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease in terms of lymphocytes’ sub-population. Aim of the present study was to compare the sub-populations of lymphocytes in both ascitic compartment and peripheral blood in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease. Patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus or alcoholic liver disease evaluated from April 2014 to October 2016 were enrolled. Whole blood and ascitic fluid samples were stained with monoclonal antibodies specific for human TCRɑβ, TCRɣδ, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CCR6, CD16, CD56, CD25, HLA-DR, Vɑ24. Sixteen patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were recruited (9 with hepatitis C virus and 7 with alcoholic liver disease). In ascitic fluid, the percentage of both CD3+CD56− and CD3+CD56+iNKT cells resulted higher in hepatitis C virus patients than in alcoholic liver disease patients (1.82 ± 0.35% vs 0.70 ± 0.42% (p < 0.001) and 1.42 ± 0.35% vs 0.50 ± 0.30% (p < 0.001), respectively). Conversely, in peripheral blood samples, both CD3+CD56− and CD3+CD56+iNKT cells resulted significantly higher in alcoholic liver disease than in hepatitis C virus patients (4.70 ± 2.69% vs 1.50 ± 1.21% (p < 0.01) and 3.10 ± 1.76% vs 1.00 ± 0.70% (p < 0.01), respectively). Both elevation of iNKT cells in ascitic fluid and reduction in peripheral blood registered in hepatitis C virus but not in alcoholic liver disease patients might be considered indirect signals of tissutal translocation. In conclusion, we described relevant differences between the two groups. Alcoholic liver disease patients displayed lower number of CD3+CD4+ cells and a higher percentage of CD3−CD16+, Vα24+CD3+CD56− and Vα24+CD3+CD56+iNKT cells in ascitic fluid than hepatitis C virus positive subjects. Further studies might analyze the role of immune cells in the vulnerability toward infections and detect potential targets for new treatments especially for alcoholic liver disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Giulio Romanelli
- Internal Medicine and Liver Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Vitiello
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Gitto
- Internal Medicine and Liver Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Giudizi
- Immunoallergology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Biagiotti
- Immunoallergology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessia Carraresi
- Immunoallergology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Vizzutti
- Internal Medicine and Liver Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giacomo Laffi
- Internal Medicine and Liver Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Almerigogna
- Immunoallergology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Gálvez NMS, Bohmwald K, Pacheco GA, Andrade CA, Carreño LJ, Kalergis AM. Type I Natural Killer T Cells as Key Regulators of the Immune Response to Infectious Diseases. Clin Microbiol Rev 2021; 34:e00232-20. [PMID: 33361143 PMCID: PMC7950362 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00232-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system must work in an orchestrated way to achieve an optimal response upon detection of antigens. The cells comprising the immune response are traditionally divided into two major subsets, innate and adaptive, with particular characteristics for each type. Type I natural killer T (iNKT) cells are defined as innate-like T cells sharing features with both traditional adaptive and innate cells, such as the expression of an invariant T cell receptor (TCR) and several NK receptors. The invariant TCR in iNKT cells interacts with CD1d, a major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-like molecule. CD1d can bind and present antigens of lipid nature and induce the activation of iNKT cells, leading to the secretion of various cytokines, such as gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin 4 (IL-4). These cytokines will aid in the activation of other immune cells following stimulation of iNKT cells. Several molecules with the capacity to bind to CD1d have been discovered, including α-galactosylceramide. Likewise, several molecules have been synthesized that are capable of polarizing iNKT cells into different profiles, either pro- or anti-inflammatory. This versatility allows NKT cells to either aid or impair the clearance of pathogens or to even control or increase the symptoms associated with pathogenic infections. Such diverse contributions of NKT cells to infectious diseases are supported by several publications showing either a beneficial or detrimental role of these cells during diseases. In this article, we discuss current data relative to iNKT cells and their features, with an emphasis on their driving role in diseases produced by pathogenic agents in an organ-oriented fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás M S Gálvez
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karen Bohmwald
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gaspar A Pacheco
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Catalina A Andrade
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Leandro J Carreño
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Soluble and Exosome-Bound α-Galactosylceramide Mediate Preferential Proliferation of Educated NK Cells with Increased Anti-Tumor Capacity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020298. [PMID: 33467442 PMCID: PMC7830699 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells can kill target cells via the recognition of stress molecules and down-regulation of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I). Some NK cells are educated to recognize and kill cells that have lost their MHC-I expression, e.g., tumor or virus-infected cells. A desired property of cancer immunotherapy is, therefore, to activate educated NK cells during anti-tumor responses in vivo. We here analyze NK cell responses to α-galactosylceramide (αGC), a potent activator of invariant NKT (iNKT) cells, or to exosomes loaded with αGC. In mouse strains which express different MHC-I alleles using an extended NK cell flow cytometry panel, we show that αGC induces a biased NK cell proliferation of educated NK cells. Importantly, iNKT cell-induced activation of NK cells selectively increased in vivo missing self-responses, leading to more effective rejection of tumor cells. Exosomes from antigen-presenting cells are attractive anti-cancer therapy tools as they may induce both innate and adaptive immune responses, thereby addressing the hurdle of tumor heterogeneity. Adding αGC to antigen-loaded dendritic-cell-derived exosomes also led to an increase in missing self-responses in addition to boosted T and B cell responses. This study manifests αGC as an attractive adjuvant in cancer immunotherapy, as it increases the functional capacity of educated NK cells and enhances the innate, missing self-based antitumor response.
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8
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Chronic Viral Liver Diseases: Approaching the Liver Using T Cell Receptor-Mediated Gene Technologies. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061471. [PMID: 32560123 PMCID: PMC7349849 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with viral hepatitis is a major risk factor for liver injury and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). One major contributing factor to the chronicity is the dysfunction of virus-specific T cell immunity. T cells engineered to express virus-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) may be a therapeutic option to improve host antiviral responses and have demonstrated clinical success against virus-associated tumours. This review aims to give an overview of TCRs identified from viral hepatitis research and discuss how translational lessons learned from cancer immunotherapy can be applied to the field. TCR isolation pipelines, liver homing signals, cell type options, as well as safety considerations will be discussed herein.
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Abstract
Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) are an innate-like T cell subset that expresses an invariant T cell receptor (TCR) α-chain and recognizes lipids presented on CD1d. They secrete diverse cytokines and can influence many types of immune responses. Despite having highly similar TCR specificities, iNKT cells differentiate in the thymus into distinct subsets that are analogous to T helper 1 (TH1), TH2 and TH17 cell subsets. Additional iNKT cell subsets that may require peripheral activation have also been described, including one that produces IL-10. In general, iNKT cells are non-circulating, tissue-resident lymphocytes, but the prevalence of different iNKT cell subsets differs markedly between tissues. Here, we summarize the functions of iNKT cells in four tissues in which they are prevalent, namely, the liver, the lungs, adipose tissue and the intestine. Importantly, we explain how local iNKT cell responses at each site contribute to tissue homeostasis and protection from infection but can also contribute to tissue inflammation and damage.
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11
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Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific memory NKT cells in patients with tuberculous pleurisy. J Clin Immunol 2014; 34:979-90. [PMID: 25190196 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-014-0090-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer T (NKT) cells from mouse and human play a protective role in the immune responses against the infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, the characteristic of CD3(+)TCRvβ11(+) NKT cells at the local site of M. tuberculosis infection remains poorly defined. In the present study, we found that the numbers of CD3(+)TCRvβ11(+) NKT cells in pleural fluid mononuclear cells (PFMCs) were significantly lower than those in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). However, CD3(+)TCRvβ11(+) NKT cells from PFMCs spontaneously expressed high levels of CD69 and CD25 and effector memory phenotypes of CD45RO(high)CD62L(low)CCR7(low). After stimulation with the antigens of M. tuberculosis, CD3(+)TCRvβ11(+) NKT cells from PFMCs produced high levels of IFN-γ. Sorted CD3(+)TCRvβ11(+) NKT cells from PFMCs cultured with antigen presenting cells (APCs) produced IFN-γ protein and mRNA. The production of IFN-γ could be completely inhibited by AG490 and Wortmannin. In addition, CD3(+)TCRvβ11(+) NKT cells from PFMCs expressed higher levels of Fas (CD95), FasL (CD178) and perforin but lower levels of granzyme B compared with those from PBMCs. Taken together, our data demonstrated for the first time that M. tuberculosis-specific CD3(+)TCRvβ11(+) NKT cells participated in the local immune responses against M. tuberculosis through the production of IFN-γ and the secretion of cytolytic molecules.
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12
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Singh AK, Gaur P, Das SN. Natural killer T cell anergy, co-stimulatory molecules and immunotherapeutic interventions. Hum Immunol 2013; 75:250-60. [PMID: 24373798 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2013.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a unique subset of glycolipid-reactive T lymphocytes that share properties with natural killer (NK) cells. These lymphocytes can produce array of cytokines and chemokines that modulate the immune response, and play a pivotal role in cancer, autoimmunity, infection and inflammation. Owing to these properties, NKT cells have gained attentions for its potential use in antitumor immunotherapies. To date several NKT cell-based clinical trials have been performed in patients with cancer using its potent ligand α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer). However, inconsistent therapeutic benefit, and inevitable health risks associated with drug dose and NKT cell activation have been observed. α-GalCer-activated NKT cells become anergic and produce both Th1 and Th2 cytokines that may function antagonistically, limiting the desired effector functions. Besides, various co-stimulatory and signaling molecules such as programmed death-1 (PD-1; CD279), casitas B-cell lymphoma-b (Cbl-b) and CARMA1 have been shown to be implicated in the induction of NKT cell anergy. In this review, we discuss the role of such key regulators and their functional mechanisms that may facilitate the development of improved approaches to overcome NKT cell anergy. In addition, we describe the evidences indicating that tailored-ligands can optimally activate NKT cells to obtain desired immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avadhesh Kumar Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110 029, India.
| | - Poonam Gaur
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110 029, India.
| | - Satya N Das
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110 029, India.
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13
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Singh AK, Shukla NK, Das SN. Altered Invariant Natural Killer T cell Subsets and its Functions in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Scand J Immunol 2013; 78:468-77. [DOI: 10.1111/sji.12104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. K. Singh
- Department of Biotechnology; All India Institute of Medical Sciences; New Delhi India
| | - N. K. Shukla
- Department of Surgical Oncology; Dr. BRA-IRCH; All India Institute of Medical Sciences; New Delhi India
| | - S. N. Das
- Department of Biotechnology; All India Institute of Medical Sciences; New Delhi India
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14
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Abstract
Natural killer T cells (NKT cells) represent a subset of T lymphocytes that express natural killer (NK) cell surface markers. A subset of NKT cells, termed invariant NKT cells (iNKT), express a highly restricted T cell receptor (TCR) and respond to CD1d-restricted lipid ligands. iNKT cells are now appreciated to play an important role in linking innate and adaptive immune responses and have been implicated in infectious disease, allergy, asthma, autoimmunity, and tumor surveillance. Advances in iNKT identification and purification have allowed for the detailed study of iNKT activity in both humans and mice during a variety of chronic and acute infections. Comparison of iNKT function between non-pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection models and chronic HIV-infected patients implies a role for iNKT activity in controlling immune activation. In vitro studies of influenza infection have revealed novel effector functions of iNKT cells including IL-22 production and modulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, but ex vivo characterization of human iNKT cells during influenza infection are lacking. Similarly, as recent evidence suggests iNKT involvement in dengue virus pathogenesis, iNKT cells may modulate responses to a number of emerging pathogens. This Review will summarize current knowledge of iNKT involvement in responses to viral infections in both human and mouse models and will identify critical gaps in knowledge and opportunities for future study. We will also highlight recent efforts to harness iNKT ligands as vaccine adjuvants capable of improving vaccination-induced cellular immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Juno
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Yoav Keynan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Keith R. Fowke
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
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Renneson J, Guabiraba R, Maillet I, Marques RE, Ivanov S, Fontaine J, Paget C, Quesniaux V, Faveeuw C, Ryffel B, Teixeira MM, Trottein F. A detrimental role for invariant natural killer T cells in the pathogenesis of experimental dengue virus infection. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2011; 179:1872-83. [PMID: 21843496 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2011] [Revised: 05/27/2011] [Accepted: 06/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV), a member of the mosquito-borne flaviviruses, is a serious public health problem in many tropical countries. We assessed the in vivo physiologic contribution of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, a population of nonconventional lipid-reactive αβ T lymphocytes, to the host response during experimental DENV infection. We used a mouse-adapted DENV serotype 2 strain that causes a disease that resembles severe dengue in humans. On DENV challenge, splenic and hepatic iNKT cells became activated insofar as CD69 and Fas ligand up-regulation and interferon-γ production. C57BL/6 mice deficient in iNKT cells (Jα18(-/-)) were more resistant to lethal infection than were wild-type animals, and the phenotype was reversed by adoptive transfer of iNKT cells to Jα18(-/-) animals. The absence of iNKT cells in Jα18(-/-) mice was associated with decreased systemic and local inflammatory responses, less liver injury, diminished vascular leak syndrome, and reduced activation of natural killer cells and neutrophils. iNKT cell functions were not necessary for control of primary DENV infection, after either natural endogenous activation or exogenous activation with the canonical iNKT cell agonist α-galactosylceramide. Together, these data reveal a novel and critical role for iNKT cells in the pathogenesis of severe experimental dengue disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelle Renneson
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France; Université Lille Nord de France, Lille, France
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16
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Batista VG, Moreira-Teixeira L, Leite-de-Moraes MC, Benard G. Analysis of invariant natural killer T cells in human paracoccidioidomycosis. Mycopathologia 2011; 172:357-63. [PMID: 21805204 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-011-9451-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2011] [Accepted: 07/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are capable of recognizing lipid antigens and secreting Th1/Th2 cytokines. Deficiency in iNKT cell number or function has been partially implicated in susceptibility to some infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. We evaluated iNKT cells in paracoccidioidomycosis, another chronic granulomatous disease endemic in Latin America. iNKT cells were detected using PBS57-loaded tetramer staining and flow cytometry. Circulating iNKT cell numbers were similar among healthy individuals who had previously been cured of paracoccidioidomycosis (susceptible individuals, n = 7) and healthy Paracoccidioides brasiliensis-infected (n = 5) and non-infected individuals (n = 5). iNKT from all three groups expanded similarly upon α-GalCer and a synthetic analog (OCH) stimulation. IFN-γ was the dominant cytokine produced both by ex vivo and by expanded iNKT cells, followed by IL-4 and IL-10, in the three groups. No deficit in the monocyte expression of CD1d was detected. In conclusion, individuals who had developed paracoccidioidomycosis in the past have no impairment in iNKT number, expansion capacity, and cytokine secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Gomes Batista
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation Unit 53, Tropical Medicine Institute, University of São Paulo, Avenida Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470. IMT-II, Térreo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-907, Brazil.
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17
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Schneiders FL, Scheper RJ, von Blomberg BME, Woltman AM, Janssen HLA, van den Eertwegh AJM, Verheul HMW, de Gruijl TD, van der Vliet HJ. Clinical experience with α-galactosylceramide (KRN7000) in patients with advanced cancer and chronic hepatitis B/C infection. Clin Immunol 2010; 140:130-41. [PMID: 21169066 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2010.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2010] [Revised: 11/12/2010] [Accepted: 11/16/2010] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
For over a century, research has sought ways to boost the immune system in order to eradicate tumors and viruses that exist after escaping immunosurveillance. For the treatment of cancer and hepatitis immunotherapeutic strategies have overall had limited clinical success. An urgent need exists therefore to introduce more effective therapeutic approaches. Invariant (i)NKT cells constitute a conserved T lymphocyte lineage with dominant immunoregulatory, antitumor and antiviral effector cell properties. iNKT specifically recognize the glycolipid α-galactosylceramide in the context of CD1d resulting in their activation. Activated iNKT can promote the development of a long-lasting Th1 biased proinflammatory immune response as demonstrated in multiple tumor-metastasis and viral infection models. Here, we will provide a brief overview of the preclinical data of α-galactosylceramide that formed the basis for subsequent clinical trials in patients with advanced cancer and chronic hepatitis B/C, and elaborate on our own clinical experience with α-galactosylceramide in these patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Famke L Schneiders
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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18
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Gonzalez VD, Landay AL, Sandberg JK. Innate immunity and chronic immune activation in HCV/HIV-1 co-infection. Clin Immunol 2010; 135:12-25. [PMID: 20100670 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2009.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2009] [Revised: 12/09/2009] [Accepted: 12/16/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Innate immune responses are critical in the defense against viral infections. NK cells, myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and invariant CD1d-restricted NKT cells mediate both effector and regulatory functions in this early immune response. In chronic uncontrolled viral infections such as HCV and HIV-1, these essential immune functions are compromised and can become a double edged sword contributing to the immunopathogenesis of viral disease. In particular, recent findings indicate that innate immune responses play a central role in the chronic immune activation which is a primary driver of HIV-1 disease progression. HCV/HIV-1 co-infection is affecting millions of people and is associated with faster viral disease progression. Here, we review the role of innate immunity and chronic immune activation in HCV and HIV-1 infection, and discuss how mechanisms of innate immunity may influence protection as well as immunopathogenesis in the HCV/HIV-1 co-infected human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica D Gonzalez
- Center for Infection Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, 14186 Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Abstract
NKT cells are innate-like T lymphocytes that are found in rodents and primates. They are non-conventional T cells restricted by the CD1d molecule that presents self and exogenous glycolipids. NKT cells are unique in their ability to promptly secrete copious amounts of cytokines such as IFN-gamma and IL-4. Once activated, NKT cells can provide maturation signals to downstream cells, including DC, NK cells, and lymphocytes, thereby contributing to both innate and acquired immunity. Accordingly, NKT cells can influence a wide array of immune responses, including tumor surveillance, maintenance of self-tolerance and anti-infectious defenses. Studies performed with NKT-cell-deficient mice have shown that these cells are critical for the clearance of various pathogens. During bacterial infections, NKT cells can be activated either indirectly by DC or directly by bacterial lipid antigens presented by CD1d. Although viruses do not contain lipid antigens, NKT cells have also been implicated in antiviral responses. The capacity of NKT cells to regulate viral immune-surveillance, either constitutively or post-activation, makes them an attractive clinical target. In this review, we summarize recent publications dealing with the functions and relevance of NKT cells in the context of viral infections, both in murine models and in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Diana
- INSERM, U561, Hôpital Cochin/St. Vincent de Paul, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
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20
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Woltman AM, Ter Borg MJ, Binda RS, Sprengers D, von Blomberg BME, Scheper RJ, Hayashi K, Nishi N, Boonstra A, van der Molen R, Janssen HLA. Alpha-galactosylceramide in chronic hepatitis B infection: results from a randomized placebo-controlled Phase I/II trial. Antivir Ther 2009; 14:809-18. [PMID: 19812443 DOI: 10.3851/imp1295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The glycosphingolipid alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) is known to stimulate invariant natural killer T-cells (iNKTs) and is able to induce powerful antiviral immune responses. The present dose-escalating randomized placebo-controlled Phase I/II trial aimed to investigate antiviral activity and safety of alpha-GalCer as a novel class of treatment for chronic hepatitis B patients. METHODS Patients were randomly assigned to 0.1 microg/kg (n=8), 1 microg/kg (n=6) or 10 microg/kg (n=6) alpha-GalCer or placebo (n=7) treatment. RESULTS Almost all alpha-GalCer-treated patients showed a rapid and strong decrease in natural killer T-cell (NKT) numbers. Patients with high baseline NKT numbers showed immune activation, including natural killer cell activation, increased serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 levels, and development of fever. Three patients demonstrated a transient decrease in hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA. Only one alpha-GalCer-treated patient had a sustained decrease in HBV DNA at the end of follow-up. Four patients discontinued therapy because of fever shortly after drug administration. No significant side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS alpha-GalCer (0.1-10 microg/kg) used as monotherapy for chronic hepatitis B infection resulted in a strong decrease of NKTs, but did not clearly affect HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase levels. alpha-GalCer was poorly tolerated and is unlikely to be suitable as an alternative monotherapy to the current treatment regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Woltman
- Department of Gastroenterology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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21
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Kinjo Y, Kronenberg M. V alpha14 i NKT cells are innate lymphocytes that participate in the immune response to diverse microbes. J Clin Immunol 2009; 25:522-33. [PMID: 16380816 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-005-8064-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2005] [Accepted: 08/17/2005] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Natural Killer T (NKT) cells constitute a conserved T lymphocyte sublineage that has been implicated in the regulation of various immune responses, including the responses to viruses, bacteria, and parasites. NKT cells recognize self and foreign glycolipids presented by CD1d, a non-classical antigen-presenting molecule, and they rapidly produce various cytokines. Many studies have shown that NKT cells have protective roles following microbial infection through the amplification of innate and adaptive immunity, although NKT cells have detrimental roles in some cases. Recent studies have shed light on the natural antigens recognized by NKT cells and the mechanisms whereby they contribute to host defense, and they suggest that these unique T cells have evolved to jump start the immune response to microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Kinjo
- Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 10355 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
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22
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van der Vliet HJJ, Wang R, Yue SC, Koon HB, Balk SP, Exley MA. Circulating myeloid dendritic cells of advanced cancer patients result in reduced activation and a biased cytokine profile in invariant NKT cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 180:7287-93. [PMID: 18490728 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.11.7287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
CD1d-restricted invariant NKT (iNKT) cells play important regulatory roles in various immune responses, including antitumor immune responses. Previous studies have demonstrated quantitative and qualitative defects in iNKT cells of cancer patients, and these defects are clinically relevant as they are associated with poor prognosis. In this study we demonstrate that defects in the iNKT cell population can, at least in part, be attributed to defective interactions between iNKT cells and CD1d-expressing circulating myeloid dendritic cells (mDC), as mDC of patients with advanced melanoma and renal cell cancer reduced the activation and Th1 cytokine production of healthy donor-derived iNKT cells. Interestingly, this reduced activation of iNKT cells was restricted to patients with low circulating iNKT cell numbers and could be reversed by IL-12 and in part by the neutralization of TGF-beta, but it was further reduced by the neutralization of IL-10 in vitro. Additional experiments revealed discordant roles for TGF-beta and IL-10 on human iNKT cells, because TGF-beta suppressed iNKT cell activation and proliferation and IFN-gamma production while IL-10 was identified as a cytokine involved in stimulating the activation and expansion of iNKT cells that could subsequently suppress NK cell and T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans J J van der Vliet
- Cancer Biology Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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23
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Gonzalez VD, Falconer K, Michaëlsson J, Moll M, Reichard O, Alaeus A, Sandberg JK. Expansion of CD56− NK cells in chronic HCV/HIV-1 co-infection: Reversion by antiviral treatment with pegylated IFNα and ribavirin. Clin Immunol 2008; 128:46-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2008.03.521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2008] [Revised: 03/20/2008] [Accepted: 03/27/2008] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Montoya CJ, Cataño JC, Ramirez Z, Rugeles MT, Wilson SB, Landay AL. Invariant NKT cells from HIV-1 or Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected patients express an activated phenotype. Clin Immunol 2008; 127:1-6. [PMID: 18304877 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2007.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2007] [Revised: 12/03/2007] [Accepted: 12/14/2007] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The frequency, subsets and activation status of peripheral blood invariant NKT (iNKT) cells were evaluated in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients and in chronically HIV-1-infected subjects. The absolute numbers of iNKT cells were significantly decreased in TB patients and in HIV-1+ individuals who were antiretroviral therapy naive or had detectable viremia despite receiving HAART. iNKT cell subset analysis demonstrated a decreased percentage of CD4(+) iNKT cells in HIV-1+ subjects, and a decreased percentage of double negative iNKT cells in TB patients. Peripheral blood iNKT cells from HIV-1+ and TB patients had significantly increased expression of CD69, CD38, HLA-DR, CD16, CD56, and CD62L. The expression of CD25 was significantly increased only on iNKT cells from TB patients. These findings indicate that peripheral blood iNKT cells in these two chronic infections show an up-regulated expression of activation markers, suggesting their role in the immune response to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Montoya
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
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25
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Molling JW, de Gruijl TD, Glim J, Moreno M, Rozendaal L, Meijer CJLM, van den Eertwegh AJM, Scheper RJ, von Blomberg ME, Bontkes HJ. CD4(+)CD25hi regulatory T-cell frequency correlates with persistence of human papillomavirus type 16 and T helper cell responses in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Int J Cancer 2007; 121:1749-55. [PMID: 17582606 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.22894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
CD4(+)CD25(hi)CTLA4(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) have been shown to maintain immune tolerance against self antigens and increased circulating frequencies have been reported in various types of cancers. Circulating invariant natural killer T-cells (iNKT) are reduced in cancer patients and low iNKT frequency is related to poor prognosis. It is not yet clear whether high Treg numbers and low iNKT cell numbers pose an increased risk for the progression of premalignant lesions or whether Treg and iNKT cell numbers are influenced by dysplasia. We therefore studied prospectively the relation between iNKT cell and Treg frequencies and the natural course of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) induced pre-malignant cervical dysplasia in 82 patients who participated in a nonintervention cohort study of women with abnormal cytology. Treg frequencies were significantly increased in women who had persistent HPV16 infection. Within the HPV16 persistence group there was no difference in Treg frequencies among patients who developed a CIN3 lesion and patients who did not progress to CIN3. Furthermore, Treg frequencies were increased in patients who had detectable HPV16 E7 specific IL-2 producing T-helper cells, which suggests a causal role of HPV infection in Treg development in parallel with HPV16 specific T helper cells. No evidence was found for a role for iNKT cells in persistence of HPV16 and progression of HPV16 induced CIN lesions. However, HPV-persistence-associated Tregs may explain the inefficacy of concomitant persistence associated immunity and may contribute to subsequent progression to neoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan W Molling
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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26
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Kanto T, Hayashi N. Innate immunity in hepatitis C virus infection: Interplay among dendritic cells, natural killer cells and natural killer T cells. Hepatol Res 2007; 37 Suppl 3:S319-26. [PMID: 17931181 DOI: 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2007.00236.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Sequential activation of innate and adaptive immune response is crucial for virus elimination. We thus sought to clarify the role of innate immune system in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Dendritic cells (DC) sense virus infection via toll-like receptors (TLR) or retinoic acid inducible gene-I (RIG-I), resulting in the secretion of type-I interferons (IFN) and inflammatory cytokines. Blood DC consist of two subsets; myeloid DC (MDC) and plasmacytoid DC (PDC). In MDC from HCV-infected patients, regardless of higher expression of TLR2, TLR4 and RIG-I compared to the controls, the levels of TLR/RIG-I-mediated IFN-beta or TNF-alpha induction are lower than those in uninfected donors. These results suggest that the signal transduction in the downstream of TLR/RIG-I in MDC is profoundly impaired in HCV infection. In response to IFN-alpha, DC are able to express MHC class-I related chain A/B (MICA/B) and activate natural killer (NK) cells following ligation of NKG2D. Interestingly, DC from HCV-infected patients are unresponsive to exogenous IFN-alpha to enhance MICA/B expression and fail to activate NK cells. Alternatively, NK cells from HCV-infected patients downregulate DC functions in the presence of human leukocyte antigen E-expressing hepatocytes by secreting interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor-beta1. Such functional alteration of NK cells in HCV infection is ascribed to the enhanced expression of inhibitory receptor NKG2A/CD94 compared to the healthy counterparts. Invariant NKT cells activated by CD1d-positive DC secrete both T-helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines, serving as immune regulators. The frequency of NKT cells in chronic HCV infection does not differ from those in healthy donors. Activated NKT cells produce higher levels of IL-13 but comparable levels of IFN-gamma with those from healthy subjects, showing that NKT cells are biased to Th2-type in chronic HCV infection. In conclusion, cross-talks among DC, NK cells and NKT cells are critical in shaping subsequent adaptive immune response against HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Kanto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Department of Dendritic Cell Biology and Clinical Applications, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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27
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Veldt BJ, van der Vliet HJJ, von Blomberg BME, van Vlierberghe H, Gerken G, Nishi N, Hayashi K, Scheper RJ, de Knegt RJ, van den Eertwegh AJM, Janssen HLA, van Nieuwkerk CMJ. Randomized placebo controlled phase I/II trial of alpha-galactosylceramide for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. J Hepatol 2007; 47:356-65. [PMID: 17599630 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2007.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2006] [Revised: 03/02/2007] [Accepted: 04/02/2007] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The glycosphingolipid alpha-galactosylceramide has been shown to activate invariant natural killer T cells when presented in the context of CD1d and induces powerful antiviral immune responses via the production of inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and the antiviral activity of alpha-galactosylceramide as a novel class of treatment for chronic hepatitis C patients. METHODS International multicenter dose-escalating randomized placebo-controlled phase I/II trial. RESULTS Forty patients were allocated to a dose of 0.1 microg/kg (n=9), 1 microg/kg (n=9), 10 microg/kg (n=11) or to placebo (n=11). alpha-Galactosylceramide was well tolerated and no patients were withdrawn due to side effects. Although most patients showed a decrease in invariant natural killer T cells after administration, no clinically relevant suppression of viral replication was observed. Only one patient, a previous non-responder to peginterferon and ribavirin with high baseline invariant natural killer T cell levels, showed profound signs of immune activation, accompanied by a transient 1.3 log decrease in HCV-RNA and a concomitant increase in ALT after the first administration. CONCLUSIONS alpha-Galactosylceramide used as monotherapy for interferon-refractory patients in doses of 0.1-10 microg/kg is safe and it exerts moderate immunomodulatory effects. However, in its current form it has no significant effect on HCV-RNA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart J Veldt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Room Ca 326a, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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28
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van der Vliet HJ, van der Vliet HJJ, Koon HB, Yue SC, Uzunparmak B, Seery V, Gavin MA, Rudensky AY, Atkins MB, Balk SP, Exley MA. Effects of the administration of high-dose interleukin-2 on immunoregulatory cell subsets in patients with advanced melanoma and renal cell cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 13:2100-8. [PMID: 17404092 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-06-1662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE High-dose recombinant human interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy is of clinical benefit in a subset of patients with advanced melanoma and renal cell cancer. Although IL-2 is well known as a T-cell growth factor, its potential in vivo effects on human immunoregulatory cell subsets are largely unexplored. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Here, we studied the effects of high-dose IL-2 therapy on circulating dendritic cell subsets (DC), CD1d-reactive invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT), and CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory-type T cells. RESULTS The frequency of both circulating myeloid DC1 and plasmacytoid DC decreased during high-dose IL-2 treatment. Of these, only a significant fraction of myeloid DC expressed CD1d. Although the proportion of Th1-type CD4(-) iNKT increased, similarly to DC subsets, the total frequency of iNKT decreased during high-dose IL-2 treatment. In contrast, the frequency of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells, including CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T cells, which have been reported to suppress antitumor immune responses, increased during high-dose IL-2 therapy. However, there was little, if any, change of expression of GITR, CD30, or CTLA-4 on CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in response to IL-2. Functionally, patient CD25(+) T cells at their peak level (immediately after the first cycle of high-dose IL-2) were less suppressive than healthy donor CD25(+) T cells and mostly failed to Th2 polarize iNKT. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that there are reciprocal quantitative and qualitative alterations of immunoregulatory cell subsets with opposing functions during treatment with high-dose IL-2, some of which may compromise the establishment of effective antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans J van der Vliet
- Cancer Biology Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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29
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Molling JW, Langius JAE, Langendijk JA, Leemans CR, Bontkes HJ, van der Vliet HJJ, von Blomberg BME, Scheper RJ, van den Eertwegh AJM. Low levels of circulating invariant natural killer T cells predict poor clinical outcome in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Clin Oncol 2007; 25:862-8. [PMID: 17327607 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2006.08.5787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Evading antitumor immune responses is an important aspect of the pathogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Invariant CD1d-restricted natural killer T (iNKT) cells play an allegedly pivotal role in such responses via transactivation of immune effector cells. It has been reported that iNKT cells are reduced in peripheral blood of cancer patients compared with healthy controls. Here, we investigated whether the extent of this deficiency affected disease outcome in HNSCC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a prospective study, circulating iNKT cell numbers were evaluated in 47 patients before radiotherapy. Patients were stratified in three groups based on iNKT cell levels, and clinical data were obtained during a median follow-up period of 31 months. RESULTS A small, compared with an intermediate or large, circulating iNKT cell fraction was significantly associated with decreased 3-year overall survival rate (39% v 75% and 92%, respectively), disease-specific survival rate (43% v 87% and 92%, respectively), and locoregional control rate (31% v 74% and 92%, respectively) in HNSCC patients. Cox regression revealed that the iNKT cell level, as well as clinical T stage, was an independent prognostic parameter even after correction for the confounding effect of age. CONCLUSION A severe circulating iNKT cell deficiency was related to poor clinical outcome in HNSCC patients, suggesting their critical contribution to antitumor immune responses. Furthermore, screening for iNKT cell levels may be useful for determining which patients can benefit from immunotherapeutic adjuvant therapies aimed at reconstitution of the circulating iNKT cell pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan W Molling
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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30
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Ilyinskii PO, Wang R, Balk SP, Exley MA. CD1d mediates T-cell-dependent resistance to secondary infection with encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) in vitro and immune response to EMCV infection in vivo. J Virol 2006; 80:7146-58. [PMID: 16809320 PMCID: PMC1489038 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02745-05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The innate and adaptive immune responses have evolved distinct strategies for controlling different viral pathogens. Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is a picornavirus that can cause paralysis, diabetes, and myocarditis within days of infection. The optimal innate immune response against EMCV in vivo requires CD1d. Interaction of antigen-presenting cell CD1d with distinct natural killer T-cell ("NKT") populations can induce rapid gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production and NK-cell activation. The T-cell response of CD1d-deficient mice (lacking all NKT cells) against acute EMCV infection was further studied in vitro and in vivo. EMCV persisted at higher levels in CD1d-knockout (KO) splenocyte cultures infected in vitro. Furthermore, optimal resistance to repeat cycles of EMCV infection in vitro was also shown to depend on CD1d. However, this was not reflected in the relative levels of NK-cell activation but rather by the responses of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell populations. Repeated EMCV infection in vitro induced less IFN-gamma and alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) from CD1d-deficient splenocytes than with the wild type. Furthermore, the level of EMCV replication in wild-type splenocytes was markedly and specifically increased by addition of blocking anti-CD1d antibody. Depletion experiments demonstrated that dendritic cells contributed less than the combination of NK and NKT cells to anti-EMCV responses and that none of these cell types was the main source of IFN-alpha. Finally, EMCV infection in vivo produced higher levels of viremia in CD1d-KO mice than in wild-type animals, coupled with significantly less lymphocyte activation and IFN-alpha production. These results point to the existence of a previously unrecognized mechanism of rapid CD1d-dependent stimulation of the antiviral adaptive cellular immune response.
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MESH Headings
- Acute Disease
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- Antigen Presentation/immunology
- Antigens, CD1/genetics
- Antigens, CD1/immunology
- Antigens, CD1d
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology
- Cardiovirus Infections/genetics
- Cardiovirus Infections/immunology
- Diabetes Mellitus/immunology
- Diabetes Mellitus/virology
- Immunity, Innate/genetics
- Immunity, Innate/immunology
- Interferon-alpha/immunology
- Interferon-gamma/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/virology
- Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects
- Lymphocyte Activation/genetics
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Maus Elberfeld virus/genetics
- Maus Elberfeld virus/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Myocarditis/immunology
- Myocarditis/virology
- Paralysis/immunology
- Paralysis/virology
- Viremia/genetics
- Viremia/immunology
- Virus Replication/drug effects
- Virus Replication/genetics
- Virus Replication/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr O Ilyinskii
- Cancer Biology Program, Hematology/Oncology Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, NRB 1030L, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Inoue M, Kanto T, Miyatake H, Itose I, Miyazaki M, Yakushijin T, Sakakibara M, Kuzushita N, Hiramatsu N, Takehara T, Kasahara A, Hayashi N. Enhanced ability of peripheral invariant natural killer T cells to produce IL-13 in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. J Hepatol 2006; 45:190-6. [PMID: 16580086 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2006.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2005] [Accepted: 01/17/2006] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Human invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells express a TCR Valpha24-JalphaQ paired with Vbeta11 and are activated by a surrogate ligand, alpha-galactosylceramide (alphaGalCer). The iNKT cells are involved in the regulation of anti-viral immune responses; however, little is known about their roles in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS We compared the frequency of peripheral iNKT cells and their cytokine producing capacity reactive to alphaGalCer between chronically HCV-infected patients and healthy subjects. Cytokine production of freshly isolated iNKT cells were analyzed by ELISPOT. Activated iNKT cells were obtained by culture with alphaGalCer-loaded dendritic cells (DCs) and re-stimulated with them for the measurement of cytokine production. RESULTS The frequencies of iNKT cells were not different between HCV-infected patients and healthy subjects. The number of fresh IFN-gamma-producing iNKT cells reactive to alphaGalCer was not different between the patients and controls, whereas fresh iNKT cells produced negligible amounts of Th2 cytokines regardless of HCV infection. In response to alphaGalCer, expanded iNKT cells from the patients secreted IFN-gamma comparable in amount to controls, whereas they released significantly more IL-13 than cells from controls. CONCLUSIONS Activated iNKT cells from HCV-infected patients gain more ability to secrete IL-13 than those from healthy subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiyo Inoue
- Department of Dendritic Cell Biology and Clinical Application, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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Yu KOA, Porcelli SA. The diverse functions of CD1d-restricted NKT cells and their potential for immunotherapy. Immunol Lett 2005; 100:42-55. [PMID: 16083968 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2005.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2005] [Revised: 06/07/2005] [Accepted: 06/24/2005] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
CD1d-restricted NKT cells have been identified as an important component of the immune system that have the capacity both to augment beneficial host immunity and to prevent harmful autoimmunity. These cells have the ability to produce a wide variety of cytokines, including both proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines that can have multiple different effects on the outcome of immune reactions. The discovery that these T cells are activated by specific recognition of glycolipids in the glycosylceramide family has led to new approaches to manipulate the pleiotropic functions of these cells. Here, we review the multiple activities that have been attributed to NKT cells in a variety of different disease models, and the current state of our understanding of the mechanisms that control the functional outcome of NKT cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl O A Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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