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Xu QY, Zheng XQ, Ye WM, Yi DY, Li Z, Meng QQ, Tong ML, Liu D, Yang TC. Platelet-derived major histocompatibility complex class I coating on Treponema pallidum attenuates natural killer cell lethality. Virulence 2024; 15:2350892. [PMID: 38745370 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2350892] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The evasive tactics of Treponema pallidum pose a major challenge in combating and eradicating syphilis. Natural killer (NK) cells mediate important effector functions in the control of pathogenic infection, preferentially eliminating targets with low or no expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I. To clarify T. pallidum's mechanisms in evading NK-mediated immunosurveillance, experiments were performed to explore the cross-talk relations among T. pallidum, NK cells, and platelets. T. pallidum adhered to, activated, and promoted particle secretion of platelets. After preincubation with T. pallidum, platelets expressed and secreted high levels of MHC class I, subsequently transferring them to the surface of T. pallidum, potentially inducing an immune phenotype characterized by the "pseudo-expression" of MHC class I on the surface of T. pallidum (hereafter referred to a "pseudo-expression" of MHC class I). The polA mRNA assay showed that platelet-preincubated T. pallidum group exhibited a significantly higher copy number of polA transcript than the T. pallidum group. The survival rate of T. pallidum mirrored that of polA mRNA, indicating that preincubation of T. pallidum with platelets attenuated NK cell lethality. Platelets pseudo-expressed the MHC class I ligand on the T. pallidum surface, facilitating binding to killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors with two immunoglobulin domains and long cytoplasmic tail 3 (KIR2DL3) on NK cells and initiating dephosphorylation of Vav1 and phosphorylation of Crk, ultimately attenuating NK cell lethality. Our findings elucidate the mechanism by which platelets transfer MHC class I to the T. pallidum surface to evade NK cell immune clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Yan Xu
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xin-Qi Zheng
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wei-Ming Ye
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Dong-Yu Yi
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ze Li
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Qing-Qi Meng
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Man-Li Tong
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Institute of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Institute of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Tian-Ci Yang
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Institute of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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2
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Wang D, Dou L, Sui L, Xue Y, Xu S. Natural killer cells in cancer immunotherapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e626. [PMID: 38882209 PMCID: PMC11179524 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.626] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, as innate lymphocytes, possess cytotoxic capabilities and engage target cells through a repertoire of activating and inhibitory receptors. Particularly, natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) receptor on NK cells recognizes stress-induced ligands-the MHC class I chain-related molecules A and B (MICA/B) presented on tumor cells and is key to trigger the cytolytic response of NK cells. However, tumors have developed sophisticated strategies to evade NK cell surveillance, which lead to failure of tumor immunotherapy. In this paper, we summarized these immune escaping strategies, including the downregulation of ligands for activating receptors, upregulation of ligands for inhibitory receptors, secretion of immunosuppressive compounds, and the development of apoptosis resistance. Then, we focus on recent advancements in NK cell immune therapies, which include engaging activating NK cell receptors, upregulating NKG2D ligand MICA/B expression, blocking inhibitory NK cell receptors, adoptive NK cell therapy, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered NK cells (CAR-NK), and NKG2D CAR-T cells, especially several vaccines targeting MICA/B. This review will inspire the research in NK cell biology in tumor and provide significant hope for improving cancer treatment outcomes by harnessing the potent cytotoxic activity of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- DanRu Wang
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology Naval Medical University Shanghai China
| | - LingYun Dou
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology Naval Medical University Shanghai China
| | - LiHao Sui
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology Naval Medical University Shanghai China
| | - Yiquan Xue
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology Naval Medical University Shanghai China
| | - Sheng Xu
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology Naval Medical University Shanghai China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation Dongfang Hospital Shanghai China
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3
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Kumar V, Mahato RI. Natural killer cells for pancreatic cancer immunotherapy: Role of nanoparticles. Cancer Lett 2023; 579:216462. [PMID: 37924937 PMCID: PMC10842153 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216462] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Advanced pancreatic cancer patients have a dismal prognosis despite advances in integrative therapy. The field of tumor immunology has witnessed significant advancements for cancer treatment. However, immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer is not very effective due to its highly complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes that play an important role in the innate immune system. NK cells do not require antigen pre-sensitization, nor are they confined by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). NK cells have the potential to eliminate cancer cells through CAR-dependent and CAR-independent pathways, demonstrating reduced levels of systemic toxicity in the process. The availability of several potential sources of NK cells is an additional benefit that contributes to meeting the therapeutic criteria. Adding nanotechnology to enhance the functions of effector NK cells is also an appealing strategy. This article primarily discusses various approaches recently been utilized to enhance the NK functions for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In addition, new advances in boosting NK cell therapeutic efficacy by nanoparticle mediation are presented, with a focus on pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virender Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Ram I Mahato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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4
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Oh SC, Kim SE, Jang IH, Kim SM, Lee SY, Lee S, Chu IS, Yoon SR, Jung H, Choi I, Doh J, Kim TD. NgR1 is an NK cell inhibitory receptor that destabilizes the immunological synapse. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:463-473. [PMID: 36624164 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01394-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The formation of an immunological synapse (IS) is essential for natural killer (NK) cells to eliminate target cells. Despite an advanced understanding of the characteristics of the IS and its formation processes, the mechanisms that regulate its stability via the cytoskeleton are unclear. Here, we show that Nogo receptor 1 (NgR1) has an important function in modulating NK cell-mediated killing by destabilization of IS formation. NgR1 deficiency or blockade resulted in improved tumor control of NK cells by enhancing NK-to-target cell contact stability and regulating F-actin dynamics during IS formation. Patients with tumors expressing abundant NgR1 ligand had poor prognosis despite high levels of NK cell infiltration. Thus, our study identifies NgR1 as an immune checkpoint in IS formation and indicates a potential approach to improve the cytolytic function of NK cells in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Chan Oh
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Eun Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Hwan Jang
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Min Kim
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Yun Lee
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunyoung Lee
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Sun Chu
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Bioinformatics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk Ran Yoon
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Haiyoung Jung
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Inpyo Choi
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Junsang Doh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Institute of Engineering Research, Bio-MAX Institute, Soft Foundry Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Tae-Don Kim
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. .,Biomedical Mathematics Group, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Biopharmaceutical Convergence, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Mace EM. Human natural killer cells: Form, function, and development. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 151:371-385. [PMID: 36195172 PMCID: PMC9905317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that mediate important effector functions in the control of viral infection and malignancy. Their ability to distinguish "self" from "nonself" and lyse virally infected and tumorigenic cells through germline-encoded receptors makes them important players in maintaining human health and a powerful tool for immunotherapeutic applications and fighting disease. This review introduces our current understanding of NK cell biology, including key facets of NK cell differentiation and the acquisition and execution of NK cell effector function. Further, it addresses the clinical relevance of NK cells in both primary immunodeficiency and immunotherapy. It is intended to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of this important and interesting innate immune effector cell subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Mace
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York.
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6
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Sabag B, Levy M, Kivelevitz J, Dashevsky N, Ben-Shmuel A, Puthenveetil A, Awwad F, Barda-Saad M. Actin Retrograde Flow Regulated by the Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome Protein Drives the Natural Killer Cell Response. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153756. [PMID: 35954420 PMCID: PMC9367451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the crosstalk between natural killer (NK) cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) has enhanced the potential of exploiting the interplay between activation and inhibition of NK cells for immunotherapy. This interaction is crucial for understanding how tumor cells escape NK cell immune surveillance. NK cell dysfunction is regulated by two molecular mechanisms, downregulated activating receptor ligand expression on the tumor cells, and upregulated inhibitory signals delivered to NK cells. Recent studies demonstrated the role of mechanotransduction in modulating NK cell responses in the TME. The immunological synapse represents a functional interface between the NK cell and its target, regulated by Actin Retrograde Flow (ARF), which drives the adhesion molecules and receptors toward the central zone of the immunological synapse (IS). Here, we further characterize the role of ARF in controlling the immune response of NK cells, using CRISPR/cas9-mediated Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASp) gene silencing of NK cells. We demonstrate that WASp regulates ARF velocity, affecting the conformation and function of the key NK inhibitory regulator, SH2-domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1), and consequently, the NK cell response. Our results demonstrate the potential of modulating the biophysical and intracellular regulation of NK activation as a promising approach for improving immunotherapy.
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7
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Vaněk O, Kalousková B, Abreu C, Nejadebrahim S, Skořepa O. Natural killer cell-based strategies for immunotherapy of cancer. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2022; 129:91-133. [PMID: 35305726 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a family of lymphocytes with a natural ability to kill infected, harmed, or malignantly transformed cells. As these cells are part of the innate immunity, the cytotoxic mechanisms are activated upon recognizing specific patterns without prior antigen sensitization. This recognition is crucial for NK cell function in the maintenance of homeostasis and immunosurveillance. NK cells not only act directly toward malignant cells but also participate in the complex immune response by producing cytokines or cross-talk with other immune cells. Cancer may be seen as a break of all immune defenses when malignant cells escape the immunity and invade surrounding tissues creating a microenvironment supporting tumor progression. This process may be reverted by intervening immune response with immunotherapy, which may restore immune recognition. NK cells are important effector cells for immunotherapy. They may be used for adoptive cell transfer, genetically modified with chimeric antigen receptors, or triggered with appropriate antibodies and other antibody-fragment-based recombinant therapeutic proteins tailored specifically for NK cell engagement. NK cell receptors, responsible for target recognition and activation of cytotoxic response, could also be targeted in immunotherapy, for example, by various bi-, tri-, or multi-specific fusion proteins designed to bridge the gap between tumor markers present on target cells and activation receptors expressed on NK cells. However, this kind of immunoactive therapeutics may be developed only with a deep functional and structural knowledge of NK cell receptor: ligand interactions. This review describes the recent developments in the fascinating protein-engineering field of NK cell immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Vaněk
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Barbora Kalousková
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Celeste Abreu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Shiva Nejadebrahim
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Skořepa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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8
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Ramos-Mejia V, Arellano-Galindo J, Mejía-Arangure JM, Cruz-Munoz ME. A NK Cell Odyssey: From Bench to Therapeutics Against Hematological Malignancies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:803995. [PMID: 35493522 PMCID: PMC9046543 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.803995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In 1975 two independent groups noticed the presence of immune cells with a unique ability to recognize and eliminate transformed hematopoietic cells without any prior sensitization or expansion of specific clones. Since then, NK cells have been the axis of thousands of studies that have resulted until June 2021, in more than 70 000 publications indexed in PubMed. As result of this work, which include approaches in vitro, in vivo, and in natura, it has been possible to appreciate the role played by the NK cells, not only as effectors against specific pathogens, but also as regulators of the immune response. Recent advances have revealed previous unidentified attributes of NK cells including the ability to adapt to new conditions under the context of chronic infections, or their ability to develop some memory-like characteristics. In this review, we will discuss significant findings that have rule our understanding of the NK cell biology, the developing of these findings into new concepts in immunology, and how these conceptual platforms are being used in the design of strategies for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Ramos-Mejia
- GENYO: Centro Pfizer, Universidad de Granada, Junta de Andalucía de Genómica e Investigación Oncológica, Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Arellano-Galindo
- Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Infantil de México “Dr. Federico Gomez”, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Juan Manuel Mejía-Arangure
- Genómica del Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN) & Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Mario Ernesto Cruz-Muñoz, ; Juan Manuel Mejía-Arangure,
| | - Mario Ernesto Cruz-Munoz
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Mario Ernesto Cruz-Muñoz, ; Juan Manuel Mejía-Arangure,
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9
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Biber G, Sabag B, Raiff A, Ben‐Shmuel A, Puthenveetil A, Benichou JIC, Jubany T, Levy M, Killner S, Barda‐Saad M. Modulation of intrinsic inhibitory checkpoints using nano-carriers to unleash NK cell activity. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e14073. [PMID: 34725941 PMCID: PMC8749471 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells provide a powerful weapon mediating immune defense against viral infections, tumor growth, and metastatic spread. NK cells demonstrate great potential for cancer immunotherapy; they can rapidly and directly kill cancer cells in the absence of MHC-dependent antigen presentation and can initiate a robust immune response in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Nevertheless, current NK cell-based immunotherapies have several drawbacks, such as the requirement for ex vivo expansion of modified NK cells, and low transduction efficiency. Furthermore, to date, no clinical trial has demonstrated a significant benefit for NK-based therapies in patients with advanced solid tumors, mainly due to the suppressive TME. To overcome current obstacles in NK cell-based immunotherapies, we describe here a non-viral lipid nanoparticle-based delivery system that encapsulates small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to gene silence the key intrinsic inhibitory NK cell molecules, SHP-1, Cbl-b, and c-Cbl. The nanoparticles (NPs) target NK cells in vivo, silence inhibitory checkpoint signaling molecules, and unleash NK cell activity to eliminate tumors. Thus, the novel NP-based system developed here may serve as a powerful tool for future NK cell-based therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Biber
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Batel Sabag
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Anat Raiff
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Aviad Ben‐Shmuel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Abhishek Puthenveetil
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Jennifer I C Benichou
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Tammir Jubany
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Moria Levy
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Shiran Killner
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Mira Barda‐Saad
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
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10
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Licensing Natural Killers for Antiviral Immunity. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070908. [PMID: 34358058 PMCID: PMC8308748 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070908] [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: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM)-bearing receptors (IRs) enable discrimination between self- and non-self molecules on the surface of host target cells. In this regard, they have a vital role in self-tolerance through binding and activating intracellular tyrosine phosphatases which can inhibit cellular activation. Yet, self-MHC class I (MHC I)-specific IRs are versatile in that they can also positively impact lymphocyte functionality, as exemplified by their role in natural killer (NK) cell education, often referred to as ’licensing‘. Recent discoveries using defined mouse models of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection have revealed that select self-MHC I IRs can increase NK cell antiviral defenses as well, whereas other licensing IRs cannot, or instead impede virus-specific NK responses for reasons that remain poorly understood. This review highlights a role for self-MHC I ‘licensing’ IRs in antiviral immunity, especially in the context of CMV infection, their impact on virus-specific NK cells during acute infection, and their potential to affect viral pathogenesis and disease.
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11
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Ben-Shmuel A, Sabag B, Biber G, Barda-Saad M. The Role of the Cytoskeleton in Regulating the Natural Killer Cell Immune Response in Health and Disease: From Signaling Dynamics to Function. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:609532. [PMID: 33598461 PMCID: PMC7882700 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.609532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells, which play key roles in elimination of virally infected and malignant cells. The balance between activating and inhibitory signals derived from NK surface receptors govern the NK cell immune response. The cytoskeleton facilitates most NK cell effector functions, such as motility, infiltration, conjugation with target cells, immunological synapse assembly, and cytotoxicity. Though many studies have characterized signaling pathways that promote actin reorganization in immune cells, it is not completely clear how particular cytoskeletal architectures at the immunological synapse promote effector functions, and how cytoskeletal dynamics impact downstream signaling pathways and activation. Moreover, pioneering studies employing advanced imaging techniques have only begun to uncover the architectural complexity dictating the NK cell activation threshold; it is becoming clear that a distinct organization of the cytoskeleton and signaling receptors at the NK immunological synapse plays a decisive role in activation and tolerance. Here, we review the roles of the actin cytoskeleton in NK cells. We focus on how actin dynamics impact cytolytic granule secretion, NK cell motility, and NK cell infiltration through tissues into inflammatory sites. We will also describe the additional cytoskeletal components, non-muscle Myosin II and microtubules that play pivotal roles in NK cell activity. Furthermore, special emphasis will be placed on the role of the cytoskeleton in assembly of immunological synapses, and how mutations or downregulation of cytoskeletal accessory proteins impact NK cell function in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviad Ben-Shmuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Batel Sabag
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Guy Biber
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Mira Barda-Saad
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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12
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Hoerster K, Uhrberg M, Wiek C, Horn PA, Hanenberg H, Heinrichs S. HLA Class I Knockout Converts Allogeneic Primary NK Cells Into Suitable Effectors for "Off-the-Shelf" Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 11:586168. [PMID: 33584651 PMCID: PMC7878547 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.586168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) so far has almost exclusively used autologous peripheral blood-derived T cells as immune effector cells. However, harvesting sufficient numbers of T cells is often challenging in heavily pre-treated patients with malignancies and perturbed hematopoiesis and perturbed hematopoiesis. Also, such a CAR product will always be specific for the individual patient. In contrast, NK cell infusions can be performed in non-HLA-matched settings due to the absence of alloreactivity of these innate immune cells. Still, the infused NK cells are subject to recognition and rejection by the patient's immune system, thereby limiting their life-span in vivo and undermining the possibility for multiple infusions. Here, we designed genome editing and advanced lentiviral transduction protocols to render primary human NK cells unsusceptible/resistant to an allogeneic response by the recipient's CD8+ T cells. After knocking-out surface expression of HLA class I molecules by targeting the B2M gene via CRISPR/Cas9, we also co-expressed a single-chain HLA-E molecule, thereby preventing NK cell fratricide of B2M-knockout (KO) cells via "missing self"-induced lysis. Importantly, these genetically engineered NK cells were functionally indistinguishable from their unmodified counterparts with regard to their phenotype and their natural cytotoxicity towards different AML cell lines. In co-culture assays, B2M-KO NK cells neither induced immune responses of allogeneic T cells nor re-activated allogeneic T cells which had been expanded/primed using irradiated PBMNCs of the respective NK cell donor. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of genome editing in primary allogeneic NK cells to diminish their recognition and killing by mismatched T cells and is an important prerequisite for using non-HLA-matched primary human NK cells as readily available, "off-the-shelf" immune effectors for a variety of immunotherapy indications in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keven Hoerster
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Markus Uhrberg
- Institute for Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Constanze Wiek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head/Neck Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Peter A. Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Essen/Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany
| | - Helmut Hanenberg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head/Neck Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children’s Hospital of Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Stefan Heinrichs
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Essen/Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany
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13
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Jafari D, Mousavi MJ, Keshavarz Shahbaz S, Jafarzadeh L, Tahmasebi S, Spoor J, Esmaeilzadeh A. E3 ubiquitin ligase Casitas B lineage lymphoma-b and its potential therapeutic implications for immunotherapy. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 204:14-31. [PMID: 33306199 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The distinction of self from non-self is crucial to prevent autoreactivity and ensure protection from infectious agents and tumors. Maintaining the balance between immunity and tolerance of immune cells is strongly controlled by several sophisticated regulatory mechanisms of the immune system. Among these, the E3 ligase ubiquitin Casitas B cell lymphoma-b (Cbl-b) is a newly identified component in the ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation system, which is thought to be an important negative regulator of immune cells. An update on the current knowledge and new concepts of the relevant immune homeostasis program co-ordinated by Cbl-b in different cell populations could pave the way for future immunomodulatory therapies of various diseases, such as autoimmune and allergic diseases, infections, cancers and other immunopathological conditions. In the present review, the latest findings are comprehensively summarized on the molecular structural basis of Cbl-b and the suppressive signaling mechanisms of Cbl-b in physiological and pathological immune responses, as well as its emerging potential therapeutic implications for immunotherapy in animal models and human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Jafari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Immunotherapy Research and Technology Group, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - M J Mousavi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Allied medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - S Keshavarz Shahbaz
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - L Jafarzadeh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - S Tahmasebi
- Department of Immunology, School of public health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - J Spoor
- Erasmus University Medical Centre, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A Esmaeilzadeh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Immunotherapy Research and Technology Group, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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14
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Highton AJ, Diercks BP, Möckl F, Martrus G, Sauter J, Schmidt AH, Bunders MJ, Körner C, Guse AH, Altfeld M. High Metabolic Function and Resilience of NKG2A-Educated NK Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:559576. [PMID: 33101277 PMCID: PMC7554334 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.559576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are an important component of the innate immune system for the control of intracellular pathogens and cancer cells. NK cells demonstrate heterogeneous expression of inhibitory surface receptors. Signaling through these various receptors during NK cell development promotes functionality, referred to as NK cell education. Here we investigated the impact of education on NK cell metabolism through functional assessment of critical metabolic pathways and calcium signaling. Educated NK cells had an increased uptake of the metabolic substrates 2-NBDG, a fluorescent glucose analog, and BODIPY FL C16, a fluorescent palmitate, compared to uneducated NK cells. Comparison of NK cells educated via KIRs or NKG2A showed that NKG2A-educated NK cells were the main contributor to these differences in uptake of metabolites, and that NKG2A-educated NK cells were functionally more resilient in response to metabolic blockade of oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, NKG2A-educated NK cells exhibited higher peak calcium concentration following stimulation, indicating stronger signaling events taking place in these educated NK cells. These results demonstrate that cellular metabolism plays an important role in the functional differences observed between educated and uneducated NK cells, and show that NKG2A-educated NK cells remain more functionally competent than KIR-educated NK cells when oxidative phosphorylation is restricted. Understanding metabolic programming during NK cell education may unveil future targets to manipulate NK cell function for use in clinical settings, such as cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Highton
- Research Department Virus Immunology, Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Björn-Philipp Diercks
- The Calcium Signaling Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Franziska Möckl
- The Calcium Signaling Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gloria Martrus
- Research Department Virus Immunology, Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Sauter
- Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei (DKMS), Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Madeleine J Bunders
- Research Department Virus Immunology, Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Körner
- Research Department Virus Immunology, Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas H Guse
- The Calcium Signaling Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Altfeld
- Research Department Virus Immunology, Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
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15
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Research Progress on NK Cell Receptors and Their Signaling Pathways. Mediators Inflamm 2020; 2020:6437057. [PMID: 32774149 PMCID: PMC7396059 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6437057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells (NK cells) play an important role in innate immunity. NK cells recognize self and nonself depending on the balance of activating receptors and inhibitory receptors. After binding to their ligands, NK cell receptors trigger subsequent signaling conduction and then determine whether NK is activated or inhibited. Furthermore, NK cell response includes cytotoxicity and cytokine release, which is tightly related to the activation of NK cell-activating receptors and the inhibition of inhibitory receptors on the surfaces of NK cells. The expression and function of NK cell surface receptors also alter in virus infection, tumor, and autoimmune diseases and influence the occurrence and development of diseases. So, it is important to understand the mechanism of recognition between NK receptors and their ligands in pathological conditions and the signaling pathways of NK cell receptors. This review mainly summarizes the research progress on NK cell surface receptors and their signal pathways.
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16
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Meza Guzman LG, Keating N, Nicholson SE. Natural Killer Cells: Tumor Surveillance and Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040952. [PMID: 32290478 PMCID: PMC7226588 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in cancer immunotherapy due to their innate ability to detect and kill tumorigenic cells. The decision to kill is determined by the expression of a myriad of activating and inhibitory receptors on the NK cell surface. Cell-to-cell engagement results in either self-tolerance or a cytotoxic response, governed by a fine balance between the signaling cascades downstream of the activating and inhibitory receptors. To evade a cytotoxic immune response, tumor cells can modulate the surface expression of receptor ligands and additionally, alter the conditions in the tumor microenvironment (TME), tilting the scales toward a suppressed cytotoxic NK response. To fully harness the killing power of NK cells for clinical benefit, we need to understand what defines the threshold for activation and what is required to break tolerance. This review will focus on the intracellular signaling pathways activated or suppressed in NK cells and the roles signaling intermediates play during an NK cytotoxic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizeth G. Meza Guzman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Correspondence: (L.G.M.G.); (S.E.N.); Tel.: +61-9345-2555 (S.E.N.)
| | - Narelle Keating
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Sandra E. Nicholson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Correspondence: (L.G.M.G.); (S.E.N.); Tel.: +61-9345-2555 (S.E.N.)
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17
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Kennedy PR, Barthen C, Williamson DJ, Pitkeathly WTE, Hazime KS, Cumming J, Stacey KB, Hilton HG, Carrington M, Parham P, Davis DM. Genetic diversity affects the nanoscale membrane organization and signaling of natural killer cell receptors. Sci Signal 2019; 12:eaaw9252. [PMID: 31848320 PMCID: PMC6944503 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaw9252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetic diversity in human natural killer (NK) cell receptors is linked to resistance and susceptibility to many diseases. Here, we tested the effect of this diversity on the nanoscale organization of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). Using superresolution microscopy, we found that inhibitory KIRs encoded by different genes and alleles were organized differently at the surface of primary human NK cells. KIRs that were found at low abundance assembled into smaller clusters than those formed by KIRs that were more highly abundant, and at low abundance, there was a greater proportion of KIRs in clusters. Upon receptor triggering, a structured interface called the immune synapse assembles, which facilitates signal integration and controls NK cell responses. Here, triggering of low-abundance receptors resulted in less phosphorylation of the downstream phosphatase SHP-1 but more phosphorylation of the adaptor protein Crk than did triggering of high-abundance receptors. In cells with greater KIR abundance, SHP-1 dephosphorylated Crk, which potentiated NK cell spreading during activation. Thus, genetic variation modulates both the abundance and nanoscale organization of inhibitory KIRs. That is, as well as the number of receptors at the cell surface varying with genotype, the way in which these receptors are organized in the membrane also varies. Essentially, a change in the average surface abundance of a protein at the cell surface is a coarse descriptor entwined with changes in local nanoscale clustering. Together, our data indicate that genetic diversity in inhibitory KIRs affects membrane-proximal signaling and, unexpectedly, the formation of activating immune synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippa R Kennedy
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Charlotte Barthen
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - David J Williamson
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - William T E Pitkeathly
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Khodor S Hazime
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Joshua Cumming
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Kevin B Stacey
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Hugo G Hilton
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, D159, Sherman Fairchild Science Building, 299 Campus Drive West, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Mary Carrington
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Building 560, Room 21-89, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Peter Parham
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, D159, Sherman Fairchild Science Building, 299 Campus Drive West, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Daniel M Davis
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK.
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18
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Abstract
T cells are central to the vertebrate immune system. Two distinct types of T cells, αβT and γδT cells, express different types of T cell antigen receptors (TCRs), αβTCR and γδTCR, respectively, that are composed of different sets of somatically rearranged TCR chains and CD3 subunits. γδT cells have recently attracted considerable attention due to their ability to produce abundant cytokines and versatile roles in host defense, tissue regeneration, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Both αβT and γδT cells develop in the thymus. Unlike the development of αβT cells, which depends on αβTCR-mediated positive and negative selection, the development of γδT cells, including the requirement of γδTCR, has been less well understood. αβT cells differentiate into effector cells in the peripheral tissues, whereas γδT cells acquire effector functions during their development in the thymus. In this review, we will discuss the current state of knowledge of the molecular mechanism of TCR signal transduction and its role in the thymic development of γδT cells, particularly highlighting a newly discovered mechanism that controls proinflammatory γδT cell development.
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19
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Abel AM, Yang C, Thakar MS, Malarkannan S. Natural Killer Cells: Development, Maturation, and Clinical Utilization. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1869. [PMID: 30150991 PMCID: PMC6099181 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 625] [Impact Index Per Article: 104.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are the predominant innate lymphocyte subsets that mediate anti-tumor and anti-viral responses, and therefore possess promising clinical utilization. NK cells do not express polymorphic clonotypic receptors and utilize inhibitory receptors (killer immunoglobulin-like receptor and Ly49) to develop, mature, and recognize “self” from “non-self.” The essential roles of common gamma cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, and IL-15 in the commitment and development of NK cells are well established. However, the critical functions of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-12, IL-18, IL-27, and IL-35 in the transcriptional-priming of NK cells are only starting to emerge. Recent studies have highlighted multiple shared characteristics between NK cells the adaptive immune lymphocytes. NK cells utilize unique signaling pathways that offer exclusive ways to genetically manipulate to improve their effector functions. Here, we summarize the recent advances made in the understanding of how NK cells develop, mature, and their potential translational use in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex M Abel
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Blood Center of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Chao Yang
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Blood Center of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Monica S Thakar
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Blood Center of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Subramaniam Malarkannan
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Blood Center of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Center of Excellence in Prostate Cancer, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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20
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells express an array of germ-line encoded receptors that are capable of triggering cytotoxicity. NK cells tend to express many members of a given family of signalling molecules. The presence of many activating receptors and many members of a given family of signalling molecules can enable NK cells to detect different kinds of target cells, and to mount different kinds of responses. This contributes also to the robustness of NK cells responses; cytotoxic functions of NK cells often remain unaffected in the absence of selected signalling molecules. NK cells express many MHC-I-specific inhibitory receptors. Signals from MHC-I-specific inhibitory receptors tightly control NK cell cytotoxicity and, paradoxically, maintain NK cells in a state of proper responsiveness. This review provides a brief overview of the events that underlie NK cell activation, and how signals from inhibitory receptors intercept NK cell activation to prevent inappropriate triggering of cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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21
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Nabekura T, Chen Z, Schroeder C, Park T, Vivier E, Lanier LL, Liu D. Crk Adaptor Proteins Regulate NK Cell Expansion and Differentiation during Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 200:3420-3428. [PMID: 29618525 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer cells are critical in the immune response to infection and malignancy. Prior studies have demonstrated that Crk family proteins can influence cell apoptosis, proliferation, and cell transformation. In this study, we investigated the role of Crk family proteins in mouse NK cell differentiation and host defense using a mouse CMV infection model. The number of NK cells, maturational state, and the majority of the NKR repertoire was similar in Crk x Crk-like (CrkL)-double-deficient and wild type NK cells. However, Crk family proteins were required for optimal activation, IFN-γ production, expansion, and differentiation of Ly49H+ NK cells, as well as host defense during mouse CMV infection. The diminished function of Crk x CrkL-double-deficient NK cells correlated with decreased phosphorylation of STAT4 and STAT1 in response to IL-12 and IFN-α stimulation, respectively. Together, our findings analyzing NK cell-specific Crk-deficient mice provide insights into the role of Crk family proteins in NK cell function and host defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsukasa Nabekura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143.,Life Science Center, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Zhiying Chen
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Casey Schroeder
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Taeju Park
- Children's Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108
| | - Eric Vivier
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, CNRS, 13288 Marseille, France.,Service d'Immunologie, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13288 Marseille, France; and
| | - Lewis L Lanier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143; .,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030; .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065
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22
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Ganesan S, Luu TT, Chambers BJ, Meinke S, Brodin P, Vivier E, Wetzel DM, Koleske AJ, Kadri N, Höglund P. The Abl-1 Kinase is Dispensable for NK Cell Inhibitory Signalling and is not Involved in Murine NK Cell Education. Scand J Immunol 2017; 86:135-142. [PMID: 28605050 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell responsiveness in the mouse is determined in an education process guided by inhibitory Ly49 and NKG2A receptors binding to MHC class I molecules. It has been proposed that inhibitory signalling in human NK cells involves Abl-1 (c-Abl)-mediated phosphorylation of Crk, lowering NK cell function via disruption of a signalling complex including C3G and c-Cbl, suggesting that NK cell education might involve c-Abl. Mice deficient in c-Abl expression specifically in murine NK cells displayed normal inhibitory and activating receptor repertoires. Furthermore, c-Abl-deficient NK cells fluxed Ca2+ normally after triggering of ITAM receptors, killed YAC-1 tumour cells efficiently and showed normal, or even slightly elevated, capacity to produce IFN-γ after activating receptor stimulation. Consistent with these results, c-Abl deficiency in NK cells did not affect NK cell inhibition via the receptors Ly49G2, Ly49A and NKG2A. We conclude that signalling downstream of murine inhibitory receptors does not involve c-Abl and that c-Abl plays no major role in NK cell education in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ganesan
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - T T Luu
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - B J Chambers
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, F59, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S Meinke
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - P Brodin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Department of Neonatology, Karolinska Institutet and Department of Neonatology, Karolinska university Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - E Vivier
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Université Aix-Marseille UM2, INSERM, U1104, CNRS UMR 7258, Marseille, France.,Immunologie, Hôpital de la Conception, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - D M Wetzel
- Department of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - A J Koleske
- Immunologie, Hôpital de la Conception, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - N Kadri
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - P Höglund
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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23
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Oberschmidt O, Kloess S, Koehl U. Redirected Primary Human Chimeric Antigen Receptor Natural Killer Cells As an "Off-the-Shelf Immunotherapy" for Improvement in Cancer Treatment. Front Immunol 2017. [PMID: 28649246 PMCID: PMC5465249 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary human natural killer (NK) cells recognize and subsequently eliminate virus infected cells, tumor cells, or other aberrant cells. However, cancer cells are able to develop tumor immune escape mechanisms to undermine this immune control. To overcome this obstacle, NK cells can be genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) in order to improve specific recognition of cancer surface markers (e.g., CD19, CD20, and ErbB2). After target recognition, intracellular CAR domain signaling (CD3ζ, CD28, 4-1BB, and 2B4) leads to activation of PI3K or DNAX proteins (DAP10, DAP12) and finally to enhanced cytotoxicity, proliferation, and/or interferon γ release. This mini-review summarizes both the first preclinical trials with CAR-engineered primary human NK cells and the translational implications for “off-the-shelf immunotherapy” in cancer treatment. Signal transduction in NK cells as well as optimization of CAR signaling will be described, becoming more and more a focal point of interest in addition to redirected T cells. Finally, strategies to overcome off-target effects will be discussed in order to improve future clinical trials and to avoid attacking healthy tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Oberschmidt
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephan Kloess
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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24
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Wagner AK, Kadri N, Snäll J, Brodin P, Gilfillan S, Colonna M, Bernhardt G, Höglund P, Kärre K, Chambers BJ. Expression of CD226 is associated to but not required for NK cell education. Nat Commun 2017; 8:15627. [PMID: 28561023 PMCID: PMC5460037 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
DNAX accessory molecule-1 (DNAM-1, also known as CD226) is an activating receptor expressed on subsets of natural killer (NK) and T cells, interacts with its ligands CD155 or CD112, and has co-varied expression with inhibitory receptors. Since inhibitory receptors control NK-cell activation and are necessary for MHC-I-dependent education, we investigated whether DNAM-1 expression is also involved in NK-cell education. Here we show an MHC-I-dependent correlation between DNAM-1 expression and NK-cell education, and an association between DNAM-1 and NKG2A that occurs even in MHC class I deficient mice. DNAM-1 is expressed early during NK-cell development, precedes the expression of MHC-I-specific inhibitory receptors, and is modulated in an education-dependent fashion. Cd226−/− mice have missing self-responses and NK cells with a normal receptor repertoire. We propose a model in which NK-cell education prevents or delays downregulation of DNAM-1. This molecule endows educated NK cells with enhanced effector functions but is dispensable for education. CD226 is an activating receptor expressed in a co-varied manner with inhibitory receptors on natural killer (NK) cells, but whether CD226 is involved in NK cell education is unclear. Here the authors show that CD226 expression is plastic depending on the MHC environment and endows educated NK cells enhanced effector functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnika K Wagner
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 16, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, 14157 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Nadir Kadri
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, 14157 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Johanna Snäll
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, F59, 14186 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petter Brodin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, and Unit of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neonatology, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susan Gilfillan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Campus Box 8118, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Campus Box 8118, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Günter Bernhardt
- Institute of Immunology, Building 11, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Straße1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Petter Höglund
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, 14157 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Klas Kärre
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 16, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Benedict J Chambers
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, F59, 14186 Stockholm, Sweden
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Mikulak J, Di Vito C, Zaghi E, Mavilio D. Host Immune Responses in HIV-1 Infection: The Emerging Pathogenic Role of Siglecs and Their Clinical Correlates. Front Immunol 2017; 8:314. [PMID: 28386256 PMCID: PMC5362603 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A better understanding of the mechanisms employed by HIV-1 to escape immune responses still represents one of the major tasks required for the development of novel therapeutic approaches targeting a disease still lacking a definitive cure. Host innate immune responses against HIV-1 are key in the early phases of the infection as they could prevent the development and the establishment of two hallmarks of the infection: chronic inflammation and viral reservoirs. Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) belong to a family of transmembrane proteins able to dampen host immune responses and set appropriate immune activation thresholds upon ligation with their natural ligands, the sialylated carbohydrates. This immune-modulatory function is also targeted by many pathogens that have evolved to express sialic acids on their surface in order to escape host immune responses. HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein 120 (gp120) is extensively covered by carbohydrates playing active roles in life cycle of the virus. Indeed, besides forming a protecting shield from antibody recognition, this coat of N-linked glycans interferes with the folding of viral glycoproteins and enhances virus infectivity. In particular, the sialic acid residues present on gp120 can bind Siglec-7 on natural killer and monocytes/macrophages and Siglec-1 on monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells. The interactions between these two members of the Siglec family and the sialylated glycans present on HIV-1 envelope either induce or increase HIV-1 entry in conventional and unconventional target cells, thus contributing to viral dissemination and disease progression. In this review, we address the impact of Siglecs in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection and discuss how they could be employed as clinic and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Mikulak
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy; Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, UOS di Milano, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (UOS/IRGB/CNR), Rozzano, Italy
| | - Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center , Rozzano , Italy
| | - Elisa Zaghi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center , Rozzano , Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Sim MJW, Malaker SA, Khan A, Stowell JM, Shabanowitz J, Peterson ME, Rajagopalan S, Hunt DF, Altmann DM, Long EO, Boyton RJ. Canonical and Cross-reactive Binding of NK Cell Inhibitory Receptors to HLA-C Allotypes Is Dictated by Peptides Bound to HLA-C. Front Immunol 2017; 8:193. [PMID: 28352266 PMCID: PMC5348643 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human natural killer (NK) cell activity is regulated by a family of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) that bind human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I. Combinations of KIR and HLA genotypes are associated with disease, including susceptibility to viral infection and disorders of pregnancy. KIR2DL1 binds HLA-C alleles of group C2 (Lys80). KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 bind HLA-C alleles of group C1 (Asn80). However, this model cannot explain HLA-C allelic effects in disease or the impact of HLA-bound peptides. The goal of this study was to determine the extent to which the endogenous HLA-C peptide repertoire can influence the specific binding of inhibitory KIR to HLA-C allotypes. RESULTS The impact of HLA-C bound peptide on inhibitory KIR binding was investigated taking advantage of the fact that HLA-C*05:01 (HLA-C group 2, C2) and HLA-C*08:02 (HLA-C group 1, C1) have identical sequences apart from the key KIR specificity determining epitope at residues 77 and 80. Endogenous peptides were eluted from HLA-C*05:01 and used to test the peptide dependence of KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL2/3 binding to HLA-C*05:01 and HLA-C*08:02 and subsequent impact on NK cell function. Specific binding of KIR2DL1 to the C2 allotype occurred with the majority of peptides tested. In contrast, KIR2DL2/3 binding to the C1 allotype occurred with only a subset of peptides. Cross-reactive binding of KIR2DL2/3 with the C2 allotype was restricted to even fewer peptides. Unexpectedly, two peptides promoted binding of the C2 allotype-specific KIR2DL1 to the C1 allotype. We showed that presentation of endogenous peptides or HIV Gag peptides by HLA-C can promote KIR cross-reactive binding. CONCLUSION KIR2DL2/3 binding to C1 is more peptide selective than that of KIR2DL1 binding to C2, providing an explanation for KIR2DL3-C1 interactions appearing weaker than KIR2DL1-C2. In addition, cross-reactive binding of KIR is characterized by even higher peptide selectivity. We demonstrate a hierarchy of functional peptide selectivity of KIR-HLA-C interactions with relevance to NK cell biology and human disease associations. This selective peptide sequence-driven binding of KIR provides a potential mechanism for pathogen as well as self-peptide to modulate NK cell activation through altering levels of inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm J. W. Sim
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
- Lung Immunology Group, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Stacy A. Malaker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ayesha Khan
- Lung Immunology Group, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Janet M. Stowell
- Lung Immunology Group, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Mary E. Peterson
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Sumati Rajagopalan
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Donald F. Hunt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Daniel M. Altmann
- Lung Immunology Group, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Eric O. Long
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Rosemary J. Boyton
- Lung Immunology Group, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Kovalenko EI, Streltsova MA. Adaptive features of natural killer cells, lymphocytes of innate immunity. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162016060066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that have adopted activating and inhibitory signaling mechanisms enabling them to be tolerant of normal cells but to distinguish and eliminate tumor cells and virus-infected cells. In this issue of Science Signaling, Matalon et al show how inhibitory receptors disrupt NK cell activation by stimulating dephosphorylation of the adaptor protein LAT (linker of activated T cells) and phospholipase C-γ by the phosphatase SHP-1 [Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 1], as well as ubiquitylation of LAT by Cbl family E3 ubiquitin ligases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry S Campbell
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC), Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.
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Matalon O, Fried S, Ben-Shmuel A, Pauker MH, Joseph N, Keizer D, Piterburg M, Barda-Saad M. Dephosphorylation of the adaptor LAT and phospholipase C-γ by SHP-1 inhibits natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Sci Signal 2016; 9:ra54. [PMID: 27221712 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aad6182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells discriminate between healthy cells and virally infected or transformed self-cells by tuning activating and inhibitory signals received through cell surface receptors. Inhibitory receptors inhibit NK cell function by recruiting and activating the tyrosine phosphatase Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) to the plasma membrane. However, to date, the guanine nucleotide exchange factor VAV1 is the only direct SHP-1 substrate identified in NK cells. We reveal that the adaptor protein linker for activation of T cells (LAT) as well as phospholipase C-γ1 (PLC-γ1) and PLC-γ2 are SHP-1 substrates. Dephosphorylation of Tyr(132) in LAT by SHP-1 in NK cells abrogated the recruitment of PLC-γ1 and PLC-γ2 to the immunological synapse between the NK cell and a cancer cell target, which reduced NK cell degranulation and target cell killing. Furthermore, the ubiquitylation of LAT by the E3 ubiquitin ligases c-Cbl and Cbl-b, which was induced by LAT phosphorylation, led to the degradation of LAT in response to the engagement of inhibitory receptors on NK cells, which abrogated NK cell cytotoxicity. Knockdown of the Cbl proteins blocked LAT ubiquitylation, which promoted NK cell function. Expression of a ubiquitylation-resistant mutant LAT blocked inhibitory receptor signaling, enabling cells to become activated. Together, these data identify previously uncharacterized SHP-1 substrates and inhibitory mechanisms that determine the response of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omri Matalon
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Sophia Fried
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Aviad Ben-Shmuel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Maor H Pauker
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Noah Joseph
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Danielle Keizer
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Marina Piterburg
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Mira Barda-Saad
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
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Anton OM, Vielkind S, Peterson ME, Tagaya Y, Long EO. NK Cell Proliferation Induced by IL-15 Transpresentation Is Negatively Regulated by Inhibitory Receptors. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:4810-21. [PMID: 26453750 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1500414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
IL-15 bound to the IL-15Rα-chain (IL-15Rα) is presented in trans to cells bearing the IL-2Rβ-chain and common γ-chain. As IL-15 transpresentation occurs in the context of cell-to-cell contacts, it has the potential for regulation by and of other receptor-ligand interactions. In this study, human NK cells were tested for the sensitivity of IL-15 transpresentation to inhibitory receptors. Human cells expressing HLA class I ligands for inhibitory receptors KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2/3, or CD94-NKG2A were transfected with IL-15Rα. Proliferation of primary NK cells in response to transpresented IL-15 was reduced by engagement of either KIR2DL1 or KIR2DL2/3 by cognate HLA-C ligands. Inhibitory KIR-HLA-C interactions did not reduce the proliferation induced by soluble IL-15. Therefore, transpresentation of IL-15 is subject to downregulation by MHC class I-specific inhibitory receptors. Similarly, proliferation of the NKG2A(+) cell line NKL induced by IL-15 transpresentation was inhibited by HLA-E. Coengagement of inhibitory receptors, either KIR2DL1 or CD94-NKG2A, did not inhibit phosphorylation of Stat5 but inhibited selectively phosphorylation of Akt and S6 ribosomal protein. IL-15Rα was not excluded from, but was evenly distributed across, inhibitory synapses. These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism to attenuate IL-15-dependent NK cell proliferation and suggest that inhibitory NK cell receptors contribute to NK cell homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga M Anton
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852; and
| | - Susina Vielkind
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852; and
| | - Mary E Peterson
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852; and
| | - Yutaka Tagaya
- Division of Basic Science and Vaccine Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Eric O Long
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852; and
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31
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Braiman A, Isakov N. The Role of Crk Adaptor Proteins in T-Cell Adhesion and Migration. Front Immunol 2015; 6:509. [PMID: 26500649 PMCID: PMC4593252 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Crk adaptor proteins are key players in signal transduction from a variety of cell surface receptors. They are involved in early steps of lymphocyte activation through their SH2-mediated transient interaction with signal transducing effector molecules, such as Cbl, ZAP-70, CasL, and STAT5. In addition, they constitutively associate, via their SH3 domain, with effector molecules, such as C3G, that mediate cell adhesion and regulate lymphocyte extravasation and recruitment to sites of inflammation. Recent studies demonstrated that the conformation and function of CrkII is subjected to a regulation by immunophilins, which also affect CrkII-dependent T-cell adhesion to fibronectin and migration toward chemokines. This article addresses mechanisms that regulate CrkII conformation and function, in general, and emphasizes the role of Crk proteins in receptor-coupled signaling pathways that control T-lymphocyte adhesion and migration to inflammatory sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Braiman
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Cancer Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva , Israel
| | - Noah Isakov
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Cancer Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva , Israel ; School of Pharmacy, University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand
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32
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Thomas LM. Current perspectives on natural killer cell education and tolerance: emerging roles for inhibitory receptors. Immunotargets Ther 2015; 4:45-53. [PMID: 27471711 PMCID: PMC4918248 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s61498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are regulated through the coordinated functions of activating and inhibitory receptors. These receptors can act during the initial engagement of an NK cell with a target cell, or in subsequent NK cell engagements to maintain tolerance. Notably, each individual possesses a sizable minority-population of NK cells that are devoid of inhibitory receptors that recognize the surrounding MHC class I (ie, self-MHC). Since these NK cells cannot perform conventional inhibition, they are rendered less responsive through the process of NK cell education (also known as licensing) in order to reduce the likelihood of auto-reactivity. This review will delineate current views on NK cell education, clarify various misconceptions about NK cell education, and, lastly, discuss the relevance of NK cell education in anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Michael Thomas
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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33
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Lutz-Nicoladoni C, Wolf D, Sopper S. Modulation of Immune Cell Functions by the E3 Ligase Cbl-b. Front Oncol 2015; 5:58. [PMID: 25815272 PMCID: PMC4356231 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of immunological tolerance is a critical hallmark of the immune system. Several signaling checkpoints necessary to balance activating and inhibitory input to immune cells have been described so far, among which the E3 ligase Cbl-b appears to be a central player. Cbl-b is expressed in all leukocyte subsets and regulates several signaling pathways in T cells, NK cells, B cells, and different types of myeloid cells. In most cases, Cbl-b negatively regulates activation signals through antigen or pattern recognition receptors and co-stimulatory molecules. In line with this function, cblb-deficient immune cells display lower activation thresholds and cblb knockout mice spontaneously develop autoimmunity and are highly susceptible to experimental autoimmunity. Interestingly, genetic association studies link CBLB-polymorphisms with autoimmunity also in humans. Vice versa, the increased activation potential of cblb-deficient cells renders them more potent to fight against malignancies or infections. Accordingly, several reports have shown that cblb knockout mice reject tumors, which mainly depends on cytotoxic T and NK cells. Thus, targeting Cbl-b may be an interesting strategy to enhance anti-cancer immunity. In this review, we summarize the findings on the molecular function of Cbl-b in different cell types and illustrate the potential of Cbl-b as target for immunomodulatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Lutz-Nicoladoni
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical University Innsbruck , Innsbruck , Austria ; Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute , Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Dominik Wolf
- Medical Clinic III for Oncology, Haematology and Rheumatology, University Clinic Bonn (UKB) , Bonn , Germany
| | - Sieghart Sopper
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical University Innsbruck , Innsbruck , Austria ; Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute , Innsbruck , Austria
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34
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Martinet L, Smyth MJ. Balancing natural killer cell activation through paired receptors. Nat Rev Immunol 2015; 15:243-54. [PMID: 25743219 DOI: 10.1038/nri3799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 349] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that are crucial for the control of infections and malignancies. NK cells express a variety of inhibitory and activating receptors that facilitate fine discrimination between damaged and healthy cells. Among them, a family of molecules that bind nectin and nectin-like proteins has recently emerged and has been shown to function as an important regulator of NK cell functions. These molecules include CD226, T cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and ITIM domains (TIGIT), CD96, and cytotoxic and regulatory T cell molecule (CRTAM). In this Review, we focus on the recent advances in our understanding of how these receptors regulate NK cell biology and of their roles in pathologies such as cancer, infection and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Martinet
- 1] Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia. [2] Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité Mixte de Recherche 1037, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Toulouse F-31000, France
| | - Mark J Smyth
- 1] Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia. [2] School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia
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35
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Kumar S, Sarkar P, Sim MJW, Rajagopalan S, Vogel SS, Long EO. A single amino acid change in inhibitory killer cell Ig-like receptor results in constitutive receptor self-association and phosphorylation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 194:817-26. [PMID: 25505289 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1401830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Signaling by immunoreceptors is often initiated by phosphorylation of cytosolic tyrosines, which then recruit effector molecules. In the case of MHC class I-specific inhibitory receptors, phosphorylation of cytosolic tyrosine residues within ITIMs results in recruitment of a protein tyrosine phosphatase that blocks activation signals. Recent work showed that signaling by an HLA-C-specific killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) is independent of signaling by activation receptors. It is not known how ITIM phosphorylation is initiated and regulated. In this article, we show that substitution of His-36 in the first Ig domain of KIR2DL1 with alanine (KIR2DL1-H36A) resulted in constitutive KIR2DL1 self-association and phosphorylation, as well as recruitment of tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1. Furthermore, substitution of His-36 with a similar bulky amino acid, phenylalanine, maintained the receptor in its unphosphorylated state, suggesting that steric hindrance by the His-36 side chain prevents constitutive KIR2DL1 self-association and ITIM phosphorylation. The equally strong phosphorylation of KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL1-H36A after inhibition of tyrosine phosphatase by pervanadate suggested that KIR2DL1-H36A is selectively protected from dephosphorylation. We propose that KIR phosphorylation is controlled by the accessibility of ITIM to tyrosine phosphatases and that KIR binding to HLA-C must override the hindrance that His-36 puts on KIR2DL1 self-association. Expression of KIR2DL1-H36A on NK cells led to stronger inhibition of lysis of HLA-C(+) target cells than did expression of wild-type KIR2DL1. These results revealed that ITIM phosphorylation is controlled by self-association of KIR and that His-36 serves as a gatekeeper to prevent unregulated signaling through KIR2DL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - Pabak Sarkar
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20892; and
| | - Malcolm J W Sim
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852; Lung Immunology Group, Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Sumati Rajagopalan
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - Steven S Vogel
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20892; and
| | - Eric O Long
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852;
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36
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SHP-1-mediated inhibitory signals promote responsiveness and anti-tumour functions of natural killer cells. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5108. [PMID: 25355530 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic innate lymphoid cells that are involved in immune defense. NK cell reactivity is controlled in part by MHC class I recognition by inhibitory receptors, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain undefined. Using a mouse model of conditional deletion in NK cells, we show here that the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 is essential for the inhibitory function of NK cell MHC class I receptors. In the absence of SHP-1, NK cells are hyporesponsive to tumour cells in vitro and their early Ca(2+) signals are compromised. Mice without SHP-1 in NK cells are unable to reject MHC class I-deficient transplants and to control tumours in vivo. Thus, the inhibitory activity of SHP-1 is needed for setting the threshold of NK cell reactivity.
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37
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Murray JC, Aldeghaither D, Wang S, Nasto RE, Jablonski SA, Tang Y, Weiner LM. c-Abl modulates tumor cell sensitivity to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Cancer Immunol Res 2014; 2:1186-98. [PMID: 25300860 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-14-0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) can modulate cancer cell signal transduction and recruit antitumor immune effector mechanisms-including antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Although several clinically effective antibodies can promote ADCC, therapeutic resistance is common. We hypothesized that oncogenic signaling networks within tumor cells affect their sensitivity to ADCC. We developed a screening platform and targeted 60 genes derived from an EGFR gene network using RNAi in an in vitro ADCC model system. Knockdown of GRB7, PRKCE, and ABL1 enhanced ADCC by primary and secondary screens. ABL1 knockdown also reduced cell proliferation, independent of its ADCC enhancement effects. c-Abl overexpression decreased ADCC sensitivity and rescued the effects of ABL1 knockdown. Imatinib inhibition of c-Abl kinase activity also enhanced ADCC-phenocopying ABL1 knockdown-against several EGFR-expressing head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines by ex vivo primary natural killer cells. Our findings suggest that combining c-Abl inhibition with ADCC-promoting antibodies, such as cetuximab, could translate into increased therapeutic efficacy of mAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C Murray
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Dalal Aldeghaither
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Shangzi Wang
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Rochelle E Nasto
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC. School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sandra A Jablonski
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Yong Tang
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Louis M Weiner
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC.
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Purdy AK, Alvarez Arias DA, Oshinsky J, James AM, Serebriiskii I, Campbell KS. The ap-2 clathrin adaptor mediates endocytosis of an inhibitory killer cell Ig-like receptor in human NK cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:4675-83. [PMID: 25238755 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1303406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Stable surface expression of human inhibitory killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs) is critical for controlling NK cell function and maintaining NK cell tolerance toward normal MHC class I(+) cells. Our recent experiments, however, have found that Ab-bound KIR3DL1 (3DL1) readily leaves the cell surface and undergoes endocytosis to early/recycling endosomes and subsequently to late endosomes. We found that 3DL1 internalization is at least partially mediated by an interaction between the μ2 subunit of the AP-2 clathrin adaptor complex and ITIM tyrosine residues in the cytoplasmic domain of 3DL1. Disruption of the 3DL1/μ2 interaction, either by mutation of the ITIM tyrosines in 3DL1 or mutation of μ2, significantly diminished endocytosis and increased surface expression of 3DL1 in human primary NK cells and cell lines. Furthermore, we found that the 3DL1/AP-2 interaction is diminished upon Ab engagement with the receptor, as compared with untreated cells. Thus, we have identified AP-2-mediated endocytosis as a mechanism regulating the surface levels of inhibitory KIRs through their ITIM domains. Based on our results, we propose a model in which nonengaged KIRs are internalized by this mechanism, whereas engagement with MHC class I ligand would diminish AP-2 binding, thereby prolonging stable receptor surface expression and promoting inhibitory function. Furthermore, this ITIM-mediated mechanism may similarly regulate the surface expression of other inhibitory immune receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Purdy
- Immune Cell Development and Host Defense Program, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111
| | - Diana A Alvarez Arias
- Immune Cell Development and Host Defense Program, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111
| | - Jennifer Oshinsky
- Immune Cell Development and Host Defense Program, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111
| | - Ashley M James
- Immune Cell Development and Host Defense Program, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111
| | - Ilya Serebriiskii
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111; and Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Kerry S Campbell
- Immune Cell Development and Host Defense Program, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111;
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Nash WT, Teoh J, Wei H, Gamache A, Brown MG. Know Thyself: NK-Cell Inhibitory Receptors Prompt Self-Tolerance, Education, and Viral Control. Front Immunol 2014; 5:175. [PMID: 24795719 PMCID: PMC3997006 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells provide essential protection against viral infections. One of the defining features of this lymphocyte population is the expression of a wide array of variable cell surface stimulatory and inhibitory NK receptors (sNKR and iNKR, respectively). The iNKR are particularly important in terms of NK-cell education. As receptors specific for MHC class I (MHC I) molecules, they are responsible for self-tolerance and adjusting NK-cell reactivity based on the expression level of self-MHC I. The end result of this education is twofold: (1) inhibitory signaling tunes the functional capacity of the NK cell, endowing greater potency with greater education, and (2) education on self allows the NK cell to detect aberrations in MHC I expression, a common occurrence during many viral infections. Many studies have indicated an important role for iNKR and MHC I in disease, making these receptors attractive targets for manipulating NK-cell reactivity in the clinic. A greater understanding of iNKR and their ability to regulate NK cells will provide a basis for future attempts at translating their potential utility into benefits for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Nash
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA ; Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, School of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA
| | - Jeffrey Teoh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA ; Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, School of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA
| | - Hairong Wei
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, School of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA ; Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA
| | - Awndre Gamache
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA ; Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, School of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA
| | - Michael G Brown
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA ; Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, School of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA ; Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA
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40
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Watzl C, Claus M. WhatSAP - 2B4 sends mixed messages in the absence of SAP. Eur J Immunol 2014; 44:1281-4. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201444562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Revised: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Watzl
- Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors; Dortmund Germany
| | - Maren Claus
- Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors; Dortmund Germany
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41
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Mace EM, Dongre P, Hsu HT, Sinha P, James AM, Mann SS, Forbes LR, Watkin LB, Orange JS. Cell biological steps and checkpoints in accessing NK cell cytotoxicity. Immunol Cell Biol 2014; 92:245-55. [PMID: 24445602 PMCID: PMC3960583 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2013.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity is governed by the formation of a lytic immune synapse in discrete regulated steps, which give rise to an extensive array of cellular checkpoints in accessing NK cell-mediated cytolytic defense. Appropriate progression through these cell biological steps is critical for the directed secretion of specialized secretory lysosomes and subsequent target cell death. Here we highlight recent discoveries in the formation of the NK cell cytolytic synapse as well as the molecular steps and cell biological checkpoints required for this essential host defense process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Mace
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Prachi Dongre
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hsiang-Ting Hsu
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Papiya Sinha
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Shaina S Mann
- Case Western Reserve Medical School, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lisa R Forbes
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Levi B Watkin
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jordan S Orange
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
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42
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Abstract
The functions of Natural Killer (NK) cells are regulated by a highly redundant set of germline-encoded surface receptors that can inhibit or activate NK cell activities. NK cells can be activated by cytokines or through the interaction with transformed or infected cells. This typically results in the production of cytokines, chemokines, and the induction of cellular cytotoxicity. However, the reactivity of NK cells is modulated on various levels and shaped by processes such as development, education, priming, exposure to antigens and cytokines, and the formation of memory-like phenotypes. Here, I will summarize our current understanding of these processes and describe how they influence NK cell reactivity on a molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Watzl
- Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, IfADo, Dortmund, Germany.
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43
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Abeyweera TP, Kaissar M, Huse M. Inhibitory receptor signaling destabilizes immunological synapse formation in primary NK cells. Front Immunol 2013; 4:410. [PMID: 24348477 PMCID: PMC3841721 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 11/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Upon engagement of their cognate class I major histocompatibility complex ligands, receptors containing immunotyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) transduce signals that block cytolytic and inflammatory responses. In this manner, ITIM-coupled receptors play a crucial role in maintaining natural killer (NK) cell tolerance toward normal, healthy tissue. A number of studies, mostly using immortalized NK cell lines, have demonstrated that ITIM signaling functions by disrupting the cytolytic immunological synapse formed between an NK cell and its target. However, more recent imaging experiments using primary NK cells have suggested that inhibitory receptor engagement does not antagonize contact formation, casting doubt on the hypothesis that ITIM signals destabilize the synapse. To resolve this issue, we analyzed primary NK cell activation and contact formation on supported lipid bilayers containing controlled combinations of activating and inhibitory ligands. Under these conditions, we observed that ITIM signaling clearly inhibited adhesion, cell arrest, and calcium influx, three hallmarks of synapse formation. These results are consistent with previous reports showing that inhibitory receptors deliver a “reverse stop” signal, and confirm that ITIM signaling functions at least in part by destabilizing cytolytic synapse formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Molly Kaissar
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center , New York, NY , USA
| | - Morgan Huse
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center , New York, NY , USA
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44
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The adaptor protein Crk in immune response. Immunol Cell Biol 2013; 92:80-9. [PMID: 24165979 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2013.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2013] [Revised: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 09/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The adaptor proteins Crk (CT10 (chicken tumor virus number 10) regulator of kinase), including CrkI, CrkII and Crk-like, are important signal molecules that regulate a variety of cellular processes. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the roles of the Crk family proteins in signal transduction, with a focus on cellular transformation and differentiation. However, since Crk was identified in 1988, very few studies have addressed how Crk regulates the immune response. Recent work demonstrates that Crk proteins function as critical signal molecules in regulating immune cell functions. Emerging data on the roles of Crk in activation and inhibitory immunoreceptor signaling suggest that Crk proteins are potential immunotherapeutic targets in cancer and infectious diseases. The aim of this review is to summarize recent key findings regarding the role of Crk in immune responses mediated by T, B and natural killer (NK) cells. In particular, the roles of Crk in NK cell functions are discussed.
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Yin S, Zhang J, Mao Y, Hu Y, Cui L, Kang N, He W. Vav1-phospholipase C-γ1 (Vav1-PLC-γ1) pathway initiated by T cell antigen receptor (TCRγδ) activation is required to overcome inhibition by ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b during γδT cell cytotoxicity. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:26448-62. [PMID: 23897818 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.484600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell antigen receptor γδ (TCRγδ) and natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) are two crucial receptors for γδT cell cytotoxicity. Compelling evidences suggest that γδT cell cytotoxicity is TCRγδ-dependent and can be co-stimulated by NKG2D. However, the molecular mechanism of underlying TCRγδ-dependent activation of γδT cells remains unclear. In this study we demonstrated that TCRγδ but not NKG2D engagement induced lytic granule polarization and promoted γδT cell cytotoxicity. TCRγδ activation alone was sufficient to trigger Vav1-dependent phospholipase C-γ1 signaling, resulting in lytic granule polarization and effective killing, whereas NKG2D engagement alone failed to trigger cytotoxicity-related signaling to overcome the inhibitory effect of Cbl-b; therefore, NKG2D engagement alone could not induce effective killing. However, NKG2D ligation augmented the activation of γδT cell cytotoxicity through the Vav1-phospholipase C-γ1 pathway. Vav1 overexpression or Cbl-b knockdown not only enhanced TCRγδ activation-initiated killing but also enabled NKG2D activation alone to induce γδT cell cytotoxicity. Taken together, our results suggest that the activation of γδT cell cytotoxicity requires a strong activation signal to overcome the inhibitory effect of Cbl-b. Our finding provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation of γδT cell cytotoxicity and likely implications for optimizing γδT cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Yin
- From the Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Peking Union Medical College, National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing 100005, China
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Huse M, Catherine Milanoski S, Abeyweera TP. Building tolerance by dismantling synapses: inhibitory receptor signaling in natural killer cells. Immunol Rev 2013; 251:143-53. [PMID: 23278746 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cell surface receptors bearing immunotyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) maintain natural killer (NK) cell tolerance to normal host tissues. These receptors are difficult to analyze mechanistically because they block activating responses in a rapid and comprehensive manner. The advent of high-resolution single cell imaging techniques has enabled investigators to explore the cell biological basis of the inhibitory response. Recent studies using these approaches indicate that ITIM-containing receptors function at least in part by structurally undermining the immunological synapse between the NK cell and its target. In this review, we discuss these new advances and how they might relate to what is known about the biochemistry of inhibitory signaling in NK cells and other cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Huse
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Borhis G, Ahmed PS, Mbiribindi B, Naiyer MM, Davis DM, Purbhoo MA, Khakoo SI. A peptide antagonist disrupts NK cell inhibitory synapse formation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 190:2924-30. [PMID: 23382564 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Productive engagement of MHC class I by inhibitory NK cell receptors depends on the peptide bound by the MHC class I molecule. Peptide:MHC complexes that bind weakly to killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs) can antagonize the inhibition mediated by high-affinity peptide:MHC complexes and cause NK cell activation. We show that low-affinity peptide:MHC complexes stall inhibitory signaling at the step of Src homology protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 recruitment and do not go on to form the KIR microclusters induced by high-affinity peptide:MHC, which are associated with Vav dephosphorylation and downstream signaling. Furthermore, the low-affinity peptide:MHC complexes prevented the formation of KIR microclusters by high-affinity peptide:MHC. Thus, peptide antagonism of NK cells is an active phenomenon of inhibitory synapse disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenoline Borhis
- Division of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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48
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Maia V, Ortiz-Rivero S, Sanz M, Gutierrez-Berzal J, Alvarez-Fernández I, Gutierrez-Herrero S, de Pereda JM, Porras A, Guerrero C. C3G forms complexes with Bcr-Abl and p38α MAPK at the focal adhesions in chronic myeloid leukemia cells: implication in the regulation of leukemic cell adhesion. Cell Commun Signal 2013; 11:9. [PMID: 23343344 PMCID: PMC3629710 DOI: 10.1186/1478-811x-11-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies by our group and others have shown that C3G interacts with Bcr-Abl through its SH3-b domain. Results In this work we show that C3G and Bcr-Abl form complexes with the focal adhesion (FA) proteins CrkL, p130Cas, Cbl and Abi1 through SH3/SH3-b interactions. The association between C3G and Bcr-Abl decreased upon Abi1 or p130Cas knock-down in K562 cells, which suggests that Abi1 and p130Cas are essential partners in this interaction. On the other hand, C3G, Abi1 or Cbl knock-down impaired adhesion to fibronectin, while p130Cas silencing enhanced it. C3G, Cbl and p130Cas-SH3-b domains interact directly with common proteins involved in the regulation of cell adhesion and migration. Immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies revealed that C3G form complexes with the FA proteins paxillin and FAK and their phosphorylated forms. Additionally, C3G, Abi1, Cbl and p130Cas regulate the expression and phosphorylation of paxillin and FAK. p38α MAPK also participates in the regulation of adhesion in chronic myeloid leukemia cells. It interacts with C3G, CrkL, FAK and paxillin and regulates the expression of paxillin, CrkL and α5 integrin, as well as paxillin phosphorylation. Moreover, double knock-down of C3G/p38α decreased adhesion to fibronectin, similarly to the single silencing of one of these genes, either C3G or p38α. These suggest that C3G and p38α MAPK are acting through a common pathway to regulate cell adhesion in K562 cells, as previously described for the regulation of apoptosis. Conclusions Our results indicate that C3G-p38αMAPK pathway regulates K562 cell adhesion through the interaction with FA proteins and Bcr-Abl, modulating the formation of different protein complexes at FA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Maia
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, IBMCC, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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Long EO, Kim HS, Liu D, Peterson ME, Rajagopalan S. Controlling natural killer cell responses: integration of signals for activation and inhibition. Annu Rev Immunol 2013; 31:227-58. [PMID: 23516982 PMCID: PMC3868343 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-020711-075005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 879] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how signals are integrated to control natural killer (NK) cell responsiveness in the absence of antigen-specific receptors has been a challenge, but recent work has revealed some underlying principles that govern NK cell responses. NK cells use an array of innate receptors to sense their environment and respond to alterations caused by infections, cellular stress, and transformation. No single activation receptor dominates; instead, synergistic signals from combinations of receptors are integrated to activate natural cytotoxicity and cytokine production. Inhibitory receptors for major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) have a critical role in controlling NK cell responses and, paradoxically, in maintaining NK cells in a state of responsiveness to subsequent activation events, a process referred to as licensing. MHC-I-specific inhibitory receptors both block activation signals and trigger signals to phosphorylate and inactivate the small adaptor Crk. These different facets of inhibitory signaling are incorporated into a revocable license model for the reversible tuning of NK cell responsiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric O. Long
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Hun Sik Kim
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
- Department of Medicine, Graduate School, University of Ulsan, Seoul 138-736, Korea;
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030;
| | - Mary E. Peterson
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Sumati Rajagopalan
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
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Kwon HJ, Kim HS. Signaling for synergistic activation of natural killer cells. Immune Netw 2012; 12:240-6. [PMID: 23396805 PMCID: PMC3566418 DOI: 10.4110/in.2012.12.6.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in early surveillance against virus infection and cellular transformation, and are also implicated in the control of inflammatory response through their effector functions of direct lysis of target cells and cytokine secretion. NK cell activation toward target cell is determined by the net balance of signals transmitted from diverse activating and inhibitory receptors. A distinct feature of NK cell activation is that stimulation of resting NK cells with single activating receptor on its own cannot mount natural cytotoxicity. Instead, specific pairs of co-activation receptors are required to unleash NK cell activation via synergy-dependent mechanism. Because each co-activation receptor uses distinct signaling modules, NK cell synergy relies on the integration of such disparate signals. This explains why the study of the mechanism underlying NK cell synergy is important and necessary. Recent studies revealed that NK cell synergy depends on the integration of complementary signals converged at a critical checkpoint element but not on simple amplification of the individual signaling to overcome intrinsic activation threshold. This review focuses on the signaling events during NK cells activation and recent advances in the study of NK cell synergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Joon Kwon
- Department of Medicine, Graduate School, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea
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