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Page A, Chuvin N, Valladeau-Guilemond J, Depil S. Development of NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies through receptor engineering. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:315-331. [PMID: 38443448 PMCID: PMC10978891 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01145-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapies are attracting increasing interest in the field of cancer treatment. Early clinical trials have shown promising outcomes, alongside satisfactory product efficacy and safety. Recent developments have greatly increased the therapeutic potential of NK cells by endowing them with enhanced recognition and cytotoxic capacities. This review focuses on surface receptor engineering in NK cell therapy and discusses its impact, challenges, and future directions.Most approaches are based on engineering with chimeric antigen receptors to allow NK cells to target specific tumor antigens independent of human leukocyte antigen restriction. This approach has increased the precision and potency of NK-mediated recognition and elimination of cancer cells. In addition, engineering NK cells with T-cell receptors also mediates the recognition of intracellular epitopes, which broadens the range of target peptides. Indirect tumor peptide recognition by NK cells has also been improved by optimizing immunoglobulin constant fragment receptor expression and signaling. Indeed, engineered NK cells have an improved ability to recognize and destroy target cells coated with specific antibodies, thereby increasing their antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The ability of NK cell receptor engineering to promote the expansion, persistence, and infiltration of transferred cells in the tumor microenvironment has also been explored. Receptor-based strategies for sustained NK cell functionality within the tumor environment have also been discussed, and these strategies providing perspectives to counteract tumor-induced immunosuppression.Overall, receptor engineering has led to significant advances in NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies. As technical challenges are addressed, these innovative treatments will likely reshape cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Page
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
| | | | - Jenny Valladeau-Guilemond
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Depil
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
- ErVimmune, Lyon, France.
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
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Wang K, Wang L, Wang Y, Xiao L, Wei J, Hu Y, Wang D, Huang H. Reprogramming natural killer cells for cancer therapy. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00027-3. [PMID: 38273655 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The last decade has seen rapid development in the field of cellular immunotherapy, particularly in regard to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells. However, challenges, such as severe treatment-related toxicities and inconsistent quality of autologous products, have hindered the broader use of CAR-T cell therapy, highlighting the need to explore alternative immune cells for cancer targeting. In this regard, natural killer (NK) cells have been extensively studied in cellular immunotherapy and were found to exert cytotoxic effects without being restricted by human leukocyte antigen and have a lower risk of causing graft-versus-host disease; making them favorable for the development of readily available "off-the-shelf" products. Clinical trials utilizing unedited NK cells or reprogrammed NK cells have shown early signs of their effectiveness against tumors. However, limitations, including limited in vivo persistence and expansion potential, remained. To enhance the antitumor function of NK cells, advanced gene-editing technologies and combination approaches have been explored. In this review, we summarize current clinical trials of antitumor NK cell therapy, provide an overview of innovative strategies for reprogramming NK cells, which include improvements in persistence, cytotoxicity, trafficking and the ability to counteract the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and also discuss some potential combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Linqin Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yiyun Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lu Xiao
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jieping Wei
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yongxian Hu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Dongrui Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - He Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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3
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Liu L, Han L, Dong L, He Z, Gao K, Chen X, Guo JC, Zhao Y. The hypoxia-associated genes in immune infiltration and treatment options of lung adenocarcinoma. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15621. [PMID: 37576511 PMCID: PMC10414028 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a common lung cancer with a poor prognosis under standard chemotherapy. Hypoxia is a crucial factor in the development of solid tumors, and hypoxia-related genes (HRGs) are closely associated with the proliferation of LUAD cells. Methods In this study, LUAD HRGs were screened, and bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation were conducted. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were used to gather LUAD RNA-seq data and accompanying clinical information. LUAD subtypes were identified by unsupervised cluster analysis, and immune infiltration analysis of subtypes was conducted by GSVA and ssGSEA. Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses were used to obtain prognosis-related HRGs. Prognostic analysis was used to evaluate HRGs. Differences in enrichment pathways and immunotherapy were observed between risk groups based on GSEA and the TIDE method. Finally, RT-PCR and in vitro experiments were used to confirm prognosis-related HRG expression in LUAD cells. Results Two hypoxia-associated subtypes of LUAD were distinguished, demonstrating significant differences in prognostic analysis and immunological characteristics between subtypes. A prognostic model based on six HRGs (HK1, PDK3, PFKL, SLC2A1, STC1, and XPNPEP1) was developed for LUAD. HK1, SLC2A1, STC1, and XPNPEP1 were found to be risk factors for LUAD. PDK3 and PFKL were protective factors in LUAD patients. Conclusion This study demonstrates the effect of hypoxia-associated genes on immune infiltration in LUAD and provides options for immunotherapy and therapeutic strategies in LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Lina Han
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Dong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zihao He
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Cheng Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- The Research Center for Ubiquitous Computing Systems (CUbiCS), Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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4
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Addressing Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction and Plasticity in Cell-Based Cancer Therapeutics. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061743. [PMID: 36980629 PMCID: PMC10046032 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic group 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC), known for their role as killers of stressed, cancerous, and virally infected cells. Beyond this cytotoxic function, NK cell subsets can influence broader immune responses through cytokine production and have been linked to central roles in non-immune processes, such as the regulation of vascular remodeling in pregnancy and cancer. Attempts to exploit the anti-tumor functions of NK cells have driven the development of various NK cell-based therapies, which have shown promise in both pre-clinical disease models and early clinical trials. However, certain elements of the tumor microenvironment, such as elevated transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, hypoxia, and indoalemine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), are known to suppress NK cell function, potentially limiting the longevity and activity of these approaches. Recent studies have also identified these factors as contributors to NK cell plasticity, defined by the conversion of classical cytotoxic NK cells into poorly cytotoxic, tissue-resident, or ILC1-like phenotypes. This review summarizes the current approaches for NK cell-based cancer therapies and examines the challenges presented by tumor-linked NK cell suppression and plasticity. Ongoing efforts to overcome these challenges are discussed, along with the potential utility of NK cell therapies to applications outside cancer.
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Piccinelli S, Romee R, Shapiro RM. The natural killer cell immunotherapy platform: an overview of the landscape of clinical trials in liquid and solid tumors. Semin Hematol 2023; 60:42-51. [PMID: 37080710 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
The translation of natural killer (NK) cells to the treatment of malignant disease has made significant progress in the last few decades. With a variety of available sources and improvements in both in vitro and in vivo NK cell expansion, the NK cell immunotherapy platform has come into its own. The enormous effort continues to further optimize this platform, including ways to enhance NK cell persistence, trafficking to the tumor microenvironment, and cytotoxicity. As this effort bears fruit, it is translated into a plethora of clinical trials in patients with advanced malignancies. The adoptive transfer of NK cells, either as a standalone therapy or in combination with other immunotherapies, has been applied for the treatment of both liquid and solid tumors, with numerous early-phase trials showing promising results. This review aims to summarize the key advantages of NK cell immunotherapy, highlight several of the current approaches being taken for its optimization, and give an overview of the landscape of clinical trials translating this platform into clinic.
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6
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Razeghian E, Kameh MC, Shafiee S, Khalafi F, Jafari F, Asghari M, Kazemi K, Ilkhani S, Shariatzadeh S, Haj-Mirzaian A. The role of the natural killer (NK) cell modulation in breast cancer incidence and progress. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:10935-10948. [PMID: 36008609 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07865-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The importance of the immune system on tumor surveillance has been investigated for many years, and its impact on controlling tumor progression has been verified. An important subgroup of the innate immune system is natural killer (NK) cells, whose essential function in modulating tumor behavior and suppressing metastasis and tumor growth has been demonstrated. The first idea of NK cells' crucial biological processes was demonstrated through their potent ability to conduct direct cellular cytotoxicity, even without former sensitization. These properties of NK cells allow them to recognize transformed cells that have attenuated self-ligand and express stress-induced ligands. Furthermore, secretion of various cytokines and chemokines after their activation leads to tumor elimination via either direct cytotoxic effect on malignant cells or activation of the adaptive immune system. In addition, novel immunotherapeutic approaches tend to take advantage of NK cells' ability, leading to antibody-based approaches, the formation of engineered CAR-NK cells, and adoptive cell transfer. However, the restricted functionality of NK cells and the inability to infiltrate tumors are its blind spots in breast cancer patients. In this review, we gathered newly acquired data on the biology and functions of NK cells in breast cancer and proposed ways to employ this knowledge for novel therapeutic approaches in cancers, particularly breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Razeghian
- Human Genetics Division, Medical Biotechnology Department, National Institute of Genetics Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdis Chahar Kameh
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepehr Shafiee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farima Khalafi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fehimeh Jafari
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadali Asghari
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiarash Kazemi
- Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saba Ilkhani
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Siavash Shariatzadeh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Arvin Haj-Mirzaian
- Department of Pharmacology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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7
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Valeri A, García-Ortiz A, Castellano E, Córdoba L, Maroto-Martín E, Encinas J, Leivas A, Río P, Martínez-López J. Overcoming tumor resistance mechanisms in CAR-NK cell therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:953849. [PMID: 35990652 PMCID: PMC9381932 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.953849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the impressive results of autologous CAR-T cell therapy in refractory B lymphoproliferative diseases, CAR-NK immunotherapy emerges as a safer, faster, and cost-effective approach with no signs of severe toxicities as described for CAR-T cells. Permanently scrutinized for its efficacy, recent promising data in CAR-NK clinical trials point out the achievement of deep, high-quality responses, thus confirming its potential clinical use. Although CAR-NK cell therapy is not significantly affected by the loss or downregulation of its CAR tumor target, as in the case of CAR-T cell, a plethora of common additional tumor intrinsic or extrinsic mechanisms that could also disable NK cell function have been described. Therefore, considering lessons learned from CAR-T cell therapy, the emergence of CAR-NK cell therapy resistance can also be envisioned. In this review we highlight the processes that could be involved in its development, focusing on cytokine addiction and potential fratricide during manufacturing, poor tumor trafficking, exhaustion within the tumor microenvironment (TME), and NK cell short in vivo persistence on account of the limited expansion, replicative senescence, and rejection by patient’s immune system after lymphodepletion recovery. Finally, we outline new actively explored alternatives to overcome these resistance mechanisms, with a special emphasis on CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genetic engineering approaches, a promising platform to optimize CAR-NK cell function to eradicate refractory cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Valeri
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena García-Ortiz
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Castellano
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Córdoba
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Maroto-Martín
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jessica Encinas
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandra Leivas
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Río
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Martínez-López
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Joaquín Martínez-López,
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8
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Corvino D, Kumar A, Bald T. Plasticity of NK cells in Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:888313. [PMID: 35619715 PMCID: PMC9127295 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.888313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial to various facets of human immunity and function through direct cytotoxicity or via orchestration of the broader immune response. NK cells exist across a wide range of functional and phenotypic identities. Murine and human studies have revealed that NK cells possess substantial plasticity and can alter their function and phenotype in response to external signals. NK cells also play a critical role in tumor immunity and form the basis for many emerging immunotherapeutic approaches. NK cells can directly target and lyse malignant cells with their inherent cytotoxic capabilities. In addition to direct targeting of malignant cells, certain subsets of NK cells can mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) which is integral to some forms of immune checkpoint-blockade immunotherapy. Another important feature of various NK cell subsets is to co-ordinate anti-tumor immune responses by recruiting adaptive and innate leukocytes. However, given the diverse range of NK cell identities it is unsurprising that both pro-tumoral and anti-tumoral NK cell subsets have been described. Here, NK cell subsets have been shown to promote angiogenesis, drive inflammation and immune evasion in the tumor microenvironment. To date, the signals that drive tumor-infiltrating NK cells towards the acquisition of a pro- or anti-tumoral function are poorly understood. The notion of tumor microenvironment-driven NK cell plasticity has substantial implications for the development of NK-based immunotherapeutics. This review will highlight the current knowledge of NK cell plasticity pertaining to the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, this review will pose critical and relevant questions that need to be addressed by the field in coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillon Corvino
- Tumor-Immunobiology, Institute for Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ananthi Kumar
- Tumor-Immunobiology, Institute for Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tobias Bald
- Tumor-Immunobiology, Institute for Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Zhang J, Zhang H, Zhang L, Li D, Qi M, Zhang L, Yu H, Wang D, Jiang G, Wang X, Zhu X, Zhang P. Single-Cell Transcriptome Identifies Drug-Resistance Signature and Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer. ADVANCED GENETICS (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2022; 3:2100060. [PMID: 36618022 PMCID: PMC9744506 DOI: 10.1002/ggn2.202100060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a deadly neuroendocrine malignancy with high metastasis. However, the heterogeneity of metastatic SCLC at the single-cell level remains elusive. The single-cell transcriptome of a total of 24 081 cells in metastatic lymph node samples from seven SCLC patients via endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is examined. Genomic alterations are also examined by whole exome sequencing (WES) and the immune infiltration between SCLC and non-SCLC (NSCLC) is compared using public single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. It is identified that malignant cells in lymph-node metastatic SCLC have inter-patient and intra-tumor heterogeneity characterized by distinct ASCL1 and NEUROD1 expression patterns. High expression of genes such as FZD8 in WNT pathway is associated with drug resistance in malignant cells. Compared to NSCLC, SCLC harbors a unique immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Malignant cells exhibit a pattern of attenuated MHC-I antigen presentation-related gene expression, which is associated with relatively low proportion of exhausted T cells. Natural killer (NK) cells display impaired antitumor function with high expression of TGFBR2. This work characterizes the inter-patient and intra-tumor heterogeneity of metastatic SCLC and uncovers the exhaustion signatures in NK cells, which may pave the way for novel treatments for SCLC including immune checkpoint blockade-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryShanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Haiping Zhang
- Department of Medical OncologyShanghai Pulmonary HospitalSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Lele Zhang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryShanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200433China,Central LaboratoryShanghai Pulmonary HospitalSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Dianke Li
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryShanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Mengfan Qi
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryShanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Department of PathologyShanghai Pulmonary HospitalSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Huansha Yu
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryShanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryShanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Gening Jiang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryShanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Xujun Wang
- SJTU‐Yale Joint Center for BiostatisticsSchool of Life Science and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200240China
| | - Xianmin Zhu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical StudiesShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryShanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200433China
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10
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da Silva LHR, Catharino LCC, da Silva VJ, Evangelista GCM, Barbuto JAM. The War Is on: The Immune System against Glioblastoma—How Can NK Cells Drive This Battle? Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020400. [PMID: 35203609 PMCID: PMC8962431 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that play an important role in immunosurveillance, acting alongside other immune cells in the response against various types of malignant tumors and the prevention of metastasis. Since their discovery in the 1970s, they have been thoroughly studied for their capacity to kill neoplastic cells without the need for previous sensitization, executing rapid and robust cytotoxic activity, but also helper functions. In agreement with this, NK cells are being exploited in many ways to treat cancer. The broad arsenal of NK-based therapies includes adoptive transfer of in vitro expanded and activated cells, genetically engineered cells to contain chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-NKs), in vivo stimulation of NK cells (by cytokine therapy, checkpoint blockade therapies, etc.), and tumor-specific antibody-guided NK cells, among others. In this article, we review pivotal aspects of NK cells’ biology and their contribution to immune responses against tumors, as well as providing a wide perspective on the many antineoplastic strategies using NK cells. Finally, we also discuss those approaches that have the potential to control glioblastoma—a disease that, currently, causes inevitable death, usually in a short time after diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Henrique Rodrigues da Silva
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508000, Brazil; (L.H.R.d.S.); (L.C.C.C.); (V.J.d.S.); (G.C.M.E.)
| | - Luana Correia Croda Catharino
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508000, Brazil; (L.H.R.d.S.); (L.C.C.C.); (V.J.d.S.); (G.C.M.E.)
| | - Viviane Jennifer da Silva
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508000, Brazil; (L.H.R.d.S.); (L.C.C.C.); (V.J.d.S.); (G.C.M.E.)
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Departamento de Hematologia, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 0124690, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Coeli Menezes Evangelista
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508000, Brazil; (L.H.R.d.S.); (L.C.C.C.); (V.J.d.S.); (G.C.M.E.)
| | - José Alexandre Marzagão Barbuto
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508000, Brazil; (L.H.R.d.S.); (L.C.C.C.); (V.J.d.S.); (G.C.M.E.)
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Departamento de Hematologia, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 0124690, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-11-3091-7375
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11
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Schmidt D, Ebrahimabadi S, Gomes KRDS, de Moura Aguiar G, Cariati Tirapelle M, Nacasaki Silvestre R, de Azevedo JTC, Tadeu Covas D, Picanço-Castro V. Engineering CAR-NK cells: how to tune innate killer cells for cancer immunotherapy. IMMUNOTHERAPY ADVANCES 2022; 2:ltac003. [PMID: 35919494 PMCID: PMC9327111 DOI: 10.1093/immadv/ltac003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy is an innovative approach that permits numerous possibilities in the field of cancer treatment. CAR-T cells have been successfully used in patients with hematologic relapsed/refractory. However, the need for autologous sources for T cells is still a major drawback. CAR-NK cells have emerged as a promising resource using allogeneic cells that could be established as an off-the-shelf treatment. NK cells can be obtained from various sources, such as peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow, umbilical cord blood (CB), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), as well as cell lines. Genetic engineering of NK cells to express different CAR constructs for hematological cancers and solid tumors has shown promising preclinical results and they are currently being explored in multiple clinical trials. Several strategies have been employed to improve CAR-NK-cell expansion and cytotoxicity efficiency. In this article, we review the latest achievements and progress made in the field of CAR-NK-cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayane Schmidt
- Regional Blood Center of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sima Ebrahimabadi
- Regional Blood Center of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kauan Ribeiro de Sena Gomes
- Regional Blood Center of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Graziela de Moura Aguiar
- Regional Blood Center of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Mariane Cariati Tirapelle
- Regional Blood Center of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata Nacasaki Silvestre
- Regional Blood Center of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júlia Teixeira Cottas de Azevedo
- Regional Blood Center of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dimas Tadeu Covas
- Regional Blood Center of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Virginia Picanço-Castro
- Regional Blood Center of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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12
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Chimeric antigen receptor- and natural killer cell receptor-engineered innate killer cells in cancer immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:2083-2100. [PMID: 34267335 PMCID: PMC8429625 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00732-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has demonstrated impressive therapeutic efficacy against hematological malignancies, but multiple challenges have hindered its application, particularly for the eradication of solid tumors. Innate killer cells (IKCs), particularly NK cells, NKT cells, and γδ T cells, employ specific antigen-independent innate tumor recognition and cytotoxic mechanisms that simultaneously display high antitumor efficacy and prevent tumor escape caused by antigen loss or modulation. IKCs are associated with a low risk of developing GVHD, thus offering new opportunities for allogeneic "off-the-shelf" cellular therapeutic products. The unique innate features, wide tumor recognition range, and potent antitumor functions of IKCs make them potentially excellent candidates for cancer immunotherapy, particularly serving as platforms for CAR development. In this review, we first provide a brief summary of the challenges hampering CAR-T-cell therapy applications and then discuss the latest CAR-NK-cell research, covering the advantages, applications, and clinical translation of CAR- and NK-cell receptor (NKR)-engineered IKCs. Advances in synthetic biology and the development of novel genetic engineering techniques, such as gene-editing and cellular reprogramming, will enable the further optimization of IKC-based anticancer therapies.
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13
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Liu XS, Zhou LM, Yuan LL, Gao Y, Kui XY, Liu XY, Pei ZJ. NPM1 Is a Prognostic Biomarker Involved in Immune Infiltration of Lung Adenocarcinoma and Associated With m6A Modification and Glycolysis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:724741. [PMID: 34335635 PMCID: PMC8324208 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.724741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Overexpression of NPM1 can promote the growth and proliferation of various tumor cells. However, there are few studies on the comprehensive analysis of NPM1 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods TCGA and GEO data sets were used to analyze the expression of NPM1 in LUAD and clinicopathological analysis. The GO/KEGG enrichment analysis of NPM1 co-expression and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed using R software package. The relationship between NPM1 expression and LUAD immune infiltration was analyzed using TIMER, GEPIA database and TCGA data sets, and the relationship between NPM1 expression level and LUAD m6A modification and glycolysis was analyzed using TCGA and GEO data sets. Results NPM1 was overexpressed in a variety of tumors including LUAD, and the ROC curve showed that NPM1 had a certain accuracy in predicting the outcome of tumors and normal samples. The expression level of NPM1 in LUAD is significantly related to tumor stage and prognosis. The GO/KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that NPM1 was closely related to translational initiation, ribosome, structural constituent of ribosome, ribosome, Parkinson disease, and RNA transport. GSEA showed that the main enrichment pathway of NPM1-related differential genes was mainly related to mTORC1 mediated signaling, p53 hypoxia pathway, signaling by EGFR in cancer, antigen activates B cell receptor BCR leading to generation of second messengers, aerobic glycolysis and methylation pathways. The analysis of TIMER, GEPIA database and TCGA data sets showed that the expression level of NPM1 was negatively correlated with B cells and NK cells. The TCGA and GEO data sets analysis indicated that the NPM1 expression was significantly correlated with one m6A modifier related gene (HNRNPC) and five glycolysis related genes (ENO1, HK2, LDHA, LDHB and SLC2A1). Conclusion NPM1 is a prognostic biomarker involved in immune infiltration of LUAD and associated with m6A modification and glycolysis. NPM1 can be used as an effective target for diagnosis and treatment of LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Sheng Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Shiyan, China
| | - Lu-Meng Zhou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Huanggang Central Hospital, Huanggang, China
| | - Ling-Ling Yuan
- Department of Pathology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Xue-Yan Kui
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Pei
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Shiyan, China
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14
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Design and Implementation of NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy to Overcome the Solid Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123871. [PMID: 33371456 PMCID: PMC7767468 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune effectors capable of broad cytotoxicity via germline-encoded receptors and can have conferred cytotoxic potential via the addition of chimeric antigen receptors. Combined with their reduced risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and cytokine release syndrome (CRS), NK cells are an attractive therapeutic platform. While significant progress has been made in treating hematological malignancies, challenges remain in using NK cell-based therapy to combat solid tumors due to their immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TMEs). The development of novel strategies enabling NK cells to resist the deleterious effects of the TME is critical to their therapeutic success against solid tumors. In this review, we discuss strategies that apply various genetic and non-genetic engineering approaches to enhance receptor-mediated NK cell cytotoxicity, improve NK cell resistance to TME effects, and enhance persistence in the TME. The successful design and application of these strategies will ultimately lead to more efficacious NK cell therapies to treat patients with solid tumors. This review outlines the mechanisms by which TME components suppress the anti-tumor activity of endogenous and adoptively transferred NK cells while also describing various approaches whose implementation in NK cells may lead to a more robust therapeutic platform against solid tumors.
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15
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Mantesso S, Geerts D, Spanholtz J, Kučerová L. Genetic Engineering of Natural Killer Cells for Enhanced Antitumor Function. Front Immunol 2020; 11:607131. [PMID: 33391277 PMCID: PMC7772419 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.607131] [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: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are unique immune cells capable of efficient killing of infected and transformed cells. Indeed, NK cell-based therapies induced response against hematological malignancies in the absence of adverse toxicity in clinical trials. Nevertheless, adoptive NK cell therapies are reported to have exhibited poor outcome against many solid tumors. This can be mainly attributed to limited infiltration of NK cells into solid tumors, downregulation of target antigens on the tumor cells, or suppression by the chemokines and secreted factors present within the tumor microenvironment. Several methods for genetic engineering of NK cells were established and consistently improved over the last decade, leading to the generation of novel NK cell products with enhanced anti-tumor activity and improved tumor homing. New generations of engineered NK cells are developed to better target refractory tumors and/or to overcome inhibitory tumor microenvironment. This review summarizes recent improvements in approaches to NK cell genetic engineering and strategies implemented to enhance NK cell effector functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Mantesso
- Research and Development, Glycostem Therapeutics, Oss, Netherlands
| | - Dirk Geerts
- Research and Development, Glycostem Therapeutics, Oss, Netherlands
| | - Jan Spanholtz
- Research and Development, Glycostem Therapeutics, Oss, Netherlands
| | - Lucia Kučerová
- Research and Development, Glycostem Therapeutics, Oss, Netherlands
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16
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Chang Y, Bao X. Adoptive natural killer cell therapy: a human pluripotent stem cell perspective. Curr Opin Chem Eng 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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17
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Devillier R, Chrétien AS, Pagliardini T, Salem N, Blaise D, Olive D. Mechanisms of NK cell dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment and current clinical approaches to harness NK cell potential for immunotherapy. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 109:1071-1088. [PMID: 32991746 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5mr0920-198rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are innate immune cells with inherent capabilities in both recognizing and killing cancer cells. NK cell phenotypes and functional alterations are being described with increasing precision among patients harboring various cancer types, emphasizing the critical role that NK cells play in antitumor immune responses. In addition, advances in understanding NK cell biology have improved our knowledge of such alterations, thereby expanding the potential exploitation of NK cells' anticancer capabilities. In this review, we present an overview of (1) the various types of NK cell alterations that may contribute to immune evasion in cancer patients and (2) the various strategies to improve NK cell-based anticancer immunotherapies, including pharmacologic modulation and/or genetic modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raynier Devillier
- Immunity and Cancer Team, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Marseille, France.,Immunomonitoring platform, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France.,Hematology Department, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Chrétien
- Immunity and Cancer Team, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Marseille, France.,Immunomonitoring platform, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Thomas Pagliardini
- Immunity and Cancer Team, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Marseille, France.,Immunomonitoring platform, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France.,Hematology Department, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Nassim Salem
- Immunity and Cancer Team, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Marseille, France.,Immunomonitoring platform, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Blaise
- Immunity and Cancer Team, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Marseille, France.,Immunomonitoring platform, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France.,Hematology Department, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Daniel Olive
- Immunity and Cancer Team, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Marseille, France.,Immunomonitoring platform, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France
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18
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Guan Y, Chambers CB, Tabatabai T, Hatley H, Delfino KR, Robinson K, Alanee SR, Ran S, Torry DS, Wilber A. Renal cell tumors convert natural killer cells to a proangiogenic phenotype. Oncotarget 2020; 11:2571-2585. [PMID: 32655841 PMCID: PMC7335666 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are classically associated with immune surveillance and destruction of tumor cells. Inconsistent with this function, NK cells are found in advanced human tumors including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). NK cells with non-classical phenotypes (CD56+CD16dim/neg; termed decidua NK (dNK) cells) accumulate at the maternal-fetal interface during embryo implantation. These dNK cells are poorly cytotoxic, proangiogenic, and facilitate placenta development. As similarities between embryo implantation and tumor growth exist, we tested the hypothesis that an analogous shift in NK cell phenotype and function occurs in RCC tumors. Our results show that peripheral NK (pNK) cells of RCC patients were uniformly CD56+CD16bright, but lacked full cytotoxic ability. By comparison, RCC tumor-infiltrated NK (TiNK) cells were significantly enriched for CD56+CD16dim-neg cells, a phenotype of dNK cells. Gene expression analysis revealed that angiogenic and inflammatory genes were significantly increased for RCC TiNK versus RCC pNK populations, with enrichment of genes in the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) 1α pathway. Consistent with this finding, NK cells cultured under hypoxia demonstrated limited cytotoxicity capacity, but augmented production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Finally, comparison of gene expression data for RCC TiNK and dNK cells revealed a shared transcriptional signature of genes with known roles in angiogenesis and immunosuppression. These studies confirm conversion of pNK cells to a dNK-like phenotype in RCC tumors. These characteristics are conceivably beneficial for placentation, but likely exploited to support early tumor growth and promote metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Guan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Christopher B. Chambers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Taylor Tabatabai
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Ha Hatley
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Kristin R. Delfino
- Center for Clinical Research, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Kathy Robinson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
- Simmons Cancer Institute, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Shaheen R. Alanee
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
- Simmons Cancer Institute, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Sophia Ran
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
- Simmons Cancer Institute, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Donald S. Torry
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
- Simmons Cancer Institute, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Andrew Wilber
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
- Simmons Cancer Institute, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
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19
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Temples MN, Adjei IM, Nimocks PM, Djeu J, Sharma B. Engineered Three-Dimensional Tumor Models to Study Natural Killer Cell Suppression. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:4179-4199. [PMID: 33463353 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A critical hurdle associated with natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapies is inadequate infiltration and function in the solid tumor microenvironment. Well-controlled 3D culture systems could advance our understanding of the role of various biophysical and biochemical cues that impact NK cell migration in solid tumors. The objectives of this study were to establish a biomaterial which (i) supports NK cell migration and (ii) recapitulates features of the in vivo solid tumor microenvironment, to study NK infiltration and function in a 3D system. Using peptide-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels, the extent of NK-92 cell migration was observed to be largely dependent on the density of integrin binding sites and the presence of matrix metalloproteinase degradable sites. When lung cancer cells were encapsulated into the hydrogels to create tumor microenvironments, the extent of NK-92 cell migration and functional activity was dependent on the cancer cell type and duration of 3D culture. NK-92 cells showed greater migration into the models consisting of nonmetastatic A549 cells relative to metastatic H1299 cells, and reduced migration in both models when cancer cells were cultured for 7 days versus 1 day. In addition, the production of NK cell-related pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines was reduced in H1299 models relative to A549 models. These differences in NK-92 cell migration and cytokine/chemokine production corresponded to differences in the production of various immunomodulatory molecules by the different cancer cells, namely, the H1299 models showed increased stress ligand shedding and immunosuppressive cytokine production, particularly TGF-β. Indeed, inhibition of TGF-β receptor I in NK-92 cells restored their infiltration in H1299 models to levels similar to that in A549 models and increased overall infiltration in both models. Relative to conventional 2D cocultures, NK-92 cell mediated cytotoxicity was reduced in the 3D tumor models, suggesting the hydrogel serves to mimic some features of the biophysical barriers in in vivo tumor microenvironments. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a synthetic hydrogel system for investigating the biophysical and biochemical cues impacting NK cell infiltration and NK cell-cancer cell interactions in the solid tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison N Temples
- J. Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Biomedical Sciences Building JG-56, 1275 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32611-6131, United States
| | - Isaac M Adjei
- J. Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Biomedical Sciences Building JG-56, 1275 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32611-6131, United States
| | - Phoebe M Nimocks
- J. Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Biomedical Sciences Building JG-56, 1275 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32611-6131, United States
| | - Julie Djeu
- Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center MRC 4E, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Blanka Sharma
- J. Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Biomedical Sciences Building JG-56, 1275 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32611-6131, United States
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20
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Trophoblast cell influence on peripheral blood natural killer cell proliferation and phenotype in non-pregnant women and women in early pregnancy. Immunobiology 2020; 225:151910. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2020.151910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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21
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Slattery K, Gardiner CM. NK Cell Metabolism and TGFβ - Implications for Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2915. [PMID: 31921174 PMCID: PMC6927492 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are innate lymphocytes which play an essential role in protection against cancer and viral infection. Their functions are dictated by many factors including the receptors they express, cytokines they respond to and changes in the external environment. These cell processes are regulated within NK cells at many levels including genetic, epigenetic and expression (RNA and protein) levels. The last decade has revealed cellular metabolism as another level of immune regulation. Specific immune cells adopt metabolic configurations that support their functions, and this is a dynamic process with cells undergoing metabolic reprogramming during the course of an immune response. Upon activation with pro-inflammatory cytokines, NK cells upregulate both glycolysis and oxphos metabolic pathways and this supports their anti-cancer functions. Perturbation of these pathways inhibits NK cell effector functions. Anti-inflammatory cytokines such as TGFβ can inhibit metabolic changes and reduce functional outputs. Although a lot remains to be learned, our knowledge of potential molecular mechanisms involved is growing quickly. This review will discuss our current knowledge on the role of TGFβ in regulating NK cell metabolism and will draw on a wider knowledge base regarding TGFβ regulation of cellular metabolic pathways, in order to highlight potential ways in which TGFβ might be targeted to contribute to the exciting progress that is being made in terms of adoptive NK cell therapies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Slattery
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clair M Gardiner
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
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22
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Saetersmoen ML, Hammer Q, Valamehr B, Kaufman DS, Malmberg KJ. Off-the-shelf cell therapy with induced pluripotent stem cell-derived natural killer cells. Semin Immunopathol 2018; 41:59-68. [PMID: 30361801 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-018-0721-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cell therapy is emerging as a very promising therapeutic modality against cancer, spearheaded by the clinical success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cells for B cell malignancies. Currently, FDA-approved CAR-T cell products are based on engineering of autologous T cells harvested from the patient, typically using a central manufacturing facility for gene editing before the product can be delivered to the clinic and infused to the patients. For a broader implementation of advanced cell therapy and to reduce costs, it would be advantageous to use allogeneic "universal" cell therapy products that can be stored in cell banks and provided upon request, in a manner analogous to biopharmaceutical drug products. In this review, we outline a roadmap for development of off-the-shelf cell therapy based on natural killer (NK) cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We discuss strategies to engineer iPSC-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells for enhanced functional potential, persistence, and homing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Quirin Hammer
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | | | - Dan S Kaufman
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Karl-Johan Malmberg
- The KG Jebsen Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. .,Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden. .,Institute for Cancer research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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23
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Wang QM, Tang PMK, Lian GY, Li C, Li J, Huang XR, To KF, Lan HY. Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy with Smad3-Silenced NK-92 Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2018; 6:965-977. [PMID: 29915022 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-17-0491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, early effectors in anticancer immunity, are paralyzed by TGFβ1, an immunosuppressive cytokine produced by cancer cells. Development and activity of NK cells are largely inhibited in the Smad3-dependent tumor microenvironment. Here, we used genetic engineering to generate a stable SMAD3-silencing human NK cell line, NK-92-S3KD, whose cancer-killing activity and cytokine production were significantly enhanced under TGFβ1-rich condition compared with the parental cell line. Interestingly, we identified that the IFNG gene is a direct E4BP4 target gene. Thus, silencing of SMAD3 allows upregulation of E4BP4 that subsequently promoting interferon-γ (IFNγ) production in the NK-92-S3KD cells. More importantly, NK-92-S3KD immunotherapy increases the production of not only IFNγ, but also granzyme B and perforin in tumors; therefore, inhibiting cancer progression in two xenograft mouse models with human hepatoma (HepG2) and melanoma (A375). Thus, the NK-92-S3KD cell line may be useful for the clinical immunotherapy of cancer. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(8); 965-77. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Ming Wang
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, and Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, and Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guang-Yu Lian
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, and Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chunjie Li
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, and Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jinhong Li
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, and Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiao-Ru Huang
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, and Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ka-Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hui-Yao Lan
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, and Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Daher M, Rezvani K. Next generation natural killer cells for cancer immunotherapy: the promise of genetic engineering. Curr Opin Immunol 2018; 51:146-153. [PMID: 29605760 PMCID: PMC6140331 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2018.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in the field of cellular therapy have focused on autologous T cells engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) against tumor antigens. Remarkable responses have been observed in patients receiving autologous CD19-redirected T cells for the treatment of B-lymphoid malignancies. However, the generation of autologous products for each patient is logistically challenging and expensive. Extensive research efforts are ongoing to generate an off-the-shelf cellular product for the treatment of cancer patients. Natural killer (NK) cells are attractive contenders since they have potent anti-tumor activity, and their safety in the allogeneic setting expands the cell sources for NK cell therapy beyond an autologous one. In this review, we discuss advantages and limitations of NK cellular therapy, and novel genetic engineering strategies that may be applied to overcome some of the limitations. Next-generation engineered NK cells are showing great promise in the preclinical setting and it is likely that in the next few years CAR-engineered NK cells will be incorporated into the current armamentarium of cell-based cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- May Daher
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States.
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Otegbeye F, Ojo E, Moreton S, Mackowski N, Lee DA, de Lima M, Wald DN. Inhibiting TGF-beta signaling preserves the function of highly activated, in vitro expanded natural killer cells in AML and colon cancer models. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191358. [PMID: 29342200 PMCID: PMC5771627 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells harnessed from healthy individuals can be expanded ex vivo using various platforms to produce large doses for adoptive transfer into cancer patients. During such expansion, NK cells are increasingly activated and more efficient at killing cancer cells. Adoptive transfer however introduces these activated cells into a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment mediated in part by excessive transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) from both cancer cells and their surrounding stroma. This microenvironment ultimately limits the clinical efficacy of NK cell therapy. In this study, we examined the use of a TGF-beta receptor kinase inhibitor, LY2157299, in preserving the cytotoxic function of ex vivo expanded, highly activated NK cells following sustained exposure to pathologic levels of TGF-beta in vitro and in a liver metastases model of colon cancer. Using myeloid leukemia and colon cancer cell lines, we show that the TGF-beta driven impairment of NK cell cytotoxicity is mitigated by LY2157299. We demonstrate this effect using quantitative cytotoxicity assays as well as by showing a preserved activated phenotype with high NKG2D/CD16 expression and enhanced cytokine production. In a mouse liver metastases model of colon cancer, we observed significantly improved eradication of liver metastases in mice treated with adoptive NK cells combined with LY2157299 compared with mice receiving NK cells or TGF beta inhibition alone. We propose that the therapeutic efficacy of adoptive NK cell therapy clinically will be markedly enhanced by complementary approaches targeting TGF-beta signaling in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Folashade Otegbeye
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Evelyn Ojo
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Stephen Moreton
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Nathan Mackowski
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Dean A. Lee
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Marcos de Lima
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - David N. Wald
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
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Murray S, Lundqvist A. Targeting the tumor microenvironment to improve natural killer cell-based immunotherapies: On being in the right place at the right time, with resilience. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 12:607-11. [PMID: 26402368 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1096458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapies that target solid tumors require NK cells in the proper place, at the right time, with optimal function and a susceptible target cell. Basic research and clinical correlative studies have provided evidence, for certain malignancies, that intratumoral NK cells delay tumor progression. Whether NK cells exert anti-tumor effects for solid tumors is determined by a number of factors including homing and activating receptor expression by NK cells themselves and the sensitivity of tumor cells to be targets of NK cell cytolysis, which depends on the chemokine and NK cell-inhibitory and activating receptor ligand expression by tumor cells. Chemotherapeutic agents that increase NK cell-activating receptor ligands on tumor cells have been clinically promising as well as ectopic gene expression in NK cells with factors that overcome the suppressive mechanisms of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Identifying agents that decrease myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) or T regulatory (Treg) cell frequencies or function would be important to co-administer with adoptively transferred NK cells to ameliorate immunosuppressive TMEs. Thus, studies indicate that critical factors for NK cell immunotherapies targeting the TMEs are: being in the right place at the right time, with resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Murray
- a Karolinska Institutet, Department of Oncology-Pathology , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- a Karolinska Institutet, Department of Oncology-Pathology , Stockholm , Sweden
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Natural killer cell immunotherapies against cancer: checkpoint inhibitors and more. Semin Immunol 2017; 31:55-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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29
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Wang Z, Guo L, Song Y, Zhang Y, Lin D, Hu B, Mei Y, Sandikin D, Liu H. Augmented anti-tumor activity of NK-92 cells expressing chimeric receptors of TGF-βR II and NKG2D. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2017; 66:537-548. [PMID: 28184969 PMCID: PMC11028961 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-017-1959-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The capacity of natural killer (NK) cells to kill tumor cells without specific antigen recognition provides an advantage over T cells and makes them potential effectors for tumor immunotherapy. However, the efficacy of NK cell adoptive therapy can be limited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a potent immunosuppressive cytokine that can suppress NK cell function. To convert the suppressive signal induced by TGF-β to an activating signal, we genetically modified NK-92 cells to express a chimeric receptor with TGF-β type II receptor extracellular and transmembrane domains and the intracellular domain of NK cell-activating receptor NKG2D (TN chimeric receptor). NK-92 cells expressing TN receptors were resistant to TGF-β-induced suppressive signaling and did not down-regulate NKG2D. These modified NK-92 cells had higher killing capacity and interferon γ (IFN-γ) production against tumor cells compared with the control cells and their cytotoxicity could be further enhanced by TGF-β. More interestingly, the NK-92 cells expressing TN receptors were better chemo-attracted to the tumor cells expressing TGF-β. The presence of these modified NK-92 cells significantly inhibited the differentiation of human naïve CD4+ T cells to regulatory T cells. NK-92-TN cells could also inhibit tumor growth in vivo in a hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft tumor model. Therefore, TN chimeric receptors can be a novel strategy to augment anti-tumor efficacy in NK cell adoptive therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cancer Vaccines/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy
- Cell Differentiation
- Cell Growth Processes
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Interferon-gamma/metabolism
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/transplantation
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Liver Neoplasms/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K/genetics
- NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Experimental
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongjuan Wang
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China
| | - Linghua Guo
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Song
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinsheng Zhang
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Lin
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Hu
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Mei
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China
- Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Dr., Singapore, 117456, Singapore
| | - Dedy Sandikin
- Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Dr., Singapore, 117456, Singapore
| | - Haiyan Liu
- Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Dr., Singapore, 117456, Singapore.
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Leal FE, Premeaux TA, Abdel-Mohsen M, Ndhlovu LC. Role of Natural Killer Cells in HIV-Associated Malignancies. Front Immunol 2017; 8:315. [PMID: 28377768 PMCID: PMC5359293 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Now in its fourth decade, the burden of HIV disease still persists, despite significant milestone achievements in HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and support. Even with long-term use of currently available antiretroviral therapies (ARTs), eradication of HIV remains elusive and now poses a unique set of challenges for the HIV-infected individual. The occurrence of HIV-associated non-AIDS-related comorbidities outside the scope of AIDS-defining illnesses, in particular non-AIDS-defining cancers, is much greater than the age-matched uninfected population. The underlying mechanism is now recognized in part to be related to the immune dysregulated and inflammatory status characteristic of HIV infection that persists despite ART. Natural killer (NK) cells are multifunctional effector immune cells that play a critical role in shaping the innate immune responses to viral infections and cancer. NK cells can modulate the adaptive immune response via their role in dendritic cell (DC) maturation, removal of immature tolerogenic DCs, and their ability to produce immunoregulatory cytokines. NK cells are therefore poised as attractive therapeutic targets that can be harnessed to control or clear both HIV and HIV-associated malignancies. To date, features of the tumor microenvironment and the evolution of NK-cell function among individuals with HIV-related malignancies remain unclear and may be distinct from malignancies observed in uninfected persons. This review intends to uncouple anti-HIV and antitumor NK-cell features that can be manipulated to halt the evolution of HIV disease and HIV-associated malignancies and serve as potential preventative and curative immunotherapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio E Leal
- Programa de Oncovirologia, Instituto Nacional de Cancer , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | - Thomas A Premeaux
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii , Honolulu, HI , USA
| | - Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lishomwa C Ndhlovu
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii , Honolulu, HI , USA
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Yvon ES, Burga R, Powell A, Cruz CR, Fernandes R, Barese C, Nguyen T, Abdel-Baki MS, Bollard CM. Cord blood natural killer cells expressing a dominant negative TGF-β receptor: Implications for adoptive immunotherapy for glioblastoma. Cytotherapy 2017; 19:408-418. [PMID: 28109751 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cord blood (CB) natural killer (NK) cells are promising effector cells for tumor immunotherapy but are currently limited by immune-suppressive cytokines in the tumor microenvironment, such as transforming growth factor (TGF-β). We observed that TGF-β inhibits expression of activating receptors such as NKG2D and DNAM1 and decreases killing activity against glioblastoma tumor cells through inhibition of perforin secretion. To overcome the detrimental effects of TGF-β, we engrafted a dominant negative TGF-β receptor II (DNRII) on CB-derived NK cells by retroviral transduction and evaluated their ability to kill glioblastoma cells in the presence of TGF-β. After manufacture using Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant methodologies and transduction with DNRII, CB-derived DNRII-transduced NK cells expanded to clinically relevant numbers and retained both their killing ability and their secretion of interferon-γ upon activation. More important, these cells maintained both perforin expression and NKG2D/DNMA1 expression in the presence of TGF-β allowing for recognition and killing of glioblastoma tumor cells. Hence, NK cells expressing a DNRII should have a functional advantage over unmodified NK cells in the presence of TGF-β-secreting tumors and may be an important therapeutic approach for patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S Yvon
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas
| | - Rachel Burga
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Allison Powell
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Conrad R Cruz
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rohan Fernandes
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Cecilia Barese
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tuongvan Nguyen
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Catherine M Bollard
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
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Shevtsov M, Multhoff G. Immunological and Translational Aspects of NK Cell-Based Antitumor Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2016; 7:492. [PMID: 27891129 PMCID: PMC5104957 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in the first line of defense against cancer. NK cells that are deficient in CD3 and a clonal T cell receptor (TCR) can be subdivided into two major subtypes, CD56dimCD16+ cytotoxic and CD56brightCD16− immunoregulatory NK cells. Cytotoxic NK cells not only directly kill tumor cells without previous stimulation by cytotoxic effector molecules, such as perforin and granzymes or via death receptor interactions, but also act as regulatory cells for the immune system by secreting cytokines and chemokines. The aim of this review is to highlight therapeutic strategies utilizing autologous and allogenic NK cells, combinations of NK cells with monoclonal antibodies to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, or immune checkpoint inhibitors. Additionally, we discuss the use of chimeric antigen receptor-engineered NK cells in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Shevtsov
- Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Gabriele Multhoff
- Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Experimental Immune Biology, Institute for innovative Radiotherapy (iRT), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
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Burga RA, Nguyen T, Zulovich J, Madonna S, Ylisastigui L, Fernandes R, Yvon E. Improving efficacy of cancer immunotherapy by genetic modification of natural killer cells. Cytotherapy 2016; 18:1410-1421. [PMID: 27421740 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2016.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are members of the innate immune system that recognize target cells via activating and inhibitory signals received through cell receptors. Derived from the lymphoid lineage, NK cells are able to produce cytokines and exert a cytotoxic effect on viral infected and malignant cells. It is their unique ability to lyse target cells rapidly and without prior education that renders NK cells a promising effector cell for adoptive cell therapy. However, both viruses and tumors employ evasion strategies to avoid attack by NK cells, which represent biological challenges that need to be harnessed to fully exploit the cytolytic potential of NK cells. Using genetic modification, the function of NK cells can be enhanced to improve their homing, cytolytic activity, in vivo persistence and safety. Examples include gene modification to express chemokine, high-affinity Fc receptor and chimeric antigen receptors, suicide genes and the forced expression of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-15. Preclinical studies have clearly demonstrated that such approaches are effective in improving NK-cell function, homing and safety. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the genetic manipulations of NK cells and their application for cellular immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Burga
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tuongvan Nguyen
- The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jane Zulovich
- The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sarah Madonna
- The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Loyda Ylisastigui
- The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rohan Fernandes
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Eric Yvon
- The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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Rouce RH, Shaim H, Sekine T, Weber G, Ballard B, Ku S, Barese C, Murali V, Wu MF, Liu H, Shpall EJ, Bollard CM, Rabin KR, Rezvani K. The TGF-β/SMAD pathway is an important mechanism for NK cell immune evasion in childhood B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia 2016; 30:800-11. [PMID: 26621337 PMCID: PMC4823160 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are key components of the innate immune system, providing potent antitumor immunity. Here, we show that the tumor growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD signaling pathway is an important mechanism for NK cell immune evasion in childhood B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We characterized NK cells in 50 consecutive children with B-ALL at diagnosis, end induction and during maintenance therapy compared with age-matched controls. ALL-NK cells at diagnosis had an inhibitory phenotype associated with impaired function, most notably interferon-γ production and cytotoxicity. By maintenance therapy, these phenotypic and functional abnormalities partially normalized; however, cytotoxicity against autologous blasts remained impaired. We identified ALL-derived TGF-β1 to be an important mediator of leukemia-induced NK cell dysfunction. The TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway was constitutively activated in ALL-NK cells at diagnosis and end induction when compared with healthy controls and patients during maintenance therapy. Culture of ALL blasts with healthy NK cells induced NK dysfunction and an inhibitory phenotype, mediated by activation of the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway, and abrogated by blocking TGF-β. These data indicate that by regulating the TGF-β/SMAD pathway, ALL blasts induce changes in NK cells to evade innate immune surveillance, thus highlighting the importance of developing novel therapies to target this inhibitory pathway and restore antileukemic cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayne H. Rouce
- Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers/Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
| | - Hila Shaim
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - Takuya Sekine
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - Gerrit Weber
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
| | - Brandon Ballard
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
| | - Stephanie Ku
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
| | - Cecilia Barese
- Program for Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy, and Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Vineeth Murali
- Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers/Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
| | - Meng-Fen Wu
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
| | - Hao Liu
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
| | - Elizabeth J. Shpall
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - Catherine M. Bollard
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
- Program for Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy, and Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Karen R. Rabin
- Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers/Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
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35
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Cruz CR, Bollard CM. T-cell and natural killer cell therapies for hematologic malignancies after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: enhancing the graft-versus-leukemia effect. Haematologica 2016; 100:709-19. [PMID: 26034113 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2014.113860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies, but infection, graft-versus-host disease and relapse are still important problems. Calcineurin inhibitors, T-cell depletion strategies, and immunomodulators have helped to prevent graft-versus-host disease, but have a negative impact on the graft-versus-leukemia effect. T cells and natural killer cells are both thought to be important in the graft-versus-leukemia effect, and both cell types are amenable to ex vivo manipulation and clinical manufacture, making them versatile immunotherapeutics. We provide an overview of these immunotherapeutic strategies following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with discussions centered on natural killer and T-cell biology. We discuss the contributions of each cell type to graft-versus-leukemia effects, as well as the current research directions in the field as related to adoptive cell therapy after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
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Beavis PA, Slaney CY, Kershaw MH, Gyorki D, Neeson PJ, Darcy PK. Reprogramming the tumor microenvironment to enhance adoptive cellular therapy. Semin Immunol 2016; 28:64-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Albini A, Bruno A, Gallo C, Pajardi G, Noonan DM, Dallaglio K. Cancer stem cells and the tumor microenvironment: interplay in tumor heterogeneity. Connect Tissue Res 2015; 56:414-25. [PMID: 26291921 PMCID: PMC4673538 DOI: 10.3109/03008207.2015.1066780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cells able to recapitulate tumor heterogeneity have been tracked, isolated and characterized in different tumor types, and are commonly named Cancer Stem Cells or Cancer Initiating Cells (CSC/CIC). CSC/CIC are disseminated in the tumor mass and are resistant to anti-cancer therapies and adverse conditions. They are able to divide into another stem cell and a "proliferating" cancer cell. They appear to be responsible for disease recurrence and metastatic dissemination even after apparent eradication of the primary tumor. The modulation of CSC/CIC activities by the tumor microenvironment (TUMIC) is still poorly known. CSC/CIC may mutually interact with the TUMIC in a special and unique manner depending on the TUMIC cells or proteins encountered. The TUMIC consists of extracellular matrix components as well as cellular players among which endothelial, stromal and immune cells, providing and responding to signals to/from the CSC/CIC. This interplay can contribute to the mechanisms through which CSC/CIC may reside in a dormant state in a tissue for years, later giving rise to tumor recurrence or metastasis in patients. Different TUMIC components, including the connective tissue, can differentially activate CIC/CSC in different areas of a tumor and contribute to the generation of cancer heterogeneity. Here, we review possible networking activities between the different components of the tumor microenvironment and CSC/CIC, with a focus on its role in tumor heterogeneity and progression. We also summarize novel therapeutic options that could target both CSC/CIC and the microenvironment to elude resistance mechanisms activated by CSC/CIC, responsible for disease recurrence and metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Albini
- Department of Research and Statistics, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova,
Reggio Emilia,
Italy,Correspondence: Adriana Albini, Director of the Department of Research and Statistics,
IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123,
Reggio Emilia,
Italy. E-mail:
| | - Antonino Bruno
- Scientific and Technology Park, IRCCS MultiMedica,
Milan,
Italy
| | - Cristina Gallo
- Department of Research and Statistics, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova,
Reggio Emilia,
Italy
| | - Giorgio Pajardi
- Department of Hand Surgery, San Giuseppe MultiMedica Hospital of Milan,
Milan,
Italy,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community, Plastic Surgery School, University of Milan,
Milan,
Italy
| | - Douglas M. Noonan
- Scientific and Technology Park, IRCCS MultiMedica,
Milan,
Italy,Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria,
Varese,
Italy
| | - Katiuscia Dallaglio
- Department of Research and Statistics, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova,
Reggio Emilia,
Italy
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Carlsten M, Childs RW. Genetic Manipulation of NK Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy: Techniques and Clinical Implications. Front Immunol 2015; 6:266. [PMID: 26113846 PMCID: PMC4462109 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Given their rapid and efficient capacity to recognize and kill tumor cells, natural killer (NK) cells represent a unique immune cell to genetically reprogram in an effort to improve the outcome of cell-based cancer immunotherapy. However, technical and biological challenges associated with gene delivery into NK cells have significantly tempered this approach. Recent advances in viral transduction and electroporation have now allowed detailed characterization of genetically modified NK cells and provided a better understanding for how these cells can be utilized in the clinic to optimize their capacity to induce tumor regression in vivo. Improving NK cell persistence in vivo via autocrine IL-2 and IL-15 stimulation, enhancing tumor targeting by silencing inhibitory NK cell receptors such as NKG2A, and redirecting tumor killing via chimeric antigen receptors, all represent approaches that hold promise in preclinical studies. This review focuses on available methods for genetic reprograming of NK cells and the advantages and challenges associated with each method. It also gives an overview of strategies for genetic reprograming of NK cells that have been evaluated to date and an outlook on how these strategies may be best utilized in clinical protocols. With the recent advances in our understanding of the complex biological networks that regulate the ability of NK cells to target and kill tumors in vivo, we foresee genetic engineering as an obligatory pathway required to exploit the full potential of NK-cell based immunotherapy in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Carlsten
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA
| | - Richard W Childs
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA
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Beavis PA, Slaney CY, Kershaw MH, Neeson PJ, Darcy PK. Enhancing the efficacy of adoptive cellular therapy by targeting tumor-induced immunosuppression. Immunotherapy 2015; 7:499-512. [DOI: 10.2217/imt.15.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Strategies aimed at stimulating the immune system against cancer have signaled a new era for designing new effective therapies for patients. Recent breakthroughs in adoptive cellular therapy and in using checkpoint inhibitors for some patients have renewed much enthusiasm in this field. However, it has become apparent that tumors can use a multitude of inhibitory networks to effectively reduce antitumor immunity. This review discusses our current knowledge of these immune suppressive mechanisms used by tumors and describes potential new strategies that may counteract this problem resulting in significantly increasing therapeutic outcomes of adoptive immunotherapy in a higher proportion of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Beavis
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Clare Y Slaney
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Michael H Kershaw
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
- Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Paul J Neeson
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Phillip K Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
- Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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Bruno A, Ferlazzo G, Albini A, Noonan DM. A think tank of TINK/TANKs: tumor-infiltrating/tumor-associated natural killer cells in tumor progression and angiogenesis. J Natl Cancer Inst 2014; 106:dju200. [PMID: 25178695 PMCID: PMC4344546 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/dju200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating leukocytes are often induced by the cancer microenvironment to display a protumor, proangiogenic phenotype. This “polarization” has been described for several myeloid cells, in particular macrophages. Natural killer (NK) cells represent another population of innate immune cells able to infiltrate tumors. The role of NK in tumor progression and angiogenesis has not yet been fully investigated. Several studies have shown that tumor-infiltrating NK (here referred to as “TINKs”) and tumor-associated NK (altered peripheral NK cells, which here we call “TANKs”) are compromised in their ability to lysew tumor cells. Recent data have suggested that they are potentially protumorigenic and can also acquire a proangiogenic phenotype. Here we review the properties of TINKs and TANKs and compare their activities to that of NK cells endowed with a physiological proangiogenic phenotype, in particular decidual NK cells. We speculate on the potential origins of TINKs and TANKs and on the immune signals involved in their differentiation and polarization. The TINK and TANK phenotype has broad implications in the immune response to tumors, ranging from a deficient control of cancer and cancer stem cells to an altered crosstalk with other relevant players of the immune response, such as dendritic cells, to induction of cancer angiogenesis. With this recently acquired knowledge that has not yet been put into perspective, we point out new potential avenues for therapeutic intervention involving NK cells as a target or an ally in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Bruno
- Scientific and Technology Park, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy (AB, DMN); Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy (GF); Department of Research and Statistics, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy (AA); Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy (DMN)
| | - Guido Ferlazzo
- Scientific and Technology Park, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy (AB, DMN); Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy (GF); Department of Research and Statistics, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy (AA); Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy (DMN)
| | - Adriana Albini
- Scientific and Technology Park, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy (AB, DMN); Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy (GF); Department of Research and Statistics, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy (AA); Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy (DMN)
| | - Douglas M Noonan
- Scientific and Technology Park, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy (AB, DMN); Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy (GF); Department of Research and Statistics, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy (AA); Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy (DMN)
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