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Andreescu M, Frîncu F, Plotogea M, Mehedințu C. Recurrent Abortion and the Involvement of Killer-Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) Genes, Activated T Cells, NK Abnormalities, and Cytokine Profiles. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041355. [PMID: 36835892 PMCID: PMC9968158 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune tolerance at the feto-maternal interface is crucial for the growth of the semi-allograft fetus in the womb. The outcome of pregnancy is dependent on a fine balance between various immunological forces. For a long time, the potential role of the immune system in pregnancy disorders has remained enigmatic. Current evidence has revealed that natural killer (NK) cells are the predominant immune cell population in the uterine decidua. NK cells cooperate with T-cells to provide an optimal microenvironment for the growth of the developing fetus by producing cytokines, chemokines, and angiogenic factors. These factors support trophoblast migration and angiogenesis which regulates the process of placentation. NK cells differentiate between "self" and "non-self" through their surface receptors known as killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). They induce immune tolerance through communication via their KIR and fetal human leucocyte antigens (HLA). KIRs are surface receptors of NKs that comprise both activating and inhibiting receptors. Due to the wide diversity manifested by its genes, the KIR repertoire is different in each individual. Significant evidence has implicated KIRs in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA); however, maternal KIR gene diversity in RSA is still unclear. Research has shown that immunological aberrancies including activating KIRs, NK abnormalities, and T cell downregulation are risk factors for RSA. In this review, we discuss relevant data from experimental studies on NK cell abnormalities, KIR, and T-cells in the incidence of recurrent spontaneous abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Andreescu
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University of Bucharest, 040051 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Hematology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (M.A.); (F.F.)
| | - Francesca Frîncu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Filantropia Clinical Hospital, 01171 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (M.A.); (F.F.)
| | - Mihaela Plotogea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nicolae Malaxa Clinical Hospital, 022441 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Claudia Mehedințu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Filantropia Clinical Hospital, 01171 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
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Alexandrova M, Manchorova D, Dimova T. Immunity at maternal-fetal interface: KIR/HLA (Allo)recognition. Immunol Rev 2022; 308:55-76. [PMID: 35610960 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Both KIR and HLA are the most variable gene families in the human genome. The recognition of the semi-allogeneic embryo-derived trophoblasts by maternal decidual NK (dNK) cells is essential for the establishment of the functional placenta. This recognition is based on the KIR-HLA interactions and trophoblast expresses a specific HLA profile that constitutes classical polymorphic HLA-C and non-classical oligomorphic HLA-E, HLA-F, and HLA-G molecules. This review highlights some features of the KIR/HLA-C (allo)recognition by decidual NK (dNK) cells as a main immune cell population specifically enriched at maternal-fetal interface during human early pregnancy. How KIR/HLA-C axis operates in pregnancy disorders and in the context of transplacental infections is discussed as well. We summarized old and new data on dNK-cell functional plasticity, their selective expression of KIR and fetal maternal/paternal HLA-C haplotypes present. Results showed that KIR-HLA-C combinations and the corresponding axis operate differently in each pregnancy, determined by the variability of both maternal KIR haplotypes and fetus' maternal/paternal HLA-C allotype combinations. Moreover, the maturation of NK cells strongly depends on if or not HLA allotypes for certain KIR are present. We suggest that the unique KIR/HLA combinations reached in each pregnancy (normal and pathological) should be studied according to well-defined guidelines and unified methodologies to have comparable results ease to interpret and use in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Alexandrova
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Diana Manchorova
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Tanya Dimova
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
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Weighted gene correlation network analysis reveals novel regulatory modules associated with recurrent early pregnancy loss. Biosci Rep 2020; 40:224126. [PMID: 32401299 PMCID: PMC7295631 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20193938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, the etiology and pathogenesis of recurrent early pregnancy loss (REPL) are not completely clear. Therefore, identifying the underlying diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of REPL can provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of REPL. The chip data of REPL (GSE63901) were downloaded from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a co-expression module for studying the relationship between gene modules and clinical features. In addition, functional analysis of hub genes in modules of interest was performed. A total of 23 co-expression modules were identified, two of which were most significantly associated with three clinical features. The MEbrown module was positively correlated with cyclin E level and the out-of-phase trait while the MEred module was positively correlated with the effect of progesterone. We identified 17 hub genes in the MEred module. The functional enrichment analysis indicated that such hub genes were mainly involved in pathways related to cellular defense response and natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity. In the MEbrown module, we identified 19 hub genes, which were mainly enriched in cell adhesion molecule production, regulation of cellular response to growth factor stimulus, epithelial cell proliferation, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. In addition, the hub genes were validated by using other datasets and three true hub genes were finally obtained, namely DOCK2 for the MEred module, and TRMT44 and ERVMER34-1 for the MEbrown module. In conclusion, our results screened potential biomarkers that might contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of REPL.
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Moon JM, Capra JA, Abbot P, Rokas A. Immune Regulation in Eutherian Pregnancy: Live Birth Coevolved with Novel Immune Genes and Gene Regulation. Bioessays 2019; 41:e1900072. [PMID: 31373044 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Novel regulatory elements that enabled expression of pre-existing immune genes in reproductive tissues and novel immune genes with pregnancy-specific roles in eutherians have shaped the evolution of mammalian pregnancy by facilitating the emergence of novel mechanisms for immune regulation over its course. Trade-offs arising from conflicting fitness effects on reproduction and host defenses have further influenced the patterns of genetic variation of these genes. These three mechanisms (novel regulatory elements, novel immune genes, and trade-offs) played a pivotal role in refining the regulation of maternal immune systems during pregnancy in eutherians, likely facilitating the establishment of prolonged direct maternal-fetal contact in eutherians without causing immunological rejection of the genetically distinct fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyun M Moon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - John A Capra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.,Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.,Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Patrick Abbot
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.,Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.,Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
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Würfel FM, Winterhalter C, Trenkwalder P, Wirtz RM, Würfel W. European Patent in Immunoncology: From Immunological Principles of Implantation to Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20081830. [PMID: 31013867 PMCID: PMC6514949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20081830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The granted European patent EP 2 561 890 describes a procedure for an immunological treatment of cancer. It is based on the principles of the HLA-supported communication of implantation and pregnancy. These principles ensure that the embryo is not rejected by the mother. In pregnancy, the placenta, more specifically the trophoblast, creates an “interface” between the embryo/fetus and the maternal immune system. Trophoblasts do not express the “original” HLA identification of the embryo/fetus (HLA-A to -DQ), but instead show the non-classical HLA groups E, F, and G. During interaction with specific receptors of NK cells (e.g., killer-immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR)) and lymphocytes (lymphocyte-immunoglobulin-like receptors (LIL-R)), the non-classical HLA groups inhibit these immunocompetent cells outside pregnancy. However, tumors are known to be able to express these non-classical HLA groups and thus make use of an immuno-communication as in pregnancies. If this occurs, the prognosis usually worsens. This patent describes, in a first step, the profiling of the non-classical HLA groups in primary tumor tissue as well as metastases and recurrent tumors. The second step comprises tailored antibody therapies, which is the subject of this patent. In this review, we analyze the underlying mechanisms and describe the currently known differences between HLA-supported communication of implantation and that of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska M Würfel
- STRATIFYER Molecular Pathology GmbH, D-50935 Cologne, Werthmannstrasse 1c, 50935 Cologne, Germany.
| | | | | | - Ralph M Wirtz
- STRATIFYER Molecular Pathology GmbH, D-50935 Cologne, Werthmannstrasse 1c, 50935 Cologne, Germany.
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Alonso-Cerezo MC, Calero Ruiz M, Chantada-Abal V, de la Fuente-Hernández LA, García-Cobaleda I, García-Ochoa C, García-Sagredo JM, Nuñez R, Oliva R, Orera-Clemente M, Pintado-Vera D, Sanchez-Ramon S. Recommendations regarding the genetic and immunological study of reproductive dysfunction. Med Clin (Barc) 2018; 151:161.e1-161.e12. [PMID: 29680457 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2018.02.008] [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: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In this article several members of diverse scientific associations and reproduction experts from Spain have updated different genetic and immunological procedure recommendations in couples affected by reproductive dysfunction with the goal of providing a set of useful guidelines for the clinic. The laboratory test has been considered as highly recommendable for making clinical decisions when the result of the diagnostic test is relevant, moderately recommendable when the results are of limited evidence because they are inconsistent, and low when the benefit of the test is uncertain. It is expected that these recommendations will provide some useful guidelines for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of couples presenting reproductive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Concepción Alonso-Cerezo
- Asociación Española de Biopatología Médica-Medicina de Laboratorio, Madrid, España; Genética Clínica, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, España
| | - Mercedes Calero Ruiz
- Asociación Española del Laboratorio Clínico, Madrid, España; UGC Intercentros Laboratorio Clínicos, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, España
| | - Venancio Chantada-Abal
- Asociación Española de Urología, Madrid, España; Complejo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña, A Coruña, España
| | | | - Inmaculada García-Cobaleda
- Sociedad Española de Medicina de Laboratorio, Barcelona, España; Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, España
| | | | | | - Rocío Nuñez
- Unidad de Reproducción, Clínica Tambre, Madrid, España
| | - Rafael Oliva
- Asociación Española de Andrología, Córdoba, España; Unidad de Genética, Departamento de Biomedicina, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Barcelona, Servicio de Genética y Biología Molecular, Hospital Clínico de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, España
| | - María Orera-Clemente
- Asociación Española de Genética Humana, Madrid, España; Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España
| | - David Pintado-Vera
- Sociedad Española de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Madrid, España; Sección de Esterilidad e Infertilidad, Hospital Quirón, Pamplona, España
| | - Silvia Sanchez-Ramon
- Sociedad Española de Inmunología, Barcelona, España; Servicio de Inmunología, Hospital Clínico Universitario San Carlos, Madrid, España
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Evaluation of KIR genes in recurrent miscarriage. J Assist Reprod Genet 2012; 29:933-8. [PMID: 22669573 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-012-9811-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2012] [Accepted: 05/28/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Natural killer (NK) cells express killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) which recognize HLA class I molecules on trophoblasts. KIRs could either activate NK cells or inhibit them to produce soluble factors necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy, thus they are suspected of being involved in the causes of recurrent miscarriage. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is any possible association between KIR genes, genotypes and recurrent miscarriage. METHODS The present study was carried out on 40 women who had unexplained recurrent miscarriage and 90 controls. Sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes analysis were used to investigate 16 KIR genes. All data were statistically analyzed by Fisher Exact Test. RESULTS The rate of Bx genotypes that consists elevated number of activating KIR genes was significantly higher (p = 0.014) in women with recurrent miscarriage when compared with the control group. Additionally, the frequency of AA genotype (AA1) of the subjects in the study group was significantly lower than the frequency of the subjects in the control group (p = 0,014). Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in the frequencies of the individual KIR genes between women with recurrent miscarriage and the control group. CONCLUSIONS Inclined balance of KIRs toward an activating state in NK cells may contribute to recurrent miscarriage.
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Beaman KD, Ntrivalas E, Mallers TM, Jaiswal MK, Kwak-Kim J, Gilman-Sachs A. Immune etiology of recurrent pregnancy loss and its diagnosis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2012; 67:319-25. [PMID: 22380608 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01118.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 02/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion of Immunological Origin (RSAI) is currently diagnosed by the occurrence of 2-3 consecutive miscarriages of unknown origin. The psychological trauma incurred by these events is a serious ailment which may be potentially avoided if a method of analysis is derived which may forecast these events and in turn prevent them from occurring. This review intends to examine studies of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) which use laboratory diagnosis and also studies of RSA that do not use laboratory diagnosis. We believe that when laboratory results are incorporated into the diagnosis of RSA/RSAI that treatment is highly successful whereas the absence of laboratory results severely hinders the effectiveness of treatment. It is worth noting that correlating treatment versus outcome is imprudent because of the multiple variables involved in patient cases. It is not imprudent, however, to say that incorporation of laboratory data is essential when diagnosing RSA/RSAI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth D Beaman
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA.
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Kwak-Kim J, Yang KM, Gilman-Sachs A. Recurrent pregnancy loss: A disease of inflammation and coagulation. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2009; 35:609-22. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2009.01079.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Vargas RG, Bompeixe EP, França PP, Moraes MMD, Bicalho MDG. ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Activating Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor Genes’ Association with Recurrent Miscarriage. Am J Reprod Immunol 2009; 62:34-43. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2009.00709.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Hong Y, Wang X, Lu P, Song Y, Lin Q. Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor repertoire on uterine natural killer cell subsets in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2008; 140:218-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2008.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2007] [Revised: 03/21/2008] [Accepted: 04/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a fundamental role in the innate immune response through their ability to secrete cytokines and kill target cells without prior sensitization. These effector functions are central to NK cell anti-viral and anti-tumor abilities. Due to their cytotoxic nature, it is vital that NK cells have the capacity to recognize normal self-tissue and thus prevent their destruction. In addition to their role in host defense, NK cells accumulate at the maternal-fetal interface and are thought to play a critical role during pregnancy. The close proximity of uterine NK (uNK) cells to fetal trophoblast cells of the placenta would seemingly lead to catastrophic consequences, as the trophoblast cells are semi-allogeneic. A fundamental enigma of pregnancy is that the fetal cells constitute an allograft but, in normal pregnancies, they are in effect not perceived as foreign and are not rejected by the maternal immune system. Although the mechanisms involved in achieving NK cell tolerance are becoming increasingly well-defined, further clarification is required, given the clinical implications of this work in the areas of infection, transplantation, cancer and pregnancy. Herein, we discuss several mechanisms of NK cell tolerance and speculate as to how they may apply to uNK cells at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan K Riley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Persson O, Krogh M, Saal LH, Englund E, Liu J, Parsons R, Mandahl N, Borg A, Widegren B, Salford LG. Microarray analysis of gliomas reveals chromosomal position-associated gene expression patterns and identifies potential immunotherapy targets. J Neurooncol 2007; 85:11-24. [PMID: 17634744 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-007-9383-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2007] [Accepted: 03/21/2007] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Gliomas are among the most aggressive malignant tumors and the most refractory to therapy, in part due to the propensity for malignant cells to disseminate diffusely throughout the brain. Here, we have used 27 K cDNA microarrays to investigate global gene expression changes between normal brain and high-grade glioma (glioblastoma multiforme) to try and better understand gliomagenesis and to identify new therapeutic targets. We have also included smaller groups of grade II and grade III tumors of mixed astrocytic and oligodendroglial origin as comparison. We found that the expression of hundreds of genes was significantly correlated to each group, and employed a naïve Bayesian classifier with leave-one-out cross-validation to accurately classify the samples. We developed a novel algorithm to analyze the gene expression data from the perspective of chromosomal position, and identified distinct regions of the genome that displayed coordinated expression patterns that correlated significantly to tumor grade. The regions identified corresponded to previously known genetic copy number changes in glioma (e.g. 10q23, 10q25, 7q, 7p) as well as regions not previously associated significantly with glioma (e.g. 1p13, 6p22). Furthermore, to enrich for more suitable targets for therapy, we took a bioinformatics approach and annotated our signatures with two published datasets that identified membrane/secreted genes from cytosolic genes. The resulting focused list of 31 genes included interesting novel potential targets as well as several proteins already being investigated for immunotherapy (e.g. CD44 and tenascin-C). Software for the chromosome analysis was developed and is freely available at http://base.thep.lu.se.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Persson
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Rausing Laboratory, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
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Abstract
The discovery of an unexpected level of diversity among the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors has led to a search for their role in human disease. Due to their polymorphism and also that of their human leukocyte antigen class I ligands, these studies are difficult to perform and complex to interpret. Nevertheless, as the number of data sets increase, consistent trends and themes are beginning to emerge in both viral and inflammatory disorders. In this review, we summarize the findings from a number of disease association studies and discuss these in the context of the activating and inhibitory roles of the members of this gene family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salim I Khakoo
- Cancer Sciences Division, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
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Bashirova AA, Martin MP, McVicar DW, Carrington M. The killer immunoglobulin-like receptor gene cluster: tuning the genome for defense. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2006; 7:277-300. [PMID: 16824023 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.genom.7.080505.115726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are molecules expressed on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells, which play an important role in innate immunity. KIR recognition of major histocompatability complex (MHC) class I allotypes represents one component of the complex interactions between NK cells and their targets in determining NK cell reactivity. KIRs are encoded by a gene cluster at human chromosome 19q13.4. Despite their high degree of sequence identity, KIR genes encode proteins that have diverse recognition patterns (specific HLA class I allotypes) and confer opposing signals (activating or inhibitory) to the NK cell. The KIR gene cluster is highly polymorphic, with individual genes exhibiting allelic variability and individual haplotypes differing in gene content. The polymorphism of the KIR locus parallels that of the MHC, facilitating the adaptation of the immune system to a dynamic, challenging environment. This variation is associated with a growing number of human diseases, which is likely to extend to levels observed for the HLA loci. Here we review current progress in understanding KIR biology and genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arman A Bashirova
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA
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Ronco P, Debiec H, Guigonis V. Mechanisms of Disease: alloimmunization in renal diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 2:388-97. [PMID: 16932467 DOI: 10.1038/ncpneph0198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2005] [Accepted: 03/10/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Graft rejection has long been considered the paradigm of renal diseases induced by alloimmunization, particularly alloimmunization directed against HLA antigens. Accumulating evidence indicates that non-HLA immunity also has an important role in clinical transplantation. Targets of alloimmunization include antigens of tubular basement membrane, tubular epithelial cells and endothelial cells. They can be polymorphic allovariants (as shown in the rat) or 'hidden' antigens exposed when the graft is damaged. Alloimmunization can also occur when a person genetically deficient in a renal protein (e.g. the alpha5 (IV) collagen chain in X-linked Alport's syndrome or nephrin in Finnish-type nephrotic syndrome) is transplanted to treat end-stage renal failure. The non-mutated protein in the donor kidney is recognized as a foreign antigen, and the resulting alloimmune response can damage the graft. We have demonstrated that alloimmunity can also affect the native kidney. We have characterized a novel fetomaternal disease in which a genetic defect in the MME gene encoding neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in the mother leads to the development of membranous nephropathy in her fetus (maternal anti-NEP antibodies bind to NEP on fetal podocytes). Our findings raise the possibility that mutations or genetic polyporphisms in MME or other genes expressed by the podocyte are involved in alloimmune-mediated development of membranous nephropathy after kidney or bone marrow transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Ronco
- INSERM Unit 702, University Pierre and Marie Curie, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.
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Ntrivalas EI, Bowser CR, Kwak-Kim J, Beaman KD, Gilman-Sachs A. Expression of Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptors on Peripheral Blood NK Cell Subsets of Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions or Implantation Failures. Am J Reprod Immunol 2005; 53:215-21. [PMID: 15833099 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2005.00268.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Decidual natural killer (NK) cells express inhibitory receptors (killer immunoglobulin-like receptors, KIRs), which bind to ligands on trophoblast cells (human leucocyte antigen, HLA-C). This interaction appears to block NK cytotoxicity against trophoblast cells. In this study, we investigated the expression of inhibitory and activating receptors in peripheral blood NK cells of women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) or implantation failures. METHOD OF STUDY CD56(dim)/CD16(+), CD56(bright)/CD16(-) NK cells and CD56(+)/CD3(+) NKT cells of women with RSA or in vitro fertilization (IVF) failures and normal controls were analyzed for the expression of CD158a, CD158b inhibitory KIRs or CD161-activating receptors, by flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS CD158a and CD158b inhibitory receptor expression by CD56(dim)/CD16(+) and CD56(bright)/CD16(-) NK cells were significantly decreased, and CD161-activating receptor expression by CD56(+)/CD3(+) NKT cells was significantly increased in women with implantation failures when compared with normal controls. CONCLUSIONS An imbalance between inhibitory and activating receptor expression was found in NK cells of women with implantation failures. This imbalance may explain the adverse reproductive outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos I Ntrivalas
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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