1
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Martin KE, Hammer Q, Perica K, Sadelain M, Malmberg KJ. Engineering immune-evasive allogeneic cellular immunotherapies. Nat Rev Immunol 2024:10.1038/s41577-024-01022-8. [PMID: 38658708 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-024-01022-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Allogeneic cellular immunotherapies hold a great promise for cancer treatment owing to their potential cost-effectiveness, scalability and on-demand availability. However, immune rejection of adoptively transferred allogeneic T and natural killer (NK) cells is a substantial obstacle to achieving clinical responses that are comparable to responses obtained with current autologous chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies. In this Perspective, we discuss strategies to confer cell-intrinsic, immune-evasive properties to allogeneic T cells and NK cells in order to prevent or delay their immune rejection, thereby widening the therapeutic window. We discuss how common viral and cancer immune escape mechanisms can serve as a blueprint for improving the persistence of off-the-shelf allogeneic cell therapies. The prospects of harnessing genome editing and synthetic biology to design cell-based precision immunotherapies extend beyond programming target specificities and require careful consideration of innate and adaptive responses in the recipient that may curtail the biodistribution, in vivo expansion and persistence of cellular therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Martin
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance, The University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Quirin Hammer
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karlo Perica
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Cell Therapy Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michel Sadelain
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karl-Johan Malmberg
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance, The University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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2
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Jennifer Zhang Q. Donor selection based on NK alloreactivity for patients with hematological malignancies. Hum Immunol 2022; 83:695-703. [PMID: 35965181 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are an important defender against infections and tumors. Their function is regulated by the balance of inhibitory and activating receptors. Among all inhibitory NK receptors: killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and CD94/NKG2A recognize human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class I molecules, allowing NK cells to be 'licensed' to avoid autoreactivity, but be fully functional at the same time. Licensed NK cells can target malignant cells with altered or downregulated/missing 'self' antigens. NK cell attacking malignant cells is one of the mechanisms of graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. Numerous studies have demonstrated that NK cells improve hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) survival by reducing relapse mortality through GVL effect. Therapeutic strategies, such as adoptive alloreactive NK cell transfer, CAR-NK cells, antibodies against NKG2A and KIR2DL1-3, have been utilized to treat hematological malignancies in HCT. In this review, NK cell functions, NK cell receptors and ligands, as well as common alloreactive NK donor selection algorithms for patients with hematological malignancies in the setting of HCT are discussed. The goal of this review is to provide insights on the controversial results and provide better understanding and resources on how to perform alloreactive donor NK cell selection in HCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuheng Jennifer Zhang
- UCLA Immunogenetics Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles 90095, USA.
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3
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Liu Y, Liu X, Zhou S, Xu R, Hu J, Liao G, Liao J, Guo Z, Li Y, Yang S, Li S, Chen H, Guo Y, Li M, Fan L, Li L, Zhao M, Liu D. Single-Cell Profiling of Kidney Transplant Recipients With Immunosuppressive Treatment Reveals the Dynamic Immune Characteristics. Front Immunol 2021; 12:639942. [PMID: 33959124 PMCID: PMC8093626 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.639942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Kidney transplantation is currently the first choice of treatment for various types of end-stage renal failure, but there are major limitations in the application of immunosuppressive protocols after kidney transplantation. When the dose of immunosuppressant is too low, graft rejection occurs easily, while a dose that is too high can lead to graft loss. Therefore, it is very important to explore the immune status of patients receiving immunosuppressive agents after kidney transplantation. To compare the immune status of the recipient’s whole peripheral blood before and after receipt of immunosuppressive agents, we used single-cell cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) to detect the peripheral blood immune cells in five kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) from the Department of Organ Transplantation of Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University before and after receiving immunosuppressive agents. Based on CyTOF analysis, we detected 363,342 live single immune cells. We found that the immune cell types of the KTRs before and after receipt of immunosuppressive agents were mainly divided into CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, NK cells/γδ T cells, monocytes/macrophages, granulocytes, and dendritic cells (DCs). After further reclustering of the above cell types, it was found that the immune cell subclusters in the peripheral blood of patients underwent major changes after receipt of immunosuppressants. After receiving immunosuppressive therapy, the peripheral blood of KTRs had significantly increased levels of CD57+NK cells and significantly decreased levels of central memory CD4+ T cells, follicular helper CD4+ T cells, effector CD8+ T cells, effector memory CD8+ T cells and naive CD8+ T cells. This study used CyTOF to classify immune cells in the peripheral blood of KTRs before and after immunosuppressive treatment, further compared differences in the proportions of the main immune cell types and immune cell subgroups before and after receipt of immunosuppressants, and provided relatively accurate information for assessment and treatment strategies for KTRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongguang Liu
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyou Liu
- Department of Organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Song Zhou
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruiquan Xu
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Jianmin Hu
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guorong Liao
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Liao
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zefeng Guo
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuzhu Li
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siqiang Yang
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shichao Li
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Guo
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lipei Fan
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liuyang Li
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ding Liu
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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4
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Bruijnesteijn J, de Groot NG, Bontrop RE. The Genetic Mechanisms Driving Diversification of the KIR Gene Cluster in Primates. Front Immunol 2020; 11:582804. [PMID: 33013938 PMCID: PMC7516082 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.582804] [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: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity and function of natural killer (NK) cells are modulated through the interactions of multiple receptor families, of which some recognize MHC class I molecules. The high level of MHC class I polymorphism requires their ligands either to interact with conserved epitopes, as is utilized by the NKG2A receptor family, or to co-evolve with the MHC class I allelic variation, which task is taken up by the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family. Multiple molecular mechanisms are responsible for the diversification of the KIR gene system, and include abundant chromosomal recombination, high mutation rates, alternative splicing, and variegated expression. The combination of these genetic mechanisms generates a compound array of diversity as is reflected by the contraction and expansion of KIR haplotypes, frequent birth of fusion genes, allelic polymorphism, structurally distinct isoforms, and variegated expression, which is in contrast to the mainly allelic nature of MHC class I polymorphism in humans. A comparison of the thoroughly studied human and macaque KIR gene repertoires demonstrates a similar evolutionarily conserved toolbox, through which selective forces drove and maintained the diversified nature of the KIR gene cluster. This hypothesis is further supported by the comparative genetics of KIR haplotypes and genes in other primate species. The complex nature of the KIR gene system has an impact upon the education, activity, and function of NK cells in coherence with an individual’s MHC class I repertoire and pathogenic encounters. Although selection operates on an individual, the continuous diversification of the KIR gene system in primates might protect populations against evolving pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Natasja G de Groot
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Ronald E Bontrop
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands.,Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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5
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Kennedy PR, Barthen C, Williamson DJ, Pitkeathly WTE, Hazime KS, Cumming J, Stacey KB, Hilton HG, Carrington M, Parham P, Davis DM. Genetic diversity affects the nanoscale membrane organization and signaling of natural killer cell receptors. Sci Signal 2019; 12:eaaw9252. [PMID: 31848320 PMCID: PMC6944503 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaw9252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetic diversity in human natural killer (NK) cell receptors is linked to resistance and susceptibility to many diseases. Here, we tested the effect of this diversity on the nanoscale organization of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). Using superresolution microscopy, we found that inhibitory KIRs encoded by different genes and alleles were organized differently at the surface of primary human NK cells. KIRs that were found at low abundance assembled into smaller clusters than those formed by KIRs that were more highly abundant, and at low abundance, there was a greater proportion of KIRs in clusters. Upon receptor triggering, a structured interface called the immune synapse assembles, which facilitates signal integration and controls NK cell responses. Here, triggering of low-abundance receptors resulted in less phosphorylation of the downstream phosphatase SHP-1 but more phosphorylation of the adaptor protein Crk than did triggering of high-abundance receptors. In cells with greater KIR abundance, SHP-1 dephosphorylated Crk, which potentiated NK cell spreading during activation. Thus, genetic variation modulates both the abundance and nanoscale organization of inhibitory KIRs. That is, as well as the number of receptors at the cell surface varying with genotype, the way in which these receptors are organized in the membrane also varies. Essentially, a change in the average surface abundance of a protein at the cell surface is a coarse descriptor entwined with changes in local nanoscale clustering. Together, our data indicate that genetic diversity in inhibitory KIRs affects membrane-proximal signaling and, unexpectedly, the formation of activating immune synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippa R Kennedy
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Charlotte Barthen
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - David J Williamson
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - William T E Pitkeathly
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Khodor S Hazime
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Joshua Cumming
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Kevin B Stacey
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Hugo G Hilton
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, D159, Sherman Fairchild Science Building, 299 Campus Drive West, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Mary Carrington
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Building 560, Room 21-89, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Peter Parham
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, D159, Sherman Fairchild Science Building, 299 Campus Drive West, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Daniel M Davis
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK.
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6
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Wilk AJ, Blish CA. Diversification of human NK cells: Lessons from deep profiling. J Leukoc Biol 2018; 103:629-641. [PMID: 29350874 PMCID: PMC6133712 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.6ri0917-390r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are innate lymphocytes with important roles in immunoregulation, immunosurveillance, and cytokine production. Originally defined on the functional basis of their "natural" ability to lyse tumor targets and thought to be a relatively homogeneous group of lymphocytes, NK cells possess a remarkable degree of phenotypic and functional diversity due to the combinatorial expression of an array of activating and inhibitory receptors. Diversification of NK cells is multifaceted: mechanisms of NK cell education that promote self-tolerance result in a heterogeneous repertoire that further diversifies upon encounters with viral pathogens. Here, we review the genetic, developmental, and environmental sources of NK cell diversity with a particular focus on deep profiling and single-cell technologies that will enable a more thorough and accurate dissection of this intricate and poorly understood lymphocyte lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J. Wilk
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Catherine A. Blish
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, and Stanford Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
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7
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Malmberg KJ, Carlsten M, Björklund A, Sohlberg E, Bryceson YT, Ljunggren HG. Natural killer cell-mediated immunosurveillance of human cancer. Semin Immunol 2017; 31:20-29. [PMID: 28888619 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The contribution of natural killer (NK) cells to immunosurveillance of human cancer remains debatable. Here, we discuss advances in several areas of human NK cell research, many of which support the ability of NK cells to prevent cancer development and avoid relapse following adoptive immunotherapy. We describe the molecular basis for NK cell recognition of human tumor cells and provide evidence for NK cell-mediated killing of human primary tumor cells ex vivo. Subsequently, we highlight studies demonstrating the ability of NK cells to migrate to, and reside in, the human tumor microenvironment where selection of tumor escape variants from NK cells can occur. Indirect evidence for NK cell immunosurveillance against human malignancies is provided by the reduced incidence of cancer in individuals with high levels of NK cell cytotoxicity, and the significant clinical responses observed following infusion of human NK cells into cancer patients. Finally, we describe studies showing enhanced tumor progression, or increased cancer incidence, in patients with inherited and acquired defects in cellular cytotoxicity. All these observations have in common that they, either indirectly or directly, suggest a role for NK cells in mediating immunosurveillance against human cancer. This opens up for exciting possibilities with respect to further exploring NK cells in settings of adoptive immunotherapy in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Johan Malmberg
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; The KG Jebsen Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mattias Carlsten
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Björklund
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ebba Sohlberg
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yenan T Bryceson
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA.
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8
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Mehta RS, Rezvani K. Can we make a better match or mismatch with KIR genotyping? HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2016; 2016:106-118. [PMID: 27913469 PMCID: PMC6142490 DOI: 10.1182/asheducation-2016.1.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell function is regulated by a fine balance between numerous activating and inhibitory receptors, of which killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are among the most polymorphic and comprehensively studied. KIRs allow NK cells to recognize downregulation or the absence of HLA class I molecules on target cells (known as missing-self), a phenomenon that is commonly observed in virally infected cells or cancer cells. Because KIR and HLA genes are located on different chromosomes, in an allogeneic environment such as after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, donor NK cells that express an inhibitory KIR for an HLA class I molecule that is absent on recipient targets (KIR/KIR-ligand mismatch), can recognize and react to this missing self and mediate cytotoxicity. Accumulating data indicate that epistatic interactions between KIR and HLA influence outcomes in several clinical conditions. Herein, we discuss the genetic and functional features of KIR/KIR-ligand interactions in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and how these data can guide donor selection. We will also review clinical studies of adoptive NK cell therapy in leukemia and emerging data on the use of genetically modified NK cells that could broaden the scope of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohtesh S Mehta
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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9
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Goodridge JP, Önfelt B, Malmberg KJ. Newtonian cell interactions shape natural killer cell education. Immunol Rev 2016; 267:197-213. [PMID: 26284479 PMCID: PMC4832384 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Newton's third law of motion states that for every action on a physical object there is an equal and opposite reaction. The dynamic change in functional potential of natural killer (NK) cells during education bears many features of such classical mechanics. Cumulative physical interactions between cells, under a constant influence of homeostatic drivers of differentiation, lead to a reactive spectrum that ultimately shapes the functionality of each NK cell. Inhibitory signaling from an array of self‐specific receptors appear not only to suppress self‐reactivity but also aid in the persistence of effector functions over time, thereby allowing the cell to gradually build up a functional potential. Conversely, the frequent non‐cytolytic interactions between normal cells in the absence of such inhibitory signaling result in continuous stimulation of the cells and attenuation of effector function. Although an innate cell, the degree to which the fate of the NK cell is predetermined versus its ability to adapt to its own environment can be revealed through a Newtonian view of NK cell education, one which is both chronological and dynamic. As such, the development of NK cell functional diversity is the product of qualitatively different physical interactions with host cells, rather than simply the sum of their signals or an imprint based on intrinsically different transcriptional programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodie P Goodridge
- The KG Jebsen Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Björn Önfelt
- Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karl-Johan Malmberg
- The KG Jebsen Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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10
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Della Chiesa M, Falco M, Muccio L, Bertaina A, Locatelli F, Moretta A. Impact of HCMV Infection on NK Cell Development and Function after HSCT. Front Immunol 2013; 4:458. [PMID: 24379818 PMCID: PMC3861788 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cell function is regulated by an array of inhibitory and activating surface receptors that during NK cell differentiation, at variance with T and B cells, do not require genetic rearrangement. Importantly, NK cells are the first lymphocyte population recovering after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Thus, their role in early immunity after HSCT is considered crucial, as they can importantly contribute to protect the host from tumor recurrence and viral infections before T-cell immunity is fully recovered. In order to acquire effector functions and regulatory receptors, NK cell precursors undergo a maturation process that can be analyzed during immune reconstitution after HSCT. In this context, the occurrence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection/reactivation was shown to accelerate NK cell maturation by promoting the differentiation of high frequencies of NK cells characterized by a KIR+NKG2A− and NKG2C+ mature phenotype. Thus, it appears that the development of NK cells and the distribution of NK cell receptors can be deeply influenced by HCMV infection. Moreover, in HCMV-infected subjects the emergence of so called “memory-like” or “long-lived” NK cells has been documented. These cells could play an important role in protecting from infections and maybe from relapse in patients transplanted for leukemia. All the aspects regarding the influence of HCMV infection on NK cell development will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Della Chiesa
- DI.ME.S. Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | | | - Letizia Muccio
- DI.ME.S. Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Alice Bertaina
- Dipartimento di Onco-Ematologia Pediatrica, Ospedale Bambino Gesù , Roma , Italy ; University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Dipartimento di Onco-Ematologia Pediatrica, Ospedale Bambino Gesù , Roma , Italy ; University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretta
- DI.ME.S. Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova , Genova , Italy
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11
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Malmberg KJ, Michaëlsson J, Parham P, Ljunggren HG. Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor workshop: insights into evolution, genetics, function, and translation. Immunity 2012; 35:653-7. [PMID: 22118518 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2011.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The seventh killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) workshop was held at Tammsvik, Stockholm, Sweden, in the summer of 2011. This intimate and isolated setting brought together approximately 100 investigators, from a range of scientific disciplines, who are all actively working on KIRs in humans or closely related primate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Johan Malmberg
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
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12
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Phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of human NK cells developing after umbilical cord blood transplantation: a role for human cytomegalovirus? Blood 2011; 119:399-410. [PMID: 22096237 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-08-372003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in early immunity after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation because they are the first lymphocyte subset recovering after the allograft. In this study, we analyzed the development of NK cells after intrabone umbilical cord blood (CB) transplantation in 18 adult patients with hematologic malignancies. Our data indicate that, also in this transplantation setting, NK cells are the first lymphoid population detectable in peripheral blood. However, different patterns of NK-cell development could be identified. Indeed, in a group of patients, a relevant fraction of NK cells expressed a mature phenotype characterized by the KIR(+)NKG2A(-) signature 3-6 months after transplantation. In other patients, most NK cells maintained an immature phenotype even after 12 months. A possible role for cytomegalovirus in the promotion of NK-cell development was suggested by the observation that a more rapid NK-cell maturation together with expansion of NKG2C(+) NK cells was confined to patients experiencing cytomegalovirus reactivation. In a fraction of these patients, an aberrant and hyporesponsive CD56(-)CD16(+)p75/AIRM1(-) NK-cell subset (mostly KIR(+)NKG2A(-)) reminiscent of that described in patients with viremic HIV was detected. Our data support the concept that cytomegalovirus infection may drive NK-cell development after umbilical CB transplantation.
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13
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Mirjačić Martinović K, Konjević G, Babović N, Inić M. The stage dependent changes in NK cell activity and the expression of activating and inhibitory NK cell receptors in melanoma patients. J Surg Res 2010; 171:637-49. [PMID: 20828749 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2010.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2010] [Revised: 04/02/2010] [Accepted: 05/10/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As NK cell antitumor activity is regulated by the balance between numerous activating and inhibitory receptors the aim of this study was to analyze the changes in these receptors expression as well as the differences in their association with NK cell activity in melanoma patients in different clinical stages. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-three melanoma patients in the three different clinical stages and 17 healthy controls were analyzed for NK cell activity by the standard (51)Cr radioactive assay, as well as for the percentage and absolute number of CD3-CD56+ NK cells and their subsets and the expression of degranulation marker CD107a, activating NKG2D and CD161, and inhibitory KIR, CD158a, and CD158b receptors on CD3-CD56+ NK cells by flow cytometry. IFN-γ and TNF-α PBL production were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS We show that contrary to nonmetastatic, metastatic melanoma patients have significantly impaired NK cell activity, lower CD107a expression, as well as decreased production of IFN-γ and TNF-α. Furthermore, these melanoma patients have a significant decrease in the expression of activating NKG2D receptor, which positively correlates with NK cytotoxicity, and a significant increase in the expression of inhibitory CD158b on CD3-CD56+ NK cells compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we show that metastatic melanoma patients have significant changes in NK cell activity and the expression of activating as well as inhibitory NK cell receptors. These results indicate that only in this patient group, the blocking of inhibitory or enhancing of activating NK cell receptor expression may promote NK cell-mediated cytolysis.
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