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Lupo KB, Torregrosa-Allen S, Elzey BD, Utturkar S, Lanman NA, Cohen-Gadol AA, Slivova V, McIntosh M, Pollok KE, Matosevic S. TIGIT contributes to the regulation of 4-1BB and does not define NK cell dysfunction in glioblastoma. iScience 2023; 26:108353. [PMID: 38053639 PMCID: PMC10694670 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
TIGIT is a receptor on human natural killer (NK) cells. Here, we report that TIGIT does not spontaneously induce inhibition of NK cells in glioblastoma (GBM), but rather acts as a decoy-like receptor, by usurping binding partners and regulating expression of NK activating ligands and receptors. Our data show that in GBM patients, one of the underpinnings of unresponsiveness to TIGIT blockade is that by targeting TIGIT, NK cells do not lose an inhibitory signal, but gains the potential for new interactions with other, shared, TIGIT ligands. Therefore, TIGIT does not define NK cell dysfunction in GBM. Further, in GBM, TIGIT+ NK cells are hyperfunctional. In addition, we discovered that 4-1BB correlates with TIGIT expression, the agonism of which contributes to TIGIT immunotherapy. Overall, our data suggest that in GBM, TIGIT acts as a regulator of a complex network, and provide new clues about its use as an immunotherapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle B. Lupo
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | - Bennett D. Elzey
- Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Urology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sagar Utturkar
- Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Nadia A. Lanman
- Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | - Veronika Slivova
- Enterprise Clinical Research Operations Biorepository, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - MacKenzie McIntosh
- Histology Research Laboratory, Center for Comparative Translational Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Karen E. Pollok
- In Vivo Therapeutics Core, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sandro Matosevic
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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2
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Elanany MM, Mostafa D, Hamdy NM. Remodeled tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) parade via natural killer cells reprogramming in breast cancer. Life Sci 2023; 330:121997. [PMID: 37536617 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the main cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally. Despite substantial advances in the identification and management of primary tumors, traditional therapies including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation cannot completely eliminate the danger of relapse and metastatic illness. Metastasis is controlled by microenvironmental and systemic mechanisms, including immunosurveillance. This led to the evolvement of immunotherapies that has gained much attention in the recent years for cancer treatment directed to the innate immune system. The long forgotten innate immune cells known as natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as novel targets for more effective therapeutics for BC. Normally, NK cells has the capacity to identify and eradicate tumor cells either directly or by releasing cytotoxic granules, chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines. Yet, NK cells are exposed to inhibitory signals by cancer cells, which causes them to become dysfunctional in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in BC, supporting tumor escape and spread. Potential mechanisms of NK cell dysfunction in BC metastasis have been recently identified. Understanding these immunologic pathways driving BC metastasis will lead to improvements in the current immunotherapeutic strategies. In the current review, we highlight how BC evades immunosurveillance by rendering NK cells dysfunctional and we shed the light on novel NK cell- directed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M Elanany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dina Mostafa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Nadia M Hamdy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.
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3
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Paolini R, Molfetta R. Dysregulation of DNAM-1-Mediated NK Cell Anti-Cancer Responses in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4616. [PMID: 37760586 PMCID: PMC10527063 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells play a pivotal role in anti-cancer immune responses, thanks to the expression of a wide array of inhibitory and activating receptors that regulate their cytotoxicity against transformed cells while preserving healthy cells from lysis. However, NK cells exhibit severe dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment, mainly due to the reduction of activating receptors and the induction or increased expression of inhibitory checkpoint receptors. An activating receptor that plays a central role in tumor recognition is the DNAM-1 receptor. It recognizes PVR and Nectin2 adhesion molecules, which are frequently overexpressed on the surface of cancerous cells. These ligands are also able to trigger inhibitory signals via immune checkpoint receptors that are upregulated in the tumor microenvironment and can counteract DNAM-1 activation. Among them, TIGIT has recently gained significant attention, since its targeting results in improved anti-tumor immune responses. This review aims to summarize how the recognition of PVR and Nectin2 by paired co-stimulatory/inhibitory receptors regulates NK cell-mediated clearance of transformed cells. Therapeutic approaches with the potential to reverse DNAM-1 dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment will be also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosa Molfetta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
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4
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Paolini R, Molfetta R. CD155 and Its Receptors as Targets for Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12958. [PMID: 37629138 PMCID: PMC10455395 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
CD155, also known as the poliovirus receptor, is an adhesion molecule often overexpressed in tumors of different origins where it promotes cell migration and proliferation. In addition to this pro-tumorigenic function, CD155 plays an immunomodulatory role during tumor progression since it is a ligand for both the activating receptor DNAM-1 and the inhibitory receptor TIGIT, expressed on cytotoxic innate and adaptative lymphocytes. DNAM-1 is a well-recognized receptor involved in anti-tumor immune surveillance. However, in advanced tumor stages, TIGIT is up-regulated and acts as an immune checkpoint receptor, counterbalancing DNAM-1-mediated cancer cell clearance. Pre-clinical studies have proposed the direct targeting of CD155 on tumor cells as well as the enhancement of DNAM-1-mediated anti-tumor functions as promising therapeutic approaches. Moreover, immunotherapeutic use of anti-TIGIT blocking antibody alone or in combined therapy has already been included in clinical trials. The aim of this review is to summarize all these potential therapies, highlighting the still controversial role of CD155 during tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosa Molfetta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
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5
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Zhang M, Lam KP, Xu S. Natural Killer Cell Engagers (NKCEs): a new frontier in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1207276. [PMID: 37638058 PMCID: PMC10450036 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1207276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are a type of innate lymphoid cells that play a crucial role in immunity by killing virally infected or tumor cells and secreting cytokines and chemokines. NK cell-mediated immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment due to its safety and effectiveness. NK cell engagers (NKCEs), such as BiKE (bispecific killer cell engager) or TriKE (trispecific killer cell engager), are a novel class of antibody-based therapeutics that exhibit several advantages over other cancer immunotherapies harnessing NK cells. By bridging NK and tumor cells, NKCEs activate NK cells and lead to tumor cell lysis. A growing number of NKCEs are currently undergoing development, with some already in clinical trials. However, there is a need for more comprehensive studies to determine how the molecular design of NKCEs affects their functionality and manufacturability, which are crucial for their development as off-the-shelf drugs for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on NKCE development and discuss critical factors required for the production of effective NKCEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minchuan Zhang
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kong-Peng Lam
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shengli Xu
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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6
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An Inhibitory Role for Human CD96 Endodomain in T Cell Anti-Tumor Responses. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020309. [PMID: 36672244 PMCID: PMC9856660 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy involves the inhibition of immune checkpoint regulators which reverses their limitation of T cell anti-tumor responses and results in long-lasting tumor regression. However, poor clinical response or tumor relapse was observed in some patients receiving such therapy administered via antibodies blocking the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) or the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) pathway alone or in combination, suggesting the involvement of additional immune checkpoints. CD96, a possible immune checkpoint, was previously shown to suppress natural killer (NK) cell anti-tumor activity but its role in human T cells remains controversial. Here, we demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9-based deletion of CD96 in human T cells enhanced their killing of leukemia cells in vitro. T cells engineered with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) comprising human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (EGFR2/HER2)-binding extracellular region and intracellular regions of CD96 and CD3ζ (4D5-96z CAR-T cells) were less effective in suppressing the growth of HER2-expressing tumor cells in vitro and in vivo compared with counterparts bearing CAR that lacked CD96 endodomain (4D5-z CAR-T cells). Together, our findings implicate a role for CD96 endodomain in attenuating T cell cytotoxicity and support combination tumor immunotherapy targeting multiple rather than single immune checkpoints.
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7
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Ghaedrahmati F, Esmaeil N, Abbaspour M. Targeting immune checkpoints: how to use natural killer cells for fighting against solid tumors. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 43:177-213. [PMID: 36585761 PMCID: PMC9926962 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are unique innate immune cells that mediate anti-viral and anti-tumor responses. Thus, they might hold great potential for cancer immunotherapy. NK cell adoptive immunotherapy in humans has shown modest efficacy. In particular, it has failed to demonstrate therapeutic efficiency in the treatment of solid tumors, possibly due in part to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which reduces NK cell immunotherapy's efficiencies. It is known that immune checkpoints play a prominent role in creating an immunosuppressive TME, leading to NK cell exhaustion and tumor immune escape. Therefore, NK cells must be reversed from their dysfunctional status and increased in their effector roles in order to improve the efficiency of cancer immunotherapy. Blockade of immune checkpoints can not only rescue NK cells from exhaustion but also augment their robust anti-tumor activity. In this review, we discussed immune checkpoint blockade strategies with a focus on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells to redirect NK cells to cancer cells in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhoodeh Ghaedrahmati
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Nafiseh Esmaeil
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran,Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non‐Communicable DiseaseIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Maryam Abbaspour
- Department of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyFaculty of PharmacyIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
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8
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Rogel A, Ibrahim FM, Thirdborough SM, Renart-Depontieu F, Birts CN, Buchan SL, Preville X, King EV, Al-Shamkhani A. Fcγ receptor-mediated cross-linking codefines the immunostimulatory activity of anti-human CD96 antibodies. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e158444. [PMID: 35998045 PMCID: PMC9675451 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.158444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
New strategies that augment T cell responses are required to broaden the therapeutic arsenal against cancer. CD96, TIGIT, and CD226 are receptors that bind to a communal ligand, CD155, and transduce either inhibitory or activating signals. The function of TIGIT and CD226 is established, whereas the role of CD96 remains ambiguous. Using a panel of engineered antibodies, we discovered that the T cell stimulatory activity of anti-CD96 antibodies requires antibody cross-linking and is potentiated by Fcγ receptors. Thus, soluble "Fc silent" anti-CD96 antibodies failed to stimulate human T cells, whereas the same antibodies were stimulatory after coating onto plastic surfaces. Remarkably, the activity of soluble anti-CD96 antibodies was reinstated by engineering the Fc domain to a human IgG1 isotype, and it was dependent on antibody trans-cross-linking by FcγRI. In contrast, neither human IgG2 nor variants with increased Fcγ receptor IIB binding possessed stimulatory activity. Anti-CD96 antibodies acted directly on T cells and augmented gene expression networks associated with T cell activation, leading to proliferation, cytokine secretion, and resistance to Treg suppression. Furthermore, CD96 expression correlated with survival in HPV+ head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and its cross-linking activated tumor-infiltrating T cells, thus highlighting the potential of anti-CD96 antibodies in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Rogel
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Fathima M. Ibrahim
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen M. Thirdborough
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Charles N. Birts
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah L. Buchan
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Emma V. King
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Aymen Al-Shamkhani
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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9
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Helmin-Basa A, Gackowska L, Balcerowska S, Ornawka M, Naruszewicz N, Wiese-Szadkowska M. The application of the natural killer cells, macrophages and dendritic cells in treating various types of cancer. PHYSICAL SCIENCES REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/psr-2019-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Innate immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) are involved in the surveillance and clearance of tumor. Intensive research has exposed the mechanisms of recognition and elimination of tumor cells by these immune cells as well as how cancers evade immune response. Hence, harnessing the immune cells has proven to be an effective therapy in treating a variety of cancers. Strategies aimed to harness and augment effector function of these cells for cancer therapy have been the subject of intense researches over the decades. Different immunotherapeutic possibilities are currently being investigated for anti-tumor activity. Pharmacological agents known to influence immune cell migration and function include therapeutic antibodies, modified antibody molecules, toll-like receptor agonists, nucleic acids, chemokine inhibitors, fusion proteins, immunomodulatory drugs, vaccines, adoptive cell transfer and oncolytic virus–based therapy. In this review, we will focus on the preclinical and clinical applications of NK cell, macrophage and DC immunotherapy in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Helmin-Basa
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Lidia Gackowska
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Sara Balcerowska
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Marcelina Ornawka
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Natalia Naruszewicz
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Małgorzata Wiese-Szadkowska
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
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10
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Conner M, Hance KW, Yadavilli S, Smothers J, Waight JD. Emergence of the CD226 Axis in Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:914406. [PMID: 35812451 PMCID: PMC9263721 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.914406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, a set of immune receptors that interact with members of the nectin/nectin-like (necl) family has garnered significant attention as possible points of manipulation in cancer. Central to this axis, CD226, TIGIT, and CD96 represent ligand (CD155)-competitive co-stimulatory/inhibitory receptors, analogous to the CTLA-4/B7/CD28 tripartite. The identification of PVRIG (CD112R) and CD112 has introduced complexity and enabled additional nodes of therapeutic intervention. By virtue of the clinical progression of TIGIT antagonists and emergence of novel CD96- and PVRIG-based approaches, our overall understanding of the ‘CD226 axis’ in cancer immunotherapy is starting to take shape. However, several questions remain regarding the unique characteristics of, and mechanistic interplay between, each receptor-ligand pair. This review provides an overview of the CD226 axis in the context of cancer, with a focus on the status of immunotherapeutic strategies (TIGIT, CD96, and PVRIG) and their underlying biology (i.e., cis/trans interactions). We also integrate our emerging knowledge of the immune populations involved, key considerations for Fc gamma (γ) receptor biology in therapeutic activity, and a snapshot of the rapidly evolving clinical landscape.
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11
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CD96 Downregulation Promotes the Immune Response of CD4 T Cells and Associates with Ankylosing Spondylitis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:3946754. [PMID: 35769669 PMCID: PMC9234051 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3946754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitory receptors (IRs) play an indispensable role in regulating T cell activation and expansion. This study is aimed at exploring the correlation between IRs and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Bioinformatics analysis of two datasets (GSE25101 and GSE73754), including 68 AS cases and 36 healthy controls, demonstrated that “T cell receptor signaling pathway” was significantly enriched, and two IRs (CD112R and CD96) were downregulated in AS cases. Real-time Quantitative PCR Detecting System (qPCR) analysis confirmed the decreased expression of CD112R and CD96 in the peripheral blood of AS patients. Flow cytometry demonstrated that the frequency of CD96-positive cells among CD4 T cells in AS patients was significantly reduced and that expressed on the cells was also significantly lower than the healthy controls. In addition, the expression of CD96 was altered on human primary CD4 T cells extracted from 3 healthy volunteers and cocultured with allogeneic dendritic cells (DCs). Also, low expression of CD96 elevated the phosphorylation of ERK in CD4 T cells and increased the level of TNF-α, IL-23, IL-17A, IL-6, and IFN-γ in the cell culture supernatant. These results suggested that CD96 is crucial for the pathogenesis of AS and may be a potential target in the treatment of the disease.
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12
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Dunai C, Ames E, Ochoa MC, Fernandez-Sendin M, Melero I, Simonetta F, Baker J, Alvarez M. Killers on the loose: Immunotherapeutic strategies to improve NK cell-based therapy for cancer treatment. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 370:65-122. [PMID: 35798507 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that control tumor progression by not only directly killing cancer cells, but also by regulating other immune cells, helping to orchestrate a coordinated anti-tumor response. However, despite the tremendous potential that this cell type has, the clinical results obtained from diverse NK cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies have been, until recent years, rather modest. The intrinsic regulatory mechanisms that are involved in the control of their activation as well as the multiple mechanisms that tumor cells have developed to escape NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity likely account for the unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. The current approaches to improve long-term NK cell function are centered on modulating different molecules involved in both the activation and inhibition of NK cells, and the latest data seems to advocate for combining strategies that target multiple aspects of NK cell regulation. In this review, we summarize the different strategies (such as engineered NK cells, CAR-NK, NK cell immune engagers) that are currently being used to take advantage of this potent and complex immune cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cordelia Dunai
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Erik Ames
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Maria C Ochoa
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Myriam Fernandez-Sendin
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain; Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Federico Simonetta
- Division of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Translational Research Centre in Onco-Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jeanette Baker
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Maite Alvarez
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Wu B, Zhong C, Lang Q, Liang Z, Zhang Y, Zhao X, Yu Y, Zhang H, Xu F, Tian Y. Poliovirus receptor (PVR)-like protein cosignaling network: new opportunities for cancer immunotherapy. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:267. [PMID: 34433460 PMCID: PMC8390200 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02068-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint molecules, also known as cosignaling molecules, are pivotal cell-surface molecules that control immune cell responses by either promoting (costimulatory molecules) or inhibiting (coinhibitory molecules) a signal. These molecules have been studied for many years. The application of immune checkpoint drugs in the clinic provides hope for cancer patients. Recently, the poliovirus receptor (PVR)-like protein cosignaling network, which involves several immune checkpoint receptors, i.e., DNAM-1 (DNAX accessory molecule-1, CD226), TIGIT (T-cell immunoglobulin (Ig) and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM)), CD96 (T cell activation, increased late expression (TACLILE)), and CD112R (PVRIG), which interact with their ligands CD155 (PVR/Necl-5), CD112 (PVRL2/nectin-2), CD111 (PVRL1/nectin-1), CD113 (PVRL3/nectin-3), and Nectin4, was discovered. As important components of the immune system, natural killer (NK) and T cells play a vital role in eliminating and killing foreign pathogens and abnormal cells in the body. Recently, increasing evidence has suggested that this novel cosignaling network axis costimulates and coinhibits NK and T cell activation to eliminate cancer cells after engaging with ligands, and this activity may be effectively targeted for cancer immunotherapy. In this article, we review recent advances in research on this novel cosignaling network. We also briefly outline the structure of this cosignaling network, the signaling cascades and mechanisms involved after receptors engage with ligands, and how this novel cosignaling network costimulates and coinhibits NK cell and T cell activation for cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, this review comprehensively summarizes the application of this new network in preclinical trials and clinical trials. This review provides a new immunotherapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baokang Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Chongli Zhong
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Qi Lang
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Zhiyun Liang
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yizhou Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Surgery, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Heming Zhang
- Department of College of Medical and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning Province, China.
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14
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Buckle I, Guillerey C. Inhibitory Receptors and Immune Checkpoints Regulating Natural Killer Cell Responses to Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174263. [PMID: 34503073 PMCID: PMC8428224 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Recent years marked the discovery and increased understanding of the role immune checkpoints play in immunity against cancer. This has revolutionized cancer treatment, saving the lives of many patients. For numerous years the spotlight of success has been directed towards T cells; however, it is now appreciated that other cells play vital roles in this protection. In this review we focused on cytotoxic lymphocytes Natural Killer (NK) cells, which are known to be well equipped in the fight against cancer. We explored the role of well-described and newly emerging inhibitory receptors, including immune checkpoints in regulating NK cell activity against cancer. The knowledge summarized in this review should guide the development of immunotherapies targeting inhibitory receptors with the aim of restoring NK cell responses in cancer patients. Abstract The discovery of immune checkpoints provided a breakthrough for cancer therapy. Immune checkpoints are inhibitory receptors that are up-regulated on chronically stimulated lymphocytes and have been shown to hinder immune responses to cancer. Monoclonal antibodies against the checkpoint molecules PD-1 and CTLA-4 have shown early clinical success against melanoma and are now approved to treat various cancers. Since then, the list of potential candidates for immune checkpoint blockade has dramatically increased. The current paradigm stipulates that immune checkpoint blockade therapy unleashes pre-existing T cell responses. However, there is accumulating evidence that some of these immune checkpoint molecules are also expressed on Natural Killer (NK) cells. In this review, we summarize our latest knowledge about targetable NK cell inhibitory receptors. We discuss the HLA-binding receptors KIRS and NKG2A, receptors binding to nectin and nectin-like molecules including TIGIT, CD96, and CD112R, and immune checkpoints commonly associated with T cells such as PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3. We also discuss newly discovered pathways such as IL-1R8 and often overlooked receptors such as CD161 and Siglecs. We detail how these inhibitory receptors might regulate NK cell responses to cancer, and, where relevant, we discuss their implications for therapeutic intervention.
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15
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Rethacker L, Roelens M, Bejar C, Maubec E, Moins-Teisserenc H, Caignard A. Specific Patterns of Blood ILCs in Metastatic Melanoma Patients and Their Modulations in Response to Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061446. [PMID: 33810032 PMCID: PMC8004602 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma patients, leading to durable responses. However, some patients still not respond to this clinically used immunotherapies and there is a lack of biomarkers leading to the choice of first-line therapies. Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) express immune checkpoint receptors and are involved in anti-melanoma immune response. The aim of this article is to study ILCs from peripheral blood of melanoma patients receiving Ipilimumab, an anti-CTLA-4 treatment, and their association with clinical responses to this therapy. Our results show an impact of Ipilimumab on ILCs proportions and phenotype in blood. Moreover, the presence of anergic CD56dimCD16−DNAM-1− NK cells were associated with progression of the disease. These findings demonstrate the important role of ILC in the response to ICI. Abstract Immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoint receptors brought a breakthrough in the treatment of metastatic melanoma patients. However, a number of patients still resist these immunotherapies. Present on CD8+T cells, immune checkpoint receptors are expressed by innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), which may contribute to the clinical response. ILCs are composed of natural killer (NK) cells, which are cytotoxic effectors involved in tumor immunosurveillance. NK cell activation is regulated by a balance between activating receptors that detect stress molecules on tumor cells and HLA-I-specific inhibitory receptors. Helper ILCs (h-ILCs) are newly characterized ILCs that secrete cytokines and regulate the immune homeostasis of tissue. We investigated the modulation of blood ILCs in melanoma patients treated with ipilimumab. Circulating ILCs from metastatic stage IV melanoma patients and healthy donors were studied for their complete phenotypic status. Patients were studied before and at 3, 6, and 12 weeks of ipilimumab treatment. A comparison of blood ILC populations from donors and melanoma patients before treatment showed changes in proportions of ILC subsets, and a significant inverse correlation of CD56dim NK cells and h-ILC subsets was identified in patients. During treatment with ipilimumab, percentages of all ILC subsets were reduced. Ipilimumab also impacted the expression of the CD96/TIGIT/DNAM-1 pathway in all ILCs and increased CD161 and CTLA-4 expression by h-ILCs. When considering the response to the treatment, patients without disease control were characterized by higher percentages of CD56bright NK cells and ILC1. Patients with disease control displayed larger populations of activated CD56dimCD16+ DNAM-1+ NK cells, while anergic CD56dimCD16−DNAM-1− NK cells were prominent in patients without disease control. These results provide original findings on the distribution of ILC subsets in advanced melanoma patients and their modulation through immunotherapy. The effects of ipilimumab on these ILC subsets may critically influence therapeutic outcomes. These data indicate the importance of considering these innate cell subsets in immunotherapeutic strategies for melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Rethacker
- INSERM UMRS1160, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France; (L.R.); (M.R.)
| | - Marie Roelens
- INSERM UMRS1160, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France; (L.R.); (M.R.)
| | - Claudia Bejar
- Dermatology department, AP-HP Hôpital Avicenne and University Paris 13, 93008 Bobigny, France; (C.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Eve Maubec
- Dermatology department, AP-HP Hôpital Avicenne and University Paris 13, 93008 Bobigny, France; (C.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Hélène Moins-Teisserenc
- Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, AP-HP hopital Saint-Louis, Université de Paris, INSERM UMRS-1160, 75010 Paris, France;
| | - Anne Caignard
- INSERM UMRS1160, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France; (L.R.); (M.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-1-4249-4889; Fax: +33-1-4238-5345
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16
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Johnston RJ, Lee PS, Strop P, Smyth MJ. Cancer Immunotherapy and the Nectin Family. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY-SERIES 2021. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-060920-084910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
It is increasingly clear that the nectin family and its immunoreceptors shape the immune response to cancer through several pathways. Yet, even as antibodies against TIGIT, CD96, and CD112R advance into clinical development, biological and therapeutic questions remain unanswered. Here, we review recent progress, prospects, and challenges to understanding and tapping this family in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Johnston
- Oncology Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, USA
| | - Peter S. Lee
- Discovery Biotherapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, USA;,
| | - Pavel Strop
- Discovery Biotherapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, USA;,
| | - Mark J. Smyth
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia
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17
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Huang RS, Lai MC, Shih HA, Lin S. A robust platform for expansion and genome editing of primary human natural killer cells. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20201529. [PMID: 33433623 PMCID: PMC7808298 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20201529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome editing is a powerful technique for delineating complex signaling circuitry and enhancing the functionality of immune cells for immunotherapy. Natural killer (NK) cells are potent immune effectors against cell malignancy, but they are challenging to modify genetically by conventional methods due to the toxicity of DNA when introduced into cells coupled with limited transfection and transduction efficiency. Here, we describe an integrated platform that streamlines feeder-free ex vivo expansion of cryopreserved primary human NK cells and nonviral genome editing by the nucleofection of CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (Cas9 RNPs). The optimized Cas9 nucleofection protocol allows efficient and multiplex gene knockout in NK cells while preserving high cell viability and negligible off-target effects. Cointroduction of a DNA template also enables in-frame gene knock-in of an HA affinity tag and a gfp reporter across multiple loci. This work demonstrates the advantages and flexibility of working with cryopreserved NK cells as potential off-the-shelf engineered therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rih-Sheng Huang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Min-Chi Lai
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-An Shih
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Steven Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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18
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Toffoli EC, Sheikhi A, Höppner YD, de Kok P, Yazdanpanah-Samani M, Spanholtz J, Verheul HMW, van der Vliet HJ, de Gruijl TD. Natural Killer Cells and Anti-Cancer Therapies: Reciprocal Effects on Immune Function and Therapeutic Response. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040711. [PMID: 33572396 PMCID: PMC7916216 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that play an important role in the immune response against cancer. Their activity is controlled by a balance of inhibitory and activating receptors, which in cancer can be skewed to favor their suppression in support of immune escape. It is therefore imperative to find ways to optimize their antitumor functionality. In this review, we explore and discuss how their activity influences, or even mediates, the efficacy of various anti-cancer therapies and, vice versa, how their activity can be affected by these therapies. Knowledge of the mechanisms underlying these observations could provide rationales for combining anti-cancer treatments with strategies enhancing NK cell function in order to improve their therapeutic efficacy. Abstract Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells with the unique ability to recognize and kill virus-infected and cancer cells without prior immune sensitization. Due to their expression of the Fc receptor CD16, effector NK cells can kill tumor cells through antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, making them relevant players in antibody-based cancer therapies. The role of NK cells in other approved and experimental anti-cancer therapies is more elusive. Here, we review the possible role of NK cells in the efficacy of various anti-tumor therapies, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, as well as the impact of these therapies on NK cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa C. Toffoli
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.T.); (A.S.); (Y.D.H.); (P.d.K.); (H.J.v.d.V.)
| | - Abdolkarim Sheikhi
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.T.); (A.S.); (Y.D.H.); (P.d.K.); (H.J.v.d.V.)
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful 64616-43993, Iran
| | - Yannick D. Höppner
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.T.); (A.S.); (Y.D.H.); (P.d.K.); (H.J.v.d.V.)
| | - Pita de Kok
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.T.); (A.S.); (Y.D.H.); (P.d.K.); (H.J.v.d.V.)
| | - Mahsa Yazdanpanah-Samani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-45794, Iran;
| | - Jan Spanholtz
- Glycostem, Kloosterstraat 9, 5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands;
| | - Henk M. W. Verheul
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Hans J. van der Vliet
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.T.); (A.S.); (Y.D.H.); (P.d.K.); (H.J.v.d.V.)
- Lava Therapeutics, Yalelaan 60, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tanja D. de Gruijl
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.T.); (A.S.); (Y.D.H.); (P.d.K.); (H.J.v.d.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-20-4444063
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Abstract
Antibody-based therapeutics targeting the inhibitory receptors PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4 have shown remarkable clinical progress on several cancers. However, most patients do not benefit from these therapies. Thus, many efforts are being made to identify new immune checkpoint receptor-ligand pathways that are alternative targets for cancer immunotherapies. Nectin and nectin-like molecules are widely expressed on several types of tumor cells and play regulatory roles in T- and NK-cell functions. TIGIT, CD226, CD96 and CD112R on lymphoid cells are a group of immunoglobulin superfamily receptors that interact with Nectin and nectin-like molecules with different affinities. These receptors transmit activating or inhibitory signals upon binding their cognate ligands to the immune cells. The integrated signals formed by their complex interactions contribute to regu-lating immune-cell functions. Several clinical trials are currently evaluating the efficacy of anti-TIGIT and anti-CD112R blockades for treating patients with solid tumors. However, many questions still need to be answered in order to fully understand the dynamics and functions of these receptor networks. This review addresses the rationale behind targeting TIGIT, CD226, CD96, and CD112R to regulate T- and NK-cell functions and discusses their potential application in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-seung Jin
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Yoon Park
- Theragnosis Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02456, Korea
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20
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Cao Y, Wang X, Jin T, Tian Y, Dai C, Widarma C, Song R, Xu F. Immune checkpoint molecules in natural killer cells as potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:250. [PMID: 33122640 PMCID: PMC7596531 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00348-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of natural killer (NK) cells in immunotherapy to treat multiple types of cancer. NK cells are innate lymphoid cells that play essential roles in tumor surveillance and control that efficiently kill the tumor and do not require the major histocompatibility complex. The discovery of the NK’s potential as a promising therapeutic target for cancer is a relief to oncologists as they face the challenge of increased chemo-resistant cancers. NK cells show great potential against solid and hematologic tumors and have progressively shown promise as a therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. The effector role of these cells is reliant on the balance of inhibitory and activating signals. Understanding the role of various immune checkpoint molecules in the exhaustion and impairment of NK cells when their inhibitory receptors are excessively expressed is particularly important in cancer immunotherapy studies and clinical implementation. Emerging immune checkpoint receptors and molecules have been found to mediate NK cell dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment; this has brought up the need to explore further additional NK cell-related immune checkpoints that may be exploited to enhance the immune response to refractory cancers. Accordingly, this review will focus on the recent findings concerning the roles of immune checkpoint molecules and receptors in the regulation of NK cell function, as well as their potential application in tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- College of Life and Health Science, Northeastern University, 110819, Shenyang, China
| | - Tianqiang Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Chaoliu Dai
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Crystal Widarma
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Rui Song
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA.
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China.
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21
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Wu SY, Fu T, Jiang YZ, Shao ZM. Natural killer cells in cancer biology and therapy. Mol Cancer 2020; 19:120. [PMID: 32762681 PMCID: PMC7409673 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01238-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 319] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is highly complex, and immune escape is currently considered an important hallmark of cancer, largely contributing to tumor progression and metastasis. Named for their capability of killing target cells autonomously, natural killer (NK) cells serve as the main effector cells toward cancer in innate immunity and are highly heterogeneous in the microenvironment. Most current treatment options harnessing the tumor microenvironment focus on T cell-immunity, either by promoting activating signals or suppressing inhibitory ones. The limited success achieved by T cell immunotherapy highlights the importance of developing new-generation immunotherapeutics, for example utilizing previously ignored NK cells. Although tumors also evolve to resist NK cell-induced cytotoxicity, cytokine supplement, blockade of suppressive molecules and genetic engineering of NK cells may overcome such resistance with great promise in both solid and hematological malignancies. In this review, we summarized the fundamental characteristics and recent advances of NK cells within tumor immunometabolic microenvironment, and discussed potential application and limitations of emerging NK cell-based therapeutic strategies in the era of presicion medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Yang Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Tong Fu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Jiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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CD96, a new immune checkpoint, correlates with immune profile and clinical outcome of glioma. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10768. [PMID: 32612110 PMCID: PMC7330044 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66806-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
CD96 is a promising candidate for immunotherapy. However, its role and importance in glioma remains unknown. We thus aimed to genetically and clinically characterize CD96 expression in gliomas. For this, we extracted RNA-seq data of 699 glioma samples from the TCGA dataset and validated these findings using the CGGA dataset comprising 325 glioma samples. Clinical and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status were also analyzed. Various packages in R language were mainly used for statistical analysis. CD96 expression was significantly up-regulated in high-grade, IDH-wildtype, and mesenchymal-molecular subtype gliomas based on TCGA data, which was validated using the CGGA dataset. Subsequent gene ontology analysis of both datasets suggested that genes relevant to CD96 are mainly involved in immune functions in glioma as such genes were positively correlated with CD96 expression. To further explore the relationship between CD96 and immune responses, we selected seven immune-related metagenes and found that CD96 expression was positively correlated with HCK, LCK, and MHC II in the CGGA and TCGA cohorts but negatively associated with IgG. Further, Pearson correlation analysis showed that CD96 is associated with TIGIT, CD226, CRTAM, TIM-3, PD-L1, CTLA-4, and STAT3, indicating the additive antitumoral effects of these checkpoint proteins. CD96 was also suggested to play an important role in immune responses and positively collaborate with other checkpoint members. These findings show that CD96 is promising candidate for immunotherapy, and that such agents could complement current immunotherapy strategies for glioma.
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23
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Zhang Q, Zhong H, Fan Y, Liu Q, Song J, Yao S, Cao F. Immune and Clinical Features of CD96 Expression in Glioma by in silico Analysis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:592. [PMID: 32695752 PMCID: PMC7338376 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune checkpoints target regulatory pathways in T cells that enhance antitumor immune responses and elicit durable clinical responses. As a novel immune checkpoint, CD96 is an attractive key target for cancer immunotherapy. However, there has been no integrative investigation of CD96 in glioma. Our study explored the relationship between CD96 expression and clinical prognosis in glioma. Methods RNA and clinical data for a total of 1,001 samples were included in this study, including 325 samples from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) database and 676 samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. The R programming language was employed to perform statistical analysis and draw figures. Results CD96 had a consistently positive relationship with glioblastoma and was highly enriched in IDH-wildtype and mesenchymal subtype glioma. Gene ontology enrichment and gene set variation analysis analyses suggested that CD96 was mostly involved in immune functions and was especially related to T cell-mediated immune response in glioma. Subsequent immune infiltration analysis showed that CD96 was positively correlated with infiltrating levels of CD4 + T and CD8 + T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and DCs in glioblastoma multiforme and low-grade glioma. Additionally, CD96 was tightly associated with other immune checkpoints, including PD-1, CTLA-4, TIGIT, and TIM-3. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that CD96 acts as an independent indicator of poor prognosis in glioma. Conclusion CD96 expression was increased in malignant phenotype and negatively associated with overall survival in glioma. CD96 also showed a positive correlation with other immune checkpoints, immune response, and inflammatory activity. Our findings indicate that CD96 is a promising clinical target for further immunotherapeutic use in glioma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- Department of Cerebrovascular Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Hua Zhong
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yinchun Fan
- Department of Cerebrovascular Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Cerebrovascular Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Jiancheng Song
- Department of Cerebrovascular Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Shengtao Yao
- Department of Cerebrovascular Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Fang Cao
- Department of Cerebrovascular Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China
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Hypoxia Impairs NK Cell Cytotoxicity through SHP-1-Mediated Attenuation of STAT3 and ERK Signaling Pathways. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:4598476. [PMID: 33123602 PMCID: PMC7584946 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4598476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune effectors with potent antitumor activity. However, tumor cells can create an immunosuppressive microenvironment to escape immune surveillance. Although accumulating evidence indicates that microenvironmental hypoxia plays an important role in favoring tumor development and immune evasion, it remains unclear by what means hypoxia directly impairs NK cell antitumor activity. In this study, we confirmed that hypoxic NK cells showed significantly lower cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Consistent with this finding, we found that the reduction in NK cell cytotoxicity resulting from hypoxia correlated to the lower expression of granzyme B, IFN-γ, and degranulation marker CD107a, as well as activating receptors including NKp30, NKp46, and NKG2D expressed on the surface of NK cells. More importantly, we further demonstrated that a reduction in the phosphorylation levels of ERK and STAT3 secondary to hypoxia was strongly associated with the attenuated NK cell cytotoxicity. Focusing on the mechanism responsible for reduced phosphorylation levels of ERK and STAT3, we reveal that the activation of protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 (Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1) following hypoxia might play an essential role in this process. By knocking down SHP-1 or blocking its activity using a specific inhibitor TPI-1, we were able to partially restore NK cell cytotoxicity under hypoxia. Taken together, we demonstrate that hypoxia could impair NK cell cytotoxicity by decreasing the phosphorylation levels of ERK and STAT3 in a SHP-1-dependent manner. Therefore, targeting SHP-1 could provide an approach to enhance NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy.
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25
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Hodgins JJ, Khan ST, Park MM, Auer RC, Ardolino M. Killers 2.0: NK cell therapies at the forefront of cancer control. J Clin Invest 2020; 129:3499-3510. [PMID: 31478911 DOI: 10.1172/jci129338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphocytes involved in the surveillance and elimination of cancer. As we have learned more and more about the mechanisms NK cells employ to recognize and eliminate tumor cells, and how, in turn, cancer evades NK cell responses, we have gained a clear appreciation that NK cells can be harnessed in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we review the evidence for NK cells' critical role in combating transformed and malignant cells, and how cancer immunotherapies potentiate NK cell responses for therapeutic purposes. We highlight cutting-edge immunotherapeutic strategies in preclinical and clinical development such as adoptive NK cell transfer, chimeric antigen receptor-expressing NK cells (CAR-NKs), bispecific and trispecific killer cell engagers (BiKEs and TriKEs), checkpoint blockade, and oncolytic virotherapy. Further, we describe the challenges that NK cells face (e.g., postsurgical dysfunction) that must be overcome by these therapeutic modalities to achieve cancer clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Hodgins
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and
| | - Sarwat T Khan
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria M Park
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and
| | - Rebecca C Auer
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michele Ardolino
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and
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Ben-Shmuel A, Biber G, Barda-Saad M. Unleashing Natural Killer Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment-The Next Generation of Immunotherapy? Front Immunol 2020; 11:275. [PMID: 32153582 PMCID: PMC7046808 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of immunotherapy for cancer treatment bears considerable clinical promise. Nevertheless, many patients remain unresponsive, acquire resistance, or suffer dose-limiting toxicities. Immune-editing of tumors assists their escape from the immune system, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) induces immune suppression through multiple mechanisms. Immunotherapy aims to bolster the activity of immune cells against cancer by targeting these suppressive immunomodulatory processes. Natural Killer (NK) cells are a heterogeneous subset of immune cells, which express a diverse array of activating and inhibitory germline-encoded receptors, and are thus capable of directly targeting and killing cancer cells without the need for MHC specificity. Furthermore, they play a critical role in triggering the adaptive immune response. Enhancing the function of NK cells in the context of cancer is therefore a promising avenue for immunotherapy. Different NK-based therapies have been evaluated in clinical trials, and some have demonstrated clinical benefits, especially in the context of hematological malignancies. Solid tumors remain much more difficult to treat, and the time point and means of intervention of current NK-based treatments still require optimization to achieve long term effects. Here, we review recently described mechanisms of cancer evasion from NK cell immune surveillance, and the therapeutic approaches that aim to potentiate NK function. Specific focus is placed on the use of specialized monoclonal antibodies against moieties on the cancer cell, or on both the tumor and the NK cell. In addition, we highlight newly identified mechanisms that inhibit NK cell activity in the TME, and describe how biochemical modifications of the TME can synergize with current treatments and increase susceptibility to NK cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviad Ben-Shmuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Guy Biber
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Mira Barda-Saad
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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27
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Chiang EY, de Almeida PE, de Almeida Nagata DE, Bowles KH, Du X, Chitre AS, Banta KL, Kwon Y, McKenzie B, Mittman S, Cubas R, Anderson KR, Warming S, Grogan JL. CD96 functions as a co-stimulatory receptor to enhance CD8 + T cell activation and effector responses. Eur J Immunol 2020; 50:891-902. [PMID: 32043568 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201948405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
CD96 is a member of the poliovirus receptor (PVR, CD155)-nectin family that includes T cell Ig and ITIM domain (TIGIT) and CD226. While CD96, TIGIT, and CD226 have important roles in regulating NK cell activity, and TIGIT and CD226 have also been shown to regulate T cell responses, it is unclear whether CD96 has inhibitory or stimulatory function in CD8+ T cells. Here, we demonstrate that CD96 has co-stimulatory function on CD8+ T cells. Crosslinking of CD96 on human or mouse CD8+ T cells induced activation, effector cytokine production, and proliferation. CD96 was found to transduce its activating signal through the MEK-ERK pathway. CD96-mediated signaling led to increased frequencies of NUR77- and T-bet-expressing CD8+ T cells and enhanced cytotoxic effector activity, indicating that CD96 can modulate effector T cell differentiation. Antibody blockade of CD96 or genetic ablation of CD96 expression on CD8+ T cells impaired expression of transcription factors and proinflammatory cytokines associated with CD8+ T cell activation in in vivo models. Taken together, CD96 has a co-stimulatory role in CD8+ T cell activation and effector function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Y Chiang
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
| | - Patricia E de Almeida
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
| | | | - Kristin Harden Bowles
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
| | - Xiangnan Du
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
| | - Avantika S Chitre
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
| | - Karl L Banta
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
| | - Youngsu Kwon
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
| | - Brent McKenzie
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
| | - Stephanie Mittman
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
| | - Rafael Cubas
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
| | - Keith R Anderson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
| | - Søren Warming
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
| | - Jane L Grogan
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
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28
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Yan J, Li XY, Roman Aguilera A, Xiao C, Jacoberger-Foissac C, Nowlan B, Robson SC, Beers C, Moesta AK, Geetha N, Teng MWL, Smyth MJ. Control of Metastases via Myeloid CD39 and NK Cell Effector Function. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:356-367. [PMID: 31992567 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell protection from tumor metastases is a critical feature of the host immune response to cancer, but various immunosuppression mechanisms limit NK cell effector function. The ectoenzyme, CD39, expressed on tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells, granulocytes, and lymphocytes, including NK cells, converts extracellular ATP (eATP) into AMP and, thus, potentially suppresses eATP-mediated proinflammatory responses. A CD39-targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb) that inhibits the mouse ectoenzyme CD39 suppressed experimental and spontaneous metastases in a number of different tumor models and displayed superior antimetastatic activity compared with the CD39 inhibitor POM1 and inhibitors and mAbs that block other members of the adenosinergic family (e.g., A2AR and CD73). The antimetastatic activity of anti-CD39 was NK cell and IFNγ dependent, and anti-CD39 enhanced the percentage and quantity of IFNγ produced and CD107a expression in lung-infiltrating NK cells following tumor challenge and anti-CD39 therapy. Using conditional Cd39 gene-targeted mouse strains and adoptive NK cell transfers, we showed that CD39 expressed on bone marrow-derived myeloid cells was essential for anti-CD39's antimetastatic activity, but NK cell expression of CD39 was not critical. The eATP receptor P2X7 and the NALP3 inflammasome, including downstream IL18, were critical in the mechanism of action of anti-CD39, and the frequency of P2X7 and CD39 coexpressing lung alveolar macrophages was specifically reduced 1 day after anti-CD39 therapy. The data provide a mechanism of action involving NK cells and myeloid cells, and anti-CD39 combined with anti-PD-1, NK cell-activating cytokines IL15 or IL2, or an inhibitor of A2AR to effectively suppress tumor metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juming Yan
- Cancer Immunoregulation and Immunotherapy Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Xian-Yang Li
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amelia Roman Aguilera
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christos Xiao
- Cancer Immunoregulation and Immunotherapy Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Celia Jacoberger-Foissac
- Cancer Immunoregulation and Immunotherapy Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bianca Nowlan
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Simon C Robson
- Departments of Medicine and Anesthesia, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Nishamol Geetha
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michele W L Teng
- Cancer Immunoregulation and Immunotherapy Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark J Smyth
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
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29
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Abstract
Tumor development is characterized by the accumulation of mutational and epigenetic changes that transform normal cells and survival pathways into self-sustaining cells capable of untrammeled growth. Although multiple modalities including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are available for the treatment of cancer, the benefits conferred are often limited. The immune system is capable of specific, durable, and adaptable responses. However, cancers hijack immune mechanisms such as negative regulatory checkpoints that have evolved to limit inflammatory and immune responses to thwart effective antitumor immunity. The development of monoclonal antibodies against inhibitory receptors expressed by immune cells has produced durable responses in a broad array of advanced malignancies and heralded a new dawn in the cancer armamentarium. However, these remarkable responses are limited to a minority of patients and indications, highlighting the need for more effective and novel approaches. Preclinical and clinical studies with immune checkpoint blockade are exploring the therapeutic potential antibody-based therapy targeting multiple inhibitory receptors. In this chapter, we discuss the current understanding of the structure, ligand specificities, function, and signaling activities of various inhibitory receptors. Additionally, we discuss the current development status of various immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting these negative immune receptors and highlight conceptual gaps in knowledge.
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30
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O'Donnell JS, Madore J, Li XY, Smyth MJ. Tumor intrinsic and extrinsic immune functions of CD155. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 65:189-196. [PMID: 31883911 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
CD155 (PVR/necl5/Tage4), a member of the nectin-like family of adhesion molecules, is highly upregulated on tumor cells across multiple cancer types and has been associated with worse patient outcomes. In addition to well described cell-intrinsic roles promoting tumor progression and metastasis, CD155 has now been implicated in immune regulation. The role of CD155 as a potent immune ligand with diverse cell-extrinsic functions is now being defined. CD155 signaling to immune cells is mediated through interactions with the co-stimulatory immune receptor CD226 (DNAM-1) and the inhibitory checkpoint receptors TIGIT and CD96, which are differentially regulated at the cell surface on T cells and NK cells. The integration of signals from CD155 cognate receptors modifies the activity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in a context-dependent manner, making CD155 an attractive target for immune-oncology. Preclinical studies suggest that targeting this axis can improve immune-mediated tumor control, particularly when combined with existing anti-PD-1 checkpoint therapies. In this review, we discuss the roles of CD155 on host and tumor cells in controlling tumor progression and discuss the possibility of targeting CD155 for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake S O'Donnell
- Cancer Immunoregulation and Immunotherapy Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason Madore
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Xian-Yang Li
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Mark J Smyth
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia.
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31
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Sun H, Sun C. The Rise of NK Cell Checkpoints as Promising Therapeutic Targets in Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2354. [PMID: 31681269 PMCID: PMC6812684 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Sun
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Haoyu Sun
| | - Cheng Sun
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Cheng Sun
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32
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Dougall WC, Roman Aguilera A, Smyth MJ. Dual targeting of RANKL and PD-1 with a bispecific antibody improves anti-tumor immunity. Clin Transl Immunology 2019; 8:e01081. [PMID: 31572609 PMCID: PMC6763724 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The addition of RANKL/RANK blockade to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 and anti‐CTLA4 antibodies is associated with increased anti‐tumor immunity in mice. Recent retrospective clinical studies in patients with advanced melanoma and lung cancer suggest the addition of anti‐RANKL antibody to ICI increases the overall response rate relative to ICI treatment alone. Based on this rationale, we developed a novel bispecific antibody (BsAb) co‐targeting RANKL and PD‐1. Methods We characterized target binding and functional activity of the anti‐RANKL/PD‐1 BsAb in cell‐based assays. Anti‐tumor activity was confirmed in experimental lung metastasis models and in mice with established subcutaneously transplanted tumors. Results The anti‐RANKL/PD‐1 BsAb retained binding to both RANKL and PD‐1 and blocked the interaction with respective counter‐structures RANK and PD‐L1. The inhibitory effect of anti‐RANKL/PD‐1 BsAb was confirmed by demonstrating a complete block of RANKL‐dependent osteoclast formation. Monotherapy activity of anti‐RANKL/PD‐1 BsAb was observed in anti‐PD‐1 resistant tumors and, when combined with anti‐CTLA‐4 mAb, increased anti‐tumor responses. An equivalent or superior anti‐tumor response was observed with the anti‐RANKL/PD‐1 BsAb compared with the combination of parental anti‐RANKL plus anti‐PD‐1 antibodies depending upon the tumor model. Discussion Mechanistically, the anti‐tumor activity of anti‐RANKL/PD‐1 BsAb required CD8+T cells, host PD‐1 and IFNγ. Targeting RANKL and PD‐1 simultaneously within the tumor microenvironment (TME) improved anti‐tumor efficacy compared with combination of two separate mAbs. Conclusion In summary, the bispecific anti‐RANKL/PD‐1 antibody demonstrates potent tumor growth inhibition in settings of ICI resistance and represents a novel modality for clinical development in advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Dougall
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Herston Qld Australia
| | - Amelia Roman Aguilera
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Herston Qld Australia
| | - Mark J Smyth
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Herston Qld Australia
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33
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Liu F, Huang J, Xiong Y, Li S, Liu Z. Large-scale analysis reveals the specific clinical and immune features of CD155 in glioma. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:5463-5482. [PMID: 31377744 PMCID: PMC6710042 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies demonstrated that CD155 plays an important role in anti-tumor immune responses. However, its role in glioma remains unclear. Here, we identify CD155 as a promising immune target in glioma. CD155 expression was significantly highly expressed in glioblastoma but not in normal brain tissue. Subsequent analysis based on genetic and clinical data from 1173 glioma patients in Rembrandt and TCGA dataset suggested that CD155 related genes of immune response were mainly positively correlated with CD155 expression. CD155 expression was positively correlated with immune-related metagenes STAT1, HCK, LCK, and MHC I but negatively associated with IgG. CD155 expression was positively correlated with biomarker gene expression of infiltrating immune cells, suggested that high CD155 expression in gliomas tend to have more infiltrating immune cells compared with gliomas with low CD155 expression. Pearson correlation analysis showed that CD155 is associated with CD96, CD226, Nectin4, PD-L1, B7-H2, NR2F6 and GITR, implying the potential synergistic effects of these checkpoint proteins. These findings implied that CD155 is a promising immunotherapy target, combined with existing immune checkpoint blockade therapies for glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangkun Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University (CSU), Changsha 410008, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders,Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.,Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Chinese National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders (Xiangya), Chinese National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xiong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University (CSU), Changsha 410008, China
| | - Shuwang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University (CSU), Changsha 410008, China
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University (CSU), Changsha 410008, China
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Cui C, Fu K, Yang L, Wu S, Cen Z, Meng X, Huang Q, Xie Z. Hypoxia-inducible gene 2 promotes the immune escape of hepatocellular carcinoma from nature killer cells through the interleukin-10-STAT3 signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:229. [PMID: 31142329 PMCID: PMC6542136 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1233-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Background The study examines the expression and function of hypoxia-inducible gene 2 (HIG2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and cells. Methods Forty patients with HCC were included in the study. Bioinformatic analysis was used to analyze the clinical relevance of HIG2 expression in HCC tissue samples. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression of target proteins in tumor tissues. Hepatic HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells were transfected with HIG2-targeting siRNA with Lipofectamine 2000. qRT-PCR was carried out to determine gene expression levels, while Western blotting was used to determine protein expression. A CCK-8 assay was performed to detect proliferation of cells, while migration and invasion of cells were studied by Transwell assay. Flow cytometry was carried out to detect surface markers and effector molecules in Nature killercells, as well as the killing effect of NK cells. Results HIG2 expression was upregulated in HCC. Silencing of HIG2 suppressed HCC cell migration and invasion. The killing effect of NK cells on HCC cells was enhanced after HIG2 was silenced in HCC cells. Conditioned media from HIG2-silenced SMMC-7721 cells inhibited the phenotype and function of NK cells. HCC cells with silenced expression of HIG2 modulated the activity of NK cells via STAT3. HIG2 promoted the evasion of HCC cells from killing by NK cells through upregulation of IL-10 expression. Conclusion The study demonstrates that HIG2 activates the STAT3 signaling pathway in NK cells by promoting IL-10 release by HCC cells, thereby inhibiting the killing activity of NK cells, and subsequently promoting the recurrence and metastasis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanbao Cui
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaiwen Fu
- Department of Pathology, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuzhi Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Zuojie Cen
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingxing Meng
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiongguang Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhichun Xie
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
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35
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Zhang H, Vijayan D, Li XY, Robson SC, Geetha N, Teng MWL, Smyth MJ. The role of NK cells and CD39 in the immunological control of tumor metastases. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:e1593809. [PMID: 31069159 PMCID: PMC6492967 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1593809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastases are responsible for death in the majority of cancer patients. Here we have explored the role of the ectonucleotidase CD39 in select models of tumor metastases and further tested the therapeutic anticancer activity of the NTPDase inhibitor sodium polyoxotungstate (POM-1). CD39 was expressed on tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells (Treg), myeloid cells and some NK cells, and it was upregulated on these cells within tumors early after inoculation in vivo. NK cell numbers and effector functions were increased in globally CD39-deficient mice and also in WT mice treated with POM-1. Dosing with POM-1 suppressed experimental and spontaneous metastases in four different tumor models and was well tolerated. This anti-metastatic activity was completely abrogated in mice, that were depleted of NK cells, had IFNγ neutralized or were deficient in CD39 expression in bone marrow-derived cells. POM-1 was highly effective in suppressing metastases when used in combination with BRAFi/MEKi or anti-PD-1/anti-CTLA-4 or IL-2. These data highlight the importance of the CD39 pathway in suppressing NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity and validate further the development of CD39-based therapies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Zhang
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia
| | - Dipti Vijayan
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia
| | - Xian-Yang Li
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia
| | - Simon C Robson
- Departments of Medicine and Anesthesia, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nishamol Geetha
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia
| | - Michele W L Teng
- Cancer Immunoregulation and Immunotherapy Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia
| | - Mark J Smyth
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia
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36
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Mittal D, Lepletier A, Madore J, Aguilera AR, Stannard K, Blake SJ, Whitehall VLJ, Liu C, Bettington ML, Takeda K, Long GV, Scolyer RA, Lan R, Siemers N, Korman A, Teng MWL, Johnston RJ, Dougall WC, Smyth MJ. CD96 Is an Immune Checkpoint That Regulates CD8 + T-cell Antitumor Function. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:559-571. [PMID: 30894377 PMCID: PMC6445751 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
CD96 is a novel target for cancer immunotherapy shown to regulate NK cell effector function and metastasis. Here, we demonstrated that blocking CD96 suppressed primary tumor growth in a number of experimental mouse tumor models in a CD8+ T cell-dependent manner. DNAM-1/CD226, Batf3, IL12p35, and IFNγ were also critical, and CD96-deficient CD8+ T cells promoted greater tumor control than CD96-sufficient CD8+ T cells. The antitumor activity of anti-CD96 therapy was independent of Fc-mediated effector function and was more effective in dual combination with blockade of a number of immune checkpoints, including PD-1, PD-L1, TIGIT, and CTLA-4. We consistently observed coexpression of PD-1 with CD96 on CD8+ T lymphocytes in tumor-infiltrating leukocytes both in mouse and human cancers using mRNA analysis, flow cytometry, and multiplex IHF. The combination of anti-CD96 with anti-PD-1 increased the percentage of IFNγ-expressing CD8+ T lymphocytes. Addition of anti-CD96 to anti-PD-1 and anti-TIGIT resulted in superior antitumor responses, regardless of the ability of the anti-TIGIT isotype to engage FcR. The optimal triple combination was also dependent upon CD8+ T cells and IFNγ. Overall, these data demonstrate that CD96 is an immune checkpoint on CD8+ T cells and that blocking CD96 in combination with other immune-checkpoint inhibitors is a strategy to enhance T-cell activity and suppress tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Mittal
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ailin Lepletier
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jason Madore
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amelia Roman Aguilera
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kimberley Stannard
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stephen J Blake
- Cancer Immunoregulation and Immunotherapy, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Vicki L J Whitehall
- The Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Cheng Liu
- The Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,Envoi Specialist Pathologists, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Kazuyoshi Takeda
- Division of Cell Biology, Biomedical Research Center, Juntendo University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Biofunctional Microbiota, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ruth Lan
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, New York, New York
| | | | | | - Michele W L Teng
- Cancer Immunoregulation and Immunotherapy, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - William C Dougall
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark J Smyth
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
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Kučan Brlić P, Lenac Roviš T, Cinamon G, Tsukerman P, Mandelboim O, Jonjić S. Targeting PVR (CD155) and its receptors in anti-tumor therapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2019; 16:40-52. [PMID: 30275538 PMCID: PMC6318332 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-018-0168-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Poliovirus receptor (PVR, CD155) has recently been gaining scientific interest as a therapeutic target in the field of tumor immunology due to its prominent endogenous and immune functions. In contrast to healthy tissues, PVR is expressed at high levels in several human malignancies and seems to have protumorigenic and therapeutically attractive properties that are currently being investigated in the field of recombinant oncolytic virotherapy. More intriguingly, PVR participates in a considerable number of immunoregulatory functions through its interactions with activating and inhibitory immune cell receptors. These functions are often modified in the tumor microenvironment, contributing to tumor immunosuppression. Indeed, increasing evidence supports the rationale for developing strategies targeting these interactions, either in terms of checkpoint therapy (i.e., targeting inhibitory receptors) or in adoptive cell therapy, which targets PVR as a tumor marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Kučan Brlić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51 000, Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Tihana Lenac Roviš
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51 000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Guy Cinamon
- Nectin Therapeutics Ltd., Hi-Tech Campus Givat Ram, POB 39135, 91390, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Pini Tsukerman
- Nectin Therapeutics Ltd., Hi-Tech Campus Givat Ram, POB 39135, 91390, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, The Faculty of Medicine, IMRIC, The Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Stipan Jonjić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51 000, Rijeka, Croatia.
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CD226 regulates natural killer cell antitumor responses via phosphorylation-mediated inactivation of transcription factor FOXO1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E11731-E11740. [PMID: 30504141 PMCID: PMC6294892 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1814052115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
CD226 is an important activating receptor involved in mediating natural killer (NK) cell responses against tumors, but how CD226 exerts control over NK cell function is not fully understood. CD226 belongs to the poliovirus receptor (PVR)-nectin family that includes TIGIT and CD96, with TIGIT garnering much attention as a key checkpoint in T cell and NK cell antitumor responses and as an immunotherapy target. Thus, it is imperative to determine how CD226 counteracts the actions of TIGIT and CD96 with which it competes for binding to its ligands such as CD155 (PVR). We demonstrate that CD226 engagement of CD155 is required for phosphorylation of transcription factor FOXO1, resulting in inactivation of its negative regulatory control over NK cell effector function. Natural killer (NK) cell recognition of tumor cells is mediated through activating receptors such as CD226, with suppression of effector functions often controlled by negative regulatory transcription factors such as FOXO1. Here we show that CD226 regulation of NK cell cytotoxicity is facilitated through inactivation of FOXO1. Gene-expression analysis of NK cells isolated from syngeneic tumors grown in wild-type or CD226-deficient mice revealed dysregulated expression of FOXO1-regulated genes in the absence of CD226. In vitro cytotoxicity and stimulation assays demonstrated that CD226 is required for optimal killing of tumor target cells, with engagement of its ligand CD155 resulting in phosphorylation of FOXO1. CD226 deficiency or anti-CD226 antibody blockade impaired cytotoxicity with concomitant compromised inactivation of FOXO1. Furthermore, inhibitors of FOXO1 phosphorylation abrogated CD226-mediated signaling and effector responses. These results define a pathway by which CD226 exerts control of NK cell responses against tumors.
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Georgiev H, Ravens I, Papadogianni G, Bernhardt G. Coming of Age: CD96 Emerges as Modulator of Immune Responses. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1072. [PMID: 29868026 PMCID: PMC5966540 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
CD96 represents a type I transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. CD96 is expressed mainly by cells of hematopoietic origin, in particular on T and NK cells. Upon interaction with CD155 present on target cells, CD96 was found to inhibit mouse NK cells, and absence of this interaction either by blocking with antibody or knockout of CD96 showed profound beneficial effects in containment of tumors and metastatic spread in murine model systems. However, our knowledge regarding CD96 functions remains fragmentary. In this review, we will discuss structural features of CD96 and their putative impact on function as well as some unresolved issues such as a potential activation that may be conferred by human but not mouse CD96. This is of importance for translation into human cancer therapy. We will also address CD96 activities in the context of the immune regulatory network that consists of CD155, CD96, CD226, and TIGIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hristo Georgiev
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Inga Ravens
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Günter Bernhardt
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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