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Jia W, Li N, Wang J, Gong X, Ouedraogo SY, Wang Y, Zhao J, Grech G, Chen L, Zhan X. Immune-related gene methylation prognostic instrument for stratification and targeted treatment of ovarian cancer patients toward advanced 3PM approach. EPMA J 2024; 15:375-404. [PMID: 38841623 PMCID: PMC11148001 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-024-00359-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Background DNA methylation is an important mechanism in epigenetics, which can change the transcription ability of genes and is closely related to the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer (OC). We hypothesize that DNA methylation is significantly different in OCs compared to controls. Specific DNA methylation status can be used as a biomarker of OC, and targeted drugs targeting these methylation patterns and DNA methyltransferase may have better therapeutic effects. Studying the key DNA methylation sites of immune-related genes (IRGs) in OC patients and studying the effects of these methylation sites on the immune microenvironment may provide a new method for further exploring the pathogenesis of OC, realizing early detection and effective monitoring of OC, identifying effective biomarkers of DNA methylation subtypes and drug targets, improving the efficacy of targeted drugs or overcoming drug resistance, and better applying it to predictive diagnosis, prevention, and personalized medicine (PPPM; 3PM) of OC. Method Hypermethylated subtypes (cluster 1) and hypomethylated subtypes (cluster 2) were established in OCs based on the abundance of different methylation sites in IRGs. The differences in immune score, immune checkpoints, immune cells, and overall survival were analyzed between different methylation subtypes in OC samples. The significant pathways, gene ontology (GO), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the identified methylation sites in IRGs were enriched. In addition, the immune-related methylation signature was constructed with multiple regression analysis. A methylation site model based on IRGs was constructed and verified. Results A total of 120 IRGs with 142 differentially methylated sites (DMSs) were identified. The DMSs were clustered into a high-level methylation group (cluster 1) and a low-level methylation group (cluster 2). The significant pathways and GO analysis showed many immune-related and cancer-associated enrichments. A methylation site signature based on IRGs was constructed, including RORC|cg25112191, S100A13|cg14467840, TNF|cg04425624, RLN2|cg03679581, and IL1RL2|cg22797169. The methylation sites of all five genes showed hypomethylation in OC, and there were statistically significant differences among RORC|cg25112191, S100A13|cg14467840, and TNF|cg04425624 (p < 0.05). This prognostic model based on low-level methylation and high-level methylation groups was significantly linked to the immune microenvironment as well as overall survival in OC. Conclusions This study provided different methylation subtypes for OC patients according to the methylation sites of IRGs. In addition, it helps establish a relationship between methylation and the immune microenvironment, which showed specific differences in biological signaling pathways, genomic changes, and immune mechanisms within the two subgroups. These data provide ones to deeply understand the mechanism of immune-related methylation genes on the occurrence and development of OC. The methylation-site signature is also to establish new possibilities for OC therapy. These data are a precious resource for stratification and targeted treatment of OC patients toward an advanced 3PM approach. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13167-024-00359-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshuang Jia
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Laboratory of Ovarian Cancer Multiomics, & Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Li
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Laboratory of Ovarian Cancer Multiomics, & Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxia Gong
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Laboratory of Ovarian Cancer Multiomics, & Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Serge Yannick Ouedraogo
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Laboratory of Ovarian Cancer Multiomics, & Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Laboratory of Ovarian Cancer Multiomics, & Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Junkai Zhao
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Laboratory of Ovarian Cancer Multiomics, & Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Godfrey Grech
- Department of Pathology, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xianquan Zhan
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Laboratory of Ovarian Cancer Multiomics, & Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
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2
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Santourlidis S, Araúzo-Bravo MJ, Erichsen L, Bendhack ML. Epigenetics Meets CAR-T-Cell Therapy to Fight Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1941. [PMID: 38792020 PMCID: PMC11119853 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Based on the impressive success of Car-T-cell therapy in the treatment of hematological malignancies, a broad application for solid tumors also appears promising. However, some important hurdles need to be overcome. One of these is certainly the identification of specific target antigens on cancer cells. Hypomethylation is a characteristic epigenetic aberration in many tumor entities. Genome-wide screenings for consistent DNA hypomethylations in tumors enable the identification of aberrantly upregulated transcripts, which might result in cell surface proteins. Thus, this approach provides a new perspective for the discovery of potential new Car-T-cell target antigens for almost every tumor entity. First, we focus on this approach as a possible treatment for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeon Santourlidis
- Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany;
| | - Marcos J. Araúzo-Bravo
- Group of Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain;
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Lars Erichsen
- Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany;
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Marcelo L. Bendhack
- Department of Urology, Red Cross University Hospital, Positivo University, Rua Mauá 1111, Curitiba 80030-200, Brazil;
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3
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Rückert T, Romagnani C. Extrinsic and intrinsic drivers of natural killer cell clonality. Immunol Rev 2024; 323:80-106. [PMID: 38506411 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13324] [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] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Clonal expansion of antigen-specific lymphocytes is the fundamental mechanism enabling potent adaptive immune responses and the generation of immune memory. Accompanied by pronounced epigenetic remodeling, the massive proliferation of individual cells generates a critical mass of effectors for the control of acute infections, as well as a pool of memory cells protecting against future pathogen encounters. Classically associated with the adaptive immune system, recent work has demonstrated that innate immune memory to human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is stably maintained as large clonal expansions of natural killer (NK) cells, raising questions on the mechanisms for clonal selection and expansion in the absence of re-arranged antigen receptors. Here, we discuss clonal NK cell memory in the context of the mechanisms underlying clonal competition of adaptive lymphocytes and propose alternative selection mechanisms that might decide on the clonal success of their innate counterparts. We propose that the integration of external cues with cell-intrinsic sources of heterogeneity, such as variegated receptor expression, transcriptional states, and somatic variants, compose a bottleneck for clonal selection, contributing to the large size of memory NK cell clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Rückert
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chiara Romagnani
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
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4
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Marchand T, Pastoret C, Damaj G, Lebouvier A, Herbaux C, Moignet A, Pavlosky M, Pavlosky A, Blouet A, Eloit M, Launay V, Lebreton P, Stamatoullas A, Nilsson C, Ochmann M, Prola J, Lamy T. Efficacy of ruxolitinib in the treatment of relapsed/refractory large granular lymphocytic leukaemia. Br J Haematol 2024. [PMID: 38639192 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukaemia is a rare chronic lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by an expansion of cytotoxic T or NK cells. Despite a usually indolent evolution, most patients will require a treatment over the course of the disease because of cytopenia or symptomatic associated autoimmune disorders. First-line treatment is based on immunosuppressive agents, namely cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and ciclosporin. However, relapses are frequent, and there is no consensus on the management of relapsed/refractory patients. The implication of the JAK/STAT pathway in the pathogenesis of this disease has prompted our group to propose treatment with ruxolitinib. A series of 21 patients who received this regimen is reported here. Ten patients (47.6%) were refractory to the three main immunosuppressive drugs at the time of ruxolitinib initiation. Ruxolitinib yielded an overall response rate of 86% (n = 18/21), including 3 complete responses and 15 partial responses. With a median follow-up of 9 months, the median response duration was 4 months. One-year event-free survival and 1-year overall survival were 57% and 83% respectively. Mild side effects were observed. Biological parameters, notably neutropenia and anaemia, improved significantly, and complete molecular responses were evidenced. This study supports ruxolitinib as a valid option for the treatment of relapsed/refractory LGL leukaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Marchand
- Service d'Hématologie Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France
- Université de Rennes, Rennes, France
- UMR 1236, Rennes University, INSERM, Établissement Français du Sang Bretagne, Rennes, France
| | - Cédric Pastoret
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Gandhi Damaj
- Institut d'Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Caen, Caen, France
| | - Angélique Lebouvier
- Institut d'Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Caen, Caen, France
| | - Charles Herbaux
- Service d'Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, UMR 9002 CNRS-UM, Montpellier, France
| | - Aline Moignet
- Service d'Hématologie Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Miguel Pavlosky
- Fundaleu-Fundación Para Combatir la Leucemia, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Astrid Pavlosky
- Fundaleu-Fundación Para Combatir la Leucemia, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Anaise Blouet
- Hématologie, Strasbourg Oncologie Libérale, Clinique Saint Anne, Strasbourg, France
| | - Martin Eloit
- Service d'Hématologie et de Thérapie Cellulaire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, France
| | - Vincent Launay
- Service d'Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier de Saint Brieuc, Saint Brieuc, France
| | | | | | | | - Marlène Ochmann
- Service d'Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Juliette Prola
- Service de Médecine Interne et Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Haut-Lévêque, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Thierry Lamy
- Service d'Hématologie Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France
- Université de Rennes, Rennes, France
- UMR 1236, Rennes University, INSERM, Établissement Français du Sang Bretagne, Rennes, France
- CIC 1414, Rennes, France
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5
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Wright PW, Li H, Rahman MA, Anderson EM, Karwan M, Carrell J, Anderson SK. The KIR2DL1 intermediate upstream element participates in gene activation. Immunogenetics 2023; 75:495-506. [PMID: 37801092 PMCID: PMC10651540 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-023-01321-9] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The human KIR genes encode a family of class I MHC receptors that are expressed on subsets of NK cells. The expression of KIR proteins is controlled by a stochastic process, and competition between sense and antisense promoter elements has been suggested to program the variegated expression of these genes. Previous studies have demonstrated distinct roles of distal, intermediate, and proximal sense promoter/enhancer elements in gene activation and expression. Conversely, proximal and intronic antisense promoter transcripts have been associated with gene silencing at different stages of NK cell development. In the current study, we examine the effect of intermediate promoter deletion on KIR2DL1 expression in the YTS cell line. Homozygous deletion of the KIR2DL1 intermediate element did not affect proximal promoter activity but resulted in increased detection of upstream transcripts. No significant changes in alternative mRNA splicing or expression levels of KIR2DL1 protein were observed. However, intermediate element deletion was associated with a reduced frequency of gene activation by 5-azacytidine. Taken together, these results indicate that the intermediate element is not an enhancer required for KIR expression; however, it is required for the efficient activation of the gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul W Wright
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Hongchuan Li
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Md Ahasanur Rahman
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Erik M Anderson
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Megan Karwan
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Jeffrey Carrell
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Stephen K Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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6
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Decroos A, Cheminant M, Bruneau J, Carras S, Parinet V, Pelletier L, Lacroix L, Martin N, Giustiniani J, Lhermitte L, Asnafi V, Battistella M, Lemonnier F, De Leval L, Sicard H, Bonnafous C, Gauthier L, Genestier L, Caruso S, Gaulard P, Hermine O, Ortonne N. KIR3DL2 may represent a novel therapeutic target in aggressive systemic peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Haematologica 2023; 108:2830-2836. [PMID: 37165836 PMCID: PMC10542838 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2022.282220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Decroos
- Paris-Est Créteil University (UPEC), Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (IMRB), INSERM U955, F-94010, Créteil
| | - Morgane Cheminant
- Université de Paris, Institut Imagine, Laboratory of Hematological Disorders, INSERM UMR1163, F-75015, Paris, France; Necker-Enfants Malades University Medical Center, AP-HP Clinical Hematology, F-75015, Paris
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Université de Paris, Institut Imagine, Laboratory of Hematological Disorders, INSERM UMR1163, F-75015, Paris, France; Necker-Enfants Malades University Medical Center, AP-HP, Department of Pathology, F-75015, Paris
| | - Sylvain Carras
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, "Translational Epigenetics" team, UMR 1209/CNRS 5309, La Tronche
| | - Vincent Parinet
- Paris-Est Créteil University (UPEC), Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (IMRB), INSERM U955, F-94010, Créteil
| | - Laura Pelletier
- Paris-Est Créteil University (UPEC), Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (IMRB), INSERM U955, F-94010, Créteil
| | - Laetitia Lacroix
- Paris-Est Créteil University (UPEC), Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (IMRB), INSERM U955, F-94010, Créteil, France; Université de Paris, Institut Imagine, Laboratory of Hematological Disorders, INSERM UMR1163, F-75015, Paris
| | - Nadine Martin
- Paris-Est Créteil University (UPEC), Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (IMRB), INSERM U955, F-94010, Créteil
| | - Jérôme Giustiniani
- Paris-Est Créteil University (UPEC), Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (IMRB), INSERM U955, F-94010, Créteil
| | - Ludovic Lhermitte
- Université de Paris, Institut Necker-Enfants Malades, Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, APHP, INSERM UMR 1151, Paris
| | - Vahid Asnafi
- Université de Paris, Institut Necker-Enfants Malades, Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, APHP, INSERM UMR 1151, Paris
| | - Maxime Battistella
- Université Paris Cité ; INSERM U976 ; AP-HP, Department of Pathology, Saint-Louis hospital, F-75010 Paris
| | - François Lemonnier
- Paris-Est Créteil University (UPEC), Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (IMRB), INSERM U955, F-94010, Créteil, France; Henri Mondor hospital, Clinical Hematology, Unité Hémopathies Lymphoïdes, AP-HP, F-94010, Créteil
| | - Laurence De Leval
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University
| | | | | | | | - Laurent Genestier
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, ENS de Lyon, CNRS, UMR5308, INSERM U1111, CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Lymphoma Immunobiology Team (LIB), Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, F-69007, Lyon, France; Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon
| | - Stefano Caruso
- Henri Mondor hospital, AP-HP, Department of Pathology, F-94010, Créteil
| | - Philippe Gaulard
- Paris-Est Créteil University (UPEC), Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (IMRB), INSERM U955, F-94010, Créteil, France; Henri Mondor hospital, AP-HP, Department of Pathology, F-94010, Créteil
| | - Olivier Hermine
- Université de Paris, Institut Imagine, Laboratory of Hematological Disorders, INSERM UMR1163, F-75015, Paris, France; Necker-Enfants Malades University Medical Center, AP-HP Clinical Hematology, F-75015, Paris
| | - Nicolas Ortonne
- Paris-Est Créteil University (UPEC), Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (IMRB), INSERM U955, F-94010, Créteil, France; Henri Mondor hospital, AP-HP, Department of Pathology, F-94010, Créteil.
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7
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Similuk M, Kuijpers T. Nature and nurture: understanding phenotypic variation in inborn errors of immunity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1183142. [PMID: 37780853 PMCID: PMC10538643 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1183142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The overall disease burden of pediatric infection is high, with widely varying clinical outcomes including death. Among the most vulnerable children, those with inborn errors of immunity, reduced penetrance and variable expressivity are common but poorly understood. There are several genetic mechanisms that influence phenotypic variation in inborn errors of immunity, as well as a body of knowledge on environmental influences and specific pathogen triggers. Critically, recent advances are illuminating novel nuances for fundamental concepts on disease penetrance, as well as raising new areas of inquiry. The last few decades have seen the identification of almost 500 causes of inborn errors of immunity, as well as major advancements in our ability to characterize somatic events, the microbiome, and genotypes across large populations. The progress has not been linear, and yet, these developments have accumulated into an enhanced ability to diagnose and treat inborn errors of immunity, in some cases with precision therapy. Nonetheless, many questions remain regarding the genetic and environmental contributions to phenotypic variation both within and among families. The purpose of this review is to provide an updated summary of key concepts in genetic and environmental contributions to phenotypic variation within inborn errors of immunity, conceptualized as including dynamic, reciprocal interplay among factors unfolding across the key dimension of time. The associated findings, potential gaps, and implications for research are discussed in turn for each major influencing factor. The substantial challenge ahead will be to organize and integrate information in such a way that accommodates the heterogeneity within inborn errors of immunity to arrive at a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of how the immune system operates in health and disease. And, crucially, to translate this understanding into improved patient care for the millions at risk for serious infection and other immune-related morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Similuk
- Centralized Sequencing Program, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Taco Kuijpers
- Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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8
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Palmer WH, Leaton LA, Codo AC, Crute B, Roest J, Zhu S, Petersen J, Tobin RP, Hume PS, Stone M, van Bokhoven A, Gerich ME, McCarter MD, Zhu Y, Janssen WJ, Vivian JP, Trowsdale J, Getahun A, Rossjohn J, Cambier J, Loh L, Norman PJ. Polymorphic KIR3DL3 expression modulates tissue-resident and innate-like T cells. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eade5343. [PMID: 37390222 PMCID: PMC10360443 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.ade5343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Most human killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are expressed by natural killer (NK) cells and recognize HLA class I molecules as ligands. KIR3DL3 is a conserved but polymorphic inhibitory KIR recognizing a B7 family ligand, HHLA2, and is implicated for immune checkpoint targeting. The expression profile and biological function of KIR3DL3 have been somewhat elusive, so we searched extensively for KIR3DL3 transcripts, revealing highly enriched expression in γδ and CD8+ T cells rather than NK cells. These KIR3DL3-expressing cells are rare in the blood and thymus but more common in the lungs and digestive tract. High-resolution flow cytometry and single-cell transcriptomics showed that peripheral blood KIR3DL3+ T cells have an activated transitional memory phenotype and are hypofunctional. The T cell receptor (TCR) usage is biased toward genes from early rearranged TCR-α variable segments or Vδ1 chains. In addition, we show that TCR-mediated stimulation can be inhibited through KIR3DL3 ligation. Whereas we detected no impact of KIR3DL3 polymorphism on ligand binding, variants in the proximal promoter and at residue 86 can reduce expression. Together, we demonstrate that KIR3DL3 is up-regulated alongside unconventional T cell stimulation and that individuals may vary in their ability to express KIR3DL3. These results have implications for the personalized targeting of KIR3DL3/HHLA2 checkpoint inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H. Palmer
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Laura Ann Leaton
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ana Campos Codo
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Bergren Crute
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - James Roest
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash
University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shiying Zhu
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash
University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jan Petersen
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash
University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard P. Tobin
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology,
University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Patrick S. Hume
- Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO,
USA
| | - Matthew Stone
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology,
University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Adrie van Bokhoven
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of
Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Mark E. Gerich
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Martin D. McCarter
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology,
University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology,
University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Julian P. Vivian
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash
University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Andrew Getahun
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash
University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University,
School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - John Cambier
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Liyen Loh
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of
Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville,
Australia
| | - Paul J. Norman
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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9
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Lordo MR, Stiff AR, Oakes CC, Mundy-Bosse BL. Effects of epigenetic therapy on natural killer cell function and development in hematologic malignancy. J Leukoc Biol 2023; 113:518-524. [PMID: 36860165 PMCID: PMC10443672 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad026] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic therapy is an emerging field in the treatment of human cancer, including hematologic malignancies. This class of therapeutic agents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for cancer treatment includes DNA hypomethylating agents, histone deacetylase inhibitors, IDH1/2 inhibitors, EZH2 inhibitors, and numerous preclinical targets/agents. Most studies measuring the biological effects of epigenetic therapy focus their attention on either their direct cytotoxic effects on malignant cells or their effects on modifying tumor cell antigen expression, exposing them to immune surveillance mechanisms. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that epigenetic therapy also has effects on the development and function of the immune system, including natural killer cells, which can alter their response to cancer cells. In this review, we summarize the body of literature studying the effects of different classes of epigenetic therapy on the development and/or function of natural killer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Lordo
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 460 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, 370 W. 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Andrew R. Stiff
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 460 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Physician Scientist Training Program, The Ohio State University, 370 W. 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Christopher C. Oakes
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 460 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Bethany L. Mundy-Bosse
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 460 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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10
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Hojjatipour T, Maali A, Azad M. Natural killer cell epigenetic reprogramming in tumors and potential for cancer immunotherapy. Epigenomics 2023; 15:249-266. [PMID: 37125432 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical members of the innate lymphoid cell population and have a pivotal role in cancer eradication. NK cell maturation, development and function are tightly regulated by epigenetic modifications, which can also be recruited for cancer propagation and immune escape. NK cells have the potential to be activated against tumors through several epigenetic regulators. Given that epigenetic changes are inducible and reversible, focusing on aberrant epigenetic regulations recruited by tumor cells provides a tremendous opportunity for cancer treatment. This review presents a comprehensive picture of NK cell normal epigenetic regulation and cancer-driven epigenetic modifications. From our perspective, a better understanding of epigenetic regulators that can edit and revise NK cells' activity is a promising avenue for NK cell-based therapy in cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Hojjatipour
- Department of Hematology & Blood Transfusion, Students Research Center, School of Allied Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Maali
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Paramedicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mehdi Azad
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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11
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Bruijnesteijn J. HLA/MHC and KIR characterization in humans and non-human primates using Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Pacific Biosciences sequencing platforms. HLA 2023; 101:205-221. [PMID: 36583332 DOI: 10.1111/tan.14957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The gene products of the HLA/MHC and KIR multigene families are important modulators of the immune system and are associated with health and disease. Characterization of the genes encoding these receptors has been integrated into different biomedical applications, including transplantation and reproduction biology, immune therapies and in fundamental research into disease susceptibility or resistance. Conventional short-read sequencing strategies have shown their value in high throughput typing, but are insufficient to uncover the entire complexity of the highly polymorphic HLA/MHC and KIR gene systems. The implementation of single-molecule and real-time sequencing platforms, offered by Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), revolutionized the fields of genomics and transcriptomics. Using fundamentally distinct principles, these platforms generate long-read data that can unwire the plasticity of the HLA/MHC and KIR genes, including high-resolution characterization of genes, alleles, phased haplotypes, transcription levels and epigenetics modification patterns. These insights might have profound clinical relevance, such as improved matching of donors and patients in clinical transplantation, but could also lift disease association studies to a higher level. Even more, a comprehensive characterization may refine animal models in preclinical studies. In this review, the different HLA/MHC and KIR characterization approaches using PacBio and ONT platforms are described and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
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12
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Tien FM, Lu HH, Lin SY, Tsai HC. Epigenetic remodeling of the immune landscape in cancer: therapeutic hurdles and opportunities. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:3. [PMID: 36627707 PMCID: PMC9832644 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00893-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment represents a sophisticated ecosystem where various immune cell subtypes communicate with cancer cells and stromal cells. The dynamic cellular composition and functional characteristics of the immune landscape along the trajectory of cancer development greatly impact the therapeutic efficacy and clinical outcome in patients receiving systemic antitumor therapy. Mounting evidence has suggested that epigenetic mechanisms are the underpinning of many aspects of antitumor immunity and facilitate immune state transitions during differentiation, activation, inhibition, or dysfunction. Thus, targeting epigenetic modifiers to remodel the immune microenvironment holds great potential as an integral part of anticancer regimens. In this review, we summarize the epigenetic profiles and key epigenetic modifiers in individual immune cell types that define the functional coordinates of tumor permissive and non-permissive immune landscapes. We discuss the immunomodulatory roles of current and prospective epigenetic therapeutic agents, which may open new opportunities in enhancing cancer immunotherapy or overcoming existing therapeutic challenges in the management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Ming Tien
- grid.412094.a0000 0004 0572 7815Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225 Taiwan ,grid.19188.390000 0004 0546 0241Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233 Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Hsuan Lu
- grid.412094.a0000 0004 0572 7815Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225 Taiwan ,grid.412094.a0000 0004 0572 7815Center for Frontier Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225 Taiwan
| | - Shu-Yung Lin
- grid.412094.a0000 0004 0572 7815Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225 Taiwan ,grid.19188.390000 0004 0546 0241Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233 Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Chen Tsai
- grid.412094.a0000 0004 0572 7815Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225 Taiwan ,grid.19188.390000 0004 0546 0241Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233 Taiwan ,grid.412094.a0000 0004 0572 7815Center for Frontier Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225 Taiwan ,grid.19188.390000 0004 0546 0241Graduate Institute of Toxicology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Jen Ai Road Section 1, Rm542, Taipei, 100233 Taiwan ,grid.412094.a0000 0004 0572 7815Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225 Taiwan
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13
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Araúzo-Bravo MJ, Erichsen L, Ott P, Beermann A, Sheikh J, Gerovska D, Thimm C, Bendhack ML, Santourlidis S. Consistent DNA Hypomethylations in Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010386. [PMID: 36613831 PMCID: PMC9820221 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
With approximately 1.4 million men annually diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) worldwide, PCa remains a dreaded threat to life and source of devastating morbidity. In recent decades, a significant decrease in age-specific PCa mortality has been achieved by increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and improving treatments. Nevertheless, upcoming, augmented recommendations against PSA screening underline an escalating disproportion between the benefit and harm of current diagnosis/prognosis and application of radical treatment standards. Undoubtedly, new potent diagnostic and prognostic tools are urgently needed to alleviate this tensed situation. They should allow a more reliable early assessment of the upcoming threat, in order to enable applying timely adjusted and personalized therapy and monitoring. Here, we present a basic study on an epigenetic screening approach by Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation (MeDIP). We identified genes associated with hypomethylated CpG islands in three PCa sample cohorts. By adjusting our computational biology analyses to focus on single CpG-enriched 60-nucleotide-long DNA probes, we revealed numerous consistently differential methylated DNA segments in PCa. They were associated among other genes with NOTCH3, CDK2AP1, KLK4, and ADAM15. These can be used for early discrimination, and might contribute to a new epigenetic tumor classification system of PCa. Our analysis shows that we can dissect short, differential methylated CpG-rich DNA fragments and combinations of them that are consistently present in all tumors. We name them tumor cell-specific differential methylated CpG dinucleotide signatures (TUMS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos J. Araúzo-Bravo
- Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Lars Erichsen
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Pauline Ott
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Agnes Beermann
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jamal Sheikh
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Daniela Gerovska
- Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Chantelle Thimm
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marcelo L. Bendhack
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, Positivo University, Curitiba 80420-011, Brazil
| | - Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Correspondence:
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14
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Santourlidis S. Phyloepigenetics. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:754. [PMID: 35625482 PMCID: PMC9138650 DOI: 10.3390/biology11050754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, phylogenetic interspecies relationships are estimated based on genetic diversity, since it is assumed that the more recently diverged a species, with comparable constancy of development, the more similar their genetic material and proteins should be. However, occasional controversies in the field may reflect limited resolution and accuracy of this approach. Epigenetics has, meanwhile, provided significant evidence that CpG dinucleotides (CpGs) within genetic material are of particular importance for the annotation and function of the genome and the formation of the phenotype, which is continuously shaped by evolutionary interaction with environmental factors. Based on this, it can be concluded that CpGs follow a distinct rate of evolution, compared to all other nucleotide positions. Evidence is provided that supports this conclusion. Therefore, using CpGs to fathom evolutionary relationships between species could turn out to be a valuable approach to achieve, in some cases, an improved understanding of evolutionary development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
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15
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Wang QY, Liu HH, Dong YJ, Liang ZY, Yin Y, Liu W, Wang QY, Wang Q, Sun YH, Xu WL, Han N, Li Y, Ren HY. Low-Dose 5-Aza and DZnep Alleviate Acute Graft- Versus-Host Disease With Less Side Effects Through Altering T-Cell Differentiation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:780708. [PMID: 35281001 PMCID: PMC8907421 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.780708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Previous studies showed that hypomethylating agents (HMAs) could alleviate acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD), but affect engraftment after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The combination of two different HMAs in lower doses might overcome this problem. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment effect of the combination of two HMAs—azacitidine (5-Aza) and histone H3K27 methyltransferase inhibitor 3-deazaneplanocin (DZNep)—for the prophylaxis of aGvHD after allo-HSCT and to explore the possible mechanisms. Methods We first optimized the concentrations of individual and combinational 5-Aza and DZNep treatments to ensure no obvious toxicities on activated T cells by evaluating T-cell proliferation, viability, and differentiation. A mouse model of aGvHD was then established to assess the prophylactic efficacy of 5-Aza, DZNep, and their combination on aGvHD. The immunomodulatory effect on T cells and the hematopoietic reconstruction were assessed. Additionally, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms. Results Compared with single treatments, the in vitro application of 5-Aza with DZNep could more powerfully reduce the production of T helper type 1 (Th1)/T cytotoxic type 1 (Tc1) cells and increase the production of regulatory T cells (Tregs). In an allo-HSCT mouse model, in vivo administration of 5-Aza with DZNep could enhance the prophylactic effect for aGvHD compared with single agents. The mechanism study demonstrated that the combination of 5-Aza and DZNep in vivo had an enhanced effect to inhibit the production of Th1/Tc1, increase the proportions of Th2/Tc2, and induce the differentiation of Tregs as in vitro. RNA-seq analysis revealed the cytokine and chemokine pathways as one mechanism for the alleviation of aGvHD with the combination of 5-Aza and DZNep. Conclusion The combination of 5-Aza and DZNep could enhance the prophylactic effect for aGvHD by influencing donor T-cell differentiation through affecting cytokine and chemokine pathways. This study shed light on the effectively prophylactic measure for aGvHD using different epigenetic agent combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Ya Wang
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Hui Liu
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Jun Dong
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ze Yin Liang
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Yin
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Yun Wang
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Hua Sun
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Lin Xu
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Na Han
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Han Yun Ren
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
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16
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Mundy-Bosse BL, Weigel C, Wu YZ, Abdelbaky S, Youssef Y, Casas SB, Polley N, Ernst G, Young KA, McConnell KK, Nalin AP, Wu KG, Broughton M, Lordo MR, Altynova E, Hegewisch-Solloa E, Enriquez-Vera DY, Dueñas D, Barrionuevo C, Yu SC, Saleem A, Suarez CJ, Briercheck EL, Molina-Kirsch H, Loughran TP, Weichenhan D, Plass C, Reneau JC, Mace EM, Gamboa FV, Weinstock DM, Natkunam Y, Caligiuri MA, Mishra A, Porcu P, Baiocchi RA, Brammer JE, Freud AG, Oakes CC. Identification and targeting of the developmental blockade in extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma. Blood Cancer Discov 2022; 3:154-169. [PMID: 35247900 PMCID: PMC9414823 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-21-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is an aggressive, rare lymphoma of natural killer (NK) cell origin with poor clinical outcomes. Here we used phenotypic and molecular profiling, including epigenetic analyses, to investigate how ENKTL ontogeny relates to normal NK-cell development. We demonstrate that neoplastic NK cells are stably, but reversibly, arrested at earlier stages of NK-cell maturation. Genes downregulated in the most epigenetic immature tumors were associated with polycomb silencing along with genomic gain and overexpression of EZH2. ENKTL cells exhibited genome-wide DNA hypermethylation. Tumor-specific DNA methylation gains were associated with polycomb-marked regions, involving extensive gene silencing and loss of transcription factor binding. To investigate therapeutic targeting, we treated novel patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of ENKTL with the DNA hypomethylating agent, 5-azacytidine. Treatment led to reexpression of NK-cell developmental genes, phenotypic NK-cell differentiation, and prolongation of survival. These studies lay the foundation for epigenetic-directed therapy in ENKTL. SIGNIFICANCE Through epigenetic and transcriptomic analyses of ENKTL, a rare, aggressive malignancy, along with normal NK-cell developmental intermediates, we identified that extreme DNA hypermethylation targets genes required for NK-cell development. Disrupting this epigenetic blockade in novel PDX models led to ENKTL differentiation and improved survival. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 85.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany L. Mundy-Bosse
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Corresponding Authors: Bethany L. Mundy-Bosse, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, 882 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. Phone: 614-688-6564; E-mail: ; Aharon G. Freud, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, 892 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. Phone: 614-293-7904; E-mail: ; and Christopher C. Oakes, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, 455 OSU CCC/Wiseman Hall, 410 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. Phone: 614-685-9284; E-mail:
| | - Christoph Weigel
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Yue-Zhong Wu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Salma Abdelbaky
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Youssef Youssef
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Susana Beceiro Casas
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Nicholas Polley
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Gabrielle Ernst
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Karen A. Young
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kathleen K. McConnell
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ansel P. Nalin
- Medical Scientist Training Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kevin G. Wu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Megan Broughton
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Matthew R. Lordo
- Medical Scientist Training Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ekaterina Altynova
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Everardo Hegewisch-Solloa
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | | | - Daniela Dueñas
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasticas, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Shan-Chi Yu
- Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Atif Saleem
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Carlos J. Suarez
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Edward L. Briercheck
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute and the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Thomas P. Loughran
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Dieter Weichenhan
- Division of Epigenomics, The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Plass
- Division of Epigenomics, The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John C. Reneau
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Emily M. Mace
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Fabiola Valvert Gamboa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Liga Nacional Contra el Cáncer, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - David M. Weinstock
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yasodha Natkunam
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Michael A. Caligiuri
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Anjali Mishra
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Pierluigi Porcu
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Robert A. Baiocchi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jonathan E. Brammer
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Aharon G. Freud
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Corresponding Authors: Bethany L. Mundy-Bosse, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, 882 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. Phone: 614-688-6564; E-mail: ; Aharon G. Freud, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, 892 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. Phone: 614-293-7904; E-mail: ; and Christopher C. Oakes, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, 455 OSU CCC/Wiseman Hall, 410 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. Phone: 614-685-9284; E-mail:
| | - Christopher C. Oakes
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Corresponding Authors: Bethany L. Mundy-Bosse, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, 882 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. Phone: 614-688-6564; E-mail: ; Aharon G. Freud, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, 892 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. Phone: 614-293-7904; E-mail: ; and Christopher C. Oakes, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, 455 OSU CCC/Wiseman Hall, 410 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. Phone: 614-685-9284; E-mail:
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17
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Lian G, Mak TSK, Yu X, Lan HY. Challenges and Recent Advances in NK Cell-Targeted Immunotherapies in Solid Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:164. [PMID: 35008589 PMCID: PMC8745474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell is a powerful malignant cells killer, providing rapid immune responses via direct cytotoxicity without the need of antigen processing and presentation. It plays an essential role in preventing early tumor, metastasis and minimal residual disease. Although adoptive NK therapies achieved great success in clinical trials against hematologic malignancies, their accumulation, activation, cytotoxic and immunoregulatory functions are severely impaired in the immunosuppressive microenvironment of solid tumors. Now with better understandings of the tumor evasive mechanisms from NK-mediated immunosurveillance, immunotherapies targeting the key molecules for NK cell dysfunction and exhaustion have been developed and tested in both preclinical and clinical studies. In this review, we introduce the challenges that NK cells encountered in solid tumor microenvironment (TME) and the therapeutic approaches to overcome these limitations, followed by an outline of the recent preclinical advances and the latest clinical outcomes of NK-based immunotherapies, as well as promising strategies to optimize current NK-targeted immunotherapies for solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Lian
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Research Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China;
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China;
| | - Thomas Shiu-Kwong Mak
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China;
| | - Xueqing Yu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Research Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China;
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hui-Yao Lan
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China;
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18
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Li X, Zhang M, Cai S, Wu Y, You Y, Wang X, Wang L. Concentration-Dependent Decitabine Effects on Primary NK Cells Viability, Phenotype, and Function in the Absence of Obvious NK Cells Proliferation-Original Article. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:755662. [PMID: 34759824 PMCID: PMC8573336 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.755662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells can evade innate immune killing by modulating natural killer (NK) cells receptors and their cognate ligands in tumor cells, thus it may be possible to restore proper expression of immune receptors or ligands with immune sensitive drugs. Decitabine, as a hypomethylation agent, was approved for the treatment of AML and myelodysplastic syndrome. While clinical responses were contributed by epigenetic effects and the induction of cancer cell apoptosis, decitabine also has immune-mediated anti-tumor effects. After exposure to various concentration of decitabine for 24 h, the primary NK cells (AML-NK cells) cytotoxicity and receptor expression (NKG2D and NKp46) displayed parabola-shaped response, while U-shaped response was seen in cytokine release (IFN-γ and IL-10), and these effects were regulated by ERK and STAT3 phosphorylation level. Furthermore, AML-NK cells function displayed different response when the competitive MEK and STAT3 inhibitors applied respectively. Thus, we could conclude that the different dose of decitabine makes various effects on AML-NK cells function and receptors expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sisi Cai
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaohui Wu
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong You
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianghong Wang
- Institution of Hematology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Wang
- Institution of Hematology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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19
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Barreto VM, Kubasova N, Alves-Pereira CF, Gendrel AV. X-Chromosome Inactivation and Autosomal Random Monoallelic Expression as "Faux Amis". Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:740937. [PMID: 34631717 PMCID: PMC8495168 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.740937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) and random monoallelic expression of autosomal genes (RMAE) are two paradigms of gene expression regulation where, at the single cell level, genes can be expressed from either the maternal or paternal alleles. X-chromosome inactivation takes place in female marsupial and placental mammals, while RMAE has been described in mammals and also other species. Although the outcome of both processes results in random monoallelic expression and mosaicism at the cellular level, there are many important differences. We provide here a brief sketch of the history behind the discovery of XCI and RMAE. Moreover, we review some of the distinctive features of these two phenomena, with respect to when in development they are established, their roles in dosage compensation and cellular phenotypic diversity, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their initiation and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasco M Barreto
- Chronic Diseases Research Centre, CEDOC, Nova Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nadiya Kubasova
- Chronic Diseases Research Centre, CEDOC, Nova Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Clara F Alves-Pereira
- Department of Genetics, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anne-Valerie Gendrel
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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20
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Bruijnesteijn J, van der Wiel M, de Groot NG, Bontrop RE. Rapid Characterization of Complex Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor (KIR) Regions Using Cas9 Enrichment and Nanopore Sequencing. Front Immunol 2021; 12:722181. [PMID: 34594334 PMCID: PMC8476923 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.722181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-read sequencing approaches have considerably improved the quality and contiguity of genome assemblies. Such platforms bear the potential to resolve even extremely complex regions, such as multigenic immune families and repetitive stretches of DNA. Deep sequencing coverage, however, is required to overcome low nucleotide accuracy, especially in regions with high homopolymer density, copy number variation, and sequence similarity, such as the MHC and KIR gene clusters of the immune system. Therefore, we have adapted a targeted enrichment protocol in combination with long-read sequencing to efficiently annotate complex KIR gene regions. Using Cas9 endonuclease activity, segments of the KIR gene cluster were enriched and sequenced on an Oxford Nanopore Technologies platform. This provided sufficient coverage to accurately resolve and phase highly complex KIR haplotypes. Our strategy eliminates PCR-induced amplification errors, facilitates rapid characterization of large and complex multigenic regions, including its epigenetic footprint, and is applicable in multiple species, even in the absence of a reference genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Marit van der Wiel
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Natasja G de Groot
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Ronald E Bontrop
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands.,Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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21
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Xi Y, Jingying D, Chenglong L, Hong Z, Rong Z, Xiaodong W, Chunsen W, Xiaobing H. Epigenetic Therapy Promotes the Ratio of Th1/Th17 Lineage to Reverse Immune Evasion and Treat Leukemia Relapse Post-allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Non-APL AML Patients. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 7:595395. [PMID: 34504867 PMCID: PMC8421566 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.595395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To reverse the early-stage relapse post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, we investigated the safety and efficacy of a new epigenetic regimen (chidamide and decitabine plus thymalfasin simultaneously) on acute myeloid leukemia patients (excluding acute promyelocytic leukemia). Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this observational study during April 2015 to May 2018. The most common adverse event was reversible CTCAE grade 2 thrombocytopenia (20/24). Strikingly, all 24 patients had response to this epigenetic regimen accompanied with decreased measurable residual disease. The overall survival rate is 79.2% (19/24), with a relapse-free survival rate of 79.2% (19/24). During this regimen treatment, Th1 cells and CD3+CD4-CD8+T cells increased, and Th17 cells decreased gradually. The status of high Th1 and low Th17 cells was still observed on the 3rd month after discontinuation of this regimen. Interestingly, the significantly elevated ratio of Th1/Th17 seemed to reflect the treatment-related immune effect, which may be a valuable marker to be monitored in the early-relapse stage for evaluating the efficacy and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xi
- Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Dai Jingying
- Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Chenglong
- Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Zheng Hong
- Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Zhang Rong
- Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Wang Xiaodong
- Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Wang Chunsen
- Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Huang Xiaobing
- Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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22
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Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are key effectors of the innate immune system which represent the first line of defense against viral infections. NK cell activation depends on the engagement of a complex receptor repertoire expressed on their surface, consisting of both activating and inhibitory receptors. Among the known NK cell receptors, the family of killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs) consists in activating/inhibitory receptors that interact with specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules expressed on target cells. In particular, the expression of peculiar KIRs have been reported to be associated to viral infection susceptibility. Interestingly, a significant association between the development and onset of different human pathologies, such as tumors, neurodegeneration and infertility, and a clonal KIRs expression on NK cells has been described in presence of viral infections, supporting the crucial role of KIRs in defining the effect of viral infections in different tissues and organs. This review aims to report the state of art about the role of KIRs receptors in NK cell activation and viral infection control.
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23
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Can the New and Old Drugs Exert an Immunomodulatory Effect in Acute Myeloid Leukemia? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164121. [PMID: 34439275 PMCID: PMC8393879 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The advent of novel immunotherapeutic strategies has revealed the importance of immune dysregulation and of a tolerogenic microenvironment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) fitness. We reviewed the “off-target” effects on the immune system of different drugs used in the treatment of AML to explore the advantages of this unexpected interaction. Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is considered an immune-suppressive neoplasm capable of evading immune surveillance through cellular and environmental players. Increasing knowledge of the immune system (IS) status at diagnosis seems to suggest ever more attention of the crosstalk between the leukemic clone and its immunologic counterpart. During the last years, the advent of novel immunotherapeutic strategies has revealed the importance of immune dysregulation and suppression for leukemia fitness. Considering all these premises, we reviewed the “off-target” effects on the IS of different drugs used in the treatment of AML, focusing on the main advantages of this interaction. The data reported support the idea that a successful therapeutic strategy should consider tailored approaches for performing leukemia eradication by both direct blasts killing and the engagement of the IS.
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24
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Xia M, Wang B, Wang Z, Zhang X, Wang X. Epigenetic Regulation of NK Cell-Mediated Antitumor Immunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:672328. [PMID: 34017344 PMCID: PMC8129532 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.672328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical innate lymphocytes that can directly kill target cells without prior immunization. NK cell activation is controlled by the balance of multiple germline-encoded activating and inhibitory receptors. NK cells are a heterogeneous and plastic population displaying a broad spectrum of functional states (resting, activating, memory, repressed, and exhausted). In this review, we present an overview of the epigenetic regulation of NK cell-mediated antitumor immunity, including DNA methylation, histone modification, transcription factor changes, and microRNA expression. NK cell-based immunotherapy has been recognized as a promising strategy to treat cancer. Since epigenetic alterations are reversible and druggable, these studies will help identify new ways to enhance NK cell-mediated antitumor cytotoxicity by targeting intrinsic epigenetic regulators alone or in combination with other strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoran Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bingbing Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xulong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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25
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Cao XH, Zhao XS, Chang YJ, Xu LP, Zhang XH, Wang Y, Liu KY, Huang XJ, Zhao XY. [Preliminary study on immunological changes and clinical significance of decitabine treatment for relapsed acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]. ZHONGHUA XUE YE XUE ZA ZHI = ZHONGHUA XUEYEXUE ZAZHI 2021; 41:1035-1040. [PMID: 33445853 PMCID: PMC7840555 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-2727.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- X H Cao
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Beijing 100044, China
| | - X S Zhao
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Y J Chang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Beijing 100044, China
| | - L P Xu
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Beijing 100044, China
| | - X H Zhang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Y Wang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Beijing 100044, China
| | - K Y Liu
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Beijing 100044, China
| | - X J Huang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Beijing 100044, China
| | - X Y Zhao
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Beijing 100044, China
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26
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Zhou Q, Wang Z, Li J, Sung WK, Li G. MethHaplo: combining allele-specific DNA methylation and SNPs for haplotype region identification. BMC Bioinformatics 2020; 21:451. [PMID: 33045983 PMCID: PMC7552496 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-020-03798-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that plays a critical role in most eukaryotic organisms. Parental alleles in haploid genomes may exhibit different methylation patterns, which can lead to different phenotypes and even different therapeutic and drug responses to diseases. However, to our knowledge, no software is available for the identification of DNA methylation haplotype regions with combined allele-specific DNA methylation, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data. Results In this paper, we developed a new method, MethHaplo, that identify DNA methylation haplotype regions with allele-specific DNA methylation and SNPs from whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) data. Our results showed that methylation haplotype regions were ten times longer than haplotypes with SNPs only. When we integrate WGBS and Hi-C data, MethHaplo could call even longer haplotypes. Conclusions This study illustrates the usefulness of methylation haplotypes. By constructing methylation haplotypes for various cell lines, we provide a clearer picture of the effect of DNA methylation on gene expression, histone modification and three-dimensional chromosome structure at the haplotype level. Our method could benefit the study of parental inheritance-related disease and hybrid vigor in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangwei Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.,Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, 3D Genomics Research Center, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Ze Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jing Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Wing-Kin Sung
- Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, 3D Genomics Research Center, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.,Department of Computer Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117417, Singapore.,Department of Computational and Systems Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Guoliang Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China. .,Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, 3D Genomics Research Center, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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27
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Liu YX, Guo N, Xu MH, Ren GF. Association of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor and Human Leukocyte antigen-C Genotype with HLA-B27 Associated Acute Anterior Uveitis and Idiopathic Acute Anterior Uveitis in a Chinese Han Population. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2020; 30:451-456. [PMID: 32946319 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2020.1808228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose whether killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and human leukocyte antigens C (HLA-C) are associated with HLA-B27 associated acute anterior uveitis (B27AAU) and idiopathic AAU (IAAU) remains unclear.Methods PCR with sequence-specific primers was used to analyze KIR genes and HLA-C alleles in a Chinese Han population of 196AAU patients and 210 control subjects.Results The higher frequencies of HLA-C2 and KIR2DL1/HLA-C2 (p = .009 and p = .044, respectively) and the lower frequencies of HLA-C1C1 and HLA-C1 (p = .034 and p = .009, respectively) were observed in B27AAU than control group. The higher frequencies of KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL2/HLA-C1 (p = .009 and p = .044, respectively) and the lower frequencies of KIR2DL3 and KIR2DL3/HLA-C1 (p = .000 and p = .001, respectively) were observed in IAAU than control group.Conclusions HLA-C2 and KIR2DL1/HLA-C2, KIR2DL2, and KIR2DL2/HLA-C1 might be susceptible for B27AAU and IAAU, respectively. HLA-C1C1 and HLA-C1, KIR2DL3 and KIR2DL3/HLA-C1 might protect from B27AAU and IAAU, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Xia Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The 4th People's Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Nan Guo
- Quality Control and Laboratory Department, Yantai Central Blood Station, Yantai, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Ming-Hua Xu
- Quality Control and Laboratory Department, Yantai Central Blood Station, Yantai, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Gui-Fang Ren
- Department of Ophthalmology, The 4th People's Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China
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28
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Wu CY, Zhang B, Kim H, Anderson SK, Miller JS, Cichocki F. Ascorbic Acid Promotes KIR Demethylation during Early NK Cell Differentiation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2020; 205:1513-1523. [PMID: 32759296 PMCID: PMC7484163 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Variegated expression of killer Ig-like receptors (KIR) in human NK cells is a stochastic process exclusive to subsets of mature NK cells and CD8+ T cells. Allele-specific KIR expression is maintained by DNA methylation within the proximal promoter regions. Because KIR genes are densely methylated in NK cell progenitors, there is an implied stage of human NK cell development in which DNA demethylation takes place to allow for active transcription. When and how this process occurs is unknown. In this study, we show that KIR proximal promoters are densely methylated in less mature CD56bright NK cells and are progressively demethylated in CD56dim NK cells as they mature and acquire KIR. We hypothesized that ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes, which oxidize 5mC on DNA could mediate KIR promoter demethylation. The catalytic efficiency of TET enzymes is known to be enhanced by ascorbic acid. We found that the addition of ascorbic acid to ex vivo culture of sorted CD56bright NK cells increased the frequency of KIR expression in a dose-dependent manner and facilitated demethylation of proximal promoters. A marked enrichment of the transcription factor Runx3 as well as TET2 and TET3 was observed within proximal KIR promoters in CD56bright NK cells cultured with ascorbic acid. Additionally, overexpression of TET3 and Runx3 promoted KIR expression in CD56bright NK cells and NK-92 cells. Our results show that KIR promoter demethylation can be induced in CD56bright, and this process is facilitated by ascorbic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Ying Wu
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and
| | - Hansol Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and
| | - Stephen K Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and
| | - Frank Cichocki
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and
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29
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Bruijnesteijn J, de Groot NG, Bontrop RE. The Genetic Mechanisms Driving Diversification of the KIR Gene Cluster in Primates. Front Immunol 2020; 11:582804. [PMID: 33013938 PMCID: PMC7516082 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.582804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity and function of natural killer (NK) cells are modulated through the interactions of multiple receptor families, of which some recognize MHC class I molecules. The high level of MHC class I polymorphism requires their ligands either to interact with conserved epitopes, as is utilized by the NKG2A receptor family, or to co-evolve with the MHC class I allelic variation, which task is taken up by the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family. Multiple molecular mechanisms are responsible for the diversification of the KIR gene system, and include abundant chromosomal recombination, high mutation rates, alternative splicing, and variegated expression. The combination of these genetic mechanisms generates a compound array of diversity as is reflected by the contraction and expansion of KIR haplotypes, frequent birth of fusion genes, allelic polymorphism, structurally distinct isoforms, and variegated expression, which is in contrast to the mainly allelic nature of MHC class I polymorphism in humans. A comparison of the thoroughly studied human and macaque KIR gene repertoires demonstrates a similar evolutionarily conserved toolbox, through which selective forces drove and maintained the diversified nature of the KIR gene cluster. This hypothesis is further supported by the comparative genetics of KIR haplotypes and genes in other primate species. The complex nature of the KIR gene system has an impact upon the education, activity, and function of NK cells in coherence with an individual’s MHC class I repertoire and pathogenic encounters. Although selection operates on an individual, the continuous diversification of the KIR gene system in primates might protect populations against evolving pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Natasja G de Groot
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Ronald E Bontrop
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands.,Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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30
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Hanson AL, Vukcevic D, Leslie S, Harris J, Lê Cao KA, Kenna TJ, Brown MA. Epistatic interactions between killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and human leukocyte antigen ligands are associated with ankylosing spondylitis. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008906. [PMID: 32804949 PMCID: PMC7451988 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), found predominantly on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells and some T-cells, are a collection of highly polymorphic activating and inhibitory receptors with variable specificity for class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands. Fifteen KIR genes are inherited in haplotypes of diverse gene content across the human population, and the repertoire of independently inherited KIR and HLA alleles is known to alter risk for immune-mediated and infectious disease by shifting the threshold of lymphocyte activation. We have conducted the largest disease-association study of KIR-HLA epistasis to date, enabled by the imputation of KIR gene and HLA allele dosages from genotype data for 12,214 healthy controls and 8,107 individuals with the HLA-B*27-associated immune-mediated arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We identified epistatic interactions between KIR genes and their ligands (at both HLA subtype and allele resolution) that increase risk of disease, replicating analyses in a semi-independent cohort of 3,497 cases and 14,844 controls. We further confirmed that the strong AS-association with a pathogenic variant in the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase gene ERAP1, known to alter the HLA-B*27 presented peptidome, is not modified by carriage of the canonical HLA-B receptor KIR3DL1/S1. Overall, our data suggests that AS risk is modified by the complement of KIRs and HLA ligands inherited, beyond the influence of HLA-B*27 alone, which collectively alter the proinflammatory capacity of KIR-expressing lymphocytes to contribute to disease immunopathogenesis. Cells of the immune system utilise various cell-surface receptors to differentiate between healthy and infected or malignant cells, enabling targeted inflammatory responses while minimising damage to self-tissue. In instances where the immune system fails to correctly differentiate healthy from diseased tissue, or inflammatory activity is poorly regulated, autoimmune or autoinflammatory conditions can develop. Here we have investigated a possible role for a class of immune-cell activating and inhibitory receptors in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a common but poorly understood inflammatory arthritis in which the immune system causes severe damage to the joints of the pelvis and spine. Using genetic information from 12,214 healthy controls and 8,107 individuals with AS we were able to identify combinations of independently inherited immune cell receptors and their ligands that increase or decrease an individual’s risk of disease. This research provides new insight into the nature of co-inherited genetic factors that may collectively alter the proinflammatory capacity of immune cells, contributing to the immunopathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee L. Hanson
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Damjan Vukcevic
- Melbourne Integrative Genomics, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Data Science, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Leslie
- Melbourne Integrative Genomics, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Data Science, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria Australia
| | - Jessica Harris
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kim-Anh Lê Cao
- Melbourne Integrative Genomics, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tony J. Kenna
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Matthew A. Brown
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
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31
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Hernandez Puente CV, Hsu PC, Rogers LJ, Jousheghany F, Siegel E, Kadlubar SA, Beck JT, Makhoul I, Hutchins LF, Kieber-Emmons T, Monzavi-Karbassi B. Association of DNA-Methylation Profiles With Immune Responses Elicited in Breast Cancer Patients Immunized With a Carbohydrate-Mimicking Peptide: A Pilot Study. Front Oncol 2020; 10:879. [PMID: 32582547 PMCID: PMC7290046 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune response to a given antigen, particularly in cancer patients, is complex and is controlled by various genetic and environmental factors. Identifying biomarkers that can predict robust response to immunization is an urgent need in clinical cancer vaccine development. Given the involvement of DNA methylation in the development of lymphocytes, tumorigenicity and tumor progression, we aimed to analyze pre-vaccination DNA methylation profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from breast cancer subjects vaccinated with a novel peptide-based vaccine referred to as P10s-PADRE. This pilot study was performed to evaluate whether signatures of differentially methylated (DM) loci can be developed as potential predictive biomarkers for prescreening subjects with cancer who will most likely generate an immune response to the vaccine. Genomic DNA was isolated from PBMCs of eight vaccinated subjects, and their DNA methylation profiles were determined using Infinium® MethylationEPIC BeadChip array from Illumina. A linear regression model was applied to identify loci that were differentially methylated with respect to anti-peptide antibody titers and with IFN-γ production. The data were summarized using unsupervised-learning methods: hierarchical clustering and principal-component analysis. Pathways and networks involved were predicted by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. We observed that the profile of DM loci separated subjects in regards to the levels of immune responses. Canonical pathways and networks related to metabolic and immunological functions were found to be involved. The data suggest that it is feasible to correlate methylation signatures in pre-treatment PBMCs with immune responses post-treatment in cancer patients going through standard-of-care chemotherapy. Larger and prospective studies that focus on DM loci in PBMCs is warranted to develop pre-screening biomarkers before BC vaccination. Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT02229084.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinthia Violeta Hernandez Puente
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,UnivLyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Ping-Ching Hsu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Lora J Rogers
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Fariba Jousheghany
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Eric Siegel
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Susan A Kadlubar
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Division of Medical Genetics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | | | - Issam Makhoul
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Laura F Hutchins
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Thomas Kieber-Emmons
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Behjatolah Monzavi-Karbassi
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
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32
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Falco M, Pende D, Munari E, Vacca P, Mingari MC, Moretta L. Natural killer cells: From surface receptors to the cure of high-risk leukemia (Ceppellini Lecture). HLA 2020; 93:185-194. [PMID: 30828978 PMCID: PMC6767140 DOI: 10.1111/tan.13509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune effector cells involved in the first line of defense against viral infections and malignancies. In the last three decades, the identification of HLA class I‐specific inhibitory killer immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIR) and of the main activating receptors has strongly improved our understanding of the mechanisms regulating NK cell functions. The increased knowledge on how NK cells discriminate healthy cells from damaged cells has made it possible to transfer basic research notions to clinical applications. Of particular relevance is the strong NK‐mediated anti‐leukemia effect in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to cure high‐risk leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Falco
- Laboratorio di Immunologia Clinica e Sperimentale, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Pende
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria C Mingari
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and CEBR, Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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33
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Yu K, Davidson CE, Burshtyn DN. LILRB1 Intron 1 Has a Polymorphic Regulatory Region That Enhances Transcription in NK Cells and Recruits YY1. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:3030-3041. [PMID: 32321755 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
LILRB1 is a highly polymorphic receptor expressed by subsets of innate and adaptive immune cells associated with viral and autoimmune diseases and targeted by pathogens for immune evasion. LILRB1 expression on human NK cells is variegated, and the frequency of LILRB1+ cells differs among people. However, little is known about the processes and factors mediating LILRB1 transcription in NK cells. LILRB1 gene expression in lymphoid and myeloid cells arises from two distinct promoters that are separated by the first exon and intron. In this study, we identified a polymorphic 3-kb region within LILRB1 intron 1 that is epigenetically marked as an active enhancer in human lymphoid cells and not monocytes. This region possesses multiple YY1 sites, and complexes of the promoter/enhancer combination were isolated using anti-YY1 in chromatin immunoprecipitation-loop. CRISPR-mediated deletion of the 3-kb region lowers LILRB1 expression in human NKL cells. Together, these results indicate the enhancer in intron 1 binds YY1 and suggest YY1 provides a scaffold function enabling enhancer function in regulating LILRB1 gene transcription in human NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Yu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - Chelsea E Davidson
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - Deborah N Burshtyn
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2S2, Canada; .,Alberta Transplant Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada; and.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada
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34
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Khan M, Arooj S, Wang H. NK Cell-Based Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Front Immunol 2020; 11:167. [PMID: 32117298 PMCID: PMC7031489 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, with an increasing number of therapeutic dimensions, is becoming an important mode of treatment for cancer patients. The inhibition of immune checkpoints, which are the source of immune escape for various cancers, is one such immunotherapeutic dimension. It has mainly been aimed at T cells in the past, but NK cells are a newly emerging target. Simultaneously, the number of checkpoints identified has been increasing in recent times. In addition to the classical NK cell receptors KIRs, LIRs, and NKG2A, several other immune checkpoints have also been shown to cause dysfunction of NK cells in various cancers and chronic infections. These checkpoints include the revolutionized CTLA-4, PD-1, and recently identified B7-H3, as well as LAG-3, TIGIT & CD96, TIM-3, and the most recently acknowledged checkpoint-members of the Siglecs family (Siglec-7/9), CD200 and CD47. An interesting dimension of immune checkpoints is their candidacy for dual-checkpoint inhibition, resulting in therapeutic synergism. Furthermore, the combination of immune checkpoint inhibition with other NK cell cytotoxicity restoration strategies could also strengthen its efficacy as an antitumor therapy. Here, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of the literature to date regarding NK cell-based immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Khan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Sumbal Arooj
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakistan
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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35
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Wright PA. Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor assessment algorithms in haemopoietic progenitor cell transplantation: current perspectives and future opportunities. HLA 2020; 95:435-448. [PMID: 31999071 DOI: 10.1111/tan.13817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer cells preferentially target and kill malignant and virally infected cells. Both these properties present compelling clinical utility in the field of haemopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT), potentially promoting a graft vs leukaemia effect in the absence of graft vs host disease and protecting against cytomegalovirus activation. Killer Ig-like receptors (KIR) play a central role in the cytotoxic action of natural killer cells, providing opportunity for improving transplantation outcomes by prioritising potential donors with optimal characteristics. Numerous algorithms for assessing KIR gene content as part of HPCT donor selection protocols exist, but no single model has been found to be universally applicable in all transplant centres. This review summarises several of the predominant strategies in KIR assessment algorithms, discussing their basic scientific principles, clinical utility and benefits to post-transplant outcomes. Finally, the review will consider how future donor selection protocols could develop towards unifying the concepts of KIR proteomics and genetics for optimising patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Wright
- Transplantation Laboratory, Division of Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
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36
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Kim KH, Yu HT, Hwang I, Park S, Park SH, Kim S, Shin EC. Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Human NK Cell Subpopulations According to the Expression of FcεRIγ and NKG2C. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2865. [PMID: 31867015 PMCID: PMC6908468 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human memory-like NK cells are commonly defined by either a lack of FcεRIγ or gain of NKG2C expression. Here, we investigated the heterogeneity of human CD56dim NK cell subpopulations according to the expression of FcεRIγ and NKG2C in a large cohort (n = 127). Although the frequency of FcεRIγ− and NKG2C+ NK cells positively correlated, the FcεRIγ− and NKG2C+ NK cell populations did not exactly overlap. The FcεRIγ+NKG2C+, FcεRIγ−NKG2C+, and FcεRIγ−NKG2C− NK cell populations were only evident after HCMV infection, but each had distinct characteristics. Among the subpopulations, FcεRIγ−NKG2C+ NK cells exhibited the most restricted killer immunoglobulin-like receptor repertoire, suggesting clonal expansion. Moreover, FcεRIγ−NKG2C+ NK cells exhibited the lowest Ki-67 and highest Bcl-2 expression, indicating the long-lived quiescent memory-like property. Functionally, FcεRIγ−NKG2C+ NK cells had weak natural effector function against K562 but strong effector functions by CD16 engagement, whereas FcεRIγ+NKG2C+ NK cells had strong effector functions in both settings. Anatomically, the FcεRIγ+NKG2C+, FcεRIγ−NKG2C+, and FcεRIγ−NKG2C− NK cell populations were present in multiple human peripheral organs. In conclusion, we demonstrate the heterogeneity of memory-like NK cells stratified by FcεRIγ and NKG2C and suggest both markers be utilized to better define these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Hwan Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hee Tae Yu
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ilwoong Hwang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Sungha Park
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Su-Hyung Park
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Eui-Cheol Shin
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
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37
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Wang QY, Li Y, Liang ZY, Yin Y, Liu W, Wang Q, Dong YJ, Sun YH, Xu WL, Ren HY. Decitabine-Containing Conditioning Regimen for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Intermediate- and High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Potential Decrease in the Incidence of Acute Graft versus Host Disease. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:10195-10203. [PMID: 31824191 PMCID: PMC6900353 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s229768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the role of Decitabine in the allo-HSCT conditioning regimen for intermediate- and high-risk patients with MDS or AML. Patients and methods Retrospective analysis of data pertaining to 76 intermediate- and high-risk patients with MDS or AML who underwent allo-HSCT between December 2005 and June 2018 at the Peking University First Hospital. Forty patients received Decitabine-containing conditioning regimen before transplantation, while thirty-six patients received regimen without Decitabine. Results Over a median follow-up of 40 months (range, 1 to 155), the cumulative incidence of grade II to IV acute graft versus host disease was 12.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.9–30.9%] in the Decitabine group and 41.5% (95% CI 28.1–61.2%) in the non-Decitabine group (P=0.005). On multivariate analysis, Decitabine-containing conditioning regimen was found to protect against grade II to IV aGVHD (HR=0.279, 95% CI 0.102–0.765, P=0.013). Incidence of respiratory infection in the Decitabine and non-Decitabine groups was 22.5% and 52.78%, respectively (P=0.012). No significant between-group difference was observed with respect to 3-year OS, DFS, or RR (P=0.980, 0.959, and 0.573, respectively), while the median relapse time was longer in the Decitabine group [7 months (range, 2–12) versus 3 months (range, 2–4), P=0.171]. Decitabine-containing conditioning showed a tendency for lower relapse rate among higher risk patients, as assessed by IPSS R; however, the between-group difference was not statistically significant (P=0.085). Conclusion Inclusion of Decitabine in the conditioning regimen for allo-HSCT in intermediate- and high-risk patients may lower the incidence of aGVHD and respiratory infections, and contribute to longer median relapse time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Ya Wang
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ze Yin Liang
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Yin
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Jun Dong
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Hua Sun
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Lin Xu
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Yun Ren
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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38
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Nutalai R, Gaudieri S, Jumnainsong A, Leelayuwat C. Regulation of KIR3DL3 Expression via Mirna. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10080603. [PMID: 31405037 PMCID: PMC6723774 DOI: 10.3390/genes10080603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) 3DL3 is a framework gene present in all human KIR haplotypes. Although the structure of KIR3DL3 is suggestive of an inhibitory receptor, the function of KIR3DL3 has not been demonstrated and cognate ligands have not been identified. KIR3DL3 has been shown to be constitutively expressed at a low RNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and decidual natural kill (NK) cells, but cell surface expression of KIR3DL3 cannot be detected. Accordingly, post-transcriptional regulation of KIR3DL3 should exist. Using bioinformatics analysis, we identified three candidate micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs; miR-26a-5p, -26b-5p and -185-5p) that potentially regulate KIR3DL3 expression. Luciferase reporter assays utilizing constructs with mutated miRNA-binding sites of miR-26a-5p, -26b-5p and -185-5p in the 3’-untranslated region (3’ UTR) of KIR3DL3 resulted in up-regulation of luciferase activity demonstrating a potential mechanism of gene regulation. Furthermore, knockdown of the same endogenous miRNAs using silencing ribonucleic acid (siRNA) led to induced surface expression of KIR3DL3. In conclusion, we provide a novel mechanism of functional regulation of KIR3DL3 via miRNAs. These findings are relevant in understanding the generation of KIR repertoire and NK cell clonality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rungtiwa Nutalai
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduates School of Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Sciences, School of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Amonrat Jumnainsong
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Sciences, School of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Chanvit Leelayuwat
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Sciences, School of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
- The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
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39
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Viral and Nonviral Engineering of Natural Killer Cells as Emerging Adoptive Cancer Immunotherapies. J Immunol Res 2018; 2018:4054815. [PMID: 30306093 PMCID: PMC6166361 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4054815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are powerful immune effectors whose antitumor activity is regulated through a sophisticated network of activating and inhibitory receptors. As effectors of cancer immunotherapy, NK cells are attractive as they do not attack healthy self-tissues nor do they induce T cell-driven inflammatory cytokine storm, enabling their use as allogeneic adoptive cellular therapies. Clinical responses to adoptive NK-based immunotherapy have been thwarted, however, by the profound immunosuppression induced by the tumor microenvironment, particularly severe in the context of solid tumors. In addition, the short postinfusion persistence of NK cells in vivo has limited their clinical efficacy. Enhancing the antitumor immunity of NK cells through genetic engineering has been fueled by the promise that impaired cytotoxic functionality can be restored or augmented with the use of synthetic genetic approaches. Alongside expressing chimeric antigen receptors to overcome immune escape by cancer cells, enhance their recognition, and mediate their killing, NK cells have been genetically modified to enhance their persistence in vivo by the expression of cytokines such as IL-15, avoid functional and metabolic tumor microenvironment suppression, or improve their homing ability, enabling enhanced targeting of solid tumors. However, NK cells are notoriously adverse to endogenous gene uptake, resulting in low gene uptake and transgene expression with many vector systems. Though viral vectors have achieved the highest gene transfer efficiencies with NK cells, nonviral vectors and gene transfer approaches—electroporation, lipofection, nanoparticles, and trogocytosis—are emerging. And while the use of NK cell lines has achieved improved gene transfer efficiencies particularly with viral vectors, challenges with primary NK cells remain. Here, we discuss the genetic engineering of NK cells as they relate to NK immunobiology within the context of cancer immunotherapy, highlighting the most recent breakthroughs in viral vectors and nonviral approaches aimed at genetic reprogramming of NK cells for improved adoptive immunotherapy of cancer, and, finally, address their clinical status.
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40
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Sun HS, Liu DX, Bai YY, Hu NW. Disease-association of different killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and HLA-C gene combinations in reactive arthritis. Mod Rheumatol 2018; 29:531-537. [PMID: 29848119 DOI: 10.1080/14397595.2018.1483292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Sheng Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dong Xia Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yan Yan Bai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Nai Wen Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
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41
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Horsburgh S, Todryk S, Ramming A, Distler JH, O’Reilly S. Innate lymphoid cells and fibrotic regulation. Immunol Lett 2018; 195:38-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2017.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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42
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Ewen EM, Pahl JHW, Miller M, Watzl C, Cerwenka A. KIR downregulation by IL-12/15/18 unleashes human NK cells from KIR/HLA-I inhibition and enhances killing of tumor cells. Eur J Immunol 2017; 48:355-365. [PMID: 29105756 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201747128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
To exploit autologous NK cells for cancer immunotherapy, it is highly relevant to circumvent killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)-mediated self-inhibition of human NK cells by HLA-I-expressing tumor cells. Here, we show that stimulation of NK cells with IL-12/15/18 for two days led to downregulation of surface expression of the inhibitory KIR2DL2/L3, KIR2DL1 and KIR3DL1 receptors on peripheral blood NK cells. Downregulation of KIR expression was attributed to decreased KIR mRNA levels which could be re-induced already 3 days after re-culture in IL-2. Reduced KIR2DL2/L3 expression on IL-12/15/18-activated NK cells resulted in less inhibition upon antibody-mediated KIR engagement and increased CD16-dependent cytotoxicity in redirected lysis assays. Most importantly, downregulated KIR2DL2/L3 expression enabled enhanced cytotoxicity of IL-12/15/18-stimulated NK cells against tumor cells expressing cognate HLA-I molecules. NK cells pre-activated with IL-12/15/18 were previously shown to exert potent anti-tumor activity and memory-like long-lived functionality, mediating remission in a subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in a clinical trial. Our study reveals a novel mechanism of IL-12/15/18 in improving the cytotoxicity of NK cells by reducing their sensitivity to inhibition by self-HLA-I due to decreased KIR expression, highlighting the potency of IL-12/15/18-activated NK cells for anti-tumor immunotherapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Ewen
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens H W Pahl
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Immunobiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Miller
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Watzl
- Department of Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Germany
| | - Adelheid Cerwenka
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Immunobiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Germany
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43
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epigenetic changes resulting from aberrant methylation patterns are a recurrent observation in hematologic malignancies. Hypomethylating agents have a well-established role in the management of patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia. In addition to the direct effects of hypomethylating agents on cancer cells, there are several lines of evidence indicating a role for immune-mediated anti-tumor benefits from hypomethylating therapy. Areas covered: We reviewed the clinical and basic science literature for the effects of hypomethylating agents, including the most commonly utilized therapeutics azacitidine and decitabine, on immune cell subsets. We summarized the effects of hypomethylating agents on the frequency and function of natural killer cells, T cells, and dendritic cells. In particular, we highlight the effects of hypomethylating agents on expression of immune checkpoint inhibitors, leukemia-associated antigens, and endogenous retroviral elements. Expert commentary: In vitro and ex vivo studies indicate mixed effects on the function of natural killer, dendritic cells and T cells following treatment with hypomethylating agents. Clinical correlates of immune function have suggested that hypomethylating agents have immunomodulatory functions with the potential to synergize with immune checkpoint therapy for the treatment of hematologic malignancy, and has become an active area of clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Lindblad
- a Myeloid Malignancies Section, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Meghali Goswami
- a Myeloid Malignancies Section, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Christopher S Hourigan
- a Myeloid Malignancies Section, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Karolyn A Oetjen
- a Myeloid Malignancies Section, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
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44
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Muntasell A, Ochoa MC, Cordeiro L, Berraondo P, López-Díaz de Cerio A, Cabo M, López-Botet M, Melero I. Targeting NK-cell checkpoints for cancer immunotherapy. Curr Opin Immunol 2017; 45:73-81. [PMID: 28236750 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes specialized in early defense against virus-infected and transformed cells. NK-cell function is regulated by activating and inhibitory surface receptors recognizing their ligands on transformed cells. Modulation of NK numbers and/or function by a variety of agents such as cytokines and monoclonal antibodies may result in enhanced anti-tumor activity. Recombinant cytokines (i.e., IL-15 and IL-2), antibodies blocking inhibitory receptors (i.e., KIR, NKG2A and TIGIT) and agonists delivering signals via CD137, NKG2D and CD16 stand out as the most suitable opportunities. These agents can be used to potentiate NKcell- mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against antibody-coated tumor cells, offering potential for multiple combinatorial immunotherapy strategies against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aura Muntasell
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria C Ochoa
- Centro de Investigacion Medica Aplicada (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Luna Cordeiro
- Centro de Investigacion Medica Aplicada (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Mariona Cabo
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ignacio Melero
- Centro de Investigacion Medica Aplicada (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain; Departamento de Inmunologia e Inmunoterapia, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain.
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45
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Béziat V, Hilton HG, Norman PJ, Traherne JA. Deciphering the killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor system at super-resolution for natural killer and T-cell biology. Immunology 2016; 150:248-264. [PMID: 27779741 PMCID: PMC5290243 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are components of two fundamental biological systems essential for human health and survival. First, they contribute to host immune responses, both innate and adaptive, through their expression by natural killer cells and T cells. Second, KIR play a key role in regulating placentation, and hence reproductive success. Analogous to the diversity of their human leucocyte antigen class I ligands, KIR are extremely polymorphic. In this review, we describe recent developments, fuelled by methodological advances, that are helping to decipher the KIR system in terms of haplotypes, polymorphisms, expression patterns and their ligand interactions. These developments are delivering deeper insight into the relevance of KIR in immune system function, evolution and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Béziat
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, INSERM U1163, Paris, France.,Imagine Institute, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Hugo G Hilton
- Departments of Structural Biology and Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Paul J Norman
- Departments of Structural Biology and Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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46
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Sohlberg E, Pfefferle A, Andersson S, Baumann BC, Hellström-Lindberg E, Malmberg KJ. Imprint of 5-azacytidine on the natural killer cell repertoire during systemic treatment for high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. Oncotarget 2016; 6:34178-90. [PMID: 26497557 PMCID: PMC4741444 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
5-azacytidine (5-aza) is a hypomethylating agent approved for the treatment of high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). It is assumed to act by demethylating tumor suppressor genes and via direct cytotoxic effects on malignant cells. In vitro treatment with hypomethylating agents has profound effects on the expression of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like (KIR) receptors on natural killer (NK) cells, as these receptors are epigenetically regulated via methylation of the promoters. Here we investigated the influence of 5-aza on the NK-cell repertoire during cytokine-induced proliferation in vitro and homeostatic proliferation in vivo in patients with high-risk MDS. In vitro treatment of NK cells from both healthy donors and MDS patients with low doses of 5-aza led to a significant increase in expression of multiple KIRs, but only in cells that had undergone several rounds of cell division. Proliferating 5-aza exposed NK cells exhibited increased IFN-γ production and degranulation towards tumor target cells. MDS patients had lower proportions of educated KIR-expressing NK cells than healthy controls but after systemic treatment with 5-aza, an increased proportion of Ki-67+ NK cells expressed multiple KIRs suggesting uptake of 5-aza in cycling cells in vivo. Hence, these results suggest that systemic treatment with 5-aza may shape the NK cell repertoire, in particular during homeostatic proliferation, thereby boosting NK cell-mediated recognition of malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebba Sohlberg
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aline Pfefferle
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sandra Andersson
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bettina C Baumann
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Hellström-Lindberg
- Department of Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karl-Johan Malmberg
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway.,The KG Jebsen Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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47
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48
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Saleh MH, Wang L, Goldberg MS. Improving cancer immunotherapy with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65:787-96. [PMID: 26646852 PMCID: PMC11028536 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-015-1776-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy confers durable clinical benefit to melanoma, lung, and kidney cancer patients. Challengingly, most other solid tumors, including ovarian carcinoma, are not particularly responsive to immunotherapy, so combination with a complementary therapy may be beneficial. Recent findings suggest that epigenetic modifying drugs can prime antitumor immunity by increasing expression of tumor-associated antigens, chemokines, and activating ligands by cancer cells as well as cytokines by immune cells. This review, drawing from both preclinical and clinical data, describes some of the mechanisms of action that enable DNA methyltransferase inhibitors to facilitate the establishment of antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H Saleh
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael S Goldberg
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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49
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Moffett A, Colucci F. Co-evolution of NK receptors and HLA ligands in humans is driven by reproduction. Immunol Rev 2016; 267:283-97. [PMID: 26284484 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic individuals co-exist during pregnancy in eutherian mammals. Maternal and fetal cells intermingle at the site of placental attachment in the uterus, where the arteries are remodeled to supply the fetus with oxygen and nutrients. This access by placental cells to the maternal supply line determines the growth and birth weight of the baby and is subject to stabilizing selection. Invading placental trophoblast cells express human leukocyte antigen class I ligands (HLA-E, HLA-G, and HLA-C) for receptors on maternal uterine natural killer (NK) and myelomonocytic cells, CD94/NKG2, leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor (LILR), and killer immunoglobulin receptor (KIR). Of these, only the KIR/HLA-C system is highly polymorphic. Different combinations of maternal KIR and fetal HLA-C variants are correlated with low birth weight and pre-eclampsia or high birth weight and obstructed labor, the two extremes of the obstetric dilemma. This situation has arisen because of the evolution of bipedalism and subsequently, in the last million years, larger brains. At this point, the human system began to reach a balance between KIR A and KIR B haplotypes and C1 and C2 epitopes of HLA-C alleles that reflects a functional compromise between the competing demands of immunity and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Moffett
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Francesco Colucci
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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50
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Suppression of Antitumor Immune Responses by Human Papillomavirus through Epigenetic Downregulation of CXCL14. mBio 2016; 7:mBio.00270-16. [PMID: 27143385 PMCID: PMC4959654 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00270-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are causally associated with multiple human cancers. Previous studies have shown that the HPV oncoprotein E7 induces immune suppression; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. To understand the mechanisms by which HPV deregulates host immune responses in the tumor microenvironment, we analyzed gene expression changes of all known chemokines and their receptors using our global gene expression data sets from human HPV-positive and -negative head/neck cancer and cervical tissue specimens in different disease stages. We report that, while many proinflammatory chemokines increase expression throughout cancer progression, CXCL14 is dramatically downregulated in HPV-positive cancers. HPV suppression of CXCL14 is dependent on E7 and associated with DNA hypermethylation in the CXCL14 promoter. Using in vivo mouse models, we revealed that restoration of Cxcl14 expression in HPV-positive mouse oropharyngeal carcinoma cells clears tumors in immunocompetent syngeneic mice, but not in Rag1-deficient mice. Further, Cxcl14 reexpression significantly increases natural killer (NK), CD4+ T, and CD8+ T cell infiltration into the tumor-draining lymph nodes in vivo. In vitro transwell migration assays show that Cxcl14 reexpression induces chemotaxis of NK, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T cells. These results suggest that CXCL14 downregulation by HPV plays an important role in suppression of antitumor immune responses. Our findings provide a new mechanistic understanding of virus-induced immune evasion that contributes to cancer progression. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are causally associated with more than 5% of all human cancers. During decades of cancer progression, HPV persists, evading host surveillance. However, little is known about the immune evasion mechanisms driven by HPV. Here we report that the chemokine CXCL14 is significantly downregulated in HPV-positive head/neck and cervical cancers. Using patient tissue specimens and cultured keratinocytes, we found that CXCL14 downregulation is linked to CXCL14 promoter hypermethylation induced by the HPV oncoprotein E7. Restoration of Cxcl14 expression in HPV-positive cancer cells clears tumors in immunocompetent syngeneic mice, but not in immunodeficient mice. Mice with Cxcl14 reexpression show dramatically increased natural killer and T cells in the tumor-draining lymph nodes. These results suggest that epigenetic downregulation of CXCL14 by HPV plays an important role in suppressing antitumor immune responses. Our findings may offer novel insights to develop preventive and therapeutic tools for restoring antitumor immune responses in HPV-infected individuals.
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