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Quinn CH, Julson JR, Markert HR, Nazam N, Butey S, Stewart JE, Coleman JC, Markert JM, Leavenworth JW, Beierle EA. Oncolytic virotherapy augments self-maintaining natural killer cell line cytotoxicity against neuroblastoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:221. [PMID: 39235531 PMCID: PMC11377387 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03818-y] [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: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and accounts for 15% of pediatric cancer related deaths. Targeting neuroblastoma with immunotherapies has proven challenging due to a paucity of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and the release of immunosuppressive cytokines by neuroblastoma tumor cells. We hypothesized that combining an oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus (oHSV) with natural killer (NK) cells might overcome these barriers and incite tumor cell death. METHODS We utilized MYCN amplified and non-amplified neuroblastoma cell lines, the IL-12 expressing oHSV, M002, and the human NK cell line, NK-92 MI. We assessed the cytotoxicity of NK cells against neuroblastoma with and without M002 infection, the effects of M002 on NK cell priming, and the impact of M002 and priming on the migratory capacity and CD107a expression of NK cells. To test clinical applicability, we then investigated the effects of M002 and NK cells on neuroblastoma in vivo. RESULTS NK cells were more attracted to neuroblastoma cells that were infected with M002. There was an increase in neuroblastoma cell death with the combination treatment of M002 and NK cells both in vitro and in vivo. Priming the NK cells enhanced their cytotoxicity, migratory capacity and CD107a expression. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, these investigations are the first to demonstrate the effects of an oncolytic virus combined with self-maintaining NK cells in neuroblastoma and the priming effect of neuroblastoma on NK cells. The current studies provide a deeper understanding of the relation between NK cells and neuroblastoma and these data suggest that oHSV increases NK cell cytotoxicity towards neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin H Quinn
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Ave. South, Lowder, Room 300, Birmingham, AL, 35233, UK
| | - Janet R Julson
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Ave. South, Lowder, Room 300, Birmingham, AL, 35233, UK
| | - Hooper R Markert
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Ave. South, Lowder, Room 300, Birmingham, AL, 35233, UK
| | - Nazia Nazam
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Ave. South, Lowder, Room 300, Birmingham, AL, 35233, UK
| | - Swatika Butey
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Ave. South, Lowder, Room 300, Birmingham, AL, 35233, UK
| | - Jerry E Stewart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Ave. South, Lowder, Room 300, Birmingham, AL, 35233, UK
| | - Jennifer C Coleman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - James M Markert
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Jianmei W Leavenworth
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Ave. South, Lowder, Room 300, Birmingham, AL, 35233, UK.
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2
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Peng L, Renauer PA, Sferruzza G, Yang L, Zou Y, Fang Z, Park JJ, Chow RD, Zhang Y, Lin Q, Bai M, Sanchez A, Zhang Y, Lam SZ, Ye L, Chen S. In vivo AAV-SB-CRISPR screens of tumor-infiltrating primary NK cells identify genetic checkpoints of CAR-NK therapy. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02282-4. [PMID: 38918616 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02282-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have clinical potential against cancer; however, multiple limitations hinder the success of NK cell therapy. Here, we performed unbiased functional mapping of tumor-infiltrating NK (TINK) cells using in vivo adeno-associated virus (AAV)-SB (Sleeping Beauty)-CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) screens in four solid tumor mouse models. In parallel, we characterized single-cell transcriptomic landscapes of TINK cells, which identified previously unexplored subpopulations of NK cells and differentially expressed TINK genes. As a convergent hit, CALHM2-knockout (KO) NK cells showed enhanced cytotoxicity and tumor infiltration in mouse primary NK cells and human chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells. CALHM2 mRNA reversed the CALHM2-KO phenotype. CALHM2 KO in human primary NK cells enhanced their cytotoxicity, degranulation and cytokine production. Transcriptomics profiling revealed CALHM2-KO-altered genes and pathways in both baseline and stimulated conditions. In a solid tumor model resistant to unmodified CAR-NK cells, CALHM2-KO CAR-NK cells showed potent in vivo antitumor efficacy. These data identify endogenous genetic checkpoints that naturally limit NK cell function and demonstrate the use of CALHM2 KO for engineering enhanced NK cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Peng
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paul A Renauer
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Giacomo Sferruzza
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Luojia Yang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yongji Zou
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhenghao Fang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jonathan J Park
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- M.D.-Ph.D. Program, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ryan D Chow
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- M.D.-Ph.D. Program, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yueqi Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Qianqian Lin
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Meizhu Bai
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Angelica Sanchez
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Yale College, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yongzhan Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stanley Z Lam
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lupeng Ye
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Sidi Chen
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- M.D.-Ph.D. Program, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Liver Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Center for Biomedical Data Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Center for RNA Science and Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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3
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Rademacher MJ, Faber ML, Bone KM, Medin JA, Schloemer NJ. Fate control engagement augments NK cell responses in LV/hu-IL-12 transduced sarcoma. Exp Mol Pathol 2024; 137:104898. [PMID: 38729059 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2024.104898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION NK cells are an untapped resource for cancer therapy. Sarcomas transduced with lentiviruses to express human IL-12 are only cleared in mice bearing mature human NK cells. However, systemic inflammation limits IL-12 utilization. Fate control a.k.a. "suicide mechanisms" regulate unchecked systemic inflammation caused by cellular immunotherapies. Despite increasing utilization, there remains limited data on immune consequences or tumor-directed effects of fate control. OBJECTIVES We sought to engage the mutant thymidylate kinase (mTMPK) metabolic fate control system to regulate systemic inflammation and assess the impact on NK cell effector functions. METHODS Primary human sarcoma short-passage samples and cell lines were transduced with LV/hu-IL-12_mTMPK engineering expression of IL-12 and an AZT-associated fate control enzyme. We assessed transduced sarcoma responses to AZT engagement and subsequent modulation of NK cell functions as measured by inflammatory cytokine production and cytotoxicity. RESULTS AZT administration to transduced (LV/hu-IL-12_mTMPK) short-passage primary human sarcomas and human Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, abrogated the robust expression of human IL-12. Fate control activation elicited a specific dose-dependent cytotoxic effect measured by metabolic activity (WST-1) and cell death (Incucyte). NK effector functions of IFN-γ and cytotoxic granule release were significantly augmented despite IL-12 abrogation. This correlated with preferentially induced expression of NK cell activation ligands. CONCLUSIONS mTMPK fate control engagement terminates transduced sarcoma IL-12 production and triggers cell death, but also augments an NK cell-mediated response coinciding with metabolic stress activating surface ligand induction. Fate control engagement could offer a novel immune activation method for NK cell-mediated cancer clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo Rademacher
- Departments of Pediatrics; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Mary L Faber
- Departments of Pediatrics; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Kathleen M Bone
- Departments of Pathology; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Medin
- Departments of Pediatrics; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Departments of Biochemisty; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Nathan J Schloemer
- Departments of Pediatrics; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
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4
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Huang M, Liu Y, Yan Q, Peng M, Ge J, Mo Y, Wang Y, Wang F, Zeng Z, Li Y, Fan C, Xiong W. NK cells as powerful therapeutic tool in cancer immunotherapy. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:733-757. [PMID: 38170381 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00909-3] [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] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells have gained considerable attention and hold great potential for their application in tumor immunotherapy. This is mainly due to their MHC-unrestricted and pan-specific recognition capabilities, as well as their ability to rapidly respond to and eliminate target cells. To artificially generate therapeutic NK cells, various materials can be utilized, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), umbilical cord blood (UCB), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and NK cell lines. Exploiting the therapeutic potential of NK cells to treat tumors through in vivo and in vitro therapeutic modalities has yielded positive therapeutic results. CONCLUSION This review provides a comprehensive description of NK cell therapeutic approaches for tumors and discusses the current problems associated with these therapeutic approaches and the prospects of NK cell therapy for tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Huang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yixuan Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qijia Yan
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410078, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Peng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Junshang Ge
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongzhen Mo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yumin Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410078, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fuyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Alkek Building, RM N720, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chunmei Fan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 410013, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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5
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Quiros-Fernandez I, Libório-Ramos S, Leifert L, Schönfelder B, Vlodavsky I, Cid-Arregui A. Dual T cell receptor/chimeric antigen receptor engineered NK-92 cells targeting the HPV16 E6 oncoprotein and the tumor-associated antigen L1CAM exhibit enhanced cytotoxicity and specificity against tumor cells. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29630. [PMID: 38659368 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29630] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) causes a large fraction of genital and oropharyngeal carcinomas. To maintain the transformed state, the tumor cells must continuously synthesize the E6 and E7 viral oncoproteins, which makes them tumor-specific antigens. Indeed, specific T cell responses against them have been well documented and CD8+ T cells engineered to express T cell receptors (TCRs) that recognize epitopes of E6 or E7 have been tested in clinical studies with promising results, yet with limited clinical success. Using CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood of healthy donors, we have identified two novel TCRs reactive to an unexplored E618-26 epitope. These TCRs showed limited standalone cytotoxicity against E618-26-HLA-A*02:01-presenting tumor cells. However, a single-signaling domain chimeric antigen receptor (ssdCAR) targeting L1CAM, a cell adhesion protein frequently overexpressed in HPV16-induced cancer, prompted a synergistic effect that significantly enhanced the cytotoxic capacity of NK-92/CD3/CD8 cells armored with both TCR and ssdCAR when both receptors simultaneously engaged their respective targets, as shown by live microscopy of 2-D and 3-D co-cultures. Thus, virus-specific TCRs from the CD8+ T cell repertoire of healthy donors can be combined with a suitable ssdCAR to enhance the cytotoxic capacity of the effector cells and, indirectly, their specificity.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/immunology
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/immunology
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Human papillomavirus 16/immunology
- Human papillomavirus 16/genetics
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Cell Line, Tumor
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Quiros-Fernandez
- Targeted Tumor Vaccines Group, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Research Center on Tropical Diseases (CIET)/Research Center on Surgery and Cancer (CICICA), Faculty of Microbiology, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
| | - Sofia Libório-Ramos
- Targeted Tumor Vaccines Group, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena Leifert
- Targeted Tumor Vaccines Group, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bruno Schönfelder
- Targeted Tumor Vaccines Group, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Israel Vlodavsky
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center (TICC), Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Angel Cid-Arregui
- Targeted Tumor Vaccines Group, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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6
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Kim N, Yi E, Lee E, Park HJ, Kim HS. Interleukin-2 is required for NKp30-dependent NK cell cytotoxicity by preferentially regulating NKp30 expression. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1388018. [PMID: 38698855 PMCID: PMC11063289 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1388018] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are key effectors in cancer immunosurveillance, eliminating a broad spectrum of cancer cells without major histocompatibility complex (MHC) specificity and graft-versus-host diseases (GvHD) risk. The use of allogeneic NK cell therapies from healthy donors has demonstrated favorable clinical efficacies in treating diverse cancers, particularly hematologic malignancies, but it requires cytokines such as IL-2 to primarily support NK cell persistence and expansion. However, the role of IL-2 in the regulation of activating receptors and the function of NK cells expanded for clinical trials is poorly understood and needs clarification for the full engagement of NK cells in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we demonstrated that IL-2 deprivation significantly impaired the cytotoxicity of primary expanded NK cells by preferentially downregulating NKp30 but not NKp46 despite their common adaptor requirement for expression and function. Using NK92 and IL-2-producing NK92MI cells, we observed that NKp30-mediated cytotoxicity against myeloid leukemia cells such as K562 and THP-1 cells expressing B7-H6, a ligand for NKp30, was severely impaired by IL-2 deprivation. Furthermore, IL-2 deficiency-mediated NK cell dysfunction was overcome by the ectopic overexpression of an immunostimulatory NKp30 isoform such as NKp30a or NKp30b. In particular, NKp30a overexpression in NK92 cells improved the clearance of THP-1 cells in vivo without IL-2 supplementation. Collectively, our results highlight the distinct role of IL-2 in the regulation of NKp30 compared to that of NKp46 and suggest NKp30 upregulation, as shown here by ectopic overexpression, as a viable modality to harness NK cells in cancer immunotherapy, possibly in combination with IL-2 immunocytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayoung Kim
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunbi Yi
- Department of Microbiology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunbi Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Jin Park
- Department of Microbiology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hun Sik Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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7
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Lee S, Joo Y, Lee EJ, Byeon Y, Kim JH, Pyo KH, Kim YS, Lim SM, Kilbride P, Iyer RK, Li M, French MC, Lee JY, Kang J, Byun H, Cho BC. Successful expansion and cryopreservation of human natural killer cell line NK-92 for clinical manufacturing. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0294857. [PMID: 38394177 PMCID: PMC10889882 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294857] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have recently shown renewed promise as therapeutic cells for use in treating hematologic cancer indications. Despite this promise, NK cell manufacturing workflows remain largely manual, open, and disconnected, and depend on feeders, as well as outdated unit operations or processes, often utilizing research-grade reagents. Successful scale-up of NK cells critically depends on the availability and performance of nutrient-rich expansion media and cryopreservation conditions that are conducive to high cell viability and recovery post-thaw. In this paper we used Cytiva hardware and media to expand the NK92 cell line in a model process that is suitable for GMP and clinical manufacturing of NK cells. We tested a range of cryopreservation factors including cooling rate, a range of DMSO-containing and DMSO-free cryoprotectants, ice nucleation, and cell density. Higher post-thaw recovery was seen in cryobags over cryovials cooled in identical conditions, and cooling rates of 1°C/min or 2°C/min optimal for cryopreservation in DMSO-containing and DMSO-free cryoprotectants respectively. Higher cell densities of 5x107 cells/ml gave higher post-thaw viability than those cryopreserved at either 1x106 or 5x106 cells/ml. This enabled us to automate, close and connect unit operations within the workflow while demonstrating superior expansion and cryopreservation of NK92 cells. Cellular outputs and performance were conducive to clinical dosing regimens, serving as a proof-of-concept for future clinical and commercial manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seul Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yunjoo Joo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Ji Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Youngseon Byeon
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Hwan Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ho Pyo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Seob Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Peter Kilbride
- Global Life Sciences Solutions, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rohin K. Iyer
- Global Life Sciences Solutions USA LLC 100 Results Way, Marlborough, MA, United States of America
| | - Mingming Li
- Global Life Sciences Solutions Singapore Pte. Ltd., HarbourFront Center, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mandy C. French
- Global Life Sciences Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai, China
| | - Jung-Yub Lee
- Global Life Sciences Solutions Korea Limited 5F, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeeheon Kang
- Global Life Sciences Solutions Korea Limited 5F, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyesin Byun
- Global Life Sciences Solutions Korea Limited 5F, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Byoung Chul Cho
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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8
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Kiefer A, Prüfer M, Röder J, Pfeifer Serrahima J, Bodden M, Kühnel I, Oberoi P, Wels WS. Dual Targeting of Glioblastoma Cells with Bispecific Killer Cell Engagers Directed to EGFR and ErbB2 (HER2) Facilitates Effective Elimination by NKG2D-CAR-Engineered NK Cells. Cells 2024; 13:246. [PMID: 38334638 PMCID: PMC10854564 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030246] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
NKG2D is an activating receptor of natural killer cells that recognizes stress-induced ligands (NKG2DL) expressed by many tumor cells. Nevertheless, NKG2DL downregulation or shedding can still allow cancer cells to evade immune surveillance. Here, we used lentiviral gene transfer to engineer clinically usable NK-92 cells with a chimeric antigen receptor (NKAR) which contains the extracellular domain of NKG2D for target recognition, or an NKAR, together with the IL-15 superagonist RD-IL15, and combined these effector cells with recombinant NKG2D-interacting bispecific engagers that simultaneously recognize the tumor-associated antigens epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or ErbB2 (HER2). Applied individually, in in vitro cell-killing assays, these NKAB-EGFR and NKAB-ErbB2 antibodies specifically redirected NKAR-NK-92 and NKAR_RD-IL15-NK-92 cells to glioblastoma and other cancer cells with elevated EGFR or ErbB2 levels. However, in mixed glioblastoma cell cultures, used as a model for heterogeneous target antigen expression, NKAR-NK cells only lysed the EGFR- or ErbB2-expressing subpopulations in the presence of one of the NKAB molecules. This was circumvented by applying NKAB-EGFR and NKAB-ErbB2 together, resulting in effective antitumor activity similar to that against glioblastoma cells expressing both target antigens. Our results demonstrate that combining NK cells carrying an activating NKAR receptor with bispecific NKAB antibodies allows for flexible targeting, which can enhance tumor-antigen-specific cytotoxicity and prevent immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kiefer
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Maren Prüfer
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jasmin Röder
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jordi Pfeifer Serrahima
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Malena Bodden
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ines Kühnel
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Pranav Oberoi
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, a Partnership between DKFZ and University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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9
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St‐Denis‐Bissonnette F, Cummings SE, Qiu S, Stalker A, Muradia G, Mehic J, Mediratta K, Kaczmarek S, Burger D, Lee S, Wang L, Lavoie JR. A clinically relevant large-scale biomanufacturing workflow to produce natural killer cells and natural killer cell-derived extracellular vesicles for cancer immunotherapy. J Extracell Vesicles 2023; 12:e12387. [PMID: 38054534 PMCID: PMC10698709 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12387] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cell-derived extracellular vesicles (NK-EVs) have shown promising potential as biotherapeutics for cancer due to their unique attributes as cytotoxic nanovesicles against cancer cells and immune-modulatory activity towards immune cells. However, a biomanufacturing workflow is needed to produce clinical-grade NK-EVs for pre-clinical and clinical applications. This study established a novel biomanufacturing workflow using a closed-loop hollow-fibre bioreactor to continuously produce NK-EVs from the clinically relevant NK92-MI cell line under serum-free, Xeno-free and feeder-free conditions following GMP-compliant conditions. The NK92 cells grown in the bioreactor for three continuous production lots resulted in large quantities of both NK cell and NK-EV biotherapeutics at the end of each production lot (over 109 viable cells and 1013 EVs), while retaining their cytotoxic payload (granzyme B and perforin), pro-inflammatory cytokine (interferon-gamma) content and cytotoxicity against the human leukemic cell line K562 with limited off-target toxicity against healthy human fibroblast cells. This scalable biomanufacturing workflow has the potential to facilitate the clinical translation of adoptive NK cell-based and NK-EV-based immunotherapies for cancer with GMP considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic St‐Denis‐Bissonnette
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs DirectorateHealth Products and Food Branch, Health CanadaOttawaONCanada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Sarah E. Cummings
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs DirectorateHealth Products and Food Branch, Health CanadaOttawaONCanada
| | - Shirley Qiu
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs DirectorateHealth Products and Food Branch, Health CanadaOttawaONCanada
| | - Andrew Stalker
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs DirectorateHealth Products and Food Branch, Health CanadaOttawaONCanada
| | - Gauri Muradia
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs DirectorateHealth Products and Food Branch, Health CanadaOttawaONCanada
| | - Jelica Mehic
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs DirectorateHealth Products and Food Branch, Health CanadaOttawaONCanada
| | - Karan Mediratta
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and InflammationUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems BiologyUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Shelby Kaczmarek
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and InflammationUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Dylan Burger
- Kidney Research CentreOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaONCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Seung‐Hwan Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and InflammationUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Lisheng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and InflammationUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems BiologyUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
- Regenerative Medicine ProgramOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaONCanada
| | - Jessie R. Lavoie
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs DirectorateHealth Products and Food Branch, Health CanadaOttawaONCanada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
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10
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Hojjatipour T, Sharifzadeh Z, Maali A, Azad M. Chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer cells: a promising sword against insidious tumor cells. Hum Cell 2023; 36:1843-1864. [PMID: 37477869 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-023-00948-w] [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: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a critical component of innate immunity, particularly in initial cancer recognition and inhibition of additional tumor growth or metastasis propagation. NK cells recognize transformed cells without prior sensitization via stimulatory receptors and rapidly eradicate them. However, the protective tumor microenvironment facilitates tumor escaping via induction of an exhaustion state in immune cells, including NK cells. Hence, genetic manipulation of NK cells for specific identification of tumor-associated antigens or a more robust response against tumor cells is a promising strategy for NK cells' tumoricidal augmentation. Regarding the remarkable achievement of engineered CAR-T cells in treating hematologic malignancies, there is evolving interest in CAR-NK cell recruitment in cancer immunotherapy. Innate functionality of NK cells, higher safety, superior in vivo maintenance, and the off-the-shelf potential move CAR-NK-based therapy superior to CAR-T cells treatment. In this review, we have comprehensively discussed the recent genetic manipulations of CAR-NK cell manufacturing regarding different domains of CAR constructs and their following delivery systems into diverse sources of NK cells. Then highlight the preclinical and clinical investigations of CAR-NK cells and examine the current challenges and prospects as an optimistic remedy in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Hojjatipour
- Department of Hematology and 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, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciecnes, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mehdi Azad
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, 3419759811, Iran.
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11
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Hwang TL, Chang CH. Oridonin enhances cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells against lung cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 122:110669. [PMID: 37480753 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oridonin is a Chinese herbal medicine exhibiting anti-tumor properties; however, its immune modulation capacity has yet to be elucidated. Our objective in this study was to determine whether oridonin enhances the anti-tumor activity of natural killer (NK) cells against lung cancer cells. METHODS LDH-releasing assays were used to investigate the effects of oridonin on NK-92MI cell activity against lung cancer cells. Flow cytometry and real-time PCR were used to examine the effects of oridonin on degranulation markers, cytotoxic factors, activating receptors on NK-92MI cells, and ligands in lung cancer cells. Western blot analysis provided insight into the mechanisms underlying the observed effects. RESULTS Oridonin enhanced the cytotoxic effects of NK-92MI cells against A549 lung cancer cells. This effect involved upregulating the expression of the degranulation marker CD107a and IFN-γ as well as activating receptors on NK cells and their ligand MICA/B. Oridonin also inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation in A549 cells and NK-92MI cells. A lung cancer mouse model confirmed the anti-tumor effects of oridonin and NK-92MI cells, wherein both treatments alone suppressed tumor growth. Oridonin was also shown to have a synergistic effect on the anti-tumor activity of NK-92MI cells. CONCLUSIONS The ability of oridonin to enhance the cytotoxic effects of NK cells indicates its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsong-Long Hwang
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; Department of Anesthesiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, 243, Taiwan.
| | - Chuan-Hsin Chang
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
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12
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Poorebrahim M, Quiros-Fernandez I, Marmé F, Burdach SE, Cid-Arregui A. A costimulatory chimeric antigen receptor targeting TROP2 enhances the cytotoxicity of NK cells expressing a T cell receptor reactive to human papillomavirus type 16 E7. Cancer Lett 2023; 566:216242. [PMID: 37217069 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Immune cells modified to express a tumor-reactive T cell receptor (TCR) have shown limited efficacy as stand-alone therapy against solid tumors. Genital and oropharyngeal carcinomas induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 express constitutively its E6 and E7 oncoproteins, which makes them convenient targets for adoptive cell immunotherapy. However, viral antigen presentation by tumor cells is low and limits the anti-tumor efficacy of CD8+ T cells. To enhance the functionality of immune effector cells, we have devised a strategy combining a costimulatory chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) with a TCR. We used a clinically tested TCR specific to E7 (E7-TCR) of HPV16 and a newly constructed CAR targeting the trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (TROP2), which carried the intracellular costimulatory domains CD28 and 4-1BB, but was devoid of the CD3ζ domain. Flow cytometry analyses showed a notable upregulation of activation markers and of cytolytic molecule release by NK-92 cells genetically engineered to express CD3, CD8 and both E7-TCR and TROP2-CAR, after co-incubation with HPV16+ cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, the E7-TCR/TROP2-CAR NK-92 cells demonstrated enhanced antigen-specific activation and augmented cytotoxicity against tumor cells compared with NK-92 cells expressing the E7-TCR alone. A costimulatory TROP2-CAR can synergistically cooperate with the E7-TCR in NK cells thereby enhancing their signaling strength and antigen-specific cytotoxicity. This approach might improve the outcome of adoptive cell immunotherapies for HPV16+ cancer patients that are currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansour Poorebrahim
- Targeted Tumor Vaccines Group, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Isaac Quiros-Fernandez
- Targeted Tumor Vaccines Group, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Research Center on Tropical Diseases (CIET)/Research Center on Surgery and Cancer (CICICA), Faculty of Microbiology, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
| | - Frederik Marmé
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stefan Eg Burdach
- Translational Pediatric Cancer Research Action - Institute of Pathology, TUM School of Medicine - Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 22 - RG - 540.0.11, D-81675, München, Germany; Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Angel Cid-Arregui
- Targeted Tumor Vaccines Group, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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13
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Peng L, Renauer PA, Ye L, Yang L, Park JJ, Chow RD, Zhang Y, Lin Q, Bai M, Sanchez A, Zhang Y, Lam SZ, Chen S. Perturbomics of tumor-infiltrating NK cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.14.532653. [PMID: 36993337 PMCID: PMC10055047 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.14.532653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are an innate immune cell type that serves at the first level of defense against pathogens and cancer. NK cells have clinical potential, however, multiple current limitations exist that naturally hinder the successful implementation of NK cell therapy against cancer, including their effector function, persistence, and tumor infiltration. To unbiasedly reveal the functional genetic landscape underlying critical NK cell characteristics against cancer, we perform perturbomics mapping of tumor infiltrating NK cells by joint in vivo AAV-CRISPR screens and single cell sequencing. We establish a strategy with AAV-SleepingBeauty(SB)- CRISPR screening leveraging a custom high-density sgRNA library targeting cell surface genes, and perform four independent in vivo tumor infiltration screens in mouse models of melanoma, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma. In parallel, we characterize single-cell transcriptomic landscapes of tumor-infiltrating NK cells, which identifies previously unexplored sub-populations of NK cells with distinct expression profiles, a shift from immature to mature NK (mNK) cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and decreased expression of mature marker genes in mNK cells. CALHM2, a calcium homeostasis modulator that emerges from both screen and single cell analyses, shows both in vitro and in vivo efficacy enhancement when perturbed in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells. Differential gene expression analysis reveals that CALHM2 knockout reshapes cytokine production, cell adhesion, and signaling pathways in CAR- NKs. These data directly and systematically map out endogenous factors that naturally limit NK cell function in the TME to offer a broad range of cellular genetic checkpoints as candidates for future engineering to enhance NK cell-based immunotherapies.
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14
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Klingemann H. The NK-92 cell line-30 years later: its impact on natural killer cell research and treatment of cancer. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:451-457. [PMID: 36610812 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The NK-92 cell line, established in 1992, mirrors all the characteristics of highly active blood natural killer (NK) cells but with much broader and greater cytotoxicity. The cell line was established from the blood cells of a patient with lymphoma and has been made widely available for research since it was deposited into the American Type Culture Collection in 1998. The worldwide distribution of NK-92 cells has led to a plethora of scientific discoveries that have greatly increased the understanding of NK-cell biology. NK-92 cells also have been developed for clinical use, overcoming the challenges of obtaining and expanding NK cells from donor or patient blood. More than 100 patients with cancer have now been treated all over the world with unmodified or genetically engineered NK-92 cells. Modified cells include high-affinity Fc-receptor expressing NK-92 cells (haNKR) and various chimeric antigen receptor targeted haNK cells (t-haNKTM). Infusions of either unmodified or modified NK-92 cells have been reported to be safe and efficacious, leading in some cases to disease remission even in patients who had failed multiple previous lines of therapy. It is the purpose of this review to distill the plethora of scientific data on NK-92 cells and its genetic variants, highlighting relevant experimental findings that have contributed to a better understanding of NK cell biology and summarize the therapeutic potential of these cells for treatment of cancer and infections.
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15
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Chaicharoenaudomrung N, Kunhorm P, Noisa P. Cordycepin Enhances the Cytotoxicity of Human Natural Killer Cells against Cancerous Cells. Biol Pharm Bull 2023; 46:1260-1268. [PMID: 37661405 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer treatment with natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy is promising. NK cells can recognize and kill cancer cells without sensitization, making them a potential cancer treatment alternative. To improve clinical efficacy and safety, more research is needed. Enhancing NK cell function improves therapeutic efficacy. Due to its potent apoptosis induction, Cordycepin, a bioactive compound from Cordyceps spp., inhibits cancer cell growth. Cordycepin has immunoregulatory properties, making it a promising candidate for combination therapy with NK cell-based immunotherapy. Cordycepin may enhance NK cell function and have clinical applications, but more research is needed. In this study, cordycepin treatment of NK-92 MI cells increased THP-1 and U-251 cell cytotoxicity. Cordycepin also significantly increased the mRNA expression of cytokine-encoding genes, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interferon gamma (IFNG), and interleukin 2 (IL2). NK-92 MI cells notably secreted more IFNG and granzyme B. Cordycepin also decreased CD27 and increased CD11b, CD16, and NKG2D in NK-92 MI cells, which improved its anti-cancer ability. In conclusion, cordycepin could enhance NK cell cytotoxicity against cancerous cells for the first time, supporting its use as an alternative immunoactivity agent against cancer cells. Further studies are needed to investigate its efficacy and safety in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nipha Chaicharoenaudomrung
- Laboratory of Cell-Based Assays and Innovations, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology
| | - Phongsakorn Kunhorm
- Laboratory of Cell-Based Assays and Innovations, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology
| | - Parinya Noisa
- Laboratory of Cell-Based Assays and Innovations, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology
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16
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Xiong Q, Zhang H, Ji X, Zhang Y, Shi G, Dai L, Cheng F, Wang H, Luo J, Xu J, Ji Y, Su X, Yang W, Zhang L, Deng H. A novel membrane-bound interleukin-2 promotes NK-92 cell persistence and anti-tumor activity. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2127282. [PMID: 36185809 PMCID: PMC9519007 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2127282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A major challenge in natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy is the limited persistence of NK cells in vivo. However, the proliferation of NK cells is dependent on cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2). Although IL-2 is a critical cytokine for NK cell activation and survival, IL-2 administration in adoptive NK cell therapy can induce adverse toxicities. To improve the persistence of NK cells and attenuate the systemic toxicity of IL-2, we constructed a cell-restricted artificial IL-2, named membrane-bound IL-2 (mbIL-2), comprising human IL-2 and human IL-2Rα joined by a classic linker. We found that mbIL-2-activated NK-92 cells can survive and proliferate in vitro and in vivo, independent of exogenous IL-2, while mbIL-2-expressing NK-92 cells do not support bystander cell survival or proliferation. Additionally, mbIL-2 enhanced NK-92 cell-mediated antitumor activity by tuning the IL-2 receptor downstream signals and NK cell receptor repertoire expression. To conclude, our novel mbIL-2 improves NK-92 cell persistence and enhances NK-92 cell-mediated antitumor activity. NK-92 cells genetically modified to express the novel mbIL-2 with potential significance for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Hantao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Xuanle Ji
- The College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Gang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Lei Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Fuyi Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Huiling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Jieyan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Jia Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Yanhong Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Weixiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Lin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Hongxin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
- Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
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17
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Liu WN, So WY, Harden SL, Fong SY, Wong MXY, Tan WWS, Tan SY, Ong JKL, Rajarethinam R, Liu M, Cheng JY, Suteja L, Yeong JPS, Iyer NG, Lim DWT, Chen Q. Successful targeting of PD-1/PD-L1 with chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer cells and nivolumab in a humanized mouse cancer model. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eadd1187. [PMID: 36417514 PMCID: PMC9683725 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add1187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered immune effector cells have demonstrated promising antileukemic activity. Nevertheless, their efficacy remains unsatisfactory on solid cancers, plausibly due to the influence of tumor microenvironments (TME). In a novel mouse cancer model with a humanized immune system, tumor-infiltrating immunosuppressive leukocytes and exhausted programmed death protein-1 (PD-1)high T cells were found, which better mimic patient TME, allowing the screening and assessment of immune therapeutics. Particularly, membrane-bound programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) level was elevated on a tumor cell surface, which serves as an attractive target for natural killer (NK) cell-mediated therapy. Hematopoietic stem cell-derived CAR-NK (CAR pNK) cells targeting the PD-L1 showed enhanced in vitro and in vivo anti-solid tumor function. The CAR pNK cells and nivolumab resulted in a synergistic anti-solid tumor response. Together, our study highlights a robust platform to develop and evaluate the antitumor efficacy and safety of previously unexplored therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Nam Liu
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
| | - Wing Yan So
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
| | - Sarah L. Harden
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
| | - Shin Yie Fong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
| | - Melissa Xin Yu Wong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
| | - Wilson Wei Sheng Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
| | - Sue Yee Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
| | - Jessica Kai Lin Ong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
| | - Ravisankar Rajarethinam
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
| | - Min Liu
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
| | - Jia Ying Cheng
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
| | | | - Joe Poh Sheng Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
| | - N. Gopalakrishna Iyer
- Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857, Singapore
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Darren Wan-Teck Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138673, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117593, Singapore
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138648, Singapore
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18
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To kill a cancer: Targeting the immune inhibitory checkpoint molecule, B7-H3. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188783. [PMID: 36028149 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Targeting the anti-tumor immune response via the B7 family of immune-regulatory checkpoint proteins has revolutionized cancer treatment and resulted in punctuated responses in patients. B7-H3 has gained recent attention given its prominent deregulation and immunomodulatory role in a multitude of cancers. Numerous cancer studies have firmly established a strong link between deregulated B7-H3 expression and poorer outcomes. B7-H3 has been shown to augment cancer cell survival, proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance by inducing an immune evasive phenotype through its effects on tumor-infiltrating immune cells, cancer cells, cancer-associated vasculature, and the stroma. Given the complex interplay between each of these components of the tumor microenvironment, a deeper understanding of B7-H3 signaling properties is inherently crucial to developing efficacious therapies that can target and inhibit these cancer-promoting interactions. This review delves into the various ways B7-H3 acts as an immunomodulator to facilitate immune evasion and promote tumor growth and spread. With post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications giving rise to different active isoforms coupled with recent discoveries of its putative receptors, B7-H3 can perform diverse functions. Here, we first discuss the dual co-stimulatory/co-inhibitory functions of B7-H3 in the context of normal physiology and cancer. We then discuss the crosstalk facilitated by B7-H3 between stromal components and tumor cells that promote tumor growth and metastasis in different populations of tumor cells, associated vasculature, and the stroma. Concurrently, we highlight therapeutic strategies that can exploit these interactions and their associated limitations, concluding with a special focus on the promise of next-gen in silico-based approaches to small molecule inhibitor drug discovery for B7-H3 that may mitigate these limitations.
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19
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Maza J, García-Almedina DM, Boike LE, Hamlish NX, Nomura DK, Francis MB. Tyrosinase-Mediated Synthesis of Nanobody-Cell Conjugates. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:955-962. [PMID: 35912347 PMCID: PMC9335918 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c01265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A convenient enzymatic strategy is reported for the modification of cell surfaces. Using a tyrosinase enzyme isolated from Agaricus bisporus, unique tyrosine residues introduced at the C-termini of nanobodies can be site-selectively oxidized to reactive o-quinones. These reactive intermediates undergo rapid modification with nucleophilic thiol, amine, and imidazole residues present on cell surfaces, producing novel nanobody-cell conjugates that display targeted antigen binding. We extend this approach toward the synthesis of nanobody-NK cell conjugates for targeted immunotherapy applications. The resulting NK cell conjugates exhibit targeted cell binding and elicit targeted cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnathan
C. Maza
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | | | - Lydia E. Boike
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Novartis-Berkeley
Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Noah X. Hamlish
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, University
of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Daniel K. Nomura
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Novartis-Berkeley
Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, University
of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Innovative
Genomics Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Matthew B. Francis
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratories, Berkeley, California 94720,United States
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20
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Saetang J, Roongsawang N, Sangkhathat S, Voravuthikunchai SP, Sangkaew N, Prompat N, Srichana T, Tipmanee V. Surface cysteine to serine substitutions in IL-18 reduce aggregation and enhance activity. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13626. [PMID: 35811828 PMCID: PMC9266699 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is prone to form multimers resulting in inactive aggregates, making this cytokine unstable for clinical use. Therefore, mutations have been introduced into recombinant IL-18 to overcome this issue. Methods To prevent the formation of disulfide bonds between the IL-18 molecules, multiple mutations targeting surface cysteines (C38, C68, C76, and C127) were introduced into our previously modified human IL-18 double mutant E6K+T63A (IL-18 DM) by direct gene synthesis. The open reading frames of IL-18 wild-type (WT), IL-18 DM, and IL-18 multiple mutant E6K+T63A+C38S+C68S+C76S+C127S (IL-18 DM1234) were inserted in the pET28a expression vector and transformed into Escherichia coli Rosetta2 (DE3) pLysS cells for protein production. The inclusion bodies of WT and mutated IL-18 were extracted by sonication and refolded by stepwise dialysis using 8 M urea as the starting concentration. The refolded IL-18 proteins were tested for aggregation using the ProteoStat protein aggregation assay. Their activity was also investigated by treating NK-92MI cells with each IL-18 at concentrations of 75, 150, and 300 ng/ml with 0.5 ng/ml of human IL-12 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels in the supernatant were evaluated using ELISA. The structure of modified IL-18 was visualized using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Results IL-18 DM1234 exhibited the lowest aggregation signal, approximately 1.79- and 1.63-fold less than that of the WT and IL-18 DM proteins. Additionally, the IFN-γ inducing activity of IL-18 DM1234 was about 10 and 2.8 times higher than that of the WT and IL-18 DM, respectively. MD simulations revealed that binding site I of IL-18 DM1234 was altered mainly due to surface cysteine replacement with serine (C-to-S substitution). This is the first report showing that C-to-S substitutions in IL-18 improved its activity and stability, suggesting the use of this modified IL-18 for medical purposes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jirakrit Saetang
- International Center of Excellence in Seafood Science and Innovation, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,EZ-Mol-Design Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Niran Roongsawang
- Microbial Cell Factory Research Team, Biorefinery and Bioproduct Technology Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Surasak Sangkhathat
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Translational Medicine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Supayang Piyawan Voravuthikunchai
- Center of Antimicrobial Biomaterial Innovation-Southeast Asia and Natural Product Research Center of Excellence, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Natnaree Sangkaew
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Napat Prompat
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Teerapol Srichana
- Drug Delivery System Excellence Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Varomyalin Tipmanee
- EZ-Mol-Design Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
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21
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Antillon K, Ross PA, Farrell MP. Directing CAR NK Cells via the Metabolic Incorporation of CAR Ligands into Malignant Cell Glycans. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:1505-1512. [PMID: 35648806 PMCID: PMC10061155 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The abundance of sialic acid-containing glycans in the glycocalyx of malignant cells enables immune evasion. Here, we leverage the biosynthetic pathways that permit pervasive sialylation to incorporate a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) ligand into malignant cell glycans, and demonstrate that this increases the susceptibility of malignant cells to the cytolytic activity of CAR-expressing natural killer (NK) cells. Specifically, we applied a C-9-functionalized nonnatural sialic acid [i.e., fluorescein sialic acid (FL-SA)] to modify malignant cell glycans. We confirm the metabolic incorporation of FL-SA into plasma membrane-associated glycans. The preparation of anti-fluorescein CAR NK cells permitted studies demonstrating that treating malignant cells with FL-SA increased susceptibility to CAR NK cell-mediated cytolysis. Furthermore, we observed that the specificity of the anti-fluorescein CAR NK cells is enhanced for fluorescein-labeled cells, and an increased release of cytokines from the CAR NK cells upon incubation with FL-SA-treated cells. The results arising from this study demonstrate that CAR ligands can be metabolically incorporated into malignant cells, and we reason that such strategies could be leveraged to tackle the issue of antigen heterogeneity that limits the clinical efficacy of CAR T/NK cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathia Antillon
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
| | - Patrick A Ross
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
| | - Mark P Farrell
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
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22
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Rahnama R, Christodoulou I, Bonifant CL. Gene-Based Natural Killer Cell Therapies for the Treatment of Pediatric Hematologic Malignancies. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2022; 36:745-768. [PMID: 35773048 PMCID: PMC10158845 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric blood cancers are among the most common malignancies that afflict children. Intensive chemotherapy is not curative in many cases, and novel therapies are urgently needed. NK cells hold promise for use as immunotherapeutic effectors due to their favorable safety profile, intrinsic cytotoxic properties, and potential for genetic modification that can enhance specificity and killing potential. NK cells can be engineered to express CARs targeting tumor-specific antigens, to downregulate inhibitory and regulatory signals, to secrete cytokine, and to optimize interaction with small molecule engagers. Understanding NK cell biology is key to designing immunotherapy for clinical translation.
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23
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Chang LY, Liang SY, Lu SC, Tseng HC, Tsai HY, Tang CJ, Sugata M, Chen YJ, Chen YJ, Wu SJ, Lin KI, Khoo KH, Angata T. Molecular Basis and Role of Siglec-7 Ligand Expression on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia B Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:840388. [PMID: 35711441 PMCID: PMC9195294 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.840388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Siglec-7 (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 7) is an immune checkpoint-like glycan recognition protein on natural killer (NK) cells. Cancer cells often upregulate Siglec ligands to subvert immunosurveillance, but the molecular basis of Siglec ligands has been elusive. In this study, we investigated Siglec-7 ligands on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells. CLL B cells express higher levels of Siglec-7 ligands compared with healthy donor B cells, and enzymatic removal of sialic acids or sialomucins makes them more sensitive to NK cell cytotoxicity. Gene knockout experiments have revealed that the sialyltransferase ST6GalNAc-IV is responsible for the biosynthesis of disialyl-T (Neu5Acα2-3Galβ1-3[Neu5Acα2-6]GalNAcα1-), which is the glycotope recognized by Siglec-7, and that CD162 and CD45 are the major carriers of this glycotope on CLL B cells. Analysis of public transcriptomic datasets indicated that the low expression of GCNT1 (encoding core 2 GlcNAc transferase, an enzyme that competes against ST6GalNAc-IV) and high expression of ST6GALNAC4 (encoding ST6GalNAc-IV) in CLL B cells, together enhancing the expression of the disialyl-T glycotope, are associated with poor patient prognosis. Taken together, our results determined the molecular basis of Siglec-7 ligand overexpression that protects CLL B cells from NK cell cytotoxicity and identified disialyl-T as a potential prognostic marker of CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan-Yi Chang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Suh-Yuen Liang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Chia Lu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huan Chuan Tseng
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ho-Yang Tsai
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Ju Tang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Marcelia Sugata
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ju Chen
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ju Chen
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Ju Wu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-I Lin
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kay-Hooi Khoo
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Takashi Angata
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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24
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Hullsiek R, Li Y, Snyder KM, Wang S, Di D, Borgatti A, Lee C, Moore PF, Zhu C, Fattori C, Modiano JF, Wu J, Walcheck B. Examination of IgG Fc Receptor CD16A and CD64 Expression by Canine Leukocytes and Their ADCC Activity in Engineered NK Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:841859. [PMID: 35281028 PMCID: PMC8907477 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.841859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human natural killer (NK) cells can target tumor cells in an antigen-specific manner by the recognition of cell bound antibodies. This process induces antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and is exclusively mediated by the low affinity IgG Fc receptor CD16A (FcγRIIIA). Exploiting ADCC by NK cells is a major area of emphasis for advancing cancer immunotherapies. CD64 (FcγRI) is the only high affinity IgG FcR and it binds to the same IgG isotypes as CD16A, but it is not expressed by human NK cells. We have generated engineered human NK cells expressing recombinant CD64 with the goal of increasing their ADCC potency. Preclinical testing of this approach is essential for establishing efficacy and safety of the engineered NK cells. The dog provides particular advantages as a model, which includes spontaneous development of cancer in the setting of an intact and outbred immune system. To advance this immunotherapy model, we cloned canine CD16A and CD64 and generated specific mAbs. We report here for the first time the expression patterns of these FcγRs on dog peripheral blood leukocytes. CD64 was expressed by neutrophils and monocytes, but not lymphocytes, while canine CD16A was expressed at high levels by a subset of monocytes and lymphocytes. These expression patterns are similar to that of human leukocytes. Based on phenotypic characteristics, the CD16A+ lymphocytes consisted of T cells (CD3+ CD8+ CD5dim α/β TCR+) and NK cells (CD3− CD5− CD94+), but not B cells. Interestingly, the majority of canine CD16A+ lymphocytes were from the T cell population. Like human CD16A, canine CD16A was downregulated by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) upon leukocyte activation, revealing a conserved means of regulation. We also directly demonstrate that both canine CD16A and CD64 can induce ADCC when expressed in the NK cell line NK-92. These findings pave the way to engineering canine NK cells or T cells with high affinity recombinant canine CD64 to maximize ADCC and to test their safety and efficacy to benefit both humans and dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Hullsiek
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Yunfang Li
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Kristin M Snyder
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Sam Wang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Da Di
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Antonella Borgatti
- Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Clinical Investigation Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Chae Lee
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Peter F Moore
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Cong Zhu
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Chiara Fattori
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jaime F Modiano
- Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jianming Wu
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Bruce Walcheck
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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25
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Kotzur R, Duev-Cohen A, Kol I, Reches A, Mandelboim O, Stein N. NK-92 cells retain vitality and functionality when grown in standard cell culture conditions. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264897. [PMID: 35294457 PMCID: PMC8926178 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
NK-92 cells are an off-the-shelf, cell-based immunotherapy currently in clinical trials for a variety of cancer types. As the most 'NK-like' cell line available, it is also an important research tool. To date, NK-92 cells have been cultivated in a costly and time-consumingly prepared specialized medium, complicating research with these cells. Here we show that NK-92 cells grow in the comparatively user-friendly RPMI medium supplemented with IL-2. We demonstrate that their metabolic activity and replication rates are even improved in RPMI. Furthermore, they can be grown in cell culture dishes and do not need to be expanded in ventilated flasks. We show that in RPMI the cells retain functional characteristics relating to receptor expression, IFN-γ secretion, and killing. Our findings will enable more researchers to work with and manipulate this cell line, hopefully leading to further discoveries and improved therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Kotzur
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexandra Duev-Cohen
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Inbal Kol
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Adi Reches
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
- * E-mail: (OM); (NS)
| | - Natan Stein
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
- * E-mail: (OM); (NS)
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26
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Ramos-Mejia V, Arellano-Galindo J, Mejía-Arangure JM, Cruz-Munoz ME. A NK Cell Odyssey: From Bench to Therapeutics Against Hematological Malignancies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:803995. [PMID: 35493522 PMCID: PMC9046543 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.803995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In 1975 two independent groups noticed the presence of immune cells with a unique ability to recognize and eliminate transformed hematopoietic cells without any prior sensitization or expansion of specific clones. Since then, NK cells have been the axis of thousands of studies that have resulted until June 2021, in more than 70 000 publications indexed in PubMed. As result of this work, which include approaches in vitro, in vivo, and in natura, it has been possible to appreciate the role played by the NK cells, not only as effectors against specific pathogens, but also as regulators of the immune response. Recent advances have revealed previous unidentified attributes of NK cells including the ability to adapt to new conditions under the context of chronic infections, or their ability to develop some memory-like characteristics. In this review, we will discuss significant findings that have rule our understanding of the NK cell biology, the developing of these findings into new concepts in immunology, and how these conceptual platforms are being used in the design of strategies for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Ramos-Mejia
- GENYO: Centro Pfizer, Universidad de Granada, Junta de Andalucía de Genómica e Investigación Oncológica, Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Arellano-Galindo
- Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Infantil de México “Dr. Federico Gomez”, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Juan Manuel Mejía-Arangure
- Genómica del Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN) & Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Mario Ernesto Cruz-Muñoz, ; Juan Manuel Mejía-Arangure,
| | - Mario Ernesto Cruz-Munoz
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Mario Ernesto Cruz-Muñoz, ; Juan Manuel Mejía-Arangure,
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27
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CCR7 expression in CD19 chimeric antigen receptor-engineered natural killer cells improves migration toward CCL19-expressing lymphoma cells and increases tumor control in mice with human lymphoma. Cytotherapy 2022; 24:827-834. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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28
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Roex G, Campillo-Davo D, Flumens D, Shaw PAG, Krekelbergh L, De Reu H, Berneman ZN, Lion E, Anguille S. Two for one: targeting BCMA and CD19 in B-cell malignancies with off-the-shelf dual-CAR NK-92 cells. J Transl Med 2022; 20:124. [PMID: 35287669 PMCID: PMC8919645 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03326-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has proven to be a valuable new treatment option for patients with B-cell malignancies. However, by applying selective pressure, outgrowth of antigen-negative tumor cells can occur, eventually resulting in relapse. Subsequent rescue by administration of CAR-T cells with different antigen-specificity indicates that those tumor cells are still sensitive to CAR-T treatment and points towards a multi-target strategy. Due to their natural tumor sensitivity and highly cytotoxic nature, natural killer (NK) cells are a compelling alternative to T cells, especially considering the availability of an off-the-shelf unlimited supply in the form of the clinically validated NK-92 cell line.
Methods
Given our goal to develop a flexible system whereby the CAR expression repertoire of the effector cells can be rapidly adapted to the changing antigen expression profile of the target cells, electrotransfection with CD19-/BCMA-CAR mRNA was chosen as CAR loading method in this study. We evaluated the functionality of mRNA-engineered dual-CAR NK-92 against tumor B-cell lines and primary patient samples. In order to test the clinical applicability of the proposed cell therapy product, the effect of irradiation on the proliferative rate and functionality of dual-CAR NK-92 cells was investigated.
Results
Co-electroporation of CD19 and BMCA CAR mRNA was highly efficient, resulting in 88.1% dual-CAR NK-92 cells. In terms of CD107a degranulation, and secretion of interferon (IFN)-γ and granzyme B, dual-CAR NK-92 significantly outperformed single-CAR NK-92. More importantly, the killing capacity of dual-CAR NK-92 exceeded 60% of single and dual antigen-expressing cell lines, as well as primary tumor cells, in a 4h co-culture assay at low effector to target ratios, matching that of single-CAR counterparts. Furthermore, our results confirm that dual-CAR NK-92 irradiated with 10 Gy cease to proliferate and are gradually cleared while maintaining their killing capacity.
Conclusions
Here, using the clinically validated NK-92 cell line as a therapeutic cell source, we established a readily accessible and flexible platform for the generation of highly functional dual-targeted CAR-NK cells.
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Chang HF, Schirra C, Ninov M, Hahn U, Ravichandran K, Krause E, Becherer U, Bálint Š, Harkiolaki M, Urlaub H, Valitutti S, Baldari CT, Dustin ML, Jahn R, Rettig J. Identification of distinct cytotoxic granules as the origin of supramolecular attack particles in T lymphocytes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1029. [PMID: 35210420 PMCID: PMC8873490 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28596-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) kill malignant and infected cells through the directed release of cytotoxic proteins into the immunological synapse (IS). The cytotoxic protein granzyme B (GzmB) is released in its soluble form or in supramolecular attack particles (SMAP). We utilize synaptobrevin2-mRFP knock-in mice to isolate fusogenic cytotoxic granules in an unbiased manner and visualize them alone or in degranulating CTLs. We identified two classes of fusion-competent granules, single core granules (SCG) and multi core granules (MCG), with different diameter, morphology and protein composition. Functional analyses demonstrate that both classes of granules fuse with the plasma membrane at the IS. SCG fusion releases soluble GzmB. MCGs can be labelled with the SMAP marker thrombospondin-1 and their fusion releases intact SMAPs. We propose that CTLs use SCG fusion to fill the synaptic cleft with active cytotoxic proteins instantly and parallel MCG fusion to deliver latent SMAPs for delayed killing of refractory targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Fang Chang
- Cellular Neurophysiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany.
| | - Claudia Schirra
- Cellular Neurophysiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Momchil Ninov
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Bioanalytics, Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert Koch Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Hahn
- Cellular Neurophysiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Keerthana Ravichandran
- Cellular Neurophysiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Elmar Krause
- Cellular Neurophysiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ute Becherer
- Cellular Neurophysiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Štefan Bálint
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, OX3 7FY, Oxford, UK
| | - Maria Harkiolaki
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, OX11 0DE, Didcot, UK
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Bioanalytics, Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert Koch Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Salvatore Valitutti
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM U1037, 31037, Toulouse, France
- Department of Pathology, Institut Universitaire du Cancer-Oncopole de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Cosima T Baldari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Michael L Dustin
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, OX3 7FY, Oxford, UK
| | - Reinhard Jahn
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jens Rettig
- Cellular Neurophysiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany.
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30
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Michel T, Ollert M, Zimmer J. A Hot Topic: Cancer Immunotherapy and Natural Killer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020797. [PMID: 35054985 PMCID: PMC8776043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress in recent years, the therapeutic approach of the multiple different forms of human cancer often remains a challenge. Besides the well-established cancer surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, immunotherapeutic strategies gain more and more attention, and some of them have already been successfully introduced into the clinic. Among these, immunotherapy based on natural killer (NK) cells is considered as one of the most promising options. In the present review, we will expose the different possibilities NK cells offer in this context, compare data about the theoretical background and mechanism(s) of action, report some results of clinical trials and identify several very recent trends. The pharmaceutical industry is quite interested in NK cell immunotherapy, which will benefit the speed of progress in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Michel
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (T.M.); (M.O.)
| | - Markus Ollert
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (T.M.); (M.O.)
- Odense Research Center for Anaphylaxis (ORCA), Department of Dermatology and Allergy Center, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Jacques Zimmer
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (T.M.); (M.O.)
- Correspondence:
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31
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Hosseini M, Habibi Z, Hosseini N, Abdoli S, Rezaei N. Preclinical studies of chimeric antigen receptor-modified natural killer cells in cancer immunotherapy: a review. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2021; 22:349-366. [PMID: 34541989 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2021.1983539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As one of the most efficacious methods of cancer immunotherapy, chimeric antigen receptor-modified immune cells have recently drawn enormous attention. After the great success achieved with CAR-T-cells in cancer treatment both in preclinical setting and in the clinic, other types of immune cells, including natural killer (NK)-cells and macrophages, have been evaluated for their anti-cancer effects along with their potential superiority against CAR-T-cells, especially in terms of safety. First introduced by Tran et al. almost 26 years ago, CAR-NK-cells are now being considered as efficient immunotherapeutic modalities in various types of cancers, not only in preclinical setting but also in numerous phase I and II clinical studies. AREAS COVERED In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive survey of the preclinical studies on CAR-NK-cells' development, with an evolutional approach on CAR structures and their associated signaling moieties. Current NK-cell sources and modes of gene transfer are also reviewed. EXPERT OPINION CAR-NK-cells have appeared as safe and effective immunotherapeutic tools in preclinical settings; however, designing CAR structures with an eye on their specific biology, along with choosing the optimal cell source and gene transfer method require further investigation to support clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Hosseini
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Habibi
- School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Narges Hosseini
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Sina Abdoli
- School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies (RCID), Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Meggyes M, Nagy DU, Balassa T, Godony K, Peterfalvi A, Szereday L, Polgar B. Influence of Galectin-9 Treatment on the Phenotype and Function of NK-92MI Cells in the Presence of Different Serum Supplements. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081066. [PMID: 34439744 PMCID: PMC8391477 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectins are one of the critical players in the tumor microenvironment-tumor crosstalk and the regulation of local immunity. Galectin-9 has been in the limelight in tumor immunology. Galectin-9 possesses its multiplex biological functions both extracellularly and intracellularly, plays a pivotal role in the modulation of adaptive and innate immunity, and induces immune tolerance. NK-92MI cell lines against different malignancies were extensively studied, and recently published trials used genetically chimeric antigen receptor-transfected NK-92MI cells in tumor immunotherapy. Besides the intensive research in tumor immunotherapy, limited information is available on their immune-checkpoint expression and the impact of checkpoint ligands on their effector functions. To uncover the therapeutic potential of modulating Galectin-9-related immunological pathways in NK-cell-based therapy, we investigated the dose-dependent effect of soluble Galectin-9 on the TIM-3 checkpoint receptor and NKG2D, CD69, FasL, and perforin expression of NK-92MI cells. We also examined how their cytotoxicity and cytokine production was altered after Gal-9 treatment and in the presence of different serum supplements using flow cytometric analysis. Our study provides evidence that the Galectin-9/TIM-3 pathway plays an important role in the regulation of NK cell function, and about the modulatory role of Galectin-9 on the cytotoxicity and cytokine production of NK-92MI cells in the presence of different serum supplements. We hope that our results will aid the development of novel NK-cell-based strategies that target Galectin-9/TIM-3 checkpoint in tumors resistant to T-cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matyas Meggyes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pecs, 12 Szigeti Street, 7624 Pecs, Hungary; (T.B.); (L.S.); (B.P.)
- Janos Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pecs, 20 Ifjusag Street, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +3672-536001/1907
| | - David U Nagy
- Medical Centre, Cochrane Hungary, University of Pecs, 7623 Pecs, Hungary;
| | - Timea Balassa
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pecs, 12 Szigeti Street, 7624 Pecs, Hungary; (T.B.); (L.S.); (B.P.)
| | - Krisztina Godony
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical School, University of Pecs, 17 Edesanyak Street, 7624 Pecs, Hungary;
| | - Agnes Peterfalvi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pecs, 13 Ifjusag Street, 7624 Pecs, Hungary;
| | - Laszlo Szereday
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pecs, 12 Szigeti Street, 7624 Pecs, Hungary; (T.B.); (L.S.); (B.P.)
- Janos Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pecs, 20 Ifjusag Street, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
| | - Beata Polgar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pecs, 12 Szigeti Street, 7624 Pecs, Hungary; (T.B.); (L.S.); (B.P.)
- Janos Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pecs, 20 Ifjusag Street, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
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An NK cell line (NK92-41BB) expressing high levels of granzyme is engineered to express the high affinity chimeric genes CD16/CAR. Cytotechnology 2021; 73:539-553. [PMID: 34349345 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-021-00476-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are known to play a role in mediating innate immunity and have been implicated in mediating anti-tumor responses via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) based on the reactivity of CD16 with the Fc region of human IgG1 antibodies. The NK-92 cell line, devoid of CD16 and derived from a lymphoma patient, has been well characterized. The adoptive transfer of irradiated NK-92 cells demonstrated safety and showed preliminary evidence of clinical benefit for cancer patients. The molecules 41BB and CD3 are commonly used as stimulators in the CAR structure, and their expression in NK cells can promote the activation of NK cells, leading to the enhanced perforin- and granzyme-mediated lysis of tumor cells. This study showed that genetically modified NK-92 cells combined with antibody-mediated ADCC using rituximab and trastuzumab monoclonal antibodies lysed tumor cells more efficient than the NK-92 cell lines. It also showed that the anti-tumor activity of chimeric stimulator molecules of the CAR-modified CD16 receptor was stronger than that of CD16 (allotype V158). These studies provide a rationale for the use of genetically modified NK-92 cells in combination with IgG1 anti-tumor monoclonal antibodies. We also provide a rationale for the chimeric modified CD16 receptor that can improve the anti-tumor effect of NK92 cells via ADCC. Supplementary Information The online version of this article (10.1007/s10616-021-00476-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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34
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Zhang M, Acklin S, Gillenwater J, Du W, Patra M, Yu H, Xu B, Yu J, Xia F. SIRT2 promotes murine melanoma progression through natural killer cell inhibition. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12988. [PMID: 34155309 PMCID: PMC8217567 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92445-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
SIRT2, an NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase, has been shown to play a pivotal role in various physiological processes, however, its role in cancer is currently controversial. In recent years, SIRT2 has been described as both a tumor suppressor and oncogene with divergent expression and function in various malignancies. Using murine allograft melanoma models, our results suggest increased systemic expression of SIRT2 promotes tumor progression. In this study, SIRT2-overexpressing mice exhibited enhanced tumor growth and larger tumor volumes compared to their wild-type littermates. Mechanistically, systemic overexpression of SIRT2 reduces the number of tumor-infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells and suppresses NK cell function and proliferation within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, despite the enhancing effect of NK cell depletion on tumor volume and growth rate in wild-type littermate mice, this effect was diminished in SIRT2-overexpressing mice. Lastly, pharmacological inhibition of SIRT2 increases NK cell tumor infiltration and suppresses allograft melanoma tumor growth. The findings of this study identify a dynamic functional interaction between systemic SIRT2 and NK cell activity, which controls melanoma tumor progression. Given the recent renewed interest in NK-cell-mediated immunotherapy response, SIRT2 could present a new opportunity to mediate immunotherapy response and resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manchao Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Scarlett Acklin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - John Gillenwater
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Wuying Du
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Mousumi Patra
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Hao Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Bo Xu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Fen Xia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
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35
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Wang RW, Viganò S, Ben-David U, Amon A, Santaguida S. Aneuploid senescent cells activate NF-κB to promote their immune clearance by NK cells. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e52032. [PMID: 34105235 PMCID: PMC8339690 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202052032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system plays a major role in the protection against cancer. Identifying and characterizing the pathways mediating this immune surveillance are thus critical for understanding how cancer cells are recognized and eliminated. Aneuploidy is a hallmark of cancer, and we previously found that untransformed cells that had undergone senescence due to highly abnormal karyotypes are eliminated by natural killer (NK) cells in vitro. However, the mechanisms underlying this process remained elusive. Here, using an in vitro NK cell killing system, we show that non‐cell‐autonomous mechanisms in aneuploid cells predominantly mediate their clearance by NK cells. Our data indicate that in untransformed aneuploid cells, NF‐κB signaling upregulation is central to elicit this immune response. Inactivating NF‐κB abolishes NK cell‐mediated clearance of untransformed aneuploid cells. In cancer cell lines, NF‐κB upregulation also correlates with the degree of aneuploidy. However, such upregulation in cancer cells is not sufficient to trigger NK cell‐mediated clearance, suggesting that additional mechanisms might be at play during cancer evolution to counteract NF‐κB‐mediated immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxi W Wang
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sonia Viganò
- Department of Experimental Oncology at IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Uri Ben-David
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Angelika Amon
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stefano Santaguida
- Department of Experimental Oncology at IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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36
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Walcher L, Kistenmacher AK, Sommer C, Böhlen S, Ziemann C, Dehmel S, Braun A, Tretbar US, Klöß S, Schambach A, Morgan M, Löffler D, Kämpf C, Blumert C, Reiche K, Beckmann J, König U, Standfest B, Thoma M, Makert GR, Ulbert S, Kossatz-Böhlert U, Köhl U, Dünkel A, Fricke S. Low Energy Electron Irradiation Is a Potent Alternative to Gamma Irradiation for the Inactivation of (CAR-)NK-92 Cells in ATMP Manufacturing. Front Immunol 2021; 12:684052. [PMID: 34149724 PMCID: PMC8212864 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.684052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With increasing clinical use of NK-92 cells and their CAR-modified derivatives in cancer immunotherapy, there is a growing demand for efficient production processes of these “off-the-shelf” therapeutics. In order to ensure safety and prevent the occurrence of secondary tumors, (CAR-)NK-92 cell proliferation has to be inactivated before transfusion. This is commonly achieved by gamma irradiation. Recently, we showed proof of concept that low energy electron irradiation (LEEI) is a new method for NK-92 inactivation. LEEI has several advantages over gamma irradiation, including a faster reaction time, a more reproducible dose rate and much less requirements on radiation shielding. Here, LEEI was further evaluated as a promising alternative to gamma irradiation yielding cells with highly maintained cytotoxic effector function. Methods Effectiveness and efficiency of LEEI and gamma irradiation were analyzed using NK-92 and CD123-directed CAR-NK-92 cells. LEE-irradiated cells were extensively characterized and compared to gamma-irradiated cells via flow cytometry, cytotoxicity assays, and comet assays, amongst others. Results Our results show that both irradiation methods caused a progressive decrease in cell viability and are, therefore, suitable for inhibition of cell proliferation. Notably, the NK-mediated specific lysis of tumor cells was maintained at stable levels for three days post-irradiation, with a trend towards higher activities after LEEI treatment as compared to gamma irradiation. Both gamma irradiation as well as LEEI led to substantial DNA damage and an accumulation of irradiated cells in the G2/M cell cycle phases. In addition, transcriptomic analysis of irradiated cells revealed approximately 12-fold more differentially expressed genes two hours after gamma irradiation, compared to LEEI. Analysis of surface molecules revealed an irradiation-induced decrease in surface expression of CD56, but no changes in the levels of the activating receptors NKp46, NKG2D, or NKp30. Conclusions The presented data show that LEEI inactivates (CAR-)NK-92 cells as efficiently as gamma irradiation, but with less impact on the overall gene expression. Due to logistic advantages, LEEI might provide a superior alternative for the manufacture of (CAR-)NK-92 cells for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia Walcher
- Department for GMP Process Development/ATMP Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Kistenmacher
- Department for GMP Process Development/ATMP Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Charline Sommer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Department for Preclinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH) research network, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Böhlen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Department for Preclinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH) research network, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Ziemann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Department for Preclinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH) research network, Hannover, Germany
| | - Susann Dehmel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Department for Preclinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH) research network, Hannover, Germany
| | - Armin Braun
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Department for Preclinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH) research network, Hannover, Germany
| | - Uta Sandy Tretbar
- Department for GMP Process Development/ATMP Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Klöß
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dennis Löffler
- Department for Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Kämpf
- Department for Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Conny Blumert
- Department for Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kristin Reiche
- Department for Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany.,Institute for Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jana Beckmann
- Division for Medical and Biotechnological Applications, Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (FEP), Dresden, Germany
| | - Ulla König
- Division for Medical and Biotechnological Applications, Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (FEP), Dresden, Germany
| | - Bastian Standfest
- Department for Laboratory Automation and Biomanufacturing Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA), Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Martin Thoma
- Department for Laboratory Automation and Biomanufacturing Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA), Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Gustavo R Makert
- Department for Vaccines and Infection Models, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ulbert
- Department for Vaccines and Infection Models, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uta Kossatz-Böhlert
- Department for GMP Process Development/ATMP Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrike Köhl
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute for Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anna Dünkel
- Department for GMP Process Development/ATMP Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Fricke
- Department for GMP Process Development/ATMP Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
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Rademacher MJ, Cruz A, Faber M, Oldham RAA, Wang D, Medin JA, Schloemer NJ. Sarcoma IL-12 overexpression facilitates NK cell immunomodulation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8321. [PMID: 33859303 PMCID: PMC8050085 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87700-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is an inflammatory cytokine that has demonstrated efficacy for cancer immunotherapy, but systemic administration has detrimental toxicities. Lentiviral transduction eliciting IL-12-producing human sarcoma for autologous reintroduction provides localized delivery for both innate and adaptive immune response augmentation. Sarcoma cell lines and primary human sarcoma samples were transduced with recombinant lentivirus engineering expression of human IL-12 (hu-IL-12). IL-12 expressing sarcomas were assessed in vitro and in vivo following implantation into humanized NSG and transgenic human IL-15 expressing (NSG.Tg(Hu-IL-15)) murine models. Lentiviral transduction (LV/hu-IL-12) of human osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, as well as low-passage primary human sarcomas, engendered high-level expression of hu-IL-12. Hu-IL-12 demonstrated functional viability, eliciting specific NK cell-mediated interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release and cytotoxic growth restriction of spheroids in vitro. In orthotopic xenograft murine models, the LV/hu-IL-12 transduced human sarcoma produced detectable IL-12 and elicited an IFN-γ inflammatory immune response specific to mature human NK reconstitution in the NSG.Tg(Hu-IL-15) model while restricting tumor growth. We conclude that LV/hu-IL-12 transduction of sarcoma elicits a specific immune reaction and the humanized NSG.Tg(Hu-IL-15) xenograft, with mature human NK cells, can define in vivo anti-tumor effects and systemic toxicities. IL-12 immunomodulation through autologous tumor transduction and reintroduction merits exploration for sarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo Rademacher
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Anahi Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Mary Faber
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Robyn A A Oldham
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dandan Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Medin
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Biochemisty, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nathan J Schloemer
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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Chaudhry K, Dowlati E, Bollard CM. Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered natural killer cells: a promising cancer immunotherapy. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2021; 17:643-659. [PMID: 33821731 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2021.1911648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction:Widespread success of CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for the treatment of hematological malignancies have shifted the focus from conventional cancer treatments toward adoptive immunotherapy. There are major efforts to improve CAR constructs and to identify new target antigens. Even though the Food and Drug Administration has approved commercialization of some CD19 CART cell therapies, there are still some limitations that restrict their widespread clinical use. The manufacture of autologous products for individual patients is logistically cumbersome and expensive and allogeneic T cell products may pose an appreciable risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).Areas covered:Natural killer (NK) cells are an attractive alternative for CART-based immunotherapies. They have the innate ability to detect and eliminate malignant cells and are safer in the 'off-the-shelf' setting. This review discusses the current progress within the CAR NK cell field, including the challenges, and future prospects. Gene engineered NK cells was used as the search term in PubMed and Google Scholar through to December 2020.Expert opinion:CAR NK cell therapies hold promise as an 'off-the-shelf' cell therapy for cancer. It is hoped that an enhanced understanding of their immunobiology and molecular mechanisms of action will improve their in vivo potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kajal Chaudhry
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, WA, USA
| | - Ehsan Dowlati
- Department of Neurosurgery, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, WA, USA
| | - Catherine M Bollard
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, WA, USA.,GW Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, WA, USA.,Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, WA, USA
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Rafei H, Daher M, Rezvani K. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK)-cell therapy: leveraging the power of innate immunity. Br J Haematol 2021; 193:216-230. [PMID: 33216984 PMCID: PMC9942693 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are a rapidly emerging form of cancer treatment, and have resulted in remarkable responses in refractory lymphoid malignancies. However, their widespread clinical use is limited by toxicity related to cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, the logistic complexity of their manufacturing, cost and time-to-treatment for autologous CAR-T cells, and the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) associated with allogeneic CAR-T cells. Natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as a promising source of cells for CAR-based therapies due to their ready availability and safety profile. NK cells are part of the innate immune system, providing the first line of defence against pathogens and cancer cells. They produce cytokines and mediate cytotoxicity without the need for prior sensitisation and have the ability to interact with, and activate other immune cells. NK cells for immunotherapy can be generated from multiple sources, such as expanded autologous or allogeneic peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, haematopoietic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, as well as cell lines. Genetic engineering of NK cells to express a CAR has shown impressive preclinical results and is currently being explored in multiple clinical trials. In the present review, we discuss both the preclinical and clinical trial progress made in the field of CAR NK-cell therapy, and the strategies to overcome the challenges encountered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hind Rafei
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
| | - May Daher
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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40
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Marofi F, Rahman HS, Thangavelu L, Dorofeev A, Bayas-Morejón F, Shirafkan N, Shomali N, Chartrand MS, Jarahian M, Vahedi G, Mohammed RN, Shahrokh S, Akbari M, Khiavi FM. Renaissance of armored immune effector cells, CAR-NK cells, brings the higher hope for successful cancer therapy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:200. [PMID: 33752707 PMCID: PMC7983395 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02251-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, a new method of cellular immunotherapy was introduced based on engineering and empowering the immune effector cells. In this type of immunotherapy, the immune effector cells are equipped with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to specifically target cancer cells. In much of the trials and experiments, CAR-modified T cell immunotherapy has achieved very promising therapeutic results in the treatment of some types of cancers and infectious diseases. However, there are also some considerable drawbacks in the clinical application of CAR-T cells although much effort is in progress to rectify the issues. In some conditions, CAR-T cells initiate over-activated and strong immune responses, therefore, causing unexpected side-effects such as systemic cytokine toxicity (i.e., cytokine release syndrome), neurotoxicity, on-target, off-tumor toxicity, and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). To overcome these limitations in CAR-T cell immunotherapy, NK cells as an alternative source of immune effector cells have been utilized for CAR-engineering. Natural killer cells are key players of the innate immune system that can destroy virus-infected cells, tumor cells, or other aberrant cells with their efficient recognizing capability. Compared to T cells, CAR-transduced NK cells (CAR-NK) have several advantages, such as safety in clinical use, non-MHC-restricted recognition of tumor cells, and renewable and easy cell sources for their preparation. In this review, we will discuss the recent preclinical and clinical studies, different sources of NK cells, transduction methods, possible limitations and challenges, and clinical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faroogh Marofi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Heshu Sulaiman Rahman
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Suleimanyah, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Lakshmi Thangavelu
- Associate professor, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Aleksey Dorofeev
- Department of Propaedeutics of Dental Diseases, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University,), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Favian Bayas-Morejón
- Center for Research and Biotechnological Development, Research Department, Bolivar State University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Natural Resources and the Environment, CP 020150 Guaranda, Ecuador
| | - Naghmeh Shirafkan
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Navid Shomali
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Mostafa Jarahian
- German Cancer Research Center, Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit (G401), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ghasem Vahedi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Rebar N. Mohammed
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Suleimanyah, Iraq
| | - Somayeh Shahrokh
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Shahrekord, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Morteza Akbari
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Natural Killer Cell Line NK-92-Mediated Damage of Medically Important Fungi. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020144. [PMID: 33671240 PMCID: PMC7922546 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal disease (IFD) in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is associated with high morbidity and mortality. As the antifungal host response determines risk and outcome of IFD, there is growing interest in adoptive immunotherapy using T cells or natural killer (NK) cells. Although the NK-92 cell line has been tested as anticancer therapy in clinical trials, data on the antifungal activity of NK-92 cells are lacking. Here, we show that the NK-92 cell line exhibits considerable fungal damage on all medically important fungi tested, such as different species of Aspergillus, Candida, mucormycetes, and Fusarium. The extent of fungal damage differs across various species of mucormycetes and Fusarium, whereas it is comparable across different species of Aspergillus and Candida. Interferon (IFN)-γ levels in the supernatant were lower when NK-92 cells are co-incubated with Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, or Rhizopus arrhizus compared to the levels when NK-92 cells are incubated alone. Different to primary human NK cells, no increase of perforin levels in the supernatant was observed when the fungi were added to NK-92 cells. Our in vitro data demonstrated that the NK-92 cell line could be a feasible tool for antifungal immunotherapy, but data of animal models are warranted prior to clinical trials.
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42
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Daher M, Rezvani K. Outlook for New CAR-Based Therapies with a Focus on CAR NK Cells: What Lies Beyond CAR-Engineered T Cells in the Race against Cancer. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:45-58. [PMID: 33277313 PMCID: PMC8137521 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-0556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineering of T cells has revolutionized the field of cellular therapy for the treatment of cancer. Despite this success, autologous CAR-T cells have recognized limitations that have led to the investigation of other immune effector cells as candidates for CAR modification. Recently, natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as safe and effective platforms for CAR engineering. In this article, we review the advantages, challenges, and preclinical and clinical research advances in CAR NK cell engineering for cancer immunotherapy. We also briefly consider the feasibility and potential benefits of applying other immune effector cells as vehicles for CAR expression. SIGNIFICANCE: CAR engineering can redirect the specificity of immune effector cells, converting them to a much more potent weapon to combat cancer cells. Expanding this strategy to immune effectors beyond conventional T lymphocytes could overcome some of the limitations of CAR T cells, paving the way for safer and more effective off-the-shelf cellular therapy products.
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Affiliation(s)
- May Daher
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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43
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Craig M, Jenner AL, Namgung B, Lee LP, Goldman A. Engineering in Medicine To Address the Challenge of Cancer Drug Resistance: From Micro- and Nanotechnologies to Computational and Mathematical Modeling. Chem Rev 2020; 121:3352-3389. [PMID: 33152247 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance has profoundly limited the success of cancer treatment, driving relapse, metastasis, and mortality. Nearly all anticancer drugs and even novel immunotherapies, which recalibrate the immune system for tumor recognition and destruction, have succumbed to resistance development. Engineers have emerged across mechanical, physical, chemical, mathematical, and biological disciplines to address the challenge of drug resistance using a combination of interdisciplinary tools and skill sets. This review explores the developing, complex, and under-recognized role of engineering in medicine to address the multitude of challenges in cancer drug resistance. Looking through the "lens" of intrinsic, extrinsic, and drug-induced resistance (also referred to as "tolerance"), we will discuss three specific areas where active innovation is driving novel treatment paradigms: (1) nanotechnology, which has revolutionized drug delivery in desmoplastic tissues, harnessing physiochemical characteristics to destroy tumors through photothermal therapy and rationally designed nanostructures to circumvent cancer immunotherapy failures, (2) bioengineered tumor models, which have benefitted from microfluidics and mechanical engineering, creating a paradigm shift in physiologically relevant environments to predict clinical refractoriness and enabling platforms for screening drug combinations to thwart resistance at the individual patient level, and (3) computational and mathematical modeling, which blends in silico simulations with molecular and evolutionary principles to map mutational patterns and model interactions between cells that promote resistance. On the basis that engineering in medicine has resulted in discoveries in resistance biology and successfully translated to clinical strategies that improve outcomes, we suggest the proliferation of multidisciplinary science that embraces engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Craig
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada.,Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec H3S 2G4, Canada
| | - Adrianne L Jenner
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada.,Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec H3S 2G4, Canada
| | - Bumseok Namgung
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Luke P Lee
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Aaron Goldman
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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44
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Morillon YM, Sabzevari A, Schlom J, Greiner JW. The Development of Next-generation PBMC Humanized Mice for Preclinical Investigation of Cancer Immunotherapeutic Agents. Anticancer Res 2020; 40:5329-5341. [PMID: 32988851 DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.14540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Investigation of the efficacy and mechanisms of human immuno-oncology agents has been hampered due to species-specific differences when utilizing preclinical mouse models. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) humanized mice provide a platform for investigating the modulation of the human immune-mediated antitumor response while circumventing the limitations of syngeneic model systems. Use of humanized mice has been stymied by model-specific limitations, some of which include the development of graft versus host disease, technical difficulty and cost associated with each humanized animal, and insufficient engraftment of some human immune subsets. Recent advances have addressed many of these limitations from which have emerged humanized models that are more clinically relevant. This review characterizes the expanded usage, advantages and limitations of humanized mice and provides insights into the development of the next generation of murine humanized models to further inform clinical applications of cancer immunotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Maurice Morillon
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A
| | - Ariana Sabzevari
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A.
| | - John W Greiner
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A
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45
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Tseng HC, Xiong W, Badeti S, Yang Y, Ma M, Liu T, Ramos CA, Dotti G, Fritzky L, Jiang JG, Yi Q, Guarrera J, Zong WX, Liu C, Liu D. Efficacy of anti-CD147 chimeric antigen receptors targeting hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4810. [PMID: 32968061 PMCID: PMC7511348 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18444-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy is a promising immunotherapeutic strategy for treating multiple refractory blood cancers, but further advances are required for solid tumor CAR therapy. One challenge is identifying a safe and effective tumor antigen. Here, we devise a strategy for targeting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, one of the deadliest malignancies). We report that T and NK cells transduced with a CAR that recognizes the surface marker, CD147, also known as Basigin, can effectively kill various malignant HCC cell lines in vitro, and HCC tumors in xenograft and patient-derived xenograft mouse models. To minimize any on-target/off-tumor toxicity, we use logic-gated (log) GPC3–synNotch-inducible CD147-CAR to target HCC. LogCD147-CAR selectively kills dual antigen (GPC3+CD147+), but not single antigen (GPC3-CD147+) positive HCC cells and does not cause severe on-target/off-tumor toxicity in a human CD147 transgenic mouse model. In conclusion, these findings support the therapeutic potential of CD147-CAR-modified immune cells for HCC patients. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based therapy for the treatment of liver cancer represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Here the authors show that CD147-targeting CAR-NK or CAR-T can induce anti-tumor activity against hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Chi Tseng
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Wei Xiong
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.,Center for Translational Research in Hematologic Malignancies, Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6550 Fannin Street, SM8026, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Saiaditya Badeti
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Minh Ma
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Carlos A Ramos
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Luke Fritzky
- Imaging core facility, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Jie-Gen Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Qing Yi
- Center for Translational Research in Hematologic Malignancies, Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6550 Fannin Street, SM8026, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - James Guarrera
- Department of Surgery, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07101, USA
| | - Wei-Xing Zong
- School of Pharmacy, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, Newark, 164 Frelinghuysen Road Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA. .,Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07101, USA.
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46
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Lim RM, Rong L, Zhen A, Xie J. A Universal CAR-NK Cell Targeting Various Epitopes of HIV-1 gp160. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:2299-2310. [PMID: 32667183 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Engineering T cells and natural killer (NK) cells with anti-HIV chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) has emerged as a promising strategy to eradicate HIV-infected cells. However, current anti-HIV CARs are limited by targeting a single epitope of the HIV envelope glycoprotein gp160, which cannot counter the enormous diversity and mutability of viruses. Here, we report the development of a universal CAR-NK cell, which recognizes 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) and can subsequently be redirected to target various epitopes of gp160 using DNP-conjugated antibodies as adaptor molecules. We show that this CAR-NK cell can recognize and kill mimic HIV-infected cell lines expressing subtypes B and C gp160. We additionally find that anti-gp160 antibodies targeting membrane-distal epitopes (including V1/V2, V3, and CD4bs) are more likely to activate universal CAR-NK cells against gp160+ target cells, compared with those targeting membrane-proximal epitopes located in the gp41 MPER. Finally, we confirm that HIV-infected primary human CD4+ T cells can be effectively killed using the same approach. Given that numerous anti-gp160 antibodies with different antigen specificities are readily available, this modular universal CAR-NK cell platform can potentially overcome HIV diversity, thus providing a promising strategy to eradicate HIV-infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Lim
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Liang Rong
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Anjie Zhen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Jianming Xie
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
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47
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Ma M, Badeti S, Geng K, Liu D. Efficacy of Targeting SARS-CoV-2 by CAR-NK Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 32817942 DOI: 10.1101/2020.08.11.247320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, is one of greatest global pandemics in history. No effective treatment is currently available for severe COVID-19 disease. One strategy for implementing cell-based immunity involves the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology. Unlike CAR T cells, which need to be developed using primary T cells derived from COVID-19 patients with lymphopenia, clinical success of CAR NK cell immunotherapy is possible through the development of allogeneic, universal, and 'off-the-shelf' CAR-NK cells from a third party, which will significantly broaden the application and reduce costs. Here, we develop a novel approach for the generation of CAR-NK cells for targeting SARS-CoV-2. CAR-NK cells were generated using the scFv domain of CR3022 (henceforth, CR3022-CAR-NK), a broadly neutralizing antibody for SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. CR3022-CAR-NK cells can specifically bind to RBD of SARS-CoV-2 and pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 S protein, and can be activated by pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2-S viral particles in vitro. Further, CR3022-CAR-NK cells can specifically kill pseudo-SARS-CoV-2 infected target cells. Thus, 'off-the-shelf' CR3022-CAR-NK cells may have the potential to treat patients with severe COVID-19 disease.
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48
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Liu Q, Xu Y, Mou J, Tang K, Fu X, Li Y, Xing Y, Rao Q, Xing H, Tian Z, Wang M, Wang J. Irradiated chimeric antigen receptor engineered NK-92MI cells show effective cytotoxicity against CD19 + malignancy in a mouse model. Cytotherapy 2020; 22:552-562. [PMID: 32747298 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells have shown dramatic cytotoxicity against B-cell malignancies. Currently, autologous T cells are conventionally used to manufacture CAR T cells. Low quality or insufficient quantity of autologous T cells may lead to failure of CAR T preparations. Moreover, CAR T preparation usually takes 1-2 weeks, which is too long for patients with rapid disease progression to successfully infuse CAR T cells. Thus, the development of a ready-to-use CAR immunotherapy strategy is needed. NK-92, a natural killer (NK) cell line derived from an NK lymphoma patient, has been gradually applied as a CAR-modified effector cell. To avoid the potential development of secondary NK lymphoma in patients, large doses of radiation are used to treat NK-92 cells before clinical application, which ensures the safety but reduces the cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells. Therefore, it is crucial to explore a suitable radiation dose that ensures short life span and good cytotoxicity of CAR NK-92 cells. METHODS NK-92MI, a modified IL-2-independent NK-92 cell line, was used to establish an anti-CD19 CAR NK. The suitable radiation dose of CAR NK was then explored in vitro and validated in vivo, and the specific cytotoxicity of irradiated and unirradiated CAR NK against CD19+ malignant cells was assessed. RESULTS CAR NK exhibited specific cytotoxicity against CD19+ malignant cells. Irradiation ensured a short life span of CAR NK in vitro and in vivo. Encouragingly, irradiated CAR NK displayed an anti-CD19+ malignancy capacity similar to that of unirradiated CAR NK. CONCLUSIONS Five Gy is a suitable radiation dose to ensure the safety and effectiveness of CD19 CAR NK-92MI cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Yingxi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Junli Mou
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Kejing Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuehang Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Yihui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanyan Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Qing Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Haiyan Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Zheng Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China.
| | - Jianxiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China.
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49
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Automated application of low energy electron irradiation enables inactivation of pathogen- and cell-containing liquids in biomedical research and production facilities. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12786. [PMID: 32732876 PMCID: PMC7393095 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69347-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation is widely used to inactivate pathogens. It mainly acts by destroying nucleic acids but causes less damage to structural components like proteins. It is therefore highly suited for the sterilization of biological samples or the generation of inactivated vaccines. However, inactivation of viruses or bacteria requires relatively high doses and substantial amounts of radiation energy. Consequently, irradiation is restricted to shielded facilities—protecting personnel and the environment. We have previously shown that low energy electron irradiation (LEEI) has the same capacity to inactivate pathogens in liquids as current irradiation methods, but generates much less secondary X-ray radiation, which enables the use in normal laboratories by self-shielded irradiation equipment. Here, we present concepts for automated LEEI of liquids, in disposable bags or as a continuous process. As the electrons have a limited penetration depth, the liquid is transformed into a thin film. High concentrations of viruses (Influenza, Zika virus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus), bacteria (E. coli, B. cereus) and eukaryotic cells (NK-92 cell line) are efficiently inactivated by LEEI in a throughput suitable for various applications such as sterilization, vaccine manufacturing or cell therapy. Our results validate the premise that for pathogen and cell inactivation in liquids, LEEI represents a suitable and versatile irradiation method for standard biological research and production laboratories.
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50
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Yang S, Cao B, Zhou G, Zhu L, Wang L, Zhang L, Kwok HF, Zhang Z, Zhao Q. Targeting B7-H3 Immune Checkpoint With Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Engineered Natural Killer Cells Exhibits Potent Cytotoxicity Against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1089. [PMID: 32848731 PMCID: PMC7406658 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified natural killer (NK) cell therapy represents a kind of promising anti-cancer treatment because CAR renders NK cells activation and recognition specificity toward tumor cells. An immune checkpoint molecule, B7-H3, plays an inhibitory role in modulation of NK cells. To enhance NK cell functions, we generated NK-92MI cells carrying anti-B7-H3 CAR by lentiviral transduction. The expression of anti-B7-H3 CAR significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of NK-92MI cells against B7-H3-positive tumor cells. In accordance with enhanced cytotoxicity, the secretions of perforin/granzyme B and expression of CD107a were highly elevated in anti-B7-H3 CAR-NK-92MI cells. Moreover, compared to unmodified NK-92MI cells, anti-B7-H3 CAR-NK-92MI cells effectively limited tumor growth in mouse xenografts of non-small cell lung cancer and significantly prolonged the survival days of mice. This study provides the rationale and feasibility of B7-H3-specific CAR-NK cells for application in adoptive cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Yang
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Bihui Cao
- Department of Radiology, Translational Medicine Center and Guangdong Provincial Education Department Key Laboratory of Nano-Immunoregulation Tumor Microenviroment, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangyu Zhou
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Lipeng Zhu
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Radiology, Translational Medicine Center and Guangdong Provincial Education Department Key Laboratory of Nano-Immunoregulation Tumor Microenviroment, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Zhenfeng Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Translational Medicine Center and Guangdong Provincial Education Department Key Laboratory of Nano-Immunoregulation Tumor Microenviroment, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
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