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Kwantwi LB. SLAM family-mediated crosstalk between tumor and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment: a promising biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for immune checkpoint therapies. Clin Transl Oncol 2024:10.1007/s12094-024-03675-2. [PMID: 39212911 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-024-03675-2] [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: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Immune cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment are physiologically important in controlling cancers. However, emerging studies have shown that cancer cells can evade immune surveillance and establish a balance in which these immune cells support tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. The signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family members have been recognized as mediators of tumor microenvironment interactions, and a promising therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. This review is focused on the role of SLAM family in tumor and immune cell interactions and discusses how such crosstalk affects tumor behavior. This will shed insight into the next step toward improving cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Boafo Kwantwi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, College of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, 44272, USA.
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Gunes M, Rosen ST, Shachar I, Gunes EG. Signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family receptors as potential immune therapeutic targets in solid tumors. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1297473. [PMID: 38476238 PMCID: PMC10927787 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1297473] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. Various forms of immunotherapy have a manageable safety profile and result in prolongation of overall survival in patients with solid tumors, but only in a proportion of patients. Various factors in the tumor microenvironment play critical roles and may be responsible for this lack of therapeutic response. Signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family (SLAMF) members are increasingly being studied as factors impacting the tumor immune microenvironment. SLAMF members consist of nine receptors mainly expressed in immune cells. However, SLAMF receptors have also been detected in cancer cells, and they may be involved in a spectrum of anti-tumor immune responses. Here, we review the current knowledge of the expression of SLAMF receptors in solid tumors and tumor-infiltrating immune cells and their association with patient outcomes. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting SLAMF receptors to improve outcomes of cancer therapy in solid tumors. We believe the research on SLAMF receptor-targeted strategies may enhance anti-cancer immunity in patients with solid tumors and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metin Gunes
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Steven T. Rosen
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Idit Shachar
- Department of System Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - E. Gulsen Gunes
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Dietz S, Schwarz J, Rühle J, Schaller M, Fehrenbacher B, Marmé A, Schmid E, Peter A, Poets CF, Gille C, Köstlin-Gille N. Extracellular vesicles released by myeloid-derived suppressor cells from pregnant women modulate adaptive immune responses. Cell Immunol 2020; 361:104276. [PMID: 33517124 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2020.104276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Immunological pregnancy complications are a main challenge in reproductive medicine. Mechanisms regulating the adaptation of the maternal immune system to pregnancy are incompletely understood and therapeutic options limited. Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are immune-modulatory cells expanding during healthy pregnancy and seem to play a crucial role for maternal-fetal tolerance. Recent studies showed that exosomes produced by MDSC have immune-modulatory effects corresponding to their parental cells under different pathological conditions. Here, we investigated immunological effects of exosomes of GR-MDSC during pregnancy. Isolated GR-MDSC exosomes from peripheral blood of pregnant women were tested for functionality in different in vitro assays. We show that GR-MDSC exosomes exhibited profound immune-modulatory effects such as suppression of T-cell proliferation, T helper 2 (Th2)-cell polarization, induction of regulatory T-cells and inhibition of lymphocyte cytotoxicity. Our results confirm that MDSC-derived exosomes functionally correspond to their parental cells and identify them as an interesting therapeutic target for immunological pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Dietz
- Tuebingen University Children's Hospital, Department of Neonatology, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Julian Schwarz
- Tuebingen University Children's Hospital, Department of Neonatology, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jessica Rühle
- Tuebingen University Children's Hospital, Department of Neonatology, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Martin Schaller
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Evi Schmid
- Department of Pediatric Surgery & Pediatric Urology, University of Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peter
- German Centre for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tuebingen, Germany; Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Centre Munich at the University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Department for Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian F Poets
- Tuebingen University Children's Hospital, Department of Neonatology, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Christian Gille
- Tuebingen University Children's Hospital, Department of Neonatology, Tuebingen, Germany.
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Natural killer cells and their activation status in normal pregnancy. Int J Reprod Med 2013; 2013:906813. [PMID: 25763390 PMCID: PMC4334074 DOI: 10.1155/2013/906813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2012] [Revised: 02/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased peripheral blood-activated NK cell counts are associated with increased risk of miscarriage and failed in vitro fertilization treatment. However, assessment of activated peripheral NK cells in normal and pathological pregnancies beyond implantation and early miscarriage has not been described. Total CD69 expressing NK cells counts were measured by flow cytometry in healthy women with singleton pregnancies, including 45 at 11+6–13+6 weeks' gestation, 46 at 20+0–22+4 weeks, and 42 at 31+6–33+5 weeks. The number of peripheral blood NK cells decreased, whereas the percentage of activated CD69 expressing NK cells increased from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy. This study shows the course of peripheral blood NK cells and activated CD69 expressing NK cells in uncomplicated nulliparous singleton pregnancies. This is a first step in understanding their implication in pathological pregnancies.
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Yagel S. The developmental role of natural killer cells at the fetal-maternal interface. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009; 201:344-50. [PMID: 19788966 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2008] [Revised: 02/16/2009] [Accepted: 02/26/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have been extensively studied in their traditional roles in host defense against tumor or virally infected cells. Uterine NK cells are of 2 distinct subsets: endometrial NK (eNK) cells, found in the uterus during the menstrual cycle, and decidual NK (dNK) cells, found in the decidua during pregnancy. This review will explore the immunosurveillance and cytotoxicity profiles of NK cells, the inert nature of eNK cells, and the role of dNK cells as builders at the maternal-fetal interface that create a pregnancy-favorable environment by inducing angiogenesis, trophoblast invasion, and vascular remodeling.
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Kwak-Kim J, Gilman-Sachs A. Clinical implication of natural killer cells and reproduction. Am J Reprod Immunol 2008; 59:388-400. [PMID: 18405309 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2008.00596.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood and endometrial layers has been associated with reproductive immunopathology such as recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA), infertility of implantation failures, or pre-eclampsia. The placenta has a complex anatomical structure and different subsets of NK cells with various functional roles can directly interact with trophoblasts. NK cell subpopulations and their functions, putative roles of NK cells in peripheral blood and endometrium are reviewed in relation to RSA and infertility. An increase in NK cell numbers and /or activity in pre- or post-conceptional period in women with RSA or infertility with multiple implantation failures are a significant clinical concern. In addition, immuno-phenotypic characteristics of NK cells in these women support the changes for their increased activity status. Further studies are needed to explore underlying mechanism of NK cells in RSA, infertility, and other reproductive immunopathologies. Possible neurological and hormonal control of NK cells and NK cell interaction with various leukocyte populations need further investigation in women with reproductive failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Kwak-Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/The Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
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Scaife PJ, Bulmer JN, Robson SC, Innes BA, Searle RF. Effector Activity of Decidual CD8+ T Lymphocytes in Early Human Pregnancy1. Biol Reprod 2006; 75:562-7. [PMID: 16822900 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.106.052654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Although CD8+ T lymphocytes are present in human decidua throughout pregnancy, albeit as a minor population in early pregnancy, their role in normal pregnancy is largely unknown. The present study aimed to characterize their effector phenotype, including cytolytic activity, cytokine profile, and capacity to affect placental invasion. CD8+ lymphocytes were positively selected from normal early pregnancy decidua (7-14 wks gestational age). Decidual CD8+ T lymphocytes were studied using standard and redirected chromium release assays to investigate natural killer cell-sensitive cytotoxicity and cytotoxicity that requires T-cell receptor signal transduction respectively, multiplex cytokine analysis to analyze cytokine production, and a placental explant invasion model to assess the effect of soluble products of decidual CD8+ T lymphocytes on trophoblast invasion. Decidual CD8+ T lymphocytes exhibited cytolytic ability against P815 target cells (mean % Specific Chromium Release at effector:target ratio of 32:1 [SCR(32)] of 32.7 +/- 5.8) and against K562 target cells (mean SCR(32) of 20.3 +/- 0.5). Phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P)-stimulated decidual CD8(+) T lymphocytes produced high levels of both interferon gamma and interleukin (IL) 8, and low levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF2), IL1B, IL2, IL6, IL10, IL12, and tumor necrosis factor; these did not vary with gestational age. IL4 was undetectable. Decidual CD8+ T lymphocyte supernatants increased the capacity of extravillous trophoblast cells to invade through Matrigel compared with the PHA-P control. These findings suggest that decidual CD8+ T cells can display cytolytic activity, do not evoke a predominant local intrauterine Th2 type cytokine environment, and may act to regulate invasion of extravillous trophoblast cells into the uterus, a crucial process for normal uteroplacental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula J Scaife
- Schools of Surgical and Reproductive Sciences, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
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Bogovic Crncic T, Laskarin G, Juretic K, Strbo N, Dupor J, Srsen S, Randic L, Le Bouteiller P, Tabiasco J, Rukavina D. Perforin and Fas/FasL Cytolytic Pathways at the Maternal-Fetal Interface. Am J Reprod Immunol 2005; 54:241-8. [PMID: 16212646 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2005.00320.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The immunogenetic enigma of maternal acceptance of the fetal semiallograft has been termed an immunological paradox. The first trimester decidua is heavily infiltrated with CD56(bright) CD16- uterine natural killer (uNK) cells which must be prepared to respond to potential pathogen challenges and still be able to control immune responses that allow the development of the fetus. The significant presence of cytolytic mediators, perforin and Fas/Fas ligand (FasL), at the maternal-fetal interface raises a question of their role(s) in the immunological interrelations between maternal tissues and trophoblast cells. As uNK cells in vitro lyse target cell lines (K562, P815 and P815Fas) using these effector molecules, it seems that, although immunocompetent, their cytotoxicity is not directed against trophoblast during normal pregnancy. Therefore, it is generally believed that the hormonal and Th1/Th2 cytokine balance plays an important role in the tolerance and maintenance of pregnancy. This paper gives an overview of the recent findings on the complex immunological events that occur at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Bogovic Crncic
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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Thum MY, Bhaskaran S, Abdalla HI, Ford B, Sumar N, Shehata H, Bansal AS. An increase in the absolute count of CD56dimCD16+CD69+ NK cells in the peripheral blood is associated with a poorer IVF treatment and pregnancy outcome. Hum Reprod 2004; 19:2395-400. [PMID: 15319390 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deh378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our aim was to evaluate the effect of the absolute count of the activation marker (CD69), IgG Fc receptor (CD16) and inhibitor marker (CD94) expression on peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells on implantation and miscarriage rates after IVF treatment. METHODS Prospective observational study of 138 randomly selected women who underwent IVF treatment from December 2002 to September 2003. NK cells were identified as CD56(+) (dim + bright) and CD3(-) by flow cytometry. The absolute counts of the CD69(+), CD16(+) and CD94(+)expressing NK cells were recorded and their relation to IVF treatment outcome and miscarriage rate was analysed. RESULTS The mean (+/-SD) absolute count of the CD56(dim)CD16(+)CD69(+) NK cells for women who had a successful ongoing pregnancy was 0.61 x 10(6)/l (+/-0.31). For those women who failed to achieve a pregnancy, the mean value of the absolute count of CD56(dim)CD16(+)D69(+) NK cells was significantly (P=0.003) higher at 1.66 x 10(6)/l (+/-0.52). The absolute count of CD56(dim)CD16(+)CD94(+) and CD56(dim)CD16(+) NK cells did not show any statistically significant differences between those women with successful and failed IVF treatment. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to select a CD69 threshold for further statistical analysis. The implantation rate (IR) was significantly lower (13.1%) and miscarriage rate (MR) was significantly higher (66.7%) for women with an absolute CD56(dim)CD16(+)CD69(+) NK cell count of >1.0 x 10(6)/l compared to women with count below this value (IR 28.2% and MR 16.7%). Further analysis of the absolute count of CD56(bright)CD69(+) and CD56(bright)CD94(+) NK cells did not show any significant difference between those women with successful and failed IVF treatment. CONCLUSIONS An increase in the absolute count of activated NK cells (CD56(dim)CD16(+)CD69(+)) in the peripheral blood is associated with a reduced rate of embryo implantation in IVF treatment. Furthermore, women with high CD56(dim)CD16(+)CD69(+) peripheral blood NK cell absolute count, who are able to achieve pregnancy, have a significantly higher miscarriage rate.
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MESH Headings
- Abortion, Spontaneous/epidemiology
- Adult
- Antigens, CD/analysis
- Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/analysis
- CD56 Antigen/analysis
- Embryo Implantation
- Female
- Fertilization in Vitro
- Humans
- Incidence
- Infertility, Female/blood
- Infertility, Female/therapy
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/pathology
- Lectins, C-Type
- Lymphocyte Count
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Outcome
- Receptors, IgG/analysis
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Affiliation(s)
- M Y Thum
- Lister Fertility Clinic, Lister Hospital, Chelsea Bridge Road, London SW1W 8RH, UK.
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