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Tang B, Guo M, Zhai Y, Zhang K, Ni K, Zhang Y, Huang L. Human esophageal cancer stem-like cells escape the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells via down-regulation of ULBP-1. J Transl Med 2024; 22:737. [PMID: 39103915 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05549-1] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) play an important role in initiation and progression of aggressive cancers, including esophageal cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells are key effector lymphocytes of innate immunity that directly attack a wide variety of cancer cells. NK cell-based therapy may provide a new treatment option for targeting CSCs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the sensitivity of human esophageal CSCs to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. METHODS CSCs were enriched from human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines via sphere formation culture. Human NK cells were selectively expanded from the peripheral blood of healthy donors. qRT-PCR, flow cytometry and ELISA assays were performed to examine RNA expression and protein levels, respectively. CFSE-labeled target cells were co-cultured with human activated NK cells to detect the cytotoxicity of NK cells by flow cytometry. RESULTS We observed that esophageal CSCs were more resistant to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity compared with adherent counterparts. Consistently, esophageal CSCs showed down-regulated expression of ULBP-1, a ligand for NK cells stimulatory receptor NKG2D. Knockdown of ULBP-1 resulted in significant inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity against esophageal CSCs, whereas ULBP-1 overexpression led to the opposite effect. Finally, the pro-differentiation agent all-trans retinoic acid was found to enhance the sensitivity of esophageal CSCs to NK cell cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that esophageal CSCs are more resistant to NK cells through down-regulation of ULBP-1 and provides a promising approach to promote the activity of NK cells targeting esophageal CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Tang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mengxing Guo
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yujia Zhai
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Translational Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kaiyuan Ni
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Lan Huang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
- Translational Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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2
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Covino DA, Desimio MG, Giovinazzo A, de Oliveira BSP, Merolle M, Marazziti D, Pellegrini M, Doria M. Absence of ATM leads to altered NK cell function in mice. Clin Immunol 2024; 263:110233. [PMID: 38697554 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2024.110233] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare disorder caused by genetic defects of A-T mutated (ATM) kinase, a key regulator of stress response, and characterized by neurodegeneration, immunodeficiency, and high incidence of cancer. Here we investigated NK cells in a mouse model of A-T (Atm-/-) showing that they are strongly impaired at killing tumor cells due to a block of early signaling events. On the other hand, in Atm-/- littermates with thymic lymphoma NK cell cytotoxicity is enhanced as compared with ATM-proficient mice, possibly via tumor-produced TNF-α. Results also suggest that expansion of exhausted NKG2D+ NK cells in Atm-/- mice is driven by low-level expression of stress-inducible NKG2D ligands, whereas development of thymoma expressing the high-affinity MULT1 ligand is associated with NKG2D down-regulation on NK cells. These results expand our understanding of immunodeficiency in A-T and encourage exploring NK cell biology in A-T patients in the attempt to identify cancer predictive biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Angela Covino
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Desimio
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giovinazzo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Monterotondo Scalo, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Matilde Merolle
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Monterotondo Scalo, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Marazziti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Monterotondo Scalo, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Pellegrini
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Monterotondo Scalo, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita Doria
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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3
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Li S, Dai W, Kam NW, Zhang J, Lee VHF, Ren X, Kwong DLW. The Role of Natural Killer Cells in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment of EBV-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1312. [PMID: 38610990 PMCID: PMC11011204 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Endemic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is closely associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which contributes to tumor development and influences the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in NPC. Natural killer (NK) cells, as part of the innate immune system, play a crucial role in responding to viral infections and malignant cell transformations. Notably, NK cells possess a unique ability to target tumor cells independent of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) expression. This means that MHC I-deficient tumor cells, which can escape from effective T cell attack, are susceptible to NK-cell-mediated killing. The activation of NK cells is determined by the signals generated through inhibitory and activating receptors expressed on their surface. Understanding the role of NK cells in the complex TIME of EBV+ NPC is of utmost importance. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of NK cells in NPC, focusing on their subpopulations, interactions, and cytotoxicity within the TIME. Moreover, we discuss the potential translational therapeutic applications of NK cells in NPC. This review aims to enhance our knowledge of the role of NK cells in NPC and provide valuable insights for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhan Li
- Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; (S.L.); (J.Z.)
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (W.D.); (N.-W.K.); (V.H.F.L.)
| | - Ngar-Woon Kam
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (W.D.); (N.-W.K.); (V.H.F.L.)
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Hong Kong Science Park, New Territories, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Jiali Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; (S.L.); (J.Z.)
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Victor H. F. Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (W.D.); (N.-W.K.); (V.H.F.L.)
- Clinical Oncology Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Xiubao Ren
- Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; (S.L.); (J.Z.)
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Dora Lai-Wan Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (W.D.); (N.-W.K.); (V.H.F.L.)
- Clinical Oncology Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
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4
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Tharp KM, Park S, Timblin GA, Richards AL, Berg JA, Twells NM, Riley NM, Peltan EL, Shon DJ, Stevenson E, Tsui K, Palomba F, Lefebvre AEYT, Soens RW, Ayad NM, Hoeve-Scott JT, Healy K, Digman M, Dillin A, Bertozzi CR, Swaney DL, Mahal LK, Cantor JR, Paszek MJ, Weaver VM. The microenvironment dictates glycocalyx construction and immune surveillance. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3164966. [PMID: 37645943 PMCID: PMC10462183 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3164966/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Efforts to identify anti-cancer therapeutics and understand tumor-immune interactions are built with in vitro models that do not match the microenvironmental characteristics of human tissues. Using in vitro models which mimic the physical properties of healthy or cancerous tissues and a physiologically relevant culture medium, we demonstrate that the chemical and physical properties of the microenvironment regulate the composition and topology of the glycocalyx. Remarkably, we find that cancer and age-related changes in the physical properties of the microenvironment are sufficient to adjust immune surveillance via the topology of the glycocalyx, a previously unknown phenomenon observable only with a physiologically relevant culture medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M. Tharp
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Sangwoo Park
- Field of Biophysics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Greg A. Timblin
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Alicia L. Richards
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI) and Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jordan A. Berg
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Nicholas M. Twells
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Nicholas M. Riley
- Department of Chemistry, Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Egan L. Peltan
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford CA USA 94305
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA 94305
| | - D. Judy Shon
- Department of Chemistry, Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Erica Stevenson
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI) and Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kimberly Tsui
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94597, USA
| | - Francesco Palomba
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California, CA 92697, USA
| | | | - Ross W. Soens
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53715, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Nadia M.E. Ayad
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Johanna ten Hoeve-Scott
- UCLA Metabolomics Center, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kevin Healy
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Sarafan ChEM-H and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA 94305
| | - Michelle Digman
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California, CA 92697, USA
| | - Andrew Dillin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94597, USA
| | - Carolyn R. Bertozzi
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Sarafan ChEM-H and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA 94305
| | - Danielle L. Swaney
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI) and Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Lara K. Mahal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Jason R. Cantor
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53715, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Matthew J. Paszek
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Valerie M. Weaver
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, and Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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5
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Gilyazova I, Enikeeva K, Rafikova G, Kagirova E, Sharifyanova Y, Asadullina D, Pavlov V. Epigenetic and Immunological Features of Bladder Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9854. [PMID: 37373000 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BLCA) is one of the most common types of malignant tumors of the urogenital system in adults. Globally, the incidence of BLCA is more than 500,000 new cases worldwide annually, and every year, the number of registered cases of BLCA increases noticeably. Currently, the diagnosis of BLCA is based on cystoscopy and cytological examination of urine and additional laboratory and instrumental studies. However, cystoscopy is an invasive study, and voided urine cytology has a low level of sensitivity, so there is a clear need to develop more reliable markers and test systems for detecting the disease with high sensitivity and specificity. Human body fluids (urine, serum, and plasma) are known to contain significant amounts of tumorigenic nucleic acids, circulating immune cells and proinflammatory mediators that can serve as noninvasive biomarkers, particularly useful for early cancer detection, follow-up of patients, and personalization of their treatment. The review describes the most significant advances in epigenetics of BLCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Gilyazova
- Institute of Urology and Clinical Oncology, Bashkir State Medical University, 450008 Ufa, Russia
| | - Kadriia Enikeeva
- Institute of Urology and Clinical Oncology, Bashkir State Medical University, 450008 Ufa, Russia
| | - Guzel Rafikova
- Institute of Urology and Clinical Oncology, Bashkir State Medical University, 450008 Ufa, Russia
| | - Evelina Kagirova
- Institute of Urology and Clinical Oncology, Bashkir State Medical University, 450008 Ufa, Russia
| | - Yuliya Sharifyanova
- Institute of Urology and Clinical Oncology, Bashkir State Medical University, 450008 Ufa, Russia
| | - Dilara Asadullina
- Institute of Urology and Clinical Oncology, Bashkir State Medical University, 450008 Ufa, Russia
| | - Valentin Pavlov
- Institute of Urology and Clinical Oncology, Bashkir State Medical University, 450008 Ufa, Russia
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6
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Abstract
T cells and natural killer (NK) cells have complementary roles in tumor immunity, and dual T cell and NK cell attack thus offers opportunities to deepen the impact of immunotherapy. Recent work has also shown that NK cells play an important role in recruiting dendritic cells to tumors and thus enhance induction of CD8 T cell responses, while IL-2 secreted by T cells activates NK cells. Targeting of immune evasion mechanisms from the activating NKG2D receptor and its MICA and MICB ligands on tumor cells offers opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Interestingly, T cells and NK cells share several important inhibitory and activating receptors that can be targeted to enhance T cell- and NK cell-mediated immunity. These inhibitory receptor-ligand systems include CD161-CLEC2D, TIGIT-CD155, and NKG2A/CD94-HLA-E. We also discuss emerging therapeutic strategies based on inhibitory and activating cytokines that profoundly impact the function of both lymphocyte populations within tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr Kyrysyuk
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Kai W Wucherpfennig
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
- Department of Neurology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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7
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Giles JR, Ngiow SF, Manne S, Baxter AE, Khan O, Wang P, Staupe R, Abdel-Hakeem MS, Huang H, Mathew D, Painter MM, Wu JE, Huang YJ, Goel RR, Yan PK, Karakousis GC, Xu X, Mitchell TC, Huang AC, Wherry EJ. Shared and distinct biological circuits in effector, memory and exhausted CD8 + T cells revealed by temporal single-cell transcriptomics and epigenetics. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:1600-1613. [PMID: 36271148 PMCID: PMC10408358 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01338-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Naïve CD8+ T cells can differentiate into effector (Teff), memory (Tmem) or exhausted (Tex) T cells. These developmental pathways are associated with distinct transcriptional and epigenetic changes that endow cells with different functional capacities and therefore therapeutic potential. The molecular circuitry underlying these developmental trajectories and the extent of heterogeneity within Teff, Tmem and Tex populations remain poorly understood. Here, we used the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus model of acute-resolving and chronic infection to address these gaps by applying longitudinal single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (scATAC-seq) analyses. These analyses uncovered new subsets, including a subpopulation of Tex cells expressing natural killer cell-associated genes that is dependent on the transcription factor Zeb2, as well as multiple distinct TCF-1+ stem/progenitor-like subsets in acute and chronic infection. These data also revealed insights into the reshaping of Tex subsets following programmed death 1 (PD-1) pathway blockade and identified a key role for the cell stress regulator, Btg1, in establishing the Tex population. Finally, these results highlighted how the same biological circuits such as cytotoxicity or stem/progenitor pathways can be used by CD8+ T cell subsets with highly divergent underlying chromatin landscapes generated during different infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine R Giles
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shin Foong Ngiow
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sasikanth Manne
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amy E Baxter
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Omar Khan
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ryan Staupe
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, MRL, Merck & Co. Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Mohamed S Abdel-Hakeem
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hua Huang
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Divij Mathew
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mark M Painter
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Wu
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yinghui Jane Huang
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rishi R Goel
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patrick K Yan
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Immunology Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Xiaowei Xu
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tara C Mitchell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alexander C Huang
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - E John Wherry
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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8
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Ranti D, Bieber C, Wang YS, Sfakianos JP, Horowitz A. Natural killer cells: unlocking new treatments for bladder cancer. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:698-710. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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9
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Zhang W, Zhao Z, Li F. Natural killer cell dysfunction in cancer and new strategies to utilize NK cell potential for cancer immunotherapy. Mol Immunol 2022; 144:58-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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10
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Zhang J, Pan S, Jian C, Hao L, Dong J, Sun Q, Jin H, Han X. Immunostimulatory Properties of Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: From Immunogenic Modulation Mechanisms to Clinical Practice. Front Immunol 2022; 12:819405. [PMID: 35069604 PMCID: PMC8766762 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.819405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among females. Chemotherapy drugs remain the cornerstone of treatment of BC and undergo significant shifts over the past 100 years. The advent of immunotherapy presents promising opportunities and constitutes a significant complementary to existing therapeutic strategies for BC. Chemotherapy as a cytotoxic treatment that targets proliferation malignant cells has recently been shown as an effective immune-stimulus in multiple ways. Chemotherapeutic drugs can cause the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from dying tumor cells, which result in long-lasting antitumor immunity by the key process of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Furthermore, Off-target effects of chemotherapy on immune cell subsets mainly involve activation of immune effector cells including natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and cytotoxic T cells, and depletion of immunosuppressive cells including Treg cells, M2 macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Current mini-review summarized recent large clinical trials regarding the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in BC and addressed the molecular mechanisms of immunostimulatory properties of chemotherapy in BC. The purpose of our work was to explore the immune-stimulating effects of chemotherapy at the molecular level based on the evidence from clinical trials, which might be a rationale for combinations of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinguo Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Shuaikang Pan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chen Jian
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Li Hao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jie Dong
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qingqing Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hongwei Jin
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xinghua Han
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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11
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Wang J, Liu K, Xiao T, Liu P, Prinz RA, Xu X. Uric acid accumulation in DNA-damaged tumor cells induces NKG2D ligand expression and antitumor immunity by activating TGF-β-activated kinase 1. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2016159. [PMID: 35154904 PMCID: PMC8837239 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.2016159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA damage by genotoxic drugs such as gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) activates the ataxia telangiectasia, mutated (ATM)-Chk pathway and induces the expression of NKG2D ligands such as the MHC class I-related chain A and B (MICA/B). The mechanisms underlying this remain incompletely understood. Here we report that xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), a rate-limiting enzyme that produces uric acid in the purine catabolism pathway, promotes DNA damage-induced MICA/B expression. Inhibition of the ATM-Chk pathway blocks genotoxic drug-induced uric acid production, TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) activation, ERK phosphorylation, and MICA/B expression. Inhibition of uric acid production by the XOR inhibitor allopurinol blocks DNA damage-induced TAK1 activation and MICA/B expression in genotoxic drug-treated cells. Exogenous uric acid activates TAK1, NF-κB, and the MAP kinase pathway. TAK1 inhibition blocks gemcitabine- and uric acid-induced MAP kinase activation and MICA/B expression. Exogenous uric acid in its salt form, monosodium urate (MSU), induces MICA/B expression and sensitizes tumor cells to NK cell killing. MSU immunization with irradiated murine breast cancer cell line RCAS-Neu retards breast cancer growth in syngeneic breast cancer models and delays breast cancer development in a somatic breast cancer model. Our study suggests that uric acid accumulation plays an important role in activating TAK1, inducing DNA damage-induced MICA/B expression, and enhancing antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxiang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kai Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tianxiang Xiao
- College of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou Jiangsu Province, P. R. China
| | - Penggang Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Richard A. Prinz
- Department of Surgery, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL USA
| | - Xiulong Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Il USA
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12
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Liu L, Zhao Q, Cheng C, Yi J, Sun H, Wang Q, Quan W, Xue Y, Sun L, Cong X, Zhang Y. Analysis of Bulk RNA Sequencing Data Reveals Novel Transcription Factors Associated With Immune Infiltration Among Multiple Cancers. Front Immunol 2021; 12:644350. [PMID: 34489925 PMCID: PMC8417605 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.644350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating immune cells shape the tumor microenvironment and are closely related to clinical outcomes. Several transcription factors (TFs) have also been reported to regulate the antitumor activity and immune cell infiltration. This study aimed to quantify the populations of different immune cells infiltrated in tumor samples based on the bulk RNA sequencing data obtained from 50 cancer patients using the CIBERSORT and the EPIC algorithm. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) identified eigengene modules strongly associated with tumorigenesis and the activation of CD4+ memory T cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages. TF genes FOXM1, MYBL2, TAL1, and ERG are central in the subnetworks of the eigengene modules associated with immune-related genes. The analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cancer data confirmed these findings and further showed that the expression of these potential TF genes regulating immune infiltration, and the immune-related genes that they regulated, was associated with the survival of patients within multiple cancers. Exome-seq was performed on 24 paired samples that also had RNA-seq data. The expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis showed that mutations were significantly more frequent in the regions flanking the TF genes compared with those of non-TF genes, suggesting a driver role of these TF genes regulating immune infiltration. Taken together, this study presented a practical method for identifying genes that regulate immune infiltration. These genes could be potential biomarkers for cancer prognosis and possible therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Qiuchen Zhao
- Center of Genome Analysis, ABLife BioBigData Institute, Wuhan, China.,College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao Cheng
- Center of Genome Analysis, ABLife BioBigData Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingwen Yi
- Research Center of Agriculture and Medicine Gene Engineering of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongyan Sun
- Tissue Bank, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Center of Genome Analysis, ABLife BioBigData Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Weili Quan
- Center of Genome Analysis, ABLife BioBigData Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaqiang Xue
- Center of Genome Analysis, ABLife BioBigData Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Luguo Sun
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,Research Center of Agriculture and Medicine Gene Engineering of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Xianling Cong
- Tissue Bank, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Center of Genome Analysis, ABLife BioBigData Institute, Wuhan, China
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13
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Desimio MG, Finocchi A, Di Matteo G, Di Cesare S, Giancotta C, Conti F, Chessa L, Piane M, Montin D, Dellepiane M, Rossi P, Cancrini C, Doria M. Altered NK-cell compartment and dysfunctional NKG2D/NKG2D-ligand axis in patients with ataxia-telangiectasia. Clin Immunol 2021; 230:108802. [PMID: 34298181 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2021.108802] [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: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a multisystem disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the gene encoding A-T mutated (ATM) kinase, a master regulator of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway. Most A-T patients show cellular and/or humoral immunodeficiency that has been associated with cancer risk and reduced survival, but NK cells have not been thoroughly studied. Here we investigated NK cells of A-T patients with a special focus on the NKG2D receptor that triggers cytotoxicity upon engagement by its ligands (NKG2DLs) commonly induced via the DDR pathway on infected, transformed, and variously stressed cells. Using flow cytometry, we examined the phenotype and function of NK cells in 6 A-T patients as compared with healthy individuals. NKG2D expression was evaluated also by western blotting and RT-qPCR; plasma soluble NKG2DLs (sMICA, sMICB, sULBP1, ULBP2) were measured by ELISA. Results showed that A-T NK cells were skewed towards the CD56neg anergic phenotype and displayed decreased expression of NKG2D and perforin. NKG2D was reduced at the protein but not at the mRNA level and resulted in impaired NKG2D-mediated cytotoxicity in 4/6 A-T patients. Moreover, in A-T plasma we found 24-fold and 2-fold increase of sMICA and sULBP1, respectively, both inversely correlated with NKG2D expression. Overall, NK cells are disturbed in A-T patients showing reduced NKG2D expression, possibly caused by persistent engagement of its ligands, that may contribute to susceptibility to cancer and infections and represent novel targets for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giovanna Desimio
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Finocchi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Gigliola Di Matteo
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Cesare
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Giancotta
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Conti
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Piane
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Montin
- Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Marta Dellepiane
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolo Rossi
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Cancrini
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita Doria
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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14
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Zheng B, Yu Y, Pan Z, Feng Y, Zhao H, Han Q, Zhang J. HBsAg Dampened STING Associated Activation of NK Cells in HBeAg-Negative CHB Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147643. [PMID: 34299262 PMCID: PMC8304816 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells play crucial roles in defending against persistent HBV. However, NK cells present dysfunction in chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection, and the associated mechanism is still not fully understood. Except for the regulatory receptors, NK cells could also be regulated by the surface and intracellular pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). In the present study, we found that the level of the adaptor of DNA sensor STING in NK cells was significantly decreased in HBeAg-negative CHB patients, and it was positively associated with the degranulation ability of NK cells. Compared to NK cells from healthy donors, NK cells from HBeAg-negative CHB patients displayed a lower responsiveness to cGAMP stimulation. Further investigation showed that HBsAg could inhibit the STING expression in NK cells and suppress the response of NK cells to cGAMP. Significantly, STAT3 was identified to be a transcription factor that directly regulated STING transcription by binding to the promoter. In addition, STAT3 positively regulated the STING associated IFN-α response of NK cells. These findings suggested that STING is an important adaptor in NK cell recognition and activation, while HBsAg disturbs NK cell function by the STAT3-STING axis, providing a new mechanism of NK disability in HBeAg-negative CHB infection.
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15
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Zhong X, Liao H, Hu S, Luo K, Zhu H. The diterpenoid adenanthin upregulates the expression of natural killer group 2D receptor ligands in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Mol Cell Probes 2021; 59:101759. [PMID: 34265372 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2021.101759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The natural killer (NK) group 2D (NKG2D) receptor plays a crucial role in NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. NKG2D anti-proliferative effect is mediated by direct interactions of the receptor with its ligands that may be considered as a potential target for NK-based immunotherapeutic strategy in cancer cells. METHODS Here we report that a natural product adenanthin significantly promotes NKG2D ligands expression in hepatoma cells. The effect was determined using flow cytometry analysis. The activity of NK cell was evaluated by measuring its degranulation activity and cytotoxicity. RESULTS Our data indicates that the induction of NKG2D ligand binding to liver cancer cell surface receptors greatly improves the killing activity of NK cells against the cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of a new mechanism anti-cancer effects of adenanthin mediated by an indirect activation of NK cells. Our data suggests that adenanthin may be used to sensitize NK cells in tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Zhong
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341400, China
| | - Hongqun Liao
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341400, China
| | - Shaowen Hu
- College of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341400, China
| | - Kaiyuan Luo
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341400, China; Children's Medical Research Institute, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341400, China.
| | - Huifang Zhu
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341400, China; Children's Medical Research Institute, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341400, China.
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16
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Huang R, Zhou PK. DNA damage repair: historical perspectives, mechanistic pathways and clinical translation for targeted cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:254. [PMID: 34238917 PMCID: PMC8266832 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00648-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability is the hallmark of various cancers with the increasing accumulation of DNA damage. The application of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer treatment is typically based on this property of cancers. However, the adverse effects including normal tissues injury are also accompanied by the radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Targeted cancer therapy has the potential to suppress cancer cells' DNA damage response through tailoring therapy to cancer patients lacking specific DNA damage response functions. Obviously, understanding the broader role of DNA damage repair in cancers has became a basic and attractive strategy for targeted cancer therapy, in particular, raising novel hypothesis or theory in this field on the basis of previous scientists' findings would be important for future promising druggable emerging targets. In this review, we first illustrate the timeline steps for the understanding the roles of DNA damage repair in the promotion of cancer and cancer therapy developed, then we summarize the mechanisms regarding DNA damage repair associated with targeted cancer therapy, highlighting the specific proteins behind targeting DNA damage repair that initiate functioning abnormally duo to extrinsic harm by environmental DNA damage factors, also, the DNA damage baseline drift leads to the harmful intrinsic targeted cancer therapy. In addition, clinical therapeutic drugs for DNA damage and repair including therapeutic effects, as well as the strategy and scheme of relative clinical trials were intensive discussed. Based on this background, we suggest two hypotheses, namely "environmental gear selection" to describe DNA damage repair pathway evolution, and "DNA damage baseline drift", which may play a magnified role in mediating repair during cancer treatment. This two new hypothesis would shed new light on targeted cancer therapy, provide a much better or more comprehensive holistic view and also promote the development of new research direction and new overcoming strategies for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixue Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ping-Kun Zhou
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing, China.
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17
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Inducible MyD88/CD40 synergizes with IL-15 to enhance antitumor efficacy of CAR-NK cells. Blood Adv 2021; 4:1950-1964. [PMID: 32384544 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020001510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are a promising anticancer immunotherapy, leveraging both innate NK cell antitumor activity and target-specific cytotoxicity. Inducible MyD88/CD40 (iMC) is a potent, rimiducid-regulated protein switch that has been deployed previously as a T-cell activator to enhance proliferation and persistence of CAR-modified T cells. In this study, iMC was extended to CAR-NK cells to enhance their growth and augment cytotoxicity against tumor cells. iMC-activated NK cells substantially increased cytokine and chemokine secretion and displayed higher levels of perforin and granzyme B degranulation. In addition, iMC activation could be coupled with ectopic interleukin-15 (IL-15) to further enhance NK cell proliferation. When coexpressed with a target-specific CAR (CD123 or BCMA), this IL-15/iMC system showed further augmented antitumor activity through enhanced CAR-NK cell expansion and cytolytic activity. To protect against potential toxicity from engineered NK cells, an orthogonal rapamycin-regulated Caspase-9 (iRC9) was included in a 4-gene, dual-switch platform. After infusion of dual-switch NK cells, pharmacologic iRC9 dimerization led to rapid elimination of a majority of expanded transduced NK cells. Thus, CAR-NK cells utilizing dual molecular switches provide an innovative and effective approach to cancer immunotherapy with controlled specificity, efficacy, and safety.
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18
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McFarland AP, Yalin A, Wang SY, Cortez VS, Landsberger T, Sudan R, Peng V, Miller HL, Ricci B, David E, Faccio R, Amit I, Colonna M. Multi-tissue single-cell analysis deconstructs the complex programs of mouse natural killer and type 1 innate lymphoid cells in tissues and circulation. Immunity 2021; 54:1320-1337.e4. [PMID: 33945787 PMCID: PMC8312473 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells and type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) are heterogenous innate lymphocytes broadly defined in mice as Lin-NK1.1+NKp46+ cells that express the transcription factor T-BET and produce interferon-γ. The ILC1 definition primarily stems from studies on liver and small intestinal populations. However, NK1.1+NKp46+ cells in the salivary glands, uterus, adipose, and other tissues exhibit nonuniform programs that differ from those of liver or intestinal ILC1s or NK cells. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on murine NK1.1+NKp46+ cells from blood, spleen, various tissues, and solid tumors. We identified gene expression programs of tissue-specific ILC1s, tissue-specific NK cells, and non-tissue-specific populations in blood, spleen, and other tissues largely corresponding to circulating cells. Moreover, we found that circulating NK cell programs were reshaped in tumor-bearing mice. Core programs of circulating and tumor NK cells paralleled conserved human NK cells signatures, advancing our understanding of the human NK-ILC1 spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelle P McFarland
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Adam Yalin
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shuang-Yin Wang
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Victor S Cortez
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tomer Landsberger
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Raki Sudan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Vincent Peng
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hannah L Miller
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Biancamaria Ricci
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Eyal David
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Roberta Faccio
- Department of Orthopedics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Shriners Children's Hospital in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ido Amit
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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19
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Kim N, Kim MY, Choi WS, Yi E, Lee HJ, Kim HS. GSK-3α Inhibition in Drug-Resistant CML Cells Promotes Susceptibility to NK Cell-Mediated Lysis in an NKG2D- and NKp30-Dependent Manner. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081802. [PMID: 33918810 PMCID: PMC8070516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that has gained considerable interest as a therapeutic target for cancer due to its key involvement in growth arrest and apoptosis of tumor cells. Moreover, GSK-3, especially GSK-3β, limits the activation of NK cells, key innate effectors in cancer immunosurveillance, triggered by diverse activating receptors. However, the role of GSK-3 in the regulation of activating ligands on target cells that confer susceptibility to NK cells remains unclear and is the aim of this study. Here, we provide evidence that GSK-3α primarily restrains the expression of ligands for activating receptors such as NKG2D, NKp30 but not DNAM-1, thereby reducing target susceptibility to NK cells. Thus, our results suggest a distinct role of GSK-3 isoforms in target cells vs NK cells for regulating NK cell reactivity and GSK-3α inhibition as a relevant strategy to enhance target susceptibility to NK cells. Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphocytes that provide early protection against cancer. NK cell cytotoxicity against cancer cells is triggered by multiple activating receptors that recognize specific ligands expressed on target cells. We previously demonstrated that glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, but not GSK-3α, is a negative regulator of NK cell functions via diverse activating receptors, including NKG2D and NKp30. However, the role of GSK-3 isoforms in the regulation of specific ligands on target cells is poorly understood, which remains a challenge limiting GSK-3 targeting for NK cell-based therapy. Here, we demonstrate that GSK-3α rather than GSK-3β is the primary isoform restraining the expression of NKG2D ligands, particularly ULBP2/5/6, on tumor cells, thereby regulating their susceptibility to NK cells. GSK-3α also regulated the expression of the NKp30 ligand B7-H6, but not the DNAM-1 ligands PVR or nectin-2. This regulation occurred independently of BCR-ABL1 mutation that confers tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance. Mechanistically, an increase in PI3K/Akt signaling in concert with c-Myc was required for ligand upregulation in response to GSK-3α inhibition. Importantly, GSK-3α inhibition improved cancer surveillance by human NK cells in vivo. Collectively, our results highlight the distinct role of GSK-3 isoforms in the regulation of NK cell reactivity against target cells and suggest that GSK-3α modulation could be used to enhance tumor cell susceptibility to NK cells in an NKG2D- and NKp30-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayoung Kim
- Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea;
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Mi Yeon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; (M.Y.K.); (W.S.C.); (E.Y.); (H.J.L.)
| | - Woo Seon Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; (M.Y.K.); (W.S.C.); (E.Y.); (H.J.L.)
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center (SCIRC), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Eunbi Yi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; (M.Y.K.); (W.S.C.); (E.Y.); (H.J.L.)
| | - Hyo Jung Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; (M.Y.K.); (W.S.C.); (E.Y.); (H.J.L.)
| | - Hun Sik Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; (M.Y.K.); (W.S.C.); (E.Y.); (H.J.L.)
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center (SCIRC), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-3010-2207
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20
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Massagué J, Ganesh K. Metastasis-Initiating Cells and Ecosystems. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:971-994. [PMID: 33811127 PMCID: PMC8030695 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is initiated and sustained through therapy by cancer cells with stem-like and immune-evasive properties, termed metastasis-initiating cells (MIC). Recent progress suggests that MICs result from the adoption of a normal regenerative progenitor phenotype by malignant cells, a phenotype with intrinsic programs to survive the stresses of the metastatic process, undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, enter slow-cycling states for dormancy, evade immune surveillance, establish supportive interactions with organ-specific niches, and co-opt systemic factors for growth and recurrence after therapy. Mechanistic understanding of the molecular mediators of MIC phenotypes and host tissue ecosystems could yield cancer therapeutics to improve patient outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding the origins, traits, and vulnerabilities of progenitor cancer cells with the capacity to initiate metastasis in distant organs, and the host microenvironments that support the ability of these cells to evade immune surveillance and regenerate the tumor, is critical for developing strategies to improve the prevention and treatment of advanced cancer. Leveraging recent progress in our understanding of the metastatic process, here we review the nature of MICs and their ecosystems and offer a perspective on how this knowledge is informing innovative treatments of metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Massagué
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, New York.
| | - Karuna Ganesh
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, New York.
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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21
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Hong B, Chapa V, Saini U, Modgil P, Cohn DE, He G, Siddik ZH, Sood AK, Yan Y, Selvendiran K, Pei G, Zhao Z, Yoo JY, Kaur B. Oncolytic HSV Therapy Modulates Vesicular Trafficking Inducing Cisplatin Sensitivity and Antitumor Immunity. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:542-553. [PMID: 33087329 PMCID: PMC8147278 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-2210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Here we investigated the impact of oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) treatment on cisplatin sensitivity of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, and the impact of the combination on immunotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Therapeutic efficacy of the combination was assessed in platinum-resistant human and murine ovarian cancer peritoneal metastatic mouse models (n = 9-10/group). RNA sequencing along with flow cytometry of splenocytes from treated mice was employed to examine the effect of antitumor immune response (n = 3/group). Anti-PD-1 antibody was performed to evaluate impact on checkpoint inhibition in vivo. RESULTS Gene Ontology pathway analysis uncovered disruption of cellular extracellular vesicle (EV)-related pathways in infected cells (FDR = 2.97E-57). Mechanistically, we identified reduced expression of transporters expressed on EV implicated in cisplatin efflux. The increased cisplatin retention led to increased cisplatin-DNA adducts, which resulted in micronuclei and the subsequent activation of cGAS-STING pathway with a significant activation of innate immune cells and translated to an increase in antitumor immunity and efficacy. In mice bearing platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, we also observed a feedback induction of PD-L1 on tumor cells, which sensitized combination-treated mice to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint therapy. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report to show HSV-induced cisplatin retention in infected cells. The consequential increased damaged DNA was then expelled from cells as micronuclei which resulted in induction of inflammatory responses and education of antitumor immunity. The combination therapy also created an environment that sensitized tumors to immune checkpoint therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bangxing Hong
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas.
| | - Valerie Chapa
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Uksha Saini
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Puneet Modgil
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - David E Cohn
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Guangan He
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Zahid H Siddik
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Anil K Sood
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yuanqing Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Karuppaiyah Selvendiran
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Guangsheng Pei
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Ji Young Yoo
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Balveen Kaur
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas.
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22
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Xu T, Xu X, Liu PC, Mao H, Ju S. Transcriptomic Analyses and Potential Therapeutic Targets of Pancreatic Cancer With Concomitant Diabetes. Front Oncol 2020; 10:563527. [PMID: 33251135 PMCID: PMC7672183 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.563527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, which is increasingly acknowledged as being associated with an increased risk for a series of cancers. Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth most common cause of cancer-related mortality, which has been proved to be worsened by internal diabetic condition. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are less addressed. Furthermore, current knowledge revealed that therapeutic strategy by anti-diabetes for pancreatic cancer under diabetes condition have no satisfactory efficacy, and nor by chemotherapy in our study. METHODS To clarify these mysteries and widen our knowledge, both obesity-associated and non-obese-associated T2DM mouse models were generated by chemical induction with streptozotocin (STZ) and leptin receptor knockout (db/db) in mice. Then, the process of tumor progression was researched, and the gene expression profiling of pancreatic cancer in mice was performed using RNA-seq. RESULTS Our results showed that pancreatic cancer malignancy was increased with notable proliferation and metastatic potential in two diabetic mice model. Totally, 136 and 64 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in STZ and db/db mice by transcriptomic analysis. The results also suggested that different carcinogenesis-related genes and potential molecular mechanisms contribute to the malignancy of pancreatic cancer in obesity-associated and non-obesity-associated T2DM. In obesity-associated db/db mice, the GO subcategories associated with most of the genes with downregulated expression are involved in the immune response. However, in non-obesity-associated STZ mice, in addition to the immune response category, the enriched subcategories also included angiogenesis and the extracellular matrix. While, two genes respectively encoding MMP-2 and MMP-9 were simultaneously abnormal up-regulated in pancreatic cancer tissue from diabetic mice of both STZ and db/db, that could act as potential therapeutic targets for significantly suppressing the malignant progression. Furthermore, an optimizing therapeutic strategy was further proposed that combining MMP-2/9 inhibitor with gemcitabine significantly enhanced anti-tumor effects on pancreatic cancer under diabetic condition, providing a theoretical basis for clinical applications. CONCLUSIONS Generally, this study provides a comprehensive insight into diabetes as a risk factor for pancreatic cancer and has the potential to guide the development of enhanced treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng-Cheng Liu
- The College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Hui Mao
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Shenghong Ju
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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23
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Wang X, Cabrera FG, Sharp KL, Spencer DM, Foster AE, Bayle JH. Engineering Tolerance toward Allogeneic CAR-T Cells by Regulation of MHC Surface Expression with Human Herpes Virus-8 Proteins. Mol Ther 2020; 29:718-733. [PMID: 33554868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic, off-the-shelf (OTS) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cell therapies have the potential to reduce manufacturing costs and variability while providing broader accessibility to cancer patients and those with other diseases. However, host-versus-graft reactivity can limit the durability and efficacy of OTS cell therapies requiring new strategies to evade adaptive and innate-immune responses. Human herpes virus-8 (HHV8) maintains infection, in part, by evading host T and natural killer (NK) cell attack. The viral K3 gene encodes a membrane-tethered E3 ubiquitin ligase that discretely targets major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I components, whereas K5 encodes a similar E3 ligase with broader specificity, including MHC-II and the MHC-like MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MIC-A)- and sequence B (MIC-B)-activating ligands of NK cells. We created γ-retroviruses encoding K3 and/or K5 transgenes that efficiently transduce primary human T cells. Expression of K3 or K5 resulted in dramatic downregulation of MHC-IA (human leukocyte antigen [HLA]-A, -B, and -C) and MHC class II (HLA-DR) cell-surface expression. K3 expression was sufficient for T cells to resist exogenously loaded peptide-MHC-specific cytotoxicity, as well as recognition in one-way allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions. Further, in immunodeficient mice engrafted with allogeneic T cells, K3-transduced T cells selectively expanded in vivo. Ectopic K5 expression in MHC class I-, MIC-A+/B+ K562 cells also reduced targeting by primary NK cells. Coexpression of K3 in prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA)-directed, inducible MyD88/CD40 (iMC)-enhanced CAR-T cells did not impact cytotoxicity, T cell growth, or cytokine production against HPAC pancreatic tumor target cells, whereas K5-expressing cells showed a modest reduction in interleukin (IL)-2 production without effect on cytotoxicity. Together, these results support application of these E3 ligases to advance development of OTS CAR-T cell products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Wang
- Research and Development, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, 2710 Reed Road, Suite 160, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fabricio G Cabrera
- Research and Development, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, 2710 Reed Road, Suite 160, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kelly L Sharp
- Research and Development, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, 2710 Reed Road, Suite 160, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David M Spencer
- Research and Development, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, 2710 Reed Road, Suite 160, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Aaron E Foster
- Research and Development, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, 2710 Reed Road, Suite 160, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - J Henri Bayle
- Research and Development, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, 2710 Reed Road, Suite 160, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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24
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Guo L, Chen Y, Wang J, Chen C. Down-regulation of UL16-binding protein 3 mediated by interferon-gamma impairs immune killing in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:6509-6523. [PMID: 33194048 PMCID: PMC7653630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor characterized by a large number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and high expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1). Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) has proven to be the strongest inducers of PD-L1. This study aims at investigating the effect of IFN-γ on the expression of natural killer group 2, member D ligands (NKG2DLs), a series of immune-activating proteins, and their further effect on immune killing in NPC. METHODS RNA-seq data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database was downloaded and analyzed for the correlation between IFN-γ and NKG2DLs. IHC staining of clinical biopsy samples was performed to support the correlation between IFN-γ and ULBP3. Different NPC cell lines were treated with IFN-γ (100 U/ml) and the expression of PD-L1 and ULBP3 were detected at different time points. The 5-8F cell lines with PD-L1 over-expression and ULBP3 knockout were established and the T-cell cytotoxicity assay was performed to investigate the effect of ULPB3 on cytotoxicity. RESULTS Correlation analysis and IHC staining showed that the expression of ULBP3 had a significant negative correlation with IFN-γ in NPC patients. The vitro assays revealed that ULBP3 can be time-dependently down-regulated by IFN-γ. The cytotoxicity of CD8+ T-cells that were co-cultured with ULBP3 knockout 5-8F cells was significantly impaired compared to wild type 5-8F cells. CONCLUSIONS IFN-γ can significantly down-regulate the expression of ULBP3 in NPC. And the down-regulation of ULBP3 and the up-regulation of PD-L1 are both mediated by IFN-γ and may collectively play a role in the inhibition of immune killing in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology of Head and Neck Cancers, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer HospitalFuzhou 350000, China
- The School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical UniversityFuzhou 350000, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer HospitalFuzhou 350000, China
- Cancer Bio-immunotherapy Center, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer HospitalFuzhou 350000, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational MedicineFuzhou 350000, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology of Head and Neck Cancers, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer HospitalFuzhou 350000, China
- The School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical UniversityFuzhou 350000, China
| | - Chuanben Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology of Head and Neck Cancers, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer HospitalFuzhou 350000, China
- Cancer Bio-immunotherapy Center, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer HospitalFuzhou 350000, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational MedicineFuzhou 350000, China
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25
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NK Cell Adoptive Immunotherapy of Cancer: Evaluating Recognition Strategies and Overcoming Limitations. Transplant Cell Ther 2020; 27:21-35. [PMID: 33007496 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2020.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, the primary effector cells of the innate immune system, utilize multiple strategies to recognize tumor cells by (1) detecting the presence of activating receptor ligands, which are often upregulated in cancer; (2) targeting cells that have a loss of major histocompatibility complex (MHC); and (3) binding to antibodies that bind to tumor-specific antigens on the tumor cell surface. All these strategies have been successfully harnessed in adoptive NK cell immunotherapies targeting cancer. In this review, we review the applications of NK cell therapies across different tumor types. Similar to other forms of immunotherapy, tumor-induced immune escape and immune suppression can limit NK cell therapies' efficacy. Therefore, we also discuss how these limitations can be overcome by conferring NK cells with the ability to redirect their tumor-targeting capabilities and survive the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. Finally, we also discuss how future iterations can benefit from combination therapies with other immunotherapeutic agents.
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26
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Wu M, Zhou C, Li M, Yu H, Zhao D, Xue W, Qin L, Peng A. Depletion of NK cells attenuates paraquat-induced acute lung injury by manipulating macrophage polarization. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 86:106698. [PMID: 32559567 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Acute lung injury is the main causative factor in paraquat dichloride (PQ)-induced mortality. The innate immune system-triggered detrimental inflammatory cascade plays a vital role in PQ-induced acute lung injury. However, the role of natural killer (NK) cells, which are essential for innate response, in PQ-induced acute lung injury remains largely unknown. Here, we found that in an acute PQ poisoning model, depletion of NK cells attenuated PQ-induced lung injury by inhibiting macrophage polarization towards the M1 type. Specifically, the percentages of NK cells were reduced in the lung, spleen, and peripheral blood in a murine model of acute PQ poisoning. NK cells were aberrantly activated, evidenced by upregulation of the activating markers CD69, CD107a, and NKG2D and downregulation of the inhibitive marker KLRG1. Further, NK-specific depletion in mice greatly prolonged the survival time and ameliorated reactive oxygen species-induced damage following PQ treatment compared with the control group. Importantly, NK cell depletion alleviated macrophage and neutrophil infiltration in the lung and reversed PQ induced-macrophage polarization towards the pro-inflammatory M1 type. Our study demonstrates a crucial role of NK cells and NK cell-to-macrophage interaction in PQ-induced acute lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Wu
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyu Zhou
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Haibo Yu
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Dake Zhao
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Xue
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Qin
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China.
| | - Ai Peng
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China.
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27
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Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Tumor-Infiltrating NK Cells Reveals that Inhibition of Transcription Factor HIF-1α Unleashes NK Cell Activity. Immunity 2020; 52:1075-1087.e8. [PMID: 32445619 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Enhancing immune cell functions in tumors remains a major challenge in cancer immunotherapy. Hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors, and cells adapt by upregulating the transcription factor HIF-1α. Here, we defined the transcriptional landscape of mouse tumor-infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells by using single-cell RNA sequencing. Conditional deletion of Hif1a in NK cells resulted in reduced tumor growth, elevated expression of activation markers, effector molecules, and an enriched NF-κB pathway in tumor-infiltrating NK cells. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) from myeloid cells was required for NF-κB activation and the enhanced anti-tumor activity of Hif1a-/- NK cells. Extended culture with an HIF-1α inhibitor increased human NK cell responses. Low HIF1A expression was associated with high expression of IFNG in human tumor-infiltrating NK cells, and an enriched NK-IL18-IFNG signature in solid tumors correlated with increased overall patient survival. Thus, inhibition of HIF-1α unleashes NK cell anti-tumor activity and could be exploited for cancer therapy.
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28
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Goodson-Gregg FJ, Krepel SA, Anderson SK. Tuning of human NK cells by endogenous HLA-C expression. Immunogenetics 2020; 72:205-215. [PMID: 32219494 PMCID: PMC7182622 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-020-01161-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
NK cells are primarily responsible for detecting malignant or pathogen-infected cells, and their function is influenced both by stress-associated activating signals and opposing inhibitory signals from receptors that recognize self MHC. The receptors that produce this inhibitory signal shift from the NKG2A:HLA-E system to that of KIR:HLA as the NK cells mature. This maturation is associated with an increase in lytic activity, as well as an increase in HLA-C protein levels controlled by the NK-specific HLA-C promoter, NK-Pro. We propose that modulation of the translatability of HLA-C transcripts in NK cells constitutes an evolutionary mechanism to control cis inhibitory signaling by HLA-C, which fine tunes NK cell activity. Furthermore, the high degree of variability in KIR receptor affinity for HLA alleles, as well as the variable expression levels of both KIR and HLA, suggest an evolutionary requirement for the tuning of NK lytic activity. Various data have demonstrated that mature NK cells may gain or lose lytic activity when placed in different environments. This indicates that NK cell activity may be more a function of constant tuning by inhibitory signals, rather than a static, irreversible "license to kill" granted to mature NK cells. Inhibitory signaling controls the filling of the cytolytic granule reservoir, which becomes depleted if there are insufficient inhibitory signals, leading to a hyporesponsive NK cell. We propose a novel model for the tuning of human NK cell activity via cis interactions in the context of recent findings on the mechanism of NK education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick J Goodson-Gregg
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Stacey A Krepel
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Stephen K Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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Natural Killer Cell Responses in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications for Novel Immunotherapeutic Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040926. [PMID: 32283827 PMCID: PMC7226319 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still represents a significant complication of chronic liver disease, particularly when cirrhosis ensues. Current treatment options include surgery, loco-regional procedures and chemotherapy, according to specific clinical practice guidelines. Immunotherapy with check-point inhibitors, aimed at rescuing T-cells from exhaustion, has been applied as second-line therapy with limited and variable success. Natural killer (NK) cells are an essential component of innate immunity against cancer and changes in phenotype and function have been described in patients with HCC, who also show perturbations of NK activating receptor/ligand axes. Here we discuss the current status of NK cell treatment of HCC on the basis of existing evidence and ongoing clinical trials on adoptive transfer of autologous or allogeneic NK cells ex vivo or after activation with cytokines such as IL-15 and use of antibodies to target cell-expressed molecules to promote antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). To this end, bi-, tri- and tetra-specific killer cell engagers are being devised to improve NK cell recognition of tumor cells, circumventing tumor immune escape and efficiently targeting NK cells to tumors. Moreover, the exciting technique of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered NK cells offers unique opportunities to create CAR-NK with multiple specificities along the experience gained with CAR-T cells with potentially less adverse effects.
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30
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Singh S, Banerjee S. Downregulation of HLA-ABC expression through promoter hypermethylation and downmodulation of MIC-A/B surface expression in LMP2A-positive epithelial carcinoma cell lines. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5415. [PMID: 32214110 PMCID: PMC7096436 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62081-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus, and has been reported to be associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In most of the associated tumors, the virus remains in a latently infected state. During latency, EBV expresses Latent Membrane Protein 2A (LMP2A) along with few other genes. We previously showed that LMP2A causes downregulation of HLA-ABC surface expression in EBV associated gastric carcinomas. However, the mechanism that leads to this downregulation remain unclear. We therefore analyzed methylation-mediated regulation of HLA-ABC expression by LMP2A. Interestingly, according to the ‘missing self’ hypothesis, when there is a decrease in HLA-ABC surface expression, expression of NKG2D ligands’ must be upregulated to facilitate killing by Natural Killer (NK) cells. Analysis of NKG2D ligands’ expression, revealed downregulation of MIC-A/B surface expression in response to LMP2A. Furthermore, the role of Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) in the regulation of MIC-A/B surface expression in cells expressing LMP2A was also investigated. Protein Disulfide Isomerase (PDI) mediated inhibition of MIC-A/B surface expression was observed in LMP2A expressing cells. Our current findings provide new insights in LMP2A arbitrated dysregulation of host immune response in epithelial cell carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Singh
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Subrata Banerjee
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India.
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31
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Ben-Shmuel A, Biber G, Barda-Saad M. Unleashing Natural Killer Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment-The Next Generation of Immunotherapy? Front Immunol 2020; 11:275. [PMID: 32153582 PMCID: PMC7046808 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of immunotherapy for cancer treatment bears considerable clinical promise. Nevertheless, many patients remain unresponsive, acquire resistance, or suffer dose-limiting toxicities. Immune-editing of tumors assists their escape from the immune system, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) induces immune suppression through multiple mechanisms. Immunotherapy aims to bolster the activity of immune cells against cancer by targeting these suppressive immunomodulatory processes. Natural Killer (NK) cells are a heterogeneous subset of immune cells, which express a diverse array of activating and inhibitory germline-encoded receptors, and are thus capable of directly targeting and killing cancer cells without the need for MHC specificity. Furthermore, they play a critical role in triggering the adaptive immune response. Enhancing the function of NK cells in the context of cancer is therefore a promising avenue for immunotherapy. Different NK-based therapies have been evaluated in clinical trials, and some have demonstrated clinical benefits, especially in the context of hematological malignancies. Solid tumors remain much more difficult to treat, and the time point and means of intervention of current NK-based treatments still require optimization to achieve long term effects. Here, we review recently described mechanisms of cancer evasion from NK cell immune surveillance, and the therapeutic approaches that aim to potentiate NK function. Specific focus is placed on the use of specialized monoclonal antibodies against moieties on the cancer cell, or on both the tumor and the NK cell. In addition, we highlight newly identified mechanisms that inhibit NK cell activity in the TME, and describe how biochemical modifications of the TME can synergize with current treatments and increase susceptibility to NK cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviad Ben-Shmuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Guy Biber
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Mira Barda-Saad
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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32
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Sayitoglu EC, Georgoudaki AM, Chrobok M, Ozkazanc D, Josey BJ, Arif M, Kusser K, Hartman M, Chinn TM, Potens R, Pamukcu C, Krueger R, Zhang C, Mardinoglu A, Alici E, Temple HT, Sutlu T, Duru AD. Boosting Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Targeting of Sarcoma Through DNAM-1 and NKG2D. Front Immunol 2020; 11:40. [PMID: 32082316 PMCID: PMC7001093 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are malignancies of mesenchymal origin that occur in bone and soft tissues. Many are chemo- and radiotherapy resistant, thus conventional treatments fail to increase overall survival. Natural Killer (NK) cells exert anti-tumor activity upon detection of a complex array of tumor ligands, but this has not been thoroughly explored in the context of sarcoma immunotherapy. In this study, we investigated the NK cell receptor/ligand immune profile of primary human sarcoma explants. Analysis of tumors from 32 sarcoma patients identified the proliferative marker PCNA and DNAM-1 ligands CD112 and/or CD155 as commonly expressed antigens that could be efficiently targeted by genetically modified (GM) NK cells. Despite the strong expression of CD112 and CD155 on sarcoma cells, characterization of freshly dissociated sarcomas revealed a general decrease in tumor-infiltrating NK cells compared to the periphery, suggesting a defect in the endogenous NK cell response. We also applied a functional screening approach to identify relevant NK cell receptor/ligand interactions that induce efficient anti-tumor responses using a panel NK-92 cell lines GM to over-express 12 different activating receptors. Using GM NK-92 cells against primary sarcoma explants (n = 12) revealed that DNAM-1 over-expression on NK-92 cells led to efficient degranulation against all tested explants (n = 12). Additionally, NKG2D over-expression showed enhanced responses against 10 out of 12 explants. These results show that DNAM-1+ or NKG2D+ GM NK-92 cells may be an efficient approach in targeting sarcomas. The degranulation capacity of GM NK-92 cell lines was also tested against various established tumor cell lines, including neuroblastoma, Schwannoma, melanoma, myeloma, leukemia, prostate, pancreatic, colon, and lung cancer. Enhanced degranulation of DNAM-1+ or NKG2D+ GM NK-92 cells was observed against the majority of tumor cell lines tested. In conclusion, DNAM-1 or NKG2D over-expression elicited a dynamic increase in NK cell degranulation against all sarcoma explants and cancer cell lines tested, including those that failed to induce a notable response in WT NK-92 cells. These results support the broad therapeutic potential of DNAM-1+ or NKG2D+ GM NK-92 cells and GM human NK cells for the treatment of sarcomas and other malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Canan Sayitoglu
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States.,NSU Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Anna-Maria Georgoudaki
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States.,NSU Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States.,Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Chrobok
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Didem Ozkazanc
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Benjamin J Josey
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States.,NSU Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Muhammad Arif
- Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kim Kusser
- Translational Research and Economic Development, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Michelle Hartman
- Translational Research and Economic Development, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Tamara M Chinn
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Renee Potens
- NSU Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Cevriye Pamukcu
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Robin Krueger
- Translational Research and Economic Development, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adil Mardinoglu
- Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Evren Alici
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Harry Thomas Temple
- Department of Surgery, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Tolga Sutlu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bogaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Adil Doganay Duru
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States.,NSU Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States.,Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Fernø J, Strand K, Mellgren G, Stiglund N, Björkström NK. Natural Killer Cells as Sensors of Adipose Tissue Stress. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2020; 31:3-12. [PMID: 31597606 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2019.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) orchestrate low-grade chronic adipose tissue inflammation, linking obesity and insulin resistance. Whereas factors contributing to macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue are established, little is known regarding signals that link adipocyte stress to proinflammatory activation of macrophages. Natural killer (NK) cells are specialized innate lymphocytes that identify and respond to stressed cells. In this Opinion, we discuss the possibility of NK cells to function as sensors recognizing adipose tissue stress. We further summarize recent literature suggesting NK cells to play an important role in development of insulin resistance via secretion of cytokines that stimulate proinflammatory polarization of ATMs. This suggests adipose tissue-resident NK cells as a pharmacological target for the treatment of obesity-induced insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Fernø
- Hormone Laboratory, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021, Bergen, Norway; Mohn Nutrition Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Kristina Strand
- Hormone Laboratory, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021, Bergen, Norway; Mohn Nutrition Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Gunnar Mellgren
- Hormone Laboratory, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021, Bergen, Norway; Mohn Nutrition Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Natalie Stiglund
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Tan S, Xu Y, Wang Z, Wang T, Du X, Song X, Guo X, Peng J, Zhang J, Liang Y, Lu J, Peng J, Gao C, Wu Z, Li C, Li N, Gao L, Liang X, Ma C. Tim-3 Hampers Tumor Surveillance of Liver-Resident and Conventional NK Cells by Disrupting PI3K Signaling. Cancer Res 2019; 80:1130-1142. [PMID: 31848194 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-2332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are enriched within the liver. Apart from conventional NK (cNK) cells, recent studies identified a liver-resident NK (LrNK) subset, which constitutes about half of hepatic NK cells and exhibits distinct developmental, phenotypic, and functional features. However, it remains unclear whether and how LrNK cells, as well as cNK cells, participate in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) individually. Here, we report that both LrNK and cNK cells are significantly decreased in HCC. The T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (Tim-3) was significantly upregulated in both tumor-infiltrating LrNK and cNK cells and suppressed their cytokine secretion and cytotoxic activity. Mechanistically, phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) engagement promoted phosphorylation of Tim-3, which then competed with PI3K p110 to bind p85, inhibiting downstream Akt/mTORC1 signaling and resulting in malfunctioning of both NK-cell subsets. Tim-3 blockade retarded HCC growth in a NK-cell-dependent manner. These studies for the first time report the presence and dysfunction of LrNK cells in HCC and show that Tim-3-mediated PI3K/mTORC1 interference is responsible for the dysfunction of both tumor-infiltrating cNK and LrNK cells, providing a new strategy for immune checkpoint-based targeting. SIGNIFICANCE: Tim-3 enhances hepatocellular carcinoma growth by blocking natural killer cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Tan
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Laboratory, Yueyang Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Yueyang, China
| | - Zehua Wang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tixiao Wang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xianhong Du
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaojia Song
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaowei Guo
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiali Peng
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jinghui Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jun Peng
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chengjiang Gao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhuanchang Wu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chunyang Li
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Nailin Li
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medicine-Solna, Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska University Hospital-Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lifen Gao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Laboratory, Yueyang Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Yueyang, China
| | - Xiaohong Liang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chunhong Ma
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Martinez VG, Munera-Maravilla E, Bernardini A, Rubio C, Suarez-Cabrera C, Segovia C, Lodewijk I, Dueñas M, Martínez-Fernández M, Paramio JM. Epigenetics of Bladder Cancer: Where Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets Meet. Front Genet 2019; 10:1125. [PMID: 31850055 PMCID: PMC6902278 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasia of the urothelial tract. Due to its high incidence, prevalence, recurrence and mortality, it remains an unsolved clinical and social problem. The treatment of BC is challenging and, although immunotherapies have revealed potential benefit in a percentage of patients, it remains mostly an incurable disease at its advanced state. Epigenetic alterations, including aberrant DNA methylation, altered chromatin remodeling and deregulated expression of non-coding RNAs are common events in BC and can be driver events in BC pathogenesis. Accordingly, these epigenetic alterations are now being used as potential biomarkers for these disorders and are being envisioned as potential therapeutic targets for the future management of BC. In this review, we summarize the recent findings in these emerging and exciting new aspects paving the way for future clinical treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor G. Martinez
- Biomedical Research Institute I + 12, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ester Munera-Maravilla
- Biomedical Research Institute I + 12, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandra Bernardini
- Biomedical Research Institute I + 12, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Rubio
- Biomedical Research Institute I + 12, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristian Suarez-Cabrera
- Biomedical Research Institute I + 12, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Segovia
- Biomedical Research Institute I + 12, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
| | - Iris Lodewijk
- Biomedical Research Institute I + 12, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Dueñas
- Biomedical Research Institute I + 12, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Martínez-Fernández
- Genomes & Disease Lab, CiMUS (Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jesus Maria Paramio
- Biomedical Research Institute I + 12, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
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Jiang Y, Chen Y, Chen L, Yao W, Guan J, Liu X, Wei X, Lin X. Impaired circulating CD56 dim NK cells are associated with decompensation of HBV-related cirrhosis. Hum Immunol 2019; 81:32-40. [PMID: 31735440 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
NK cells play an important role in immune regulation and defense of infection, but their characteristics in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and their relationship with liver function remain unclear. We studied the functional properties of NK cells (including CD56dim NK and CD56bright NK cells) in patients with HBV-related decompensated liver cirrhosis (HBV-DLC) and analyzed their relationship with decompensation of liver function. Thirty patients with HBV-DLC and 25 patients with HBV-related compensated liver cirrhosis (HBV-CLC) were recruited in this study. Twenty five age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were recruited as healthy controls (HCs). The phenotypical and functional characteristics of NK cell subsets were detected by flow cytometry, and the correlation between NK cells and decompensation of liver function was analyzed. The frequency of circulating CD56bright NK cells was significantly increased while circulating CD56dim NK cells was significantly decreased in HBV-DLC patients as compared with HCs and HBV-CLC patients. Peripheral activated-CD56bright NK cells from HBV-DLC patients might express lower levels of inhibitory receptor CD158b1/2 and higher levels of activating receptor NKG2D and their expression of perforin and granzyme A/B also increased significantly compared with HCs, suggesting a high immune activation status of peripheral CD56bright NK cells in HBV-DLC patients. In HBV-DLC patients, the expression of CD107a and perforin in circulating CD56dim NK cells was positively correlated with cytolytic capacity while CD107a and perforin expression in circulating CD56dim NK cells were significantly decreased, suggesting an impaired cytolytic capacity of circulating CD56dim NK cells. Besides, we found that the perforin expression of circulating CD56dim NK cells correlated negatively with child-pugh classification in HBV-DLC patients. The functional properties of circulating NK cell subsets in HBV-DLC patients have changed significantly, especially of CD56dim NK cells which closely related to decompensation of liver function. These findings may help provide new perspectives and theoretical basis for the treatment of patients with HBV-DLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yingxiao Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou, Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Liling Chen
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Weifeng Yao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Guan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Liu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xin Wei
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Xiangyang Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
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Niavarani SR, Lawson C, Bakos O, Boudaud M, Batenchuk C, Rouleau S, Tai LH. Lipid accumulation impairs natural killer cell cytotoxicity and tumor control in the postoperative period. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:823. [PMID: 31429730 PMCID: PMC6701111 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6045-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cell dysfunction following cancer surgery has been shown to promote metastases. Recent studies demonstrate an emerging role for lipids in the modulation of NK cell innate responses. However, the mechanisms involved in lipid modulation of NK cell postoperative anti-tumor function are unknown. This current study will determine whether the lipid accumulation via scavenger receptors on NK cells is responsible for the increase in postoperative metastasis. METHODS Lipid content in mouse and human NK cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. NK cell scavenger receptor (SR) expression was measured by microarray analysis, validated by qRT-PCR and flow cytometry. NK cell ex vivo and in vivo tumor killing was measured by chromium-release and adoptive transfer assays, respectively. The mediating role of surgery-expanded granulocytic myeloid derived suppressor cells (gMDSC) in SR induction on NK cells was evaluated using co-culture assays. RESULTS NK cells in surgery-treated mice demonstrated increased lipid accumulation, which occurred via up-regulation of MSR1, CD36 and CD68. NK cells with high lipid content had diminished ability to lyse tumor targets ex vivo. Adoptive transfer of lipid-laden NK cells into NK cell-deficient mice were unable to protect against a lung tumor challenge. Granulocytic MDSC from surgery-treated mice increased SR expression on NK cells. Colorectal cancer surgical patients showed increased NK cell lipid content, higher CD36 expression, decreased granzyme B and perforin production in addition to reduced cytotoxicity in the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS Postoperative lipid accumulation promotes the formation of metastases by impairing NK cell function in both preclinical surgical models and human surgical colorectal cancer patient samples. Understanding and targeting the mechanisms underlying lipid accumulation in innate immune NK cells can improve prognosis in cancer surgical patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Raheleh Niavarani
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Pavillon sur la Recherche Appliqué du Cancer at 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Christine Lawson
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Pavillon sur la Recherche Appliqué du Cancer at 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Orneala Bakos
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Pavillon sur la Recherche Appliqué du Cancer at 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Marie Boudaud
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Immunology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Cory Batenchuk
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Samuel Rouleau
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Pavillon sur la Recherche Appliqué du Cancer at 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Lee-Hwa Tai
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Pavillon sur la Recherche Appliqué du Cancer at 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada. .,Centre de Recherche Clinique de Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
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Acheampong DO. Bispecific Antibody (bsAb) Construct Formats and their Application in Cancer Therapy. Protein Pept Lett 2019; 26:479-493. [DOI: 10.2174/0929866526666190311163820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Development of cancers mostly involves more than one signal pathways, because of the complicated nature of cancer cells. As such, the most effective treatment option is the one that stops the cancer cells in their tracks by targeting these signal pathways simultaneously. This explains why therapeutic monoclonal antibodies targeted at cancers exert utmost activity when two or more are used as combination therapy. This notwithstanding, studies elsewhere have proven that when bispecific antibody (bsAb) is engineered from two conventional monoclonal antibodies or their chains, it produces better activity than when used as combination therapy. This therefore presents bispecific antibody (bsAb) as the appropriate and best therapeutic agent for the treatment of such cancers. This review therefore discusses the various engineering formats for bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) and their applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desmond O. Acheampong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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Zeng J, Tang SY, Wang S. Derivation of mimetic γδ T cells endowed with cancer recognition receptors from reprogrammed γδ T cell. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216815. [PMID: 31071196 PMCID: PMC6508724 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to derive chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T) cells has great industrial potential. A previous study used αβ T cell-derived CAR-modified iPSCs to produce CAR-T cells. However, these αβ T cells are restricted to autologous use and only recognize single cancer antigen. To make CAR-T alternative for allogeneic use, we reprogrammed γδ T cell into iPSCs (γδ T-iPSCs) to circumvent the risk of graft-versus-host disease. To target multiple cancer-associated antigens, we used an "NK cell-promoting" protocol to differentiate γδ T-iPSCs and to induce expression of natural killer receptors (NKRs). Through such two-step strategy, mimetic γδ T cells endowed with an array of NKRs and thus designated as "γδ natural killer T (γδ NKT) cells" were derived. With no/low-level expression of inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and immune checkpoint receptors, γδ NKT cells may provide a potent "off-the-shelf" cytotoxic cell source to recognize multiple ubiquitous antigens in a broad spectrum of cancers.
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MESH Headings
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- HCT116 Cells
- Hep G2 Cells
- Humans
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/immunology
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/pathology
- K562 Cells
- MCF-7 Cells
- Natural Killer T-Cells/immunology
- Natural Killer T-Cells/pathology
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- THP-1 Cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieming Zeng
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Singapore
- * E-mail: , (JZ); (SW)
| | - Shin Yi Tang
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shu Wang
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail: , (JZ); (SW)
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Legroux L, Moratalla AC, Laurent C, Deblois G, Verstraeten SL, Arbour N. NKG2D and Its Ligand MULT1 Contribute to Disease Progression in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:154. [PMID: 30787931 PMCID: PMC6372829 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
NKG2D is an activating receptor expressed on the surface of immune cells including subsets of T lymphocytes. NKG2D binds multiple ligands (NKG2DL) whose expression are differentially triggered in a cell type and stress specific manner. The NKG2D-NKG2DL interaction has been involved in autoimmune disorders but its role in animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains incompletely resolved. Here we show that NKG2D and its ligand MULT1 contribute to the pathobiology of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). MULT1 protein levels are increased in the central nervous system (CNS) at EAE disease peak; soluble MULT1 is elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid of both active and passive EAE. We establish that such soluble MULT1 enhances effector functions (e.g., IFNγ production) of activated CD8 T lymphocytes from wild type but not from NKG2D-deficient (Klrk1−/−) mice in vitro. The adoptive transfer of activated T lymphocytes from wild type donors induced a significantly reduced EAE disease in Klrk1−/− compared to wild type (Klrk1+/+) recipients. Characterization of T lymphocytes infiltrating the CNS of recipient mice shows that donor (CD45.1) rather than endogenous (CD45.2) CD4 T cells are the main producers of key cytokines (IFNγ, GM-CSF). In contrast, infiltrating CD8 T lymphocytes include mainly endogenous (CD45.2) cells exhibiting effector properties (NKG2D, granzyme B and IFNγ). Our data support the notion that endogenous CD8 T cells contribute to passive EAE pathobiology in a NKG2D-dependent manner. Collectively, our results point to the deleterious role of NKG2D and its MULT1 in the pathobiology of a MS mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurine Legroux
- Department of Neurosciences Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Cyril Laurent
- Department of Neurosciences Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gabrielle Deblois
- Department of Neurosciences Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Nathalie Arbour
- Department of Neurosciences Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Barrow AD, Colonna M. Exploiting NK Cell Surveillance Pathways for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11010055. [PMID: 30626155 PMCID: PMC6356551 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells can evoke potent anti-tumour activity. This function is largely mediated through a battery of specialised cell-surface receptors which probe the tissue microenvironment for changes in surface and secretory phenotypes that may alert to the presence of infection or malignancy. These receptors have the potential to arouse the robust cytotoxic and cytokine-secreting functions of NK cells and so must be tightly regulated to prevent autoimmunity. However, such functions also hold great promise for clinical intervention. In this review, we highlight some of the latest breakthroughs in fundamental NK cell receptor biology that have illuminated our understanding of the molecular strategies NK cells employ to perceive malignant cells from normal healthy cells. Moreover, we highlight how these sophisticated tumour recognition strategies are being harnessed for cancer immunotherapies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander David Barrow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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42
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Schmiedel D, Mandelboim O. NKG2D Ligands-Critical Targets for Cancer Immune Escape and Therapy. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2040. [PMID: 30254634 PMCID: PMC6141707 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA damage, oncogene activation and excessive proliferation, chromatin modulations or oxidative stress are all important hallmarks of cancer. Interestingly, all of these abnormalities also induce a cellular stress response. By upregulating “stress-induced ligands,” damaged or transformed cells can be recognized by immune cells and cleared. The human genome encodes eight functional “stress-induced ligands”: MICA, MICB, and ULBP1-6. All of them are recognized by a single receptor, NKG2D, which is expressed on natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic T cells and other T cell subsets. The NKG2D ligand/NKG2D-axis is well-recognized as an important mediator of anti-tumor activity; however, patient data about the role of NKG2D ligands in immune surveillance and escape appears conflicting. As these ligands are often actively transcribed, tumor cells are urged to manipulate the expression of these ligands on post-transcriptional or post-translational level. Although our knowledge on the regulation of NKG2D ligand expression remains fragmentary, research of the past years revealed multiple cellular mechanisms that are adopted by tumor cells to reduce the expression of “stress-induced ligands” and therefore escape immune recognition. Here, we review the post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms by which NKG2D ligands are modulated in cancer cells and their impact on patient prognosis.We discuss controversies and approaches to apply our understanding of the NKG2D ligand/NKG2D-axis for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Schmiedel
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, The BioMedical Research Institute Israel Canada of the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, The BioMedical Research Institute Israel Canada of the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
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43
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Hicks KC, Fantini M, Donahue RN, Schwab A, Knudson KM, Tritsch SR, Jochems C, Clavijo PE, Allen CT, Hodge JW, Tsang KY, Schlom J, Gameiro SR. Epigenetic priming of both tumor and NK cells augments antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity elicited by the anti-PD-L1 antibody avelumab against multiple carcinoma cell types. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1466018. [PMID: 30377559 PMCID: PMC6205056 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1466018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis are promising immunotherapies shown to elicit objective responses against multiple tumor types, yet these agents fail to benefit most patients with carcinomas. This highlights the need to develop effective therapeutic strategies to increase responses to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in combination with immunotherapies have provided preliminary evidence of anti-tumor effects. We investigated here whether exposure of either natural killer (NK) cells and/or tumor cells to two different classes of HDAC inhibitors would augment (a) NK cell‒mediated direct tumor cell killing and/or (b) antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) using avelumab, a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting PD-L1. Treatment of a diverse array of human carcinoma cells with a clinically relevant dose of either the pan-HDAC inhibitor vorinostat or the class I HDAC inhibitor entinostat significantly enhanced the expression of multiple NK ligands and death receptors resulting in enhanced NK cell‒mediated lysis. Moreover, HDAC inhibition enhanced tumor cell PD-L1 expression both in vitro and in carcinoma xenografts. These data demonstrate that treatment of a diverse array of carcinoma cells with two different classes of HDAC inhibitors results in enhanced NK cell tumor cell lysis and avelumab-mediated ADCC. Furthermore, entinostat treatment of NK cells from healthy donors and PBMCs from cancer patients induced an activated NK cell phenotype, and heightened direct and ADCC-mediated healthy donor NK lysis of multiple carcinoma types. This study thus extends the mechanism and provides a rationale for combining HDAC inhibitors with PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockade to increase patient responses to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin C. Hicks
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Massimo Fantini
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Renee N. Donahue
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Angie Schwab
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Karin M. Knudson
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sarah R. Tritsch
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Caroline Jochems
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Paul E. Clavijo
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Clint T. Allen
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James W. Hodge
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kwong Y. Tsang
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sofia R. Gameiro
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Rohn H, Tomoya Michita R, Schwich E, Dolff S, Gäckler A, Trilling M, Le-Trilling VTK, Wilde B, Korth J, Heinemann FM, Horn PA, Kribben A, Witzke O, Rebmann V. The Donor Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Chain-Related Molecule A Allele rs2596538 G Predicts Cytomegalovirus Viremia in Kidney Transplant Recipients. Front Immunol 2018; 9:917. [PMID: 29867932 PMCID: PMC5953334 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related protein A (MICA) and its cognate activating receptor natural killer (NK) group 2 member D (NKG2D) receptor plays a significant role in viral immune control. In the context of kidney transplantation (KTx), cytomegalovirus (CMV) frequently causes severe complications. Hypothesizing that functional polymorphisms of the MICA/NKG2D axis might affect antiviral NK and T cell responses to CMV, we explored the association of the MICA-129 Met/Val single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (affecting the binding affinity of MICA with the NKG2D receptor), the MICA rs2596538 G/A SNP (influencing MICA transcription), and the NKG2D rs1049174 G/C SNP (determining the cytotoxic potential of effector cells) with the clinical outcome of CMV during the first year after KTx in a cohort of 181 kidney donor-recipients pairs. Univariate analyses identified the donor MICA rs2596538 G allele status as a protective prognostic determinant for CMV disease. In addition to the well-known prognostic factors CMV high-risk sero-status of patients and the application of lymphocyte-depleting drugs, the donor MICA rs2596538 G allele carrier status was confirmed by multivariate analyses as novel-independent factor predicting the development of CMV infection/disease during the first year after KTx. The results of our study emphasize the clinical importance of the MICA/NKG2D axis in CMV control in KTx and point out that the potential MICA transcription in the donor allograft is of clinically relevant importance for CMV immune control in this allogeneic situation. Furthermore, they provide substantial evidence that the donor MICA rs2596538 G allele carrier status is a promising genetic marker predicting CMV viremia after KTx. Thus, in the kidney transplant setting, donor MICA rs2596538 G may help to allow the future development of personal CMV approaches within a genetically predisposed patient cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Rohn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rafael Tomoya Michita
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Esther Schwich
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dolff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anja Gäckler
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mirko Trilling
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Benjamin Wilde
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Johannes Korth
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Falko M Heinemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Peter A Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Kribben
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Vera Rebmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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45
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Stojanovic A, Correia MP, Cerwenka A. The NKG2D/NKG2DL Axis in the Crosstalk Between Lymphoid and Myeloid Cells in Health and Disease. Front Immunol 2018; 9:827. [PMID: 29740438 PMCID: PMC5924773 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) receptor is a type II transmembrane protein expressed by both innate and adaptive immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, CD8+ T cells, invariant NKT cells, γδ T cells, and some CD4+ T cells under certain pathological conditions. NKG2D is an activating NK receptor that induces cytotoxicity and production of cytokines by effector cells and supports their proliferation and survival upon engagement with its ligands. In both innate and T cell populations, NKG2D can costimulate responses induced by other receptors, such as TCR in T cells or NKp46 in NK cells. NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are remarkably diverse. Initially, NKG2DL expression was typically attributed to stressed, infected, or transformed cells, thus signaling “dysregulated-self.” However, many reports indicated their expression under homeostatic conditions, usually in the context of cell activation and/or proliferation. Myeloid cells, including macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), are among the first cells sensing and responding to pathogens and tissue damage. By secreting a plethora of soluble mediators, by presenting antigens to T cells and by expressing costimulatory molecules, myeloid cells play vital roles in inducing and supporting responses of other immune cells in lymphoid organs and tissues. When activated, both macrophages and DCs upregulate NKG2DLs, thereby enabling them with additional mechanisms for regulating lymphocyte responses. In this review, we will focus on the expression of NKG2D by innate and adaptive lymphocytes, the regulation of NKG2DL expression on myeloid cells, and the contribution of the NKG2D/NKG2DL axis to the crosstalk of myeloid cells with NKG2D-expressing lymphocytes. In addition, we will highlight pathophysiological conditions associated with NKG2D/NKG2DL dysregulation and discuss the putative involvement of the NKG2D/NKG2DL axis in the lymphocyte/myeloid cell crosstalk in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Stojanovic
- Innate Immunity (D080), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Immunobiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Margareta P Correia
- Innate Immunity (D080), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Immunobiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Adelheid Cerwenka
- Innate Immunity (D080), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Immunobiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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46
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Kroemer G. Death, danger & immunity: Fundamental mechanisms linking pathogenic or iatrogenic cell death events to immune responses. Immunol Rev 2017; 280:5-7. [DOI: 10.1111/imr.12604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guido Kroemer
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; INSERM U1138; Paris France
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer; Paris France
- Université Paris Descartes; Paris France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms; Institut Gustave Roussy; Villejuif France
- Pôle de Biologie; Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou; AP-HP; Paris France. Department of Women's and Children's Health; Karolinska University Hospital; Karolinska Institute; Stockholm Sweden
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