1
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Shanley M, Daher M, Dou J, Li S, Basar R, Rafei H, Dede M, Gumin J, Pantaleόn Garcίa J, Nunez Cortes AK, He S, Jones CM, Acharya S, Fowlkes NW, Xiong D, Singh S, Shaim H, Hicks SC, Liu B, Jain A, Zaman MF, Miao Q, Li Y, Uprety N, Liu E, Muniz-Feliciano L, Deyter GM, Mohanty V, Zhang P, Evans SE, Shpall EJ, Lang FF, Chen K, Rezvani K. Interleukin-21 engineering enhances NK cell activity against glioblastoma via CEBPD. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:1450-1466.e11. [PMID: 39137729 PMCID: PMC11370652 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer with limited therapeutic options. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells with strong anti-tumor activity and may offer a promising treatment strategy for GBM. We compared the anti-GBM activity of NK cells engineered to express interleukin (IL)-15 or IL-21. Using multiple in vivo models, IL-21 NK cells were superior to IL-15 NK cells both in terms of safety and long-term anti-tumor activity, with locoregionally administered IL-15 NK cells proving toxic and ineffective at tumor control. IL-21 NK cells displayed a unique chromatin accessibility signature, with CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP), especially CEBPD, serving as key transcription factors regulating their enhanced function. Deletion of CEBPD resulted in loss of IL-21 NK cell potency while its overexpression increased NK cell long-term cytotoxicity and metabolic fitness. These results suggest that IL-21, through C/EBP transcription factors, drives epigenetic reprogramming of NK cells, enhancing their anti-tumor efficacy against GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra Shanley
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - May Daher
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Jinzhuang Dou
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Sufang Li
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Rafet Basar
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Hind Rafei
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Merve Dede
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Joy Gumin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Jezreel Pantaleόn Garcίa
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Ana Karen Nunez Cortes
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Shan He
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Corry M Jones
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Sunil Acharya
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Natalie W Fowlkes
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Donghai Xiong
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Sanjay Singh
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Hila Shaim
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Samantha Claire Hicks
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Abhinav Jain
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Mohammad Fayyad Zaman
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Qi Miao
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Nadima Uprety
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Enli Liu
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Luis Muniz-Feliciano
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Gary M Deyter
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Vakul Mohanty
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Patrick Zhang
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Scott E Evans
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Shpall
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Frederick F Lang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Ken Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA.
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2
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Kim AM, Zhao L, Patel TR, Bailey CJ, Bai Q, Wakefield MR, Fang Y. From bench to bedside: the past, present and future of IL-21 immunotherapy. Med Oncol 2024; 41:181. [PMID: 38900341 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02404-7] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
As immunotherapy gains momentum as a promising approach for treating several types of cancer, IL-21 has emerged as the latest discovery within the γ chain cytokine family, known for its decisive effects on innate and adaptive immunity and immunopathology. Through the modulation of immune cells, IL-21 has demonstrated significant anti-tumor effects in preclinical studies. The potential of IL-21 in cancer treatment has been explored in phase I and II clinical trials, where it has been utilized both as monotherapy and in combination with other drug agents. Further investigation, alongside larger studies, is necessary before final evaluation and application of IL-21 as immunotherapy. This review aims to summarize these pre-clinical and clinical studies and to discuss the possible future directions of IL-21 immunotherapy development. Such a study may be helpful to accelerate the process of clinical application for IL21 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin M Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA
| | - Lei Zhao
- The Department of Respiratory Medicine, The 2nd People's Hospital of Hefei and Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Tej R Patel
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Colin J Bailey
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Qian Bai
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Mark R Wakefield
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Yujiang Fang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA.
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3
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Moinuddin A, Poznanski SM, Portillo AL, Monteiro JK, Ashkar AA. Metabolic adaptations determine whether natural killer cells fail or thrive within the tumor microenvironment. Immunol Rev 2024; 323:19-39. [PMID: 38459782 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are a top contender in the development of adoptive cell therapies for cancer due to their diverse antitumor functions and ability to restrict their activation against nonmalignant cells. Despite their success in hematologic malignancies, NK cell-based therapies have been limited in the context of solid tumors. Tumor cells undergo various metabolic adaptations to sustain the immense energy demands that are needed to support their rapid and uncontrolled proliferation. As a result, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is depleted of nutrients needed to fuel immune cell activity and contains several immunosuppressive metabolites that hinder NK cell antitumor functions. Further, we now know that NK cell metabolic status is a main determining factor of their effector functions. Hence, the ability of NK cells to withstand and adapt to these metabolically hostile conditions is imperative for effective and sustained antitumor activity in the TME. With this in mind, we review the consequences of metabolic hostility in the TME on NK cell metabolism and function. We also discuss tumor-like metabolic programs in NK cell induced by STAT3-mediated expansion that adapt NK cells to thrive in the TME. Finally, we examine how other approaches can be applied to enhance NK cell metabolism in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Moinuddin
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sophie M Poznanski
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ana L Portillo
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan K Monteiro
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ali A Ashkar
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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4
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Isvoranu G, Chiritoiu-Butnaru M. Therapeutic potential of interleukin-21 in cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1369743. [PMID: 38638431 PMCID: PMC11024325 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1369743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is an immunostimulatory cytokine which belongs to the common gamma-chain family of cytokines. It plays an import role in the development, differentiation, proliferation, and activation of immune cells, in particular T and natural killer (NK) cells. Since its discovery in 2000, IL-21 has been shown to regulate both adaptive and immune responses associates with key role in antiviral and antitumor responses. Recent advances indicate IL-21 as a promising target for cancer treatment and encouraging results were obtained in preclinical studies which investigated the potency of IL-21 alone or in combination with other therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitory molecules, oncolytic virotherapy, and adoptive cell transfer. Furthermore, IL-21 showed antitumor effects in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer, with minimal side effects in several clinical trials. In the present review, we will outline the recent progress in IL-21 research, highlighting the potential of IL-21 based therapy as single agent or in combination with other drugs to enhance cancer treatment efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gheorghita Isvoranu
- Department of Animal Husbandry,” Victor Babeș” National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marioara Chiritoiu-Butnaru
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
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5
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de Lima JF, Teixeira FME, Ramos YÁL, de Carvalho GC, Castelo Branco ACC, Pereira NV, Sotto MN, Aoki V, Sato MN, Orfali RL. Outlining the skin-homing and circulating CLA +NK cells in patients with severe atopic dermatitis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2663. [PMID: 38302650 PMCID: PMC10834414 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53224-8] [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: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex, multifactorial skin disease, characterized by pruritus and predominant Th2 inflammation. Innate immune cells may play a role in AD development and are composed of granulocytes, macrophages, innate-like T cells, and innate lymphoid cells. This study investigates the phenotypic and functional profile of circulating CLA+ natural killer (NK) cells and its role in the skin-homing to NK cells infiltrated in adults' skin with AD. We selected 44 AD patients and 27 non-AD volunteers for the study. The results showed increased frequencies of both CLA+CD56bright and CLA+CD56dim NK cell populations in the peripheral blood, mainly in severe AD patients. Upon SEB stimulation, we observed an augmented percentage of CLA+CD56dim NK cells expressing CD107a, IFN-γ, IL-10, and TNF, reinforcing the role of staphylococcal enterotoxins in AD pathogenesis. Additionally, we demonstrated increased dermal expression of both NK cell markers NCAM-1/CD56 and pan-granzyme, corroborating the skin-homing, mostly in severe AD. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the potential role of NK cells in the chronification of the inflammatory process in AD skin, as well as their possible relationship with staphylococcal enterotoxins, and as practicable therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josenilson Feitosa de Lima
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies (LIM-56), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, 3o. andar ICHC, Sala 3016, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo, SP, 05403-002, Brazil
| | - Franciane Mouradian Emidio Teixeira
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies (LIM-56), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, 3o. andar ICHC, Sala 3016, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo, SP, 05403-002, Brazil
| | - Yasmim Álefe Leuzzi Ramos
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies (LIM-56), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, 3o. andar ICHC, Sala 3016, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo, SP, 05403-002, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Costa de Carvalho
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies (LIM-56), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, 3o. andar ICHC, Sala 3016, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo, SP, 05403-002, Brazil
| | - Anna Claudia Calvielli Castelo Branco
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies (LIM-56), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, 3o. andar ICHC, Sala 3016, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo, SP, 05403-002, Brazil
| | - Naiura Vieira Pereira
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies (LIM-56), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, 3o. andar ICHC, Sala 3016, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo, SP, 05403-002, Brazil
| | - Mírian Nacagami Sotto
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies (LIM-56), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, 3o. andar ICHC, Sala 3016, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo, SP, 05403-002, Brazil
| | - Valéria Aoki
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies (LIM-56), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, 3o. andar ICHC, Sala 3016, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo, SP, 05403-002, Brazil
| | - Maria Notomi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies (LIM-56), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, 3o. andar ICHC, Sala 3016, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo, SP, 05403-002, Brazil
| | - Raquel Leao Orfali
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies (LIM-56), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, 3o. andar ICHC, Sala 3016, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo, SP, 05403-002, Brazil.
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6
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Wu WC, Shiu C, Tong TK, Leung SO, Hui CW. Suppression of NK Cell Activation by JAK3 Inhibition: Implication in the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases. J Immunol Res 2023; 2023:8924603. [PMID: 38106519 PMCID: PMC10723930 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8924603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell is an essential cytotoxic lymphocyte in our innate immunity. Activation of NK cells is of paramount importance in defending against pathogens, suppressing autoantibody production and regulating other immune cells. Common gamma chain (γc) cytokines, including IL-2, IL-15, and IL-21, are defined as essential regulators for NK cell homeostasis and development. However, it is inconclusive whether γc cytokine-driven NK cell activation plays a protective or pathogenic role in the development of autoimmunity. In this study, we investigate and correlate the differential effects of γc cytokines in NK cell expansion and activation. IL-2 and IL-15 are mainly responsible for NK cell activation, while IL-21 preferentially stimulates NK cell proliferation. Blockade of Janus tyrosine kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway by either JAK inhibitors or antibodies targeting γc receptor subunits reverses the γc cytokine-induced NK cell activation, leading to suppression of its autoimmunity-like phenotype in vitro. These results underline the mechanisms of how γc cytokines trigger autoimmune phenotype in NK cells as a potential target to autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Chung Wu
- SinoMab BioScience Limited, Units 303 and 305 to 307, No. 15 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Carol Shiu
- SinoMab BioScience Limited, Units 303 and 305 to 307, No. 15 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Tak Keung Tong
- SinoMab BioScience Limited, Units 303 and 305 to 307, No. 15 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Shui On Leung
- SinoMab BioScience Limited, Units 303 and 305 to 307, No. 15 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Chin Wai Hui
- SinoMab BioScience Limited, Units 303 and 305 to 307, No. 15 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong
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7
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Qu H, Liu X, Jiang T, Huang G, Cai H, Xing D, Mao Y, Zheng X. Integration analysis using bioinformatics and experimental validation on the clinical and biological significance of TSLP in cancers. Cell Signal 2023; 111:110874. [PMID: 37640192 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110874] [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: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has significantly impacted the development and progression of various neoplastic disorders. To comprehensively evaluate the diverse significance of TSLP in malignant tumors, we first integrative analyze the TSLP expression level in paired and unpaired pan-cancer tissue and cell line, compared against the normal tissue. The correlation between TSLP expression, molecular subtypes, immune subtypes, diagnostic value, and prognostic value in pan-cancer was also investigated. We then explored the impact of TSLP expression on multifaced immune cell infiltration and subsequent clinical outcomes in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. and conducted cellular experiments to functionally examine the effect of TSLP on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, and invasion in LUAD. The anti-neoplastic mechanism of TSLP was further investigated by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Our findings reveal that TSLP expression is abnormally low in various cancers compared to normal tissue and is associated with different molecular and immune subtypes of cancers. Moreover, ROC and survival analysis results suggest that TSLP expression is correlated with the diagnostic, prognostic, clinical features, and immune cells of LUAD patients. Cell experiments showed that overexpression of TSLP elicited a significant reduction in LUAD cell viability, promoted cell apoptosis, impeded cell cycle progression in the G2/M phase, and inhibited cell migration and invasion. In addition, TSLP inhibited LUAD progression through the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway. Therefore, targeting TSLP shows potential as a therapeutic strategy for pan-cancer, particularly for LUAD, and as a biomarker for predicting the prognosis of this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglin Qu
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xinning Liu
- Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University (Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Qingdao 266033, Shandong, PR China
| | - Ting Jiang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong, PR China; Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University (Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Qingdao 266033, Shandong, PR China
| | - Guodong Huang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong, PR China
| | - Houhao Cai
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong, PR China
| | - Daijun Xing
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong, PR China
| | - Yuecheng Mao
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong, PR China; Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University (Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Qingdao 266033, Shandong, PR China.
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8
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Parodi M, Astigiano S, Carrega P, Pietra G, Vitale C, Damele L, Grottoli M, Guevara Lopez MDLL, Ferracini R, Bertolini G, Roato I, Vitale M, Orecchia P. Murine models to study human NK cells in human solid tumors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1209237. [PMID: 37388731 PMCID: PMC10301748 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1209237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the first studies, the mouse models have provided crucial support for the most important discoveries on NK cells, on their development, function, and circulation within normal and tumor tissues. Murine tumor models were initially set to study murine NK cells, then, ever more sophisticated human-in-mice models have been developed to investigate the behavior of human NK cells and minimize the interferences from the murine environment. This review presents an overview of the models that have been used along time to study NK cells, focusing on the most popular NOG and NSG models, which work as recipients for the preparation of human-in-mice tumor models, the study of transferred human NK cells, and the evaluation of various enhancers of human NK cell function, including cytokines and chimeric molecules. Finally, an overview of the next generation humanized mice is also provided along with a discussion on how traditional and innovative in-vivo and in-vitro approaches could be integrated to optimize effective pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Parodi
- Unità Operativa UO Patologia e Immunologia Sperimentale, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Simonetta Astigiano
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Carrega
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biotherapy, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- Unità Operativa UO Patologia e Immunologia Sperimentale, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Vitale
- Unità Operativa UO Patologia e Immunologia Sperimentale, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Laura Damele
- Unità Operativa UO Patologia e Immunologia Sperimentale, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Melania Grottoli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Ferracini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Bone and Dental Bioengineering Laboratory, C.I.R Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Department of Surgical Sciences (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giulia Bertolini
- “Epigenomics and Biomarkers of Solid Tumors”, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Roato
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Bone and Dental Bioengineering Laboratory, C.I.R Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimo Vitale
- Unità Operativa UO Patologia e Immunologia Sperimentale, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Orecchia
- Unità Operativa UO Patologia e Immunologia Sperimentale, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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9
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Lizana-Vasquez GD, Torres-Lugo M, Dixon R, Powderly JD, Warin RF. The application of autologous cancer immunotherapies in the age of memory-NK cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1167666. [PMID: 37205105 PMCID: PMC10185894 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1167666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy has revolutionized the oncology field, yielding improved results against hematological and solid malignancies. NK cells have become an attractive alternative due to their capacity to activate upon recognition of "stress" or "danger" signals independently of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) engagement, thus making tumor cells a perfect target for NK cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy even as an allogeneic solution. While this allogeneic use is currently favored, the existence of a characterized memory function for NK cells ("memory-like" NK cells) advocates for an autologous approach, that would benefit from the allogeneic setting discoveries, but with added persistence and specificity. Still, both approaches struggle to exert a sustained and high anticancer effect in-vivo due to the immunosuppressive tumor micro-environment and the logistical challenges of cGMP production or clinical deployment. Novel approaches focused on the quality enhancement and the consistent large-scale production of highly activated therapeutic memory-like NK cells have yielded encouraging but still unconclusive results. This review provides an overview of NK biology as it relates to cancer immunotherapy and the challenge presented by solid tumors for therapeutic NKs. After contrasting the autologous and allogeneic NK approaches for solid cancer immunotherapy, this work will present the current scientific focus for the production of highly persistent and cytotoxic memory-like NK cells as well as the current issues with production methods as they apply to stress-sensitive immune cells. In conclusion, autologous NK cells for cancer immunotherapy appears to be a prime alternative for front line therapeutics but to be successful, it will be critical to establish comprehensives infrastructures allowing the production of extremely potent NK cells while constraining costs of production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaby D. Lizana-Vasquez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
- Cancer Research Clinic, Carolina BioOncology Institute (CBOI), Huntersville, NC, United States
| | - Madeline Torres-Lugo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
| | - R. Brent Dixon
- Cancer Research Clinic, Carolina BioOncology Institute (CBOI), Huntersville, NC, United States
- Human Applications Lab (HAL) - BioCytics, Huntersville, NC, United States
| | - John D. Powderly
- Cancer Research Clinic, Carolina BioOncology Institute (CBOI), Huntersville, NC, United States
- Human Applications Lab (HAL) - BioCytics, Huntersville, NC, United States
| | - Renaud F. Warin
- Cancer Research Clinic, Carolina BioOncology Institute (CBOI), Huntersville, NC, United States
- Human Applications Lab (HAL) - BioCytics, Huntersville, NC, United States
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10
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Witalisz-Siepracka A, Klein K, Zdársky B, Stoiber D. The Multifaceted Role of STAT3 in NK-Cell Tumor Surveillance. Front Immunol 2022; 13:947568. [PMID: 35865518 PMCID: PMC9294167 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.947568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a member of the Janus kinase (JAK)-STAT pathway, which is one of the key pathways contributing to cancer. STAT3 regulates transcription downstream of many cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. In cancer, STAT3 is mainly described as a tumor promoter driving tumor cell proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis and aberrant activation of STAT3 is associated with poor prognosis. STAT3 is also an important driver of immune evasion. Among many other immunosuppressive mechanisms, STAT3 aids tumor cells to escape natural killer (NK) cell-mediated immune surveillance. NK cells are innate lymphocytes, which can directly kill malignant cells but also regulate adaptive immune responses and contribute to the composition of the tumor microenvironment. The inborn ability to lyse transformed cells renders NK cells an attractive tool for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we provide an overview of the role of STAT3 in the dynamic interplay between NK cells and tumor cells. On the one hand, we summarize the current knowledge on how tumor cell-intrinsic STAT3 drives the evasion from NK cells. On the other hand, we describe the multiple functions of STAT3 in regulating NK-cell cytotoxicity, cytokine production and their anti-tumor responses in vivo. In light of the ongoing research on STAT3 inhibitors, we also discuss how targeting STAT3 would affect the two arms of STAT3-dependent regulation of NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Understanding the complexity of this interplay in the tumor microenvironment is crucial for future implementation of NK cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Witalisz-Siepracka
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Division Pharmacology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Klara Klein
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Zdársky
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Division Pharmacology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Dagmar Stoiber
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Division Pharmacology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
- *Correspondence: Dagmar Stoiber,
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11
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Heipertz EL, Zynda ER, Stav-Noraas TE, Hungler AD, Boucher SE, Kaur N, Vemuri MC. Current Perspectives on "Off-The-Shelf" Allogeneic NK and CAR-NK Cell Therapies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:732135. [PMID: 34925314 PMCID: PMC8671166 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.732135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells (NK cells) are the first line of the innate immune defense system, primarily located in peripheral circulation and lymphoid tissues. They kill virally infected and malignant cells through a balancing play of inhibitory and stimulatory receptors. In pre-clinical investigational studies, NK cells show promising anti-tumor effects and are used in adoptive transfer of activated and expanded cells, ex-vivo. NK cells express co-stimulatory molecules that are attractive targets for the immunotherapy of cancers. Recent clinical trials are investigating the use of CAR-NK for different cancers to determine the efficiency. Herein, we review NK cell therapy approaches (NK cell preparation from tissue sources, ways of expansion ex-vivo for "off-the-shelf" allogeneic cell-doses for therapies, and how different vector delivery systems are used to engineer NK cells with CARs) for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica L. Heipertz
- Cell & Gene Therapy, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Evan R. Zynda
- BioProduction, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Grand Island, NY, United States
| | | | - Andrew D. Hungler
- Cell & Gene Therapy, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Shayne E. Boucher
- Cell & Gene Therapy, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Navjot Kaur
- Cell & Gene Therapy, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Mohan C. Vemuri
- Cell & Gene Therapy, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Frederick, MD, United States
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12
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Zhang L, Liu M, Yang S, Wang J, Feng X, Han Z. Natural killer cells: of-the-shelf cytotherapy for cancer immunosurveillance. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:1770-1791. [PMID: 33948388 PMCID: PMC8085843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are advantaged innate cytotoxic lymphocytes with characteristics of tumor immunosurveillance and microorganism elimination. Distinguish from the adaptive T and B lymphocytes, the autologous or allogeneic NK cells efficaciously fulfil the function of combating transformed hematological malignancies and metastatic solid tumors via the proverbial mechanisms including direct cytolytic effect and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) as well as paracrine effects dispense with antigen presentation. Herein, we review the candidate sources (e.g., peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, placental blood, cell lines and stem cells) for large-scale and clinical-grade NK cell manufacturing, ex vivo cultivation (feeder-, cytokine cocktail- or physicochemical irritation-dependent strategies) for NK cell persistence and activation. Furthermore, we also figure out the promising prospects as well as the accompanied challenges of NK cell- or chimeric antigen receptor-transduced NK (CAR-NK) cell-based adoptive immunotherapy in standardizations for industrialized preparation and clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leisheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & National Clinical Research Center for Blood Disease, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjin 300020, China
- School of Medicine, Nankai UniversityTianjin 300071, China
- Precision Medicine Division, Health-Biotech (Tianjin) Stem Cell Research Institute Co., Ltd.Tianjin 301700, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical UniversityJinan 250014, China
- Jiangxi Research Center of Stem Cell Engineering, Jiangxi Health-Biotech Stem Cell Technology Co., Ltd.Shangrao 334000, China
| | - Min Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & National Clinical Research Center for Blood Disease, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjin 300020, China
| | - Sijun Yang
- School of Medicine, Nankai UniversityTianjin 300071, China
- Jiangxi Research Center of Stem Cell Engineering, Jiangxi Health-Biotech Stem Cell Technology Co., Ltd.Shangrao 334000, China
| | - Jialun Wang
- Jiangxi Research Center of Stem Cell Engineering, Jiangxi Health-Biotech Stem Cell Technology Co., Ltd.Shangrao 334000, China
| | - Xiaoming Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & National Clinical Research Center for Blood Disease, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjin 300020, China
| | - Zhongchao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & National Clinical Research Center for Blood Disease, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjin 300020, China
- Precision Medicine Division, Health-Biotech (Tianjin) Stem Cell Research Institute Co., Ltd.Tianjin 301700, China
- Jiangxi Research Center of Stem Cell Engineering, Jiangxi Health-Biotech Stem Cell Technology Co., Ltd.Shangrao 334000, China
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13
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Bremner A, Kim S, Morris KM, Nolan MJ, Borowska D, Wu Z, Tomley F, Blake DP, Hawken R, Kaiser P, Vervelde L. Kinetics of the Cellular and Transcriptomic Response to Eimeria maxima in Relatively Resistant and Susceptible Chicken Lines. Front Immunol 2021; 12:653085. [PMID: 33841436 PMCID: PMC8027475 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.653085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Eimeria maxima is a common cause of coccidiosis in chickens, a disease that has a huge economic impact on poultry production. Knowledge of immunity to E. maxima and the specific mechanisms that contribute to differing levels of resistance observed between chicken breeds and between congenic lines derived from a single breed of chickens is required. This study aimed to define differences in the kinetics of the immune response of two inbred lines of White Leghorn chickens that exhibit differential resistance (line C.B12) or susceptibility (line 15I) to infection by E. maxima. Line C.B12 and 15I chickens were infected with E. maxima and transcriptome analysis of jejunal tissue was performed at 2, 4, 6 and 8 days post-infection (dpi). RNA-Seq analysis revealed differences in the rapidity and magnitude of cytokine transcription responses post-infection between the two lines. In particular, IFN-γ and IL-10 transcript expression increased in the jejunum earlier in line C.B12 (at 4 dpi) compared to line 15I (at 6 dpi). Line C.B12 chickens exhibited increases of IFNG and IL10 mRNA in the jejunum at 4 dpi, whereas in line 15I transcription was delayed but increased to a greater extent. RT-qPCR and ELISAs confirmed the results of the transcriptomic study. Higher serum IL-10 correlated strongly with higher E. maxima replication in line 15I compared to line C.B12 chickens. Overall, the findings suggest early induction of the IFN-γ and IL-10 responses, as well as immune-related genes including IL21 at 4 dpi identified by RNA-Seq, may be key to resistance to E. maxima.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abi Bremner
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom
| | - Sungwon Kim
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom.,Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Katrina M Morris
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew John Nolan
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Dominika Borowska
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom
| | - Zhiguang Wu
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Tomley
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Damer P Blake
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Hawken
- Cobb-Vantress Inc., Siloam Springs, AR, United States
| | - Pete Kaiser
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom
| | - Lonneke Vervelde
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom
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14
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Hetze S, Sure U, Schedlowski M, Hadamitzky M, Barthel L. Rodent Models to Analyze the Glioma Microenvironment. ASN Neuro 2021; 13:17590914211005074. [PMID: 33874781 PMCID: PMC8060738 DOI: 10.1177/17590914211005074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models are still indispensable for understanding the basic principles of glioma development and invasion. Preclinical approaches aim to analyze the treatment efficacy of new drugs before translation into clinical trials is possible. Various animal disease models are available, but not every approach is useful for addressing specific questions. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that the tumor microenvironment plays a key role in the nature of glioma. In addition to providing an overview, this review evaluates available rodent models in terms of usability for research on the glioma microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann Hetze
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of
Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral
Immunobiology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Sure
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of
Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Manfred Schedlowski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral
Immunobiology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Osher Center for
Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Hadamitzky
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral
Immunobiology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lennart Barthel
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of
Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral
Immunobiology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
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15
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Transcriptional Regulation of Natural Killer Cell Development and Functions. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061591. [PMID: 32560225 PMCID: PMC7352776 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are the major lymphocyte subset of the innate immune system. Their ability to mediate anti-tumor cytotoxicity and produce cytokines is well-established. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with the development of human or murine NK cells are not fully understood. Knowledge is being gained about the environmental cues, the receptors that sense the cues, signaling pathways, and the transcriptional programs responsible for the development of NK cells. Specifically, a complex network of transcription factors (TFs) following microenvironmental stimuli coordinate the development and maturation of NK cells. Multiple TFs are involved in the development of NK cells in a stage-specific manner. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the understandings of TFs involved in the regulation of NK cell development, maturation, and effector function, in the aspects of their mechanisms, potential targets, and functions.
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16
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Zamai L, Del Zotto G, Buccella F, Gabrielli S, Canonico B, Artico M, Ortolani C, Papa S. Understanding the Synergy of NKp46 and Co-Activating Signals in Various NK Cell Subpopulations: Paving the Way for More Successful NK-Cell-Based Immunotherapy. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030753. [PMID: 32204481 PMCID: PMC7140651 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The NK cell population is characterized by distinct NK cell subsets that respond differently to the various activating stimuli. For this reason, the determination of the optimal cytotoxic activation of the different NK cell subsets can be a crucial aspect to be exploited to counter cancer cells in oncologic patients. To evaluate how the triggering of different combination of activating receptors can affect the cytotoxic responses of different NK cell subsets, we developed a microbead-based degranulation assay. By using this new assay, we were able to detect CD107a+ degranulating NK cells even within the less cytotoxic subsets (i.e., resting CD56bright and unlicensed CD56dim NK cells), thus demonstrating its high sensitivity. Interestingly, signals delivered by the co-engagement of NKp46 with 2B4, but not with CD2 or DNAM-1, strongly cooperate to enhance degranulation on both licensed and unlicensed CD56dim NK cells. Of note, 2B4 is known to bind CD48 hematopoietic antigen, therefore this observation may provide the rationale why CD56dim subset expansion correlates with successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation mediated by alloreactive NK cells against host T, DC and leukemic cells, while sparing host non-hematopoietic tissues and graft versus host disease. The assay further confirms that activation of LFA-1 on NK cells leads to their granule polarization, even if, in some cases, this also takes to an inhibition of NK cell degranulation, suggesting that LFA-1 engagement by ICAMs on target cells may differently affect NK cell response. Finally, we observed that NK cells undergo a time-dependent spontaneous (cytokine-independent) activation after blood withdrawal, an aspect that may strongly bias the evaluation of the resting NK cell response. Altogether our data may pave the way to develop new NK cell activation and expansion strategies that target the highly cytotoxic CD56dim NK cells and can be feasible and useful for cancer and viral infection treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loris Zamai
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, 61032 Urbino, Italy
- INFN-Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Assergi, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0722-304319; Fax: +39-0722-304319
| | - Genny Del Zotto
- Area Aggregazione Servizi e Laboratori Diagnostici, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Flavia Buccella
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, 61032 Urbino, Italy
| | - Sara Gabrielli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, 61032 Urbino, Italy
| | - Barbara Canonico
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, 61032 Urbino, Italy
| | - Marco Artico
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Ortolani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, 61032 Urbino, Italy
| | - Stefano Papa
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, 61032 Urbino, Italy
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17
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Zamai L, Del Zotto G, Buccella F, Gabrielli S, Canonico B, Artico M, Ortolani C, Papa S. Understanding the Synergy of NKp46 and Co-Activating Signals in Various NK Cell Subpopulations: Paving the Way for More Successful NK-Cell-Based Immunotherapy. Cells 2020. [PMID: 32204481 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030753.pmid:32204481;pmcid:pmc7140651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The NK cell population is characterized by distinct NK cell subsets that respond differently to the various activating stimuli. For this reason, the determination of the optimal cytotoxic activation of the different NK cell subsets can be a crucial aspect to be exploited to counter cancer cells in oncologic patients. To evaluate how the triggering of different combination of activating receptors can affect the cytotoxic responses of different NK cell subsets, we developed a microbead-based degranulation assay. By using this new assay, we were able to detect CD107a+ degranulating NK cells even within the less cytotoxic subsets (i.e., resting CD56bright and unlicensed CD56dim NK cells), thus demonstrating its high sensitivity. Interestingly, signals delivered by the co-engagement of NKp46 with 2B4, but not with CD2 or DNAM-1, strongly cooperate to enhance degranulation on both licensed and unlicensed CD56dim NK cells. Of note, 2B4 is known to bind CD48 hematopoietic antigen, therefore this observation may provide the rationale why CD56dim subset expansion correlates with successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation mediated by alloreactive NK cells against host T, DC and leukemic cells, while sparing host non-hematopoietic tissues and graft versus host disease. The assay further confirms that activation of LFA-1 on NK cells leads to their granule polarization, even if, in some cases, this also takes to an inhibition of NK cell degranulation, suggesting that LFA-1 engagement by ICAMs on target cells may differently affect NK cell response. Finally, we observed that NK cells undergo a time-dependent spontaneous (cytokine-independent) activation after blood withdrawal, an aspect that may strongly bias the evaluation of the resting NK cell response. Altogether our data may pave the way to develop new NK cell activation and expansion strategies that target the highly cytotoxic CD56dim NK cells and can be feasible and useful for cancer and viral infection treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loris Zamai
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", 61032 Urbino, Italy
- INFN-Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Assergi, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Genny Del Zotto
- Area Aggregazione Servizi e Laboratori Diagnostici, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Flavia Buccella
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", 61032 Urbino, Italy
| | - Sara Gabrielli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", 61032 Urbino, Italy
| | - Barbara Canonico
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", 61032 Urbino, Italy
| | - Marco Artico
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Ortolani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", 61032 Urbino, Italy
| | - Stefano Papa
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", 61032 Urbino, Italy
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18
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Gotthardt D, Trifinopoulos J, Sexl V, Putz EM. JAK/STAT Cytokine Signaling at the Crossroad of NK Cell Development and Maturation. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2590. [PMID: 31781102 PMCID: PMC6861185 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes of the innate immune system and play a critical role in anti-viral and anti-tumor responses. NK cells develop in the bone marrow from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that differentiate through common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) to NK lineage-restricted progenitors (NKPs). The orchestrated action of multiple cytokines is crucial for NK cell development and maturation. Many of these cytokines such as IL-2, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-21, IL-27, and interferons (IFNs) signal via the Janus Kinase / Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway. We here review the current knowledge about these cytokines and the downstream signaling involved in the development and maturation of conventional NK cells and their close relatives, innate lymphoid cells type 1 (ILC1). We further discuss the role of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins in NK cells and highlight their potential for therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Gotthardt
- Department for Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jana Trifinopoulos
- Department for Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Sexl
- Department for Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Maria Putz
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
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19
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Lee DA. Cellular therapy: Adoptive immunotherapy with expanded natural killer cells. Immunol Rev 2019; 290:85-99. [DOI: 10.1111/imr.12793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dean A. Lee
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio
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20
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Freund-Brown J, Chirino L, Kambayashi T. Strategies to enhance NK cell function for the treatment of tumors and infections. Crit Rev Immunol 2019; 38:105-130. [PMID: 29953390 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2018025248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells equipped with the ability to rapidly kill stressed cells that are neoplastic or virally infected. These cells are especially important in settings where these stressed cells downregulate MHC class I molecules and evade recognition by cytotoxic T cells. However, the activity of NK cells alone is often suboptimal to fully control tumor growth or to clear viral infections. Thus, the enhancement of NK cell function is necessary to fully harness their antitumor or antiviral potential. In this review, we discuss how NK cell function can be augmented by the modulation of signal transduction pathways, by the manipulation of inhibitory/activating receptors on NK cells, and by cytokine-induced activation. We also discuss how some of these strategies are currently impacting NK cells in the treatment of cancer and infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn Freund-Brown
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Leilani Chirino
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Taku Kambayashi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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21
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Oberschmidt O, Morgan M, Huppert V, Kessler J, Gardlowski T, Matthies N, Aleksandrova K, Arseniev L, Schambach A, Koehl U, Kloess S. Development of Automated Separation, Expansion, and Quality Control Protocols for Clinical-Scale Manufacturing of Primary Human NK Cells and Alpharetroviral Chimeric Antigen Receptor Engineering. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2019; 30:102-120. [PMID: 30997855 PMCID: PMC6590729 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2019.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In cellular immunotherapies, natural killer (NK) cells often demonstrate potent antitumor effects in high-risk cancer patients. But Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant manufacturing of clinical-grade NK cells in high numbers for patient treatment is still a challenge. Therefore, new protocols for isolation and expansion of NK cells are required. In order to attack resistant tumor entities, NK cell killing can be improved by genetic engineering using alpharetroviral vectors that encode for chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). The aim of this work was to demonstrate GMP-grade manufacturing of NK cells using the CliniMACS® Prodigy device (Prodigy) with implemented applicable quality controls. Additionally, the study aimed to define the best time point to transduce expanding NK cells with alpharetroviral CAR vectors. Manufacturing and clinical-scale expansion of primary human NK cells were performed with the Prodigy starting with 8-15.0 × 109 leukocytes (including 1.1–2.3 × 109 NK cells) collected by small-scale lymphapheresis (n = 3). Positive fraction after immunoselection, in-process controls (IPCs), and end product were quantified by flow cytometric no-wash, single-platform assessment, and gating strategy using positive (CD56/CD16/CD45), negative (CD14/CD19/CD3), and dead cell (7-aminoactinomycine [7-AAD]) discriminators. The three runs on the fully integrated manufacturing platform included immunomagnetic separation (CD3 depletion/CD56 enrichment) followed by NK cell expansion over 14 days. This process led to high NK cell purities (median 99.1%) and adequate NK cell viabilities (median 86.9%) and achieved a median CD3+ cell depletion of log −3.6 after CD3 depletion and log −3.7 after immunomagnetic CD3 depletion and consecutive CD56 selection. Subsequent cultivation of separated NK cells in the CentriCult® chamber of Prodigy resulted in approximately 4.2–8.5-fold NK cell expansion rates by adding of NK MACS® basal medium containing NK MACS® supplement, interleukin (IL)-2/IL-15 and initial IL-21. NK cells expanded for 14 days revealed higher expression of natural cytotoxicity receptors (NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, and NKG2D) and degranulation/apoptotic markers and stronger cytolytic properties against K562 compared to non-activated NK cells before automated cultivation. Moreover, expanded NK cells had robust growth and killing activities even after cryopreservation. As a crucial result, it was possible to determine the appropriate time period for optimal CAR transduction of cultivated NK cells between days 8 and 14, with the highest anti-CD123 CAR expression levels on day 14. The anti-CD123 CAR NK cells showed retargeted killing and degranulation properties against CD123-expressing KG1a target cells, while basal cytotoxicity of non-transduced NK cells was determined using the CD123-negative cell line K562. Time-lapse imaging to monitor redirected effector-to-target contacts between anti-CD123 CAR NK and KG1a showed long-term effector–target interaction. In conclusion, the integration of the clinical-scale expansion procedure in the automated and closed Prodigy system, including IPC samples and quality controls and optimal time frames for NK cell transduction with CAR vectors, was established on 48-well plates and resulted in a standardized GMP-compliant overall process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Oberschmidt
- 1 Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, ATMP-GMP Development Unit, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Morgan
- 2 Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,3 REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | - Tanja Gardlowski
- 6 Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nadine Matthies
- 1 Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, ATMP-GMP Development Unit, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Krasimira Aleksandrova
- 7 Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, Cellular Therapy Centre, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lubomir Arseniev
- 7 Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, Cellular Therapy Centre, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- 2 Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,3 REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,8 Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- 1 Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, ATMP-GMP Development Unit, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,6 Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany.,9 Institute of Clinical Immunology, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Kloess
- 1 Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, ATMP-GMP Development Unit, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,6 Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
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22
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Di Vito C, Mikulak J, Zaghi E, Pesce S, Marcenaro E, Mavilio D. NK cells to cure cancer. Semin Immunol 2019; 41:101272. [PMID: 31085114 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes able to mediate immune-surveillance and clearance of viral infected and tumor-transformed cells. Growing experimental and clinical evidence highlighted a dual role of NK cells either in the control of cancer development/progression or in promoting the onset of immune-suppressant tumor microenvironments. Indeed, several mechanisms of NK cell-mediated tumor escape have been described and these includes cancer-induced aberrant expression of activating and inhibitory receptors (i.e. NK cell immune checkpoints), impairments of NK cell migration to tumor sites and altered NK cell effector-functions. These phenomena highly contribute to tumor progression and metastasis formation. In this review, we discuss the latest insights on those NK cell receptors and related molecules that are currently being implemented in clinics either as possible prognostic factors or therapeutic targets to unleash NK cell anti-tumor effector-functions in vivo. Moreover, we address here the major recent advances in regard to the genetic modification and ex vivo expansion of anti-tumor specific NK cells used in innovative adoptive cellular transfer approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Joanna Mikulak
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Zaghi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Italy.
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23
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Kim SH, Park SY, Lim MC, Lee ES, Lee EG, Han SE, Kim YH, Kwon BS, Choi BK. Delayed IL-21 treatment preferentially expands peptide-specific CD8 + T cells by reducing bystander activation of T cells. Immunotherapy 2019; 11:497-513. [PMID: 30760061 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2018-0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM We previously reported a simple and practical procedure to generate peptide-specific CD8+ T cells using peptide and IL-2, which is applied to produce human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-specific CD8+ T cells for clinical use. We have modified the procedure to enhance the amplification of peptide-specific CD8+ T cells adding IL-21. MATERIALS & METHODS Using human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201-restricted cytomegalovirus/pp65-specific CD8+ T cells of healthy volunteers, we optimized the culture conditions by adjusting the dose and timing of IL-21 treatment. RESULTS & CONCLUSION By adding IL-21, we accelerated the expansion rate of cytomegalovirus/pp65-specific CD8+ T cells by reducing bystander activation of T cells. We expect that the procedure including IL-21 would improve the production rate of hTERT- and Wilms tumor 1 (WT1)-specific CD8+ T cells for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seon-Hee Kim
- Immunotherapeutics Branch, Division of Convergence Technology, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408 Korea
| | - Sang-Yoon Park
- Common Cancer Branch, Division of Clinical Research, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408 Korea.,Center for Uterine Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408 Korea
| | - Myong Cheol Lim
- Center for Uterine Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408 Korea.,Cancer Healthcare Research Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Management, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408 Korea
| | - Eun Sook Lee
- Immunotherapeutics Branch, Division of Convergence Technology, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408 Korea.,Center for Breast Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408 Korea
| | - Eun Gyeong Lee
- Center for Breast Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408 Korea
| | - Seoung-Eun Han
- Immunotherapeutics Branch, Division of Convergence Technology, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408 Korea
| | - Young-Ho Kim
- Rare Cancer Branch, Division of Clinical Research, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Korea
| | - Byoung S Kwon
- Eutilex, Co., Ltd, Suite# 1401 Daeryung Technotown 17 Gasan digital 1-ro 25, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul 08594, Korea.,Department of Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA Center for Breast Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408 Korea
| | - Beom K Choi
- Biomedicine Production Branch, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408 Korea
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24
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Recurrent Stimulation of Natural Killer Cell Clones with K562 Expressing Membrane-Bound Interleukin-21 Affects Their Phenotype, Interferon-γ Production, and Lifespan. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20020443. [PMID: 30669565 PMCID: PMC6359338 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20020443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A pattern of natural killer cell (NK cell) heterogeneity determines proliferative and functional responses to activating stimuli in individuals. Obtaining the progeny of a single cell by cloning the original population is one of the ways to study NK cell heterogeneity. In this work, we sorted single cells into a plate and stimulated them via interleukin (IL)-2 and gene-modified K562 feeder cells that expressed membrane-bound IL-21 (K562-mbIL21), which led to a generation of phenotypically confirmed and functionally active NK cell clones. Next, we applied two models of clone cultivation, which differently affected their phenotype, lifespan, and functional activity. The first model, which included weekly restimulation of clones with K562-mbIL21 and IL-2, resulted in the generation of relatively short-lived (5⁻7 weeks) clones of highly activated NK cells. Levels of human leukocyte antigen class II molecule-DR isotype (HLA-DR) expression in the expanded NK cells correlated strongly with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production. The second model, in which NK cells were restimulated weekly with IL-2 alone and once on the sixth week with K562-mbIL21 and IL-2, produced long-lived clones (8⁻14 weeks) that expanded up to 10⁷ cells with a lower ability to produce IFN-γ. Our method is applicable for studying variability in phenotype, proliferative, and functional activity of certain NK cell progeny in response to the stimulation, which may help in selecting NK cells best suited for clinical use.
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25
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Streltsova MA, Erokhina SA, Kanevskiy LM, Lee DA, Telford WG, Sapozhnikov AM, Kovalenko EI. Analysis of NK cell clones obtained using interleukin-2 and gene-modified K562 cells revealed the ability of "senescent" NK cells to lose CD57 expression and start expressing NKG2A. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208469. [PMID: 30517188 PMCID: PMC6281266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we analyzed the phenotype and growth of human NK cell clones obtained by the stimulation of individual NK cells with IL-2 and gene-modified K562 feeder cells expressing membrane-bound IL-21 (K562-mbIL21). We generated clones from NK cells at distinct differentiation and activation stages, determined by CD56, CD57 and HLA-DR expression levels. Less differentiated CD56bright NK cell subsets showed higher cloning efficiency compared with more differentiated CD56dim subsets, especially with the CD57bright subset. However, clones from the CD56dimCD57– subset lived longer on average than other subsets. Moreover, several clones with the highest cell numbers were derived from CD56dimCD57–HLA-DR−cells. Most of the clones including those derived from more differentiated CD56dimCD57+/–NKG2A– NK cells showed a less-differentiated NKG2A+ phenotype. Also, CD57– cells were frequently observed in clones derived from CD57+ NK cells suggesting the loss of CD57 during the cloning process. On the other hand, KIR surface expression once detected for a clone never disappeared entirely, confirming irreversibility of the KIR expression. In summary, we have demonstrated that in specific conditions terminally differentiated CD57+ human NK cells are able to acquire the CD57– phenotype that was previously not observed and, thus, was considered impossible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Streltsova
- Laboratory of Cell Interactions, Department of Immunology, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Sofya A Erokhina
- Laboratory of Cell Interactions, Department of Immunology, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Leonid M Kanevskiy
- Laboratory of Cell Interactions, Department of Immunology, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Dean A Lee
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - William G Telford
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Alexander M Sapozhnikov
- Laboratory of Cell Interactions, Department of Immunology, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Elena I Kovalenko
- Laboratory of Cell Interactions, Department of Immunology, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russian Federation
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26
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Cytokine-Modulated Natural Killer Cells Differentially Regulate the Activity of the Hepatitis C Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19092771. [PMID: 30223493 PMCID: PMC6163477 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
HCV genotype 2a strain JFH-1 replicates and produces viral particles efficiently in human hepatocellular carcinoma (huh) 7.5 cells, which provide a stable in vitro cell infection system for the hepatitis C virus (HCVcc system). Natural killer (NK) cells are large lymphoid cells that recognize and kill virus-infected cells. In this study, we investigated the interaction between NK cells and the HCVcc system. IL-10 is a typical immune regulatory cytokine that is produced mostly by NK cells and macrophages. IL-21 is one of the main cytokines that stimulate the activation of NK cells. First, we used anti-IL-10 to neutralize IL-10 in a coculture of NK cells and HCVcc. Anti-IL-10 treatment increased the maturation of NK cells by enhancing the frequency of the CD56+dim population in NK-92 cells. However, with anti-IL-10 treatment of NK cells in coculture with J6/JFH-1-huh 7.5 cells, there was a significant decrease in the expression of STAT1 and STAT5 proteins in NK-92 cells and an increase in the HCV Core and NS3 proteins. In addition, rIL-21 treatment increased the frequency of the CD56+dim population in NK-92 cells, Also, there was a dramatic increase in the expression of STAT1 and STAT5 proteins in rIL-21 pre-stimulated NK cells and a decrease in the expression of HCV Core protein in coculture with J6/JFH-1-huh 7.5 cells. In summary, we found that the functional activation of NK cells can be modulated by anti-IL-10 or rIL-21, which controls the expression of HCV proteins as well as HCV RNA replication.
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27
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Fang F, Xiao W, Tian Z. Challenges of NK cell-based immunotherapy in the new era. Front Med 2018; 12:440-450. [PMID: 30047028 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-018-0653-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer cells (NKs) have a great potential for cancer immunotherapy because they can rapidly and directly kill transformed cells in the absence of antigen presensitization. Various cellular sources, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), stem cells, and NK cell lines, have been used for producing NK cells. In particular, NK cells that expanded from allogeneic PBMCs exhibit better efficacy than those that did not. However, considering the safety, activities, and reliability of the cell products, researchers must develop an optimal protocol for producing NK cells from PBMCs in the manufacture setting and clinical therapeutic regimen. In this review, the challenges on NK cell-based therapeutic approaches and clinical outcomes are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Weihua Xiao
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, 230027, China.
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, 230027, China.
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28
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Prevention and treatment of relapse after stem cell transplantation by cellular therapies. Bone Marrow Transplant 2018; 54:26-34. [PMID: 29795426 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-018-0227-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in reducing therapy-related mortality after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) relapse remains the major cause of treatment failure and little progress has been achieved in the last decades. At the 3rd International Workshop on Biology, Prevention, and Treatment of Relapse held in Hamburg/Germany in November 2016 international experts presented and discussed recent developments in the field. Here, the potential of cellular therapies including unspecific and specific T cells, genetically modified T cells, CAR-T cells, NK-cells, and second allografting in prevention and treatment of relapse after alloSCT are summarized.
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29
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Senju H, Kumagai A, Nakamura Y, Yamaguchi H, Nakatomi K, Fukami S, Shiraishi K, Harada Y, Nakamura M, Okamura H, Tanaka Y, Mukae H. Effect of IL-18 on the Expansion and Phenotype of Human Natural Killer Cells: Application to Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14:331-340. [PMID: 29559850 PMCID: PMC5859478 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.22809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
When pathogenic stresses are recognized by innate immune cells, inflammasomes are assembled and caspase-1 is activated, resulting in the conversion of pro-IL-18 into mature IL-18. Because natural killer (NK) cells express IL-18 receptors, IL-18 may play roles in immune functions of NK cells. In the present study, we examined the effect of IL-18 on NK cells derived from lung cancer patients and healthy adult volunteers. When peripheral blood NK cells were stimulated with IL-2, the cells formed clusters beginning on day 5-6 and proliferated thereafter, in which the number of NK cells increased by 10-fold in 10 days. When IL-18 was added, cell clusters were observed as early as on day 4 and NK cells proliferated vigorously. On day 10, the expansion rate was 56-fold on average, showing that IL-18 promoted the expansion of NK cells. It was also notable that IL-18 enhanced the expression of CD80, CD86, HLA-DR and HLA-DQ on NK cells, suggesting that IL-18 conferred NK cells an APC-like phenotype. When cellular cytotoxicity was determined, APC-like NK cells efficiently killed tumor cells and anti-tumor activity was augmented by the addition of tumor antigen-specific mAbs. In addition, IFN-γ was produced by APC-like NK cells in response to tumor cells, and the cytokine production was further enhanced by mAbs. Taken together, IL-18 not only promoted the expansion of NK cells, but also changed the phenotype of NK cells. IL-2/IL-18-induced NK cells might, therefore, serve as a bridge between innate immunity and adaptive immunity and be useful for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Senju
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan.,Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.,Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Asuka Kumagai
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yoichi Nakamura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan.,Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamaguchi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan.,Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Katsumi Nakatomi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan.,Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Shota Fukami
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kengo Shiraishi
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yuka Harada
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Nakamura
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Haruki Okamura
- Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Tanaka
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.,Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mukae
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan.,Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
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30
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Klöß S, Oberschmidt O, Morgan M, Dahlke J, Arseniev L, Huppert V, Granzin M, Gardlowski T, Matthies N, Soltenborn S, Schambach A, Koehl U. Optimization of Human NK Cell Manufacturing: Fully Automated Separation, Improved Ex Vivo Expansion Using IL-21 with Autologous Feeder Cells, and Generation of Anti-CD123-CAR-Expressing Effector Cells. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:897-913. [PMID: 28810809 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The administration of ex vivo expanded natural killer (NK) cells as potential antitumor effector cells appears to be suitable for effector cell-based immunotherapies in high-risk cancer patients. However, good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant manufacturing of clinical-grade NK cells at sufficiently high numbers represents a great challenge. Therefore, previous expansion protocols for those effector cells were improved and optimized by using newly developed culture medium, interleukin (IL)-21, and autologous feeder cells (FCs). Separation of primary human NK cells (CD56+CD3-) was carried out with the CliniMACS Prodigy® in a single process, starting with approximately 1.2 × 109 leukocytes collected by small-scale lymphapheresis or from buffy coats. Enriched NK cells were adjusted to starting cell concentrations within approximately 1 × 106 effector cells/mL and cultured in comparative expansion experiments for 14 days with IL-2 (1,000 IU/mL) in different GMP-compliant media (X-VIVO™10, CellGro®, TexMACS™, and NK MACS®). After medium optimization, beneficial effects for functionality and phenotype were investigated at the beginning of cell expansion with irradiated (25 Gy) autologous FCs at a ratio of 20:1 (feeder: NK) in the presence or absence of IL-21 (100 ng/mL). Additionally, expanded NK cells were gene modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) against CD123, a common marker for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Cytotoxicity, degranulation, and cytokine release of transduced NK cells were determined against KG1a cells in flow cytometric analysis and fluorescent imaging. The Prodigy manufacturing process revealed high target cell viabilities (median 95.4%), adequate NK cell recovery (median 60.4%), and purity of 95.4% in regard to CD56+CD3- target cells. The process in its early phase of development led to a median T-cell depletion of log 3.5 after CD3 depletion and log 3.6 after the whole process, including CD3 depletion and CD56 enrichment steps. Manually performed experiments to test different culture media demonstrated significantly higher NK cell expansion rates and an approximately equal distribution of CD56dimCD16pos and CD56brightCD16dim&neg NK subsets on day 14 with cells cultivated in NK MACS® media. Moreover, effector cell expansion in manually performed experiments with NK MACS® containing IL-2 and irradiated autologous FCs and IL-21, both added at the initiation of the culture, induced an 85-fold NK cell expansion. Compared to freshly isolated NK cells, expanded NK cells expressed significantly higher levels of NKp30, NKp44, NKG2D, TRAIL, FasL, CD69, and CD137, and showed comparable cell viabilities and killing/degranulation activities against tumor and leukemic cell lines in vitro. NK cells used for CAR transduction showed the highest anti-CD123 CAR expression on day 3 after gene modification. These anti-CD123 CAR-engineered NK cells demonstrated improved cytotoxicity against the CD123pos AML cell line KG1a and primary AML blasts. In addition, CAR NK cells showed higher degranulation and enhanced secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and granzyme A and B. In fluorescence imaging, specific interactions that initiated apoptotic processes in the AML target cells were detected between CAR NK cells and KG1a. After the fully automated NK cell separation process on Prodigy, a new NK cell expansion protocol was generated that resulted in high numbers of NK cells with potent antitumor activity, which could be modified efficiently by novel third-generation, alpha-retroviral SIN vector constructs. Next steps are the integration of the manual expansion procedure in the fully integrated platform for a standardized GMP-compliant overall process in this closed system that also may include gene modification of NK cells to optimize target-specific antitumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Klöß
- 1 Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, GMPDU, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
| | - Olaf Oberschmidt
- 1 Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, GMPDU, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Morgan
- 2 Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany.,3 REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia Dahlke
- 2 Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany.,3 REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
| | - Lubomir Arseniev
- 1 Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, GMPDU, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | - Tanja Gardlowski
- 1 Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, GMPDU, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
| | - Nadine Matthies
- 1 Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, GMPDU, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Axel Schambach
- 2 Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany.,3 REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany.,5 Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- 1 Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, GMPDU, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
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Granzin M, Wagner J, Köhl U, Cerwenka A, Huppert V, Ullrich E. Shaping of Natural Killer Cell Antitumor Activity by Ex Vivo Cultivation. Front Immunol 2017; 8:458. [PMID: 28491060 PMCID: PMC5405078 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a promising tool for the use in adoptive immunotherapy, since they efficiently recognize and kill tumor cells. In this context, ex vivo cultivation is an attractive option to increase NK cells in numbers and to improve their antitumor potential prior to clinical applications. Consequently, various strategies to generate NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy have been developed. Here, we give an overview of different NK cell cultivation approaches and their impact on shaping the NK cell antitumor activity. So far, the cytokines interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, and IL-21 are used to culture and expand NK cells. The selection of the respective cytokine combination is an important factor that directly affects NK cell maturation, proliferation, survival, distribution of NK cell subpopulations, activation, and function in terms of cytokine production and cytotoxic potential. Importantly, cytokines can upregulate the expression of certain activating receptors on NK cells, thereby increasing their responsiveness against tumor cells that express the corresponding ligands. Apart from using cytokines, cocultivation with autologous accessory non-NK cells or addition of growth-inactivated feeder cells are approaches for NK cell cultivation with pronounced effects on NK cell activation and expansion. Furthermore, ex vivo cultivation was reported to prime NK cells for the killing of tumor cells that were previously resistant to NK cell attack. In general, NK cells become frequently dysfunctional in cancer patients, for instance, by downregulation of NK cell activating receptors, disabling them in their antitumor response. In such scenario, ex vivo cultivation can be helpful to arm NK cells with enhanced antitumor properties to overcome immunosuppression. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on NK cell modulation by different ex vivo cultivation strategies focused on increasing NK cytotoxicity for clinical application in malignant diseases. Moreover, we critically discuss the technical and regulatory aspects and challenges underlying NK cell based therapeutic approaches in the clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Granzin
- Clinical Research, Miltenyi Biotec Inc., Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Juliane Wagner
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, Hospital of the Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Cellular Immunology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ulrike Köhl
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Adelheid Cerwenka
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Immunbiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Huppert
- R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, Hospital of the Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Cellular Immunology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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Gotthardt D, Sexl V. STATs in NK-Cells: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Front Immunol 2017; 7:694. [PMID: 28149296 PMCID: PMC5241313 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK)-cells are major players in the fight against viral infections and transformed cells, but there is increasing evidence attributing a disease-promoting role to NK-cells. Cytokines present in the tumor microenvironment shape NK-cell maturation, function, and effector responses. Many cytokines signal via the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway that is also frequently altered and constitutively active in a broad range of tumor cells. As a consequence, there are currently major efforts to develop therapeutic strategies to target this pathway. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to understand the role and contributions of JAK-STAT molecules in NK-cell biology-only this knowledge will allow us to predict effects of JAK-STAT inhibition for NK-cell functions and to successfully apply precision medicine. We will review the current knowledge on the role of JAK-STAT signaling for NK-cell functions and discuss conditions involved in the switch from NK-cell tumor surveillance to disease promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Gotthardt
- Department for Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Sexl
- Department for Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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Wałajtys-Rode E, Dzik JM. Monocyte/Macrophage: NK Cell Cooperation-Old Tools for New Functions. Results Probl Cell Differ 2017; 62:73-145. [PMID: 28455707 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-54090-0_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Monocyte/macrophage and natural killer (NK) cells are partners from a phylogenetic standpoint of innate immune system development and its evolutionary progressive interaction with adaptive immunity. The equally conservative ways of development and differentiation of both invertebrate hemocytes and vertebrate macrophages are reviewed. Evolutionary conserved molecules occurring in macrophage receptors and effectors have been inherited by vertebrates after their common ancestor with invertebrates. Cytolytic functions of mammalian NK cells, which are rooted in immune cells of invertebrates, although certain NK cell receptors (NKRs) are mammalian new events, are characterized. Broad heterogeneity of macrophage and NK cell phenotypes that depends on surrounding microenvironment conditions and expression profiles of specific receptors and activation mechanisms of both cell types are discussed. The particular tissue specificity of macrophages and NK cells, as well as their plasticity and mechanisms of their polarization to different functional subtypes have been underlined. The chapter summarized studies revealing the specific molecular mechanisms and regulation of NK cells and macrophages that enable their highly specific cross-cooperation. Attention is given to the evolving role of human monocyte/macrophage and NK cell interaction in pathogenesis of hypersensitivity reaction-based disorders, including autoimmunity, as well as in cancer surveillance and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta Wałajtys-Rode
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Drug Technology and Biotechnology, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3 Str, 00-664, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Jolanta M Dzik
- Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
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Granzin M, Stojanovic A, Miller M, Childs R, Huppert V, Cerwenka A. Highly efficient IL-21 and feeder cell-driven ex vivo expansion of human NK cells with therapeutic activity in a xenograft mouse model of melanoma. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1219007. [PMID: 27757317 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1219007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are promising antitumor effector cells, but the generation of sufficient NK cell numbers for adoptive immunotherapy remains challenging. Therefore, we developed a method for highly efficient ex vivo expansion of human NK cells. Ex vivo expansion of NK cells in medium containing IL-2 and irradiated clinical-grade feeder cells (EBV-LCL) induced a 22-fold NK cell expansion after one week that was significantly increased to 53-fold by IL-21. Repeated stimulation with irradiated EBV-LCL and IL-2 and addition of IL-21 at the initiation of the culture allowed sustained NK cell proliferation with 1011-fold NK cell expansion after 6 weeks. Compared to naive NK cells, expanded NK cells upregulated TRAIL, NKG2D, and DNAM-1, had superior cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines in vitro and produced more IFNγ and TNF-α upon PMA/Iono stimulation. Most importantly, adoptive transfer of NK cells expanded using feeder cells, IL-2 and IL-21 led to significant inhibition of tumor growth in a melanoma xenograft mouse model, which was greater than with NK cells activated with IL-2 alone. Intriguingly, adoptively transferred NK cells maintained their enhanced production of IFNγ and TNF-α upon ex vivo restimulation, although they rapidly lost their capacity to degranulate and mediate tumor cytotoxicity after the in vivo transfer. In conclusion, we developed a protocol for ex vivo NK cell expansion that results in outstanding cell yields. The expanded NK cells possess potent antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo and could be utilized at high numbers for adoptive immunotherapy in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Granzin
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany; Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Ana Stojanovic
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center , Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Miller
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center , Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Richard Childs
- Section of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Adelheid Cerwenka
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center , Heidelberg, Germany
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Tavakolpour S. Interleukin 21 as a new possible player in pemphigus: Is it a suitable target? Int Immunopharmacol 2016; 34:139-145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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36
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Campbell AR, Regan K, Bhave N, Pattanayak A, Parihar R, Stiff AR, Trikha P, Scoville SD, Liyanarachchi S, Kondadasula SV, Lele O, Davuluri R, Payne PRO, Carson WE. Gene expression profiling of the human natural killer cell response to Fc receptor activation: unique enhancement in the presence of interleukin-12. BMC Med Genomics 2015; 8:66. [PMID: 26470881 PMCID: PMC4608307 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-015-0142-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Traditionally, the CD56dimCD16+ subset of Natural Killer (NK) cells has been thought to mediate cellular cytotoxicity with modest cytokine secretion capacity. However, studies have suggested that this subset may exert a more diverse array of immunological functions. There exists a lack of well-developed functional models to describe the behavior of activated NK cells, and the interactions between signaling pathways that facilitate effector functions are not well understood. In the present study, a combination of genome-wide microarray analyses and systems-level bioinformatics approaches were utilized to elucidate the transcriptional landscape of NK cells activated via interactions with antibody-coated targets in the presence of interleukin-12 (IL-12). Methods We conducted differential gene expression analysis of CD56dimCD16+ NK cells following FcR stimulation in the presence or absence of IL-12. Next, we functionally characterized gene sets according to patterns of gene expression and validated representative genes using RT-PCR. IPA was utilized for biological pathway analysis, and an enriched network of interacting genes was generated using GeneMANIA. Furthermore, PAJEK and the HITS algorithm were employed to identify important genes in the network according to betweeness centrality, hub, and authority node metrics. Results Analyses revealed that CD56dimCD16+ NK cells co-stimulated via the Fc receptor (FcR) and IL-12R led to the expression of a unique set of genes, including genes encoding cytotoxicity receptors, apoptotic proteins, intracellular signaling molecules, and cytokines that may mediate enhanced cytotoxicity and interactions with other immune cells within inflammatory tissues. Network analyses identified a novel set of connected key players, BATF, IRF4, TBX21, and IFNG, within an integrated network composed of differentially expressed genes in NK cells stimulated by various conditions (immobilized IgG, IL-12, or the combination of IgG and IL-12). Conclusions These results are the first to address the global mechanisms by which NK cells mediate their biological functions when encountering antibody-coated targets within inflammatory sites. Moreover, this study has identified a set of high-priority targets for subsequent investigation into strategies to combat cancer by enhancing the anti-tumor activity of CD56dimCD16+ NK cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12920-015-0142-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R Campbell
- The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Medical Scientist Training Program and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Kelly Regan
- Medical Scientist Training Program and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Neela Bhave
- The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Arka Pattanayak
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Robin Parihar
- Department of Pediatrics, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| | - Andrew R Stiff
- The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Medical Scientist Training Program and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Prashant Trikha
- The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Steven D Scoville
- The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Medical Scientist Training Program and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Sandya Liyanarachchi
- Division of Human Cancer Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Sri Vidya Kondadasula
- Departments of Oncology and Medicine, Wayne State University and Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Omkar Lele
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Ramana Davuluri
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Philip R O Payne
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - William E Carson
- The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,The Ohio State University College of Medicine, N924 Doan Hall, 410 West 10th Ave., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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Multiple effects of IL-21 on human NK cells in ex vivo expansion. Immunobiology 2015; 220:876-88. [PMID: 25758713 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2015.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells (CD56(+)CD3(-)) are large, granular immunocytes that play a very pivotal role in the anti-inflammatory response and tumor surveillance. As an ideal cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL), NK cells have attracted much attention in clinical trials. However, an insufficient number and their limited life span are bottlenecks that limit the application of NK cells in adoptive immunotherapy. Interleukins such as IL-2, IL-15 and IL-18 are recognized as factors that stimulate NK cells and have been used in NK cells ex vivo expansion. Similar to IL-2 and IL-15, IL-21 is a common γ-chain cytokine that is important in NK cell activation, maturation and proliferation. The present study aims to assess the effects of membrane-bound and soluble IL-21 on primary human NK cells during ex vivo expansion. IL-21 was found to have multiple effects on NK cells, increasing their cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner by up-regulating IFN-γ and Granzyme-B expression. Nevertheless, at a high concentration (50 ng/mL), IL-21 curtailed the life span of NK cells by significantly inducing apoptosis. Moreover, when treated with IL-21, the number of NKT (CD56(+)CD3(+)) cells increased among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during ex vivo expansion in a concentration-dependent manner. IL-21 also promoted expanded cells to enter into S phase of the cell cycle during the first to second weeks of culture. All these results suggest that IL-21 has multiple effects on NK cell development and functions. More attention should be given to the dosage and multiple effects of IL-21 when it was applied to NK cells in ex vivo expansion.
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38
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Zhu S, Phatarpekar PV, Denman CJ, Senyukov VV, Somanchi SS, Nguyen-Jackson HT, Mace EM, Freeman AF, Watowich SS, Orange JS, Holland SM, Lee DA. Transcription of the activating receptor NKG2D in natural killer cells is regulated by STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation. Blood 2014; 124:403-11. [PMID: 24891320 PMCID: PMC4102712 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2013-05-499707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is considered a negative regulator of inflammation, as inhibition of STAT3 signaling enhances antitumor immunity. However, STAT3 activation is a key oncogenic pathway in natural killer (NK)-lineage large granular lymphomas, and we recently reported enhanced proliferation and function of human NK cells activated with IL-21, which signals primarily through STAT3. These IL-21-expanded NK cells also have increased NKG2D expression, which led us to focus our investigation on whether STAT3 regulates NKG2D. In this study, we show that modulation of STAT3 phosphorylation with cytokines and small-molecule inhibitors correlates with NKG2D expression on human NK cells, leading to altered NK-cell degranulation. Moreover, NKG2D expression on murine NK cells having conditional STAT3 ablation is lower than on NK cells from wild-type mice, and human NK cells carrying dominant-negative STAT3 mutations have decreased baseline NKG2D expression and blunted responses to IL-10 and IL-21. Lastly, we show binding of STAT3 to a predicted STAT3 binding site upstream of the NKG2D gene, which is enhanced by IL-10 and IL-21 and decreased by STAT3 inhibition. Taken together, these data show that NKG2D expression in NK cells is regulated at the transcriptional level by STAT3, resulting in a functional NK cell defect in patients with STAT3 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiguo Zhu
- Division of Pediatrics, Cell Therapy Section, and
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Emily M Mace
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Immunology, Allergy, and Rheumatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; and
| | - Alexandra F Freeman
- Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD
| | - Stephanie S Watowich
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jordan S Orange
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Immunology, Allergy, and Rheumatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; and
| | - Steven M Holland
- Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD
| | - Dean A Lee
- Division of Pediatrics, Cell Therapy Section, and
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Interleukin (IL)-21 promoter polymorphism increases the risk of thyroid cancer in Chinese population. Gene 2013; 537:15-9. [PMID: 24389496 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.12.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Polymorphisms in Interleukin (IL)-21 have been researched in several cancers, but the association between IL-21 polymorphisms and thyroid cancer remains unclarified. This case-control study explored the role of five tagSNPs (rs12508721C>T, rs907715G>A, rs13143866G>A, rs2221903A>G and rs4833837A>G) in IL-21 gene in thyroid cancer development. IL-21 genotypes were examined in 615 thyroid cancer patients and 600 controls in Chinese population, and the associations with the risk of thyroid cancer were estimated by logistic regression. Moreover, the potential role of rs12508721C>T in thyroid cancer was further explored by biochemical assays. Compared with the rs12508721CC genotype, CT genotype presented a significantly decreased risk of thyroid cancer (adjusted odds ratios [OR]=0.72; 95%CI=0.57-0.94), the TT carriers had a further decreased risk of thyroid cancer (OR=0.56; 95%CI=0.41-0.87). Furthermore, our quantitative real-time PCR and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results demonstrated that the presence of rs12508721T allele led to more IL-21 expression. However, no significant difference was found in genotype frequencies for other four sites between cases and controls. These findings suggested that rs12508721 polymorphism in IL-21 might be a genetic modifier for the development of thyroid cancer.
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40
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Different combinations of cytokines and activating receptor stimuli are required for human natural killer cell functional diversity. Cytokine 2013; 62:58-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2013.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Revised: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Förster F, Singla A, Arora SK, Schmidt RE, Jacobs R. CD20+ T cell numbers are decreased in untreated HIV-1 patients and recover after HAART. Immunol Lett 2012; 146:74-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2012.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Zamai L, Del Zotto G, Buccella F, Galeotti L, Canonico B, Luchetti F, Papa S. Cytotoxic functions and susceptibility to apoptosis of human CD56(bright) NK cells differentiated in vitro from CD34⁺ hematopoietic progenitors. Cytometry A 2012; 81:294-302. [PMID: 22319021 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.22025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2011] [Revised: 01/09/2012] [Accepted: 01/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cytotoxic functions and susceptibility to apoptosis are crucial aspects of NK cells suitable to counter cancer after infusion in oncologic patients. To test the feasibility and the usefulness of infusing in vitro generated NK cells, these two features were investigated in NK cells developed in vitro from CD34⁺ hematopoietic progenitors. Purified CD34⁺ cells were cultured for 15-30 days with FLT-3 ligand (FLT3-L) and IL-15 with or without IL-21. To induce terminal differentiation, NK cells were cultured for further 15 days with IL-15, IL-21, or their combination. A CD56(dim) /CD16⁺ NK subset, expressing high level of perforin, granzymes, and LFA-1, appeared early in cultures with FLT3-L, IL-15, and IL-21, but it quickly died, indicating its predisposition to apoptosis. On the contrary, CD56(bright) NK cells generated after 30 days of culture with FLT3-L plus IL-15 did not show a considerable apoptosis, nevertheless only a subset of these cells expressed granzyme-B, perforin, LFA-1, and CD94-CD159a heterodimer, indicating a functional immaturity. Interestingly, further 15 days of culture with IL-21 plus IL-15 did not induce the generation of CD56(dim) cells from the CD56(bright) subset and actually inhibited IL-15-induced maturation/activation of this latter subset. In fact, IL-15 alone upregulated granzyme-B, TRAIL, Fas ligand, CD94-CD159a, LFA-1, CD16, KIRs, and TRAIL-R2 on CD56(bright) NK cells. Our results suggest that during differentiation CD56(bright) NK cells, similarly to mature activated NK cells, become highly cytotoxic and are relatively resistant to apoptosis induced by TNF family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loris Zamai
- Department of Earth, Life and Environment Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo," Urbino, Italy; INFN-Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Assergi, L'Aquila, Italy.
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Denman CJ, Senyukov VV, Somanchi SS, Phatarpekar PV, Kopp LM, Johnson JL, Singh H, Hurton L, Maiti SN, Huls MH, Champlin RE, Cooper LJN, Lee DA. Membrane-bound IL-21 promotes sustained ex vivo proliferation of human natural killer cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30264. [PMID: 22279576 PMCID: PMC3261192 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 430] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells have therapeutic potential for a wide variety of human malignancies. However, because NK cells expand poorly in vitro, have limited life spans in vivo, and represent a small fraction of peripheral white blood cells, obtaining sufficient cell numbers is the major obstacle for NK-cell immunotherapy. Genetically-engineered artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) expressing membrane-bound IL-15 (mbIL15) have been used to propagate clinical-grade NK cells for human trials of adoptive immunotherapy, but ex vivo proliferation has been limited by telomere shortening. We developed K562-based aAPCs with membrane-bound IL-21 (mbIL21) and assessed their ability to support human NK-cell proliferation. In contrast to mbIL15, mbIL21-expressing aAPCs promoted log-phase NK cell expansion without evidence of senescence for up to 6 weeks of culture. By day 21, parallel expansion of NK cells from 22 donors demonstrated a mean 47,967-fold expansion (median 31,747) when co-cultured with aAPCs expressing mbIL21 compared to 825-fold expansion (median 325) with mbIL15. Despite the significant increase in proliferation, mbIL21-expanded NK cells also showed a significant increase in telomere length compared to freshly obtained NK cells, suggesting a possible mechanism for their sustained proliferation. NK cells expanded with mbIL21 were similar in phenotype and cytotoxicity to those expanded with mbIL15, with retained donor KIR repertoires and high expression of NCRs, CD16, and NKG2D, but had superior cytokine secretion. The mbIL21-expanded NK cells showed increased transcription of the activating receptor CD160, but otherwise had remarkably similar mRNA expression profiles of the 96 genes assessed. mbIL21-expanded NK cells had significant cytotoxicity against all tumor cell lines tested, retained responsiveness to inhibitory KIR ligands, and demonstrated enhanced killing via antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity. Thus, aAPCs expressing mbIL21 promote improved proliferation of human NK cells with longer telomeres and less senescence, supporting their clinical use in propagating NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecele J. Denman
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Vladimir V. Senyukov
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Srinivas S. Somanchi
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Prasad V. Phatarpekar
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lisa M. Kopp
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Johnson
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Harjeet Singh
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lenka Hurton
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sourindra N. Maiti
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - M. Helen Huls
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Richard E. Champlin
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Laurence J. N. Cooper
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Dean A. Lee
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Braunschweig A, Poehlmann TG, Busch S, Schleussner E, Markert UR. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) and Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS3) Balance Controls Cytotoxicity and IL-10 Expression in Decidual-Like Natural Killer Cell Line NK-92. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66:329-35. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.00989.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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Sanchez CJ, Le Treut T, Boehrer A, Knoblauch B, Imbert J, Olive D, Costello RT. Natural killer cells and malignant haemopathies: a model for the interaction of cancer with innate immunity. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2011; 60:1-13. [PMID: 20697893 PMCID: PMC11029698 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-010-0898-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2010] [Accepted: 07/24/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent progress in the therapeutic approach of malignant haemopathies, their prognoses remain frequently poor. Immunotherapy offers an alternative of great interest in this context but defect or abnormal expression of human leukocyte antigens (HLA), frequently observed in cancer cells, limits its efficiency. Natural killer (NK) cells, which are able to kill target cells in a HLA-independent way, represent a novel tool in the treatment of haematological malignancies. Abnormal NK cytolytic function is observed in all the haematological malignancies studied, such as acute leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndromes or chronic myeloid/lymphoid leukaemia. Several mechanisms are involved in the alterations of NK cytotoxicity: decreased expression of activating receptors, increased expression of inhibitory receptors or defective expression of NK ligands on target cells. Further studies are needed to identify how each type of haematological malignancy escapes from the innate immune response. Attempts to increase the expression of activating receptors, to counteract inhibitory receptors expression, or to increase NK cell cytotoxic capacities could overcome tumour escape from innate immunity. These therapies are based on monoclonal antibodies or culture of NK cells in presence of cytokines or dendritic cells. Moreover, many novel drugs used in haematological malignancies [tyrosine kinase inhibitors, IMIDs(®), proteasome inhibitors, demethylating agents, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis), histamine dihydrochloride] display interesting immunomodulatory properties that affect NK cells. These data suggest that combined modalities associating cytotoxic drugs with innate immunity modulators may represent a major breakthrough in tumour eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. J. Sanchez
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, Hôpital Nord, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
- Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
- U928 Inserm, TAGC, Marseille, France
- Laboratoire d’Hématologie, Hôpital Nord, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - T. Le Treut
- U928 Inserm, TAGC, Marseille, France
- Laboratoire d’Hématologie, Hôpital Nord, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - A. Boehrer
- Laboratoire d’Hématologie, Hôpital Nord, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - B. Knoblauch
- Laboratoire d’Hématologie, Hôpital Nord, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - J. Imbert
- U928 Inserm, TAGC, Marseille, France
| | - D. Olive
- Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, UMR891 Inserm, Marseille, France
| | - R. T. Costello
- Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
- U928 Inserm, TAGC, Marseille, France
- Laboratoire d’Hématologie, Hôpital Nord, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
- Service d’Hématologie, Hôpital La Conception, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, 147 boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France
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46
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Yi JS, Cox MA, Zajac AJ. Interleukin-21: a multifunctional regulator of immunity to infections. Microbes Infect 2010; 12:1111-9. [PMID: 20817119 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2010.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2010] [Accepted: 08/24/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a cytokine that has broad effects on both innate and adaptive immune responses. The roles of IL-21 in determining immunity to infections are currently being defined, and notably, it has been shown that IL-21 is most critical for sustaining T cell responses during chronic viral infections. This article discusses our current understanding of the immunobiology of IL-21, as well as its known and potential roles in influencing immunity to infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S Yi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 845 19th Street South, BBRB 446; Box 23, Birmingham, AL 35294-2170, USA
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Abstract
Initially described as effectors of natural cytotoxicity and critical players for the control of viral infections and tumor growth, recent investigations unraveled more widespread functions for the natural killer (NK) cells. Through the establishment of a crosstalk with dendritic cells, NK cells promote T helper-1- and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated immunity, whereas through the establishment of a crosstalk with macrophages, NK cells contribute to the activation of their microbicidal functions. Recent evidence has shown that NK cells also display memory, a characteristic thought to be privative of T and B cells, and that NK cells acquire their mature phenotype during a complex ontogeny program which tunes their activation threshold. Cytokines play critical roles in regulating all aspects of immune responses, including lymphoid development, homeostasis, differentiation, tolerance, and memory. Cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, IL-21, and type I interferons constitute pivotal factors involved in the maturation, activation, and survival of NK cells. In addition, the discovery of novel cytokines is increasing the spectrum of soluble mediators that regulate NK cell immunobiology. In this review, we summarize and integrate novel concepts about the role of different cytokines in the regulation of NK cell function. We believe that a full understanding of how NK cells become activated and develop their effector functions in response to cytokines and other stimuli may lead to the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of different types of cancer, viral infections, and chronic autoimmune diseases.
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Marquardt N, Wilk E, Pokoyski C, Schmidt RE, Jacobs R. Murine CXCR3+CD27bright NK cells resemble the human CD56bright NK-cell population. Eur J Immunol 2010; 40:1428-39. [PMID: 20186880 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200940056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Human NK cells can be subdivided into CD56(dim) and CD56(bright) NK cells, which exhibit different phenotypical and functional characteristics. As murine NK cells lack CD56 or a distinct correlate, direct comparative studies of NK cells in mice and humans are limited. Although CD27 is currently proposed as a feasible subset marker in mice, we assume that the usage of this marker alone is insufficient. We rather investigated the expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR3 for its suitability for distinguishing murine NK-cell subsets with simultaneous consideration of CD27. Compared with CXCR3(-) NK cells, exerting stronger cytotoxic capability, CXCR3+ NK cells displayed an activated phenotype with a lower expression of Ly49 receptors, corresponding to human CD56(bright) NK cells. Also in common with human CD56(bright) NK cells, murine CXCR3+ NK cells exhibit prolific expansion as well as robust IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and MIP-1alpha production. We additionally demonstrated changes in both CXCR3 and CD27 expression upon NK-cell activation. In summary, CXCR3 serves as an additional applicable marker for improved discrimination of functionally distinct murine NK-cell subsets that comply with those in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Marquardt
- Clinic for Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Iannello A, Boulassel MR, Samarani S, Tremblay C, Toma E, Routy JP, Ahmad A. IL-21 enhances NK cell functions and survival in healthy and HIV-infected patients with minimal stimulation of viral replication. J Leukoc Biol 2010; 87:857-67. [PMID: 20103765 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.1009701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
IL-21 plays an important role in regulating immune response and controlling chronic viral infections. Recently, we reported its decreased serum concentrations and their immunological consequences in HIV-infected persons. In this study, we have investigated how exogenous IL-21 enhances NK cell responses in these persons. We show that the cytokine receptors are expressed equally on all NK cell subsets defined by expression of CD16 and CD56; the cytokine activates STAT-3, MAPK, and Akt to enhance NK cell functions; the STAT-3 activation plays a key role in constitutive and IL-21-mediated enhancement of NK cell functions; the cytokine increases expression of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) and enhances viability of NK cells but has no effect on their proliferation; the cytokine enhances HIV-specific ADCC, secretory, and cytotoxic functions, as well as viability of NK cells from HIV-infected persons; it exerts its biological effects on NK cells with minimal stimulation of HIV-1 replication; and the cytokine-activated NK cells inhibit viral replication in cocultured, HIV-infected, autologous CD4(+) T cells in a perforin- and LFA-1-dependent manner. These data suggest that IL-21 may serve as a valuable therapeutic tool for enhancing NK cell responses and inhibiting viral replication in HIV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Iannello
- Laboratory of Innate Immunity, CHU-Sainte-Justine Research Center, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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50
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Wilk E, Witte T, Marquardt N, Horvath T, Kalippke K, Scholz K, Wilke N, Schmidt RE, Jacobs R. Depletion of functionally active CD20+ T cells by rituximab treatment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 60:3563-71. [DOI: 10.1002/art.24998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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