1
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Zhou Y, Na C, Li Z. Novel insights into immune cells modulation of tumor resistance. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 202:104457. [PMID: 39038527 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor resistance poses a significant challenge to effective cancer treatment, making it imperative to explore new therapeutic strategies. Recent studies have highlighted the profound involvement of immune cells in the development of tumor resistance. Within the tumor microenvironment, macrophages undergo polarization into the M2 phenotype, thus promoting the emergence of drug-resistant tumors. Neutrophils contribute to tumor resistance by forming extracellular traps. While T cells and natural killer (NK) cells exert their impact through direct cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Additionally, dendritic cells (DCs) have been implicated in preventing tumor drug resistance by stimulating T cell activation. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge regarding immune cell-mediated modulation of tumor resistance at the molecular level, with a particular focus on macrophages, neutrophils, DCs, T cells, and NK cells. The targeting of immune cell modulation exhibits considerable potential for addressing drug resistance, and an in-depth understanding of the molecular interactions between immune cells and tumor cells holds promise for the development of innovative therapies. Furthermore, we explore the clinical implications of these immune cells in the treatment of drug-resistant tumors. This review emphasizes the exploration of novel approaches that harness the functional capabilities of immune cells to effectively overcome drug-resistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Chuhan Na
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Active Substance Screening and Translational Research, Shenzhen 518107, China.
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2
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Cooksey LC, Friesen DC, Mangan ED, Mathew PA. Prospective Molecular Targets for Natural Killer Cell Immunotherapy against Glioblastoma Multiforme. Cells 2024; 13:1567. [PMID: 39329751 PMCID: PMC11429815 DOI: 10.3390/cells13181567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumor and has a dismal overall survival rate. To date, no GBM therapy has yielded successful results in survival for patients beyond baseline surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. Immunotherapy has taken the oncology world by storm in recent years and there has been movement from researchers to implement the immunotherapy revolution into GBM treatment. Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapies are a rising candidate to treat GBM from multiple therapeutic vantage points: monoclonal antibody therapy targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-NK cell therapy, Bi-specific killer cell engagers (BiKEs), and more. NK therapies often focus on tumor antigens for targeting. Here, we reviewed some common targets analyzed in the fight for GBM immunotherapy relevant to NK cells: EGFR, HER2, CD155, and IL-13Rα2. We further propose investigating the Lectin-like Transcript 1 (LLT1) and cell surface proliferating cell nuclear antigen (csPCNA) as targets for NK cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke C. Cooksey
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA; (L.C.C.); (D.C.F.); (E.D.M.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Derek C. Friesen
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA; (L.C.C.); (D.C.F.); (E.D.M.)
| | - Enrique D. Mangan
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA; (L.C.C.); (D.C.F.); (E.D.M.)
| | - Porunelloor A. Mathew
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA; (L.C.C.); (D.C.F.); (E.D.M.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
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3
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Sedloev D, Chen Q, Unglaub JM, Schanda N, Hao Y, Besiridou E, Neuber B, Schmitt A, Raffel S, Liu Y, Janssen M, Müller-Tidow C, Schmitt M, Sauer T. Proteasome inhibition enhances the anti-leukemic efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expressing NK cells against acute myeloid leukemia. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:85. [PMID: 39285441 PMCID: PMC11406742 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01604-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) carries a dismal prognosis. CAR T cells have shown limited efficacy in AML, partially due to dysfunctional autologous T cells and the extended time for generation of patient specific CAR T cells. Allogeneic NK cell therapy is a promising alternative, but strategies to enhance efficacy and persistence may be necessary. Proteasome inhibitors (PI) induce changes in the surface proteome which may render malignant cells more vulnerable to NK mediated cytotoxicity. Here, we investigated the potential benefit of combining PIs with CAR-expressing allogeneic NK cells against AML. METHODS We established the IC50 concentrations for Bortezomib and Carfilzomib against several AML cell lines. Surface expression of class-I HLA molecules and stress-associated proteins upon treatment with proteasome inhibitors was determined by multiparameter flow cytometry. Using functional in vitro assays, we explored the therapeutic synergy between pre-treatment with PIs and the anti-leukemic efficacy of NK cells with or without expression of AML-specific CAR constructs against AML cell lines and primary patient samples. Also, we investigated the tolerability and efficacy of a single PI application strategy followed by (CAR-) NK cell infusion in two different murine xenograft models of AML. RESULTS AML cell lines and primary AML patient samples were susceptible to Bortezomib and Carfilzomib mediated cytotoxicity. Conditioned resistance to Azacitidine/Venetoclax did not confer primary resistance to PIs. Treating AML cells with PIs reduced the surface expression of class-I HLA molecules on AML cells in a time-and-dose dependent manner. Stress-associated proteins were upregulated on the transcriptional level and on the cell surface. NK cell mediated killing of AML cells was enhanced in a synergistic manner. PI pre-treatment increased effector-target cell conjugate formation and Interferon-γ secretion, resulting in enhanced NK cell activity against AML cell lines and primary samples in vitro. Expression of CD33- and CD70-specific CARs further improved the antileukemic efficacy. In vivo, Bortezomib pre-treatment followed by CAR-NK cell infusion reduced AML growth, leading to prolonged overall survival. CONCLUSIONS PIs enhance the anti-leukemic efficacy of CAR-expressing allogeneic NK cells against AML in vitro and in vivo, warranting further exploration of this combinatorial treatment within early phase clinical trials.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Proteasome Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Proteasome Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Animals
- Mice
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Bortezomib/pharmacology
- Bortezomib/therapeutic use
- Oligopeptides/pharmacology
- Oligopeptides/therapeutic use
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Female
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sedloev
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia M Unglaub
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nicola Schanda
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yao Hao
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eleni Besiridou
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Brigitte Neuber
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anita Schmitt
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon Raffel
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maike Janssen
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Müller-Tidow
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Schmitt
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tim Sauer
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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4
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Leifheit ME, Johnson G, Kuzel TM, Schneider JR, Barker E, Yun HD, Ustun C, Goldufsky JW, Gupta K, Marzo AL. Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy of FLT3 Inhibitors with Combination Therapy for Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9448. [PMID: 39273395 PMCID: PMC11394928 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179448] [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: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutations are genetic changes found in approximately thirty percent of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). FLT3 mutations in AML represent a challenging clinical scenario characterized by a high rate of relapse, even after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The advent of FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as midostaurin and gilteritinib, has shown promise in achieving complete remission. However, a substantial proportion of patients still experience relapse following TKI treatment, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. This review critically addresses the current landscape of TKI treatments for FLT3+ AML, with a particular focus on gilteritinib. Gilteritinib, a highly selective FLT3 inhibitor, has demonstrated efficacy in targeting the mutant FLT3 receptor, thereby inhibiting aberrant signaling pathways that drive leukemic proliferation. However, monotherapy with TKIs may not be sufficient to eradicate AML blasts. Specifically, we provide evidence for integrating gilteritinib with mammalian targets of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors and interleukin-15 (IL-15) complexes. The combination of gilteritinib, mTOR inhibitors, and IL-15 complexes presents a compelling strategy to enhance the eradication of AML blasts and enhance NK cell killing, offering a potential for improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malia E Leifheit
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, and Oncology and Cell Therapy, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Gunnar Johnson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, and Oncology and Cell Therapy, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Timothy M Kuzel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, and Oncology and Cell Therapy, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Schneider
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Edward Barker
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Hyun D Yun
- Hematology, Oncology, Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Celalettin Ustun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, and Oncology and Cell Therapy, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Josef W Goldufsky
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, and Oncology and Cell Therapy, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Kajal Gupta
- Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Amanda L Marzo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, and Oncology and Cell Therapy, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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5
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Vaxevanis C, Bachmann M, Seliger B. Immune modulatory microRNAs in tumors, their clinical relevance in diagnosis and therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e009774. [PMID: 39209767 PMCID: PMC11367391 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-009774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The importance of the immune system in regulating tumor growth by inducing immune cell-mediated cytotoxicity associated with patients' outcomes has been highlighted in the past years by an increasing life expectancy in patients with cancer on treatment with different immunotherapeutics. However, tumors often escape immune surveillance, which is accomplished by different mechanisms. Recent studies demonstrated an essential role of small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), in the post-transcriptional control of immune modulatory molecules. Multiple methods have been used to identify miRNAs targeting genes involved in escaping immune recognition including miRNAs targeting CTLA-4, PD-L1, HLA-G, components of the major histocompatibility class I antigen processing machinery (APM) as well as other immune response-relevant genes in tumors. Due to their function, these immune modulatory miRNAs can be used as (1) diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers allowing to discriminate between tumor stages and to predict the patients' outcome as well as response and resistance to (immuno) therapies and as (2) therapeutic targets for the treatment of tumor patients. This review summarizes the role of miRNAs in tumor-mediated immune escape, discuss their potential as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive tools as well as their use as therapeutics including alternative application methods, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoforos Vaxevanis
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg, Germany
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6
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Ahuja S, Lazar IM. Proteomic insights into breast cancer response to brain cell-secreted factors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:19351. [PMID: 39169222 PMCID: PMC11339284 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70386-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The most devastating feature of cancer cells is their ability to metastasize to distant sites in the body. HER2 + and TN breast cancers frequently metastasize to the brain and stay potentially dormant for years until favorable conditions support their proliferation. The sheltered and delicate nature of the brain prevents, however, early disease detection and effective delivery of therapeutic drugs. Moreover, the challenges associated with the acquisition of brain biopsies add compounding difficulties to exploring the mechanistic aspects of tumor development. To provide insights into the determinants of cancer cell behavior at the brain metastatic site, this study was aimed at exploring the early response of HER2 + breast cancer cells (SKBR3) to factors present in the brain perivascular niche. The neural microenvironment was simulated by using the secretome of a set of brain cells that come first in contact with the cancer cells upon crossing the blood brain barrier, i.e., endothelial cells, astrocytes, and microglia. Cytokine microarrays were used to investigate the secretome mediators of intercellular communication, and proteomic technologies for assessing the changes in the behavior of cancer cells upon exposure to the brain cell-secreted factors. The cytokines detected in the brain secretomes were supportive of inflammatory conditions, while the SKBR3 cells secreted numerous cancer-promoting growth factors that were either absent or present in lower abundance in the brain cell cultures, indicating that upon exposure the SKBR3 cells may have been deprived of favorable conditions for optimal growth. Altogether, the results suggest that the exposure of SKBR3 cells to the brain cell-secreted factors altered their growth potential and drove them toward a state of quiescence, with broader overall outcomes that affected cellular metabolism, adhesion and immune response processes. The findings of this study underscore the key role played by the neural niche in shaping the behavior of metastasized cancer cells, provide insights into the cellular cross-talk that may lead cancer cells into dormancy, and highlight novel opportunities for the development of metastatic breast cancer therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Ahuja
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 1981 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Iulia M Lazar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 1981 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, 1981 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, 1981 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- Division of Systems Biology/AIS, Virginia Tech, 1981 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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7
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Cheng W, Zhu N, Wang J, Yang R. A role of gut microbiota metabolites in HLA-E and NKG2 blockage immunotherapy against tumors: new insights for clinical application. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1331518. [PMID: 39229258 PMCID: PMC11368731 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1331518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
One of major breakthroughs in immunotherapy against tumor is from blocking immune checkpoint molecules on tumor and reactive T cells. The development of CTLA-4 and PD-1 blockage antibodies has triggered to search for additional effective therapeutic strategies. This causes recent findings that blocking the interaction of checkpoint molecule NKG2A in NK and CD8 T cells with HLA-E in tumors is effective in defensing tumors. Interestingly, gut microbiota also affects this immune checkpoint immunotherapy against tumor. Gut microbiota such as bacteria can contribute to the regulation of host immune response and homeostasis. They not only promote the differentiation and function of immunosuppressive cells but also the inflammatory cells through the metabolites such as tryptophan (Trp) and bile acid (BA) metabolites as well as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These gut microbiota metabolites (GMMs) educated immune cells can affect the differentiation and function of effective CD8 and NK cells. Notably, these metabolites also directly affect the activity of CD8 and NK cells. Furthermore, the expression of CD94/NKG2A in the immune cells and/or their ligand HLA-E in the tumor cells is also regulated by gut microbiota associated immune factors. These findings offer new insights for the clinical application of gut microbiota in precise and/or personalized treatments of tumors. In this review, we will discuss the impacts of GMMs and GMM educated immune cells on the activity of effective CD8 and NK cells and the expression of CD94/NKG2A in immune cells and/or their ligand HLA-E in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyue Cheng
- Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ningning Zhu
- Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Juanjuan Wang
- Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rongcun Yang
- Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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8
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Zhang Y, Xie J, Wu H, Huang J, Zheng D, Wang S, Jia X, He Z, Gong Y, Ju L, Sun Q. NK cell based immunotherapy against oral squamous cell carcinoma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1440764. [PMID: 39192980 PMCID: PMC11347299 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1440764] [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: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a major subtype of head and neck cancers, presents significant challenges due to its aggressive feature and limited therapeutic efficacy of conventional treatments. In response to these challenges, Natural Killer (NK) cells, a vital component of the innate immune system, are being explored for their therapeutic potential in OSCC due to their inherent ability to target and eliminate cancer cells without prior sensitization. This review uniquely focuses on the evolving role of NK cells specifically in OSCC, incorporating recent advancements in CAR-NK cell engineering and personalized therapy approaches that have not been comprehensively covered in previous reviews. The mechanisms through which NK cells exert cytotoxic effects on tumor cells include direct killing through the engagement of natural cytotoxic receptors and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), making them promising agents in cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, the article explores recent advancements in engineering NK cells to enhance their antitumor activity, such as the modification with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to target specific tumor antigens. Clinical implications of NK cell-based therapies, including the challenges of integrating these treatments with existing protocols and the potential for personalized therapy, are examined. The review highlights the promise of NK cell therapies in improving outcomes for OSCC patients and outlines future directions for research in this dynamic field of oncological immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jianming Xie
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Anyuan People’s hospital, Ganzhou, China
| | - Haoran Wu
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinhui Huang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Danna Zheng
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaotong Wang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueqiang Jia
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zongzhong He
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Gong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Linling Ju
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Qiurong Sun
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
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9
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Gong Y, Germeraad WTV, Zhang X, Wu N, Li B, Janssen L, He Z, Gijbels MJJ, Wu B, Gijsbers BLMG, Olieslagers TI, Bos GMJ, Zheng L, Klein Wolterink RGJ. NKG2A genetic deletion promotes human primary NK cell anti-tumor responses better than an anti-NKG2A monoclonal antibody. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2711-2727. [PMID: 38943249 PMCID: PMC11405175 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells eliminate infected or cancer cells via their cytotoxic capacity. NKG2A is an inhibitory receptor on NK cells and cancer cells often overexpress its ligand HLA-E to evade NK cell surveillance. Given the successes of immune checkpoint blockade in cancer therapy, NKG2A is an interesting novel target. However, anti-NKG2A antibodies have shown limited clinical response. In the pursuit of enhancing NK cell-mediated anti-tumor responses, we devised a Cas9-based strategy to delete KLRC1, encoding NKG2A, in human primary NK cells. Our approach involved electroporation of KLRC1-targeting Cas9 ribonucleoprotein resulting in effective ablation of NKG2A expression. Compared with anti-NKG2A antibody blockade, NKG2AKO NK cells exhibited enhanced activation, reduced suppressive signaling, and elevated expression of key transcription factors. NKG2AKO NK cells overcame inhibition from HLA-E, significantly boosting NK cell activity against solid and hematologic cancer cells. We validated this efficacy across multiple cell lines, a xenograft mouse model, and primary human leukemic cells. Combining NKG2A knockout with antibody coating of tumor cells further enhanced cytotoxicity through ADCC. Thus, we provide a comprehensive comparison of inhibition of the NKG2A pathway using genetic ablation and antibodies and provide novel insight in the observed differences in molecular mechanisms, which can be translated to enhance adoptive NK cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Wilfred T V Germeraad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; CiMaas BV, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Xulin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Nisha Wu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
| | - Lynn Janssen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Zongzhong He
- Department of Transfusion Medicine of General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
| | - Marion J J Gijbels
- GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Experimental Vascular Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bodeng Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
| | - Birgit L M G Gijsbers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Timo I Olieslagers
- GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Transplantation Immunology, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard M J Bos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; CiMaas BV, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China.
| | - Roel G J Klein Wolterink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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10
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Wen M, He L, Guo C, Zhao D, Hou Y, Yang X, Meng H. Expression and clinical significance of NKG2A and HLA-E in advanced laryngeal carcinoma. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 260:155383. [PMID: 38924853 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose was to detected features of the expression levels of NKG2A and its ligand HLA-E, a new member of the immune checkpoints, in advanced laryngeal carcinoma and their clinicopathologic significance. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed the expression levels of HLA-E and NKG2A in multiple types of tumors utilizing the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database and immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR analysis of paraffin embedded tissue samples to reveal the correlations of the clinicopathological factors with the expression of these two proteins in advanced laryngeal carcinoma as well as their prognostic significance. RESULTS KLRC1 (the coding gene of NKG2A) and HLA-E are substantially overexpressed in various human cancers than normal tissues. HNSCC is also included. KLRC1 is differentially expressed in different HPV subgroups of patients, with higher expression in the HPV-positive group. Consistent with this, immunohistochemical results also revealed the high expression of these two proteins in tumor tissue. In addition, immunohistochemical staining also displayed a preference for the distribution of NKG2A-positive cells in tumor tissue. Clinicopathological analyses also displayed that the density of NKG2A-positive cells of the HPV-positive group infiltrating laryngeal carcinoma tissue was larger than that in the HPV-negative group. Prognostic analyses indicated that the expression of this immune checkpoint does not affect the overall survival length of patients, but the highly expressed HLA-E is significantly correlated with local recurrence in the patients. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that the expression levels of HLA-E and NKG2A is upregulated in advanced laryngeal carcinoma. The NKG2A-positive cells infiltrating the tumor are mainly distributed in the cancer nest, while infiltrating cell number may be regulated by HPV. The highly expressed HLA-E may promote local recurrence in patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meina Wen
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Lin He
- Department of Stomatology, Nangang Hospital, Heilongjiang Province Hospital, China
| | - Chenxu Guo
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yunjing Hou
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Xinxin Yang
- Precision Medicine Center, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.
| | - Hongxue Meng
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China; Precision Medicine Center, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.
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11
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Tang X, Gao L, Jiang X, Hou Z, Wang Y, Hou S, Qu H. Single-cell profiling reveals altered immune landscape and impaired NK cell function in gastric cancer liver metastasis. Oncogene 2024; 43:2635-2646. [PMID: 39060439 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03114-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a substantial global health concern, and the development of liver metastasis (LM) in GC represents a critical stage linked to unfavorable patient prognoses. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate the immune landscape of GC liver metastasis, revealing several immuno-suppressive components within the tumor immune microenvironment (TIM). Our findings unveiled an increased presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC)-like macrophages, tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)-like macrophages, and naive T cells, while conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) and effector CD8 T cells declined in LM. Additionally, we identified two distinct natural killer (NK) cell clusters exhibiting differential cytotoxicity-related gene expression, with cytotoxic NK cells notably reduced in LM. Strikingly, TGFβ was identified as an inducer of NK cell dysfunction, potentially contributing to immune evasion and tumor metastasis. In preclinical LM models, the combined approach of inhibiting TGFβ and transferring NK cells exhibited a synergistic impact, resulting in a significant reduction in liver metastasis. This work highlights the importance of understanding the complex immune dynamics within GC liver metastasis and presents a promising strategy combining TGFβ inhibition and NK-based immunotherapy to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Lei Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Xingzhi Jiang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Qilu Medical College of Shandong University, Jinan, 250011, China
| | - Zhenyu Hou
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Yiwen Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Qilu Medical College of Shandong University, Jinan, 250011, China
| | - Shiyang Hou
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Qilu Medical College of Shandong University, Jinan, 250011, China
| | - Hui Qu
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
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12
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Ye QN, Zhu L, Liang J, Zhao DK, Tian TY, Fan YN, Ye SY, Liu H, Huang XY, Cao ZT, Shen S, Wang J. Orchestrating NK and T cells via tri-specific nano-antibodies for synergistic antitumor immunity. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6211. [PMID: 39043643 PMCID: PMC11266419 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50474-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The functions of natural killer (NK) and T cells in innate and adaptive immunity, as well as their functions in tumor eradication, are complementary and intertwined. Here we show that utilization of multi-specific antibodies or nano-antibodies capable of simultaneously targeting both NK and T cells could be a valuable approach in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we introduce a tri-specific Nano-Antibody (Tri-NAb), generated by immobilizing three types of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), using an optimized albumin/polyester composite nanoparticle conjugated with anti-Fc antibody. This Tri-NAb, targeting PDL1, 4-1BB, and NKG2A (or TIGIT) simultaneously, effectively binds to NK and CD8+ T cells, triggering their activation and proliferation, while facilitating their interaction with tumor cells, thereby inducing efficient tumor killing. Importantly, the antitumor efficacy of Tri-NAb is validated in multiple models, including patient-derived tumor organoids and humanized mice, highlighting the translational potential of NK and T cell co-targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Ni Ye
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Long Zhu
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jie Liang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Kun Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Tai-Yu Tian
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Nan Fan
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Si-Yi Ye
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Hua Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Yi Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Ting Cao
- School of Biopharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Song Shen
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
| | - Jun Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
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13
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Pesini C, Artal L, Paúl Bernal J, Sánchez Martinez D, Pardo J, Ramírez-Labrada A. In-depth analysis of the interplay between oncogenic mutations and NK cell-mediated cancer surveillance in solid tumors. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2379062. [PMID: 39036370 PMCID: PMC11259085 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2379062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in antitumoral and antiviral responses. Yet, cancer cells can alter themselves or the microenvironment through the secretion of cytokines or other factors, hindering NK cell activation and promoting a less cytotoxic phenotype. These resistance mechanisms, often referred to as the "hallmarks of cancer" are significantly influenced by the activation of oncogenes, impacting most, if not all, of the described hallmarks. Along with oncogenes, other types of genes, the tumor suppressor genes are frequently mutated or modified during cancer. Traditionally, these genes have been associated with uncontrollable tumor growth and apoptosis resistance. Recent evidence suggests oncogenic mutations extend beyond modulating cell death/proliferation programs, influencing cancer immunosurveillance. While T cells have been more studied, the results obtained highlight NK cells as emerging key protagonists for enhancing tumor cell elimination by modulating oncogenic activity. A few recent studies highlight the crucial role of oncogenic mutations in NK cell-mediated cancer recognition, impacting angiogenesis, stress ligands, and signaling balance within the tumor microenvironment. This review will critically examine recent discoveries correlating oncogenic mutations to NK cell-mediated cancer immunosurveillance, a relatively underexplored area, particularly in the era dominated by immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cells. Building on these insights, we will explore opportunities to improve NK cell-based immunotherapies, which are increasingly recognized as promising alternatives for treating low-antigenic tumors, offering significant advantages in terms of safety and manufacturing suitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Pesini
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Pediatry and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura Artal
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Institute of Carbochemistry (ICB-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jorge Paúl Bernal
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Diego Sánchez Martinez
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Aragón I + D Foundation (ARAID), Government of Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Julián Pardo
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Pediatry and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ariel Ramírez-Labrada
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
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14
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Wang Q, Chen S, Guo Z, Xia S, Zhang M. NK-like CD8 T cell: one potential evolutionary continuum between adaptive memory and innate immunity. Clin Exp Immunol 2024; 217:136-150. [PMID: 38651831 PMCID: PMC11239564 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxae038] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
CD8 T cells are crucial adaptive immune cells with cytotoxicity to fight against pathogens or abnormal self-cells via major histocompatibility complex class I-dependent priming pathways. The composition of the memory CD8 T-cell pool is influenced by various factors. Physiological aging, chronic viral infection, and autoimmune diseases promote the accumulation of CD8 T cells with highly differentiated memory phenotypes. Accumulating studies have shown that some of these memory CD8 T cells also exhibit innate-like cytotoxicity and upregulate the expression of receptors associated with natural killer (NK) cells. Further analysis shows that these NK-like CD8 T cells have transcriptional profiles of both NK and CD8 T cells, suggesting the transformation of CD8 T cells into NK cells. However, the specific induction mechanism underlying NK-like transformation and the implications of this process for CD8 T cells are still unclear. This review aimed to deduce the possible differentiation model of NK-like CD8 T cells, summarize the functions of major NK-cell receptors expressed on these cells, and provide a new perspective for exploring the role of these CD8 T cells in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiulei Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Shaodan Chen
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Zhenhong Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Minghui Zhang
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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15
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Hwang JK, Marston DJ, Wrapp D, Li D, Tuyishime M, Brackenridge S, Rhodes B, Quastel M, Kapingidza AB, Gater J, Harner A, Wang Y, Rountree W, Ferrari G, Borrow P, McMichael AJ, Gillespie GM, Haynes BF, Azoitei ML. A high affinity monoclonal antibody against HLA-E-VL9 enhances natural killer cell anti-tumor killing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.08.602401. [PMID: 39026709 PMCID: PMC11257447 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.08.602401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells kill target cells following triggering via germline-encoded receptors interacting with target cell-expressed ligands (direct killing), or via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by FcγRIIIa. NK cytotoxicity is modulated by signaling through activating or inhibitory receptors. A major checkpoint is mediated by the NK inhibitory receptor NKG2A/CD94 and its target cell ligand, HLA-E, which is complexed with HLA signal sequence-derived peptides termed VL9 (HLA-E-VL9). We have previously reported the isolation of a murine HLA-E-VL9-specific IgM antibody 3H4 and the generation of a higher affinity IgG version (3H4v3). Here we have used phage display library selection to generate a high affinity version of 3H4v3, called 3H4v31, with an ∼700 fold increase in binding affinity. We show using an HLA-E-VL9+ K562 tumor model that, in vitro, the addition of 3H4v31 to target cells increased direct killing of targets by CD16-negative NK cell line NK-92 and also mediated ADCC by NK-92 cells transfected with CD16. Moreover, ADCC by primary NK cells was also enhanced in vitro by 3H4v31. 3H4v31 was also able to bind and enhance target cell lysis of endogenously expressed HLA-E-VL9 on human cervical cancer and human pancreatic cancer cell lines. In vivo, 3H4v31 slowed the growth rate of HLA-E-VL9+ K562 tumors implanted into NOD/SCID/IL2rγ null mice compared to isotype control when injected with NK-92 cells intratumorally. Together, these data demonstrate that mAb 3H4v31 can enhance NK cell killing of HLA-E-VL9-expressing tumor cells in vitro by both direct killing activity and by ADCC. Moreover, mAb 3H4v31 can enhance NK cell control of tumor growth in vivo. We thus identify HLA-E-VL9 monoclonal antibodies as a promising novel anti-tumor immunotherapy. One Sentence Summary A high affinity monoclonal antibody against HLA-E-VL9 enhances natural killer cell anti-tumor killing by checkpoint inhibition and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity.
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16
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Shimojima Y, Ichikawa T, Kishida D, Takamatsu R, Sekijima Y. HLA-E-expressing macrophage polarization and increased NKG2A/CD94 expression in adult-onset Still's disease. Immunol Res 2024:10.1007/s12026-024-09512-6. [PMID: 38958876 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-024-09512-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
We investigated the phenotypic characteristics of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E-expressing macrophages, NKG2A/CD94 expression in T and natural killer (NK) cells, and their interactions in patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 22 patients with AOSD and 22 healthy controls (HC) were used. Isolated monocytes were cultured first with macrophage colony-stimulating factor to differentiate into M0 macrophages and subsequently with lipopolysaccharide/interferon-γ or interleukin-4 to differentiate into M1 or M2 macrophages, respectively. HLA-E and NKG2A/CD94 expression levels were evaluated using quantitative RT-PCR and flow cytometry. HLA-E expression in M0 and M2 macrophages was significantly higher in patients with AOSD than in HC, and was positively correlated with serum C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. NKG2A/CD94 expression in CD4 + and CD8 + T cells was significantly higher in patients with AOSD than in HC, but that in NK cells was not significantly different. In patients with AOSD, NKG2A expression in CD4 + T cells positively correlated with HLA-E expression in M0, M1, and M2 macrophages. CD94 expression in CD8 + T cells inversely correlated with HLA-E expression in M1 and M2 macrophages. NKG2A and CD94 expression in NK cells inversely correlated with HLA-E expression in M0, M1, and M2 macrophages. No significant correlation was observed between HLA-E and NKG2A/CD94 expression in HC. Increased expression of HLA-E in macrophages and NKG2A/CD94 in T cells can be observed in the inflammatory condition of AOSD. HLA-E-expressing macrophages may be associated with NKG2A/CD94 expression in T and NK cells with different correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Shimojima
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan.
| | - Takanori Ichikawa
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Dai Kishida
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Ryota Takamatsu
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Sekijima
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
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17
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Nössing C, Herek P, Shariat SF, Berger W, Englinger B. Advances in preclinical assessment of therapeutic targets for bladder cancer precision medicine. Curr Opin Urol 2024; 34:251-257. [PMID: 38602053 PMCID: PMC11155291 DOI: 10.1097/mou.0000000000001177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Bladder cancer incidence is on the rise, and until recently, there has been little to no change in treatment regimens over the last 40 years. Hence, it is imperative to work on strategies and approaches to untangle the complexity of intra- and inter-tumour heterogeneity of bladder cancer with the aim of improving patient-specific care and treatment outcomes. The focus of this review is therefore to highlight novel targets, advances, and therapy approaches for bladder cancer patients. RECENT FINDINGS The success of combining an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) with immunotherapy has been recently hailed as a game changer in treating bladder cancer patients. Hence, interest in other ADCs as a treatment option is also rife. Furthermore, strategies to overcome chemoresistance to standard therapy have been described recently. In addition, other studies showed that targeting genomic alterations (e.g. mutations in FGFR3 , DNA damage repair genes and loss of the Y chromosome) could also be helpful as prognostic and treatment stratification biomarkers. The use of single-cell RNA sequencing approaches has allowed better characterisation of the tumour microenvironment and subsequent identification of novel targets. Functional precision medicine could be another avenue to improve and guide personalized treatment options. SUMMARY Several novel preclinical targets and treatment options have been described recently. The validation of these advances will lead to the development and implementation of robust personalized treatment regimens for bladder cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Herek
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Shahrokh F. Shariat
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Urology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute for Urology, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Research center for Evidence Medicine, Urology Department, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Karl Landsteiner Institute of Urology and Andrology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Berger
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Englinger
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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18
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Agostinetto E, Curigliano G, Piccart M. Emerging treatments in HER2-positive advanced breast cancer: Keep raising the bar. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101575. [PMID: 38759648 PMCID: PMC11228398 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101575] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Patients with human epidermal receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer are experiencing a consistent shift toward better survival across the years, thanks to tremendous advancements in treatment strategies. The consistent improvements of outcomes set a high bar for new drug development and the need to explore new ways to overcome resistance mechanisms. Emerging treatments in HER2-positive breast cancer aim to tackle the disease by acting on different targets, including not only HER2 (both at the extra- and intracellular level), but also HER3, PD-(L)1, CTLA4, NKG2A, AKT, PI3K, and, in triple-positive tumors, the estrogen receptors and the cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6. This review describes the evolving treatment landscape of HER2-positive breast cancer, from the current approved therapies to the future perspectives, with a focus on the new agents which are likely to get approved in the next future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Agostinetto
- Oncology Department, Institut Jules Bordet and l'Université Libre de Bruxelles (U.L.B.), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (HUB), Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milano, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Martine Piccart
- Oncology Department, Institut Jules Bordet and l'Université Libre de Bruxelles (U.L.B.), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (HUB), Brussels, Belgium
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19
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Nakamae H. Graft-versus-tumor effect of post-transplant cyclophosphamide-based allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1403936. [PMID: 38903503 PMCID: PMC11187280 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1403936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is becoming the standard prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in HLA-haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) and in HLA-matched allo-HCT. Immune reconstitution in the post-transplant setting may influence the graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect because PTCy has a profound effect on T cell and natural killer cell functions and their reconstitution after allo-HCT. However, many recent studies have shown that the incidence of relapse after allo-HCT with PTCy is comparable to that after conventional allo-HCT. To further improve the outcomes, it is critical to establish a strategy to maintain or effectively induce the GVT effect when using PTCy as a platform for GVHD prophylaxis. However, there is a paucity of studies focusing on the GVT effect in allo-HCT with PTCy. Therefore, focusing on this issue may lead to the establishment of more appropriate strategies to improve transplantation outcomes without exacerbating GVHD, including novel therapies involving cell modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirohisa Nakamae
- Department of Hematology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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20
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Rohn H, Rebmann V. Is HLA-E with its receptors an immune checkpoint or an antigenic determinant in allo-HCT? Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2024; 37:101560. [PMID: 39098806 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2024.101560] [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: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) represents a potentially curative therapeutic approach for various hematologic and non-hematologic malignancies. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching is still the central selection criterion for HCT donors. Nevertheless, post-transplant complications, in particular graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), relapse of disease and infectious complications, represent a major challenge and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. Recently, non-classical HLA class I molecules, especially HLA-E, have gained increasing attention in the context of allogeneic HCT. This review aims to summarize the latest findings on the immunomodulatory role of HLA-E, which serves as a ligand for receptors of the innate and adaptive immune system. In particular, we aim to elucidate how (i) polymorphisms within HLA-E, (ii) the NKG2A/C axis and (iii) the repertoire of peptides presented by HLA-E jointly influence the functionality of immune effector cells. Understanding this intricate network of interactions is crucial as it significantly affects NK and T cell responses and thus clinical outcomes after HCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Rohn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Vera Rebmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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21
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Huang M, Liu Y, Yan Q, Peng M, Ge J, Mo Y, Wang Y, Wang F, Zeng Z, Li Y, Fan C, Xiong W. NK cells as powerful therapeutic tool in cancer immunotherapy. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:733-757. [PMID: 38170381 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00909-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells have gained considerable attention and hold great potential for their application in tumor immunotherapy. This is mainly due to their MHC-unrestricted and pan-specific recognition capabilities, as well as their ability to rapidly respond to and eliminate target cells. To artificially generate therapeutic NK cells, various materials can be utilized, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), umbilical cord blood (UCB), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and NK cell lines. Exploiting the therapeutic potential of NK cells to treat tumors through in vivo and in vitro therapeutic modalities has yielded positive therapeutic results. CONCLUSION This review provides a comprehensive description of NK cell therapeutic approaches for tumors and discusses the current problems associated with these therapeutic approaches and the prospects of NK cell therapy for tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Huang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yixuan Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qijia Yan
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410078, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Peng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Junshang Ge
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongzhen Mo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yumin Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410078, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fuyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Alkek Building, RM N720, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chunmei Fan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 410013, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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22
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Riva E, Carboni S, di Berardino-Besson W, Moyat M, Belnoue E, Devy-Dimanche L, Rossi M. Bimodal Effect of NKG2A Blockade on Intratumoral and Systemic CD8 T Cell Response Induced by Cancer Vaccine. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2036. [PMID: 38893156 PMCID: PMC11171001 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune check-point blockade (ICB) has revitalized cancer immunotherapy, showing unprecedented efficacy despite only a narrow number of indications and with limited long-term protection. Cancer vaccines are promising combination partners for ICB to widen the patient population profiting from these treatments. Therapeutic heterologous prime-boost vaccination with KISIMATM protein vaccine and VSV-GP-TAg oncolytic virus was shown to inflame the tumor microenvironment, promoting significant infiltration of antigen-specific CD8 T cells resulting in robust antitumoral efficacy in mouse tumor models, and clinical trials are currently ongoing. Here, we report the impact of NKG2A blockade on antitumoral CD8 T cell immune response elicited by KISIMA-VSV-GP-TAg vaccination in tumor mouse models. Combination therapy significantly reduced the amount of vaccine-induced exhausted CD8 T cells infiltrating the tumor, resulting in short-term improved tumor growth control and prolonged mouse survival, while it also influenced the establishment of systemic effector memory CD8 T cell response. Taken together, these data show a compartment-dependent effect of NKG2A blockade on cancer vaccine-induced T cell immunity, increasing intratumoral T cell efficacy and attenuating the development of peripheral effector memory CD8 T cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Riva
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Susanna Carboni
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Wilma di Berardino-Besson
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Mati Moyat
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Elodie Belnoue
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Laetitia Devy-Dimanche
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Matteo Rossi
- Amal Therapeutics, Fondation Pour Recherches Médicales, Avenue de la Roseraie 64, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
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23
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Iyer RF, Verweij MC, Nair SS, Morrow D, Mansouri M, Chakravarty D, Beechwood T, Meyer C, Uebelhoer L, Lauron EJ, Selseth A, John N, Thin TH, Dzedzik S, Havenar-Daughton C, Axthelm MK, Douglas J, Korman A, Bhardwaj N, Tewari AK, Hansen S, Malouli D, Picker LJ, Früh K. CD8 + T cell targeting of tumor antigens presented by HLA-E. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm7515. [PMID: 38728394 PMCID: PMC11086602 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm7515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The nonpolymorphic major histocompatibility complex E (MHC-E) molecule is up-regulated on many cancer cells, thus contributing to immune evasion by engaging inhibitory NKG2A/CD94 receptors on NK cells and tumor-infiltrating T cells. To investigate whether MHC-E expression by cancer cells can be targeted for MHC-E-restricted T cell control, we immunized rhesus macaques (RM) with rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) vectors genetically programmed to elicit MHC-E-restricted CD8+ T cells and to express established tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) including prostatic acidic phosphatase (PAP), Wilms tumor-1 protein, or Mesothelin. T cell responses to all three tumor antigens were comparable to viral antigen-specific responses with respect to frequency, duration, phenotype, epitope density, and MHC restriction. Thus, CMV-vectored cancer vaccines can bypass central tolerance by eliciting T cells to noncanonical epitopes. We further demonstrate that PAP-specific, MHC-E-restricted CD8+ T cells from RhCMV/PAP-immunized RM respond to PAP-expressing HLA-E+ prostate cancer cells, suggesting that the HLA-E/NKG2A immune checkpoint can be exploited for CD8+ T cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi F. Iyer
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Marieke C. Verweij
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Sujit S. Nair
- Department of Urology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - David Morrow
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Mandana Mansouri
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Dimple Chakravarty
- Department of Urology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Teresa Beechwood
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | | | - Luke Uebelhoer
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | | | - Andrea Selseth
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Nessy John
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Tin Htwe Thin
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Siarhei Dzedzik
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Michael K. Axthelm
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | | | - Alan Korman
- Vir Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA 14158, USA
| | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Department of Urology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ashutosh K. Tewari
- Department of Urology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Scott Hansen
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Daniel Malouli
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Louis J. Picker
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Klaus Früh
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
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24
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Xianyu B, Pan S, Gao S, Xu H, Li T. Selenium-Containing Nanocomplexes Achieve Dual Immune Checkpoint Blockade for NK Cell Reinvigoration. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2306225. [PMID: 38072799 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The blockade of immune checkpoints has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. However, most of the current approaches focus on T cells, leaving natural killer (NK) cell-mediated therapeutic strategies rarely explored. Here, a selenium-containing nanocomplex is developed that acts as a dual immune checkpoint inhibitor to reinvigorate NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy. The Se nanocomplex can deliver and release siRNA that targets programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in tumor cells, thereby silencing the checkpoint receptor PD-L1. The intracellular reactive oxygen species generated by porphyrin derivatives in the nanocomplexes can oxidize the diselenide bond into seleninic acid, which blocks the expression of another checkpoint receptor, human leukocyte antigen E. The blockade of dual immune checkpoints shows synergistic effects on promoting NK cell-mediated antitumoral activity. This study provides a new strategy to reinvigorate NK cell immunity for the development of combined cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banruo Xianyu
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Shuojiong Pan
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Shiqian Gao
- Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalate Science of the Ministry of Education, Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Huaping Xu
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
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25
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Mitra A, Kumar A, Amdare NP, Pathak R. Current Landscape of Cancer Immunotherapy: Harnessing the Immune Arsenal to Overcome Immune Evasion. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:307. [PMID: 38785789 PMCID: PMC11118874 DOI: 10.3390/biology13050307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Cancer immune evasion represents a leading hallmark of cancer, posing a significant obstacle to the development of successful anticancer therapies. However, the landscape of cancer treatment has significantly evolved, transitioning into the era of immunotherapy from conventional methods such as surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. Immunotherapy has emerged as a pivotal component in cancer treatment, harnessing the body's immune system to combat cancer and offering improved prognostic outcomes for numerous patients. The remarkable success of immunotherapy has spurred significant efforts to enhance the clinical efficacy of existing agents and strategies. Several immunotherapeutic approaches have received approval for targeted cancer treatments, while others are currently in preclinical and clinical trials. This review explores recent progress in unraveling the mechanisms of cancer immune evasion and evaluates the clinical effectiveness of diverse immunotherapy strategies, including cancer vaccines, adoptive cell therapy, and antibody-based treatments. It encompasses both established treatments and those currently under investigation, providing a comprehensive overview of efforts to combat cancer through immunological approaches. Additionally, the article emphasizes the current developments, limitations, and challenges in cancer immunotherapy. Furthermore, by integrating analyses of cancer immunotherapy resistance mechanisms and exploring combination strategies and personalized approaches, it offers valuable insights crucial for the development of novel anticancer immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Mitra
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Anoop Kumar
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, National Institute of Biologicals, Noida 201309, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Nitin P. Amdare
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Rajiv Pathak
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
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26
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Zhang W, Liu M, Li W, Song Y. Immune cells in the B-cell lymphoma microenvironment: From basic research to clinical applications. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:776-790. [PMID: 38269619 PMCID: PMC10997228 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002919] [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: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT B-cell lymphoma is a group of hematological malignancies characterized by variable genetic and biological features and clinical behaviors. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex network in tumors, which consists of surrounding blood vessels, extracellular matrix, immune and non-immune cells, and signaling molecules. Increasing evidence has shown that the TME, especially immune cells within, is a double-edged sword, acting either as a tumor killer or as a promoter of tumor progression. These pro-tumor activities are driven by subpopulations of immune cells that express typical markers but have unique transcriptional characteristics, making tumor-associated immune cells good targets for human anti-cancer therapy by ablating immunosuppressive cells or enhancing immune-activated cells. Thus, exploring the role of immune cells in the TME provides distinct insights for immunotherapy in B-cell lymphoma. In this review, we elucidated the interaction between immune cells and tumor cells and their function in the initiation, progression, and prognosis of B-cell lymphoma, from preclinical experiments to clinical trials. Furthermore, we outlined potential therapeutic approaches and discussed the potential clinical value and future perspectives of targeting immune cells in patients with B-cell lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Department of Hematology, Henan Provincial Hematology Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Mengmeng Liu
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Department of Research and Foreign Affairs, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Department of Hematology, Henan Provincial Hematology Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, China
| | - Yongping Song
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Department of Hematology, Henan Provincial Hematology Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, China
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27
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Zhang Q, Lin J, Yang M, Li Z, Zhang M, Bu B. Therapeutic potential of natural killer cells in neuroimmunological diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116371. [PMID: 38430631 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116371] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, a major component of the innate immune system, have prominent immunoregulatory, antitumor proliferation, and antiviral activities. NK cells act as a double-edged sword with therapeutic potential in neurological autoimmunity. Emerging evidence has identified NK cells are involved in the development and progression of neuroimmunological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, autoimmune encephalitis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, myasthenia gravis, and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. However, the regulatory mechanisms and functional roles of NK cells are highly variable in different clinical states of neuroimmunological diseases and need to be further determined. In this review, we summarize the evidence for the heterogenic involvement of NK cells in the above conditions. Further, we describe cutting-edge NK-cell-based immunotherapy for neuroimmunological diseases in preclinical and clinical development and highlight challenges that must be overcome to fully realize the therapeutic potential of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jing Lin
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Mengge Yang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zhijun Li
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Bitao Bu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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28
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Li M, Jiang H, Hu P, Shi J. Nanocatalytic Anti-Tumor Immune Regulation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202316606. [PMID: 38212843 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202316606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has brought a new dawn for human being to defeat cancer. Although existing immunotherapy regimens (CAR-T, etc.) have made breakthroughs in the treatments of hematological cancer and few solid tumors such as melanoma, the therapeutic efficacy on most solid tumors is still far from being satisfactory. In recent years, the researches on tumor immunotherapy based on nanocatalytic materials are under rapid development, and significant progresses have been made. Nanocatalytic medicine has been demonstrated to be capable of overcoming the limitations of current clinicnal treatments by using toxic chemodrugs, and exhibits highly attractive advantages over traditional therapies, such as the enhanced and sustained therapeutic efficacy based on the durable catalytic activity, remarkably reduced harmful side-effects without using traditional toxic chemodrugs, and so on. Most recently, nanocatalytic medicine has been introduced in the immune-regulation for disease treatments, especially, in the immunoactivation for tumor therapies. This article presents the most recent progresses in immune-response activations by nanocatalytic medicine-initiated chemical reactions for tumor immunotherapy, and elucidates the mechanism of nanocatalytic medicines in regulating anti-tumor immunity. By reviewing the current research progress in the emerging field, this review will further highlight the great potential and broad prospects of nanocatalysis-based anti-tumor immune-therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyuan Li
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, P R. China
| | - Han Jiang
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, P R. China
| | - Ping Hu
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine, Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200050, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Jianlin Shi
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, P R. China
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29
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Stenger TD, Miller JS. Therapeutic approaches to enhance natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1356666. [PMID: 38545115 PMCID: PMC10966407 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1356666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Enhancing the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells has emerged as a promising strategy in cancer immunotherapy, due to their pivotal role in immune surveillance and tumor clearance. This literature review provides a comprehensive overview of therapeutic approaches designed to augment NK cell cytotoxicity. We analyze a wide range of strategies, including cytokine-based treatment, monoclonal antibodies, and NK cell engagers, and discuss criteria that must be considered when selecting an NK cell product to combine with these strategies. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges and limitations associated with each therapeutic strategy, as well as the potential for combination therapies to maximize NK cell cytotoxicity while minimizing adverse effects. By exploring the wealth of research on this topic, this literature review aims to provide a comprehensive resource for researchers and clinicians seeking to develop and implement novel therapeutic strategies that harness the full potential of NK cells in the fight against cancer. Enhancing NK cell cytotoxicity holds great promise in the evolving landscape of immunotherapy, and this review serves as a roadmap for understanding the current state of the field and the future directions in NK cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terran D. Stenger
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Gong C, Yang M, Long H, Liu X, Xu Q, Qiao L, Dong H, Liu Y, Li S. IL-6-Driven Autocrine Lactate Promotes Immune Escape of Uveal Melanoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:37. [PMID: 38551584 PMCID: PMC10981435 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.3.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Early metastasis, in which immune escape plays a crucial role, is the leading cause of death in patients with uveal melanoma (UM); however, the molecular mechanism underlying UM immune escape remains unclear, which greatly limits the clinical application of immunotherapy for metastatic UM. Methods Transcriptome profiles were revealed by RNA-seq analysis. TALL-104 and NK-92MI-mediated cell killing assays were used to examine the immune resistance of UM cells. The glycolysis rate was measured by extracellular acidification analysis. Protein stability was evaluated by CHX-chase assay. Immunofluorescence histochemistry was performed to detect protein levels in clinical UM specimens. Results Continuous exposure to IL-6 induced the expression of both PD-L1 and HLA-E in UM cells, which promoted UM immune escape. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression of most metabolic enzymes in the glycolysis pathway, especially the rate-limiting enzymes, PFKP and PKM, was upregulated, whereas enzymes involved in the acetyl-CoA synthesis pathway were downregulated after exposure to IL-6. Blocking the glycolytic pathway and lactate production by knocking down PKM and LDHA decreased PD-L1 and HLA-E protein, but not mRNA, levels in UM cells treated with IL-6. Notably, lactate secreted by IL-6-treated UM cells was crucial in influencing PD-L1 and HLA-E stability via the GPR81-cAMP-PKA signaling pathway. Conclusions Our data reveal a novel mechanism by which UM cells acquire an immune-escape phenotype by metabolic reprogramming and reinforce the importance of the link between inflammation and immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoju Gong
- Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Institute of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, China
| | - Meiling Yang
- Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Institute of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, China
| | - Huirong Long
- Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Institute of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Institute of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Qing Xu
- Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Institute of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, China
| | - Lei Qiao
- Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Institute of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, China
| | - Haibei Dong
- Cancer Center, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yalu Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Institute of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, China
| | - Suyan Li
- Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Institute of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Institute of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, China
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Zhang X, Wang J, Wang M, Du M, Chen J, Wang L, Wu J. IFN-β Pretreatment Alleviates Allogeneic Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell-Induced NK Cell Responses via the IRF7/HLA-E/NKG2A Axis. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 212:715-722. [PMID: 38149913 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint molecules are promising targets for suppressing the immune response but have received little attention in immune tolerance induction in organ transplantation. In this study, we found that IFN-β could induce the expression of HLA-E as well as PD-L1 on human renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 and renal tissue of the C57BL/6 mouse. The JAK/STAT2 pathway was necessary for this process. Upregulation of both HLA-E and PD-L1 was fully abrogated by the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib. Signaling pathway molecules, including STAT1, STAT2, mTOR, Tyk2, and p38 MAPK, were involved in HLA-E and PD-L1 upregulation. IRF7 is the key transcription factor responsible for the activation of HLA-E and PD-L1 promoters. Through screening an epigenetic regulation library, we found a natural compound, bisdemethoxycurcumin, enhanced IFN-β-induced HLA-E and PD-L1 expression in vitro and in vivo. In PBMC-derived CD56+ NK cells, we found that NKG2A but not PD1 was constitutively expressed, indicating HLA-E/NKG2A as a more potent target to induce tolerance to innate immune cells. Pretreating HK-2 cells by IFN-β significantly attenuated the degranulation of their coincubated NK cells and protected cells from NK-mediated lysis. In conclusion, IFN-β pretreatment could activate HLA-E and PD-L1 transcription through the JAK/STAT/IRF7 pathway and then could protect renal tubular epithelial cells from allogeneic immune attack mediated by NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junni Wang
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mowang Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengbao Du
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianghua Chen
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Limengmeng Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianyong Wu
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urinary System Disease, Hangzhou, China
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Shankar K, Zingler-Hoslet I, Shi L, Katta V, Russell BE, Tsai SQ, Capitini CM, Saha K. Virus-free CRISPR knock-in of a chimeric antigen receptor into KLRC1 generates potent GD2-specific natural killer cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.14.580371. [PMID: 38405747 PMCID: PMC10888791 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.14.580371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are an appealing off-the-shelf, allogeneic cellular therapy due to their cytotoxic profile. However, their activity against solid tumors remains suboptimal in part due to the upregulation of NK-inhibitory ligands, such as HLA-E, within the tumor microenvironment. Here, we utilize CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt the KLRC1 gene (encoding the HLA-E-binding NKG2A receptor) and perform non-viral insertion of a GD2-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) within NK cells isolated from human peripheral blood. Genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes yields efficient genomic disruption of the KLRC1 gene with 98% knockout efficiency and specific knock-in of the GD2 CAR transgene as high as 23%, with minimal off-target activity as shown by CHANGE-Seq, in-out PCR, and next generation sequencing. KLRC1 -GD2 CAR NK cells display high viability and proliferation, as well as precise cellular targeting and potency against GD2 + human melanoma cells. Notably, KLRC1 -GD2 CAR NK cells overcome HLA-E-based inhibition by HLA-E-expressing, GD2 + melanoma cells. Using a single-step, virus-free genome editing workflow, this study demonstrates the feasibility of precisely disrupting inhibitory signaling within NK cells via CRISPR/Cas9 while expressing a CAR to generate potent allogeneic cell therapies against HLA-E + solid tumors.
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Liu N, He Y, Chen X, Qiu G, Wu Y, Shen Y. Changes in cuproptosis-related gene expression in periodontitis: An integrated bioinformatic analysis. Life Sci 2024; 338:122388. [PMID: 38181851 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122388] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Periodontitis causes inflammatory destruction of tooth-supporting tissues; however, the complex mechanism underlying its etiology remains unclear. Cuproptosis is a type of cell death caused by an imbalance in intracellular copper homeostasis that leads to excess copper. However, changes in the expression and biological function of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in periodontitis are not yet fully understood. This study investigated the comprehensive effects of differentially expressed CRGs (DE-CRGs) on periodontitis via bioinformatic analysis. Nine DE-CRGs were discovered using normal and periodontitis gingival samples, and single-cell RNA sequencing data were analyzed to identify them changes in diverse cell clusters. We then detected the correlation between DE-CRGs and immune infiltration, immune factors, mitochondrial dysfunction, diagnostic efficacy, and predicted drugs. Moreover, changes of DE-CRG in whole periodontitis tissue and a human gingival fibroblast cell line (HGF-1) were confirmed and copper content changes in HGF-1 cells were investigated. Most DE-CRG expression trends were reversed between the periodontal tissues and cell clusters, which may be related to the proportion of cell clusters changes caused periodontitis. Furthermore, most DE-CRG trends in periodontitis cell clusters were inconsistent with the effects of cuproptosis. In HGF-1 cells treated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS), the intracellular copper content increased by more than threefold, indicating that although some periodontitis cells had excess copper, the amount may not have been sufficient to trigger cuproptosis. Additionally, DE-CRGs were closely associated with multiple biological functions, antibiotic drugs, and natural herbal medicines. Our findings may provide an overview of DE-CRGs in the pathogenesis and treatment of periodontitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Liu
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou 510182, China
| | - Yeqing He
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou 510182, China
| | - Xiaomin Chen
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou 510182, China
| | - Guopeng Qiu
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou 510182, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou 510182, China
| | - Yuqin Shen
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou 510182, China.
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Qiu Y, Liu L, Jiang W, Xu Z, Wang J, Dai S, Guo J, Xu J. NKG2A +CD8 + T cells infiltration determines immunosuppressive contexture and inferior response to immunotherapy in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008368. [PMID: 38262706 PMCID: PMC10824007 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapy is gaining momentum, but current treatments have limitations in terms of beneficiaries. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) harbors the highest expression of human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E), ligand of NKG2A, among all solid tumors. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of NKG2A+CD8+ T cells in tumor microenvironment and its potential as a novel target in ccRCC. METHODS This study included four independent cohorts, including 234 patients from Zhongshan cohort (ZSHC) who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy at Zhongshan Hospital, and 117 metastatic patients from metastatic Zhongshan cohort (ZSHC-metastatic renal cell carcinoma) who were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor or tyrosine kinase inhibitor alone. We also incorporated a cohort of 530 patients diagnosed with ccRCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (referred to as TCGA-kidney renal clear cell carcinoma) and 311 patients from CheckMate cohort for bioinformatics exploration and hypothesis validation. Fresh surgical specimens from 15 patients who underwent ccRCC surgery at Zhongshan Hospital were collected for flow cytometry analysis. Another 10 fresh surgical specimens were used to investigate the therapeutic potential of NKG2A blockade after in vitro intervention. The infiltration of NKG2A+CD8+ T cells was assessed using immunohistochemical staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining in ZSHC cohort. RESULTS Patients with higher infiltration of NKG2A+CD8+ T cells in ccRCC exhibited shorter overall survival and resistance to immunotherapy. NKG2A+CD8+ T cells expressed upregulated checkpoint molecules and displayed impaired effector functions, along with tissue-residency characteristics. Combination of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) blockade and NKG2A blockade demonstrated an enhanced capability in reactivating CD8+ T cells effector functions. CONCLUSION Intense infiltration of NKG2A+CD8+ T cells were associated with poorer prognosis and response to immunotherapy. NKG2A blockade combined with current immunotherapy exhibited a robust ability to reactivate CD8+ T cells effector functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youqi Qiu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenbin Jiang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziyang Xu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiahao Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siyuan Dai
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianming Guo
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiejie Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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35
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Grob NM, Remarcik C, Rössler SL, Wong JYK, Wang JCK, Tao J, Smith CL, Loas A, Buchwald SL, Eaton DL, López MP, Pentelute BL. Electrophile Scanning Reveals Reactivity Hotspots for the Design of Covalent Peptide Binders. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:101-109. [PMID: 38069818 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are intriguing targets in drug discovery and development. Peptides are well suited to target PPIs, which typically present with large surface areas lacking distinct features and deep binding pockets. To improve binding interactions with these topologies and advance the development of PPI-focused therapeutics, potential ligands can be equipped with electrophilic groups to enable binding through covalent mechanisms of action. We report a strategy termed electrophile scanning to identify reactivity hotspots in a known peptide ligand and demonstrate its application in a model PPI. Cysteine mutants of a known ligand are used to install protein-reactive modifiers via a palladium oxidative addition complex (Pd-OAC). Reactivity hotspots are revealed by cross-linking reactions with the target protein under physiological conditions. In a model PPI with the 9-mer peptide antigen VL9 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I protein HLA-E, we identify two reactivity hotspots that afford up to 87% conversion to the protein-peptide conjugate within 4 h. The reactions are specific to the target protein in vitro and dependent on the peptide sequence. Moreover, the cross-linked peptide successfully inhibits molecular recognition of HLA-E by CD94-NKG2A possibly due to structural changes enacted at the PPI interface. The results illustrate the potential application of electrophile scanning as a tool for rapid discovery and development of covalent peptide binders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie M Grob
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Clint Remarcik
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, San Francisco, California 94080, United States of America
| | - Simon L Rössler
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey Y K Wong
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - John C K Wang
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, San Francisco, California 94080, United States of America
| | - Jason Tao
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Corey L Smith
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States of America
| | - Andrei Loas
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Stephen L Buchwald
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Dan L Eaton
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, San Francisco, California 94080, United States of America
| | | | - Bradley L Pentelute
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States of America
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
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36
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Middelburg J, Ghaffari S, Schoufour TAW, Sluijter M, Schaap G, Göynük B, Sala BM, Al-Tamimi L, Scheeren F, Franken KLMC, Akkermans JJLL, Cabukusta B, Joosten SA, Derksen I, Neefjes J, van der Burg SH, Achour A, Wijdeven RHM, Weidanz J, van Hall T. The MHC-E peptide ligands for checkpoint CD94/NKG2A are governed by inflammatory signals, whereas LILRB1/2 receptors are peptide indifferent. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113516. [PMID: 38048225 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113516] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune checkpoint NKG2A/CD94 is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy, and its ligand major histocompatibility complex E (MHC-E) is frequently upregulated in cancer. NKG2A/CD94-mediated inhibition of lymphocytes depends on the presence of specific leader peptides in MHC-E, but when and where they are presented in situ is unknown. We apply a nanobody specific for the Qdm/Qa-1b complex, the NKG2A/CD94 ligand in mouse, and find that presentation of Qdm peptide depends on every member of the endoplasmic reticulum-resident peptide loading complex. With a turnover rate of 30 min, the Qdm peptide reflects antigen processing capacity in real time. Remarkably, Qdm/Qa-1b complexes require inflammatory signals for surface expression in situ, despite the broad presence of Qa-1b molecules in homeostasis. Furthermore, we identify LILRB1 as a functional inhibition receptor for MHC-E in steady state. These data provide a molecular understanding of NKG2A blockade in immunotherapy and assign MHC-E as a convergent ligand for multiple immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Middelburg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Soroush Ghaffari
- Department of Biology, College of Science, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Tom A W Schoufour
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Sluijter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gaby Schaap
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Büsra Göynük
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Benedetta M Sala
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute & Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Lejla Al-Tamimi
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute & Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Ferenc Scheeren
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Kees L M C Franken
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jimmy J L L Akkermans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Birol Cabukusta
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Simone A Joosten
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ian Derksen
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jacques Neefjes
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Adnane Achour
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute & Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Ruud H M Wijdeven
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jon Weidanz
- Abexxa Biologics, Inc., Arlington, TX, USA; College of Nursing and Health Innovation, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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37
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Ramos A, Koch CE, Liu-Lupo Y, Hellinger RD, Kyung T, Abbott KL, Fröse J, Goulet D, Gordon KS, Eidell KP, Leclerc P, Whittaker CA, Larson RC, Muscato AJ, Yates KB, Dubrot J, Doench JG, Regev A, Vander Heiden MG, Maus MV, Manguso RT, Birnbaum ME, Hemann MT. Leukemia-intrinsic determinants of CAR-T response revealed by iterative in vivo genome-wide CRISPR screening. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8048. [PMID: 38052854 PMCID: PMC10698189 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43790-2] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
CAR-T therapy is a promising, novel treatment modality for B-cell malignancies and yet many patients relapse through a variety of means, including loss of CAR-T cells and antigen escape. To investigate leukemia-intrinsic CAR-T resistance mechanisms, we performed genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screens in an immunocompetent murine model of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) utilizing a modular guide RNA library. We identified IFNγR/JAK/STAT signaling and components of antigen processing and presentation pathway as key mediators of resistance to CAR-T therapy in vivo; intriguingly, loss of this pathway yielded the opposite effect in vitro (sensitized leukemia to CAR-T cells). Transcriptional characterization of this model demonstrated upregulation of these pathways in tumors relapsed after CAR-T treatment, and functional studies showed a surprising role for natural killer (NK) cells in engaging this resistance program. Finally, examination of data from B-ALL patients treated with CAR-T revealed an association between poor outcomes and increased expression of JAK/STAT and MHC-I in leukemia cells. Overall, our data identify an unexpected mechanism of resistance to CAR-T therapy in which tumor cell interaction with the in vivo tumor microenvironment, including NK cells, induces expression of an adaptive, therapy-induced, T-cell resistance program in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azucena Ramos
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Catherine E Koch
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yunpeng Liu-Lupo
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Riley D Hellinger
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Taeyoon Kyung
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Keene L Abbott
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Julia Fröse
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Goulet
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Khloe S Gordon
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Keith P Eidell
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Paul Leclerc
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Charles A Whittaker
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca C Larson
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Immunology Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Audrey J Muscato
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
| | - Kathleen B Yates
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
| | - Juan Dubrot
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
- Solid Tumors Program, Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - John G Doench
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
| | - Aviv Regev
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Matthew G Vander Heiden
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Immunology Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
- Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert T Manguso
- Immunology Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
| | - Michael E Birnbaum
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michael T Hemann
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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38
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Wu X, Li T, Jiang R, Yang X, Guo H, Yang R. Targeting MHC-I molecules for cancer: function, mechanism, and therapeutic prospects. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:194. [PMID: 38041084 PMCID: PMC10693139 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01899-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecules of Major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I) load peptides and present them on the cell surface, which provided the immune system with the signal to detect and eliminate the infected or cancerous cells. In the context of cancer, owing to the crucial immune-regulatory roles played by MHC-I molecules, the abnormal modulation of MHC-I expression and function could be hijacked by tumor cells to escape the immune surveillance and attack, thereby promoting tumoral progression and impairing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Here we reviewed and discussed the recent studies and discoveries related to the MHC-I molecules and their multidirectional functions in the development of cancer, mainly focusing on the interactions between MHC-I and the multiple participators in the tumor microenvironment and highlighting the significance of targeting MHC-I for optimizing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy and a deeper understanding of the dynamic nature and functioning mechanism of MHC-I in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Wu
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tianhang Li
- Department of Urology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Surgical Research Center, Institute of Urology, Southeast University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Jiang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongqian Guo
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Rong Yang
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
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Balzasch BM, Cerwenka A. Microenvironmental signals shaping NK-cell reactivity in cancer. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2250103. [PMID: 37194594 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Since the postulation of the "missing-self" concept, much progress has been made in defining requirements for NK-cell activation. Unlike T lymphocytes that process signals from receptors in a hierarchic manner dominated by the T-cell receptors, NK cells integrate receptor signals more "democratically." Signals originate not only the downstream of cell-surface receptors triggered by membrane-bound ligands or cytokines, but are also mediated by specialized microenvironmental sensors that perceive the cellular surrounding by detecting metabolites or the availability of oxygen. Thus, NK-cell effector functions are driven in an organ and disease-dependent manner. Here, we review the latest findings on how NK-cell reactivity in cancer is determined by the reception and integration of complex signals. Finally, we discuss how this knowledge can be exploited to guide novel combinatorial approaches for NK-cell-based anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca M Balzasch
- Department of Immunobiochemistry, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunosciences (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Adelheid Cerwenka
- Department of Immunobiochemistry, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunosciences (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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40
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Batchu S, Hanafy KA, Redjal N, Godil SS, Thomas AJ. Single-cell analysis reveals diversity of tumor-associated macrophages and their interactions with T lymphocytes in glioblastoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20874. [PMID: 38012322 PMCID: PMC10682178 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48116-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary CNS malignancy and clinical outcomes have remained stagnant despite introduction of new treatments. Understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) in which tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) interact with T cells has been of great interest. Although previous studies examining TAMs in GBM have shown that certain TAMs are associated with specific clinical and/or pathologic features, these studies used an outdated M1/M2 paradigm of macrophage polarization and failed to include the continuum of TAM states in GBM. Perhaps most significantly, the interactions of TAMs with T cells have yet to be fully explored. Our study uses single-cell RNA sequencing data from adult IDH-wildtype GBM, with the primary aim of deciphering the cellular interactions of the 7 TAM subtypes with T cells in the GBM TME. Furthermore, the interactions discovered herein are compared to IDH-mutant astrocytoma, allowing for focus on the cellular ecosystem unique to GBM. The resulting ligand-receptor interactions, signaling sources, and global communication patterns discovered provide a framework for future studies to explore methods of leveraging the immune system for treating GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Batchu
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 08103, USA
| | - Khalid A Hanafy
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 08103, USA
- Department of Neurology, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Navid Redjal
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 08103, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Saniya S Godil
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 08103, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Ajith J Thomas
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 08103, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA.
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41
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Zheng H, Guan X, Meng X, Tong Y, Wang Y, Xie S, Guo L, Lu R. IFN-γ in ovarian tumor microenvironment upregulates HLA-E expression and predicts a poor prognosis. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:229. [PMID: 38007483 PMCID: PMC10675946 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-023-01286-z] [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: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammation and immunity are two main characteristics of tumor microenvironment (TME). Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is generally considered as a pro-inflammatory cytokine which mediates anti-tumor immune response. Recently, IFN-γ was also reported to play a protumorigenic role. However, the mechanisms of tumor-promoting effect induced by IFN-γ remain unclear. METHODS The expression of leukocyte antigen-E (HLA-E), IFN-γ, CD3 and CD56 in clinical samples of ovarian cancer was detected by mutiplexed immunohistochemistry. The mechanism to induce HLA-E overexpression by IFN-γ was explored using human ovarian cancer cell lines through western blot and flow cytometry. We further clarify the role of overexpressed-HLA-E on natural killer (NK)-mediated cell lysis. RESULTS We found that IFN-γ could upregulate HLA-E protein expression through activating of JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway, and increase cell surface HLA-E level through enhancing proteasome activity. We also observed that only high levels of membrane HLA-E expression contributed to the inhibition of NK-mediated cytotoxicity. We showed that progression-free survival (PFS) of ovarian cancer patients was negatively correlated with IFN-γ expression in their tumor tissues, due to more tumor infiltrating NK cells compared with T lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed the protumorigenic role of IFN-γ by upregulation of HLA-E expression and rendering tumors less susceptible to immune attack. We also provided a novel insight into the relationship between tumor microenvironment and immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaolin Guan
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xin Meng
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ying Tong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yanchun Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Suhong Xie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lin Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Renquan Lu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Melero I, Ochoa MC, Molina C, Sanchez‐Gregorio S, Garasa S, Luri‐Rey C, Hervas‐Stubbs S, Casares N, Elizalde E, Gomis G, Cirella A, Berraondo P, Teijeira A, Alvarez M. Intratumoral co-injection of NK cells and NKG2A-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e17804. [PMID: 37782273 PMCID: PMC10630884 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202317804] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
NK-cell reactivity against cancer is conceivably suppressed in the tumor microenvironment by the interaction of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A with the non-classical MHC-I molecules HLA-E in humans or Qa-1b in mice. We found that intratumoral delivery of NK cells attains significant therapeutic effects only if co-injected with anti-NKG2A and anti-Qa-1b blocking monoclonal antibodies against solid mouse tumor models. Such therapeutic activity was contingent on endogenous CD8 T cells and type-1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1). Moreover, the anti-tumor effects were enhanced upon combination with systemic anti-PD-1 mAb treatment and achieved partial abscopal efficacy against distant non-injected tumors. In xenografted mice bearing HLA-E-expressing human cancer cells, intratumoral co-injection of activated allogeneic human NK cells and clinical-grade anti-NKG2A mAb (monalizumab) synergistically achieved therapeutic effects. In conclusion, these studies provide evidence for the clinical potential of intratumoral NK cell-based immunotherapies that exert their anti-tumor efficacy as a result of eliciting endogenous T-cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Melero
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC)MadridSpain
- Departments of Immunology and OncologyClínica Universidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
| | - Maria C Ochoa
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC)MadridSpain
| | - Carmen Molina
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
| | - Sandra Sanchez‐Gregorio
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
| | - Saray Garasa
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
| | - Carlos Luri‐Rey
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
| | - Sandra Hervas‐Stubbs
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
| | - Noelia Casares
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
| | - Edurne Elizalde
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
| | - Gabriel Gomis
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
| | - Assunta Cirella
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC)MadridSpain
| | - Alvaro Teijeira
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC)MadridSpain
| | - Maite Alvarez
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMAUniversidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA)PamplonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC)MadridSpain
- Cell Therapy, Stem Cells and Tissue GroupBiocruces Bizkaia Health Research InstituteBarakaldoSpain
- Research Unit, Basque Center for Blood Transfusion and Human TissuesOsakidetzaGaldakaoSpain
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43
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Borgeaud M, Sandoval J, Obeid M, Banna G, Michielin O, Addeo A, Friedlaender A. Novel targets for immune-checkpoint inhibition in cancer. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 120:102614. [PMID: 37603905 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer therapy, yet many patients either do not derive any benefit from treatment or develop a resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. Intrinsic resistance can result from neoantigen depletion, defective antigen presentation, PD-L1 downregulation, immune-checkpoint ligand upregulation, immunosuppression, and tumor cell phenotypic changes. On the other hand, extrinsic resistance involves acquired upregulation of inhibitory immune-checkpoints, leading to T-cell exhaustion. Current data suggest that PD-1, CTLA-4, and LAG-3 upregulation limits the efficacy of single-agent immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Ongoing clinical trials are investigating novel immune-checkpoint targets to avoid or overcome resistance. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the evolving landscape of potentially targetable immune-checkpoints in cancer. We highlight their biology, emphasizing the current understanding of resistance mechanisms and focusing on promising strategies that are under investigation. We also summarize current results and ongoing clinical trials in this crucial field that could once again revolutionize outcomes for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michel Obeid
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe Banna
- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK
| | | | | | - Alex Friedlaender
- Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland; Clinique Générale Beaulieu, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Hogan MJ, Maheshwari N, Begg BE, Nicastri A, Hedgepeth EJ, Muramatsu H, Pardi N, Miller MA, Reilly SP, Brossay L, Lynch KW, Ternette N, Eisenlohr LC. Cryptic MHC-E epitope from influenza elicits a potent cytolytic T cell response. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1933-1946. [PMID: 37828378 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01644-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The extent to which unconventional forms of antigen presentation drive T cell immunity is unknown. By convention, CD8 T cells recognize viral peptides, or epitopes, in association with classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, or MHC-Ia, but immune surveillance can, in some cases, be directed against peptides presented by nonclassical MHC-Ib, in particular the MHC-E proteins (Qa-1 in mice and HLA-E in humans); however, the overall importance of nonclassical responses in antiviral immunity remains unclear. Similarly uncertain is the importance of 'cryptic' viral epitopes, defined as those undetectable by conventional mapping techniques. Here we used an immunopeptidomic approach to search for unconventional epitopes that drive T cell responses in mice infected with influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/1934. We identified a nine amino acid epitope, termed M-SL9, that drives a co-immunodominant, cytolytic CD8 T cell response that is unconventional in two major ways: first, it is presented by Qa-1, and second, it has a cryptic origin, mapping to an unannotated alternative reading frame product of the influenza matrix gene segment. Presentation and immunogenicity of M-SL9 are dependent on the second AUG codon of the positive sense matrix RNA segment, suggesting translation initiation by leaky ribosomal scanning. During influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 infection, M-SL9-specific T cells exhibit a low level of egress from the lungs and strong differentiation into tissue-resident memory cells. Importantly, we show that M-SL9/Qa-1-specific T cells can be strongly induced by messenger RNA vaccination and that they can mediate antigen-specific cytolysis in vivo. Our results demonstrate that noncanonical translation products can account for an important fraction of the T cell repertoire and add to a growing body of evidence that MHC-E-restricted T cells could have substantial therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Hogan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Nikita Maheshwari
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Bridget E Begg
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Annalisa Nicastri
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Emma J Hedgepeth
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hiromi Muramatsu
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Norbert Pardi
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael A Miller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Century Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shanelle P Reilly
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Laurent Brossay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Kristen W Lynch
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicola Ternette
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Laurence C Eisenlohr
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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45
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Jiang D, Zhang J, Mao Z, Shi J, Ma P. Driving natural killer cell-based cancer immunotherapy for cancer treatment: An arduous journey to promising ground. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115004. [PMID: 37352703 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy represents one of the most effective strategies for cancer treatment. Recently, progress has been made in using natural killer (NK) cells for cancer therapy. NK cells can directly kill tumor cells without pre-sensitization and thus show promise in clinical applications, distinct from the use of T cells. Whereas, research and development on NK cell-based immunotherapy is still in its infancy, and enhancing the therapeutic effects of NK cells remains a key problem to be solved. An incompletely understanding of the mechanisms of action of NK cells, immune resistance in the tumor microenvironment, and obstacles associated with the delivery of therapeutic agents in vivo, represent three mountains that need to be scaled. Here, we firstly describe the mechanisms underlying the development, activity, and maturation of NK cells, and the formation of NK‑cell immunological synapses. Secondly, we discuss strategies for NK cell-based immunotherapy strategies, including adoptive transfer of NK cell therapy and treatment with cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, and immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting NK cells. Finally, we review the use of nanotechnology to overcome immune resistance, including enhancing the anti-tumor efficiency of chimeric antigen receptor-NK, cytokines and immunosuppressive-pathways inhibitors, promoting NK cell homing and developing NK cell-based nano-engagers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan Provincial People's Hospital; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Jingya Zhang
- Patent Examination Cooperation (Henan) Center of the Patent office, China National Intellectual Property Administration, Henan 450046, China
| | - Zhenkun Mao
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan Provincial People's Hospital; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Jinjin Shi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Peizhi Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan Provincial People's Hospital; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China.
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46
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Shin E, Bak SH, Park T, Kim JW, Yoon SR, Jung H, Noh JY. Understanding NK cell biology for harnessing NK cell therapies: targeting cancer and beyond. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1192907. [PMID: 37539051 PMCID: PMC10395517 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1192907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene-engineered immune cell therapies have partially transformed cancer treatment, as exemplified by the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells in certain hematologic malignancies. However, there are several limitations that need to be addressed to target more cancer types. Natural killer (NK) cells are a type of innate immune cells that represent a unique biology in cancer immune surveillance. In particular, NK cells obtained from heathy donors can serve as a source for genetically engineered immune cell therapies. Therefore, NK-based therapies, including NK cells, CAR-NK cells, and antibodies that induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of NK cells, have emerged. With recent advances in genetic engineering and cell biology techniques, NK cell-based therapies have become promising approaches for a wide range of cancers, viral infections, and senescence. This review provides a brief overview of NK cell characteristics and summarizes diseases that could benefit from NK-based therapies. In addition, we discuss recent preclinical and clinical investigations on the use of adoptive NK cell transfer and agents that can modulate NK cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunju Shin
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Ho Bak
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeho Park
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Woo Kim
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-Ran Yoon
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Haiyoung Jung
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Yoon Noh
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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47
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Eizirik DL, Szymczak F, Mallone R. Why does the immune system destroy pancreatic β-cells but not α-cells in type 1 diabetes? Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023; 19:425-434. [PMID: 37072614 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00826-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
A perplexing feature of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is that the immune system destroys pancreatic β-cells but not neighbouring α-cells, even though both β-cells and α-cells are dysfunctional. Dysfunction, however, progresses to death only for β-cells. Recent findings indicate important differences between these two cell types. First, expression of BCL2L1, a key antiapoptotic gene, is higher in α-cells than in β-cells. Second, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related genes are differentially expressed, with higher expression levels of pro-apoptotic CHOP in β-cells than in α-cells and higher expression levels of HSPA5 (which encodes the protective chaperone BiP) in α-cells than in β-cells. Third, expression of viral recognition and innate immune response genes is higher in α-cells than in β-cells, contributing to the enhanced resistance of α-cells to coxsackievirus infection. Fourth, expression of the immune-inhibitory HLA-E molecule is higher in α-cells than in β-cells. Of note, α-cells are less immunogenic than β-cells, and the CD8+ T cells invading the islets in T1D are reactive to pre-proinsulin but not to glucagon. We suggest that this finding is a result of the enhanced capacity of the α-cell to endure viral infections and ER stress, which enables them to better survive early stressors that can cause cell death and consequently amplify antigen presentation to the immune system. Moreover, the processing of the pre-proglucagon precursor in enteroendocrine cells might favour immune tolerance towards this potential self-antigen compared to pre-proinsulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Decio L Eizirik
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) Center for Diabetes Research and Welbio, Medical Faculty, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Florian Szymczak
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) Center for Diabetes Research and Welbio, Medical Faculty, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Roberto Mallone
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Service de Diabétologie et Immunologie Clinique, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
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48
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Geurts VCM, Voorwerk L, Balduzzi S, Salgado R, Van de Vijver K, van Dongen MGJ, Kemper I, Mandjes IAM, Heuver M, Sparreboom W, Haanen JBAG, Sonke GS, Horlings HM, Kok M. Unleashing NK- and CD8 T cells by combining monalizumab and trastuzumab for metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer: Results of the MIMOSA trial. Breast 2023; 70:76-81. [PMID: 37393645 DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The large majority of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) will eventually develop resistance to anti-HER2 therapy and die of this disease. Despite, relatively high levels of stromal tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs), PD1-blockade has only shown modest responses. Monalizumab targets the inhibitory immune checkpoint NKG2A, thereby unleashing NK- and CD8 T cells. We hypothesized that monalizumab synergizes with trastuzumab by promoting antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. In the phase II MIMOSA-trial, HER2-positive MBC patients were treated with trastuzumab and 750 mg monalizumab every two weeks. Following a Simon's two-stage design, 11 patients were included in stage I of the trial. Treatment was well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities. No objective responses were observed. Therefore, the MIMOSA-trial did not meet its primary endpoint. In summary, despite the strong preclinical rationale, the novel combination of monalizumab and trastuzumab does not induce objective responses in heavily pre-treated HER2-positive MBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- V C M Geurts
- Division of Tumor Biology & Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - L Voorwerk
- Division of Tumor Biology & Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - S Balduzzi
- Department of Biometrics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - R Salgado
- Department of Pathology, ZAS, Antwerp, Belgium; Division of Research, Peter Mac Callum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - K Van de Vijver
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Ghent, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - M G J van Dongen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - I Kemper
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - I A M Mandjes
- Department of Biometrics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - M Heuver
- Department of Biometrics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | | | - J B A G Haanen
- Division of Molecular Oncology & Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - G S Sonke
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - H M Horlings
- Department of Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - M Kok
- Division of Tumor Biology & Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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49
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Bernson E, Huhn O, Karlsson V, Hawkes D, Lycke M, Cazzetta V, Mikulak J, Hall J, Piskorz AM, Portuesi R, Vitobello D, Fiamengo B, Siesto G, Horowitz A, Ghadially H, Mavilio D, Brenton JD, Sundfeldt K, Colucci F. Identification of Tissue-Resident Natural Killer and T Lymphocytes with Anti-Tumor Properties in Ascites of Ovarian Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3362. [PMID: 37444472 PMCID: PMC10340516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Women with ovarian cancer have limited therapy options, with immunotherapy being unsatisfactory for a large group of patients. Tumor cells spread from the ovary or the fallopian tube into the abdominal cavity, which is commonly accompanied with massive ascites production. The ascites represents a unique peritoneal liquid tumor microenvironment with the presence of both tumor and immune cells, including cytotoxic lymphocytes. We characterized lymphocytes in ascites from patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Our data reveal the presence of NK and CD8+ T lymphocytes expressing CD103 and CD49a, which are markers of tissue residency. Moreover, these cells express high levels of the inhibitory NKG2A receptor, with the highest expression level detected on tissue-resident NK cells. Lymphocytes with these features were also present at the primary tumor site. Functional assays showed that tissue-resident NK cells in ascites are highly responsive towards ovarian tumor cells. Similar results were observed in an in vivo mouse model, in which tissue-resident NK and CD8+ T cells were detected in the peritoneal fluid upon tumor growth. Together, our data reveal the presence of highly functional lymphocyte populations that may be targeted to improve immunotherapy for patients with ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Bernson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hosptial, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Oisín Huhn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hosptial, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Veronika Karlsson
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Delia Hawkes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hosptial, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Maria Lycke
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Valentina Cazzetta
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Joanna Mikulak
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - James Hall
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Anna M. Piskorz
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Rosalba Portuesi
- Unit of Gynecology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Domenico Vitobello
- Unit of Gynecology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Barbara Fiamengo
- Unit of Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siesto
- Unit of Gynecology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Amir Horowitz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Hormas Ghadially
- AstraZeneca, Oncology R&D, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Oral Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Blantyre Private Bag 360, Malawi
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - James D. Brenton
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Karin Sundfeldt
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Francesco Colucci
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hosptial, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
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50
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De Re V, Tornesello ML, Racanelli V, Prete M, Steffan A. Non-Classical HLA Class 1b and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1672. [PMID: 37371767 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A number of studies are underway to gain a better understanding of the role of immunity in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma and to identify subgroups of individuals who may benefit the most from systemic therapy according to the etiology of their tumor. Human leukocyte antigens play a key role in antigen presentation to T cells. This is fundamental to the host's defense against pathogens and tumor cells. In addition, HLA-specific interactions with innate lymphoid cell receptors, such those present on natural killer cells and innate lymphoid cell type 2, have been shown to be important activators of immune function in the context of several liver diseases. More recent studies have highlighted the key role of members of the non-classical HLA-Ib and the transcript adjacent to the HLA-F locus, FAT10, in hepatocarcinoma. The present review analyzes the major contribution of these molecules to hepatic viral infection and hepatocellular prognosis. Particular attention has been paid to the association of natural killer and Vδ2 T-cell activation, mediated by specific HLA class Ib molecules, with risk assessment and novel treatment strategies to improve immunotherapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valli De Re
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Maria Lina Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, School of Medicine, 'Aldo Moro' University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Marcella Prete
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, School of Medicine, 'Aldo Moro' University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 33081 Aviano, Italy
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