1
|
Qu Y, Zeng A, Cheng Y, Li S. Natural killer cell memory: challenges and opportunities for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2376410. [PMID: 38987282 PMCID: PMC11238922 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2376410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Substantial advancements have been made in recent years in comprehending immune memory, which enhances the secondary response through prior infections. The ability of vertebrate T and B lymphocytes to exhibit classic recall responses has long been regarded as a distinguishing characteristic. However, natural killer (NK) cells have been found to acquire immunological memory in a manner akin to T and B cells. The fundamental principles derived from the investigation of NK cell memory offer novel insights into innate immunity and have the potential to pave the way for innovative strategies to enhance therapeutic interventions against multiple diseases including cancer. Here, we reviewed the fundamental characteristics, memory development and regulatory mechanism of NK cell memory. Moreover, we will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the accomplishments, obstacles, and future direction pertaining to the utilization of NK cell memory in the field of cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Qu
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Anhui Zeng
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yulu Cheng
- Department of Disinfection Supply Center, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shengchun Li
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Patin EC, Nenclares P, Chan Wah Hak C, Dillon MT, Patrikeev A, McLaughlin M, Grove L, Foo S, Soliman H, Barata JP, Marsden J, Baldock H, Gkantalis J, Roulstone V, Kyula J, Burley A, Hubbard L, Pedersen M, Smith SA, Clancy-Thompson E, Melcher AA, Ono M, Rullan A, Harrington KJ. Sculpting the tumour microenvironment by combining radiotherapy and ATR inhibition for curative-intent adjuvant immunotherapy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6923. [PMID: 39134540 PMCID: PMC11319479 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51236-6] [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: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The combination of radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade can result in poor outcomes in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here, we show that combining ATR inhibition (ATRi) with radiotherapy (RT) increases the frequency of activated NKG2A+PD-1+ T cells in animal models of HNSCC. Compared with the ATRi/RT treatment regimen alone, the addition of simultaneous NKG2A and PD-L1 blockade to ATRi/RT, in the adjuvant, post-radiotherapy setting induces a robust antitumour response driven by higher infiltration and activation of cytotoxic T cells in the tumour microenvironment. The efficacy of this combination relies on CD40/CD40L costimulation and infiltration of activated, proliferating memory CD8+ and CD4+ T cells with persistent or new T cell receptor (TCR) signalling, respectively. We also observe increased richness in the TCR repertoire and emergence of numerous and large TCR clonotypes that cluster based on antigen specificity in response to NKG2A/PD-L1/ATRi/RT. Collectively, our data point towards potential combination approaches for the treatment of HNSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel C Patin
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Pablo Nenclares
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Charleen Chan Wah Hak
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Magnus T Dillon
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Anton Patrikeev
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Lorna Grove
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Shane Foo
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Holly Baldock
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Jim Gkantalis
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Joan Kyula
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Amy Burley
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Lisa Hubbard
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Malin Pedersen
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | | | - Alan A Melcher
- Translational Immunotherapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Masahiro Ono
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Antonio Rullan
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Kevin J Harrington
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
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 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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ismael A, Robinette AJ, Huric L, Schuetz J, Dona K, Benson D, Cocucci E, Cottini F. CREB1 promotes expression of immune checkpoint HLA-E leading to immune escape in multiple myeloma. Leukemia 2024; 38:1777-1786. [PMID: 38902472 PMCID: PMC11286514 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02303-w] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) cells effectively escape anti-tumoral immunity to survive in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we identify non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule HLA-E as a major contributing factor in immune escape. Clinically, HLA-E expression correlates with aggressive disease features such as t(4;14) and CD56 expression and is induced by IFN-gamma (IFN-γ) in the TME. We discovered that HLA-E is regulated by cAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1) transcription factor by direct promoter binding; genomic and pharmacological inhibition of CREB1 reduced HLA-E levels even in the presence of IFN-γ or IFN-γ activating agents, such as immunomodulatory drugs and panobinostat. HLA-E binds to natural killer group 2A (NKG2A), delivering an inhibitor signal to natural killer (NK) cells. Treatment with a CREB1 inhibitor was able to restore NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against MM cell lines and patient samples. In conclusion, our results strongly demonstrate that CREB1 inhibition promotes anti-tumoral immunity in MM by limiting HLA-E expression and enhancing the activity of NK cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aya Ismael
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Allen J Robinette
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Laila Huric
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jamie Schuetz
- Comparative Pathology and Digital Imaging Shared Resource Main Laboratory, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kameron Dona
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Don Benson
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Emanuele Cocucci
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Francesca Cottini
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang W, Chen Y, Shen Y, Chen J, Yao X, Cheng Y, Xu J, Ma L, Chen Y, Zhang C. Secretory Phenotype in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Elderly Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rejuvenation Res 2024; 27:122-130. [PMID: 38814828 DOI: 10.1089/rej.2024.0008] [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: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the expression differences of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with elderly rheumatoid arthritis (ERA). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of PBMCs between young patients with RA (RA_Y) and elderly patients with RA (RA_A) were identified by RNA sequencing using the DESeq2 package, followed by bioinformatics analysis. The overlapped targets of the current DEGs and proteomic differentially expressed proteins (another set of unpublished data) were identified and further validated. The bioinformatics analysis revealed significant transcriptomic heterogeneity between RA_A and RA_Y. A total of 348 upregulated and 363 downregulated DEGs were identified. Gene functional enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs, which represented senescence phenotype for patients with ERA, were enriched in pathways such as Phosphatidylinositol3 kinase/AKT serine-threonine protein kinase (PI3K/Akt) signaling, Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling, toll-like receptor family, neutrophil degranulation, and immune-related pathways. Gene set enrichment analysis further confirmed the activation of humoral immune response pathways in RA_A. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction validated the expression of five representative DEGs such as SPTA1, SPTB, VNN1, TNXB, and KRT1 in PBMCs of patients with ERA. Patients with ERA have significant senescence phenotype differences versus the young patients. The DEGs identified may facilitate exploring the biomarkers of senescence in RA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First People's Hospital of Wenling, Wenling, P.R. China
| | - Yanjuan Chen
- Department of Geriatrics and Division of Rheumatology and Research, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, P.R. China
| | - Yidi Shen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Seventh People's Hospital of ShangHai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jian Chen
- Division of Traditional Medicine and Shanghai Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyang Yao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yongjun Cheng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First People's Hospital of Wenling, Wenling, P.R. China
| | - Jinzhong Xu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, First People's Hospital of Wenling, Wenling, P.R. China
| | - Lisha Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First People's Hospital of Wenling, Wenling, P.R. China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Chuanfu Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Seventh People's Hospital of ShangHai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
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] [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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang TW, Nakanishi M. Immune surveillance of senescence: potential application to age-related diseases. Trends Cell Biol 2024:S0962-8924(24)00121-1. [PMID: 39025762 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2024.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest that the age-dependent accumulation of senescent cells leads to chronic tissue microinflammation, which in turn contributes to age-related pathologies. In general, senescent cells can be eliminated by the host's innate and adaptive immune surveillance system, including macrophages, NK cells, and T cells. Impaired immune surveillance leads to the accumulation of senescent cells and accelerates the aging process. Recently, senescent cells, like cancer cells, have been shown to express certain types of immune checkpoint proteins as well as non-classical immune-tolerant MHC variants, leading to immune escape from surveillance systems. Thus, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) may be a promising strategy to enhance immune surveillance of senescence, leading to the amelioration of some age-related diseases and tissue dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teh-Wei Wang
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Makoto Nakanishi
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fisher JG, Graham LV, Blunt MD. Strategies to disrupt NKG2A:HLA-E interactions for improved anti-cancer immunity. Oncotarget 2024; 15:501-503. [PMID: 39018202 PMCID: PMC11254306 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew D. Blunt
- Correspondence to:Matthew D. Blunt, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK email
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Salminen A. Inhibitory immune checkpoints suppress the surveillance of senescent cells promoting their accumulation with aging and in age-related diseases. Biogerontology 2024:10.1007/s10522-024-10114-w. [PMID: 38954358 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-024-10114-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The accumulation of pro-inflammatory senescent cells within tissues is a common hallmark of the aging process and many age-related diseases. This modification has been called the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and observed in cultured cells and in cells isolated from aged tissues. Currently, there is a debate whether the accumulation of senescent cells within tissues should be attributed to increased generation of senescent cells or to a defect in their elimination from aging tissues. Emerging studies have revealed that senescent cells display an increased expression of several inhibitory immune checkpoint ligands, especially those of the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) ligand-1 (PD-L1) proteins. It is known that the PD-L1 ligands, especially those of cancer cells, target the PD-1 receptor of cytotoxic CD8+ T and natural killer (NK) cells disturbing their functions, e.g., evoking a decline in their cytotoxic activity and promoting their exhaustion and even apoptosis. An increase in the level of the PD-L1 protein in senescent cells was able to suppress their immune surveillance and inhibit their elimination by cytotoxic CD8+ T and NK cells. Senescent cells are known to express ligands for several inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors, i.e., PD-1, LILRB4, NKG2A, TIM-3, and SIRPα receptors. Here, I will briefly describe those pathways and examine whether these inhibitory checkpoints could be involved in the immune evasion of senescent cells with aging and age-related diseases. It seems plausible that an enhanced inhibitory checkpoint signaling can prevent the elimination of senescent cells from tissues and thus promote the aging process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antero Salminen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yang R, Yang Y, Liu R, Wang Y, Yang R, He A. Advances in CAR-NK cell therapy for hematological malignancies. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1414264. [PMID: 39007146 PMCID: PMC11239349 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1414264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hematological malignancies, demonstrably improving patient outcomes and prognosis. However, its application has introduced new challenges, such as safety concerns, off-target toxicities, and significant costs. Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial components of the innate immune system, capable of eliminating tumor cells without prior exposure to specific antigens or pre-activation. This inherent advantage complements the limitations of T cells, making CAR-NK cell therapy a promising avenue for hematological tumor immunotherapy. In recent years, preclinical and clinical studies have yielded preliminary evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of CAR-NK cell therapy in hematological malignancies, paving the way for future advancements in immunotherapy. This review aims to succinctly discuss the characteristics, significant therapeutic progress, and potential challenges associated with CAR-NK cell therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yun Yang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Hematological Diseases, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yiwen Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruoyu Yang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Aili He
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Hematological Diseases, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Felgueres MJ, Esteso G, García-Jiménez ÁF, Dopazo A, Aguiló N, Mestre-Durán C, Martínez-Piñeiro L, Pérez-Martínez A, Reyburn HT, Valés-Gómez M. BCG priming followed by a novel interleukin combination activates Natural Killer cells to selectively proliferate and become anti-tumour long-lived effectors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13133. [PMID: 38849432 PMCID: PMC11161620 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62968-2] [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: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The short-lived nature and heterogeneity of Natural Killer (NK) cells limit the development of NK cell-based therapies, despite their proven safety and efficacy against cancer. Here, we describe the biological basis, detailed phenotype and function of long-lived anti-tumour human NK cells (CD56highCD16+), obtained without cell sorting or feeder cells, after priming of peripheral blood cells with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Further, we demonstrate that survival doses of a cytokine combination, excluding IL18, administered just weekly to BCG-primed NK cells avoids innate lymphocyte exhaustion and leads to specific long-term proliferation of innate cells that exert potent cytotoxic function against a broad range of solid tumours, mainly through NKG2D. Strikingly, a NKG2C+CD57-FcεRIγ+ NK cell population expands after BCG and cytokine stimulation, independently of HCMV serology. This strategy was exploited to rescue anti-tumour NK cells even from the suppressor environment of cancer patients' bone marrow, demonstrating that BCG confers durable anti-tumour features to NK cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María-José Felgueres
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council (CNB-CSIC), Darwin, 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gloria Esteso
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council (CNB-CSIC), Darwin, 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro F García-Jiménez
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council (CNB-CSIC), Darwin, 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Dopazo
- Genomics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nacho Aguiló
- Department of Microbiology, Pediatrics, Radiology and Public Health of the University of Zaragoza, IIS Aragon, CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carmen Mestre-Durán
- Translational Research in Pediatric Oncology, Hematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, IdiPAZ, and Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
- IdiPAZ-CNIO Pediatric Onco-Hematology Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Martínez-Piñeiro
- Urology Department and Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Pérez-Martínez
- Translational Research in Pediatric Oncology, Hematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, IdiPAZ, and Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
- IdiPAZ-CNIO Pediatric Onco-Hematology Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28049, Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Department, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Hugh T Reyburn
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council (CNB-CSIC), Darwin, 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Valés-Gómez
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council (CNB-CSIC), Darwin, 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Rodriguez-Garcia GJ, Graves DK, Mirza MB, Idrees K, Kim YJ, Korrer MJ, Rathmell JC. Cancer Cell Small Molecule Secretome Induces the Immune Checkpoint NKG2A and Dysfunction of Human CD8+ T Cells. Immunohorizons 2024; 8:464-477. [PMID: 38922288 PMCID: PMC11220743 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2400046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
PD-1 blockade has been approved for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. However, many HNSCC patients do not respond to this treatment, and other tumor microenvironmental factors may promote resistance to PD-1 blockade. We previously identified increased expression of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A on CD8+ T cells in HNSCC tumors compared with T cells in matching PBMC samples. Mechanisms that promote NKG2A expression and the role of NKG2A on human T cells in the tumor microenvironment, however, are uncertain. In this study, we show that tumor-conditioned media (TCM) of HNSCC cancer cell lines or ascites fluid from colorectal carcinoma patients is sufficient to induce the expression of NKG2A and other inhibitory receptors on activated CD8+ T cells isolated from PBMCs of healthy donors. Boiling or small molecular mass cutoff filtering did not eliminate the effect of TCM, suggesting that a small molecule promotes NKG2A. T cell activation in TCM decreased the basal and maximal mitochondrial respiration to metabolically restrain CD8+ T cells. Functionally, T cell activation in TCM reduced CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity as shown by lower production of cytokines, granzyme B, and perforin. Furthermore, TCM prevented CD8+ T cells from killing cancer cells in response to an anti-CD19/anti-CD3 bispecific T cell engager. Thus, a small secreted molecule from HNSCC cells can induce NKG2A expression and promote T cell dysfunction. Our findings may lead to targets for novel cancer therapies or biomarkers for NKG2A blockade response and provide a model to study T cell dysfunction and impaired metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana K. Graves
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Muhammad B. Mirza
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Kamran Idrees
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Young J. Kim
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Regeneron Pharmaceutical, Tarrytown, NY
| | - Michael J. Korrer
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Jeffrey C. Rathmell
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Oh BL, Vinanica N, Wong DM, Campana D. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Haematologica 2024; 109:1677-1688. [PMID: 38832423 PMCID: PMC11141683 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2023.283848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a new and effective treatment for patients with hematologic malignancies. Clinical responses to CAR T cells in leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma have provided strong evidence of the antitumor activity of these cells. In patients with refractory or relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the infusion of autologous anti-CD19 CAR T cells is rapidly gaining standard-of-care status and might eventually be incorporated into frontline treatment. In T-ALL, however, leukemic cells generally lack surface molecules recognized by established CAR, such as CD19 and CD22. Such deficiency is particularly important, as outcome is dismal for patients with T-ALL that is refractory to standard chemotherapy and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Recently, CAR T-cell technologies directed against T-cell malignancies have been developed and are beginning to be tested clinically. The main technical obstacles stem from the fact that malignant and normal T cells share most surface antigens. Therefore, CAR T cells directed against T-ALL targets might be susceptible to self-elimination during manufacturing and/or have suboptimal activity after infusion. Moreover, removing leukemic cells that might be present in the cell source used for CAR T-cell manufacturing might be problematic. Finally, reconstitution of T cells and natural killer cells after CAR T-cell infusion might be impaired. In this article, we discuss potential targets for CAR T-cell therapy of T-ALL with an emphasis on CD7, and review CAR configurations as well as early clinical results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernice L.Z. Oh
- Viva-University Children’s Cancer Center, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital, National University Health System
- Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
| | - Natasha Vinanica
- Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
| | - Desmond M.H. Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
| | - Dario Campana
- Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Choudhery MS, Arif T, Mahmood R, Harris DT. CAR-T-Cell-Based Cancer Immunotherapies: Potentials, Limitations, and Future Prospects. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3202. [PMID: 38892913 PMCID: PMC11172642 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer encompasses various elements occurring at the cellular and genetic levels, necessitating an immunotherapy capable of efficiently addressing both aspects. T cells can combat cancer cells by specifically recognizing antigens on them. This innate capability of T cells has been used to develop cellular immunotherapies, but most of them can only target antigens through major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs). New gene-editing techniques such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-cas9) can precisely edit the DNA sequences. CRISPR-cas9 has made it possible to generate genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that can overcome the problems associated with old immunotherapies. In chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, the patient's T cells are isolated and genetically modified to exhibit synthetic CAR(s). CAR-T cell treatment has shown remarkably positive clinical outcomes in cancers of various types. Nevertheless, there are various challenges that reduce CAR-T effectiveness in solid tumors. It is required to address these challenges in order to make CAR-T cell therapy a better and safer option. Combining CAR-T treatment with other immunotherapies that target multiple antigens has shown positive outcomes. Moreover, recently generated Boolean logic-gated advanced CARs along with artificial intelligence has expanded its potential to treat solid tumors in addition to blood cancers. This review aims to describe the structure, types, and various methods used to develop CAR-T cells. The clinical applications of CAR-T cells in hematological malignancies and solid tumours have been described in detail. In addition, this discussion has addressed the limitations associated with CAR-T cells, explored potential strategies to mitigate CAR-T-related toxicities, and delved into future perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmood S. Choudhery
- Department of Human Genetics & Molecular Biology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore 54600, Pakistan;
| | - Taqdees Arif
- Department of Human Genetics & Molecular Biology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore 54600, Pakistan;
| | - Ruhma Mahmood
- Jinnah Hospital, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore 54700, Pakistan;
| | - David T. Harris
- Department of Immunobiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences Biorepository, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724-5221, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sun C, Li S, Ding J. Biomaterials-Boosted Immunotherapy for Osteosarcoma. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400864. [PMID: 38771618 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400864] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor that emanates from mesenchymal cells, commonly found in the epiphyseal end of long bones. The highly recurrent and metastatic nature of OS poses significant challenges to the efficacy of treatment and negatively affects patient prognosis. Currently, available clinical treatment strategies primarily focus on maximizing tumor resection and reducing localized symptoms rather than the complete eradication of malignant tumor cells to achieve ideal outcomes. The biomaterials-boosted immunotherapy for OS is characterized by high effectiveness and a favorable safety profile. This therapeutic approach manipulates the tumor microenvironments at the cellular and molecular levels to impede tumor progression. This review delves into the mechanisms underlying the treatment of OS, emphasizing biomaterials-enhanced tumor immunity. Moreover, it summarizes the immune cell phenotype and tumor microenvironment regulation, along with the ability of immune checkpoint blockade to activate the autoimmune system. Gaining a profound comprehension of biomaterials-boosted OS immunotherapy is imperative to explore more efficacious immunotherapy protocols and treatment options in this setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Sun
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130061, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Shuqiang Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130061, P. R. China
| | - Jianxun Ding
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wang M, Wu H, Jiang W, Ren Y, Yuan X, Wang Y, Zhou J, Feng W, Wang Y, Xu T, Zhang D, Fang Y, He C, Li W. Differences in nature killer cell response and interference with mitochondrial DNA induced apoptosis in moxifloxacin environment. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 132:111970. [PMID: 38608472 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111970] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As antibiotics become more prevalent, accuracy and safety are critical. Moxifloxacin (MXF) have been reported to have immunomodulatory effects on a variety of immune cells and even anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects, but the mechanism of action is not fully clear. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from experimental groups of healthy adults (n = 3) were treated with MXF (10ug/ml) in vitro for 24 h. Single-cell sequencing was performed to investigate differences in the response of each immune cell to MXF. Flow cytometry determined differential gene expression in subsets of most damaged NK cells. Pseudo-time analysis identified drivers that influence MXF-stimulated cell differentiation. Detection of mitochondrial DNA and its involvement in the mitochondrial respiratory chain pathway clarifies the origin of MXF-induced stress injury. RESULTS Moxifloxacin-environmental NK cells are markedly reduced: a new subset of NK cells emerges, and immediate-early-response genes in this subset indicate the presence of an early activation response. The inhibitory receptor-dominant subset shows enhanced activation, leading to increased expression of cytokines and chemokines. The near-mature subset showed greater cytotoxicity and the most pronounced cellular damage. CD56bright cells responded by antagonizing the regulation of activation and inhibitory signals, demonstrating a strong cleavage capacity. The severe depletion of mitochondrial genes was focused on apoptosis induced by the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex. CONCLUSION NK cells exhibit heightened sensitivity to the MXF environment. Different NK subsets upregulate the expression of cytokines and chemokines through different activation pathways. Concurrently, MXF induces impairment of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system, culminating in apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengqing Wang
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Weiwei Jiang
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Yunfei Ren
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Xiaowei Yuan
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Wei Feng
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Yusen Wang
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Tianpeng Xu
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Danying Zhang
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Yunhao Fang
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Chao He
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Wenfang Li
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Page A, Chuvin N, Valladeau-Guilemond J, Depil S. Development of NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies through receptor engineering. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:315-331. [PMID: 38443448 PMCID: PMC10978891 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01145-x] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapies are attracting increasing interest in the field of cancer treatment. Early clinical trials have shown promising outcomes, alongside satisfactory product efficacy and safety. Recent developments have greatly increased the therapeutic potential of NK cells by endowing them with enhanced recognition and cytotoxic capacities. This review focuses on surface receptor engineering in NK cell therapy and discusses its impact, challenges, and future directions.Most approaches are based on engineering with chimeric antigen receptors to allow NK cells to target specific tumor antigens independent of human leukocyte antigen restriction. This approach has increased the precision and potency of NK-mediated recognition and elimination of cancer cells. In addition, engineering NK cells with T-cell receptors also mediates the recognition of intracellular epitopes, which broadens the range of target peptides. Indirect tumor peptide recognition by NK cells has also been improved by optimizing immunoglobulin constant fragment receptor expression and signaling. Indeed, engineered NK cells have an improved ability to recognize and destroy target cells coated with specific antibodies, thereby increasing their antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The ability of NK cell receptor engineering to promote the expansion, persistence, and infiltration of transferred cells in the tumor microenvironment has also been explored. Receptor-based strategies for sustained NK cell functionality within the tumor environment have also been discussed, and these strategies providing perspectives to counteract tumor-induced immunosuppression.Overall, receptor engineering has led to significant advances in NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies. As technical challenges are addressed, these innovative treatments will likely reshape cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Page
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
| | | | - Jenny Valladeau-Guilemond
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Depil
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
- ErVimmune, Lyon, France.
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
MacLachlan BJ, Sullivan LC, Brooks AG, Rossjohn J, Vivian JP. Structure of the murine CD94-NKG2A receptor in complex with Qa-1 b presenting an MHC-I leader peptide. FEBS J 2024; 291:1530-1544. [PMID: 38158698 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17050] [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: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The heterodimeric natural killer cells antigen CD94 (CD94)-NKG2-A/NKG2-B type II integral membrane protein (NKG2A) receptor family expressed on human and mouse natural killer (NK) cells monitors global major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I cell surface expression levels through binding to MHC class Ia-derived leader sequence peptides presented by HLA class I histocompatibility antigen, alpha chain E (HLA-E; in humans) or H-2 class I histocompatibility antigen, D-37 (Qa-1b; in mice). Although the molecular basis underpinning human CD94-NKG2A recognition of HLA-E is known, the equivalent interaction in the murine setting is not. By determining the high-resolution crystal structure of murine CD94-NKG2A in complex with Qa-1b presenting the Qa-1 determinant modifier peptide (QDM), we resolved the mode of binding. Compared to the human homologue, the murine CD94-NKG2A-Qa-1b-QDM displayed alterations in the distribution of interactions across CD94 and NKG2A subunits that coincide with differences in electrostatic complementarity of the ternary complex and the lack of cross-species reactivity. Nevertheless, we show that Qa-1b could be modified through W65R + N73I mutations to mimic HLA-E, facilitating binding with both human and murine CD94-NKG2A. These data underscore human and murine CD94-NKG2A cross-species heterogeneity and provide a foundation for humanising Qa-1b in immune system models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce J MacLachlan
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Lucy C Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Andrew G Brooks
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Julian P Vivian
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Tu C, Buckle I, Leal Rojas I, Rossi GR, Sester DP, Moore AS, Radford K, Guillerey C, Souza‐Fonseca‐Guimaraes F. Exploring NK cell receptor dynamics in paediatric leukaemias: implications for immunotherapy and prognosis. Clin Transl Immunology 2024; 13:e1501. [PMID: 38525380 PMCID: PMC10960520 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Immunotherapies targeting natural killer (NK) cell receptors have shown promise against leukaemia. Unfortunately, cancer immunosuppressive mechanisms that alter NK cell phenotype prevent such approaches from being successful. The study utilises advanced cytometry to examine how cancer immunosuppressive pathways affect NK cell phenotypic changes in clinical samples. Methods In this study, we conducted a high-dimensional examination of the cell surface expression of 16 NK cell receptors in paediatric patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, as well as in samples of non-age matched adult peripheral blood (APB) and umbilical cord blood (UCB). An unsupervised analysis was carried out in order to identify NK cell populations present in paediatric leukaemias. Results We observed that leukaemia NK cells clustered together with UCB NK cells and expressed relatively higher levels of the NKG2A receptor compared to APB NK cells. In addition, CD56dimCD16+CD57- NK cells lacking NKG2A expression were mainly absent in paediatric leukaemia patients. However, CD56br NK cell populations expressing high levels of NKG2A were highly represented in paediatric leukaemia patients. NKG2A expression on leukaemia NK cells was found to be positively correlated with the expression of its ligand, suggesting that the NKG2A-HLA-E interaction may play a role in modifying NK cell responses to leukaemia cells. Conclusion We provide an in-depth analysis of NK cell populations in paediatric leukaemia patients. These results support the development of immunotherapies targeting immunosuppressive receptors, such as NKG2A, to enhance innate immunity against paediatric leukaemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cui Tu
- Cancer Immunotherapies Laboratory, Mater Research Institute, Translational Research InstituteUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Frazer Institute, The University of QueenslandWoolloongabbaQLDAustralia
| | - Irina Buckle
- Cancer Immunotherapies Laboratory, Mater Research Institute, Translational Research InstituteUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Ingrid Leal Rojas
- Cancer Immunotherapies Laboratory, Mater Research Institute, Translational Research InstituteUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | | | - David P Sester
- TRI Flow Cytometry SuiteTranslational Research InstituteWoolloongabbaQLDAustralia
- Translational Research InstituteQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Andrew S Moore
- Oncology ServiceChildren's Health Queensland Hospital & Health ServiceSouth BrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Child Health Research CentreThe University of QueenslandSouth BrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Kristen Radford
- Cancer Immunotherapies Laboratory, Mater Research Institute, Translational Research InstituteUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Camille Guillerey
- Cancer Immunotherapies Laboratory, Mater Research Institute, Translational Research InstituteUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ayass MA, Tripathi T, Griko N, Okyay T, Ramankutty Nair R, Zhang J, Zhu K, Melendez K, Pashkov V, Abi-Mosleh L. Dual Checkpoint Aptamer Immunotherapy: Unveiling Tailored Cancer Treatment Targeting CTLA-4 and NKG2A. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1041. [PMID: 38473398 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16051041] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent strides in immunotherapy have illuminated the crucial role of CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways in contemporary oncology, presenting both promises and challenges in response rates and adverse effects. This study employs a computational biology tool (in silico approach) to craft aptamers capable of binding to dual receptors, namely, inhibitory CTLA4 and NKG2A, thereby unleashing both T and NK cells and enhancing CD8+ T and NK cell functions for tumor cell lysis. Computational analysis highlighted AYA22T-R2-13 with HADDOCK scores of -78.2 ± 10.2 (with CTLA4), -60.0 ± 4.2 (with NKG2A), and -77.5 ± 5.6 (with CD94/NKG2A). Confirmation of aptamer binding to targeted proteins was attained via ELISA and flow cytometry methods. In vitro biological functionality was assessed using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay. Direct and competitive assays using ELISA and flow cytometry demonstrated the selective binding of AYA22T-R2-13 to CTLA4 and NKG2A proteins, as well as to the cell surface receptors of IL-2-stimulated T cells and NK cells. This binding was inhibited in the presence of competition from CTLA4 or NKG2A proteins. Remarkably, the blockade of CTLA4 or NKG2A by AYA22T-R2-13 augmented human CD8 T cell- and NK cell-mediated tumor cell lysis in vitro. Our findings highlight the precise binding specificity of AYA22T-R2-13 for CTLA4-B7-1/B7-2 (CD80/CD86) or CD94/NKG2A-HLA-E interactions, positioning it as a valuable tool for immune checkpoint blockade aptamer research in murine tumor models. These in vitro studies establish a promising foundation for further enhancing binding capacity and establishing efficacy and safety in animal models. Consequently, our results underscore the potential of AYA22T-R2-13 in cancer immunotherapy, offering high specificity, low toxicity, and the potential for cost-effective production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Natalya Griko
- Ayass Bioscience LLC, 8501 Wade Blvd, Bld 9, Frisco, TX 75034, USA
| | - Tutku Okyay
- Ayass Bioscience LLC, 8501 Wade Blvd, Bld 9, Frisco, TX 75034, USA
| | | | - Jin Zhang
- Ayass Bioscience LLC, 8501 Wade Blvd, Bld 9, Frisco, TX 75034, USA
| | - Kevin Zhu
- Ayass Bioscience LLC, 8501 Wade Blvd, Bld 9, Frisco, TX 75034, USA
| | - Kristen Melendez
- Ayass Bioscience LLC, 8501 Wade Blvd, Bld 9, Frisco, TX 75034, USA
| | - Victor Pashkov
- Ayass Bioscience LLC, 8501 Wade Blvd, Bld 9, Frisco, TX 75034, USA
| | - Lina Abi-Mosleh
- Ayass Bioscience LLC, 8501 Wade Blvd, Bld 9, Frisco, TX 75034, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lupo KB, Yao X, Borde S, Wang J, Torregrosa-Allen S, Elzey BD, Utturkar S, Lanman NA, McIntosh M, Matosevic S. synNotch-programmed iPSC-derived NK cells usurp TIGIT and CD73 activities for glioblastoma therapy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1909. [PMID: 38429294 PMCID: PMC10907695 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46343-3] [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] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe heterogeneity within glioblastoma has spurred the notion that disrupting the interplay between multiple elements on immunosuppression is at the core of meaningful anti-tumor responses. T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) and its glioblastoma-associated antigen, CD155, form a highly immunosuppressive axis in glioblastoma and other solid tumors, yet targeting of TIGIT, a functionally heterogeneous receptor on tumor-infiltrating immune cells, has largely been ineffective as monotherapy, suggesting that disruption of its inhibitory network might be necessary for measurable responses. It is within this context that we show that the usurpation of the TIGIT - CD155 axis via engineered synNotch-mediated activation of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived natural killer (NK) cells promotes transcription factor-mediated activation of a downstream signaling cascade that results in the controlled, localized blockade of CD73 to disrupt purinergic activity otherwise resulting in the production and accumulation of immunosuppressive extracellular adenosine. Such "decoy" receptor engages CD155 binding to TIGIT, but tilts inhibitory TIGIT/CD155 interactions toward activation via downstream synNotch signaling. Usurping activities of TIGIT and CD73 promotes the function of adoptively transferred NK cells into intracranial patient-derived models of glioblastoma and enhances their natural cytolytic functions against this tumor to result in complete tumor eradication. In addition, targeting both receptors, in turn, reprograms the glioblastoma microenvironment via the recruitment of T cells and the downregulation of M2 macrophages. This study demonstrates that TIGIT/CD155 and CD73 are targetable receptor partners in glioblastoma. Our data show that synNotch-engineered pluripotent stem cell-derived NK cells are not only effective mediators of anti-glioblastoma responses within the setting of CD73 and TIGIT/CD155 co-targeting, but represent a powerful allogeneic treatment option for this tumor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle B Lupo
- Department of Industrial and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Xue Yao
- Department of Industrial and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Shambhavi Borde
- Department of Industrial and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Jiao Wang
- Department of Industrial and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | - Bennett D Elzey
- Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Sagar Utturkar
- Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Nadia A Lanman
- Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - MacKenzie McIntosh
- Histology Research Laboratory, Center for Comparative Translational Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Sandro Matosevic
- Department of Industrial and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
- Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Kim H, Kim S, Lim H, Chung AJ. Expanding CAR-T cell immunotherapy horizons through microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1088-1120. [PMID: 38174732 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00622k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, particularly in hematological malignancies. However, their application to solid tumors is limited, and they face challenges in safety, scalability, and cost. To enhance current CAR-T cell therapies, the integration of microfluidic technologies, harnessing their inherent advantages, such as reduced sample consumption, simplicity in operation, cost-effectiveness, automation, and high scalability, has emerged as a powerful solution. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the step-by-step manufacturing process of CAR-T cells, identifies existing difficulties at each production stage, and discusses the successful implementation of microfluidics and related technologies in addressing these challenges. Furthermore, this review investigates the potential of microfluidics-based methodologies in advancing cell-based therapy across various applications, including solid tumors, next-generation CAR constructs, T-cell receptors, and the development of allogeneic "off-the-shelf" CAR products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyelee Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Suyeon Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyunjung Lim
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Aram J Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- MxT Biotech, 04785 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Wang X, Yuan Z, Li Z, He X, Zhang Y, Wang X, Su J, Wu X, Li M, Du F, Chen Y, Deng S, Zhao Y, Shen J, Yi T, Xiao Z. Key oncogenic signaling pathways affecting tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma: basic principles and recent advances. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1354313. [PMID: 38426090 PMCID: PMC10902128 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1354313] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks first among primary liver cancers, and its mortality rate exhibits a consistent annual increase. The treatment of HCC has witnessed a significant surge in recent years, with the emergence of targeted immune therapy as an adjunct to early surgical resection. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) has shown promising results in other types of solid tumors. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the intricate interactions between different types of TILs and their impact on HCC, elucidate strategies for targeting neoantigens through TILs, and address the challenges encountered in TIL therapies along with potential solutions. Furthermore, this article specifically examines the impact of oncogenic signaling pathways activation within the HCC tumor microenvironment on the infiltration dynamics of TILs. Additionally, a concise overview is provided regarding TIL preparation techniques and an update on clinical trials investigating TIL-based immunotherapy in solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zijun Yuan
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhengbo Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Longmatan District People’s Hospital, Luzhou, China
| | - Xinyu He
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yinping Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xingyue Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jiahong Su
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xu Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingxing Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Fukuan Du
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuai Deng
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yueshui Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Shen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Tao Yi
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhangang Xiao
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
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.
Collapse
|
27
|
Ran X, Zheng J, Chen L, Xia Z, Wang Y, Sun C, Guo C, Lin P, Liu F, Wang C, Zhou J, Sun C, Liu Q, Ma J, Qin Z, Zhu X, Xie Q. Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals the Heterogeneity of the Immune Landscape of IDH-Wild-Type High-Grade Gliomas. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:232-246. [PMID: 38091354 PMCID: PMC10835213 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-0211] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wild-type (WT) high-grade gliomas, especially glioblastomas, are highly aggressive and have an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Although tumor-infiltrating immune cells are known to play a critical role in glioma genesis, their heterogeneity and intercellular interactions remain poorly understood. In this study, we constructed a single-cell transcriptome landscape of immune cells from tumor tissue and matching peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from IDH-WT high-grade glioma patients. Our analysis identified two subsets of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) in tumors with the highest protumorigenesis signatures, highlighting their potential role in glioma progression. We also investigated the T-cell trajectory and identified the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) as a regulator of T-cell dysfunction, providing a potential target for glioma immunotherapy. We further demonstrated that knockout of AHR decreased chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell exhaustion and improved CAR T-cell antitumor efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we explored intercellular communication mediated by ligand-receptor interactions within the tumor microenvironment and PBMCs and revealed the unique cellular interactions present in the tumor microenvironment. Taken together, our study provides a comprehensive immune landscape of IDH-WT high-grade gliomas and offers potential drug targets for glioma immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Ran
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute of Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Linchao Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Xia
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute of Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute of Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chengfang Sun
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Guo
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute of Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peng Lin
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute of Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fuyi Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianguo Zhou
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute of Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chongran Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qichang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianzhu Ma
- Institute of AI Industrial Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyong Qin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangdong Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qi Xie
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute of Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Wang K, Wang L, Wang Y, Xiao L, Wei J, Hu Y, Wang D, Huang H. Reprogramming natural killer cells for cancer therapy. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00027-3. [PMID: 38273655 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.01.027] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The last decade has seen rapid development in the field of cellular immunotherapy, particularly in regard to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells. However, challenges, such as severe treatment-related toxicities and inconsistent quality of autologous products, have hindered the broader use of CAR-T cell therapy, highlighting the need to explore alternative immune cells for cancer targeting. In this regard, natural killer (NK) cells have been extensively studied in cellular immunotherapy and were found to exert cytotoxic effects without being restricted by human leukocyte antigen and have a lower risk of causing graft-versus-host disease; making them favorable for the development of readily available "off-the-shelf" products. Clinical trials utilizing unedited NK cells or reprogrammed NK cells have shown early signs of their effectiveness against tumors. However, limitations, including limited in vivo persistence and expansion potential, remained. To enhance the antitumor function of NK cells, advanced gene-editing technologies and combination approaches have been explored. In this review, we summarize current clinical trials of antitumor NK cell therapy, provide an overview of innovative strategies for reprogramming NK cells, which include improvements in persistence, cytotoxicity, trafficking and the ability to counteract the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and also discuss some potential combination therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Linqin Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yiyun Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lu Xiao
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jieping Wei
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yongxian Hu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Dongrui Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - He Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ulvmoen A, Greiff V, Bechensteen AG, Inngjerdingen M. NKG2A discriminates natural killer cells with a suppressed phenotype in pediatric acute leukemia. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:334-343. [PMID: 37738462 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad112] [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: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are important for early tumor immune surveillance. In patients with hematological cancers, NK cells are generally functional deficient and display dysregulations in their receptor repertoires. Acute leukemia is the most common cancer in children, and we here performed a comparative phenotypic profiling of NK cells from B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) patients to identify aberrant NK cell phenotypes. NK cell phenotypes, maturation, and function were analyzed in matched bone marrow and blood NK cells from BCP-ALL patients at diagnosis, during treatment, and at end of treatment and compared with age-matched pediatric control subjects. Expression of several markers were skewed in patients, but with large interindividual variations. Undertaking a multiparameter approach, we found that high expression levels of NKG2A was the single predominant marker distinguishing NK cells in BCP-ALL patients compared with healthy control subjects. Moreover, naïve CD57-NKG2A NK cells dominated in BCP-ALL patients at diagnosis. Further, we found dysregulated expression of the activating receptor DNAM-1 in resident bone marrow CXCR6+ NK cells. CXCR6+ NK cells lacking DNAM-1 expressed NKG2A and had a tendency for lower degranulation activity. In conclusion, high expression of NKG2A dominates NK cell phenotypes from pediatric BCP-ALL patients, indicating that NKG2A could be targeted in therapies for this patient group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aina Ulvmoen
- Department of Pediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Sognsvannsveien 20, Oslo 0372, Norway
| | - Victor Greiff
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Sognsvannsveien 20, Oslo 0372, Norway
| | - Anne G Bechensteen
- Department of Pediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Sognsvannsveien 20, Oslo 0372, Norway
| | - Marit Inngjerdingen
- Department of Pharmacology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Sognsvannsveien 20, Oslo 0372, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Meng X, Xu H, Liang Y, Liang M, Song W, Zhou B, Shi J, Du M, Gao Y. Enhanced CT-based radiomics model to predict natural killer cell infiltration and clinical prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1334886. [PMID: 38283362 PMCID: PMC10811188 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1334886] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for tumor prognosis; however, their role in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. The current detection methods for NSCLC are inefficient and costly. Therefore, radiomics represent a promising alternative. Methods We analyzed the radiogenomics datasets to extract clinical, radiological, and transcriptome data. The effect of NK cells on the prognosis of NSCLC was assessed. Tumors were delineated using a 3D Slicer, and features were extracted using pyradiomics. A radiomics model was developed and validated using five-fold cross-validation. A nomogram model was constructed using the selected clinical variables and a radiomic score (RS). The CIBERSORTx database and gene set enrichment analysis were used to explore the correlations of NK cell infiltration and molecular mechanisms. Results Higher infiltration of NK cells was correlated with better overall survival (OS) (P = 0.002). The radiomic model showed an area under the curve of 0.731, with 0.726 post-validation. The RS differed significantly between high and low infiltration of NK cells (P < 0.01). The nomogram, using RS and clinical variables, effectively predicted 3-year OS. NK cell infiltration was correlated with the ICOS and BTLA genes (P < 0.001) and macrophage M0/M2 levels. The key pathways included TNF-α signaling via NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Conclusions Our radiomic model accurately predicted NK cell infiltration in NSCLC. Combined with clinical characteristics, it can predict the prognosis of patients with NSCLC. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the gene expression and pathways underlying NK cell infiltration in NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangzhi Meng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haijun Xu
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yicheng Liang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei Liang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Weijian Song
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Boxuan Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwei Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Minjun Du
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yushun Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Zhang H, Yang L, Wang T, Li Z. NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy. Bioact Mater 2024; 31:63-86. [PMID: 37601277 PMCID: PMC10432724 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells display a unique inherent ability to identify and eliminate virus-infected cells and tumor cells. They are particularly powerful for elimination of hematological cancers, and have attracted considerable interests for therapy of solid tumors. However, the treatment of solid tumors with NK cells are less effective, which can be attributed to the very complicated immunosuppressive microenvironment that may lead to the inactivation, insufficient expansion, short life, and the poor tumor infiltration of NK cells. Fortunately, the development of advanced nanotechnology has provided potential solutions to these issues, and could improve the immunotherapy efficacy of NK cells. In this review, we summarize the activation and inhibition mechanisms of NK cells in solid tumors, and the recent advances in NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy boosted by diverse nanomaterials. We also propose the challenges and opportunities for the clinical application of NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Li Yang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Lee S, Kim TD. Breakthroughs in Cancer Immunotherapy: An Overview of T Cell, NK Cell, Mφ, and DC-Based Treatments. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17634. [PMID: 38139461 PMCID: PMC10744055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417634] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Efforts to treat cancer using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy have made astonishing progress and clinical trials against hematopoietic malignancies have demonstrated their use. However, there are still disadvantages which need to be addressed: high costs, and side effects such as Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) and Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS). Therefore, recent efforts have been made to harness the properties of certain immune cells to treat cancer-not just T cells, but also natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages (Mφ), dendritic cells (DC), etc. In this paper, we will introduce immune cell-based cellular therapies that use various immune cells and describe their characteristics and their clinical situation. The development of immune cell-based cancer therapy fully utilizing the unique advantages of each and every immune cell is expected to enhance the survival of tumor patients owing to their high efficiency and fewer side effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunyoung Lee
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea;
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Don Kim
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea;
- KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Kelesoglu N, Kori M, Yilmaz BK, Duru OA, Arga KY. Differential co-expression network analysis elucidated genes associated with sensitivity to farnesyltransferase inhibitor and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer Med 2023; 12:22420-22436. [PMID: 38069522 PMCID: PMC10757125 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease and the most common form of acute leukemia with a poor prognosis. Due to its complexity, the disease requires the identification of biomarkers for reliable prognosis. To identify potential disease genes that regulate patient prognosis, we used differential co-expression network analysis and transcriptomics data from relapsed, refractory, and previously untreated AML patients based on their response to treatment in the present study. In addition, we combined functional genomics and transcriptomics data to identify novel and therapeutically potential systems biomarkers for patients who do or do not respond to treatment. As a result, we constructed co-expression networks for response and non-response cases and identified a highly interconnected group of genes consisting of SECISBP2L, MAN1A2, PRPF31, VASP, and SNAPC1 in the response network and a group consisting of PHTF2, SLC11A2, PDLIM5, OTUB1, and KLRD1 in the non-response network, both of which showed high prognostic performance with hazard ratios of 4.12 and 3.66, respectively. Remarkably, ETS1, GATA2, AR, YBX1, and FOXP3 were found to be important transcription factors in both networks. The prognostic indicators reported here could be considered as a resource for identifying tumorigenesis and chemoresistance to farnesyltransferase inhibitor. They could help identify important research directions for the development of new prognostic and therapeutic techniques for AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Medi Kori
- Department of BioengineeringMarmara UniversityIstanbulTürkiye
| | - Betul Karademir Yilmaz
- Genetic and Metabolic Diseases Research and Investigation CenterMarmara UniversityIstanbulTürkiye
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of MedicineMarmara UniversityIstanbulTürkiye
| | - Ozlem Ates Duru
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health SciencesNişantaşı UniversityIstanbulTürkiye
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of EngineeringBolu Abant İzzet Baysal UniversityBoluTürkiye
| | - Kazim Yalcin Arga
- Department of BioengineeringMarmara UniversityIstanbulTürkiye
- Genetic and Metabolic Diseases Research and Investigation CenterMarmara UniversityIstanbulTürkiye
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Hibler W, Merlino G, Yu Y. CAR NK Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma: Potential & Prospects. Cells 2023; 12:2750. [PMID: 38067178 PMCID: PMC10706172 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232750] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is among the most lethal forms of cancer, accounting for 80% of deaths despite comprising just 5% of skin cancer cases. Treatment options remain limited due to the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms associated with melanoma heterogeneity that underlie the rapid development of secondary drug resistance. For this reason, the development of novel treatments remains paramount to the improvement of patient outcomes. Although the advent of chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T (CAR-T) cell immunotherapies has led to many clinical successes for hematological malignancies, these treatments are limited in their utility by their immune-induced side effects and a high risk of systemic toxicities. CAR natural killer (CAR-NK) cell immunotherapies are a particularly promising alternative to CAR-T cell immunotherapies, as they offer a more favorable safety profile and have the capacity for fine-tuned cytotoxic activity. In this review, the discussion of the prospects and potential of CAR-NK cell immunotherapies touches upon the clinical contexts of melanoma, the immunobiology of NK cells, the immunosuppressive barriers preventing endogenous immune cells from eliminating tumors, and the structure and design of chimeric antigen receptors, then finishes with a series of proposed design innovations that could improve the efficacy CAR-NK cell immunotherapies in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yanlin Yu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Yi M, Li T, Niu M, Mei Q, Zhao B, Chu Q, Dai Z, Wu K. Exploiting innate immunity for cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:187. [PMID: 38008741 PMCID: PMC10680233 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01885-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment paradigms of various types of cancers. However, most of these immunomodulatory strategies focus on harnessing adaptive immunity, mainly by inhibiting immunosuppressive signaling with immune checkpoint blockade, or enhancing immunostimulatory signaling with bispecific T cell engager and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell. Although these agents have already achieved great success, only a tiny percentage of patients could benefit from immunotherapies. Actually, immunotherapy efficacy is determined by multiple components in the tumor microenvironment beyond adaptive immunity. Cells from the innate arm of the immune system, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and unconventional T cells, also participate in cancer immune evasion and surveillance. Considering that the innate arm is the cornerstone of the antitumor immune response, utilizing innate immunity provides potential therapeutic options for cancer control. Up to now, strategies exploiting innate immunity, such as agonists of stimulator of interferon genes, CAR-macrophage or -natural killer cell therapies, metabolic regulators, and novel immune checkpoint blockade, have exhibited potent antitumor activities in preclinical and clinical studies. Here, we summarize the latest insights into the potential roles of innate cells in antitumor immunity and discuss the advances in innate arm-targeted therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yi
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Breast Surgery, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianye Li
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Mei
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhijun Dai
- Department of Breast Surgery, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Kongming Wu
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Gunasena M, Alles M, Wijewantha Y, Mulhern W, Bowman E, Gabriel J, Kettelhut A, Kumar A, Weragalaarachchi K, Kasturiratna D, Horowitz JC, Scrape S, Pannu SR, Liu SL, Vilgelm A, Wijeratne S, Bednash JS, Demberg T, Funderburg NT, Liyanage NPM. Synergistic Role of NK Cells and Monocytes in Promoting Atherogenesis in Severe COVID-19 Patients. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.11.10.23298322. [PMID: 37986806 PMCID: PMC10659469 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.10.23298322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Clinical data demonstrate an increased predisposition to cardiovascular disease (CVD) following severe COVID-19 infection. This may be driven by a dysregulated immune response associated with severe disease. Monocytes and vascular tissue resident macrophages play a critical role in atherosclerosis, the main pathology leading to ischemic CVD. Natural killer (NK) cells are a heterogenous group of cells that are critical during viral pathogenesis and are known to be dysregulated during severe COVID-19 infection. Their role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has recently been described. However, the contribution of their altered phenotypes to atherogenesis following severe COVID-19 infection is unknown. We demonstrate for the first time that during and after severe COVID-19, circulating proinflammatory monocytes and activated NK cells act synergistically to increase uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) into vascular tissue with subsequent foam cell generation leading to atherogenesis despite recovery from acute infection. Our data provide new insights, revealing the roles of monocytes/macrophages, and NK cells in COVID-19-related atherogenesis.
Collapse
|
40
|
Mohammadian Gol T, Kim M, Sinn R, Ureña-Bailén G, Stegmeyer S, Gratz PG, Zahedipour F, Roig-Merino A, Antony JS, Mezger M. CRISPR-Cas9-Based Gene Knockout of Immune Checkpoints in Expanded NK Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16065. [PMID: 38003255 PMCID: PMC10671270 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216065] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy has emerged as a novel treatment modality for various cancer types, including leukemia. The modulation of inhibitory signaling pathways in T cells and NK cells has been the subject of extensive investigation in both preclinical and clinical settings in recent years. Nonetheless, further research is imperative to optimize antileukemic activities, especially regarding NK-cell-based immunotherapies. The central scientific question of this study pertains to the potential for boosting cytotoxicity in expanded and activated NK cells through the inhibition of inhibitory receptors. To address this question, we employed the CRISPR-Cas9 system to target three distinct inhibitory signaling pathways in NK cells. Specifically, we examined the roles of A2AR within the metabolic purinergic signaling pathway, CBLB as an intracellular regulator in NK cells, and the surface receptors NKG2A and CD96 in enhancing the antileukemic efficacy of NK cells. Following the successful expansion of NK cells, they were transfected with Cas9+sgRNA RNP to knockout A2AR, CBLB, NKG2A, and CD96. The analysis of indel frequencies for all four targets revealed good knockout efficiencies in expanded NK cells, resulting in diminished protein expression as confirmed by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. Our in vitro killing assays demonstrated that NKG2A and CBLB knockout led to only a marginal improvement in the cytotoxicity of NK cells against AML and B-ALL cells. Furthermore, the antileukemic activity of CD96 knockout NK cells did not yield significant enhancements, and the blockade of A2AR did not result in significant improvement in killing efficiency. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CRISPR-Cas9-based knockout strategies for immune checkpoints might not be sufficient to efficiently boost the antileukemic functions of expanded (and activated) NK cells and, at the same time, point to the need for strong cellular activating signals, as this can be achieved, for example, via transgenic chimeric antigen receptor expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Mohammadian Gol
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Miso Kim
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Ralph Sinn
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Guillermo Ureña-Bailén
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Sarah Stegmeyer
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Paul Gerhard Gratz
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Fatemeh Zahedipour
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | | | - Justin S. Antony
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Markus Mezger
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Schober R, Brandus B, Laeremans T, Iserentant G, Rolin C, Dessilly G, Zimmer J, Moutschen M, Aerts JL, Dervillez X, Seguin-Devaux C. Multimeric immunotherapeutic complexes activating natural killer cells towards HIV-1 cure. J Transl Med 2023; 21:791. [PMID: 37936122 PMCID: PMC10631209 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04669-4] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has dramatically extended the life expectancy of people living with HIV-1 and improved their quality of life. There is nevertheless no cure for HIV-1 infection since HIV-1 persists in viral reservoirs of latently infected CD4+ T cells. cART does not eradicate HIV-1 reservoirs or restore cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells which are dramatically reduced by HIV-1 infection, and express the checkpoint inhibitors NKG2A or KIR2DL upregulated after HIV-1 infection. Cytotoxic NK cells expressing the homing receptor CXCR5 were recently described as key subsets controlling viral replication. METHODS We designed and evaluated the potency of "Natural killer activating Multimeric immunotherapeutic compleXes", called as NaMiX, combining multimers of the IL-15/IL-15Rα complex with an anti-NKG2A or an anti-KIR single-chain fragment variable (scFv) to kill HIV-1 infected CD4+ T cells. The oligomerization domain of the C4 binding protein was used to associate the IL-15/IL-15Rα complex to the scFv of each checkpoint inhibitor as well as to multimerize each entity into a heptamer (α form) or a dimer (β form). Each α or β form was compared in different in vitro models using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's tests before evaluation in humanized NSG tg-huIL-15 mice having functional NK cells. RESULTS All NaMiX significantly enhanced the cytolytic activity of NK and CD8+ T cells against Raji tumour cells and HIV-1+ ACH-2 cells by increasing degranulation, release of granzyme B, perforin and IFN-γ. Targeting NKG2A had a stronger effect than targeting KIR2DL due to higher expression of NKG2A on NK cells. In viral inhibition assays, NaMiX initially increased viral replication of CD4+ T cells which was subsequently inhibited by cytotoxic NK cells. Importantly, anti-NKG2A NaMiX enhanced activation, cytotoxicity, IFN-γ production and CXCR5 expression of NK cells from HIV-1 positive individuals. In humanized NSG tg-huIL-15 mice, we confirmed enhanced activation, degranulation, cytotoxicity of NK cells, and killing of HIV-1 infected cells from mice injected with the anti-NKG2A.α NaMiX, as compared to control mice, as well as decreased total HIV-1 DNA in the lung. CONCLUSIONS NK cell-mediated killing of HIV-1 infected cells by NaMiX represents a promising approach to support HIV-1 cure strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafaëla Schober
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29, Rue Henri Koch, L-4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Bianca Brandus
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29, Rue Henri Koch, L-4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Thessa Laeremans
- Neuro-Aging and Viro-Immunotherapy (NAVI) Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gilles Iserentant
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29, Rue Henri Koch, L-4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Camille Rolin
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29, Rue Henri Koch, L-4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Géraldine Dessilly
- AIDS Reference Laboratory, Catholic University of Louvain, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Jacques Zimmer
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29, Rue Henri Koch, L-4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Michel Moutschen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Liège, CHU de Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Joeri L Aerts
- Neuro-Aging and Viro-Immunotherapy (NAVI) Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Xavier Dervillez
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29, Rue Henri Koch, L-4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Carole Seguin-Devaux
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29, Rue Henri Koch, L-4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Alles M, Gunasena M, Kettelhut A, Ailstock K, Musiime V, Kityo C, Richardson B, Mulhern W, Tamilselvan B, Rubsamen M, Kasturiratna D, Demberg T, Cameron CM, Cameron MJ, Dirajlal-Fargo S, Funderburg NT, Liyanage NPM. Activated NK Cells with Pro-inflammatory Features are Associated with Atherogenesis in Perinatally HIV-Acquired Adolescents. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.11.06.23297580. [PMID: 37986784 PMCID: PMC10659511 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.06.23297580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with persistent immune activation and dysfunction in people with HIV despite treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Modulation of the immune system may be driven by: low-level HIV replication, co-pathogens, gut dysbiosis /translocation, altered lipid profiles, and ART toxicities. In addition, perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) and lifelong ART may alter the development and function of the immune system. Our preliminary data and published literature suggest reprogramming innate immune cells may accelerate aging and increase the risk for future end-organ complications, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). The exact mechanisms, however, are currently unknown. Natural killer (NK) cells are a highly heterogeneous cell population with divergent functions. They play a critical role in HIV transmission and disease progression in adults. Recent studies suggest the important role of NK cells in CVDs; however, little is known about NK cells and their role in HIV-associated cardiovascular risk in PHIV adolescents. Here, we investigated NK cell subsets and their potential role in atherogenesis in PHIV adolescents compared to HIV-negative adolescents in Uganda. Our data suggest, for the first time, that activated NK subsets in PHIV adolescents may contribute to atherogenesis by promoting plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) uptake by vascular macrophages.
Collapse
|
43
|
Vu SH, Pham HH, Pham TTP, Le TT, Vo MC, Jung SH, Lee JJ, Nguyen XH. Adoptive NK Cell Therapy - a Beacon of Hope in Multiple Myeloma Treatment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1275076. [PMID: 38023191 PMCID: PMC10656693 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1275076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Major advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) have been achieved by effective new agents such as proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, or monoclonal antibodies. Despite significant progress, MM remains still incurable and, recently, cellular immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for relapsed/refractory MM. The emergence of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology has transformed immunotherapy by enhancing the antitumor functions of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, leading to effective control of hematologic malignancies. Recent advancements in gene delivery to NK cells have paved the way for the clinical application of CAR-NK cell therapy. CAR-NK cell therapy strategies have demonstrated safety, tolerability, and substantial efficacy in treating B cell malignancies in various clinical settings. However, their effectiveness in eliminating MM remains to be established. This review explores multiple approaches to enhance NK cell cytotoxicity, persistence, expansion, and manufacturing processes, and highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with CAR-NK cell therapy against MM. By shedding light on these aspects, this review aims to provide valuable insights into the potential of CAR-NK cell therapy as a promising approach for improving the treatment outcomes of MM patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Son Hai Vu
- Hi-Tech Center and Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ha Hong Pham
- Hi-Tech Center and Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thao Thi Phuong Pham
- Hi-Tech Center and Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Thien Le
- Hi-Tech Center and Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Manh-Cuong Vo
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hoon Jung
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Jung Lee
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Xuan-Hung Nguyen
- Hi-Tech Center and Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
- College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Hanoi, Vietnam
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Momayyezi P, Bilev E, Ljunggren HG, Hammer Q. Viral escape from NK-cell-mediated immunosurveillance: A lesson for cancer immunotherapy? Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2350465. [PMID: 37526136 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350465] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that participate in immune responses against virus-infected cells and tumors. As a countermeasure, viruses and tumors employ strategies to evade NK-cell-mediated immunosurveillance. In this review, we examine immune evasion strategies employed by viruses, focusing on examples from human CMV and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We explore selected viral evasion mechanisms categorized into three classes: (1) providing ligands for the inhibitory receptor NKG2A, (2) downregulating ligands for the activating receptor NKG2D, and (3) inducing the immunosuppressive cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. For each class, we draw parallels between immune evasion by viruses and tumors, reviewing potential opportunities for overcoming evasion in cancer therapy. We suggest that in-depth investigations of host-pathogen interactions between viruses and NK cells will not only deepen our understanding of viral immune evasion but also shed light on how NK cells counter such evasion attempts. Thus, due to the parallels of immune evasion by viruses and tumors, we propose that insights gained from antiviral NK-cell responses may serve as valuable lessons that can be leveraged for designing future cancer immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pouria Momayyezi
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eleni Bilev
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Quirin Hammer
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Bhat SA, Elnaggar M, Hall TJ, McHugo GP, Reid C, MacHugh DE, Meade KG. Preferential differential gene expression within the WC1.1 + γδ T cell compartment in cattle naturally infected with Mycobacterium bovis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1265038. [PMID: 37942326 PMCID: PMC10628470 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1265038] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis, continues to cause significant issues for the global agriculture industry as well as for human health. An incomplete understanding of the host immune response contributes to the challenges of control and eradication of this zoonotic disease. In this study, high-throughput bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to characterise differential gene expression in γδ T cells - a subgroup of T cells that bridge innate and adaptive immunity and have known anti-mycobacterial response mechanisms. γδ T cell subsets are classified based on expression of a pathogen-recognition receptor known as Workshop Cluster 1 (WC1) and we hypothesised that bTB disease may alter the phenotype and function of specific γδ T cell subsets. Peripheral blood was collected from naturally M. bovis-infected (positive for single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT) and IFN-γ ELISA) and age- and sex-matched, non-infected control Holstein-Friesian cattle. γδ T subsets were isolated using fluorescence activated cell sorting (n = 10-12 per group) and high-quality RNA extracted from each purified lymphocyte subset (WC1.1+, WC1.2+, WC1- and γδ-) was used to generate transcriptomes using bulk RNA-seq (n = 6 per group, representing a total of 48 RNA-seq libraries). Relatively low numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed between most cell subsets; however, 189 genes were significantly differentially expressed in the M. bovis-infected compared to the control groups for the WC1.1+ γδ T cell compartment (absolute log2 FC ≥ 1.5 and FDR P adj. ≤ 0.1). The majority of these DEGs (168) were significantly increased in expression in cells from the bTB+ cattle and included genes encoding transcription factors (TBX21 and EOMES), chemokine receptors (CCR5 and CCR7), granzymes (GZMA, GZMM, and GZMH) and multiple killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) proteins indicating cytotoxic functions. Biological pathway overrepresentation analysis revealed enrichment of genes with multiple immune functions including cell activation, proliferation, chemotaxis, and cytotoxicity of lymphocytes. In conclusion, γδ T cells have important inflammatory and regulatory functions in cattle, and we provide evidence for preferential differential activation of the WC1.1+ specific subset in cattle naturally infected with M. bovis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sajad A. Bhat
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - Mahmoud Elnaggar
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - Thomas J. Hall
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gillian P. McHugo
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cian Reid
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - David E. MacHugh
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kieran G. Meade
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Ma S, Caligiuri MA, Yu J. Harnessing Natural Killer Cells for Lung Cancer Therapy. Cancer Res 2023; 83:3327-3339. [PMID: 37531223 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Although natural killer (NK) cells are garnering interest as a potential anticancer therapy because they selectively recognize and eliminate cancer cells, their use in treating solid tumors, including lung cancer, has been limited due to impediments to their efficacy, such as their limited ability to reach tumor tissues, the reduced antitumor activity of tumor-infiltrating NK cells, and the suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). This comprehensive review provides an in-depth analysis of the cross-talk between the lung cancer TME and NK cells. We highlight the various mechanisms used by the TME to modulate NK-cell phenotypes and limit infiltration, explore the role of the TME in limiting the antitumor activity of NK cells, and discuss the current challenges and obstacles that hinder the success of NK-cell-based immunotherapy for lung cancer. Potential opportunities and promising strategies to address these challenges have been implemented or are being developed to optimize NK-cell-based immunotherapy for lung cancer. Through critical evaluation of existing literature and emerging trends, this review provides a comprehensive outlook on the future of NK-cell-based immunotherapy for treating lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shoubao Ma
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael A Caligiuri
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Mou J, Xie L, Xu Y, Zhou T, Liu Y, Huang Q, Tang K, Tian Z, Xing H, Qiu S, Rao Q, Wang M, Wang J. 2B4 inhibits the apoptosis of natural killer cells through phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase/B-cell lymphoma 2 signal pathway. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:1080-1090. [PMID: 37516949 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Decades after the identification of natural killer (NK) cells as potential effector cells against malignantly transformed cells, an increasing amount of research suggests that NK cells are a prospective choice of immunocytes for cancer immunotherapy in addition to T lymphocytes for cancer immunotherapy. Recent studies have led to a breakthrough in the combination of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation with allogeneic NK cells infusion for the treatment of malignant tumors. However, the short lifespan of NK cells in patients is the major impediment, limiting their efficacy. Therefore, prolonging the survival of NK cells will promote the application of NK-cell immunotherapy. As we have known, NK cells use a "missing-self" mechanism to lyse target cells and exert their functions through a wide array of activating, co-stimulatory and inhibitory receptors. Our previous study has suggested that CD244 (2B4), one of the co-stimulatory receptors, can improve the function of chimeric antigen receptor NK cells. However, the underlying mechanism of how 2B4 engages in the function of NK cells requires further investigation. Overall, we established a feeder cell with the expression of CD48, the ligand of 2B4, to investigate the function of 2B4-CD48 axis in NK cells, and meanwhile, to explore whether the newly generated feeder cell can improve the function of ex vivo-expanded NK cells. METHODS First, K562 cells overexpressing 4-1BBL and membrane-bound IL-21 (mbIL-21) were constructed (K562-41BBL-mbIL-21) and were sorted to generate the single clone. These widely used feeder cells (K562-41BBL-mbIL-21) were named as Basic Feeder hereinafter. Based on the Basic feeder, CD48 was overexpressed and named as CD48 Feeder. Then, the genetically modified feeder cells were used to expand primary NK cells from peripheral blood or umbilical cord blood. In vitro experiments were performed to compare proliferation ability, cytotoxicity, survival and activation/inhibition phenotypes of NK cells stimulated via different feeder cells. K562 cells were injected into nude mice subcutaneously with tail vein injection of NK cells from different feeder system for the detection of NK in vivo persistence and function. RESULTS Compared with Basic Feeders, CD48 Feeders can promote the proliferation of primary NK cells from peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood and reduce NK cell apoptosis by activating the p-ERK/BCL2 pathway both in vitro and in vivo without affecting overall phenotypes. Furthermore, NK cells expanded via CD48 Feeders showed stronger anti-tumor capability and infiltration ability into the tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS In this preclinical study, the engagement of the 2B4-CD48 axis can inhibit the apoptosis of NK cells through the p-ERK/BCL2 signal pathway, leading to an improvement in therapeutic efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junli Mou
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Leling Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Yingxi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Tong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Qianqian Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Kejing Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Zheng Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Haiyan Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Shaowei Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Qing Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China.
| | - Jianxiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China; Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Cerella C, Dicato M, Diederich M. Enhancing personalized immune checkpoint therapy by immune archetyping and pharmacological targeting. Pharmacol Res 2023; 196:106914. [PMID: 37714393 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an expanding class of immunotherapeutic agents with the potential to cure cancer. Despite the outstanding clinical response in patient subsets, most individuals become refractory or develop resistance. Patient stratification and personalized immunotherapies are limited by the absence of predictive response markers. Recent findings show that dominant patterns of immune cell composition, T-cell status and heterogeneity, and spatiotemporal distribution of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are becoming essential determinants of prognosis and therapeutic response. In this context, ICIs also function as investigational tools and proof of concept, allowing the validation of the identified mechanisms. After reviewing the current state of ICIs, this article will explore new comprehensive predictive markers for ICIs based on recent discoveries. We will discuss the recent establishment of a classification of TMEs into immune archetypes as a tool for personalized immune profiling, allowing patient stratification before ICI treatment. We will discuss the developing comprehension of T-cell diversity and its role in shaping the immune profile of patients. We describe the potential of strategies that score the mutual spatiotemporal modulation between T-cells and other cellular components of the TME. Additionally, we will provide an overview of a range of synthetic and naturally occurring or derived small molecules. We will compare compounds that were recently identified by in silico prediction to wet lab-validated drug candidates with the potential to function as ICIs and/or modulators of the cellular components of the TME.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Cerella
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du Cancer (LBMCC), Fondation Recherche sur le Cancer et les Maladies du Sang, Pavillon 2, 6A rue Barblé, L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Mario Dicato
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du Cancer (LBMCC), Fondation Recherche sur le Cancer et les Maladies du Sang, Pavillon 2, 6A rue Barblé, L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Marc Diederich
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Chen Y, Huo R, Kang W, Liu Y, Zhao Z, Fu W, Ma R, Zhang X, Tang J, Zhu Z, Lyu Q, Huang Y, Yan M, Jiang B, Chai R, Bao Z, Hu Z, Wang W, Jiang T, Cao Y, Wang J. Tumor-associated monocytes promote mesenchymal transformation through EGFR signaling in glioma. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101177. [PMID: 37652019 PMCID: PMC10518634 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The role of brain immune compartments in glioma evolution remains elusive. We profile immune cells in glioma microenvironment and the matched peripheral blood from 11 patients. Glioblastoma exhibits specific infiltration of blood-originated monocytes expressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands EREG and AREG, coined as tumor-associated monocytes (TAMo). TAMo infiltration is mutually exclusive with EGFR alterations (p = 0.019), while co-occurring with mesenchymal subtype (p = 4.7 × 10-7) and marking worse prognosis (p = 0.004 and 0.032 in two cohorts). Evolutionary analysis of initial-recurrent glioma pairs and single-cell study of a multi-centric glioblastoma reveal association between elevated TAMo and glioma mesenchymal transformation. Further analyses identify FOSL2 as a TAMo master regulator and demonstrates that FOSL2-EREG/AREG-EGFR signaling axis promotes glioma invasion in vitro. Collectively, we identify TAMo in tumor microenvironment and reveal its driving role in activating EGFR signaling to shape glioma evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiyun Chen
- Division of Life Science, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China; SIAT-HKUST Joint Laboratory of Cell Evolution and Digital Health, HKUST Shenzhen-Hong Kong Collaborative Innovation Research Institute, Futian, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ran Huo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Weirong Kang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Laboratory of Molecular Engineering and Nanomedicine, Dr. Li Dak-Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuwei Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Laboratory of Molecular Engineering and Nanomedicine, Dr. Li Dak-Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zheng Zhao
- Division of Life Science, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China; Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Weilun Fu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Ruochen Ma
- Division of Life Science, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaomeng Zhang
- Division of Life Science, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jihong Tang
- Division of Life Science, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhihan Zhu
- Division of Life Science, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qingyang Lyu
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Laboratory of Molecular Engineering and Nanomedicine, Dr. Li Dak-Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Laboratory of Molecular Engineering and Nanomedicine, Dr. Li Dak-Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mengli Yan
- Division of Life Science, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Biaobin Jiang
- Division of Life Science, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ruichao Chai
- Division of Life Science, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China; SIAT-HKUST Joint Laboratory of Cell Evolution and Digital Health, HKUST Shenzhen-Hong Kong Collaborative Innovation Research Institute, Futian, Shenzhen, China; Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoshi Bao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Hu
- SIAT-HKUST Joint Laboratory of Cell Evolution and Digital Health, HKUST Shenzhen-Hong Kong Collaborative Innovation Research Institute, Futian, Shenzhen, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weiping Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Laboratory of Molecular Engineering and Nanomedicine, Dr. Li Dak-Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China; Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yong Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China.
| | - Jiguang Wang
- Division of Life Science, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China; SIAT-HKUST Joint Laboratory of Cell Evolution and Digital Health, HKUST Shenzhen-Hong Kong Collaborative Innovation Research Institute, Futian, Shenzhen, China; Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, InnoHK, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Ormandjieva A, Yordanov S, Stoyanov H, Deliverska E, Shivarov V, Ivanova M. The role of non-classical and chain-related human leukocyte antigen polymorphisms in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:7245-7252. [PMID: 37418079 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08629-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is the major pathological subtype of laryngeal cancer. It has been shown that alterations of the expression of non-classical human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and the chain-related MIC molecules by malignant cells can lead to escape from the immune system control and certain allele variants may participate in immune editing and therefore be associated with modulation of cancer risk. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of non-classical HLA class Ib and chain-related MIC polymorphisms, determined at the allelic level by next-generation sequencing (NGS), in patients from the Bulgarian population, diagnosed with LSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present study DNA samples from 48 patients with LSCC were used. Data was compared to 63 healthy controls analysed in previous studies. HLA genotyping was performed by using the AlloSeq Tx17 early pooling protocol and the library preparation AlloSeq Tx17 kit (CareDx). Sequencing was performed on MiniSeq sequencing platform (Illumina) and HLA genotypes were assigned with the AlloSeq Assign analysis software v1.0.3 (CareDx) and the IPD-IMGT/HLA database 3.45.1.2. RESULTS The HLA disease association tests revealed a statistically significant predisposing association of HLA-F*01:01:02 (Pc = 0.0103, OR = 24.0194) with LSCC, while HLA-F*01:01:01 (Pc = 8.21e-04, OR = 0.0485) has a possible protective association. Additionally we observed several haplotypes with statistically significant protective and predisposing associations. The strongest association was observed for F*01:01:01-H*01:01:01 (P = 0.0054, haplotype score=-2.7801). CONCLUSION Our preliminary study suggests the involvement of HLA class Ib in cancer development and the possible role of the shown alleles as biomarkers of LSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Ormandjieva
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | | | - Hristo Stoyanov
- Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, FDM, Medical University - Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Elitsa Deliverska
- Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, FDM, Medical University - Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Velizar Shivarov
- Department of Experimental Research, Medical University Pleven, Pleven, Bulgaria
| | - Milena Ivanova
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Clinic of Clinical Immunology with Stem Cell Bank, University Hospital ''Alexandrovska'', Sofia, Bulgaria
| |
Collapse
|