1
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Wright PW, Li H, Rahman MA, Anderson EM, Karwan M, Carrell J, Anderson SK. The KIR2DL1 intermediate upstream element participates in gene activation. Immunogenetics 2023; 75:495-506. [PMID: 37801092 PMCID: PMC10651540 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-023-01321-9] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The human KIR genes encode a family of class I MHC receptors that are expressed on subsets of NK cells. The expression of KIR proteins is controlled by a stochastic process, and competition between sense and antisense promoter elements has been suggested to program the variegated expression of these genes. Previous studies have demonstrated distinct roles of distal, intermediate, and proximal sense promoter/enhancer elements in gene activation and expression. Conversely, proximal and intronic antisense promoter transcripts have been associated with gene silencing at different stages of NK cell development. In the current study, we examine the effect of intermediate promoter deletion on KIR2DL1 expression in the YTS cell line. Homozygous deletion of the KIR2DL1 intermediate element did not affect proximal promoter activity but resulted in increased detection of upstream transcripts. No significant changes in alternative mRNA splicing or expression levels of KIR2DL1 protein were observed. However, intermediate element deletion was associated with a reduced frequency of gene activation by 5-azacytidine. Taken together, these results indicate that the intermediate element is not an enhancer required for KIR expression; however, it is required for the efficient activation of the gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul W Wright
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Hongchuan Li
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Md Ahasanur Rahman
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Erik M Anderson
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Megan Karwan
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Jeffrey Carrell
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Stephen K Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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2
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Cimpean M, Keppel MP, Gainullina A, Fan C, Sohn H, Schedler NC, Swain A, Kolicheski A, Shapiro H, Young HA, Wang T, Artyomov MN, Cooper MA. IL-15 Priming Alters IFN-γ Regulation in Murine NK Cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1481-1493. [PMID: 37747317 PMCID: PMC10873103 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
NK effector functions can be triggered by inflammatory cytokines and engagement of activating receptors. NK cell production of IFN-γ, an important immunoregulatory cytokine, exhibits activation-specific IFN-γ regulation. Resting murine NK cells exhibit activation-specific metabolic requirements for IFN-γ production, which are reversed for activating receptor-mediated stimulation following IL-15 priming. Although both cytokine and activating receptor stimulation leads to similar IFN-γ protein production, only cytokine stimulation upregulates Ifng transcript, suggesting that protein production is translationally regulated after receptor stimulation. Based on these differences in IFN-γ regulation, we hypothesized that ex vivo IL-15 priming of murine NK cells allows a switch to IFN-γ transcription upon activating receptor engagement. Transcriptional analysis of primed NK cells compared with naive cells or cells cultured with low-dose IL-15 demonstrated that primed cells strongly upregulated Ifng transcript following activating receptor stimulation. This was not due to chromatin accessibility changes in the Ifng locus or changes in ITAM signaling, but was associated with a distinct transcriptional signature induced by ITAM stimulation of primed compared with naive NK cells. Transcriptional analyses identified a common signature of c-Myc (Myc) targets associated with Ifng transcription. Although Myc marked NK cells capable of Ifng transcription, Myc itself was not required for Ifng transcription using a genetic model of Myc deletion. This work highlights altered regulatory networks in IL-15-primed cells, resulting in distinct gene expression patterns and IFN-γ regulation in response to activating receptor stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cimpean
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Molly P. Keppel
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Anastasiia Gainullina
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Changxu Fan
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Hyogon Sohn
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nathan C. Schedler
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Amanda Swain
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ana Kolicheski
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Hannah Shapiro
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Howard A. Young
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Maxim N. Artyomov
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Megan A. Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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3
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Khameneh HJ, Fonta N, Zenobi A, Niogret C, Ventura P, Guerra C, Kwee I, Rinaldi A, Pecoraro M, Geiger R, Cavalli A, Bertoni F, Vivier E, Trumpp A, Guarda G. Myc controls NK cell development, IL-15-driven expansion, and translational machinery. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302069. [PMID: 37105715 PMCID: PMC10140547 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC is a pleiotropic transcription factor involved in cancer, cell proliferation, and metabolism. Its regulation and function in NK cells, which are innate cytotoxic lymphocytes important to control viral infections and cancer, remain poorly defined. Here, we show that mice deficient for Myc in NK cells presented a severe reduction in these lymphocytes. Myc was required for NK cell development and expansion in response to the key cytokine IL-15, which induced Myc through transcriptional and posttranslational mechanisms. Mechanistically, Myc ablation in vivo largely impacted NK cells' ribosomagenesis, reducing their translation and expansion capacities. Similar results were obtained by inhibiting MYC in human NK cells. Impairing translation by pharmacological intervention phenocopied the consequences of deleting or blocking MYC in vitro. Notably, mice lacking Myc in NK cells exhibited defective anticancer immunity, which reflected their decreased numbers of mature NK cells exerting suboptimal cytotoxic functions. These results indicate that MYC is a central node in NK cells, connecting IL-15 to translational fitness, expansion, and anticancer immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanif J Khameneh
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Fonta
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Zenobi
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Charlène Niogret
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Pedro Ventura
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Concetta Guerra
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Ivo Kwee
- BigOmics Analytics SA, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Pecoraro
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Roger Geiger
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Eric Vivier
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
- Innate Pharma Research Laboratories, Marseille, France
- APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille-Immunopôle, Marseille, France
| | - Andreas Trumpp
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
- HI-STEM: The Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine gGmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Greta Guarda
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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4
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Cimpean M, Cooper MA. Metabolic regulation of NK cell antiviral functions during cytomegalovirus infection. J Leukoc Biol 2023; 113:525-534. [PMID: 36843434 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad018] [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] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells quickly mount cytotoxic responses, produce cytokines, and proliferate in response to infected or transformed cells. Moreover, they can develop memory, with enhanced effector responses following activation, in some cases with antigen specificity. To optimally execute these functions, NK cells undergo metabolic reprogramming. Here, we discuss the interplay between metabolism and NK cell function in the context of viral infections. We review findings supporting metabolic regulation of NK cell effector functions, with a focus on NK cell antiviral infection in the context of cytomegalovirus in the mouse (MCMV) and human (HCMV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cimpean
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8208, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Megan A Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8208, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
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5
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Cimpean M, Keppel MP, Gainullina A, Fan C, Schedler NC, Swain A, Kolicheski A, Shapiro H, Young HA, Wang T, Artyomov MN, Cooper MA. IL-15 priming alters IFN-γ regulation in murine NK cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.23.537947. [PMID: 37163083 PMCID: PMC10168240 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.23.537947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) effector functions can be triggered by inflammatory cytokines and engagement of activating receptors. NK cell production of IFN-γ, an important immunoregulatory cytokine, exhibits activation-specific IFN-γ regulation. Resting murine NK cells exhibit activation-specific metabolic requirements for IFN-γ production, which are reversed for activating receptor-mediated stimulation following IL-15 priming. While both cytokine and activating receptor stimulation leads to similar IFN-γ protein production, only cytokine stimulation upregulates Ifng transcript, suggesting that protein production is translationally regulated after receptor stimulation. Based on these differences in IFN-γ regulation, we hypothesized that ex vivo IL-15 priming of murine NK cells allows a switch to IFN-γ transcription upon activating receptor engagement. Transcriptional analysis of primed NK cells compared to naïve cells or cells cultured with low-dose IL-15 demonstrated that primed cells strongly upregulated Ifng transcript following activating receptor stimulation. This was not due to chromatin accessibility changes in the Ifng locus or changes in ITAM signaling, but was associated with a distinct transcriptional signature induced by ITAM stimulation of primed compared to naïve NK cells. Transcriptional analyses identified a common signature of c-Myc (Myc) targets associated with Ifng transcription. While Myc marked NK cells capable of Ifng transcription, Myc itself was not required for Ifng transcription using a genetic model of Myc deletion. This work highlights altered regulatory networks in IL-15 primed cells, resulting in distinct gene expression patterns and IFN-γ regulation in response to activating receptor stimulation.
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6
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Butyrate limits human natural killer cell effector function. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2715. [PMID: 36792800 PMCID: PMC9932090 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29731-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota regulates chronic inflammation and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a broad spectrum of disease including autoimmunity and cancer. Microbial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) e.g., butyrate have demonstrated immunomodulatory effects and are thought to be key mediators of the host-microbiome interaction. Here, we investigated the effect of butyrate on effector functions of blood derived human NK cells stimulated for 18 h with a combination of IL-12/IL-15, a potent mix of cytokines that drive NK cell activation. We show that butyrate has a strong anti-inflammatory effect on NK cells. NK cells cultured in the presence of butyrate expressed lower levels of activating receptors (TRAIL, NKp30, NKp44) and produced lower levels of cytokines (IFNγ, TNF-α, IL-22, granzyme B, granzyme A, perforin) in response to IL-12/IL-15. Butyrate restricted NK cell function by downregulation of mTORC1 activity, c-Myc mRNA expression and metabolism. Using a shotgun proteomic approach, we confirmed the effect of butyrate on NK cell cytokine signaling and metabolism and identified BRD2, MAT2A and EHD1 as downstream mediators of these effects. This insight into the immunomodulatory activity of butyrate on human NK cell function might help to develop new ways to limit NK cell function during chronic inflammation.
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7
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de Jonge AV, Mutis T, Roemer MGM, Scheijen B, Chamuleau MED. Impact of MYC on Anti-Tumor Immune Responses in Aggressive B Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas: Consequences for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12103052. [PMID: 33092116 PMCID: PMC7589056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12103052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The human immune system has several mechanisms to attack and eliminate lymphomas. However, the MYC oncogene is thought to facilitate escape from this anti-tumor immune response. Since patients with MYC overexpressing lymphomas face a significant dismal prognosis after treatment with standard immunochemotherapy, understanding the role of MYC in regulating the anti-tumor immune response is highly relevant. In this review, we describe the mechanisms by which MYC attenuates the anti-tumor immune responses in B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. We aim to implement this knowledge in the deployment of novel immunotherapeutic approaches. Therefore, we also provide a comprehensive overview of current immunotherapeutic options and we discuss potential future treatment strategies for MYC overexpressing lymphomas. Abstract Patients with MYC overexpressing high grade B cell lymphoma (HGBL) face significant dismal prognosis after treatment with standard immunochemotherapy regimens. Recent preclinical studies indicate that MYC not only contributes to tumorigenesis by its effects on cell proliferation and differentiation, but also plays an important role in promoting escape from anti-tumor immune responses. This is of specific interest, since reversing tumor immune inhibition with immunotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. In this review, we outline the current understanding of impaired immune responses in B cell lymphoid malignancies with MYC overexpression, with a particular emphasis on diffuse large B cell lymphoma. We also discuss clinical consequences of MYC overexpression in the treatment of HGBL with novel immunotherapeutic agents and potential future treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Vera de Jonge
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.M.); (M.E.D.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tuna Mutis
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.M.); (M.E.D.C.)
| | - Margaretha G. M. Roemer
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Blanca Scheijen
- Department of Pathology, Radboud UMC, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Martine E. D. Chamuleau
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.M.); (M.E.D.C.)
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8
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Wu CY, Zhang B, Kim H, Anderson SK, Miller JS, Cichocki F. Ascorbic Acid Promotes KIR Demethylation during Early NK Cell Differentiation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2020; 205:1513-1523. [PMID: 32759296 PMCID: PMC7484163 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Variegated expression of killer Ig-like receptors (KIR) in human NK cells is a stochastic process exclusive to subsets of mature NK cells and CD8+ T cells. Allele-specific KIR expression is maintained by DNA methylation within the proximal promoter regions. Because KIR genes are densely methylated in NK cell progenitors, there is an implied stage of human NK cell development in which DNA demethylation takes place to allow for active transcription. When and how this process occurs is unknown. In this study, we show that KIR proximal promoters are densely methylated in less mature CD56bright NK cells and are progressively demethylated in CD56dim NK cells as they mature and acquire KIR. We hypothesized that ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes, which oxidize 5mC on DNA could mediate KIR promoter demethylation. The catalytic efficiency of TET enzymes is known to be enhanced by ascorbic acid. We found that the addition of ascorbic acid to ex vivo culture of sorted CD56bright NK cells increased the frequency of KIR expression in a dose-dependent manner and facilitated demethylation of proximal promoters. A marked enrichment of the transcription factor Runx3 as well as TET2 and TET3 was observed within proximal KIR promoters in CD56bright NK cells cultured with ascorbic acid. Additionally, overexpression of TET3 and Runx3 promoted KIR expression in CD56bright NK cells and NK-92 cells. Our results show that KIR promoter demethylation can be induced in CD56bright, and this process is facilitated by ascorbic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Ying Wu
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and
| | - Hansol Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and
| | - Stephen K Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and
| | - Frank Cichocki
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and
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9
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Vuletić A, Jovanić I, Jurišić V, Milovanović Z, Nikolić S, Spurnić I, Konjević G. IL-2 And IL-15 Induced NKG2D, CD158a and CD158b Expression on T, NKT- like and NK Cell Lymphocyte Subsets from Regional Lymph Nodes of Melanoma Patients. Pathol Oncol Res 2020; 26:223-231. [PMID: 29948616 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-018-0444-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Regional lymph nodes (LN)s represent important immunological barriers in spreading of malignant tumors. However, they are the most frequent early metastatic site in melanoma. Immunomodulatory agents including cytokines have been included in therapy of melanoma and have shown severe side effects and toxicity. In this sense, there is a growing need for bringing these agents to further in vitro testing that may enlighten aspects of their regional application. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-15, the two cytokines with similar immune-enhancing effects, on the expression of activating NKG2D, inhibitory CD158a and CD158b receptors on CD8+ T, NKT-like and NK cell lymphocyte subsets from regional LNs of melanoma patients. In this study, we showed significant effects of IL-2 and IL-15 cytokine treatments on the expression of activating NKG2D and on inhibitory CD158a and CD158b receptors on lymphocytes, CD8+ T, NKT-like and NK cell lymphocyte subsets originating from regional LNs of melanoma patients. Furthermore, IL-2 and IL-15 by inducing the expression of NKG2D activating receptor on innate and on adaptive lymphocyte subsets and by augmenting NK cell antitumor cytotoxicity that correlated with the cytokine-induced NKG2D expression, increased antitumor potential of immune cells in regional LNs of melanoma patients irrespective of LN involvement. These findings indicate the importance of immune cell population from regional LNs of melanoma patients in the development of immune intervention strategies that may if applied locally increase antitumor potential to the level that controls tumor progressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Vuletić
- Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia.
| | - Irena Jovanić
- Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Jurišić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Zorka Milovanović
- Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Srđan Nikolić
- Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Igor Spurnić
- Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Gordana Konjević
- Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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10
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Cichocki F, Grzywacz B, Miller JS. Human NK Cell Development: One Road or Many? Front Immunol 2019; 10:2078. [PMID: 31555287 PMCID: PMC6727427 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
CD3−CD56+ NK cells develop from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors (HPCs) in vivo, and this process can be recapitulated in vitro. The prevailing model is that human NK cell development occurs along a continuum whereby common lymphocyte progenitors (CLPs) gradually downregulate CD34 and upregulate CD56. Acquisition of CD94 marks commitment to the CD56bright stage, and CD56bright NK cells subsequently differentiate into CD56dim NK cells that upregulate CD16 and killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). Support for this linear model comes from analyses of cell populations in secondary lymphoid tissues and in vitro studies of NK cell development from HPCs. However, several lines of evidence challenge this linear model and suggest a more branched model whereby different precursor populations may independently develop into distinct subsets of mature NK cells. A more definitive understanding of human NK cell development is needed to inform in vitro differentiation strategies designed to generate NK cells for immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize current evidence supporting the linear and branched models of human NK cell development and the challenges associated with reaching definitive conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Cichocki
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Bartosz Grzywacz
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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11
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The IRE1 endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor activates natural killer cell immunity in part by regulating c-Myc. Nat Immunol 2019; 20:865-878. [PMID: 31086333 PMCID: PMC6588410 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-019-0388-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical mediators of host immunity to pathogens. Here, we demonstrate that the endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1α) and its substrate transcription factor X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) drive NK cell responses against viral infection and tumors in vivo. IRE1α-XBP1 were essential for expansion of activated mouse and human NK cells and are situated downstream of the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. Transcriptome and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed c-Myc as a new and direct downstream target of XBP1 for regulation of NK cell proliferation. Genetic ablation or pharmaceutical blockade of IRE1α downregulated c-Myc, and NK cells with c-Myc haploinsufficency phenocopied IRE1α-XBP1 deficiency. c-Myc overexpression largely rescued the proliferation defect in IRE1α-/- NK cells. Like c-Myc, IRE1α-XBP1 also promotes oxidative phosphorylation in NK cells. Overall, our study identifies a IRE1α-XBP1-cMyc axis in NK cell immunity, providing insight into host protection against infection and cancer.
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12
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Zakiryanova GK, Wheeler S, Shurin MR. Oncogenes in immune cells as potential therapeutic targets. Immunotargets Ther 2018; 7:21-28. [PMID: 29692982 PMCID: PMC5903485 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s150586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of deregulated expression of oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes in tumor development has been intensively investigated for decades. However, expression of oncogenes and their potential role in immune cell defects during carcinogenesis and tumor progression have not been thoroughly assessed. The defects in proto-oncogenes have been well documented and evaluated mostly in tumor cells, despite the fact that proto-oncogenes are expressed in all cells, including cells of the immune system. In this review, key studies from immune-mediated diseases that may be associated with oncogene signaling pathways are refocused to provide groundwork for beginning to understand the effects of oncogenes in and on the cancer-related immune system dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulnur K Zakiryanova
- Department Biophysics and Biomedicine, Faculty Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Sarah Wheeler
- Division of Clinical Immunopathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michael R Shurin
- Division of Clinical Immunopathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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13
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Pugh JL, Nemat-Gorgani N, Norman PJ, Guethlein LA, Parham P. Human NK Cells Downregulate Zap70 and Syk in Response to Prolonged Activation or DNA Damage. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 200:1146-1158. [PMID: 29263215 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The extent of NK cell activity during the innate immune response affects downstream immune functions and, ultimately, the outcome of infectious or malignant disease. However, the mechanisms that terminate human NK cell responses have yet to be defined. When activation receptors expressed on NK cell surfaces bind to ligands on diseased cells, they initiate a signal that is propagated by a number of intracellular kinases, including Zap70 and Syk, eventually leading to NK cell activation. We assayed Zap70 and Syk content in NK cells from healthy human donors and identified a subset of NK cells with unusually low levels of these two kinases. We found that this Zap70lowSyklow subset consisted of NK cells expressing a range of surface markers, including CD56hi and CD56low NK cells. Upon in vitro stimulation with target cells, Zap70lowSyklow NK cells failed to produce IFN-γ and lysed target cells at one third the capacity of Zap70hiSykhi NK cells. We determined two independent in vitro conditions that induce the Zap70lowSyklow phenotype in NK cells: continuous stimulation with activation beads and DNA damage. The expression of inhibitory receptors, including NKG2A and inhibitory killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs), was negatively correlated with the Zap70lowSyklow phenotype. Moreover, expression of multiple KIRs reduced the likelihood of Zap70 downregulation during continuous activation, regardless of whether NK cells had been educated through KIR-HLA interactions in vivo. Our findings show that human NK cells are able to terminate their functional activity without the aid of other immune cells through the downregulation of activation kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason L Pugh
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; and.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Neda Nemat-Gorgani
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; and.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Paul J Norman
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; and.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Lisbeth A Guethlein
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; and.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Peter Parham
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; and .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
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14
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Ewen EM, Pahl JHW, Miller M, Watzl C, Cerwenka A. KIR downregulation by IL-12/15/18 unleashes human NK cells from KIR/HLA-I inhibition and enhances killing of tumor cells. Eur J Immunol 2017; 48:355-365. [PMID: 29105756 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201747128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
To exploit autologous NK cells for cancer immunotherapy, it is highly relevant to circumvent killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)-mediated self-inhibition of human NK cells by HLA-I-expressing tumor cells. Here, we show that stimulation of NK cells with IL-12/15/18 for two days led to downregulation of surface expression of the inhibitory KIR2DL2/L3, KIR2DL1 and KIR3DL1 receptors on peripheral blood NK cells. Downregulation of KIR expression was attributed to decreased KIR mRNA levels which could be re-induced already 3 days after re-culture in IL-2. Reduced KIR2DL2/L3 expression on IL-12/15/18-activated NK cells resulted in less inhibition upon antibody-mediated KIR engagement and increased CD16-dependent cytotoxicity in redirected lysis assays. Most importantly, downregulated KIR2DL2/L3 expression enabled enhanced cytotoxicity of IL-12/15/18-stimulated NK cells against tumor cells expressing cognate HLA-I molecules. NK cells pre-activated with IL-12/15/18 were previously shown to exert potent anti-tumor activity and memory-like long-lived functionality, mediating remission in a subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in a clinical trial. Our study reveals a novel mechanism of IL-12/15/18 in improving the cytotoxicity of NK cells by reducing their sensitivity to inhibition by self-HLA-I due to decreased KIR expression, highlighting the potency of IL-12/15/18-activated NK cells for anti-tumor immunotherapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Ewen
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens H W Pahl
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Immunobiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Miller
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Watzl
- Department of Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Germany
| | - Adelheid Cerwenka
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Immunobiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Germany
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15
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Zakiryanova GK, Kustova E, Urazalieva NT, Amirbekov A, Baimuchametov ET, Nakisbekov NN, Shurin MR. Alterations of oncogenes expression in NK cells in patients with cancer. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2017; 5:493-502. [PMID: 28695716 PMCID: PMC5691306 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 04/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION C-kit/SCF signaling plays a key role in regulating NK cell homeostasis, maturation, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. C-kit-deficiency in NK cells results in significant reduction of their number, suggesting an imperative role for c-kit signaling in NK cell biology. We have recently showed that human NK cells express not only c-kit-receptor, but also both membrane-bound and soluble forms of c-kit ligand-Stem cell factor. The goal of this study was to characterize the c-kit/SCF autocrine loop in peripheral blood NK cells obtained from patients with cancer. METHODS Using Smart Flare and qRT-PCR, we have characterized expression of c-kit and two forms of SCF in patients' NK cells and correlated these results with the expression of c-myc and STAT3. RESULTS Our results demonstrated that the expression of proto-oncogenes c-myc and c-kit was significantly decreased in NK cells from all cancer patients. Expression of membrane-bound SCF in NK cells correlated with the presence of remote metastases. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that the abnormal signaling and expression of c-kit/SCF, c-myc, and STAT3 in NK cells is responsible for the defect in their cytolytic activity in cancer and these defects at the gene expression level may be the cause rather than the result of tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulnur K Zakiryanova
- Scientific and Technological Park Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Elena Kustova
- Laboratory of Immunology, Scientific Center of Pediatric and Children Surgery, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Nataliya T Urazalieva
- Laboratory of Immunology, Scientific Center of Pediatric and Children Surgery, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Aday Amirbekov
- Joint Use Center, Atchabarov Scientific-research institute of fundamental and applied medicine, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Narymzhan N Nakisbekov
- Joint Use Center, Atchabarov Scientific-research institute of fundamental and applied medicine, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Michael R Shurin
- Clinical Immunopathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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16
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Beneficial in-vitro effects of interleukin-2, interleukin-12, and their combination on functional and receptor characteristics of natural killer cells in metastatic melanoma patients with normal serum lactate dehydrogenase levels. Melanoma Res 2016; 26:551-564. [DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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17
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McCullen MV, Li H, Cam M, Sen SK, McVicar DW, Anderson SK. Analysis of Ly49 gene transcripts in mature NK cells supports a role for the Pro1 element in gene activation, not gene expression. Genes Immun 2016; 17:349-57. [PMID: 27467282 PMCID: PMC5008998 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2016.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The variegated expression of murine Ly49 loci has been associated with the probabilistic behavior of an upstream promoter active in immature cells, the Pro1 element. However, recent data suggest that Pro1 may be active in mature natural killer (NK) cells and function as an enhancer element. To assess directly if Pro1 transcripts are present in mature Ly49-expressing NK cells, RNA-sequencing of the total transcript pool was performed on freshly isolated splenic NK cells sorted for expression of either Ly49G or Ly49I. No Pro1 transcripts were detected from the Ly49a, Ly49c or Ly49i genes in mature Ly49(+) NK cells that contained high levels of Pro2 transcripts. Low levels of Ly49g Pro1 transcripts were found in both Ly49G(+) and Ly49G(-) populations, consistent with the presence of a small population of mature NK cells undergoing Ly49g gene activation, as previously demonstrated by culture of splenic NK cells in interleukin-2. Ly49 gene reporter constructs containing Pro1 failed to show any enhancer activity of Pro1 on Pro2 in a mature Ly49-expressing cell line. Taken together, the results are consistent with Pro1 transcription having a role in gene activation in developing NK, and argue against a role for Pro1 in Ly49 gene transcription by mature NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew V. McCullen
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Hongchuan Li
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Lab, Frederick MD 21702, USA
| | - Maggie Cam
- Office of Science and Technology Resources, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shurjo K. Sen
- National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Daniel W. McVicar
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Stephen K. Anderson
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Lab, Frederick MD 21702, USA
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18
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Goodridge JP, Önfelt B, Malmberg KJ. Newtonian cell interactions shape natural killer cell education. Immunol Rev 2016; 267:197-213. [PMID: 26284479 PMCID: PMC4832384 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Newton's third law of motion states that for every action on a physical object there is an equal and opposite reaction. The dynamic change in functional potential of natural killer (NK) cells during education bears many features of such classical mechanics. Cumulative physical interactions between cells, under a constant influence of homeostatic drivers of differentiation, lead to a reactive spectrum that ultimately shapes the functionality of each NK cell. Inhibitory signaling from an array of self‐specific receptors appear not only to suppress self‐reactivity but also aid in the persistence of effector functions over time, thereby allowing the cell to gradually build up a functional potential. Conversely, the frequent non‐cytolytic interactions between normal cells in the absence of such inhibitory signaling result in continuous stimulation of the cells and attenuation of effector function. Although an innate cell, the degree to which the fate of the NK cell is predetermined versus its ability to adapt to its own environment can be revealed through a Newtonian view of NK cell education, one which is both chronological and dynamic. As such, the development of NK cell functional diversity is the product of qualitatively different physical interactions with host cells, rather than simply the sum of their signals or an imprint based on intrinsically different transcriptional programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodie P Goodridge
- The KG Jebsen Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Björn Önfelt
- Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karl-Johan Malmberg
- The KG Jebsen Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Li H, Wright PW, McCullen M, Anderson SK. Characterization of KIR intermediate promoters reveals four promoter types associated with distinct expression patterns of KIR subtypes. Genes Immun 2016; 17:66-74. [PMID: 26656451 PMCID: PMC4724278 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2015.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The human killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes contain multiple promoters that control the process of gene activation and variegated expression of KIR on natural killer (NK) and T cells. Specific subfamilies of KIR genes have differences in the timing and tissue specificity of expression: however, previous studies of the proximal KIR promoters have not shown significant differences in activity between differentially expressed KIR gene subsets. The recent identification of an intermediate KIR promoter (ProI) associated with KIR2DL1 expression suggested a central role for this element in KIR expression. The current study identifies ProI elements in all of the KIR genes, revealing four classes of ProI that correspond with four distinct expression phenotypes of KIR subgroups: KIR2DL2/S2/L3 that are expressed early in reconstituting NK after transplant; KIR2DL4 that is expressed by CD56-bright NK in a non-variegated manner; KIR3DL3 that is not expressed by circulating NK cells; and the remaining KIR that are expressed by subsets of CD56-dim NK. The four classes of ProI are structurally diverse and display distinct functional properties. Altogether, these results indicate that KIR ProI elements contribute to the tissue/cell-type specificity of KIR transcription and cooperate with the probabilistic proximal promoter to control KIR expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Li
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Lab, Frederick, MD, USA
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - P W Wright
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Lab, Frederick, MD, USA
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - M McCullen
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - S K Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Lab, Frederick, MD, USA
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
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20
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In-vitro activation of natural killer cells from regional lymph nodes of melanoma patients with interleukin-2 and interleukin-15. Melanoma Res 2015; 25:22-34. [PMID: 25380182 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Regional lymph nodes (LNs) represent the first barrier in lymphogenic tumor dissemination in melanoma. Natural killer (NK) cells, the effector cell subpopulation of the innate immune system, are in the first line of antitumor immune defense. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-15, two cytokines with similar immune-enhancing effects, on antitumor cytotoxic function and immunophenotype of NK cells from regional LNs of melanoma patients. Mononuclear cells purified from regional LNs of 50 melanoma patients in clinical stage II-IV were treated in vitro for 72 h and 7 days with 200 IU/ml rhIL-2 and 25 ng/ml IL-15 at 37°C in 5% CO2. Both cytokines significantly augmented NK cell cytotoxic activity, transcription of the cytotoxic molecule perforin, and the level of functionally mature perforin in both nonmetastatic and metastatic regional LNs. IL-2 treatment increased the percentage of CD3CD56 NK cells by increasing the CD56 NK cell subset in both nonmetastatic and metastatic LNs, whereas IL-15 treatment did not affect the percentage of NK cells and their subsets. Both cytokines increased on NK cells from nonmetastatic and metastatic LNs the expression of CD69 early activation antigen, the NKG2D activating receptor, as well as CD16 and inhibitory killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor CD158b, both inherent to the mature and the cytotoxic NK cell phenotype. In conclusion, our data may indicate the therapeutic potential of the NK cell population from regional LNs either as immunotherapeutic targets or as adoptively transferred after activation with IL-2 or IL-15.
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21
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Foley B, Felices M, Cichocki F, Cooley S, Verneris MR, Miller JS. The biology of NK cells and their receptors affects clinical outcomes after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Immunol Rev 2015; 258:45-63. [PMID: 24517425 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells were first identified for their capacity to reject bone marrow allografts in lethally irradiated mice without prior sensitization. Subsequently, human NK cells were detected and defined by their non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted cytotoxicity toward transformed or virally infected target cells. Karre et al. later proposed 'the missing self hypothesis' to explain the mechanism by which self-tolerant cells could kill targets that had lost self MHC class I. Subsequently, the receptors that recognize MHC class I to mediate tolerance in the host were identified on NK cells. These class I-recognizing receptors contribute to the acquisition of function by a dynamic process known as NK cell education or licensing. In the past, NK cells were assumed to be short lived, but more recently NK cells have been shown to mediate immunologic memory to secondary exposures to cytomegalovirus infection. Because of their ability to lyse tumors with aberrant MHC class I expression and to produce cytokines and chemokines upon activation, NK cells may be primed by many stimuli, including viruses and inflammation, to contribute to a graft-versus-tumor effect. In addition, interactions with other immune cells support the therapeutic potential of NK cells to eradicate tumor and to enhance outcomes after hematopoietic cell transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bree Foley
- Adult, Oncology and Transplantation, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Martin Felices
- Adult, Oncology and Transplantation, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Frank Cichocki
- Adult, Oncology and Transplantation, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sarah Cooley
- Adult, Oncology and Transplantation, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Michael R Verneris
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Adult, Oncology and Transplantation, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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22
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Felices M, Ankarlo DEM, Lenvik TR, Nelson HH, Blazar BR, Verneris MR, Miller JS. Notch signaling at later stages of NK cell development enhances KIR expression and functional maturation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2014; 193:3344-54. [PMID: 25172483 PMCID: PMC4170052 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The Notch signaling pathway plays a substantial role in human NK cell development. However, the role of Notch on killer Ig-like receptor (KIR) upregulation and acquisition of effector function has not been explored. To evaluate how Notch influences terminal differentiation, cord blood-derived NK cells or sorted peripheral blood NK cells were cultured with IL-15 for 7 d with inhibitory or activating Notch signals. Inhibition of Notch signaling significantly decreased KIR expression, whereas activation enhanced it. Overexpression of activated Notch on cord blood-derived NK cells resulted in a 2-fold increase in KIR expression, indicating that Notch signaling plays a direct, cell-intrinsic role in KIR regulation. Moreover, Notch-mediated KIR expression on NK cells is regulated through cis inhibition by delta-like ligand 1. Notch signaling also enhances CD16 upregulation that precedes KIR expression. Concomitant with the upregulation of KIR and CD16, Notch signaling induces increased cytolytic effector capacity and cytokine secretion, even in posttransplant samples in which NK cell function is inherently defective. Given these attributes of Notch signaling, we propose that Notch agonists may enhance NK cell maturation and tumor killing in a posttransplant setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Felices
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Dave E M Ankarlo
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Todd R Lenvik
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Heather H Nelson
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Bruce R Blazar
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Michael R Verneris
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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23
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Wright PW, Li H, Huehn A, O’Connor GM, Cooley S, Miller JS, Anderson SK. Characterization of a weakly expressed KIR2DL1 variant reveals a novel upstream promoter that controls KIR expression. Genes Immun 2014; 15:440-8. [PMID: 24989671 PMCID: PMC4208966 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2014.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Members of the human KIR (killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor) class I major histocompatibility complex receptor gene family contain multiple promoters that determine the variegated expression of KIR on natural killer cells. In order to identify novel genetic alterations associated with decreased KIR expression, a group of donors was characterized for KIR gene content, transcripts and protein expression. An individual with a single copy of the KIR2DL1 gene but a very low level of gene expression was identified. The low expression phenotype was associated with a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that created a binding site for the inhibitory ZEB1 (Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1) transcription factor adjacent to a c-Myc binding site previously implicated in distal promoter activity. Individuals possessing this SNP had a substantial decrease in distal KIR2DL1 transcripts initiating from a novel intermediate promoter located 230 bp upstream of the proximal promoter start site. Surprisingly, there was no decrease in transcription from the KIR2DL1 proximal promoter. Reduced intermediate promoter activity revealed the existence of alternatively spliced KIR2DL1 transcripts containing premature termination codons that initiated from the proximal KIR2DL1 promoter. Altogether, these results indicate that distal transcripts are necessary for KIR2DL1 protein expression and are required for proper processing of sense transcripts from the bidirectional proximal promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul W. Wright
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Lab of Experimental Immunology, Frederick National Lab, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Hongchuan Li
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Lab of Experimental Immunology, Frederick National Lab, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Andrew Huehn
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Geraldine M O’Connor
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Sarah Cooley
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Jeffrey S. Miller
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Stephen K. Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Lab of Experimental Immunology, Frederick National Lab, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
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24
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Anderson SK. Probabilistic bidirectional promoter switches: noncoding RNA takes control. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2014; 3:e191. [PMID: 25181276 PMCID: PMC4222648 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2014.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of probabilistic promoter switches in genes that code for class I major histocompatibility complex receptors in mouse and human provides a useful paradigm to explain programmed cell fate decisions. These switches have preset probabilities of transcribing in either the sense or antisense direction, and the characteristics of individual switches are programmed by the relative affinity of competing transcription factor-binding sites. The noncoding RNAs produced from these switches can either activate or suppress gene transcription, based on their location relative to the promoter responsible for gene expression in mature cells. The switches are active in a developmental phase that precedes gene expression by mature cells, thus temporally separating the stochastic events that determine gene activation from the protein expression phase. This allows the probabilistic generation of variegated gene expression in the absence of selection and ensures that mature cells have stable expression of the genes. Programmed probabilistic switches may control cell fate decisions in many developmental systems, and therefore, it is important to investigate noncoding RNAs expressed by progenitor cells to determine if they are expressed in a stochastic manner at the single cell level. This review provides a summary of current knowledge regarding murine and human switches, followed by speculation on the possible involvement of probabilistic switches in other systems of programmed differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen K Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc; Lab of Experimental Immunology, Frederick National Lab, Frederick, Maryland, USA
- The Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA
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25
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Curran SA, Romano E, Kennedy MG, Hsu KC, Young JW. Phenotypic and functional activation of hyporesponsive KIRnegNKG2Aneg human NK-cell precursors requires IL12p70 provided by Poly(I:C)-matured monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2014; 2:1000-10. [PMID: 25023628 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-14-0054-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
A functionally responsive natural killer (NK)-cell repertoire requires the acquisition of inhibitory NKG2A and killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) through pathways that remain undefined. Functional donor NK cells expressing KIRs for non-self class I MHC ligands contribute to a positive outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) by targeting HLA-matched recipient leukemic cells. Insofar as circulating donor conventional dendritic cells (DC) reconstitute with comparable kinetics with donor NK cells after alloHSCT, we used hyporesponsive KIRnegNKG2Aneg precursor cells to evaluate how specific DC subtypes generate a functionally active NK-cell repertoire. Both monocyte-derived DCs (moDC) and Langerhans-type DCs (LC) induce KIRnegNKG2Aneg precursor cells to express the inhibitory receptors NKG2A and KIR, without requiring cell proliferation. Poly(I:C)-matured moDCs significantly augmented the expression of NKG2A, but not KIR, in an IL12p70-dependent manner. Although all DC-stimulated KIRnegNKG2Aneg cells were able to acquire cytolytic activity against class I MHC-negative targets, the ability to secrete IFNγ was restricted to cells that were stimulated by IL12p70-producing, poly(I:C)-matured moDCs. This critical ability of poly(I:C)-matured moDCs to provide IL12p70 to developing KIRnegNKG2Aneg precursors results in a dom4inant, multifunctional, NKG2Apos NK-cell population that is capable of both cytolysis and IFNγ production. Poly(I:C)-matured moDCs are, therefore, the most effective conventional DC subtype for generating a functionally competent NK-cell repertoire by an IL12p70-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane A Curran
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunobiology, Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
| | - Emanuela Romano
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunobiology, Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Michael G Kennedy
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunobiology, Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Katharine C Hsu
- Laboratory of Natural Killer Cell Biology, Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, Division of Hematologic Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - James W Young
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunobiology, Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, Division of Hematologic Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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26
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Cichocki F, Sitnicka E, Bryceson YT. NK cell development and function – Plasticity and redundancy unleashed. Semin Immunol 2014; 26:114-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 02/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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27
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Wright PW, Huehn A, Cichocki F, Li H, Sharma N, Dang H, Lenvik TR, Woll P, Kaufman D, Miller JS, Anderson SK. Identification of a KIR antisense lncRNA expressed by progenitor cells. Genes Immun 2013; 14:427-33. [PMID: 23863987 PMCID: PMC3808466 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2013.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Revised: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Human NK cells express cell surface class I MHC receptors (killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor, KIR) in a probabilistic manner. Previous studies have shown that a distal promoter acts in conjunction with a proximal bidirectional promoter to control the selective activation of KIR genes. We report here the presence of an intron 2 promoter in several KIR genes that produce a spliced antisense transcript. This long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) transcript contains antisense sequence complementary to KIR-coding exons 1 and 2 as well as the proximal promoter region of the KIR genes. The antisense promoter contains myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF-1)-binding sites, a transcription factor found in hematopoietic progenitors and myeloid precursors. The KIR antisense lncRNA was detected only in progenitor cells or pluripotent cell lines, suggesting a function that is specific for stem cells. Overexpression of MZF-1 in developing NK cells led to decreased KIR expression, consistent with a role for the KIR antisense lncRNA in silencing KIR gene expression early in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul W. Wright
- Lab of Experimental Immunology, SAIC-Frederick Inc., Frederick National Lab, Frederick, MD
| | - Andrew Huehn
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, CCR, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD
| | - Frank Cichocki
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Hongchuan Li
- Lab of Experimental Immunology, SAIC-Frederick Inc., Frederick National Lab, Frederick, MD
| | - Neeraj Sharma
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, CCR, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD
| | - Hong Dang
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, CCR, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD
| | - Todd R. Lenvik
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Petter Woll
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Dan Kaufman
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Jeffrey S. Miller
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Stephen K. Anderson
- Lab of Experimental Immunology, SAIC-Frederick Inc., Frederick National Lab, Frederick, MD
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, CCR, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD
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28
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IL-2/IL-15 activate the human clonally restricted KIR3DL1 reverse promoter. Genes Immun 2013; 14:107-14. [PMID: 23328843 PMCID: PMC5742563 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2012.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are expressed in a clonally-restricted fashion by human natural killer (NK) cells and allow detection of aberrant cells with low MHC class I levels. Clonally-restricted KIR transcription is maintained by demethylation of the proximal promoter. Antisense transcripts also arise from this promoter and may enforce silencing of nonexpressed methylated alleles in NK cells. Here we show that IL-2 and IL-15, cytokines critical for NK cell development and maintenance, greatly stimulated KIR3DL1 reverse promoter activity, but not forward promoter activity. Activated STAT5 was both necessary and sufficient for this effect and bound to the promoter in NK cells that expressed KIR3DL1 or were poised for expression. A systematic investigation of the KIR3DL1 reverse promoter showed significant differences from the forward promoter, with STAT and YY1 sites playing relatively greater roles in regulating reverse proximal promoter activity. Based on our data, we propose a new role for antisense transcripts in the initiation of KIR gene expression during NK cell development.
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29
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Shaw J, Kollnberger S. New perspectives on the ligands and function of the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor KIR3DL2 in health and disease. Front Immunol 2012; 3:339. [PMID: 23162554 PMCID: PMC3499701 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
KIR3DL2/CD158k/p140 is a three domain killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor incorporating cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine inhibitory motifs, expressed as a disulphide-bonded dimer. KIR3DL2 is a framework gene within the KIR locus and is highly polymorphic, with 62 allelic variants possibly coding for protein reported. KIR3DL2 binds to HLA-A3 and -A11 in a peptide-dependent fashion and to B27 free heavy chain forms. In addition, KIR3DL2 can also function as an innate immune receptor for delivery of CpG DNA to TLR9 in NK cells. The increased levels of expression of KIR3DL2 compared with other KIR expressed by T cell subsets in healthy individuals suggest it may function as a default KIR receptor. KIR3DL2-expressing natural killer (NK) cells and IL17 secreting CD4 T cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis. Moreover, KIR3DL2 expression delineates circulating and cutaneous lymphoma T cells in Sézary's syndrome. Here we discuss how the unique molecular attributes of KIR3DL2 impact on its function on NK and T cells and how this may relate to its role in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Kollnberger
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science, Botnar Research Centre, Oxford UniversityOxford, UK
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30
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Dezell SA, Ahn YO, Spanholtz J, Wang H, Weeres M, Jackson S, Cooley S, Dolstra H, Miller JS, Verneris MR. Natural killer cell differentiation from hematopoietic stem cells: a comparative analysis of heparin- and stromal cell-supported methods. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2012; 18:536-45. [PMID: 22155502 PMCID: PMC3303970 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2011.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 11/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells differentiated from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) may have significant clinical benefits over NK cells from adult donors, including the ability to choose alloreactive donors and potentially more robust in vivo expansion. Stromal-based methods have been used to study the differentiation of NK cells from HSCs. Stroma and cytokines support NK cell differentiation, but may face considerable regulatory hurdles. A recently reported clinical-grade, heparin-based method could serve as an alternative. How the stromal-based and heparin-based approaches compare in terms of NK cell generating efficiency or function is unknown. We show that compared with heparin-based cultures, stroma significantly increases the yield of HSC-derived NK cells by differentiating less-committed progenitors into the NK lineage. NK cells generated by both approaches were similar for most NK-activating and -inhibiting receptors. Although both approaches resulted in a phenotype consistent with CD56(bright) stage IV NK cells, heparin-based cultures favored the development of CD56(+)CD16(+) cells, whereas stroma produced more NK cell immunoglobulin-like receptor-expressing NK cells, both of which are markers of terminal maturation. At day 21, stromal-based cultures demonstrated significantly more IL-22 production, and both methods yielded similar amounts of IFN-γ production and cytotoxicity by day 35. These findings suggest that heparin-based cultures are an effective replacement for stroma and may facilitate clinical trials testing HSC-derived NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Dezell
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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31
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Zemojtel T, Kielbasa SM, Arndt PF, Behrens S, Bourque G, Vingron M. CpG deamination creates transcription factor-binding sites with high efficiency. Genome Biol Evol 2011; 3:1304-11. [PMID: 22016335 PMCID: PMC3228489 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evr107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of new transcription factor–binding sites (TFBSs) has a major impact on the evolution of gene regulatory networks. Clearly, single nucleotide mutations arising within genomic DNA can lead to the creation of TFBSs. Are molecular processes inducing single nucleotide mutations contributing equally to the creation of TFBSs? In the human genome, a spontaneous deamination of methylated cytosine in the context of CpG dinucleotides results in the creation of thymine (C → T), and this mutation has the highest rate among all base substitutions. CpG deamination has been ascribed a role in silencing of transposons and induction of variation in regional methylation. We have previously shown that CpG deamination created thousands of p53-binding sites within genomic sequences of Alu transposons. Interestingly, we have defined a ∼30 bp region in Alu sequence, which, depending on a pattern of CpG deamination, can be converted to functional p53-, PAX-6-, and Myc-binding sites. Here, we have studied single nucleotide mutational events leading to creation of TFBSs in promoters of human genes and in genomic regions bound by such key transcription factors as Oct4, NANOG, and c-Myc. We document that CpG deamination events can create TFBSs with much higher efficiency than other types of mutational events. Our findings add a new role to CpG methylation: We propose that deamination of methylated CpGs constitutes one of the evolutionary forces acting on mutational trajectories of TFBSs formation contributing to variability in gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Zemojtel
- Department of Computational Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany.
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32
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Male V, Sharkey A, Masters L, Kennedy PR, Farrell LE, Moffett A. The effect of pregnancy on the uterine NK cell KIR repertoire. Eur J Immunol 2011; 41:3017-27. [PMID: 21739430 PMCID: PMC3262970 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201141445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2011] [Revised: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The major leukocyte population in the decidua during the first trimester of pregnancy consists of NK cells that express receptors capable of recognizing MHC class I molecules expressed by placental trophoblast. These include members of the killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family, the two-domain KIR (KIR2D), which recognize HLA-C. Interactions between decidual NK (dNK) cell KIR2D and placental HLA-C contribute to the success of pregnancy and dNK cells express KIR2D at higher frequency than peripheral NK (pNK) cells. Thus, they are biased toward recognizing HLA-C. In order to investigate when this unusual KIR repertoire appears, we compared the phenotype of NK cells isolated from non-pregnant (endometrium) and pregnant (decidua) human uterine mucosa. Endometrial NK (eNK) cells did not express KIR2D at a higher level than matched pNK cells, so the bias toward HLA-C recognition occurs as a response to pregnancy. Furthermore, HLA-C expression was upregulated on uterine stromal cells as the mucosa transformed from endometrium to decidua at the onset of pregnancy. As uterine NK (uNK) cells can mature from NK precursors and acquire KIR expression in utero, the pregnancy-specific bias of uNK cells toward HLA-C recognition could arise as developing uNK cells interact with uterine stromal cells, which express higher levels of HLA-C during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Male
- Department of Pathology and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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33
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Parham P, Norman PJ, Abi-Rached L, Guethlein LA. Variable NK cell receptors exemplified by human KIR3DL1/S1. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2011; 187:11-9. [PMID: 21690332 PMCID: PMC3223120 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0902332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Variegated expression of variable NK cell receptors for polymorphic MHC class I broadens the range of an individual's NK cell response and the capacity for populations and species to survive disease epidemics and population bottlenecks. On evolutionary time scales, this component of immunity is exceptionally dynamic, unstable, and short-lived, being dependent on coevolution of ligands and receptors subject to varying, competing selection pressures. Consequently these systems of variable NK cell receptors are largely species specific and have recruited different classes of glycoprotein, even within the primate order of mammals. Such disparity helps to explain substantial differences in NK cell biology between humans and animal models, for which the population genetics is largely ignored. KIR3DL1/S1, which recognizes the Bw4 epitope of HLA-A and -B and is the most extensively studied of the variable NK cell receptors, exemplifies how variation in all possible parameters of function is recruited to diversify the human NK cell response.
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MESH Headings
- Alleles
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Evolution, Molecular
- HLA-B Antigens/genetics
- HLA-B Antigens/immunology
- HLA-B Antigens/metabolism
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/genetics
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/immunology
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/metabolism
- Humans
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Peptide Fragments/immunology
- Peptide Fragments/metabolism
- Phylogeny
- Receptors, KIR3DL1/genetics
- Receptors, KIR3DL1/immunology
- Receptors, KIR3DL1/metabolism
- Receptors, KIR3DS1/genetics
- Receptors, KIR3DS1/immunology
- Receptors, KIR3DS1/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Parham
- Department of Structural Biology, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Paul J. Norman
- Department of Structural Biology, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Laurent Abi-Rached
- Department of Structural Biology, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Lisbeth A. Guethlein
- Department of Structural Biology, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
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34
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Cichocki F, Miller JS, Anderson SK. Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor transcriptional regulation: a fascinating dance of multiple promoters. J Innate Immun 2011; 3:242-8. [PMID: 21411970 DOI: 10.1159/000323929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2010] [Accepted: 12/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) recognize class I major histocompatibility complex molecules and participate in the calibration of activation thresholds during human natural killer (NK) cell development. The stochastic expression pattern of the KIR repertoire follows the product rule, meaning that the probability of the coexpression of two or more different KIRs equals the product of the individual expression frequencies for those KIRs. The expression frequencies of individual KIRs are independent of major histocompatibility complex class I and are instead established and maintained by a dynamic, yet ill-defined, transcriptional program. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the architecture of the regulatory regions within KIR genes and discuss a potential role for non-coding RNA in KIR transcriptional regulation during NK cell development. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie KIR expression may help guide us in the design of novel, rational strategies for the use of NK cells in transplantation and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Cichocki
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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35
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Abstract
Because lymphoid progenitors can give rise to natural killer (NK) cells, NK ontogeny has been considered to be exclusively lymphoid. Here, we show that rare human CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitors develop into NK cells in vitro in the presence of cytokines (interleukin-7, interleukin-15, stem cell factor, and fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand). Adding hydrocortisone and stromal cells greatly increases the frequency of progenitor cells that give rise to NK cells through the recruitment of myeloid precursors, including common myeloid progenitors and granulocytic-monocytic precursors to the NK-cell lineage. WNT signaling was involved in this effect. Cells at more advanced stages of myeloid differentiation (with increasing expression of CD13 and macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor [M-CSFR]) could also differentiate into NK cells in the presence of cytokines, stroma, and hydrocortisone. NK cells derived from myeloid precursors (CD56(-)CD117(+)M-CSFR(+)) showed more expression of killer immunoglobulin-like receptors, a fraction of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor-positive-expressing cells that lacked NKG2A, a higher cytotoxicity compared with CD56(-)CD117(+)M-CSFR(-) precursor-derived NK cells and thus resemble the CD56(dim) subset of NK cells. Collectively, these studies show that NK cells can be derived from the myeloid lineage.
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36
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Cichocki F, Lenvik T, Sharma N, Yun G, Anderson SK, Miller JS. Cutting edge: KIR antisense transcripts are processed into a 28-base PIWI-like RNA in human NK cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2010; 185:2009-12. [PMID: 20631304 PMCID: PMC3477858 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1000855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs) are expressed in a variegated, clonally restricted fashion on NK cells and are important determinants of NK cell function. Although silencing of individual KIR genes is strongly correlated with the presence of CpG dinucleotide methylation within the promoter, the mechanism responsible for silencing has not been identified. Our results show that antisense transcripts mediate KIR transcriptional silencing through a novel PIWI-like 28-base small RNA. Although PIWI RNA-mediated silencing of transposable elements within germ cells have been described, this is the first report that identifies a PIWI-like RNA in an immune somatic cell lineage and identifies a mechanism that may be broadly used in orchestrating immune development.
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MESH Headings
- Argonaute Proteins
- Base Sequence
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Line
- Cells, Cultured
- CpG Islands/genetics
- DNA Methylation
- Flow Cytometry
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Genetic Vectors/genetics
- Humans
- Killer Cells, Natural/cytology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Lentivirus/genetics
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- Proteins/genetics
- Proteins/metabolism
- RNA/genetics
- RNA/metabolism
- RNA, Antisense/genetics
- RNA, Antisense/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Proteins
- Receptors, KIR3DL1/genetics
- Receptors, KIR3DL1/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
- Transcription, Genetic
- Transduction, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Cichocki
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Todd Lenvik
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Neeraj Sharma
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute-Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Gong Yun
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Stephen K. Anderson
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute-Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Jeffrey S. Miller
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
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37
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Abstract
Human natural killer (NK) cells comprise 2 main subsets, CD56(bright) and CD56(dim) cells, that differ in function, phenotype, and tissue localization. To further dissect the heterogeneity of CD56(dim) cells, we have performed transcriptome analysis and functional ex vivo characterization of human NK-cell subsets according to the expression of markers related to differentiation, migration or competence. Here, we show for the first time that the ability to respond to cytokines or to activating receptors is mutually exclusive in almost all NK cells with the exception of CD56(dim) CD62L(+) cells. Indeed, only these cells combine the ability to produce interferon-gamma after cytokines and proliferate in vivo during viral infection with the capacity to kill and produce cytokines upon engagement of activating receptors. Therefore, CD56(dim) CD62L(+) cells represent a unique subset of polyfunctional NK cells. Ex vivo analysis of their function, phenotype, telomere length, frequencies during ageing as well as transfer experiments of NK-cell subsets into immunodeficient mice suggest that CD56(dim) CD62L(+) cells represent an intermediate stage of NK-cell maturation, which after restimulation can accomplish multiple tasks and further develop into terminally differentiated effectors.
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38
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Schmudde M, Friebe E, Sonnemann J, Beck JF, Bröker BM. Histone deacetylase inhibitors prevent activation of tumour-reactive NK cells and T cells but do not interfere with their cytolytic effector functions. Cancer Lett 2010; 295:173-81. [PMID: 20346580 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2010.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2009] [Revised: 02/22/2010] [Accepted: 02/25/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) exert direct tumour-toxic activity and sensitise tumour cells for other therapeutic regimens as well as the cytotoxic effects of activated immune cells. However, the HDI suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA; vorinostat) interfered with the IL-2 activation of human NK cells and the priming of human tumour-specific T cells. In contrast, NK or T cells which were activated in the absence of HDIs became resistant to their immunosuppressive action. Therefore, as a therapeutic strategy, first the patient's immune system might be stimulated and then HDIs could sensitise the tumours for the attack of the pre-activated immune effector cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Schmudde
- Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald, Germany.
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39
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Hermann E, Berthe A, Truyens C, Alonso-Vega C, Parrado R, Torrico F, Carlier Y, Braud VM. Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor expression induction on neonatal CD8(+) T cells in vitro and following congenital infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Immunology 2009; 129:418-26. [PMID: 19922420 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2009.03194.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-specific inhibitory natural killer receptors (iNKRs) are expressed by subsets of T cells but the mechanisms inducing their expression are poorly understood, particularly for killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). The iNKRs are virtually absent from the surface of cord blood T cells but we found that KIR expression could be induced upon interleukin-2 stimulation in vitro. In addition, KIR expression was enhanced after treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, suggesting a role for DNA methylation. In vivo induction of KIR expression on cord blood T cells was also observed during a human congenital infection with Trypanosoma cruzi which triggers activation of fetal CD8(+) T cells. These KIR(+) T cells had an effector and effector/memory phenotype suggesting that KIR expression was consecutive to the antigenic stimulation; however, KIR was not preferentially found on parasite-specific CD8(+) T cells secreting interferon-gamma upon in vitro restimulation with live T. cruzi. These findings show that KIR expression is likely regulated by epigenetic mechanisms that occur during the maturation process of cord blood T cells. Our data provide a molecular basis for the appearance of KIRs on T cells with age and they have implications for T-cell homeostasis and the regulation of T-cell-mediated immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Hermann
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (U.L.B.), Brussels, Belgium
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40
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Juelke K, Killig M, Thiel A, Dong J, Romagnani C. Education of hyporesponsive NK cells by cytokines. Eur J Immunol 2009; 39:2548-55. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.200939307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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