1
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Tan G, Spillane KM, Maher J. The Role and Regulation of the NKG2D/NKG2D Ligand System in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1079. [PMID: 37626965 PMCID: PMC10452210 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The family of human NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) consists of eight stress-induced molecules. Over 80% of human cancers express these ligands on the surface of tumour cells and/or associated stromal elements. In mice, NKG2D deficiency increases susceptibility to some types of cancer, implicating this system in immune surveillance for malignancy. However, NKG2DL can also be shed, released via exosomes and trapped intracellularly, leading to immunosuppressive effects. Moreover, NKG2D can enhance chronic inflammatory processes which themselves can increase cancer risk and progression. Indeed, tumours commonly deploy a range of countermeasures that can neutralise or even corrupt this surveillance system, tipping the balance away from immune control towards tumour progression. Consequently, the prognostic impact of NKG2DL expression in human cancer is variable. In this review, we consider the underlying biology and regulation of the NKG2D/NKG2DL system and its expression and role in a range of cancer types. We also consider the opportunities for pharmacological modulation of NKG2DL expression while cautioning that such interventions need to be carefully calibrated according to the biology of the specific cancer type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Tan
- CAR Mechanics Group, Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | | | - John Maher
- CAR Mechanics Group, Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK;
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne BN21 2UD, UK
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
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2
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Mace EM. Human natural killer cells: Form, function, and development. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 151:371-385. [PMID: 36195172 PMCID: PMC9905317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that mediate important effector functions in the control of viral infection and malignancy. Their ability to distinguish "self" from "nonself" and lyse virally infected and tumorigenic cells through germline-encoded receptors makes them important players in maintaining human health and a powerful tool for immunotherapeutic applications and fighting disease. This review introduces our current understanding of NK cell biology, including key facets of NK cell differentiation and the acquisition and execution of NK cell effector function. Further, it addresses the clinical relevance of NK cells in both primary immunodeficiency and immunotherapy. It is intended to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of this important and interesting innate immune effector cell subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Mace
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York.
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3
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Fan J, Shi J, Zhang Y, Liu J, An C, Zhu H, Wu P, Hu W, Qin R, Yao D, Shou X, Xu Y, Tong Z, Wen X, Xu J, Zhang J, Fang W, Lou J, Yin W, Chen W. NKG2D discriminates diverse ligands through selectively mechano-regulated ligand conformational changes. EMBO J 2022; 41:e107739. [PMID: 34913508 PMCID: PMC8762575 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021107739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimulatory immune receptor NKG2D binds diverse ligands to elicit differential anti-tumor and anti-virus immune responses. Two conflicting degeneracy recognition models based on static crystal structures and in-solution binding affinities have been considered for almost two decades. Whether and how NKG2D recognizes and discriminates diverse ligands still remain unclear. Using live-cell-based single-molecule biomechanical assay, we characterized the in situ binding kinetics of NKG2D interacting with different ligands in the absence or presence of mechanical force. We found that mechanical force application selectively prolonged NKG2D interaction lifetimes with the ligands MICA and MICB, but not with ULBPs, and that force-strengthened binding is much more pronounced for MICA than for other ligands. We also integrated steered molecular dynamics simulations and mutagenesis to reveal force-induced rotational conformational changes of MICA, involving formation of additional hydrogen bonds on its binding interface with NKG2D, impeding MICA dissociation under force. We further provided a kinetic triggering model to reveal that force-dependent affinity determines NKG2D ligand discrimination and its downstream NK cell activation. Together, our results demonstrate that NKG2D has a discrimination power to recognize different ligands, which depends on selective mechanical force-induced ligand conformational changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Fan
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Jiawei Shi
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of EducationZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of RNA BiologyCAS Center for Excellence in BiomacromoleculesInstitute of BiophysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Junwei Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of EducationZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryThe Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision MedicineAffiliated Hangzhou First People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Chenyi An
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Huaying Zhu
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Rui Qin
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Danmei Yao
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Xin Shou
- Institute of Translational MedicineSchool of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yibing Xu
- Institute of Translational MedicineSchool of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Zhou Tong
- Department of Medical OncologyFirst Affiliated HospitalSchool of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xue Wen
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jianpo Xu
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineDepartment of Basic Medical SciencesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Jin Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineDepartment of Basic Medical SciencesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems and Precision MedicineZhejiang University Medical CenterHangzhouChina
- Institute of HematologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Weijia Fang
- Department of Medical OncologyFirst Affiliated HospitalSchool of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jizhong Lou
- Key Laboratory of RNA BiologyCAS Center for Excellence in BiomacromoleculesInstitute of BiophysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Weiwei Yin
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of EducationZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- Department of Thoracic SurgerySir Run Run Shaw HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio‐Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness AppraisalCollege of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument of ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of EducationZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryThe Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision MedicineAffiliated Hangzhou First People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems and Precision MedicineZhejiang University Medical CenterHangzhouChina
- The MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science & Brain‐machine IntegrationZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
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4
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Kim N, Yi E, Kwon SJ, Park HJ, Kwon HJ, Kim HS. Filamin A Is Required for NK Cell Cytotoxicity at the Expense of Cytokine Production via Synaptic Filamentous Actin Modulation. Front Immunol 2022; 12:792334. [PMID: 35058930 PMCID: PMC8764188 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.792334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphocytes that efficiently eliminate malignant and virus-infected cells without prior activation via the directed and focused release of lytic granule contents for target cell lysis. This cytolytic process is tightly regulated at discrete checkpoint stages to ensure the selective killing of diseased target cells and is highly dependent on the coordinated regulation of cytoskeletal components. The actin-binding protein filamin crosslinks cortical actin filaments into orthogonal networks and links actin filament webs to cellular membranes to modulate cell migration, adhesion, and signaling. However, its role in the regulation of NK cell functions remains poorly understood. Here, we show that filamin A (FLNa), a filamin isoform with preferential expression in leukocytes, is recruited to the NK cell lytic synapse and is required for NK cell cytotoxicity through the modulation of conjugate formation with target cells, synaptic filamentous actin (F-actin) accumulation, and cytotoxic degranulation, but not granule polarization. Interestingly, we also find that the loss of FLNa augments the target cell-induced expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α by NK cells, correlating with enhanced activation signals such as Ca2+ mobilization, ERK, and NF-κB, and a delayed down-modulation of the NKG2D receptor. Thus, our results identify FLNa as a new regulator of NK cell effector functions during their decision to kill target cells through a balanced regulation of NK cell cytotoxicity vs cytokine production. Moreover, this study implicates the cross-linking/bundling of F-actin mediated by FLNa as a necessary process coordinating optimal NK effector functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayoung Kim
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eunbi Yi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Soon Jae Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyo Jin Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyung-Joon Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hun Sik Kim
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center (SCIRC), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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5
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Fincham REA, Delvecchio FR, Goulart MR, Yeong JPS, Kocher HM. Natural killer cells in pancreatic cancer stroma. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:3483-3501. [PMID: 34239264 PMCID: PMC8240050 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i24.3483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains one of medicine's largest areas of unmet need. With five-year survival rates of < 8%, little improvement has been made in the last 50 years. Typically presenting with advance stage disease, treatment options are limited. To date, surgery remains the only potentially curative option, however, with such late disease presentation, the majority of patients are unresectable. Thus, new therapeutic options and a greater understanding of the complex stromal interactions within the tumour microenvironment are sorely needed to revise the dismal outlook for pancreatic cancer patients. Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial effector units in cancer immunosurveillance. Often used as a prognostic biomarker in a range of malignancies, NK cells have received much attention as an attractive target for immunotherapies, both as cell therapy and as a pharmaceutical target. Despite this interest, the role of NK cells in pancreatic cancer remains poorly defined. Nevertheless, increasing evidence of the importance of NK cells in this dismal prognosis disease is beginning to come to light. Here, we review the role of NK cells in pancreatic cancer, examine the complex interactions of these crucial effector units within pancreatic cancer stroma and shed light on the increasingly attractive use of NK cells as therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Elizabeth Ann Fincham
- Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Romana Delvecchio
- Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle R Goulart
- Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Joe Poe Sheng Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Hemant M Kocher
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
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6
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Verron Q, Forslund E, Brandt L, Leino M, Frisk TW, Olofsson PE, Önfelt B. NK cells integrate signals over large areas when building immune synapses but require local stimuli for degranulation. Sci Signal 2021; 14:14/684/eabe2740. [PMID: 34035142 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abe2740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Immune synapses are large-scale, transient molecular assemblies that serve as platforms for antigen presentation to B and T cells and for target recognition by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. The formation of an immune synapse is a tightly regulated, stepwise process in which the cytoskeleton, cell surface receptors, and intracellular signaling proteins rearrange into supramolecular activation clusters (SMACs). We generated artificial immune synapses (AIS) consisting of synthetic and natural ligands for the NK cell-activating receptors LFA-1 and CD16 by microcontact printing the ligands into circular-shaped SMAC structures. Live-cell imaging and analysis of fixed human NK cells in this reductionist system showed that the spatial distribution of activating ligands influenced the formation, stability, and outcome of NK cell synapses. Whereas engagement of LFA-1 alone promoted synapse initiation, combined engagement of LFA-1 and CD16 was required for the formation of mature synapses and degranulation. Organizing LFA-1 and CD16 ligands into donut-shaped AIS resulted in fewer long-lasting, symmetrical synapses compared to dot-shaped AIS. NK cells spreading evenly over either AIS shape exhibited similar arrangements of the lytic machinery. However, degranulation only occurred in regions containing ligands that therefore induced local signaling, suggesting the existence of a late checkpoint for degranulation. Our results demonstrate that the spatial organization of ligands in the synapse can affect its outcome, which could be exploited by target cells as an escape mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Verron
- Biophysics, Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elin Forslund
- Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ludwig Brandt
- Biophysics, Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mattias Leino
- Biophysics, Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas W Frisk
- Biophysics, Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per E Olofsson
- Biophysics, Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Björn Önfelt
- Biophysics, Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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7
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Friedman D, Simmonds P, Hale A, Bere L, Hodson NW, White MRH, Davis DM. Natural killer cell immune synapse formation and cytotoxicity are controlled by tension of the target interface. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs258570. [PMID: 33712452 PMCID: PMC8077183 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells can kill infected or transformed cells via a lytic immune synapse. Diseased cells may exhibit altered mechanical properties but how this impacts NK cell responsiveness is unknown. We report that human NK cells were stimulated more effectively to secrete granzymes A and B, FasL (also known as FasLG), granulysin and IFNγ, by stiff (142 kPa) compared to soft (1 kPa) planar substrates. To create surrogate spherical targets of defined stiffness, sodium alginate was used to synthesise soft (9 kPa), medium (34 kPa) or stiff (254 kPa) cell-sized beads, coated with antibodies against activating receptor NKp30 (also known as NCR3) and the integrin LFA-1 (also known as ITGAL). Against stiff beads, NK cells showed increased degranulation. Polarisation of the microtubule-organising centre and lytic granules were impaired against soft targets, which instead resulted in the formation of unstable kinapses. Thus, by varying target stiffness to characterise the mechanosensitivity of immune synapses, we identify soft targets as a blind spot in NK cell recognition. This article has an associated First Person interview with the co-first authors of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Friedman
- The Lydia Becker Institute, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility building, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, United Kingdom
| | - Poppy Simmonds
- The Lydia Becker Institute, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility building, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Hale
- The Lydia Becker Institute, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility building, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, United Kingdom
| | - Leoma Bere
- The Lydia Becker Institute, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility building, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel W. Hodson
- BioAFM Facility, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Stopford Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Michael R. H. White
- Michael Smith Building, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel M. Davis
- The Lydia Becker Institute, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility building, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, United Kingdom
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8
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Ben-Shmuel A, Sabag B, Biber G, Barda-Saad M. The Role of the Cytoskeleton in Regulating the Natural Killer Cell Immune Response in Health and Disease: From Signaling Dynamics to Function. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:609532. [PMID: 33598461 PMCID: PMC7882700 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.609532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells, which play key roles in elimination of virally infected and malignant cells. The balance between activating and inhibitory signals derived from NK surface receptors govern the NK cell immune response. The cytoskeleton facilitates most NK cell effector functions, such as motility, infiltration, conjugation with target cells, immunological synapse assembly, and cytotoxicity. Though many studies have characterized signaling pathways that promote actin reorganization in immune cells, it is not completely clear how particular cytoskeletal architectures at the immunological synapse promote effector functions, and how cytoskeletal dynamics impact downstream signaling pathways and activation. Moreover, pioneering studies employing advanced imaging techniques have only begun to uncover the architectural complexity dictating the NK cell activation threshold; it is becoming clear that a distinct organization of the cytoskeleton and signaling receptors at the NK immunological synapse plays a decisive role in activation and tolerance. Here, we review the roles of the actin cytoskeleton in NK cells. We focus on how actin dynamics impact cytolytic granule secretion, NK cell motility, and NK cell infiltration through tissues into inflammatory sites. We will also describe the additional cytoskeletal components, non-muscle Myosin II and microtubules that play pivotal roles in NK cell activity. Furthermore, special emphasis will be placed on the role of the cytoskeleton in assembly of immunological synapses, and how mutations or downregulation of cytoskeletal accessory proteins impact NK cell function in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviad Ben-Shmuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Batel Sabag
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Guy Biber
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Mira Barda-Saad
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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9
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Biolato AM, Filali L, Wurzer H, Hoffmann C, Gargiulo E, Valitutti S, Thomas C. Actin remodeling and vesicular trafficking at the tumor cell side of the immunological synapse direct evasion from cytotoxic lymphocytes. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 356:99-130. [PMID: 33066877 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Michela Biolato
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg; Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Liza Filali
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM, Toulouse, France
| | - Hannah Wurzer
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg; Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Céline Hoffmann
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Ernesto Gargiulo
- Tumor-Stroma Interactions, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Salvatore Valitutti
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM, Toulouse, France; Department of Pathology, Institut Universitaire du Cancer-Oncopole, Toulouse, France.
| | - Clément Thomas
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
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10
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Wilton KM, Overlee BL, Billadeau DD. NKG2D-DAP10 signaling recruits EVL to the cytotoxic synapse to generate F-actin and promote NK cell cytotoxicity. J Cell Sci 2019; 133:jcs.230508. [PMID: 31235500 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.230508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells eliminate abnormal cells through the release of cytolytic granule contents. In this process, NK cells must adhere to target cells through integrin-mediated adhesion, which is highly dependent on the generation of F-actin. Ena/VASP-like (EVL) is an actin regulatory protein previously shown to regulate integrin-mediated adhesion in other cell types, but its role in NK cell biology is not known. Herein, we show that EVL is recruited to the NK cell cytotoxic synapse and is required for NK cell cytotoxicity. Significantly, EVL is involved in the generation of F-actin at the cytotoxic synapse, antibody-stimulated spreading, and NK cell-target cell adhesion. EVL interacts with WASP (also known as WAS) and VASP and is required for localization of both proteins to the synapse. Recruitment of EVL to points of cellular activation occurs through the receptor NKG2D-DAP10 (also known as KLRK1 and HCST, respectively) via a binding site previously implicated in VAV1 and Grb2 recruitment. Taken together, this study implicates DAP10-mediated Grb2 and VAV1 signaling in the recruitment of an EVL-containing actin regulatory complex to the cytotoxic synapse where it can promote F-actin nucleation leading to NK cell-mediated killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelynn M Wilton
- Department of Immunology, Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Brittany L Overlee
- Division of Oncology, Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Daniel D Billadeau
- Department of Immunology, Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA .,Division of Oncology, Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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11
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Gold MR, Reth MG. Antigen Receptor Function in the Context of the Nanoscale Organization of the B Cell Membrane. Annu Rev Immunol 2019; 37:97-123. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-042718-041704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The B cell antigen receptor (BCR) plays a central role in the self/nonself selection of B lymphocytes and in their activation by cognate antigen during the clonal selection process. It was long thought that most cell surface receptors, including the BCR, were freely diffusing and randomly distributed. Since the advent of superresolution techniques, it has become clear that the plasma membrane is compartmentalized and highly organized at the nanometer scale. Hence, a complete understanding of the precise conformation and activation mechanism of the BCR must take into account the organization of the B cell plasma membrane. We review here the recent literature on the nanoscale organization of the lymphocyte membrane and discuss how this new information influences our view of the conformational changes that the BCR undergoes during activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Gold
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Michael G. Reth
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biology III, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
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12
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Wijesooriya CS, Nyamekye CKA, Smith EA. Optical Imaging of the Nanoscale Structure and Dynamics of Biological Membranes. Anal Chem 2018; 91:425-440. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles K. A. Nyamekye
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- The Ames Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Emily A. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- The Ames Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
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13
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Al Absi A, Wurzer H, Guerin C, Hoffmann C, Moreau F, Mao X, Brown-Clay J, Petrolli R, Casellas CP, Dieterle M, Thiery JP, Chouaib S, Berchem G, Janji B, Thomas C. Actin Cytoskeleton Remodeling Drives Breast Cancer Cell Escape from Natural Killer-Mediated Cytotoxicity. Cancer Res 2018; 78:5631-5643. [PMID: 30104240 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-0441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms of immune evasion in cancer is critical for the development of immunotherapies aimed to restore and stimulate effective antitumor immunity. Here, we evaluate the role of the actin cytoskeleton in breast cancer cell resistance to cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells. A significant fraction of breast cancer cells responded to NK-cell attack via a surprisingly rapid and massive accumulation of F-actin near the immunologic synapse, a process we termed "actin response." Live-cell imaging provided direct evidence that the actin response is associated with tumor cell resistance to NK-cell-mediated cell death. High-throughput imaging flow cytometry analyses showed that breast cancer cell lines highly resistant to NK cells were significantly enriched in actin response-competent cells as compared with susceptible cell lines. The actin response was not associated with a defect in NK-cell activation but correlated with reduced intracellular levels of the cytotoxic protease granzyme B and a lower rate of apoptosis in target cells. Inhibition of the actin response by knocking down CDC42 or N-WASP led to a significant increase in granzyme B levels in target cells and was sufficient to convert resistant breast cancer cell lines into a highly susceptible phenotype. The actin response and its protective effects were fully recapitulated using donor-derived primary NK cells as effector cells. Together, these findings establish the pivotal role of actin remodeling in breast cancer cell resistance to NK-cell-mediated killing.Significance: These findings establish the pivotal role of the actin cytoskeleton in driving breast cancer cell resistance to natural killer cells, a subset of cytotoxic lymphocytes with important roles in innate antitumor immunity. Cancer Res; 78(19); 5631-43. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoun Al Absi
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.,University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Hannah Wurzer
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.,Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, University of Luxembourg, 2 avenue de l'Université, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Coralie Guerin
- National Cytometry Platform, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.,Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Celine Hoffmann
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Flora Moreau
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Xianqing Mao
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Joshua Brown-Clay
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Rémi Petrolli
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Carla Pou Casellas
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Monika Dieterle
- NorLux Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Jean-Paul Thiery
- INSERM UMR1186, Immunologie Intégrative des Tumeurs, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A-STAR, Singapore
| | - Salem Chouaib
- INSERM UMR1186, Immunologie Intégrative des Tumeurs, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,Thumbay Institute for Precision Medicine Gulf Medical University-Ajman-UAE
| | - Guy Berchem
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Bassam Janji
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Clément Thomas
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
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14
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Wang JC, Bolger-Munro M, Gold MR. Visualizing the Actin and Microtubule Cytoskeletons at the B-cell Immune Synapse Using Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) Microscopy. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29683438 DOI: 10.3791/57028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
B cells that bind to membrane-bound antigens (e.g., on the surface of an antigen-presenting cell) form an immune synapse, a specialized cellular structure that optimizes B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling and BCR-mediated antigen acquisition. Both the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and the reorientation of the microtubule network towards the antigen contact site are essential for immune synapse formation. Remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton into a dense peripheral ring of F-actin is accompanied by polarization of the microtubule-organizing center towards the immune synapse. Microtubule plus-end binding proteins, as well as cortical plus-end capture proteins mediate physical interactions between the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons, which allow them to be reorganized in a coordinated manner. Elucidating the mechanisms that control this cytoskeletal reorganization, as well as understanding how these cytoskeletal structures shape immune synapse formation and BCR signaling, can provide new insights into B cell activation. This has been aided by the development of super-resolution microscopy approaches that reveal new details of cytoskeletal network organization. We describe here a method for using stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy to simultaneously image actin structures, microtubules, and transfected GFP-tagged microtubule plus-end binding proteins in B cells. To model the early events in immune synapse formation, we allow B cells to spread on coverslips coated with anti-immunoglobulin (anti-Ig) antibodies, which initiate BCR signaling and cytoskeleton remodeling. We provide step-by-step protocols for expressing GFP fusion proteins in A20 B-lymphoma cells, for anti-Ig-induced cell spreading, and for subsequent cell fixation, Immunostaining, image acquisition, and image deconvolution steps. The high-resolution images obtained using these procedures allow one to simultaneously visualize actin structures, microtubules, and the microtubule plus-end binding proteins that may link these two cytoskeletal networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia C Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia
| | | | - Michael R Gold
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia;
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15
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Abstract
Besides direct protein-protein interactions, indirect interactions mediated by membranes play an important role for the assembly and cooperative function of proteins in membrane shaping and adhesion. The intricate shapes of biological membranes are generated by proteins that locally induce membrane curvature. Indirect curvature-mediated interactions between these proteins arise because the proteins jointly affect the bending energy of the membranes. These curvature-mediated interactions are attractive for crescent-shaped proteins and are a driving force in the assembly of the proteins during membrane tubulation. Membrane adhesion results from the binding of receptor and ligand proteins that are anchored in the apposing membranes. The binding of these proteins strongly depends on nanoscale shape fluctuations of the membranes, leading to a fluctuation-mediated binding cooperativity. A length mismatch between receptor-ligand complexes in membrane adhesion zones causes repulsive curvature-mediated interactions that are a driving force for the length-based segregation of proteins during membrane adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Weikl
- Department of Theory and Bio-Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424 Potsdam, Germany;
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16
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Carisey AF, Mace EM, Saeed MB, Davis DM, Orange JS. Nanoscale Dynamism of Actin Enables Secretory Function in Cytolytic Cells. Curr Biol 2018; 28:489-502.e9. [PMID: 29398219 PMCID: PMC5835143 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune effectors that lyse virally infected and tumorigenic cells through the formation of an immunological synapse. Actin remodeling at the lytic immunological synapse is a critical requirement for multiple facets of cytotoxic function. Activating receptor and integrin signaling leads to the regulated turnover and remodeling of actin, which is required for adhesion, sustained receptor signaling, and ultimately exocytosis. NK cells undergo lytic granule exocytosis in hypodense regions of a pervasive actin network. Although these requirements have been well demonstrated, neither the dynamic regulation of synaptic actin nor its specific function, however, has been determined at a nanoscale level. Here, live-cell super-resolution microscopy demonstrates nanoscale filamentous actin dynamism in NK cell lytic granule secretion. Following cell spreading, the overall content of the branched actin network at an immune synapse is stable over time and contains branched actin fibers and discrete actin foci. Similar actin architecture is generated in cytolytic T cells, although the timescale differs from that of NK cells. Individual filament displacement leads to stochastic clearance formation and disappearance, which are independent of lytic granule positioning. Actin dynamism is dependent upon branched network formation mediated by Arp2/3 and contractility generated by myosin IIA. Importantly, the use of small-molecule inhibitors demonstrates that actin dynamism is ultimately needed for granule secretion. Thus, we describe a requirement for nanoscale actin fiber rearrangement in generating the complex actin architecture that enables lytic granule secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre F Carisey
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Emily M Mace
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mezida B Saeed
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Daniel M Davis
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Jordan S Orange
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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17
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Gil-Krzewska A, Saeed MB, Oszmiana A, Fischer ER, Lagrue K, Gahl WA, Introne WJ, Coligan JE, Davis DM, Krzewski K. An actin cytoskeletal barrier inhibits lytic granule release from natural killer cells in patients with Chediak-Higashi syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 142:914-927.e6. [PMID: 29241728 PMCID: PMC5995607 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a rare disorder caused by biallelic mutations in the lysosomal trafficking regulator gene (LYST), resulting in formation of giant lysosomes or lysosome-related organelles in several cell types. The disease is characterized by immunodeficiency and a fatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis caused by impaired function of cytotoxic lymphocytes, including natural killer (NK) cells. Objective We sought to determine the underlying biochemical cause of the impaired cytotoxicity of NK cells in patients with CHS. Methods We generated a human cell model of CHS using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology. We used a combination of classical techniques to evaluate lysosomal function and cell activity in the model system and super-resolution microscopy to visualize F-actin and lytic granules in normal and LYST-deficient NK cells. Results Loss of LYST function in a human NK cell line, NK92mi, resulted in inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity and reproduced other aspects of the CHS cellular phenotype, including the presence of significantly enlarged lytic granules with defective exocytosis and impaired integrity of endolysosomal compartments. The large granules had an acidic pH and normal activity of lysosomal enzymes and were positive for the proteins essential for lytic granule exocytosis. Visualization of the actin meshwork openings at the immunologic synapse revealed that the cortical actin acts as a barrier for secretion of such large granules at the cell-cell contact site. Decreasing the cortical actin density at the immunologic synapse or decreasing the lytic granule size restored the ability of LYST-deficient NK cells to degranulate and kill target cells. Conclusion The cortical actin and granule size play significant roles in NK cell cytotoxic function. We present evidence that the periodicity of subsynaptic actin is an important factor limiting the release of large lytic granules from NK cells from patients with CHS and could be a novel target for pharmaceutical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Gil-Krzewska
- Receptor Cell Biology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD
| | - Mezida B Saeed
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Oszmiana
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth R Fischer
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Mont
| | - Kathryn Lagrue
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - William A Gahl
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Wendy J Introne
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - John E Coligan
- Receptor Cell Biology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD
| | - Daniel M Davis
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Konrad Krzewski
- Receptor Cell Biology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD.
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18
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Gangadaran P, Ahn BC. Molecular Imaging: A Useful Tool for the Development of Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1090. [PMID: 28955332 PMCID: PMC5600950 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging is a relatively new discipline that allows visualization, characterization, and measurement of the biological processes in living subjects, including humans, at a cellular and molecular level. The interaction between cancer cells and natural killer (NK) cells is complex and incompletely understood. Despite our limited knowledge, progress in the search for immune cell therapies against cancer could be significantly improved by dynamic and non-invasive visualization and tracking of immune cells and by visualization of the response of cancer cells to therapies in preclinical and clinical studies. Molecular imaging is an essential tool for these studies, and a multimodal molecular imaging approach can be applied to monitor immune cells in vivo, for instance, to visualize therapeutic effects. In this review, we discuss the usefulness of NK cells in cancer therapies and the preclinical and clinical usefulness of molecular imaging in NK cell-based therapies. Furthermore, we discuss different molecular imaging modalities for use with NK cell-based therapies, and their preclinical and clinical applications in animal and human subjects. Molecular imaging has contributed to the development of NK cell-based therapies against cancers in animal models and to the refinement of current cell-based cancer immunotherapies. Developing sensitive and reproducible non-invasive molecular imaging technologies for in vivo NK cell monitoring and for real-time assessment of therapeutic effects will accelerate the development of NK cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Gangadaran
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine and Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Byeong-Cheol Ahn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine and Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
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19
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Mukherjee M, Mace EM, Carisey AF, Ahmed N, Orange JS. Quantitative Imaging Approaches to Study the CAR Immunological Synapse. Mol Ther 2017; 25:1757-1768. [PMID: 28663103 PMCID: PMC5542801 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The lytic immunological synapse (IS) is a discrete structural entity formed after the ligation of specific activating receptors that leads to the destruction of a cancerous cell. The formation of an effector cell IS in cytotoxic T lymphocytes or natural killer cells is a hierarchical and stepwise rearrangement of structural and signaling components and targeted release of the contents of lytic granules. While recent advances in the generation and testing of cytotoxic lymphocytes expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has demonstrated their efficacy in the targeted lysis of tumor targets, the contribution and dynamics of IS components have not yet been extensively investigated in the context of engineered CAR cells. Understanding the biology of the CAR IS will be a powerful approach to efficiently guide the engineering of new CARs and help identify mechanistic problems in existing CARs. Here, we review the formation of the lytic IS and describe quantitative imaging-based measurements using multiple microscopy techniques at a single cell level that can be used in conjunction with established population-based assays to provide insight into the important cytotoxic function of CAR cells. The inclusion of this approach in the pipeline of CAR product design could be a novel and valuable innovation for the field.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens/chemistry
- Antigens/immunology
- Antigens/metabolism
- Biotechnology
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Humans
- Immunological Synapses/immunology
- Immunological Synapses/metabolism
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Microscopy/methods
- Molecular Imaging/methods
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Malini Mukherjee
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77025, USA; Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77025, USA; Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Emily M Mace
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77025, USA; Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Alexandre F Carisey
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77025, USA; Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nabil Ahmed
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77025, USA; Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77025, USA
| | - Jordan S Orange
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77025, USA; Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77025, USA; Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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20
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Sezgin E. Super-resolution optical microscopy for studying membrane structure and dynamics. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2017; 29:273001. [PMID: 28481213 PMCID: PMC5952331 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/aa7185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Investigation of cell membrane structure and dynamics requires high spatial and temporal resolution. The spatial resolution of conventional light microscopy is limited due to the diffraction of light. However, recent developments in microscopy enabled us to access the nano-scale regime spatially, thus to elucidate the nanoscopic structures in the cellular membranes. In this review, we will explain the resolution limit, address the working principles of the most commonly used super-resolution microscopy techniques and summarise their recent applications in the biomembrane field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erdinc Sezgin
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, OX39DS, United Kingdom
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21
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Stone MB, Shelby SA, Veatch SL. Super-Resolution Microscopy: Shedding Light on the Cellular Plasma Membrane. Chem Rev 2017; 117:7457-7477. [PMID: 28211677 PMCID: PMC5471115 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Lipids and the membranes they form are fundamental building blocks of cellular life, and their geometry and chemical properties distinguish membranes from other cellular environments. Collective processes occurring within membranes strongly impact cellular behavior and biochemistry, and understanding these processes presents unique challenges due to the often complex and myriad interactions between membrane components. Super-resolution microscopy offers a significant gain in resolution over traditional optical microscopy, enabling the localization of individual molecules even in densely labeled samples and in cellular and tissue environments. These microscopy techniques have been used to examine the organization and dynamics of plasma membrane components, providing insight into the fundamental interactions that determine membrane functions. Here, we broadly introduce the structure and organization of the mammalian plasma membrane and review recent applications of super-resolution microscopy to the study of membranes. We then highlight some inherent challenges faced when using super-resolution microscopy to study membranes, and we discuss recent technical advancements that promise further improvements to super-resolution microscopy and its application to the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B Stone
- Biophysics, University of Michigan, Chemistry 930 N University Ave, Ann Arbor 48109
| | - Sarah A Shelby
- Biophysics, University of Michigan, Chemistry 930 N University Ave, Ann Arbor 48109
| | - Sarah L Veatch
- Biophysics, University of Michigan, Chemistry 930 N University Ave, Ann Arbor 48109
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22
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Abstract
T cell signaling is inextricably linked to actin cytoskeletal dynamics at the immunological synapse (IS). This process can be imaged in living T cells expressing GFP actin or fluorescent F-actin binding proteins. Because of its planar nature, the IS provides a unique opportunity to image events as they happen, monitoring changes in actin retrograde flow in T cells interacting with different stimulatory surfaces or after pharmacological treatments. Here, we described the imaging methods and analytical procedures used to measure actin velocity across the IS in T cells spreading on planar stimulatory surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna I Jankowska
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, 3615 Civic Center Blvd, ARC 816D, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Janis K Burkhardt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, 3615 Civic Center Blvd, ARC 816D, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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23
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Cox F, Kwaks T, Brandenburg B, Koldijk MH, Klaren V, Smal B, Korse HJWM, Geelen E, Tettero L, Zuijdgeest D, Stoop EJM, Saeland E, Vogels R, Friesen RHE, Koudstaal W, Goudsmit J. HA Antibody-Mediated FcγRIIIa Activity Is Both Dependent on FcR Engagement and Interactions between HA and Sialic Acids. Front Immunol 2016; 7:399. [PMID: 27746785 PMCID: PMC5040702 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions with receptors for the Fc region of IgG (FcγRs) have been shown to contribute to the in vivo protection against influenza A viruses provided by broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) that bind to the viral hemagglutinin (HA) stem. In particular, Fc-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) has been shown to contribute to protection by stem-binding bnAbs. Fc-mediated effector functions appear not to contribute to protection provided by strain-specific HA head-binding antibodies. We used a panel of anti-stem and anti-head influenza A and B monoclonal antibodies with identical human IgG1 Fc domains and investigated their ability to mediate ADCC-associated FcγRIIIa activation. Antibodies which do not interfere with sialic acid binding of HA can mediate FcγRIIIa activation. However, the FcγRIIIa activation was inhibited when a mutant HA, unable to bind sialic acids, was used. Antibodies which block sialic acid receptor interactions of HA interfered with FcγRIIIa activation. The inhibition of FcγRIIIa activation by HA head-binding and sialic acid receptor-blocking antibodies was confirmed in plasma samples of H5N1 vaccinated human subjects. Together, these results suggest that in addition to Fc–FcγR binding, interactions between HA and sialic acids on immune cells are required for optimal Fc-mediated effector functions by anti-HA antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freek Cox
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Ted Kwaks
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Boerries Brandenburg
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Martin H Koldijk
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Vincent Klaren
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan Smal
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Hans J W M Korse
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Eric Geelen
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Lisanne Tettero
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - David Zuijdgeest
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Esther J M Stoop
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Eirikur Saeland
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Ronald Vogels
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Robert H E Friesen
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Wouter Koudstaal
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Jaap Goudsmit
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Leiden , Netherlands
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24
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Dustin ML, Choudhuri K. Signaling and Polarized Communication Across the T Cell Immunological Synapse. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2016; 32:303-325. [PMID: 27501450 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-100814-125330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
T cells express a somatically recombined antigen receptor (αβTCR) that is calibrated during development to respond to changes in peptides displayed by major histocompatibility complex proteins (pMHC) on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APC). A key characteristic of pMHC for adaptive immunity is the ability to sample internal states of cells and tissues to sensitively detect changes associated with infection, cell derangement, or tissue injury. Physical T cell-APC contact sets up an axis for polarization of TCR, adhesion molecules, kinases, cytoskeletal elements, and organelles inherent in this mode of juxtacrine signaling. The discovery of further lateral organization of the TCR and adhesion molecules into radially symmetric compartments, the immunological synapse, revealed an intersecting plane of symmetry and potential for regulated symmetry breaking to control duration of T cell-APC interactions. In addition to organizing signaling machinery, the immunological synapse directs the polarized transport and secretion of cytokines and cytolytic agents across the synaptic cleft and is a site for the generation and exocytic release of bioactive microvesicles that can functionally affect recipient APC and other cells in the environment. This machinery is coopted by retroviruses, and human immune deficiency virus-1 may even use antigen-specific synapses for infection of healthy T cells. Here, we discuss recent advances in the molecular and cell biological mechanisms of immunological synapse assembly and signaling and its role in intercellular communication across the synaptic cleft.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Dustin
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FY, United Kingdom;
| | - Kaushik Choudhuri
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5620;
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25
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Mattila PK, Batista FD, Treanor B. Dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton mediates receptor cross talk: An emerging concept in tuning receptor signaling. J Cell Biol 2016; 212:267-80. [PMID: 26833785 PMCID: PMC4748574 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201504137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence implicates the actin cytoskeleton in the control of receptor signaling. This may be of particular importance in the context of immune receptors, such as the B cell receptor, where dysregulated signaling can result in autoimmunity and malignancy. Here, we discuss the role of the actin cytoskeleton in controlling receptor compartmentalization, dynamics, and clustering as a means to regulate receptor signaling through controlling the interactions with protein partners. We propose that the actin cytoskeleton is a point of integration for receptor cross talk through modulation of protein dynamics and clustering. We discuss the implication of this cross talk via the cytoskeleton for both ligand-induced and low-level constitutive (tonic) signaling necessary for immune cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieta K Mattila
- Institute of Biomedicine, MediCity, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Facundo D Batista
- Lymphocyte Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, Cancer Research UK, London WC2A 3LY, England, UK
| | - Bebhinn Treanor
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1C6, Canada
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26
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Xiang RF, Stack D, Huston SM, Li SS, Ogbomo H, Kyei SK, Mody CH. Ras-related C3 Botulinum Toxin Substrate (Rac) and Src Family Kinases (SFK) Are Proximal and Essential for Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K) Activation in Natural Killer (NK) Cell-mediated Direct Cytotoxicity against Cryptococcus neoformans. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:6912-22. [PMID: 26867574 PMCID: PMC4807276 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.681544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity of Rac in leukocytes is essential for immunity. However, its role in NK cell-mediated anti-microbial signaling remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of Rac in NK cell mediated anti-cryptococcal killing. We found thatCryptococcus neoformansindependently activates both Rac and SFK pathways in NK cells, and unlike in tumor killing,Cryptococcusinitiated a novel Rac → PI3K → Erk cytotoxicity cascade. Remarkably, Rac was not required for conjugate formation, despite its essential role in NK cytotoxicity againstC. neoformans Taken together, our data show that, unlike observations with tumor cells, NK cells use a novel Rac cytotoxicity pathway in conjunction with SFK, to killC. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard F Xiang
- From the Departments of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases and the Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Danuta Stack
- From the Departments of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases and the Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Shaunna M Huston
- From the Departments of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases and the Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Shu Shun Li
- From the Departments of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases and the Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Henry Ogbomo
- From the Departments of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases and the Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Stephen K Kyei
- From the Departments of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases and the Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Christopher H Mody
- From the Departments of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases and the Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada Internal Medicine and
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Abstract
Natural killer cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes important in immune responses to cancer and multiple pathogens. However, chronic activation of NK cells can induce a hyporesponsive state. The molecular basis of the mechanisms underlying the generation and maintenance of this hyporesponsive condition are unknown, thus an easy and reproducible mechanism able to induce hyporesponsiveness on human NK cells would be very useful to gain understanding of this process. Human NK cells treated with ionomycin lose their ability to degranulate and secrete IFN-γ in response to a variety of stimuli, but IL-2 stimulation can compensate these defects. Apart from reductions in the expression of CD11a/CD18, no great changes were observed in the activating and inhibitory receptors expressed by these NK cells, however their transcriptional signature is different to that described for other hyporesponsive lymphocytes.
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28
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Hadad U, Thauland TJ, Martinez OM, Butte MJ, Porgador A, Krams SM. NKp46 Clusters at the Immune Synapse and Regulates NK Cell Polarization. Front Immunol 2015; 6:495. [PMID: 26441997 PMCID: PMC4585260 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in first-line defense against tumor and virus-infected cells. The activity of NK cells is tightly regulated by a repertoire of cell surface expressed inhibitory and activating receptors. NKp46 is a major NK cell-activating receptor that is involved in the elimination of target cells. NK cells form different types of synapses that result in distinct functional outcomes: cytotoxic, inhibitory, and regulatory. Recent studies revealed that complex integration of NK receptor signaling controls cytoskeletal rearrangement and other immune synapse-related events. However, the distinct nature by which NKp46 participates in NK immunological synapse formation and function remains unknown. In this study, we determined that NKp46 forms microclusters structures at the immune synapse between NK cells and target cells. Over-expression of human NKp46 is correlated with increased accumulation of F-actin mesh at the immune synapse. Concordantly, knock-down of NKp46 in primary human NK cells decreased recruitment of F-actin to the synapse. Live cell imaging experiments showed a linear correlation between NKp46 expression and lytic granules polarization to the immune synapse. Taken together, our data suggest that NKp46 signaling directly regulates the NK lytic immune synapse from early formation to late function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uzi Hadad
- Department of Surgery, Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Stanford University , Stanford, CA , USA ; The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beersheba , Israel
| | - Timothy J Thauland
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Immunology, Stanford University , Stanford, CA , USA
| | - Olivia M Martinez
- Department of Surgery, Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Stanford University , Stanford, CA , USA
| | - Manish J Butte
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Immunology, Stanford University , Stanford, CA , USA
| | - Angel Porgador
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beersheba , Israel
| | - Sheri M Krams
- Department of Surgery, Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Stanford University , Stanford, CA , USA
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29
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Jang JH, Huang Y, Zheng P, Jo MC, Bertolet G, Zhu MX, Qin L, Liu D. Imaging of Cell-Cell Communication in a Vertical Orientation Reveals High-Resolution Structure of Immunological Synapse and Novel PD-1 Dynamics. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2015; 195:1320-1330. [PMID: 26123352 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1403143/-/dcsupplemental] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The immunological synapse (IS) is one of the most pivotal communication strategies in immune cells. Understanding the molecular basis of the IS provides critical information regarding how immune cells mount an effective immune response. Fluorescence microscopy provides a fundamental tool to study the IS. However, current imaging techniques for studying the IS cannot sufficiently achieve high resolution in real cell-cell conjugates. In this study, we present a new device that allows for high-resolution imaging of the IS with conventional confocal microscopy in a high-throughput manner. Combining micropits and single-cell trap arrays, we have developed a new microfluidic platform that allows visualization of the IS in vertically "stacked" cells. Using this vertical cell pairing (VCP) system, we investigated the dynamics of the inhibitory synapse mediated by an inhibitory receptor, programed death protein-1, and the cytotoxic synapse at the single-cell level. In addition to the technique innovation, we have demonstrated novel biological findings by this VCP device, including novel distribution of F-actin and cytolytic granules at the IS, programed death protein-1 microclusters at the NK IS, and kinetics of cytotoxicity. We propose that this high-throughput, cost-effective, easy-to-use VCP system, along with conventional imaging techniques, can be used to address a number of significant biological questions in a variety of disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon Hee Jang
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030; Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Yu Huang
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, Graduate Program in Cell and Regulatory Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Peilin Zheng
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Myeong Chan Jo
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Grant Bertolet
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; and
| | - Michael Xi Zhu
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, Graduate Program in Cell and Regulatory Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Lidong Qin
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; and
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30
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Jang JH, Huang Y, Zheng P, Jo MC, Bertolet G, Zhu MX, Qin L, Liu D. Imaging of Cell-Cell Communication in a Vertical Orientation Reveals High-Resolution Structure of Immunological Synapse and Novel PD-1 Dynamics. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:1320-30. [PMID: 26123352 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1403143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The immunological synapse (IS) is one of the most pivotal communication strategies in immune cells. Understanding the molecular basis of the IS provides critical information regarding how immune cells mount an effective immune response. Fluorescence microscopy provides a fundamental tool to study the IS. However, current imaging techniques for studying the IS cannot sufficiently achieve high resolution in real cell-cell conjugates. In this study, we present a new device that allows for high-resolution imaging of the IS with conventional confocal microscopy in a high-throughput manner. Combining micropits and single-cell trap arrays, we have developed a new microfluidic platform that allows visualization of the IS in vertically "stacked" cells. Using this vertical cell pairing (VCP) system, we investigated the dynamics of the inhibitory synapse mediated by an inhibitory receptor, programed death protein-1, and the cytotoxic synapse at the single-cell level. In addition to the technique innovation, we have demonstrated novel biological findings by this VCP device, including novel distribution of F-actin and cytolytic granules at the IS, programed death protein-1 microclusters at the NK IS, and kinetics of cytotoxicity. We propose that this high-throughput, cost-effective, easy-to-use VCP system, along with conventional imaging techniques, can be used to address a number of significant biological questions in a variety of disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon Hee Jang
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030; Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Yu Huang
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, Graduate Program in Cell and Regulatory Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Peilin Zheng
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Myeong Chan Jo
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Grant Bertolet
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; and
| | - Michael Xi Zhu
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, Graduate Program in Cell and Regulatory Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Lidong Qin
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; and
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31
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Lenalidomide augments actin remodeling and lowers NK-cell activation thresholds. Blood 2015; 126:50-60. [PMID: 26002964 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-01-625004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As multiple myeloma (MM) progresses, natural killer (NK)-cell responses decline against malignant plasma cells. The immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide is widely used for treatment of MM but its influence on NK-cell biology is unclear. Here, we report that lenalidomide lowers the threshold for NK-cell activation, causing a 66% decrease in the 50% effective concentration (EC50) for activation through CD16, and a 38% decrease in EC50 for NK group 2 member D (NKG2D)-mediated activation, allowing NK cells to respond to lower doses of ligand. In addition, lenalidomide augments NK-cell responses, causing a twofold increase in the proportion of primary NK cells producing interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and a 20-fold increase in the amount of IFN-γ produced per cell. Importantly, lenalidomide did not trigger IFN-γ production in unstimulated NK cells. Thus, lenalidomide enhances the NK-cell arm of the immune response, without activating NK cells inappropriately. Of particular clinical importance, lenalidomide also allowed NK cells to be activated by lower doses of rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) widely used to treat B-cell malignancies. This supports combined use of lenalidomide and rituximab in a clinical setting. Finally, superresolution microscopy revealed that lenalidomide increased the periodicity of cortical actin at immune synapses, resulting in an increase in the area of the actin mesh predicted to be penetrable to vesicles containing IFN-γ. NK cells from MM patients also responded to lenalidomide in this way. This indicates that nanometer-scale rearrangements in cortical actin, a recently discovered step in immune synapse assembly, are a potential new target for therapeutic compounds.
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32
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Curthoys NM, Parent M, Mlodzianoski M, Nelson AJ, Lilieholm J, Butler MB, Valles M, Hess ST. Dances with Membranes: Breakthroughs from Super-resolution Imaging. CURRENT TOPICS IN MEMBRANES 2015; 75:59-123. [PMID: 26015281 PMCID: PMC5584789 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctm.2015.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Biological membrane organization mediates numerous cellular functions and has also been connected with an immense number of human diseases. However, until recently, experimental methodologies have been unable to directly visualize the nanoscale details of biological membranes, particularly in intact living cells. Numerous models explaining membrane organization have been proposed, but testing those models has required indirect methods; the desire to directly image proteins and lipids in living cell membranes is a strong motivation for the advancement of technology. The development of super-resolution microscopy has provided powerful tools for quantification of membrane organization at the level of individual proteins and lipids, and many of these tools are compatible with living cells. Previously inaccessible questions are now being addressed, and the field of membrane biology is developing rapidly. This chapter discusses how the development of super-resolution microscopy has led to fundamental advances in the field of biological membrane organization. We summarize the history and some models explaining how proteins are organized in cell membranes, and give an overview of various super-resolution techniques and methods of quantifying super-resolution data. We discuss the application of super-resolution techniques to membrane biology in general, and also with specific reference to the fields of actin and actin-binding proteins, virus infection, mitochondria, immune cell biology, and phosphoinositide signaling. Finally, we present our hopes and expectations for the future of super-resolution microscopy in the field of membrane biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki M. Curthoys
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Matthew Parent
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | | | - Andrew J. Nelson
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Jennifer Lilieholm
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Michael B. Butler
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Matthew Valles
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Samuel T. Hess
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
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33
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Fornasiero EF, Opazo F. Super-resolution imaging for cell biologists: concepts, applications, current challenges and developments. Bioessays 2015; 37:436-51. [PMID: 25581819 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201400170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The recent 2014 Nobel Prize in chemistry honored an era of discoveries and technical advancements in the field of super-resolution microscopy. However, the applications of diffraction-unlimited imaging in biology have a long road ahead and persistently engage scientists with new challenges. Some of the bottlenecks that restrain the dissemination of super-resolution techniques are tangible, and include the limited performance of affinity probes and the yet not capillary diffusion of imaging setups. Likewise, super-resolution microscopy has introduced new paradigms in the design of projects that require imaging with nanometer-resolution and in the interpretation of biological images. Besides structural or morphological characterization, super-resolution imaging is quickly expanding towards interaction mapping, multiple target detection and live imaging. Here we review the recent progress of biologists employing super-resolution imaging, some pitfalls, implications and new trends, with the purpose of animating the field and spurring future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio F Fornasiero
- STED Microscopy Group, European Neuroscience Institute, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Neuro- and Sensory-physiology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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34
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Lagrue K, Carisey A, Oszmiana A, Kennedy PR, Williamson DJ, Cartwright A, Barthen C, Davis DM. The central role of the cytoskeleton in mechanisms and functions of the NK cell immune synapse. Immunol Rev 2014; 256:203-21. [PMID: 24117823 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells discriminate between healthy and unhealthy target cells through a balance of activating and inhibitory signals at direct intercellular contacts called immune synapses. Rearrangements in the cellular cytoskeleton have long been known to be critical in assembly of immune synapses. Here, through bringing together the vast literature on this subject, the number of different ways in which the cytoskeleton is important becomes evident. The dynamics of filamentous actin are critical in (i) creating the nanometer-scale organization of NK cell receptors, (ii) establishing cellular polarity, (iii) coordinating immune receptor and integrin-mediated signaling, and (iv) directing secretion of lytic granules and cytokines. The microtubule network also is important in the delivery of lytic granules and vesicles containing cytokines to the immune synapse. Together, these data establish that the cytoskeleton acts as a central regulator of this complex and dynamic process - and an enormous amount of NK cell biology is controlled through the cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Lagrue
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College, London, UK
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35
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Mace EM, Orange JS. Lytic immune synapse function requires filamentous actin deconstruction by Coronin 1A. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:6708-13. [PMID: 24760828 PMCID: PMC4020046 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1314975111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lytic immune effector function depends upon directed secretion of cytolytic granules at the immunological synapse (IS) and requires dynamic rearrangement of filamentous (F)-actin. Coronin 1A (Coro1A) is the hematopoietic-specific member of the Coronin family of actin regulators that promote F-actin disassembly. Here, we show that Coro1A is required for natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic function in two human NK cell lines and ex vivo cells from a Coro1A-deficient patient. Using superresolution nanoscopy to probe the IS, we demonstrate that Coro1A promotes the deconstruction of F-actin density that facilitates effective delivery of lytic granules to the IS. Thus, we show, for the first time to our knowledge, a critical role for F-actin deconstruction in cytotoxic function and immunological secretion and identify Coro1A as its mediator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Mace
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Jordan S. Orange
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030
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36
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Abstract
Cells can innately recognize generic products of viruses, bacteria, fungi, or injured tissue by engagement of pattern recognition receptors. Innate immune cells rapidly respond to this engagement to control commensals, thwart pathogens, and/or prompt repair. Insufficient or excessive activation of the innate immune response results in disease. This review focuses on pattern recognition receptors and cells of the innate immune system that are important for intestinal function. Our improving knowledge pertaining to this important aspect of our immune response is opening potential important new therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of disease.
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37
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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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38
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Jenkins MR, Stinchcombe JC, Au-Yeung BB, Asano Y, Ritter AT, Weiss A, Griffiths GM. Distinct structural and catalytic roles for Zap70 in formation of the immunological synapse in CTL. eLife 2014; 3:e01310. [PMID: 24596147 PMCID: PMC3936284 DOI: 10.7554/elife.01310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR) activation leads to a dramatic reorganisation of both membranes and receptors as the immunological synapse forms. Using a genetic model to rapidly inhibit Zap70 catalytic activity we examined synapse formation between cytotoxic T lymphocytes and their targets. In the absence of Zap70 catalytic activity Vav-1 activation occurs and synapse formation is arrested at a stage with actin and integrin rich interdigitations forming the interface between the two cells. The membranes at the synapse are unable to flatten to provide extended contact, and Lck does not cluster to form the central supramolecular activation cluster (cSMAC). Centrosome polarisation is initiated but aborts before reaching the synapse and the granules do not polarise. Our findings reveal distinct roles for Zap70 as a structural protein regulating integrin-mediated control of actin vs its catalytic activity that regulates TCR-mediated control of actin and membrane remodelling during formation of the immunological synapse. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01310.001.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misty R Jenkins
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jane C Stinchcombe
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Byron B Au-Yeung
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institue, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Yukako Asano
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alex T Ritter
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cell Biology and Metabolism Branch, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Arthur Weiss
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institue, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Gillian M Griffiths
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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39
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Mace EM, Dongre P, Hsu HT, Sinha P, James AM, Mann SS, Forbes LR, Watkin LB, Orange JS. Cell biological steps and checkpoints in accessing NK cell cytotoxicity. Immunol Cell Biol 2014; 92:245-55. [PMID: 24445602 PMCID: PMC3960583 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2013.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity is governed by the formation of a lytic immune synapse in discrete regulated steps, which give rise to an extensive array of cellular checkpoints in accessing NK cell-mediated cytolytic defense. Appropriate progression through these cell biological steps is critical for the directed secretion of specialized secretory lysosomes and subsequent target cell death. Here we highlight recent discoveries in the formation of the NK cell cytolytic synapse as well as the molecular steps and cell biological checkpoints required for this essential host defense process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Mace
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Prachi Dongre
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hsiang-Ting Hsu
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Papiya Sinha
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Shaina S Mann
- Case Western Reserve Medical School, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lisa R Forbes
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Levi B Watkin
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jordan S Orange
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
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40
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Galandrini R, Capuano C, Santoni A. Activation of Lymphocyte Cytolytic Machinery: Where are We? Front Immunol 2013; 4:390. [PMID: 24312097 PMCID: PMC3832890 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Target cell recognition by cytotoxic lymphocytes implies the simultaneous engagement and clustering of adhesion and activating receptors followed by the activation of an array of signal transduction pathways. The cytotoxic immune synapse represents the highly specialized dynamic interface formed between the cytolytic effector and its target that allows temporal and spatial integration of signals responsible for a defined sequence of processes culminating with the polarized secretion of lytic granules. Over the last decades, much attention has been given to the molecular signals coupling receptor ligation to the activation of cytolytic machinery. Moreover, in the last 10 years the discovery of genetic defects affecting cytotoxic responses greatly boosted our knowledge on the molecular effectors involved in the regulation of discrete phases of cytotoxic process at post-receptor levels. More recently, the use of super resolution and total internal reflection fluorescence imaging technologies added new insights on the dynamic reorganization of receptor and signaling molecules at lytic synapse as well as on the relationship between granule dynamics and cytoskeleton remodeling. To date we have a solid knowledge of the molecular mechanisms governing granule movement and secretion, being not yet fully unraveled the machinery that couples early receptor signaling to the late stage of synapse remodeling and granule dynamics. Here we highlight recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms acting in the activation of cytolytic machinery, also discussing similarities and differences between Natural killer cells and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricciarda Galandrini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Fondazione Eleonora Lorillard Spencer Cenci, Sapienza University , Rome , Italy
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Natural killer cell biology: an update and future directions. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2013; 132:536-544. [PMID: 23906377 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 274] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Revised: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells constitute a minor subset of normal lymphocytes that initiate innate immune responses toward tumor and virus-infected cells. They can mediate spontaneous cytotoxicity toward these abnormal cells and rapidly secrete numerous cytokines and chemokines to promote subsequent adaptive immune responses. Significant progress has been made in the past 2 decades to improve our understanding of NK cell biology. Here we review recent discoveries, including a better comprehension of the "education" of NK cells to achieve functional competence during their maturation and the discovery of "memory" responses by NK cells, suggesting that they might also contribute to adaptive immunity. The improved understanding of NK cell biology has forged greater awareness that these cells play integral early roles in immune responses. In addition, several promising clinical therapies have been used to exploit NK cell functions in treating patients with cancer. As our molecular understanding improves, these and future immunotherapies should continue to provide promising strategies to exploit the unique functions of NK cells to treat cancer, infections, and other pathologic conditions.
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Pageon SV, Cordoba SP, Owen DM, Rothery SM, Oszmiana A, Davis DM. Superresolution microscopy reveals nanometer-scale reorganization of inhibitory natural killer cell receptors upon activation of NKG2D. Sci Signal 2013; 6:ra62. [PMID: 23882121 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2003947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell responses are regulated by a dynamic equilibrium between activating and inhibitory receptor signals at the immune synapse (or interface) with target cells. Although the organization of receptors at the immune synapse is important for appropriate integration of these signals, there is little understanding of this in detail, because research has been hampered by the limited resolution of light microscopy. Through the use of superresolution single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to reveal the organization of the NK cell surface at the single-protein level, we report that the inhibitory receptor KIR2DL1 is organized in nanometer-scale clusters at the surface of human resting NK cells. Nanoclusters of KIR2DL1 became smaller and denser upon engagement of the activating receptor NKG2D, establishing an unexpected crosstalk between activating receptor signals and the positioning of inhibitory receptors. These rearrangements in the nanoscale organization of surface NK cell receptors were dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. Together, these data establish that NK cell activation involves a nanometer-scale reorganization of surface receptors, which in turn affects models for signal integration and thresholds that control NK cell effector functions and NK cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie V Pageon
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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43
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Super-resolution microscopy of the immunological synapse. Curr Opin Immunol 2013; 25:307-12. [PMID: 23746999 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2013.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Deciphering the spatial organisation of signalling proteins is the key to understanding the mechanisms underlying immune cell activation. Every advance in imaging technology has led to major breakthroughs in unravelling how receptor and signalling proteins are distributed within the plasma membrane and how membrane signalling is integrated with endosomes and vesicular trafficking. Recently, super-resolution fluorescence microscopy has been applied to immunological synapses, gaining new insights into the nanoscale organisation of signalling processes. Here, we review the advantages and potential of super-resolution microscopy for elucidating the regulation of many aspects of immune signalling.
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T cell antigen receptor activation and actin cytoskeleton remodeling. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2013; 1838:546-56. [PMID: 23680625 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2013.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
T cells constitute a crucial arm of the adaptive immune system and their optimal function is required for a healthy immune response. After the initial step of T cell-receptor (TCR) triggering by antigenic peptide complexes on antigen presenting cell (APC), the T cell exhibits extensive cytoskeletal remodeling. This cytoskeletal remodeling leads to the formation of an "immunological synapse" [1] characterized by regulated clustering, segregation and movement of receptors at the interface. Synapse formation regulates T cell activation and response to antigenic peptides and proceeds via feedback between actin cytoskeleton and TCR signaling. Actin polymerization participates in various events during the synapse formation, maturation, and eventually its disassembly. There is increasing knowledge about the actin effectors that couple TCR activation to actin rearrangements [2,3], and how defects in these effectors translate into impairment of T cell activation. In this review we aim to summarize and integrate parts of what is currently known about this feedback process. In addition, in light of recent advancements in our understanding of TCR triggering and translocation at the synapse, we speculate on the organizational and functional diversity of microfilament architecture in the T cell. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Reciprocal influences between cell cytoskeleton and membrane channels, receptors and transporters. Guest Editor: Jean Claude Hervé.
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Mace EM, Orange JS. New views of the human NK cell immunological synapse: recent advances enabled by super- and high-resolution imaging techniques. Front Immunol 2013; 3:421. [PMID: 23316204 PMCID: PMC3540402 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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: 11/08/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Imaging technology has undergone rapid growth with the development of super resolution microscopy, which enables resolution below the diffraction barrier of light (~200 nm). In addition, new techniques for single molecule imaging are being added to the cell biologist's arsenal. Immunologists have exploited these techniques to advance understanding of NK biology, particularly that of the immune synapse. The immune synapse's relatively small size and complex architecture combined with its exquisitely controlled signaling milieu have made it a challenge to visualize. In this review we highlight and discuss new insights into NK cell immune synapse formation and regulation revealed by cutting edge imaging techniques, including super-resolution microscopy, high-resolution total internal reflection microscopy, and Förster resonance energy transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Mace
- Baylor College of MedicineHouston, TX, USA
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Human ImmunobiologyHouston, TX, USA
| | - Jordan S. Orange
- Baylor College of MedicineHouston, TX, USA
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Human ImmunobiologyHouston, TX, USA
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Delcassian D, Depoil D, Rudnicka D, Liu M, Davis DM, Dustin ML, Dunlop IE. Nanoscale ligand spacing influences receptor triggering in T cells and NK cells. NANO LETTERS 2013; 13:5608-14. [PMID: 24125583 PMCID: PMC4288448 DOI: 10.1021/nl403252x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Bioactive nanoscale arrays were constructed to ligate activating cell surface receptors on T cells (the CD3 component of the TCR complex) and natural killer (NK) cells (CD16). These arrays are formed from biofunctionalized gold nanospheres with controlled interparticle spacing in the range 25-104 nm. Responses to these nanoarrays were assessed using the extent of membrane-localized phosphotyrosine in T cells stimulated with CD3-binding nanoarrays and the size of cell contact area for NK cells stimulated with CD16-binding nanoarrays. In both cases, the strength of response decreased with increasing spacing, falling to background levels by 69 nm in the T cell/anti-CD3 system and 104 nm for the NK cell/anti-CD16 system. These results demonstrate that immune receptor triggering can be influenced by the nanoscale spatial organization of receptor/ligand interactions.
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MESH Headings
- CD3 Complex/chemistry
- CD3 Complex/immunology
- Humans
- Killer Cells, Natural/chemistry
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Nanoparticles/chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell/chemistry
- Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Cell Surface/chemistry
- Receptors, Cell Surface/immunology
- Receptors, IgG/chemistry
- Receptors, IgG/immunology
- Receptors, Natural Killer Cell/chemistry
- Receptors, Natural Killer Cell/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/chemistry
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Derfogail Delcassian
- Department of Materials, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - David Depoil
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, NY10016 USA
| | - Dominika Rudnicka
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Mengling Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, NY10016 USA
| | - Daniel M. Davis
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Michael L. Dustin
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, NY10016 USA
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7FY, UK
| | - Iain E. Dunlop
- Department of Materials, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- To whom correspondence should be addressed:
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Krzewski K, Coligan JE. Human NK cell lytic granules and regulation of their exocytosis. Front Immunol 2012; 3:335. [PMID: 23162553 PMCID: PMC3494098 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells form a subset of lymphocytes that play a key role in immuno-surveillance and host defense against cancer and viral infections. They recognize stressed cells through a variety of germline-encoded activating cell surface receptors and utilize their cytotoxic ability to eliminate abnormal cells. Killing of target cells is a complex, multi-stage process that concludes in the directed secretion of lytic granules, containing perforin and granzymes, at the immunological synapse. Upon delivery to a target cell, perforin mediates generation of pores in membranes of target cells, allowing granzymes to access target cell cytoplasm and induce apoptosis. Therefore, lytic granules of NK cells are indispensable for normal NK cell cytolytic function. Indeed, defects in lytic granule secretion lead or are related to serious and often fatal diseases, such as familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) type 2–5 or Griscelli syndrome type 2. A number of reports highlight the role of several proteins involved in lytic granule release and NK cell-mediated killing of tumor cells. This review focuses on lytic granules of human NK cells and the advancements in understanding the mechanisms controlling their exocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Krzewski
- Receptor Cell Biology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health Rockville, MD, USA
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