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Verhaar ER, van Keizerswaard WJC, Knoflook A, Balligand T, Ploegh HL. Nanobody-based CAR NK cells for possible immunotherapy of MICA + tumors. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae184. [PMID: 38756234 PMCID: PMC11096969 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The glycoproteins MICA and MICB are upregulated on the surface of cells undergoing stress, for instance due to (viral) infection or malignant transformation. MICA/B are the ligands for the activating receptor NKG2D, found on cytotoxic immune cells like NK cells, CD8+ T cells, and γδ T cells. Upon engagement of NKG2D, these cells are activated to eradicate the MICA/B-positive targets, assisted by the secretion of cytokines. Nanobodies, or VHHs, are derived from the variable regions of camelid heavy-chain only immunoglobulins. Nanobodies are characterized by their small size, ease of production, stability, and specificity of recognition. We generated nanobodies that recognize membrane-bound MICA with high affinity. Here, we use these nanobodies as building blocks for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to establish VHH-based CAR NK cells. These anti-MICA nanobody-based CAR NK cells recognize and selectively kill MICA-positive tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. We track localization of the VHH-based CAR NK cells to MICA-positive lung metastases by immuno-positron emission tomography imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisha R Verhaar
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Anouk Knoflook
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas Balligand
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hidde L Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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2
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Seller A, Tegeler CM, Mauermann J, Schreiber T, Hagelstein I, Liebel K, Koch A, Heitmann JS, Greiner SM, Hayn C, Dannehl D, Engler T, Hartkopf AD, Hahn M, Brucker SY, Salih HR, Märklin M. Soluble NKG2DLs Are Elevated in Breast Cancer Patients and Associate with Disease Outcome. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4126. [PMID: 38612935 PMCID: PMC11012452 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Ligands of the natural killer group 2D (NKG2DL) family are expressed on malignant cells and are usually absent from healthy tissues. Recognition of NKG2DLs such as MICA/B and ULBP1-3 by the activating immunoreceptor NKG2D, expressed by NK and cytotoxic T cells, stimulates anti-tumor immunity in breast cancer. Upregulation of membrane-bound NKG2DLs in breast cancer has been demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Tumor cells release NKG2DLs via proteolytic cleavage as soluble (s)NKG2DLs, which allows for effective immune escape and is associated with poor prognosis. In this study, we collected serum from 140 breast cancer (BC) and 20 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients at the time of initial diagnosis and 20 healthy volunteers (HVs). Serum levels of sNKG2DLs were quantified through the use of ELISA and correlated with clinical data. The analyzed sNKG2DLs were low to absent in HVs and significantly higher in BC patients. For some of the ligands analyzed, higher sNKG2DLs serum levels were associated with the classification of malignant tumor (TNM) stage and grading. Low sMICA serum levels were associated with significantly longer progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In conclusion, we provide the first insights into sNKG2DLs in BC patients and suggest their potential role in tumor immune escape in breast cancer. Furthermore, our observations suggest that serum sMICA levels may serve as a prognostic parameter in the patients analyzed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Seller
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.S.)
- Department of Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 11, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian M. Tegeler
- Department of Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Peptide-Based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas Mauermann
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.S.)
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 11, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tatjana Schreiber
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.S.)
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 11, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ilona Hagelstein
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.S.)
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 11, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kai Liebel
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.S.)
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 11, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - André Koch
- Department of Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas S. Heitmann
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.S.)
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 11, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Peptide-Based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sarah M. Greiner
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.S.)
- Department of Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Clara Hayn
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.S.)
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 11, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dominik Dannehl
- Department of Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Engler
- Department of Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas D. Hartkopf
- Department of Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Markus Hahn
- Department of Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Y. Brucker
- Department of Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Helmut R. Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.S.)
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 11, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Märklin
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.S.)
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 11, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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3
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Verhaar ER, Knoflook A, Pishesha N, Liu X, van Keizerswaard WJC, Wucherpfennig KW, Ploegh HL. MICA-specific nanobodies for diagnosis and immunotherapy of MICA + tumors. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1368586. [PMID: 38550583 PMCID: PMC10973119 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1368586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
MICA and MICB are Class I MHC-related glycoproteins that are upregulated on the surface of cells in response to stress, for instance due to infection or malignant transformation. MICA/B are ligands for NKG2D, an activating receptor on NK cells, CD8+ T cells, and γδ T cells. Upon engagement of MICA/B with NKG2D, these cytotoxic cells eradicate MICA/B-positive targets. MICA is frequently overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells of epithelial and hematopoietic origin. Here, we created nanobodies that recognize MICA. Nanobodies, or VHHs, are the recombinantly expressed variable regions of camelid heavy chain-only immunoglobulins. They retain the capacity of antigen recognition but are characterized by their stability and ease of production. The nanobodies described here detect surface-disposed MICA on cancer cells in vitro by flow cytometry and can be used therapeutically as nanobody-drug conjugates when fused to the Maytansine derivative DM1. The nanobody-DM1 conjugate selectively kills MICA positive tumor cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisha R. Verhaar
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Anouk Knoflook
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Novalia Pishesha
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xin Liu
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Kai W. Wucherpfennig
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hidde L. Ploegh
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
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4
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Feng R, Xu J, Huang J, Liu J, Wang X, Wang J, Zhang C, Li H, Wei Y, Ren G. An immune-related prognostic gene ULBP2 is correlated with immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy in breast cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23687. [PMID: 38205308 PMCID: PMC10776944 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23687] [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: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the major dangerous tumors threatening women's lives. We here aimed to sort out prognostic immune-related genes by univariate Cox regression analysis and build a model of immune-related genes for forecasting the prognosis of BC patients. We identified UL16 binding protein 2 (ULBP2) as a valuable gene for study in the model using related databases and algorithms analysis. We found the stromal and immune cells scores were higher in ULBP2 high expression group and ULBP2 was related to kinds of immune cells, most importantly had negative correlation with CD8+ T cell. Notably, ULBP2 was positively correlated with tumor mutational burden (TMB) and had relationship with many immune checkpoints. Correlation analysis revealed that ULBP2 expression was closely linked to the clinicopathological characters and negatively related to BC patient survival. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed the functional enrichment of differential genes related to ULBP2. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) indicated pathway enrichment in ULBP2 high and low expression groups. In short, this study comprehensively investigated the potential function of ULBP2 in BC, which might make ULBP2 to be an important therapeutic target for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Feng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jiali Xu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jiazhou Liu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Hongzhong Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yuxian Wei
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Guosheng Ren
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
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5
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Chamorro DF, Somes LK, Hoyos V. Engineered Adoptive T-Cell Therapies for Breast Cancer: Current Progress, Challenges, and Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:124. [PMID: 38201551 PMCID: PMC10778447 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a significant health challenge, and novel treatment approaches are critically needed. This review presents an in-depth analysis of engineered adoptive T-cell therapies (E-ACTs), an innovative frontier in cancer immunotherapy, focusing on their application in breast cancer. We explore the evolving landscape of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell therapies, highlighting their potential and challenges in targeting breast cancer. The review addresses key obstacles such as target antigen selection, the complex breast cancer tumor microenvironment, and the persistence of engineered T-cells. We discuss the advances in overcoming these barriers, including strategies to enhance T-cell efficacy. Finally, our comprehensive analysis of the current clinical trials in this area provides insights into the future possibilities and directions of E-ACTs in breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego F. Chamorro
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
| | - Lauren K. Somes
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
| | - Valentina Hoyos
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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6
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Tseng LM, Huang CC, Tsai YF, Chen JL, Chao TC, Lai JI, Lien PJ, Lin YS, Feng CJ, Chen YJ, Chiu JH, Hsu CY, Liu CY. Correlation of an immune-related 8-gene panel with pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with primary breast cancers. Transl Oncol 2023; 38:101782. [PMID: 37713974 PMCID: PMC10506137 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT)-induced pathologic complete response (pCR) is associated with a favorable prognosis for breast cancer. Prior research links tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with breast cancer chemotherapy response, suggesting the tumor-immune microenvironment's role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune-related genes that exhibit associations with the response to NACT. In this study, we analyzed a total of 37 patients (aged 27-67) who received NACT as the first-line treatment for primary breast cancer, followed by surgery. This group consisted of nine patients (24.3 %) with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/HER2-negative status, ten patients (27.0 %) with ER-positive/HER2-positive status, five patients (13.5 %) with ER-negative/HER2-positive status, and thirteen patients (35.1 %) with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Among these patients, twelve (32.4 %) achieved a pCR, with eight (66.6 %) having HER2-positive tumors, and the remaining four having TNBC. To identify immune-related genes linked with pCR in subjects with breast cancer prior to NACT, we collected fresh tissues for next-generation sequencing. Patients with pCR had higher expressions of eight genes, KLRK1, IGJ, CD69, CD40LG, MS4A1, CD1C, KLRB1, and CA4, compared to non-pCR patients. The 8-gene signature was associated with good prognosis and linked to better relapse-free survival in patients receiving chemotherapy. The expression of these genes was involved in better drug response, displaying a positive correlation with the infiltration of immune cells. In conclusion, we have identified eight immune-related genes that are associated with a favorable prognosis and positive responses to drugs. This 8-gene signature could potentially provide prognostic insights for breast cancer patients undergoing NACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Ming Tseng
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Experimental Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Cheng Huang
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fang Tsai
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ji-Lin Chen
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chung Chao
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-I Lai
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Center of Immuno-Oncology, Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ju Lien
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Shu Lin
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Jung Feng
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Jen Chen
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Hwey Chiu
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yi Hsu
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yu Liu
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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7
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Nersesian S, Carter EB, Lee SN, Westhaver LP, Boudreau JE. Killer instincts: natural killer cells as multifactorial cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1269614. [PMID: 38090565 PMCID: PMC10715270 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1269614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells integrate heterogeneous signals for activation and inhibition using germline-encoded receptors. These receptors are stochastically co-expressed, and their concurrent engagement and signaling can adjust the sensitivity of individual cells to putative targets. Against cancers, which mutate and evolve under therapeutic and immunologic pressure, the diversity for recognition provided by NK cells may be key to comprehensive cancer control. NK cells are already being trialled as adoptive cell therapy and targets for immunotherapeutic agents. However, strategies to leverage their naturally occurring diversity and agility have not yet been developed. In this review, we discuss the receptors and signaling pathways through which signals for activation or inhibition are generated in NK cells, focusing on their roles in cancer and potential as targets for immunotherapies. Finally, we consider the impacts of receptor co-expression and the potential to engage multiple pathways of NK cell reactivity to maximize the scope and strength of antitumor activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nersesian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Emily B. Carter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stacey N. Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Jeanette E. Boudreau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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8
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Elanany MM, Mostafa D, Hamdy NM. Remodeled tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) parade via natural killer cells reprogramming in breast cancer. Life Sci 2023; 330:121997. [PMID: 37536617 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the main cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally. Despite substantial advances in the identification and management of primary tumors, traditional therapies including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation cannot completely eliminate the danger of relapse and metastatic illness. Metastasis is controlled by microenvironmental and systemic mechanisms, including immunosurveillance. This led to the evolvement of immunotherapies that has gained much attention in the recent years for cancer treatment directed to the innate immune system. The long forgotten innate immune cells known as natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as novel targets for more effective therapeutics for BC. Normally, NK cells has the capacity to identify and eradicate tumor cells either directly or by releasing cytotoxic granules, chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines. Yet, NK cells are exposed to inhibitory signals by cancer cells, which causes them to become dysfunctional in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in BC, supporting tumor escape and spread. Potential mechanisms of NK cell dysfunction in BC metastasis have been recently identified. Understanding these immunologic pathways driving BC metastasis will lead to improvements in the current immunotherapeutic strategies. In the current review, we highlight how BC evades immunosurveillance by rendering NK cells dysfunctional and we shed the light on novel NK cell- directed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M Elanany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dina Mostafa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Nadia M Hamdy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.
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Wang T, Li P, Qi Q, Zhang S, Xie Y, Wang J, Liu S, Ma S, Li S, Gong T, Xu H, Xiong M, Li G, You C, Luo Z, Li J, Du L, Wang C. A multiplex blood-based assay targeting DNA methylation in PBMCs enables early detection of breast cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4724. [PMID: 37550304 PMCID: PMC10406825 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40389-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system can monitor tumor development, and DNA methylation is involved in the body's immune response to tumors. In this work, we investigate whether DNA methylation alterations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) could be used as markers for early detection of breast cancer (BC) from the perspective of tumor immune alterations. We identify four BC-specific methylation markers by combining Infinium 850 K BeadChips, pyrosequencing and targeted bisulfite sequencing. Based on the four methylation markers in PBMCs of BC, we develop an efficient and convenient multiplex methylation-specific quantitative PCR assay for the detection of BC and validate its diagnostic performance in a multicenter cohort. This assay was able to distinguish early-stage BC patients from normal controls, with an AUC of 0.940, sensitivity of 93.2%, and specificity of 90.4%. More importantly, this assay outperformed existing clinical diagnostic methods, especially in the detection of early-stage and minimal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, China
| | - Peilong Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, China
| | - Qiuchen Qi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, China
| | - Shujun Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, China
| | - Yan Xie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, China
| | - Shibiao Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, China
| | - Suhong Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, China
| | - Shijun Li
- Clinical Laboratory, The First Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Gong
- Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, P. R. China
| | - Huiting Xu
- Departmemt of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, 226361, Jiangsu, China; Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, P. R. China
| | - Mengqiu Xiong
- Clinical Laboratory, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, P. R. China
| | - Guanghua Li
- Department of clinical laboratory, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital/Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Chongge You
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, the Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Zhaofan Luo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, P. R. China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, China.
| | - Lutao Du
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, China.
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovation Technology in Laboratory Medicine, Jinan, 250012, P. R. China.
| | - Chuanxin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, China.
- Shandong Engineering & Technology Research Center for Tumor Marker Detection, Jinan, 250033, China.
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Clinical Laboratory, Jinan, 250033, China.
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10
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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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11
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Arianfar E, Khandoozi SR, Mohammadi S, Memarian A. Suppression of CD56 bright NK cells in breast cancer patients is associated with the PD-1 and TGF-βRII expression. Clin Transl Oncol 2023; 25:841-851. [PMID: 36414921 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02997-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells, as professional cytotoxic cells, play a key role against cancer in the early and metastatic stages. Their functional defects are highly associated with the initiation or progression of breast cancer (BC). Here, we investigated the phenotypic characterization of NK cells in 26 newly diagnosed BC patients in comparison to 12 healthy counterparts. METHODS Expression of CXCR3 and PD-1, and also NKG2D, and TGF-βRII were studied on CD56dim and CD56bright NK cells from fresh peripheral blood (PB) samples using flow cytometry. The plasma levels of IFN-γ and soluble MIC-A levels were also assessed by ELISA. RESULTS Both CD56dim and CD56bright NK subtypes showed lower CXCR3 and NKG2D expression in BC patients than healthy subjects. Furthermore, patients' CD56bright NK cells significantly showed higher expression levels of TGF-βRII and PD-1. Interestingly, increased concentration of MIC-A level in plasma of BC patients was associated with the higher TGF-βRII and PD-1 expression in all NK cells, while the plasma level of IFN-γ was associated with the lower TGF-βRII expression on CD56bright NK cells in these patients. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated phenotypically suppressed-NK cells, especially in the CD56bright subset of BC patients. It specifies their potential incompetence and outlines decrement of their anti-tumor activity, which could be interrelated with the tumor pathogenesis, TME immunosuppression, and so disease progression. The induction of compensatory mechanisms revives NK cells function and could be used in combination with the conventional treatments as a putative therapeutic approach for targeted immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaheh Arianfar
- Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | | | - Saeed Mohammadi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ali Memarian
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. .,Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
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12
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Investigating the Effects of Olaparib on the Susceptibility of Glioblastoma Multiforme Tumour Cells to Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Responses. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020360. [PMID: 36839682 PMCID: PMC9959685 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common adult primary brain malignancy, with dismal survival rates of ~14.6 months. The current standard-of-care consists of surgical resection and chemoradiotherapy, however the treatment response is limited by factors such as tumour heterogeneity, treatment resistance, the blood-brain barrier, and immunosuppression. Several immunotherapies have undergone clinical development for GBM but demonstrated inadequate efficacy, yet future combinatorial approaches are likely to hold more promise. Olaparib is FDA-approved for BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian and breast cancer, and clinical studies have revealed its utility as a safe and efficacious radio- and chemo-sensitiser in GBM. The ability of Olaparib to enhance natural killer (NK) cell-mediated responses has been reported in prostate, breast, and lung cancer. This study examined its potential combination with NK cell therapies in GBM by firstly investigating the susceptibility of the GBM cell line T98G to NK cells and, secondly, examining whether Olaparib can sensitise T98G cells to NK cell-mediated responses. Here, we characterise the NK receptor ligand profile of T98G cells and demonstrate that Olaparib does not dampen T98G susceptibility to NK cells or elicit immunomodulatory effects on the function of NK cells. This study provides novel insights into the potential combination of Olaparib with NK cell therapies for GBM.
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13
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Deng X, Terunuma H. Harnessing NK Cells to Control Metastasis. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122018. [PMID: 36560427 PMCID: PMC9781233 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, tumor immunotherapy has produced remarkable results in tumor treatment. Nevertheless, its effects are severely limited in patients with low or absent pre-existing T cell immunity. Accordingly, metastasis remains the major cause of tumor-associated death. On the other hand, natural killer (NK) cells have the unique ability to recognize and rapidly act against tumor cells and surveil tumor cell dissemination. The role of NK cells in metastasis prevention is undisputable as an increase in the number of these cells mostly leads to a favorable prognosis. Hence, it is reasonable to consider that successful metastasis involves evasion of NK-cell-mediated immunosurveillance. Therefore, harnessing NK cells to control metastasis is promising. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are the seeds for distant metastasis, and the number of CTCs detected in the blood of patients with tumor is associated with a worse prognosis, whereas NK cells can eliminate highly motile CTCs especially in the blood. Here, we review the role of NK cells during metastasis, particularly the specific interactions of NK cells with CTCs, which may provide essential clues on how to harness the power of NK cells against tumor metastasis. As a result, a new way to prevent or treat metastatic tumor may be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewen Deng
- Biotherapy Institute of Japan Inc., 2-4-8 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0051, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-5632-6080; Fax: +81-3-5632-6083
| | - Hiroshi Terunuma
- Biotherapy Institute of Japan Inc., 2-4-8 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0051, Japan
- N2 Clinic Yotsuya, 5F 2-6 Samon-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0017, Japan
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14
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Peipp M, Klausz K, Boje AS, Zeller T, Zielonka S, Kellner C. Immunotherapeutic targeting of activating natural killer cell receptors and their ligands in cancer. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 209:22-32. [PMID: 35325068 PMCID: PMC9307233 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells exert an important role in cancer immune surveillance. Recognition of malignant cells and controlled activation of effector functions are facilitated by the expression of activating and inhibitory receptors, which is a complex interplay that allows NK cells to discriminate malignant cells from healthy tissues. Due to their unique profile of effector functions, the recruitment of NK cells is attractive in cancer treatment and a key function of NK cells in antibody therapy is widely appreciated. In recent years, besides the low-affinity fragment crystallizable receptor for immunoglobulin G (FcγRIIIA), the activating natural killer receptors p30 (NKp30) and p46 (NKp46), as well as natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D), have gained increasing attention as potential targets for bispecific antibody-derivatives to redirect NK cell cytotoxicity against tumors. Beyond modulation of the receptor activity on NK cells, therapeutic targeting of the respective ligands represents an attractive approach. Here, novel therapeutic approaches to unleash NK cells by engagement of activating NK-cell receptors and alternative strategies targeting their tumor-expressed ligands in cancer therapy are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Peipp
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, Christian Albrechts University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Katja Klausz
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, Christian Albrechts University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ammelie Svea Boje
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, Christian Albrechts University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tobias Zeller
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christian Kellner
- Correspondence: Christian Kellner, Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
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15
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Oliviero B, Varchetta S, Mele D, Pessino G, Maiello R, Falleni M, Tosi D, Donadon M, Soldani C, Franceschini B, Torzilli G, Piccolo G, Barabino M, Opocher E, Maestri M, Bernuzzi S, Wucherpfennig KW, Mondelli MU, Mantovani S. MICA/B-targeted antibody promotes NK cell-driven tumor immunity in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2035919. [PMID: 35223192 PMCID: PMC8865231 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2035919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex-class I chain related proteins A and B (MICA/B) is upregulated because of cellular stress and MICA/B shedding by cancer cells causes escape from NKG2D recognition favoring the emergence of cancers. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a relatively rare, though increasingly prevalent, primary liver cancer characterized by a late clinical presentation and a dismal prognosis. We explored the NKG2D-MICA/B axis in NK cells from 41 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). The MICA/B-specific 7C6 mAb was used for ex vivo antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) experiments using circulating, non tumor liver- and tumor-infiltrating NK cells against the HuCCT-1 cell line and patient-derived primary iCCA cells as targets. MICA/B were more expressed in iCCA than in non-tumoral tissue, MICA transcription being higher in moderately-differentiated compared with poorly-differentiated cancer. Serum MICA was elevated in iCCA patients in line with higher expression of ADAM10 and ADAM17 that are responsible for proteolytic release of MICA/B from tumor. Addition of 7C6 significantly boosted peripheral, liver- and tumor-infiltrating-NK cell degranulation and IFNγ production toward MICA/B-expressing established cell lines and autologous iCCA patient target cells. Our data show that anti-MICA/B drives NK cell anti-tumor activity, and provide preclinical evidence in support of 7C6 as a potential immunotherapeutic tool for iCCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Oliviero
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefania Varchetta
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Dalila Mele
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Greta Pessino
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberta Maiello
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Monica Falleni
- Department of Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, State University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Delfina Tosi
- Department of Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, State University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Donadon
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Cristiana Soldani
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Barbara Franceschini
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Guido Torzilli
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Gaetano Piccolo
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, and State University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Barabino
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, and State University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Opocher
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, and State University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marcello Maestri
- Division of General Surgery 1, Department of Surgery, Fondazione Irccs Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano Bernuzzi
- Immunohematology and Transfusion Service, Department of Diagnostic Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Kai W. Wucherpfennig
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mario U. Mondelli
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy,Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy,CONTACT Mario U. Mondelli UOC Immunologia Clinica – Malattie Infettive, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Golgi 19, Pavia27100, Italy
| | - Stefania Mantovani
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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16
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Abdel-Latif M, Riad A, Soliman RA, Elkhouly AM, Nafae H, Gad MZ, Motaal AA, Youness RA. MALAT-1/p53/miR-155/miR-146a ceRNA circuit tuned by methoxylated quercitin glycoside alters immunogenic and oncogenic profiles of breast cancer. Mol Cell Biochem 2022; 477:1281-1293. [PMID: 35129780 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04378-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive and hot BC subtypes. Our research group has recently shed the light on the utility of natural compounds as effective immunotherapeutic agents. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of a methoxylated quercetin glycoside (MQG) isolated from Cleome droserifolia in harnessing TNBC progression and tuning the tumor microenvironment and natural killer cells cytotoxicity. Results showed that MQG showed the highest potency (IC50 = 12 µM) in repressing cellular proliferation, colony-forming ability, migration, and invasion capacities. Mechanistically, MQG was found to modulate a circuit of competing endogenous RNAs where it was found to reduce the oncogenic MALAT-1 lncRNA and induce TP53 and its downstream miRNAs; miR-155 and miR-146a. Accordingly, this leads to alteration in several downstream signaling pathways such as nitric oxide synthesizing machinery, natural killer cells' cytotoxicity through inducing the expression of its activating ligands such as MICA/B, ULBP2, CD155, and ICAM-1 and trimming of the immune-suppressive cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-10. In conclusion, this study shows that MQG act as a compelling anti-cancer agent repressing TNBC hallmarks, activating immune cell recognition, and alleviating the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment experienced by TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Abdel-Latif
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biotechnology Program, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.,Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Riad
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biotechnology Program, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.,Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Raghda A Soliman
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aisha M Elkhouly
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Heba Nafae
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Z Gad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amira Abdel Motaal
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rana A Youness
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt. .,Department of Biology and Biochemistry, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative Capital, Cairo, 11578, Egypt.
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17
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Dhar P, Basher F, Ji Z, Huang L, Qin S, Wainwright DA, Robinson J, Hagler S, Zhou J, MacKay S, Wu JD. Tumor-derived NKG2D ligand sMIC reprograms NK cells to an inflammatory phenotype through CBM signalosome activation. Commun Biol 2021; 4:905. [PMID: 34294876 PMCID: PMC8298432 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02440-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cell dysfunction is associated with poorer clinical outcome in cancer patients. What regulates NK cell dysfunction in tumor microenvironment is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that the human tumor-derived NKG2D ligand soluble MIC (sMIC) reprograms NK cell to secrete pro-tumorigenic cytokines with diminished cytotoxicity and polyfunctional potential. Antibody clearing sMIC restores NK cell to a normal cytotoxic effector functional state. We discovered that sMIC selectively activates the CBM-signalosome inflammatory pathways in NK cells. Conversely, tumor cell membrane-bound MIC (mMIC) stimulates NK cell cytotoxicity through activating PLC2γ2/SLP-76/Vav1 pathway. Ultimately, antibody targeting sMIC effectuated the in vivo anti-tumor effect of adoptively transferred NK cells. Our findings uncover an unrecognized mechanism that could instruct NK cell to a dysfunctional state in response to cues in the tumor microenvironment. Our findings provide a rationale for co-targeting sMIC to enhance the efficacy of the ongoing NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payal Dhar
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Fahmin Basher
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Zhe Ji
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lei Huang
- Center for Research Informatics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Si Qin
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Derek A Wainwright
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Jing Zhou
- Isoplexis Corporation, Branford, CT, USA
| | | | - Jennifer D Wu
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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18
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Cadoux M, Caruso S, Pham S, Gougelet A, Pophillat C, Riou R, Loesch R, Colnot S, Nguyen CT, Calderaro J, Celton-Morizur S, Guerra N, Zucman-Rossi J, Desdouets C, Couty JP. Expression of NKG2D ligands is downregulated by β-catenin signalling and associates with HCC aggressiveness. J Hepatol 2021; 74:1386-1397. [PMID: 33484773 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The NKG2D system is a potent immunosurveillance mechanism in cancer, wherein the activating NK cell receptor (NKG2D) on immune cells recognises its cognate ligands on tumour cells. Herein, we evaluated the expression of NKG2D ligands in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in both humans and mice, taking the genomic features of HCC tumours into account. METHODS The expression of NKG2D ligands (MICA, MICB, ULBP1 and ULBP2) was analysed in large human HCC datasets by Fluidigm TaqMan and RNA-seq methods, and in 2 mouse models (mRNA and protein levels) reproducing the features of both major groups of human tumours. RESULTS We provide compelling evidence that expression of the MICA and MICB ligands in human HCC is associated with tumour aggressiveness and poor patient outcome. We also found that the expression of ULBP1 and ULBP2 was associated with poor patient outcome, and was downregulated in CTNNB1-mutated HCCs displaying low levels of inflammation and associated with a better prognosis. We also found an inverse correlation between ULBP1/2 expression levels and the expression of β-catenin target genes in patients with HCC, suggesting a role for β-catenin signalling in inhibiting expression. We showed in HCC mouse models that β-catenin signalling downregulated the expression of Rae-1 NKG2D ligands, orthologs of ULBPs, through TCF4 binding. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that the expression of NKG2D ligands is associated with aggressive liver tumorigenesis and that the downregulation of these ligands by β-catenin signalling may account for the less aggressive phenotype of CTNNB1-mutated HCC tumours. LAY SUMMARY The NKG2D system is a potent immunosurveillance mechanism in cancer. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma development has not been widely investigated. Herein, we should that the expression of NKG2D ligands by tumour cells is associated with a more aggressive tumour subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Cadoux
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Proliferation Stress and Liver Physiopathology, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Stefano Caruso
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Functional genomics of solid tumors Team, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Pham
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Proliferation Stress and Liver Physiopathology, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Angélique Gougelet
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Oncogenic functions of β-catenin signalling in the liver team F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Céline Pophillat
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Proliferation Stress and Liver Physiopathology, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Rozenn Riou
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Oncogenic functions of β-catenin signalling in the liver team F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Robin Loesch
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Oncogenic functions of β-catenin signalling in the liver team F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Sabine Colnot
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Oncogenic functions of β-catenin signalling in the liver team F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Công Trung Nguyen
- Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, INSERM U955, Créteil, France
| | - Julien Calderaro
- Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, INSERM U955, Créteil, France
| | - Séverine Celton-Morizur
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Proliferation Stress and Liver Physiopathology, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Nadia Guerra
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Functional genomics of solid tumors Team, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Paris, France
| | - Chantal Desdouets
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Proliferation Stress and Liver Physiopathology, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Couty
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Proliferation Stress and Liver Physiopathology, F-75006 Paris, France.
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19
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Werner LR, Gibson KA, Goodman ML, Helm DE, Walter KR, Holloran SM, Trinca GM, Hastings RC, Yang HH, Hu Y, Wei J, Lei G, Yang XY, Madan R, Molinolo AA, Markiewicz MA, Chalise P, Axelrod ML, Balko JM, Hunter KW, Hartman ZC, Lange CA, Hagan CR. Progesterone promotes immunomodulation and tumor development in the murine mammary gland. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e001710. [PMID: 33958486 PMCID: PMC8103939 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical studies have linked usage of progestins (synthetic progesterone [P4]) to breast cancer risk. However, little is understood regarding the role of native P4, signaling through the progesterone receptor (PR), in breast tumor formation. Recently, we reported a link between PR and immune signaling pathways, showing that P4/PR can repress type I interferon signaling pathways. Given these findings, we sought to investigate whether P4/PR drive immunomodulation in the mammary gland and promote tumor formation. METHODS To determine the effect of P4 on immune cell populations in the murine mammary gland, mice were treated with P4 or placebo pellets for 21 days. Immune cell populations in the mammary gland, spleen, and inguinal lymph nodes were subsequently analyzed by flow cytometry. To assess the effect of PR overexpression on mammary gland tumor development as well as immune cell populations in the mammary gland, a transgenic mouse model was used in which PR was overexpressed throughout the entire mouse. Immune cell populations were assessed in the mammary glands, spleens, and inguinal lymph nodes of 6-month-old transgenic and control mice by flow cytometry. Transgenic mice were also monitored for mammary gland tumor development over a 2-year time span. Following development of mammary gland tumors, immune cell populations in the tumors and spleens of transgenic and control mice were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS We found that mice treated with P4 exhibited changes in the mammary gland indicative of an inhibited immune response compared with placebo-treated mice. Furthermore, transgenic mice with PR overexpression demonstrated decreased numbers of immune cell populations in their mammary glands, lymph nodes, and spleens. On long-term monitoring, we determined that multiparous PR-overexpressing mice developed significantly more mammary gland tumors than control mice. Additionally, tumors from PR-overexpressing mice contained fewer infiltrating immune cells. Finally, RNA sequencing analysis of tumor samples revealed that immune-related gene signatures were lower in tumors from PR-overexpressing mice as compared with control mice. CONCLUSION Together, these findings offer a novel mechanism of P4-driven mammary gland tumor development and provide rationale in investigating the usage of antiprogestin therapies to promote immune-mediated elimination of mammary gland tumors.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptive Immunity/drug effects
- Animals
- Breast Neoplasms/chemically induced
- Breast Neoplasms/immunology
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/chemically induced
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology
- Drug Implants
- Female
- Galectin 4/genetics
- Galectin 4/metabolism
- Immunity, Innate/drug effects
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/drug effects
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Mammary Glands, Animal/drug effects
- Mammary Glands, Animal/immunology
- Mammary Glands, Animal/metabolism
- Mammary Glands, Animal/pathology
- Mice, Transgenic
- Ovariectomy
- Progesterone/administration & dosage
- Receptors, Progesterone/agonists
- Receptors, Progesterone/genetics
- Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Time Factors
- Tumor Burden/drug effects
- Tumor Escape/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauryn R Werner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Katelin A Gibson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Merit L Goodman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Dominika E Helm
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Katherine R Walter
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Sean M Holloran
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Gloria M Trinca
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Richard C Hastings
- Flow Cytometry Core Laboratory, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Howard H Yang
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ying Hu
- Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Junping Wei
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gangjun Lei
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xiao-Yi Yang
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rashna Madan
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Alfredo A Molinolo
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Mary A Markiewicz
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Prabhakar Chalise
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Margaret L Axelrod
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Justin M Balko
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Pathology Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kent W Hunter
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Carol A Lange
- Department of Medicine (Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation), University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Christy R Hagan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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20
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Ruan GT, Wang S, Zhu LC, Liao XW, Wang XK, Liao C, Yan L, Xie HL, Gong YZ, Gan JL, Gao F. Investigation and verification of the clinical significance and perspective of natural killer group 2 member D ligands in colon adenocarcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:12565-12586. [PMID: 33909599 PMCID: PMC8148460 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated and verified the diagnostic and prognostic values of natural killer group 2 member D ligand (NKG2DL) genes in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). We downloaded NKG2DLs expression data and corresponding clinical parameters from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and used bioinformatics techniques to investigate the values of NKG2DLs in COAD. Then, we used the GSE40967 cohort to verify the prognostic value of NKG2DLs. Finally, we verified the ULBP2 expression level in tissues, and also investigated the diagnostic and prognostic values of ULBP2 in COAD. The diagnostic receiver operating characteristic curves showed that ULBP1, ULBP2, ULBP3, and RAET1L had high diagnostic values in COAD [Area Under Curve (AUC) > 0.9]. In TCGA cohort, the univariate and multivariate survival analyses suggested that ULBP2 was correlated with the prognosis of COAD recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). In GSE40967 cohort, ULBP2 was associated with CC RFS and OS. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry results showed that ULBP2 was highly expressed in COAD tumor tissues (P < 0.05) and both had diagnostic values (AUC > 0.7). Validated survival analysis showed that the high expression of ULBP2 had a worse prognosis in COAD OS and RFS. Thus, ULBP2 might be an independent diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of COAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Tian Ruan
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Chen Zhu
- Department of Immunology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi-Wen Liao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Kun Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Cun Liao
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Yan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Lun Xie
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi-Zhen Gong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Liang Gan
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
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21
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Ivanova M, Al Hadra B, Yordanov S, Lesichkova S, Stoyanov H, Shivarov V, Deliverska E. Associations of high-resolution-typing-defined MICA and MICB polymorphisms, and the levels of soluble MICA and MICB with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Bulgarian patients. J Oral Pathol Med 2021; 50:758-765. [PMID: 33835601 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is a malignancy characterized by an aggressive tumor growth and significant mortality. Clarifying mechanisms responsible for immunomodulation are among the main challenges for the development of personalized approaches for the management of patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relevance of MICA and MICB to Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma pathogenesis focusing on allele polymorphisms and the levels of soluble MICA and MICB molecules. MATERIALS AND METHODS 73 patients diagnosed with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and 149 healthy controls from the Bulgarian population were included in the study. MICA and MICB polymorphism was analyzed at high-resolution level using Next-Generation Sequencing. Serum levels of soluble MICA and MICB molecules were measured by ELISA. RESULTS Our results show significant protective association with MICB*002:01, while relatively rare alleles MICB*018, *019, and *020 were observed with statistically significant increased frequency in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma patients compared to controls. Additionally, a predisposing association was observed for MICA*008:01-MICB*019 haplotype. A correlation analysis between functionally relevant MICA polymorphisms and sMICA showed that homozygosity for MICA-A5.1 or 129Val in OSCC patients was associated with significantly higher serum levels of sMICA. CONCLUSION This is the first study showing significant associations between MICB alleles and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and suggesting the possible role of MICB in immunosurveillance in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma development. Observed correlations between the levels of soluble MICA molecules and functionally relevant polymorphisms might represent a further step toward a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and developing strategies for therapeutic targeting harnessing effective immunosurveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Ivanova
- Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Alexandrovska, Medical University - Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Bushra Al Hadra
- Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Alexandrovska, Medical University - Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Stanislav Yordanov
- Clinic of ENT diseases, University Hospital Tzaritsa Yoanna -ISUL, Medical University -Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Spaska Lesichkova
- Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Alexandrovska, Medical University - Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Hristo Stoyanov
- Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, FDM, Medical University- Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Velizar Shivarov
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Elitsa Deliverska
- Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, FDM, Medical University- Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
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22
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Hu J, Xia X, Zhao Q, Li S. Lysine acetylation of NKG2D ligand Rae-1 stabilizes the protein and sensitizes tumor cells to NKG2D immune surveillance. Cancer Lett 2021; 502:143-153. [PMID: 33279621 PMCID: PMC10142196 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Shedding, loss of expression, or internalization of natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) ligands from the tumor cell surface leads to immune evasion, which is associated with poor prognosis in patients with cancer. In many cancers, matrix metalloproteinases cause the proteolytic shedding of NKG2D ligands. However, it remained unclear how to protect NKG2D ligands from shedding. Here, we showed that the shedding of the mouse NKG2D ligand Rae-1 can be prevented by two critical acetyltransferases, GCN5 and PCAF, which acetylate the lysine residues of Rae-1 to avoid shedding both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, mutations at lysines 80 and 87 of Rae-1 abrogated this acetylation and thereby desensitized tumor cells to NKG2D-dependent immune surveillance. Notably, the protein levels of GCN5 correlated with the expression levels of the human NKG2D ligand ULPB1 in a human tumor tissue microarray and, more importantly, with prolonged overall survival in many cancers. Our results suggest that the acetylation of Rae-1 protein at lysines 80 and 87 by GCN5 and PCAF protects Rae-1 from shedding so as to activate NKG2D-dependent immune surveillance. This discovery may shed light on new targets for NKG2D immunotherapy in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiemiao Hu
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 853, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xueqing Xia
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 853, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Qingnan Zhao
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 853, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Shulin Li
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 853, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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23
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Terkelsen T, Pernemalm M, Gromov P, Børresen-Dale AL, Krogh A, Haakensen VD, Lethiö J, Papaleo E, Gromova I. High-throughput proteomics of breast cancer interstitial fluid: identification of tumor subtype-specific serologically relevant biomarkers. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:429-461. [PMID: 33176066 PMCID: PMC7858121 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advancements in breast cancer (BC) research, clinicians lack robust serological protein markers for accurate diagnostics and tumor stratification. Tumor interstitial fluid (TIF) accumulates aberrantly externalized proteins within the local tumor space, which can potentially gain access to the circulatory system. As such, TIF may represent a valuable starting point for identifying relevant tumor-specific serological biomarkers. The aim of the study was to perform comprehensive proteomic profiling of TIF to identify proteins associated with BC tumor status and subtype. A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of 35 TIFs of three main subtypes: luminal (19), Her2 (4), and triple-negative (TNBC) (12) resulted in the identification of > 8800 proteins. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering segregated the TIF proteome into two major clusters, luminal and TNBC/Her2 subgroups. High-grade tumors enriched with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were also stratified from low-grade tumors. A consensus analysis approach, including differential abundance analysis, selection operator regression, and random forest returned a minimal set of 24 proteins associated with BC subtypes, receptor status, and TIL scoring. Among them, a panel of 10 proteins, AGR3, BCAM, CELSR1, MIEN1, NAT1, PIP4K2B, SEC23B, THTPA, TMEM51, and ULBP2, was found to stratify the tumor subtype-specific TIFs. In particular, upregulation of BCAM and CELSR1 differentiates luminal subtypes, while upregulation of MIEN1 differentiates Her2 subtypes. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed a direct correlation between protein abundance in TIFs and intratumor expression levels for all 10 proteins. Sensitivity and specificity were estimated for this protein panel by using an independent, comprehensive breast tumor proteome dataset. The results of this analysis strongly support our data, with eight of the proteins potentially representing biomarkers for stratification of BC subtypes. Five of the most representative proteomics databases currently available were also used to estimate the potential for these selected proteins to serve as putative serological markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thilde Terkelsen
- Computational Biology Laboratory, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Pernemalm
- Cancer Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pavel Gromov
- Breast Cancer Biology Group, Genome Integrity Unit, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna-Lise Børresen-Dale
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Anders Krogh
- Department of Computer Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vilde D Haakensen
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Janne Lethiö
- Cancer Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elena Papaleo
- Computational Biology Laboratory, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Translational Disease System Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Irina Gromova
- Breast Cancer Biology Group, Genome Integrity Unit, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
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24
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Baugh R, Khalique H, Seymour LW. Convergent Evolution by Cancer and Viruses in Evading the NKG2D Immune Response. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3827. [PMID: 33352921 PMCID: PMC7766243 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) receptor and its family of NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are key components in the innate immune system, triggering NK, γδ and CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses. While surface NKG2DL are rarely found on healthy cells, expression is significantly increased in response to various types of cellular stress, viral infection, and tumour cell transformation. In order to evade immune-mediated cytotoxicity, both pathogenic viruses and cancer cells have evolved various mechanisms of subverting immune defences and preventing NKG2DL expression. Comparisons of the mechanisms employed following virus infection or malignant transformation reveal a pattern of converging evolution at many of the key regulatory steps involved in NKG2DL expression and subsequent immune responses. Exploring ways to target these shared steps in virus- and cancer-mediated immune evasion may provide new mechanistic insights and therapeutic opportunities, for example, using oncolytic virotherapy to re-engage the innate immune system towards cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leonard W. Seymour
- Anticancer Viruses and Cancer Vaccines Research Group, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK; (R.B.); (H.K.)
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25
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Lu YC, Kuo MC, Hong JH, Jaw FS, Huang CY, Cheng JCH, Kung HN. Lower postoperative natural killer cell activity is associated with positive surgical margins after radical prostatectomy. J Formos Med Assoc 2020; 119:1673-1683. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2019.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
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26
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Shihab I, Khalil BA, Elemam NM, Hachim IY, Hachim MY, Hamoudi RA, Maghazachi AA. Understanding the Role of Innate Immune Cells and Identifying Genes in Breast Cancer Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082226. [PMID: 32784928 PMCID: PMC7464944 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The innate immune system is the first line of defense against invading pathogens and has a major role in clearing transformed cells, besides its essential role in activating the adaptive immune system. Macrophages, dendritic cells, NK cells, and granulocytes are part of the innate immune system that accumulate in the tumor microenvironment such as breast cancer. These cells induce inflammation in situ by secreting cytokines and chemokines that promote tumor growth and progression, in addition to orchestrating the activities of other immune cells. In breast cancer microenvironment, innate immune cells are skewed towards immunosuppression that may lead to tumor evasion. However, the mechanisms by which immune cells could interact with breast cancer cells are complex and not fully understood. Therefore, the importance of the mammary tumor microenvironment in the development, growth, and progression of cancer is widely recognized. With the advances of using bioinformatics and analyzing data from gene banks, several genes involved in NK cells of breast cancer individuals have been identified. In this review, we discuss the activities of certain genes involved in the cross-talk among NK cells and breast cancer. Consequently, altering tumor immune microenvironment can make breast tumors more responsive to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israa Shihab
- Department of Clinical Sciences and the Immuno-Oncology Group, Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE; (I.S.); (B.A.K.); (N.M.E.); (I.Y.H.); (R.A.H.)
| | - Bariaa A. Khalil
- Department of Clinical Sciences and the Immuno-Oncology Group, Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE; (I.S.); (B.A.K.); (N.M.E.); (I.Y.H.); (R.A.H.)
| | - Noha Mousaad Elemam
- Department of Clinical Sciences and the Immuno-Oncology Group, Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE; (I.S.); (B.A.K.); (N.M.E.); (I.Y.H.); (R.A.H.)
| | - Ibrahim Y. Hachim
- Department of Clinical Sciences and the Immuno-Oncology Group, Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE; (I.S.); (B.A.K.); (N.M.E.); (I.Y.H.); (R.A.H.)
| | - Mahmood Yaseen Hachim
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai 505055, UAE;
| | - Rifat A. Hamoudi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and the Immuno-Oncology Group, Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE; (I.S.); (B.A.K.); (N.M.E.); (I.Y.H.); (R.A.H.)
| | - Azzam A. Maghazachi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and the Immuno-Oncology Group, Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE; (I.S.); (B.A.K.); (N.M.E.); (I.Y.H.); (R.A.H.)
- Correspondence:
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Abdel-Latif M, Youness RA. Why natural killer cells in triple negative breast cancer? World J Clin Oncol 2020; 11:464-476. [PMID: 32821652 PMCID: PMC7407924 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v11.i7.464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The triple-negative subtype of breast cancer (TNBC) has the bleakest prognosis, owing to its lack of either hormone receptor as well as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Henceforth, immunotherapy has emerged as the front-runner for TNBC treatment, which avoids potentially damaging chemotherapeutics. However, despite its documented association with aggressive side effects and developed resistance, immune checkpoint blockade continues to dominate the TNBC immunotherapy scene. These immune checkpoint blockade drawbacks necessitate the exploration of other immunotherapeutic methods that would expand options for TNBC patients. One such method is the exploitation and recruitment of natural killer cells, which by harnessing the innate rather than adaptive immune system could potentially circumvent the downsides of immune checkpoint blockade. In this review, the authors will elucidate the advantageousness of natural killer cell-based immuno-oncology in TNBC as well as demonstrate the need to more extensively research such therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Abdel-Latif
- Biotechnology Program, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Rana Ahmed Youness
- Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
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28
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Abstract
Engagement of activating receptor NKG2D to its ligand mediates natural killer (NK) cell activation and enhances cytotoxicity. NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are frequently expressed on the tumor cell surface. However, the expression patterns of different NKG2DLs vary between tumor cells. Downregulation of certain ligand enables the tumor cells to escape NK cell-mediated immunosurveillance. By generating tumor cell lines with high expression of NKG2D ligand MULT1, we aimed to explore the function of NKG2DLs diversity on the activation and regulation of NKG2D signaling pathway. NK cells were potently activated by the "acquired" MULT1 expression on MOVCAR 5009 cells. Further, the progression of the tumor was significantly inhibited in mice inoculated with MULT1-expressing MOVCAR 5009 cells. Also, the pulmonary metastasis of MULT1-expressing B16-F0 cells was also significantly reduced in vivo. Our results implied that "acquired" NKG2D ligands enhance antitumor responses of NK cells, providing insights for designing novel therapeutic strategies and drugs to enhance NK cell surveillance over malignances.
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Basher F, Dhar P, Wang X, Wainwright DA, Zhang B, Sosman J, Ji Z, Wu JD. Antibody targeting tumor-derived soluble NKG2D ligand sMIC reprograms NK cell homeostatic survival and function and enhances melanoma response to PDL1 blockade therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:74. [PMID: 32517713 PMCID: PMC7285527 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00896-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma patients who have detectable serum soluble NKG2D ligands either at the baseline or post-treatment of PD1/PDL1 blockade exhibit poor overall survival. Among families of soluble human NKG2D ligands, the soluble human MHC I chain-related molecule (sMIC) was found to be elevated in melanoma patients and mostly associated with poor response to PD1/PDL1 blockade therapy. METHODS In this study, we aim to investigate whether co-targeting tumor-released sMIC enhances the therapeutic outcome of PD1/PDL1 blockade therapy for melanoma. We implanted sMIC-expressing B16F10 melanoma tumors into syngeneic host and evaluated therapeutic efficacy of anti-sMIC antibody and anti-PDL1 antibody combination therapy in comparison with monotherapy. We analyzed associated effector mechanism. We also assessed sMIC/MIC prevalence in metastatic human melanoma tumors. RESULTS We found that the combination therapy of the anti-PDL1 antibody with an antibody targeting sMIC significantly improved animal survival as compared to monotherapies and that the effect of combination therapy depends significantly on NK cells. We show that combination therapy significantly increased IL-2Rα (CD25) on NK cells which sensitizes NK cells to low dose IL-2 for survival. We demonstrate that sMIC negatively reprograms gene expression related to NK cell homeostatic survival and proliferation and that antibody clearing sMIC reverses the effect of sMIC and reprograms NK cell for survival. We further show that sMIC/MIC is abundantly present in metastatic human melanoma tumors. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide a pre-clinical proof-of-concept and a new mechanistic understanding to underscore the significance of antibody targeting sMIC to improve therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD1/PDL1 antibody for MIC/sMIC+ metastatic melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahmin Basher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Current address: Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Payal Dhar
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.,Driskill Graduate Program in Life Science, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Derek A Wainwright
- Driskill Graduate Program in Life Science, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jeffrey Sosman
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Zhe Ji
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60628, USA
| | - Jennifer D Wu
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. .,Driskill Graduate Program in Life Science, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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30
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Wang J, Matosevic S. Functional and metabolic targeting of natural killer cells to solid tumors. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2020; 43:577-600. [DOI: 10.1007/s13402-020-00523-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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31
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Breast cancer vaccines: Heeding the lessons of the past to guide a path forward. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 84:101947. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2019.101947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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32
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Owen KL, Brockwell NK, Parker BS. JAK-STAT Signaling: A Double-Edged Sword of Immune Regulation and Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E2002. [PMID: 31842362 PMCID: PMC6966445 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11122002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 336] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling mediates almost all immune regulatory processes, including those that are involved in tumor cell recognition and tumor-driven immune escape. Antitumor immune responses are largely driven by STAT1 and STAT2 induction of type I and II interferons (IFNs) and the downstream programs IFNs potentiate. Conversely, STAT3 has been widely linked to cancer cell survival, immunosuppression, and sustained inflammation in the tumor microenvironment. The discovery of JAK-STAT cross-regulatory mechanisms, post-translational control, and non-canonical signal transduction has added a new level of complexity to JAK-STAT governance over tumor initiation and progression. Endeavors to better understand the vast effects of JAK-STAT signaling on antitumor immunity have unearthed a wide range of targets, including oncogenes, miRNAs, and other co-regulatory factors, which direct specific phenotypical outcomes subsequent to JAK-STAT stimulation. Yet, the rapidly expanding field of therapeutic developments aimed to resolve JAK-STAT aberrations commonly reported in a multitude of cancers has been marred by off-target effects. Here, we discuss JAK-STAT biology in the context of immunity and cancer, the consequences of pathway perturbations and current therapeutic interventions, to provide insight and consideration for future targeting innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L. Owen
- Cancer Immunology and Therapeutics Programs, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC, Melbourne 3000, Australia;
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, VIC, Parkville 3052, Australia
| | - Natasha K. Brockwell
- Cancer Immunology and Therapeutics Programs, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC, Melbourne 3000, Australia;
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, VIC, Parkville 3052, Australia
| | - Belinda S. Parker
- Cancer Immunology and Therapeutics Programs, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC, Melbourne 3000, Australia;
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, VIC, Parkville 3052, Australia
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33
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Clinicopathological relevance of tumor expression of NK group 2 member D ligands in resected non-small cell lung cancer. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6805-6815. [PMID: 31827723 PMCID: PMC6887580 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
UL16-binding protein (ULBP) 1-6 and MHC class I chain-related molecule A and B (MICA/B) are NK group 2, member D (NKG2D) ligands, which are specifically expressed in infected or transformed cells and are recognized by NK cells via NKG2D-NKG2D ligand interactions. We previously reported that MICA/B overexpression predicted improved clinical outcomes in patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the clinicopathological features and prognostic significance of ULBPs in NSCLC remain unclear. Here,ULBP1-6 expression was evaluated based on immunohistochemistry of 91 NSCLC samples from patients following radical surgery. ULBPs were expressed by the majority of NSCLC. Either ULBP1 or ULBP2/5/6 overexpression was associated with squamous-cell carcinoma histology, whereas ULBP4 overexpression was associated with younger age and adenocarcinoma histology. Although overexpression of ULBP1-6 did not impact clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients, integrative profiling with cluster analysis classified patients into 3 subgroups based on the expression pattern of NKG2D ligands. The subgroup characterized by ULBP1 or ULBP2/5/6 high expressing but ULBP4 low expressing tumors showed poor overall survival. Taken together with previous results, NSCLC histological subtype strongly correlates with NKG2D ligands expression pattern. NKG2D ligands expression levels assessed by multiple immune parameters could predict clinical outcomes of patients with NSCLC.
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34
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Lim KS, Mimura K, Kua LF, Shiraishi K, Kono K. Implication of Highly Cytotoxic Natural Killer Cells for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treatment. J Immunother 2019; 41:261-273. [PMID: 29683892 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive upper gastrointestinal cancer and effective treatments are limited. Previous studies reported that natural killer (NK) cells expanded by coculturing with K562-mb15-41BBL feeder cells, a genetically modified K562 leukemia cell line that expresses membrane-bound interleukin (IL)-15 and 41BBL ligand, were highly proliferative and highly cytotoxic. Here, we investigated the potential of expanded NK cells for ESCC treatment. We analyzed both genetic and surface expression levels of NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) in ESCC using publicly available microarray data sets and ESCC cell lines. The cytotoxicity of resting and of IL-2-activated NK cells against ESCC cell lines was compared with that of expanded NK cells. We then also investigated the effect of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) inducers, GSK3β inhibitor and epidermal growth factor, on NKG2DLs expressions. As a result, MICA and MICB were significantly overexpressed in ESCC compared with adjacent normal tissues and surface NKG2DLs were expressed in ESCC cell lines. Expanded NK cells were much potent than IL-2-activated and resting NK cells against ESCC cell lines. Blocking of NKG2D with anti-NKG2D monoclonal antibody dampened expanded NK cell cytotoxicity, suggesting that the NKG2DLs-NKG2D interaction is crucial for NK cells to eliminate ESCC cells. EMT inducers concurrently induced EMT and NKG2DLs expression in ESCC cell lines rendering transitioned cells more sensitive to expanded NK cells. In conclusion, expanded NK cells were highly cytotoxic against NKG2DLs-expressing ESCC cells, particularly the EMT phenotype. These results provide a strong rationale for clinical use of these NK cells in ESCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kosaku Mimura
- Departments of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery.,Advanced Cancer Immunotherapy.,Progressive DOHaD Research
| | - Ley-Fang Kua
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kensuke Shiraishi
- Department of Surgery, Fujikawa Hospital, Kyonan Medical Center, Kajikazawa Fujikawa-cho, Minamikoman-gun, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Koji Kono
- Departments of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery.,Advanced Cancer Immunotherapy.,Organ Regulatory Surgery, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima City, Fukushima
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35
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Chrétien S, Zerdes I, Bergh J, Matikas A, Foukakis T. Beyond PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibition: What the Future Holds for Breast Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E628. [PMID: 31060337 PMCID: PMC6562626 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has altered the management of human malignancies, improving outcomes in an expanding list of diseases. Breast cancer - presumably due to its perceived low immunogenicity - is a late addition to this list. Furthermore, most of the focus has been on the triple negative subtype because of its higher tumor mutational load and lymphocyte-enriched stroma, although emerging data show promise on the other breast cancer subtypes as well. To this point the clinical use of immunotherapy is limited to the inhibition of two immune checkpoints, Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1) and Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4). Consistent with the complexity of the regulation of the tumor - host interactions and their lack of reliance on a single regulatory pathway, combinatory approaches have shown improved efficacy albeit at the cost of increased toxicity. Beyond those two checkpoints though, a large number of co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory molecules play major roles on tumor evasion from immunosurveillance. These molecules likely represent future targets of immunotherapy provided that the promise shown in early data is translated into improved patient survival in randomized trials. The biological role, prognostic and predictive implications regarding breast cancer and early clinical efforts on exploiting these immune-related therapeutic targets are herein reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Chrétien
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Ioannis Zerdes
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Jonas Bergh
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Alexios Matikas
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Theodoros Foukakis
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
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36
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Meckawy GR, Mohamed AM, Zaki WK, Khattab MA, Amin MM, ElDeeb MA, El-Najjar MR, Safwat NA. Natural killer NKG2A and NKG2D in patients with colorectal cancer. J Gastrointest Oncol 2019; 10:218-225. [PMID: 31032088 DOI: 10.21037/jgo.2018.12.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Natural-killer group 2 (NKG2), a characteristic receptor of natural killer (NK) cell family, assumes a vital role in modulating NK cytotoxic function. We aimed to detect mRNA expression of both NKG2A and NKG2D in serum NK cells obtained from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Methods We enrolled 36 patients with newly diagnosed CRC, as well as 15 group matched healthy individuals. The patients were further classified into: 23 non-metastatic CRC (group 1) and 13 metastatic CRC (group 2). We detected the expression of NKG2A and NKG2D serum levels for all participants utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results NKG2D and NKG2A mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were significantly elevated in patients with CRC compared to controls (P<0.01). NKG2D or NKG2A showed sensitivity (77.8, 83.33%) and specificity (73.33, 100%) respectively using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for discrimination between patients and controls, whereas group 1 and group 2 showed no statistical significant difference in NKG2D and NKG2A levels (P>0.05). Conclusions Our work is one of the first research that could detect an increase in NKG2D in CRC. In spite of their defensive role in tumor immune surveillance, NKG2D and NKG2A and their ligands could have misused as tumor survival tool, empowering immune avoidance and suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghada R Meckawy
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Mohamed
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wafaa K Zaki
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mona A Khattab
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mariam M Amin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mai A ElDeeb
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa R El-Najjar
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nesma A Safwat
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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37
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Segovia-Mendoza M, Morales-Montor J. Immune Tumor Microenvironment in Breast Cancer and the Participation of Estrogen and Its Receptors in Cancer Physiopathology. Front Immunol 2019; 10:348. [PMID: 30881360 PMCID: PMC6407672 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is characterized by cellular and molecular heterogeneity. Several molecular events are involved in controlling malignant cell process. In this sense, the importance of studying multiple cell alterations in this pathology is overriding. A well-identified fact on immune response is that it can vary depend on sex. Steroid hormones and their receptors may regulate different functions and the responses of several subpopulations of the immune system. Few reports are focused on the function of estrogen receptors (ERs) on immune cells and their roles in different breast cancer subtypes. Thus, the aim of this review is to investigate the immune infiltrating tumor microenvironment and prognosis conferred by it in different breast cancer subtypes, discuss the current knowledge and point out the roles of estrogens and its receptors on the infiltrating immune cells, as well as to identify how different immune subsets are modulated after anti-hormonal treatments in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jorge Morales-Montor
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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38
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García DA, Pérez P, García L, Cid-Arregui A, Aristizabal F. Expresión génica de ligandos mica, micb y ulbp (1-6) del receptor NKG2D de células natural killer y metaloproteinasas adam10, adam17 y mmp14 en lineas celulares de cancer de cervical. REVISTA COLOMBIANA DE BIOTECNOLOGÍA 2019. [DOI: 10.15446/rev.colomb.biote.v21n1.79730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
El CCU es la segunda causa de muerte en mujeres de nuestro país. Dentro de los primeros mecanismos de defensa del hospedero se encuentra la respuesta inmune de las células NK y su función lítica a expensas de su receptor activador NKG2D, el cual posee como ligandos mica, micb y ulbp (1-6), los cuales se expresan en células transformadas y/o infectadas por virus. Uno de los mecanismos de evasión por parte de la célula tumoral es el clivaje de estas proteínas a través de metaloproteinasas como adam10, adam17 y mmp14. Se analizó la expresión de estos ligandos y metaloproteinasas mediante PCR tiempo real, en lineas celulares de referencia para cáncer cervical como HeLa (positiva para VPH-18) y C33A (negativa para VPH). Se obtuvieron valores representativos de expresion relativa genica con diferencias significativas asi: mmp14 en linea HeLa (p= 0.006); y mica y ulbp-3 en la linea C33A (p= 0.020 y p=0.003 respectivamente). Por lo tanto, se podría sugerir que la expresión de mmp14 se encuentran posiblemente involucrados con la presencia de VPH causante del cancer cervical y la respuesta inmunne innata desarrollada.
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39
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Chen T, Zhang T, Liu C, Wang C, Ding S, Shao Z, Fu R. NK cells suppress CD8 + T cell immunity via NKG2D in severe aplastic anemia. Cell Immunol 2018; 335:6-14. [PMID: 30471872 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The roles of natural killer (NK) cells in shaping the immune system had raised wide interests. Here we intended to explore the regulatory functions of NK cells on CD8+ T cells in severe aplastic anemia (SAA) using human participants and lymphocyte infusion-induced bone marrow failure (BMF) mouse model. In SAA patients, NK cells had over-expressions of NKG2D and NKp46, under-expression of NKG2A and enhanced cytotoxicity. NK cells limited autologous CD8+ T cell immunity in an effector/target ratio manner. The suppression was dependent on the existence of NKG2D. We also observed upregulated MICA expression on activated CD8+ T cells, which were susceptible to NK cell mediated lysis in SAA. Animal model concurred with the data from patients. Infusion of NK cells suppressed the proliferation of CD8+ T cells and decreased IFN-γ production. In conclusion, NK cells served NKG2D-dependent immunoregulatory roles by attenuating autologous CD8+ T cell response in SAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Chen
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - ChaoMeng Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Shaoxue Ding
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - ZongHong Shao
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China.
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40
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Liu X, Chen X, Wei X, Meng Y, Liu L, Dai S. Genetic polymorphism analysis of MICB gene in Jing ethnic minority of Southern China. HLA 2018; 92:224-230. [PMID: 29934983 DOI: 10.1111/tan.13325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the polymorphism in the 5'-upstream regulation region (5'-URR), coding region (exons 2-4), and the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of MICB gene were investigated for 150 healthy unrelated Jing individuals in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, by using PCR-SBT method. A total of 14 variation sites in the 5'-URR, 9 in coding region, and 6 in the 3'-UTR were detected in the Jing population. The MICB gene seems to present two different lineages showing functional variations mainly in nucleotides of the promoter region. Nineteen different MICB extended haplotypes (EHs) encompassing the 5'-URR, exons 2-4, and 3'-UTR were found in this population, and the most frequent was EH2 (20.33%). The findings here are of importance for future studies on the potential role of regulation region of MICB gene in disease association, transplantation, viral infection, and tumor progression among Jing population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexiang Liu
- Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Xiaomou Wei
- Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Yuming Meng
- Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Limin Liu
- Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Shengming Dai
- Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
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Sheppard S, Ferry A, Guedes J, Guerra N. The Paradoxical Role of NKG2D in Cancer Immunity. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1808. [PMID: 30150983 PMCID: PMC6099450 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The activating receptor NKG2D and its ligands are recognized as a potent immune axis that controls tumor growth and microbial infections. With regards to cancer surveillance, various studies have demonstrated the antitumor function mediated by NKG2D on natural killer cells and on conventional and unconventional T cells. The use of NKG2D-deficient mice established the importance of NKG2D in delaying tumor development in transgenic mouse models of cancer. However, we recently demonstrated an unexpected, flip side to this coin, the ability for NKG2D to contribute to tumor growth in a model of inflammation-driven liver cancer. With a focus on the liver, here, we review current knowledge of NKG2D-mediated tumor surveillance and discuss evidence supporting a dual role for NKG2D in cancer immunity. We postulate that in certain advanced cancers, expression of ligands for NKG2D can drive cancer progression rather than rejection. We propose that the nature of the microenvironment within and surrounding tumors impacts the outcome of NKG2D activation. In a form of autoimmune attack, NKG2D promotes tissue damage, mostly in the inflamed tissue adjacent to the tumor, facilitating tumor progression while being ineffective at rejecting transformed cells in the tumor bed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Sheppard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Zuckerman Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amir Ferry
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joana Guedes
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nadia Guerra
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Han Y, Xie W, Song DG, Powell DJ. Control of triple-negative breast cancer using ex vivo self-enriched, costimulated NKG2D CAR T cells. J Hematol Oncol 2018; 11:92. [PMID: 29980239 PMCID: PMC6035420 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-018-0635-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease that currently lacks effective targeted therapy. NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are expressed on various tumor types and immunosuppressive cells within tumor microenvironments, providing suitable targets for cancer therapy. Methods We applied a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) approach for the targeting of NKG2DLs expressed on human TNBCs. Lentiviral vectors were used to express the extracellular domain of human NKG2D that binds various NKG2DLs, fused to signaling domains derived from T cell receptor CD3 zeta alone or with CD27 or 4-1BB (CD137) costimulatory domain. Results Interleukin-2 (IL-2) promoted the expansion and self-enrichment of NKG2D-redirected CAR T cells in vitro. High CD25 expression on first-generation NKG2D CAR T cells was essential for the self-enrichment effect in the presence of IL-2, but not for CARs containing CD27 or 4-1BB domains. Importantly, self-enriched NKG2D CAR T cells effectively recognized and eliminated TNBC cell lines in vitro, and adoptive transfer of T cells expressing NKG2D CARs with CD27 or 4-1BB specifically enhanced NKG2D CAR surface expression, T cell persistence, and the regression of established MDA-MB-231 TNBC in vivo. NKG2D-z CAR T cells lacking costimulatory domains were less effective, highlighting the need for costimulatory signals. Conclusions These results demonstrate that CD27 or 4-1BB costimulated, self-enriched NKG2D CAR-redirected T cells mediate anti-tumor activity against TNBC tumor, which represent a promising immunotherapeutic approach to TNBC treatment. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13045-018-0635-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Han
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Smilow CTR, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Smilow CTR, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - De-Gang Song
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Smilow CTR, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Present address: Janssen R&D, LLC, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, 19477, USA.
| | - Daniel J Powell
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Smilow CTR, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Rm 8-103 Smilow CTR, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Abouelghar A, Hasnah R, Taouk G, Saad M, Karam M. Prognostic values of the mRNA expression of natural killer receptor ligands and their association with clinicopathological features in breast cancer patients. Oncotarget 2018; 9:27171-27196. [PMID: 29930758 PMCID: PMC6007477 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that have potent cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. NK cell recognition and activity towards cancer cells are regulated by an integrated interplay between numerous inhibitory and activating receptors acting in concert to eliminate tumor cells expressing cognate ligands. Despite strong evidence supporting the role of NK cells in breast cancer (BC) control, BC still develops and progresses to form large tumors and metastases. A major mechanism of BC escape from NK immunity is the alteration of the expression of NK receptor ligands. The aim of this study was to determine whether NK receptor ligands' mRNA expression might influence prognosis in BC patients and whether these effects differ by molecular subtypes and clinicopathological features. METHODS We used the KM plotter platform to analyze the correlation between mRNA expression of 32 NK receptor ligands and relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in 3951 and 1402 BC patients, respectively. The association with tumor subtypes and clinicopathological features was determined. BC samples were split into high and low expression groups according to the best cutoff value and the two patient cohorts were compared by Kaplan-Meier survival plots. The hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals and log rank P values were calculated and FDR-adjusted for multiple testing correction. The data was considered to be statistically significant when FDR-adjusted P value < 0.05. RESULTS High mRNA expression of around 80% of ligands for NK activating and inhibitory receptors associated with better RFS, which correlated with longer OS for only about half of the NK-activating ligands but for most NK-inhibitory ligands. Also, five NK-activating ligands correlated with worse prognosis. These prognostic values were differentially associated with the BC clinical criteria. In addition, the favorable prognostic influence of NK-activating ligands' upregulation, as a whole, was mainly significantly associated with HER2-positive and basal-like subtypes, lymph node positive phenotype, and high-grade tumors. CONCLUSIONS NK receptor ligands appear to play an important role in defining BC patient prognosis. Identification of a group of patients with worse prognosis expressing high levels of NK-activating ligands and low levels of NK-inhibitory ligands makes them ideal potential candidates for NK-based immunotherapy to eliminate residual tumor cells, prevent relapse and improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Abouelghar
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Reem Hasnah
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ghina Taouk
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohamad Saad
- Qatar Computing Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Manale Karam
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
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Mandó P, Rizzo M, Roberti MP, Juliá EP, Pampena MB, Pérez de la Puente C, Loza CM, Ponce C, Nadal J, Coló FA, Mordoh J, Levy EM. High neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and decreased CD69 +NK cells represent a phenotype of high risk in early-stage breast cancer patients. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:2901-2910. [PMID: 29844687 PMCID: PMC5961634 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s160911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Breast cancer (BC) is a highly heterogeneous disease presenting a broad range of clinical and molecular characteristics. In the past years, a growing body of evidence demonstrated that immune response plays a significant role in cancer outcome. However, immune prognostic markers are not completely validated in clinical practice in BC patients. Materials and methods With the aim to characterize immune features, several parameters were analyzed in peripheral blood at diagnosis of 85 nonmetastatic BC patients between April 2011 and July 2014. Results With a median follow-up of 38.6 months, peripheral blood analysis of BC patients (stages I, II, and III) showed that total lymphocyte and T lymphocyte counts were augmented in nonrelapsed patients. Also, a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocytes ratio was associated with prolonged disease-free survival. Natural killer cell receptor analysis revealed that early activation receptor CD69 was associated with a better outcome. Conclusion This preliminary evidence is in accordance with the concept of immune surveillance. We suggest an “immune phenotype” that provides relevant prognostic information in early-stage BC patients and which could be useful in the decision-making process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Mandó
- Oncology Research Center CIO-FUCA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Manglio Rizzo
- Alexander Fleming Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jorge Nadal
- Alexander Fleming Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - José Mordoh
- Oncology Research Center CIO-FUCA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Alexander Fleming Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Biochemical Research Institute of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Saengboonmee C, Sawanyawisuth K, Chamgramol Y, Wongkham S. Prognostic biomarkers for cholangiocarcinoma and their clinical implications. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2018; 18:579-592. [PMID: 29676221 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2018.1467760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a poorly prognostic cancer with limited treatment options. Most patients have unresectable tumors when they are diagnosed and the chemotherapies provided are of limited benefit. Prognostic markers are therefore necessary to predict the disease outcome, risk of relapse, or to suggest the best treatment option. Areas covered: This article provides an up-to-date review of biomarkers with promising characteristics to be prognostic markers for CCA reported in the past 5 years. The biomarkers are sub-classified into tissue and serum markers. Proteins, RNAs, peripheral blood cells etc., that are associated with aggressive phenotypes, signal pathways, chemo-drug resistance, and those that reflect the survival time of CCA patients are evaluated for their prognostic prediction values. Expert commentary: CCAs are heterogeneous tumors of different histo-pathological subtypes and genetic influences and, therefore, potential markers should be validated in larger collectives with varied epidemiological backgrounds. A systematic review and meta-analysis should be done to clarify the impact of the reported biomolecules for their potential prognostic values. Non- or low-invasive sample collections, as well as the simple and affordable determination methods, should be constructed to make the prognostic biomarkers available in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charupong Saengboonmee
- a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine , Khon Kaen University , Khon Kaen , Thailand.,b Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute , Khon Kaen University , Khon Kaen , Thailand
| | - Kanlayanee Sawanyawisuth
- a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine , Khon Kaen University , Khon Kaen , Thailand.,b Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute , Khon Kaen University , Khon Kaen , Thailand
| | - Yaovalux Chamgramol
- b Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute , Khon Kaen University , Khon Kaen , Thailand.,c Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine , Khon Kaen University , Khon Kaen , Thailand
| | - Sopit Wongkham
- a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine , Khon Kaen University , Khon Kaen , Thailand.,b Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute , Khon Kaen University , Khon Kaen , Thailand
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Decreased expression of the NKG2D ligand ULBP4 may be an indicator of poor prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 8:42007-42019. [PMID: 28159927 PMCID: PMC5522045 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
U16-binding protein 4 (ULBP4), a human ligand for natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) receptor on NK cells and subsets of T cells, is thought to activate anticancer immune responses. However, the expression pattern and prognostic effect of ULBP4 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been investigated. We first compared ULBP4 expression between archival 15 NPC tissues and 8 normal nasopharynx (NP) tissues using qPCR. Then ULBP4 expression among 111 NPC specimens was validated on immunohistochemical examination. In addition, the association of ULBP4 expression with clinical characteristics and survival outcomes was analyzed. Furthermore, the impact of ULBP4 expression in NPC cells on the cytotoxic activity of NK cells was investigated. Both mRNA and protein ULBP4 expressions of NPC tissues were significantly lower than those in normal NP tissues. However, no association of ULBP4 expression with clinical characteristics was observed. Patients with NPC having decreased expression of UBLP4 had significantly poorer overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) than those with preserved levels of ULBP4. On multivariate analyses, low expression of ULBP4 was of borderline significance for OS, PFS, and DMFS (P = 0.060, 0.053, and 0.076, respectively). Further, LDH analysis demonstrated that the cytotoxic activitity of NK cells against C666-1 or 5-8F NPC cells with lenti-ULBP4 was considerably increased as compared to those with lenti-vector at various E/T ratios. Hence, restoration of ULBP4 expression may be a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of NPC. However, further study is required to confirm these findings.
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Krijgsman D, Hokland M, Kuppen PJK. The Role of Natural Killer T Cells in Cancer-A Phenotypical and Functional Approach. Front Immunol 2018. [PMID: 29535734 PMCID: PMC5835336 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a subset of CD1d-restricted T cells at the interface between the innate and adaptive immune system. NKT cells can be subdivided into functional subsets that respond rapidly to a wide variety of glycolipids and stress-related proteins using T- or natural killer (NK) cell-like effector mechanisms. Because of their major modulating effects on immune responses via secretion of cytokines, NKT cells are also considered important players in tumor immunosurveillance. During early tumor development, T helper (TH)1-like NKT cell subsets have the potential to rapidly stimulate tumor-specific T cells and effector NK cells that can eliminate tumor cells. In case of tumor progression, NKT cells may become overstimulated and anergic leading to deletion of a part of the NKT cell population in patients via activation-induced cell death. In addition, the remaining NKT cells become hyporesponsive, or switch to immunosuppressive TH2-/T regulatory-like NKT cell subsets, thereby facilitating tumor progression and immune escape. In this review, we discuss this important role of NKT cells in tumor development and we conclude that there should be three important focuses of future research in cancer patients in relation with NKT cells: (1) expansion of the NKT cell population, (2) prevention and breaking of NKT cell anergy, and (3) skewing of NKT cells toward TH1-like subsets with antitumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniëlle Krijgsman
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Peter J K Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Lin X, Huang M, Xie F, Zhou H, Yang J, Huang Q. Gemcitabine inhibits immune escape of pancreatic cancer by down regulating the soluble ULBP2 protein. Oncotarget 2018; 7:70092-70099. [PMID: 27602753 PMCID: PMC5342537 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to early onset of local invasion and distant metastasis, pancreatic cancer is the most lethal human malignant tumor, with a 5 year survival rate of less than 5%. As a effective chemotherapy drug for pancreatic cancer patients, gemcitabine is reported to inhibit cell proliferation as a nucleotide analog. In this study, we investigated the role of gemcitabine in immune regulation of pancreatic cancer. Our data showed that the level of soluble ULBP2 (sULBP2), a ligand of NKG2D receptor, decreased in the supernatants of pancreatic cancer cell lines when gemcitabine was added, and sULBP2 level correlated with NK92 cells cytotoxicity to pancreatic cancer cell lines. Importantly, our data showed that gemcitabine promoted PANC-1 cells and MIA PaCa-2 immune evasion by reducing ADAM10 expression, a metalloproteinase involved in sULBP2 shedding from cell membrane. Knockdown of ADAM10 clearly downregulated sULBP2 levels in the culture supernatants and cells became more susceptible to NK92 cytotoxicity. Serum samples and tumor samples were obtained from 45 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between the serum level of sULBP2 with ADAM10 expression in PDAC tissues. In conclusion, our data demostrated that gemcitabine inhibits ULBP2 ectodomain shedding through the suppression of ADAM10 and enhance NK cells cytotoxicity by NKG2D-ULBP2 interaction. The results extends our understanding of gemcitabine in the treatment of pancreatic cancer from cell proliferation inhibition to immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiansheng Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Mei Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Fang Xie
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Hangcheng Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Ji Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, 230001, China
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Ding H, Yang X, Wei Y. Fusion Proteins of NKG2D/NKG2DL in Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19010177. [PMID: 29316666 PMCID: PMC5796126 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
NKG2D (natural killer group 2, member D) is an important activating receptor in natural killer (NK) cells and some T cells. NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are specifically expressed on most tumor cells. The engagement of these ligands on tumor cells to NKG2D on NK cells will induce cell-mediated cytotoxicity and have target cells destroyed. This gives NKG2D/NKG2DLs great potential in cancer therapeutic application. The creation of NKG2D/NKG2DL-based multi-functional fusion proteins is becoming one of the most promising strategies in immunotherapy for cancer. Antibodies, cytokines, and death receptors have been fused with NKG2D or its ligands to produce many powerful fusion proteins, including NKG2D-based chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). In this article, we review the recent developments of the fusion proteins with NKG2D/NKG2DL ligands in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ding
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 190 Collings Street, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 190 Collings Street, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
| | - Yanzhang Wei
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 190 Collings Street, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
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Structural Analysis and Epitope Prediction of MHC Class-1-Chain Related Protein-A for Cancer Vaccine Development. Vaccines (Basel) 2017; 6:vaccines6010001. [PMID: 29295563 PMCID: PMC5874642 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines6010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex class 1 chain-related gene sequence A is a polymorphic gene found at about 46.6 kb centromeric to HLA-B. It encodes a transmembrane protein, which is a non-classical human leukocyte antigen whose expression is normally induced by stress conditions like cancer and viral infections. The expression of MIC-A leads to the activation of NKG2D receptors of natural killer and T cells, leading to the generation of innate immune response that can easily eliminate/cleanse tumour cells and other cells that express the protein. Several bioinformatics and immunoinformatics tools were used to analyse the sequence and structure of the MIC-A protein. These tools were used in building and evaluating modelled structure of MIC-A, and to predict several antigenic determinant sites on the protein. The MIC-A protein structure generated an average antigenic propensity of 1.0289. Additionally, the hydrophilic regions on the surface of the MIC-A protein where antibodies can be attached were revealed. A total of fourteen antigenic epitopes were predicted, with six found in the transmembrane protein topology, and are predicted to play a role in the development of vaccines that can reactivate the functionalities of the MIC-A protein on the surface of cancer cells in order to elicit a desired immune response.
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