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Duléry R, Piccinelli S, Beg MS, Jang JE, Romee R. Haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation as a platform for natural killer cell immunotherapy. Am J Hematol 2024. [PMID: 39248561 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.27471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
An innovative approach is crucially needed to manage relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients with advanced hematological malignancies. This review explores key aspects of haploidentical HCT with post-transplant cyclophosphamide, highlighting the potential and suitability of this platform for natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy. NK cells, known for their unique abilities to eliminate cancer cells, can also exhibit memory-like features and enhanced cytotoxicity when activated by cytokines. By discussing promising results from clinical trials, the review delves into the recent major advances: donor-derived NK cells can be expanded ex vivo in large numbers, cytokine activation may enhance NK cell persistence and efficacy in vivo, and post-HCT NK cell infusion can improve outcomes in high-risk and/or relapsed myeloid malignancies without increasing the risk of graft-versus-host disease, severe cytokine release syndrome, or neurotoxicity. Looking ahead, cytokine-activated NK cells can be synergized with immunomodulatory agents and/or genetically engineered to enhance their tumor-targeting specificity, cytotoxicity, and persistence while preventing exhaustion. The ongoing exploration of these strategies holds promising preliminary results and could be rapidly translated into clinical applications for the benefit of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémy Duléry
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara Piccinelli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Ji Eun Jang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Rizwan Romee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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2
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Covre LP, Fantecelle CH, Queiroz AM, Fardin JM, Miranda PH, Henson S, da Fonseca-Martins AM, de Matos Guedes HL, Mosser D, Falqueto A, Akbar A, Gomes DCO. NKG2C+CD57+ natural killer cells with senescent features are induced during cutaneous leishmaniasis and accumulate in patients with lesional healing impairment. Clin Exp Immunol 2024; 217:279-290. [PMID: 38700066 PMCID: PMC11310703 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxae040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells include different subsets with diverse effector capacities that are poorly understood in the context of parasitic diseases. Here, we investigated inhibitory and activating receptor expression on NK cells in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and explored their phenotypic and functional heterogeneity based on CD57 and NKG2C expression. The expression of CD57 identified NK cells that accumulated in CL patients and exhibited features of senescence. The CD57+ cells exhibited heightened levels of the activating receptor NKG2C and diminished expression of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A. RNA sequencing analyses based on NKG2C transcriptome have revealed two distinct profiles among CL patients associated with cytotoxic and functional genes. The CD57+NKG2C+ subset accumulated in the blood of patients and presented conspicuous features of senescence, including the expression of markers such as p16, yH2ax, and p38, as well as reduced proliferative capacity. In addition, they positively correlated with the number of days until lesion resolution. This study provides a broad understanding of the NK cell biology during Leishmania infection and reinforces the role of senescent cells in the adverse clinical outcomes of CL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Polaco Covre
- Núcleo de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Julia Miranda Fardin
- Núcleo de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | - Sian Henson
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Herbert Leonel de Matos Guedes
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - David Mosser
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Aloisio Falqueto
- Departamento de Medicina Social, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Arne Akbar
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Claudio Oliveira Gomes
- Núcleo de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
- Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
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3
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Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi M, Yazdanparast S, Kheyrandish S, Safdari SM, Amiri Samani F, Sohani M, Jaafarian AS, Damirchiloo F, Izadpanah A, Parkhideh S, Mikanik F, Roshandel E, Hajifathali A, Gharehbaghian A. Harnessing natural killer cells for refractory/relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma: biological roles, clinical trials, and future prospective. Biomark Res 2024; 12:66. [PMID: 39020411 PMCID: PMC11253502 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00610-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) are heterogeneous and are among the most common hematological malignancies worldwide. Despite the advances in the treatment of patients with NHLs, relapse or resistance to treatment is anticipated in several patients. Therefore, novel therapeutic approaches are needed. Recently, natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy alone or in combination with monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antigen receptors, or bispecific killer engagers have been applied in many investigations for NHL treatment. The functional defects of NK cells and the ability of cancerous cells to escape NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity within the tumor microenvironment of NHLs, as well as the beneficial results from previous studies in the context of NK cell-based immunotherapy in NHLs, direct our attention to this therapeutic strategy. This review aims to summarize clinical studies focusing on the applications of NK cells in the immunotherapy of patients with NHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Yazdanparast
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Setare Kheyrandish
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehrab Safdari
- Departments of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fateme Amiri Samani
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Sohani
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Sadat Jaafarian
- Departments of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fateme Damirchiloo
- Departments of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Izadpanah
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Parkhideh
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mikanik
- Laboratory Hematology and Blood Bank Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Roshandel
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Hajifathali
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ahmad Gharehbaghian
- Laboratory Hematology and Blood Bank Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Pediatric Congenital Hematologic Disorders Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Tarannum M, Dinh K, Vergara J, Birch G, Abdulhamid YZ, Kaplan IE, Ay O, Maia A, Beaver O, Sheffer M, Shapiro R, Ali AK, Dong H, Ham JD, Bobilev E, James S, Cameron AB, Nguyen QD, Ganapathy S, Chayawatto C, Koreth J, Paweletz CP, Gokhale PC, Barbie DA, Matulonis UA, Soiffer RJ, Ritz J, Porter RL, Chen J, Romee R. CAR memory-like NK cells targeting the membrane proximal domain of mesothelin demonstrate promising activity in ovarian cancer. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn0881. [PMID: 38996027 PMCID: PMC11244547 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn0881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains one of the most lethal gynecological cancers. Cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) natural killer (NK) cells have shown promising results in preclinical and early-phase clinical trials. In the current study, CIML NK cells demonstrated superior antitumor responses against a panel of EOC cell lines, increased expression of activation receptors, and up-regulation of genes involved in cell cycle/proliferation and down-regulation of inhibitory/suppressive genes. CIML NK cells transduced with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting the membrane-proximal domain of mesothelin (MSLN) further improved the antitumor responses against MSLN-expressing EOC cells and patient-derived xenograft tumor cells. CAR arming of the CIML NK cells subtanstially reduced their dysfunction in patient-derived ascites fluid with transcriptomic changes related to altered metabolism and tonic signaling as potential mechanisms. Lastly, the adoptive transfer of MSLN-CAR CIML NK cells demonstrated remarkable inhibition of tumor growth and prevented metastatic spread in xenograft mice, supporting their potential as an effective therapeutic strategy in EOC.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Female
- Humans
- Mice
- Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial/pathology
- Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial/immunology
- Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial/therapy
- Cell Line, Tumor
- GPI-Linked Proteins/metabolism
- GPI-Linked Proteins/genetics
- Immunologic Memory
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Mesothelin
- Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism
- Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology
- Ovarian Neoplasms/immunology
- Ovarian Neoplasms/therapy
- Protein Domains
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubin Tarannum
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Khanhlinh Dinh
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Juliana Vergara
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Grace Birch
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yasmin Z. Abdulhamid
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isabel E. Kaplan
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Oyku Ay
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andreia Maia
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Owen Beaver
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michal Sheffer
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roman Shapiro
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alaa Kassim Ali
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Han Dong
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Dongjoo Ham
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eden Bobilev
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sydney James
- Lurie Family Imaging Center, Center for Biomedical Imaging in Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy B. Cameron
- Lurie Family Imaging Center, Center for Biomedical Imaging in Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Quang-De Nguyen
- Lurie Family Imaging Center, Center for Biomedical Imaging in Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Suthakar Ganapathy
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chayapatou Chayawatto
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John Koreth
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cloud P. Paweletz
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Prafulla C. Gokhale
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David A. Barbie
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ursula A. Matulonis
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert J. Soiffer
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jerome Ritz
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca L. Porter
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jianzhu Chen
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rizwan Romee
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Berjis A, Muthumani D, Aguilar OA, Pomp O, Johnson O, Finck AV, Engel NW, Chen L, Plachta N, Scholler J, Lanier LL, June CH, Sheppard NC. Pretreatment with IL-15 and IL-18 rescues natural killer cells from granzyme B-mediated apoptosis after cryopreservation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3937. [PMID: 38729924 PMCID: PMC11087472 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Human natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies are under assessment for treating various cancers, but cryopreservation reduces both the recovery and function of NK cells, thereby limiting their therapeutic feasibility. Using cryopreservation protocols optimized for T cells, here we find that ~75% of NK cells die within 24 h post-thaw, with the remaining cells displaying reduced cytotoxicity. Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and confocal microscopy, we find that cryopreserved NK cells largely die via apoptosis initiated by leakage of granzyme B from cytotoxic vesicles. Pretreatment of NK cells with a combination of Interleukins-15 (IL-15) and IL-18 prior to cryopreservation improves NK cell recovery to ~90-100% and enables equal tumour control in a xenograft model of disseminated Raji cell lymphoma compared to non-cryopreserved NK cells. The mechanism of IL-15 and IL-18-induced protection incorporates two mechanisms: a transient reduction in intracellular granzyme B levels via degranulation, and the induction of antiapoptotic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulla Berjis
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Deeksha Muthumani
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Oscar A Aguilar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Parker Institute of Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California; San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Oz Pomp
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Omar Johnson
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amanda V Finck
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nils W Engel
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Linhui Chen
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Informatics, the Bioinformatic Core, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicolas Plachta
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John Scholler
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lewis L Lanier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Parker Institute of Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California; San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Carl H June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Neil C Sheppard
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Su Y, Yu Z, Yang Y, Wong KC, Li X. Distribution-Agnostic Deep Learning Enables Accurate Single-Cell Data Recovery and Transcriptional Regulation Interpretation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307280. [PMID: 38380499 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a robust method for studying gene expression at the single-cell level, but accurately quantifying genetic material is often hindered by limited mRNA capture, resulting in many missing expression values. Existing imputation methods rely on strict data assumptions, limiting their broader application, and lack reliable supervision, leading to biased signal recovery. To address these challenges, authors developed Bis, a distribution-agnostic deep learning model for accurately recovering missing sing-cell gene expression from multiple platforms. Bis is an optimal transport-based autoencoder model that can capture the intricate distribution of scRNA-seq data while addressing the characteristic sparsity by regularizing the cellular embedding space. Additionally, they propose a module using bulk RNA-seq data to guide reconstruction and ensure expression consistency. Experimental results show Bis outperforms other models across simulated and real datasets, showcasing superiority in various downstream analyses including batch effect removal, clustering, differential expression analysis, and trajectory inference. Moreover, Bis successfully restores gene expression levels in rare cell subsets in a tumor-matched peripheral blood dataset, revealing developmental characteristics of cytokine-induced natural killer cells within a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchi Su
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Zhuohan Yu
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Yuning Yang
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Ka-Chun Wong
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Xiangtao Li
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
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Khalifa AM, Nakamura T, Sato Y, Harashima H. Vaccination with a combination of STING agonist-loaded lipid nanoparticles and CpG-ODNs protects against lung metastasis via the induction of CD11b highCD27 low memory-like NK cells. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:36. [PMID: 38553761 PMCID: PMC10981311 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00502-w] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells are effective in attacking tumor cells that escape T cell attack. Memory NK cells are believed to function as potent effector cells in cancer immunotherapy. However, knowledge of their induction, identification, and potential in vivo is limited. Herein, we report on the induction and identification of memory-like NK cells via the action of a combination of a stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist loaded into lipid nanoparticles (STING-LNPs) and cytosine-phosphorothioate-guanine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs), and the potential of the inducted memory-like NK cells to prevent melanoma lung metastasis. METHODS The antitumor effects of either the STING-LNPs, CpG-ODNs, or the combination therapy were evaluated using a B16-F10 lung metastasis model. The effect of the combined treatment was evaluated by measuring cytokine production. The induction of memory-like NK cells was demonstrated via flow cytometry and confirmed through their preventative effect. RESULTS The combination of STING-LNPs and CpG-ODNs tended to enhance the production of interleukin 12 (IL-12) and IL-18, and exerted a therapeutic effect against B16-F10 lung metastasis. The combination therapy increased the population of CD11bhighCD27low NK cells. Although monotherapies failed to show preventative effects, the combination therapy induced a surprisingly strong preventative effect, which indicates that CD11bhighCD27low cells could be a phenotype of memory-like NK cells. CONCLUSION As far as could be ascertained, this is the first report of the in vivo induction, identification, and confirmation of a phenotype of the memory-like NK cells through a prophylactic effect via the use of an immunotherapeutic drug. Our findings provide novel insights into the in vivo induction of CD11bhighCD27low memory-like NK cells thus paving the way for the development of efficient immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa M Khalifa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakamura
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Sato
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Hokkaido, Japan.
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8
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Maia A, Tarannum M, Lérias JR, Piccinelli S, Borrego LM, Maeurer M, Romee R, Castillo-Martin M. Building a Better Defense: Expanding and Improving Natural Killer Cells for Adoptive Cell Therapy. Cells 2024; 13:451. [PMID: 38474415 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050451] [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: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have gained attention as a promising adoptive cell therapy platform for their potential to improve cancer treatments. NK cells offer distinct advantages over T-cells, including major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-independent tumor recognition and low risk of toxicity, even in an allogeneic setting. Despite this tremendous potential, challenges persist, such as limited in vivo persistence, reduced tumor infiltration, and low absolute NK cell numbers. This review outlines several strategies aiming to overcome these challenges. The developed strategies include optimizing NK cell expansion methods and improving NK cell antitumor responses by cytokine stimulation and genetic manipulations. Using K562 cells expressing membrane IL-15 or IL-21 with or without additional activating ligands like 4-1BBL allows "massive" NK cell expansion and makes multiple cell dosing and "off-the-shelf" efforts feasible. Further improvements in NK cell function can be reached by inducing memory-like NK cells, developing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells, or isolating NK-cell-based tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Memory-like NK cells demonstrate higher in vivo persistence and cytotoxicity, with early clinical trials demonstrating safety and promising efficacy. Recent trials using CAR-NK cells have also demonstrated a lack of any major toxicity, including cytokine release syndrome, and, yet, promising clinical activity. Recent data support that the presence of TIL-NK cells is associated with improved overall patient survival in different types of solid tumors such as head and neck, colorectal, breast, and gastric carcinomas, among the most significant. In conclusion, this review presents insights into the diverse strategies available for NK cell expansion, including the roles played by various cytokines, feeder cells, and culture material in influencing the activation phenotype, telomere length, and cytotoxic potential of expanded NK cells. Notably, genetically modified K562 cells have demonstrated significant efficacy in promoting NK cell expansion. Furthermore, culturing NK cells with IL-2 and IL-15 has been shown to improve expansion rates, while the presence of IL-12 and IL-21 has been linked to enhanced cytotoxic function. Overall, this review provides an overview of NK cell expansion methodologies, highlighting the current landscape of clinical trials and the key advancements to enhance NK-cell-based adoptive cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Maia
- Molecular and Experimental Pathology Laboratory, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
- NK Cell Gene Manipulation and Therapy Laboratory, Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- NOVA Medical School, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mubin Tarannum
- NK Cell Gene Manipulation and Therapy Laboratory, Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joana R Lérias
- ImmunoTherapy/ImmunoSurgery, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Piccinelli
- NK Cell Gene Manipulation and Therapy Laboratory, Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Luis Miguel Borrego
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), NOVA University of Lisbon, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
- Immunoallergy Department, Hospital da Luz, 1600-209 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Markus Maeurer
- ImmunoTherapy/ImmunoSurgery, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
- I Medical Clinic, University of Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Rizwan Romee
- NK Cell Gene Manipulation and Therapy Laboratory, Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mireia Castillo-Martin
- Molecular and Experimental Pathology Laboratory, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
- Pathology Service, Champalimaud Clinical Center, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
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9
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Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi M, Yazdanparast S, Mikanik F, Izadpanah A, Parkhideh S, Shahbaz Ghasabeh A, Roshandel E, Hajifathali A, Gharehbaghian A. Cytokine-Induced Memory-Like NK Cells: Emerging strategy for AML immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115718. [PMID: 37857247 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease developed from the malignant expansion of myeloid precursor cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. The implementation of intensive chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has improved outcomes associated with AML, but relapse, along with suboptimal outcomes, is still a common scenario. In the past few years, exploring new therapeutic strategies to optimize treatment outcomes has occurred rapidly. In this regard, natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy has attracted clinical interest due to its critical role in immunosurveillance and their capabilities to target AML blasts. NK cells are cytotoxic innate lymphoid cells that mediate anti-viral and anti-tumor responses by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and directly inducing cytotoxicity. Although NK cells are well known as short-lived innate immune cells with non-specific responses that have limited their clinical applications, the discovery of cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) NK cells could overcome these challenges. NK cells pre-activated with the cytokine combination IL-12/15/18 achieved a long-term life span with adaptive immunity characteristics, termed CIML-NK cells. Previous studies documented that using CIML-NK cells in cancer treatment is safe and results in promising outcomes. This review highlights the current application, challenges, and opportunities of CIML-NK cell-based therapy in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Yazdanparast
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mikanik
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Izadpanah
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Parkhideh
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Shahbaz Ghasabeh
- Department of Hematology and Blood Bank, School of Allied Medical Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Roshandel
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Hajifathali
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ahmad Gharehbaghian
- Department of Hematology and Blood Bank, School of Allied Medical Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; Pediatric Congenital Hematologic Disorders Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Carreira-Santos S, López-Sejas N, González-Sánchez M, Sánchez-Hernández E, Pera A, Hassouneh F, Durán E, Solana R, Casado JG, Tarazona R. Enhanced expression of natural cytotoxicity receptors on cytokine-induced memory-like natural killer cells correlates with effector function. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1256404. [PMID: 37908353 PMCID: PMC10613704 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1256404] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Natural killer (NK) cells are a key component of the innate immune system, involved in defending the host against virus-infected cells and tumor immunosurveillance. Under in vitro culture conditions, IL-12/15/18 can induce a memory-like phenotype in NK cells. These cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) NK cells possess desirable characteristics for immunotherapies, including a longer lifespan and increased cytotoxicity. Methods In this study, NK cells were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy donors and stimulated with IL-12/15/18 to induce a memory-like phenotype or with IL-15 alone as a control. After seven days of culture, multiparametric flow cytometry analysis was performed to evaluate the phenotypic and functional profiles of CIML and control NK cells. Results Our results showed a significantly higher expression of CD25, CD69, NKG2D, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, TACTILE, and Granzyme B in CIML NK cells compared to control NK cells. In contrast, KIR2D expression was significantly lower in CIML NK cells than in control NK cells. Moreover, functional experiments demonstrated that CIML NK cells displayed enhanced degranulation capacity and increased intracellular IFN-γ production against the target cell line K562. Interestingly, the degranulation capacity of CIML NK cells was positively correlated with the expression of the activating receptors NKp46 and NKp30, as well as with the inhibitory receptor TACTILE. Discussion In conclusion, this study provides a deep phenotypic characterization of in vitro-expanded CIML NK cells. Moreover, the correlations found between NK cell receptors and degranulation capacity of CIML NK cells allowed the identification of several biomarkers that could be useful in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía Carreira-Santos
- Immunology Unit, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Nelson López-Sejas
- Immunology Unit, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | | | - Eva Sánchez-Hernández
- Immunology Unit, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Alejandra Pera
- Immunology and Allergy Group (GC01), Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Fakhri Hassouneh
- Immunology and Allergy Group (GC01), Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Esther Durán
- Anatomy and Comparative Pathological Anatomy Unit, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Rafael Solana
- Immunology and Allergy Group (GC01), Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Immunology and Allergy Service, Reina Sofia University Hospital, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Javier G. Casado
- Immunology Unit, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- RICORS-TERAV Network, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Raquel Tarazona
- Immunology Unit, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
- Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
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11
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Hatami Z, Hashemi ZS, Eftekhary M, Amiri A, Karpisheh V, Nasrollahi K, Jafari R. Natural killer cell-derived exosomes for cancer immunotherapy: innovative therapeutics art. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:157. [PMID: 37543612 PMCID: PMC10403883 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02996-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cells (CAR-NK) promote off-the-shelf cellular therapy for solid tumors and malignancy.However,, the development of CAR-NK is due to their immune surveillance uncertainty and cytotoxicity challenge was restricted. Natural killer cell-derived exosome (NK-Exo) combine crucial targeted cellular therapies of NK cell therapies with unique non-toxic Exo as a self-origin shuttle against cancer immunotherapy. This review study covers cytokines, adoptive (autologous and allogenic) NK immunotherapy, stimulatory and regulatory functions, and cell-free derivatives from NK cells. The future path of NK-Exo cytotoxicity and anti-tumor activity with considering non-caspase-independent/dependent apoptosis and Fas/FasL pathway in cancer immunotherapy. Finally, the significance and implication of NK-Exo therapeutics through combination therapy and the development of emerging approaches for the purification and delivery NK-Exo to severe immune and tumor cells and tissues were discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Hatami
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Sadat Hashemi
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohamad Eftekhary
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Ala Amiri
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Karpisheh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Kaveh Nasrollahi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Jafari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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12
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Hussein BA, Kristenson L, Pesce S, Wöhr A, Tian Y, Hallner A, Brune M, Hellstrand K, Tang KW, Bernson E, Thorén FB. NKG2A gene variant predicts outcome of immunotherapy in AML and modulates the repertoire and function of NK cells. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007202. [PMID: 37648262 PMCID: PMC10471874 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The natural killer (NK) complex (NKC) harbors multiple genes such as KLRC1 (encoding NKG2A) and KLRK1 (encoding NKG2D) that are central to regulation of NK cell function. We aimed at determining to what extent NKC haplotypes impact on NK cell repertoire and function, and whether such gene variants impact on outcome of IL-2-based immunotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS Genotype status of NKG2D rs1049174 and NKG2A rs1983526 was determined using the TaqMan-Allelic discrimination approach. To dissect the impact of single nucloetide polymorphim (SNP) on NK cell function, we engineered the K562 cell line with CRISPR to be killed in a highly NKG2D-dependent fashion. NK cells were assayed for degranulation, intracellular cytokine production and cytotoxicity using flow cytometry. RESULTS In AML patients receiving immunotherapy, the NKG2A gene variant, rs1983526, was associated with superior leukemia-free survival and overall survival. We observed that superior NK degranulation from individuals with the high-cytotoxicity NKG2D variant was explained by presence of a larger, highly responsive NKG2A+ subset. Notably, NK cells from donors homozygous for a favorable allele encoding NKG2A mounted stronger cytokine responses when challenged with leukemic cells, and NK cells from AML patients with this genotype displayed higher accumulation of granzyme B during histamine dihydrochloride/IL-2 immunotherapy. Additionally, among AML patients, the NKG2A SNP defined a subset of patients with HLA-B-21 TT with a strikingly favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS The study results imply that a dimorphism in the NKG2A gene is associated with enhanced NK cell effector function and improved outcome of IL-2-based immunotherapy in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brwa Ali Hussein
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linnea Kristenson
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Silvia Pesce
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anne Wöhr
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yarong Tian
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alexander Hallner
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mats Brune
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kristoffer Hellstrand
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ka-Wei Tang
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elin Bernson
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg,Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Fredrik B Thorén
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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13
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Zhao X, Lin M, Huang X. Current status and future perspective of natural killer cell therapy for cancer. MEDICAL REVIEW (2021) 2023; 3:305-320. [PMID: 38235405 PMCID: PMC10790210 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2023-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells possess innate abilities to effectively eliminate cancer cells. However, because of difficulties of proliferation and easy to be induced dysfunction in the setting of cancer post NK cell therapy, the curative effect of NK cell infusion has been constrained and not been widely applicable in clinical practice. The rapid development of biotechnology has promoted the development of NK cell therapy for cancer treatment. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive analysis of the current status and future prospects of NK cell therapy for cancer, focusing on the biological characteristics of NK cells, as well as strategies to enhance their targeting capabilities and overcome tumor immune suppression within the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Zhao
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing, China
| | - Minghao Lin
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojun Huang
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing, China
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14
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Siemaszko J, Ussowicz M, Rybka B, Ryczan-Krawczyk R, Kałwak K, Bogunia-Kubik K. The impact of NKG2A and NKG2D receptors and HLA-E and MICA ligands polymorphisms on post-transplant complications after paediatric allogeneic HSCT: a single-centre experience. Front Genet 2023; 14:1186123. [PMID: 37351346 PMCID: PMC10282657 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1186123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Natural Killer cells are the first subpopulation of lymphocytes that reconstitute after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Their activity is regulated by various receptor-ligand interactions, including stimulation of the activating NKG2D receptor by the MICA molecule, and inhibitory NKG2A receptor interacting with the HLA-E. In this study the research effort focused on the effect of selected NKG2A and NKG2D receptors and their ligands (HLA-E and MICA molecules) polymorphisms that may affect the pathomechanisms of post-transplant complications after HSCT in children. Methods: One hundred donor-recipient pairs from a single paediatric transplantation centre were investigated. Altogether six single nucleotide substitutions (NKG2A rs7301582; NKG2D rs1049174, rs1154831; HLA-E rs1264457; MICA rs1051792, rs1063635) were genotyped, and the influence of polymorphisms was analysed on acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection incidence, disease relapse and survival. Results: The distribution of the evaluated polymorphisms did not differ between patients and their donors. The results showed a significant influence of HLA-E rs1264457 polymorphism in patients' HLA-E*01:01 allele, which was associated with increased risk of CMV infection (p = 0.050), especially in children positive for CMV IgG before transplantation (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the effect of HLA-E*01:01 allele on CMV infections was more evident in children above the age of 7 years (p = 0.031). Strong tendencies (0.05 < p < 0.10) towards association with the risk of acute GvHD were also observed for the NKG2A or MICA polymorphisms of the recipients. In addition, NKG2D rs1154831 AA and MICA rs1063635 GG might play a protective role as they were not present in any recipient who died after transplantation. Conclusion: In summary, there is emerging evidence that genotyping results of NKG2 receptors and their ligands, may have prognostic value for the outcome of paediatric allogeneic HSCT, but more extensive studies performed on larger groups of donors and transplant recipients are required to confirm these observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagoda Siemaszko
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marek Ussowicz
- Department and Clinic of Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology and Haematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Blanka Rybka
- Department and Clinic of Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology and Haematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Renata Ryczan-Krawczyk
- Department and Clinic of Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology and Haematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kałwak
- Department and Clinic of Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology and Haematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Bogunia-Kubik
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
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15
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Foo YY, Tiah A, Aung SW. Harnessing the power of memory-like NK cells to fight cancer. Clin Exp Immunol 2023; 212:212-223. [PMID: 36866467 PMCID: PMC10243875 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells possess the innate ability to eliminate cancerous cells effectively. Their crucial role in immunosurveillance has been widely recognized and exploited for therapeutic intervention. Despite the fast-acting nature of NK cells, NK adoptive cell transfer lacks favorable response in some patients. Patient NK cells often display diminished phenotype in preventing cancer progression resulting in poor prognosis. Tumor microenvironment plays a significant role in causing the downfall of NK cells in patients. The release of inhibitory factors by tumor microenvironment hinders normal function of NK cells against tumor. To overcome this challenge, therapeutic strategies such as cytokine stimulation and genetic manipulation are being investigated to improve NK tumor-killing capacity. One of the promising approaches includes generation of more competent NK cells via ex vivo cytokines activation and proliferation. Cytokine-induced ML-NK demonstrated phenotypic alterations such as enhanced expression of activating receptors which help elevate their antitumor response. Previous preclinical studies showed enhanced cytotoxicity and IFNγ production in ML-NK cells compared to normal NK cells against malignant cells. Similar effects are shown in clinical studies in which MK-NK demonstrated encouraging results in treating hematological cancer. However, there is still a lack of in-depth studies using ML-NK in treating different types of tumors and cancers. With convincing preliminary response, this cell-based approach could be used to complement other therapeutic modalities to achieve better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Yan Foo
- Department of Research and Development, CELLAAX Sdn Bhd, Block D & E, No. 3, Jalan Tasik, Mines Wellness City, Seri Kembangan, 43300 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Angelina Tiah
- Department of Research and Development, CELLAAX Sdn Bhd, Block D & E, No. 3, Jalan Tasik, Mines Wellness City, Seri Kembangan, 43300 Selangor, Malaysia
- Beike 23 Century Laboratory, 23 Century International Life Science Centre, Block D & E, No. 3, Jalan Tasik, Mines Wellness City, Seri Kembangan, 43300 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Shuh Wen Aung
- Beike 23 Century Laboratory, 23 Century International Life Science Centre, Block D & E, No. 3, Jalan Tasik, Mines Wellness City, Seri Kembangan, 43300 Selangor, Malaysia
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16
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Lamothe RC, Storlie MD, Espinosa DA, Rudlaff R, Browne P, Liu J, Rivas A, Devoto A, Oki J, Khoubyari A, Goltsman DSA, Lin JL, Butterfield CN, Brown CT, Thomas BC, Cost GJ. Novel CRISPR-Associated Gene-Editing Systems Discovered in Metagenomic Samples Enable Efficient and Specific Genome Engineering. CRISPR J 2023. [PMID: 37219969 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2022.0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of medicines using gene editing has been hampered by enzymological and immunological impediments. We described previously the discovery and characterization of improved, novel gene-editing systems from metagenomic data. In this study, we substantially advance this work with three such gene-editing systems, demonstrating their utility for cell therapy development. All three systems are capable of reproducible, high-frequency gene editing in primary immune cells. In human T cells, disruption of the T cell receptor (TCR) alpha-chain was induced in >95% of cells, both paralogs of the TCR beta-chain in >90% of cells, and >90% knockout of β2-microglobulin, TIGIT, FAS, and PDCD1. Simultaneous double knockout of TRAC and TRBC was obtained at a frequency equal to that of the single edits. Gene editing with our systems had minimal effect on T cell viability. Furthermore, we integrate a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct into TRAC (up to ∼60% of T cells), and demonstrate CAR expression and cytotoxicity. We next applied our novel gene-editing tools to natural killer (NK) cells, B cells, hematopoietic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells, generating similarly efficient cell-engineering outcomes including the creation of active CAR-NK cells. Interrogation of our gene-editing systems' specificity reveals a profile comparable with or better than Cas9. Finally, our nucleases lack preexisting humoral and T cell-based immunity, consistent with their sourcing from nonhuman pathogens. In all, we show these new gene-editing systems have the activity, specificity, and translatability necessary for use in cell therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jason Liu
- Metagenomi, Inc., Emeryville, California, USA
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17
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Cai M, Huang X, Huang X, Ju D, Zhu YZ, Ye L. Research progress of interleukin-15 in cancer immunotherapy. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1184703. [PMID: 37251333 PMCID: PMC10213988 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1184703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a cytokine that belongs to the interleukin-2 (IL-2) family and is essential for the development, proliferation, and activation of immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, T cells and B cells. Recent studies have revealed that interleukin-15 also plays a critical role in cancer immunotherapy. Interleukin-15 agonist molecules have shown that interleukin-15 agonists are effective in inhibiting tumor growth and preventing metastasis, and some are undergoing clinical trials. In this review, we will summarize the recent progress in interleukin-15 research over the past 5 years, highlighting its potential applications in cancer immunotherapy and the progress of interleukin-15 agonist development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghan Cai
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Xuan Huang
- Minhang Hospital and Department of Biological Medicines at School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiting Huang
- Minhang Hospital and Department of Biological Medicines at School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dianwen Ju
- Minhang Hospital and Department of Biological Medicines at School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Zhun Zhu
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Li Ye
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, Macau SAR, China
- Minhang Hospital and Department of Biological Medicines at School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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18
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Lajqi T, Köstlin-Gille N, Bauer R, Zarogiannis SG, Lajqi E, Ajeti V, Dietz S, Kranig SA, Rühle J, Demaj A, Hebel J, Bartosova M, Frommhold D, Hudalla H, Gille C. Training vs. Tolerance: The Yin/Yang of the Innate Immune System. Biomedicines 2023; 11:766. [PMID: 36979747 PMCID: PMC10045728 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
For almost nearly a century, memory functions have been attributed only to acquired immune cells. Lately, this paradigm has been challenged by an increasing number of studies revealing that innate immune cells are capable of exhibiting memory-like features resulting in increased responsiveness to subsequent challenges, a process known as trained immunity (known also as innate memory). In contrast, the refractory state of endotoxin tolerance has been defined as an immunosuppressive state of myeloid cells portrayed by a significant reduction in the inflammatory capacity. Both training as well tolerance as adaptive features are reported to be accompanied by epigenetic and metabolic alterations occurring in cells. While training conveys proper protection against secondary infections, the induction of endotoxin tolerance promotes repairing mechanisms in the cells. Consequently, the inappropriate induction of these adaptive cues may trigger maladaptive effects, promoting an increased susceptibility to secondary infections-tolerance, or contribute to the progression of the inflammatory disorder-trained immunity. This review aims at the discussion of these opposing manners of innate immune and non-immune cells, describing the molecular, metabolic and epigenetic mechanisms involved and interpreting the clinical implications in various inflammatory pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trim Lajqi
- Department of Neonatology, Heidelberg University Children’s Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Natascha Köstlin-Gille
- Department of Neonatology, Heidelberg University Children’s Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neonatology, University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Bauer
- Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, Jena University Hospital, D-07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Sotirios G. Zarogiannis
- Department of Physiology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, GR-41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Esra Lajqi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Valdrina Ajeti
- Department of Pharmacy, Alma Mater Europaea—Campus College Rezonanca, XK-10000 Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Stefanie Dietz
- Department of Neonatology, Heidelberg University Children’s Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neonatology, University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simon A. Kranig
- Department of Neonatology, Heidelberg University Children’s Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jessica Rühle
- Department of Neonatology, University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ardian Demaj
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tetovo, MK-1200 Tetova, North Macedonia
| | - Janine Hebel
- Department of Neonatology, University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maria Bartosova
- Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Frommhold
- Klinik für Kinderheilkunde und Jugendmedizin, D-87700 Memmingen, Germany
| | - Hannes Hudalla
- Department of Neonatology, Heidelberg University Children’s Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Gille
- Department of Neonatology, Heidelberg University Children’s Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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19
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Tandel N, Negi S, Dalai SK, Tyagi RK. Role of natural killer and B cell interaction in inducing pathogen specific immune responses. Int Rev Immunol 2023:1-19. [PMID: 36731424 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2023.2172406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The innate lymphoid cell (ILC) system comprising of the circulating and tissue-resident cells is known to clear infectious pathogens, establish immune homeostasis as well as confer antitumor immunity. Human natural killer cells (hNKs) and other ILCs carry out mopping of the infectious pathogens and perform cytolytic activity regulated by the non-adaptive immune system. The NK cells generate immunological memory and rapid recall response tightly regulated by the adaptive immunity. The interaction of NK and B cell, and its role to induce the pathogen specific immunity is not fully understood. Hence, present article sheds light on the interaction between NK and B cells and resulting immune responses in the infectious diseases. The immune responses elicited by the NK-B cell interaction is of particular importance for developing therapeutic vaccines against the infectious pathogens. Further, experimental evidences suggest the immune-response driven by NK cell population elicits the host-specific antibodies and memory B cells. Also, recently developed humanized immune system (HIS) mice and their importance in to understanding the NK-B cell interaction and resulting pathogen specific immunity has been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikunj Tandel
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Sushmita Negi
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Biomedical Parasitology and Nano-immunology Lab, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh, India
| | - Sarat K Dalai
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Rajeev K Tyagi
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Biomedical Parasitology and Nano-immunology Lab, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh, India
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20
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Oh BLZ, Chan LWY, Chai LYA. Manipulating NK cellular therapy from cancer to invasive fungal infection: promises and challenges. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1044946. [PMID: 36969979 PMCID: PMC10034767 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1044946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The ideal strategy to fight an infection involves both (i) weakening the invading pathogen through conventional antimicrobial therapy, and (ii) strengthening defense through the augmentation of host immunity. This is even more pertinent in the context of invasive fungal infections whereby the majority of patients have altered immunity and are unable to mount an appropriate host response against the pathogen. Natural killer (NK) cells fit the requirement of an efficient, innate executioner of both tumour cells and pathogens – their unique, targeted cell killing mechanism, combined with other arms of the immune system, make them potent effectors. These characteristics, together with their ready availability (given the various sources of extrinsic NK cells available for harvesting), make NK cells an attractive choice as adoptive cellular therapy against fungi in invasive infections. Improved techniques in ex vivo NK cell activation with expansion, and more importantly, recent advances in genetic engineering including state-of-the-art chimeric antigen receptor platform development, have presented an opportune moment to harness this novel therapeutic as a key component of a multipronged strategy against invasive fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernice Ling Zhi Oh
- VIVA-University Children’s Cancer Centre, Khoo-Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Louis Wei Yong Chan
- Clinician Scientist Academy, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Louis Yi Ann Chai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Louis Yi Ann Chai,
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21
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Metabolic hallmarks of natural killer cells in the tumor microenvironment and implications in cancer immunotherapy. Oncogene 2023; 42:1-10. [PMID: 36473909 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02562-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells belong to the early responder group against cancerous cells and viral infection. Emerging evidence reveals that distinct metabolic reprogramming occurs concurrently with activation and memory formation of NK cells. However, metabolism of NK cells is disturbed in the tumor immune microenvironment, which may promote tumor progression while limiting immunotherapy responses. In this review, we highlight how cell metabolism influences NK cell activity, the key molecular regulators of NK cell metabolism, and emerging strategies to alter metabolism to improve cytotoxicity of NK cells to kill tumor cells for cancer patients.
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22
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Liang C, Li S, Yuan J, Song Y, Ren W, Wang W, Shang Y, Tang S, Pang Y. Attenuated Cytokine-Induced Memory-Like Natural Killer Cell Responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Tuberculosis Patients. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:2349-2364. [PMID: 37101462 PMCID: PMC10124624 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s407742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to investigate the phenotype, proliferation and functional alterations of cytokine-induced memory-like natural killer (CIML NK) cells from healthy subjects and TB patients, and assessed the efficacy of CIML NK cells in response to H37Rv-infected U937 cells in vitro. Methods Fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from healthy people and tuberculosis patients and activated for 16h using low-dose IL-15, or IL-12, IL-15, IL-18 combination or IL-12, IL-15, IL-18 and MTB H37Rv lysates, respectively, followed by low-dose IL-15 maintenance for another 7 days. Then, the PBMCs were co-cultured with K562 and H37Rv-infected U937, and the purified NK cells were co-cultured with H37Rv infected U937. The phenotype, proliferation and response function of CIML NK cells were assessed using flow cytometry. Finally, colony forming units were enumerated to confirm the survival of intracellular MTB. Results CIML NK phenotypes from TB patients were similar to healthy controls. CIML NK cells undergo higher rates of proliferation after IL-12/15/18 pre-activation. Moreover, the poor expansion potential of CIML NK cells co-stimulated with MTB lysates. CIML NK cells from healthy individuals showed enhanced IFN-γ functional to H37Rv infected U937 cells, along with significantly enhanced killing of H37Rv. However, the CIML NK cells from TB patients show attenuated IFN-γ production and now enhanced the ability of killing intracellular MTB compared to those from healthy donors after co-cultured with H37Rv infected U937. Conclusion CIML NK cells from healthy individuals exist the increased ability of IFN-γ secretion and boosted anti-MTB activity in vitro, which from TB patients show impaired IFN-γ production and no enhanced anti-MTB activity compared to those from healthy donors. Additionally, we observe the poor expansion potential of CIML NK cells co-stimulated with antigens from MTB. These results open up new possibilities for NK cell-based anti-tuberculosis immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liang
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University /Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, People’s Republic of China
- Tuberculosis Clinical Medical Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University /Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University /Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinfeng Yuan
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University /Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanhua Song
- Department of Tuberculosis, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University/Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weicong Ren
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University /Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University /Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Shang
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University /Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shenjie Tang
- Tuberculosis Clinical Medical Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University /Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Shenjie Tang; Yu Pang, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 97, Machang, Tongzhou District, Beijing, 101149, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 010 8950 9367; +86 010 8950 9359, Email ;
| | - Yu Pang
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University /Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, People’s Republic of China
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23
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Leveraging Natural Killer Cell Innate Immunity against Hematologic Malignancies: From Stem Cell Transplant to Adoptive Transfer and Beyond. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010204. [PMID: 36613644 PMCID: PMC9820370 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010204] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous recent advancements in T-cell based immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies. In the race towards the first approved allogeneic cellular therapy product, there is growing interest in utilizing natural killer (NK) cells as a platform for off-the-shelf cellular therapies due to their scalable manufacturing potential, potent anti-tumor efficacy, and superior safety profile. Allogeneic NK cell therapies are now being actively explored in the setting of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and adoptive transfer. Increasingly sophisticated gene editing techniques have permitted the engineering of chimeric antigen receptors, ectopic cytokine expression, and tumor recognition signals to improve the overall cytotoxicity of NK cell therapies. Furthermore, the enhancement of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity has been achieved through the use of NK cell engagers and combination regimens with monoclonal antibodies that act synergistically with CD16-expressing NK cells. Finally, a greater understanding of NK cell biology and the mechanisms of resistance have allowed the preclinical development of NK checkpoint blockade and methods to modulate the tumor microenvironment, which have been evaluated in early phase trials. This review will discuss the recent clinical advancements in NK cell therapies in hematologic malignancies as well as promising avenues of future research.
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24
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Jin X, Bi J. Prospects for NK-based immunotherapy of chronic HBV infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1084109. [PMID: 36591230 PMCID: PMC9797727 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1084109] [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: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective and long-term treatment is required for controlling chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. Natural killer (NK) cells are antiviral innate lymphocytes and represent an essential arm of current immunotherapy. In chronic HBV (CHB), NK cells display altered changes in phenotypes and functions, but preserve antiviral activity, especially for cytolytic activity. On the other hand, NK cells might also cause liver injury in the disease. NK -based immunotherapy, including adoptive NK cell therapy and NK -based checkpoint inhibition, could potentially exploit the antiviral aspect of NK cells for controlling CHB infection while preventing liver tissue damage. Here, we review recent progress in NK cell biology under the context of CHB infection, and discuss potential NK -based immunotherapy strategies for the disease.
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25
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Liu S, Nguyen K, Park D, Wong N, Wang A, Zhou Y. Harnessing natural killer cells to develop next-generation cellular immunotherapy. Chronic Dis Transl Med 2022; 8:245-255. [PMID: 36420177 PMCID: PMC9676120 DOI: 10.1002/cdt3.40] [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: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy harnesses the body's own immune system to fight cancer by using engineered T cells, macrophages, or natural killer (NK) cells. Compared to chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells that are commonly used to treat hematological malignancies, CAR-NK cells have shown remarkable therapeutic effectiveness while exhibiting enhanced safety, reduced risk of graft-versus-host disease, fewer side effects, and amplified antitumor efficacy. Preclinical trials have unveiled the high potential of adoptive CAR-NK cell therapy to curtail or even eliminate both hematological malignancies and solid tumors in animal models. We brought forth herein the design principle of CAR-NK cells, highlighted the latest progress in the preclinical testing and clinical trials of CAR-NK cells, briefly delved into discussed major roadblocks in CAR-NK therapy, and discussed potential solutions to surmount these challenges. Given the accelerated progress in both basic and translational studies on immune cell engineering, CAR-NK cell therapy promises to become a serious contender and important addition to the next-generation cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyao Liu
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and TechnologyTexas A&M UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Kaycee Nguyen
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and TechnologyTexas A&M UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Dongyong Park
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and TechnologyTexas A&M UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Nelson Wong
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and TechnologyTexas A&M UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Anson Wang
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and TechnologyTexas A&M UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Yubin Zhou
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and TechnologyTexas A&M UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, School of MedicineTexas A&M UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
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26
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells comprise a unique population of innate lymphoid cells endowed with intrinsic abilities to identify and eliminate virally infected cells and tumour cells. Possessing multiple cytotoxicity mechanisms and the ability to modulate the immune response through cytokine production, NK cells play a pivotal role in anticancer immunity. This role was elucidated nearly two decades ago, when NK cells, used as immunotherapeutic agents, showed safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients with advanced-stage leukaemia. In recent years, following the paradigm-shifting successes of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered adoptive T cell therapy and the advancement in technologies that can turn cells into powerful antitumour weapons, the interest in NK cells as a candidate for immunotherapy has grown exponentially. Strategies for the development of NK cell-based therapies focus on enhancing NK cell potency and persistence through co-stimulatory signalling, checkpoint inhibition and cytokine armouring, and aim to redirect NK cell specificity to the tumour through expression of CAR or the use of engager molecules. In the clinic, the first generation of NK cell therapies have delivered promising results, showing encouraging efficacy and remarkable safety, thus driving great enthusiasm for continued innovation. In this Review, we describe the various approaches to augment NK cell cytotoxicity and longevity, evaluate challenges and opportunities, and reflect on how lessons learned from the clinic will guide the design of next-generation NK cell products that will address the unique complexities of each cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara J Laskowski
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander Biederstädt
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine III: Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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27
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Aiello A, Ligotti ME, Garnica M, Accardi G, Calabrò A, Pojero F, Arasanz H, Bocanegra A, Blanco E, Chocarro L, Echaide M, Fernandez-Rubio L, Ramos P, Piñeiro-Hermida S, Kochan G, Zareian N, Farzaneh F, Escors D, Caruso C, Candore G. How Can We Improve Vaccination Response in Old People? Part I: Targeting Immunosenescence of Innate Immunity Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9880. [PMID: 36077278 PMCID: PMC9456428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination, being able to prevent millions of cases of infectious diseases around the world every year, is the most effective medical intervention ever introduced. However, immunosenescence makes vaccines less effective in providing protection to older people. Although most studies explain that this is mainly due to the immunosenescence of T and B cells, the immunosenescence of innate immunity can also be a significant contributing factor. Alterations in function, number, subset, and distribution of blood neutrophils, monocytes, and natural killer and dendritic cells are detected in aging, thus potentially reducing the efficacy of vaccines in older individuals. In this paper, we focus on the immunosenescence of the innate blood immune cells. We discuss possible strategies to counteract the immunosenescence of innate immunity in order to improve the response to vaccination. In particular, we focus on advances in understanding the role and the development of new adjuvants, such as TLR agonists, considered a promising strategy to increase vaccination efficiency in older individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Aiello
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mattia Emanuela Ligotti
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maider Garnica
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Giulia Accardi
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Calabrò
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Fanny Pojero
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Hugo Arasanz
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Bocanegra
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ester Blanco
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Luisa Chocarro
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Miriam Echaide
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Leticia Fernandez-Rubio
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pablo Ramos
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sergio Piñeiro-Hermida
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Grazyna Kochan
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Nahid Zareian
- The Rayne Institute, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Farzin Farzaneh
- The Rayne Institute, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - David Escors
- Oncoimmunology Group, Navarrabiomed, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Calogero Caruso
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Candore
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
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Khalifa AM, Nakamura T, Sato Y, Sato T, Hyodo M, Hayakawa Y, Harashima H. Interval- and cycle-dependent combined effect of STING agonist loaded lipid nanoparticles and a PD-1 antibody. Int J Pharm 2022; 624:122034. [PMID: 35863595 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) blockade combination to other drugs have attracted the interest of scientists for treating tumors resistant to PD-1 blockade. In this study, the impact of the interval, order of administration, and number of cycles of immunotherapeutic combination of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway agonist loaded lipid nanoparticle (STING-LNP) and PD-1 antibody for inducing the optimal combined antitumor activity against a melanoma lung metastasis is reported. One cycle had no effect, but two and three cycles resulted in a combinedantitumor effect. The interval between the administration was found to influence the induction of the combined effect. The second and third doses increased the gene expression of the NK cell activation marker, interferon γ (IFN-γ), PD-1 and a ligand of PD-1 (PD-L1), whereas the first dose failed. NK cells in the lung showed an increase in the expression of the activation markers and PD-1 after the second dose. The combined antitumor effect of this combination therapy against melanoma lung metastasis model could be dependent on the interval as well as the number of doses of STING-LNP.These findings suggest the importance of the protocol setting when combining a nano system loaded with an immune adjuvant and PD-1 antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa M Khalifa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0812, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakamura
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0812, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Sato
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0812, Japan
| | - Takanori Sato
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0812, Japan
| | - Mamoru Hyodo
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Aichi Institute of Technology, 1247 Yachigusa, Yakusa-cho Toyota, Aichi 470-0392, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hayakawa
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Aichi Institute of Technology, 1247 Yachigusa, Yakusa-cho Toyota, Aichi 470-0392, Japan
| | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0812, Japan.
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Della Chiesa M, Setti C, Giordano C, Obino V, Greppi M, Pesce S, Marcenaro E, Rutigliani M, Provinciali N, Paleari L, DeCensi A, Sivori S, Carlomagno S. NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1033. [PMID: 35891197 PMCID: PMC9323201 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Natural Killer (NK) cells are all round players in immunity thanks to their powerful and immediate response against transformed cells and the ability to modulate the subsequent adaptive immune response. The potential of immunotherapies based on NK cell involvement has been initially revealed in the hematological setting but has inspired the design of different immune tools to also be applied against solid tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Indeed, despite cancer prevention screening plans, surgery, and chemotherapy strategies, CRC is one of the most widespread cancers and with the highest mortality rate. Therefore, further efficient and complementary immune-based therapies are in urgent need. In this review, we gathered the most recent advances in NK cell-based immunotherapies aimed at fighting CRC, in particular, the use of monoclonal antibodies targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), immune checkpoint blockade, and adoptive NK cell therapy, including NK cells modified with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-NK).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Della Chiesa
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Chiara Setti
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Chiara Giordano
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Valentina Obino
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | | | | | - Laura Paleari
- A.Li.Sa., Liguria Region Health Authority, 16121 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Andrea DeCensi
- Medical Oncology, Galliera Hospital, 16128 Genoa, Italy; (N.P.); (A.D.)
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
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Fraser CC, Jia B, Hu G, Al Johani LI, Fritz-Klaus R, Ham JD, Fichorova RN, Elias KM, Cramer DW, Patankar MS, Chen J. Ovarian Cancer Ascites Inhibits Transcriptional Activation of NK Cells Partly through CA125. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:2227-2238. [PMID: 35396222 PMCID: PMC10852100 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Malignant ascites is a common clinical problem in ovarian cancer. NK cells are present in the ascites, but their antitumor activity is inhibited. The underlying mechanisms of the inhibition have yet to be fully elucidated. Using an Fcγ receptor-mediated NK cell activation assay, we show that ascites from ovarian cancer patients potently inhibits NK cell activation. Part of the inhibitory activity is mediated by CA125, a mucin 16 fragment shed from ovarian cancer tumors. Moreover, transcriptional analyses by RNA sequencing reveal upregulation of genes involved in multiple metabolic pathways but downregulation of genes involved in cytotoxicity and signaling pathways in NK cells purified from ovarian cancer patient ascites. Transcription of genes involved in cytotoxicity pathways are also downregulated in NK cells from healthy donors after in vitro treatment with ascites or with a CA125-enriched protein fraction. These results show that ascites and CA125 inhibit antitumor activity of NK cells at transcriptional levels by suppressing expression of genes involved in NK cell activation and cytotoxicity. Our findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms by which ascites inhibits the activity of NK cells and suggest possible approaches to reactivate NK cells for ovarian cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher C Fraser
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Bin Jia
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Guangan Hu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Roberta Fritz-Klaus
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - James Dongjoo Ham
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Raina N Fichorova
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Kevin M Elias
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel William Cramer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Manish S Patankar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jianzhu Chen
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts;
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Sugawara S, Reeves RK, Jost S. Learning to Be Elite: Lessons From HIV-1 Controllers and Animal Models on Trained Innate Immunity and Virus Suppression. Front Immunol 2022; 13:858383. [PMID: 35572502 PMCID: PMC9094575 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.858383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has drastically changed the lives of people living with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), long-term treatment has been associated with a vast array of comorbidities. Therefore, a cure for HIV-1 remains the best option to globally eradicate HIV-1/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, development of strategies to achieve complete eradication of HIV-1 has been extremely challenging. Thus, the control of HIV-1 replication by the host immune system, namely functional cure, has long been studied as an alternative approach for HIV-1 cure. HIV-1 elite controllers (ECs) are rare individuals who naturally maintain undetectable HIV-1 replication levels in the absence of ART and whose immune repertoire might be a desirable blueprint for a functional cure. While the role(s) played by distinct human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression and CD8+ T cell responses expressing cognate ligands in controlling HIV-1 has been widely characterized in ECs, the innate immune phenotype has been decidedly understudied. Comparably, in animal models such as HIV-1-infected humanized mice and simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV)-infected non-human primates (NHP), viremic control is known to be associated with specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles and CD8+ T cell activity, but the innate immune response remains incompletely characterized. Notably, recent work demonstrating the existence of trained innate immunity may provide new complementary approaches to achieve an HIV-1 cure. Herein, we review the known characteristics of innate immune responses in ECs and available animal models, identify gaps of knowledge regarding responses by adaptive or trained innate immune cells, and speculate on potential strategies to induce EC-like responses in HIV-1 non-controllers.
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Tarannum M, Romee R, Shapiro RM. Innovative Strategies to Improve the Clinical Application of NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:859177. [PMID: 35401529 PMCID: PMC8990319 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.859177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells constitute a part of the innate immune system that mediates an effective immune response towards virus-infected and malignant cells. In recent years, research has focused on exploring and advancing NK cells as an active immunotherapy platform. Despite major advances, there are several key challenges that need to be addressed for the effective translation of NK cell research to clinical applications. This review highlights some of these challenges and the innovative strategies being developed to overcome them, including in vitro expansion, in vivo persistence, infiltration to the tumor site, and prevention of exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubin Tarannum
- Division of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rizwan Romee
- Division of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Roman M Shapiro
- Division of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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