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Wang R, Peng X, Yuan Y, Shi B, Liu Y, Ni H, Guo W, Yang Q, Liu P, Wang J, Su Z, Yu S, Liu D, Zhang J, Xia J, Liu X, Li H, Yang Z, Peng Z. Dynamic immune recovery process after liver transplantation revealed by single-cell multi-omics analysis. Innovation (N Y) 2024; 5:100599. [PMID: 38510071 PMCID: PMC10952083 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the temporal process of immune remodeling under immunosuppressive treatment after liver transplantation (LT) is critical for precise clinical management strategies. Here, we performed a single-cell multi-omics analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from LT patients (with and without acute cellular rejection [ACR]) at 13 time points. Validation was performed in two independent cohorts with additional LT patients and healthy controls. Our study revealed a four-phase recovery process after LT and delineated changes in immune cell composition, expression programs, and interactions along this process. The intensity of the immune response differs between the ACR and non-ACR patients. Notably, the newly identified inflamed NK cells, CD14+RNASE2+ monocytes, and FOS-expressing monocytes emerged as predictive indicators of ACR. This study illuminates the longitudinal evolution of the immune cell landscape under tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive treatment during LT recovery, providing a four-phase framework that aids the clinical management of LT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Department of General Surgery, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen Human Organ Transplantation Quality Control Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xiao Peng
- Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Department of General Surgery, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen Human Organ Transplantation Quality Control Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yixin Yuan
- Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Department of General Surgery, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen Human Organ Transplantation Quality Control Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Baojie Shi
- Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Department of General Surgery, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen Human Organ Transplantation Quality Control Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Hengxiao Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Wenzhi Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Qiwei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Pingguo Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, The National Key Clinical Specialty, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Department of General Surgery, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen Human Organ Transplantation Quality Control Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zhaojie Su
- Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Department of General Surgery, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen Human Organ Transplantation Quality Control Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Shengnan Yu
- Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Department of General Surgery, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen Human Organ Transplantation Quality Control Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Dehua Liu
- Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Department of General Surgery, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen Human Organ Transplantation Quality Control Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jinyan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Junjie Xia
- Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Department of General Surgery, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen Human Organ Transplantation Quality Control Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xueni Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Hao Li
- Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Department of General Surgery, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen Human Organ Transplantation Quality Control Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zhengfeng Yang
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Zhihai Peng
- Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Department of General Surgery, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen Human Organ Transplantation Quality Control Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
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Asiimwe R, Knott B, Greene ME, Wright E, Bell M, Epstein D, Yates SD, Cheung MD, Gonzalez MV, Fry S, Boydston E, Clevenger S, Locke JE, George JF, Burney R, Arora N, Duncan VE, Richter HE, Gunn D, Freud AG, Little SC, Porrett PM. Inhibition of NFAT promotes loss of tissue resident uterine natural killer cells and attendant pregnancy complications in humans. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.07.583906. [PMID: 38559147 PMCID: PMC10979847 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.07.583906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Uterine natural killer cells (uNKs) are a tissue resident lymphocyte population that are critical for pregnancy success. Although mouse models have demonstrated that NK deficiency results in abnormal placentation and poor pregnancy outcomes, the generalizability of this knowledge to humans remains unclear. Here we identify uterus transplant (UTx) recipients as a human population with reduced endometrial NK cells and altered pregnancy phenotypes. We further show that the NK reduction in UTx is due to impaired transcriptional programming of NK tissue residency due to blockade of the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). NFAT-dependent genes played a role in multiple molecular circuits governing tissue residency in uNKs, including early residency programs involving AP-1 transcription factors as well as TGFβ-mediated upregulation of surface integrins. Collectively, our data identify a previously undescribed role for NFAT in uterine NK tissue residency and provide novel mechanistic insights into the biologic basis of pregnancy complications due to alteration of tissue resident NK subsets in humans. One Sentence Summary Role of NFAT in uterine NK cell tissue residency.
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Jalali S, Stankovic S, Westall GP, Reading PC, Sullivan LC, Brooks AG. Examining the impact of immunosuppressive drugs on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of human peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells and gamma delta (γδ) T cells. Transpl Immunol 2024; 82:101962. [PMID: 38007172 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2023.101962] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human natural killer (NK) cells and gamma delta (γδ) T cells may impact outcomes of solid organ transplantation (SOT) such as lung transplantation (LTx) following the differential engagement of an array of activating and inhibitory receptors. Amongst these, CD16 may be particularly important due to its capacity to bind IgG to trigger antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. While the use of immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs) is an integral component of SOT practice, their relative impact on various immune cells, especially γδT cells and CD16-induced functional responses, is still unclear. METHODS The ADCC responses of peripheral blood NK cells and γδT cells from both healthy blood donors and adult lung transplant recipients (LTRs) were assessed by flow cytometry. Specifically, the degranulation response, as reflected in the expression of CD107a, and the capacity of both NK cells and γδT cells to produce IFN-γ and TNF-α was assessed following rituximab (RTX)-induced activation. Additionally, the effect of cyclosporine A (CsA), tacrolimus (TAC), prednisolone (Prdl) and azathioprine (AZA) at the concentration of 1 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, and 1000 ng/ml on these responses was also compared in both cell types. RESULTS Flow cytometric analyses of CD16 expresion showed that its expression on γδT cells was both at lower levels and more variable than that on peripheral blood NK cells. Nevertheless functional analyses showed that despite these differences, γδT cells like NK cells can be readily activated by engagement with RTX to degranulate and produce cytokines such as IFNg and TNF-a. RTX-induced degranulation by either NK cells or γδT cells from healthy donors was not impacted by co-culture with individual ISDs. However, CsA and TAC but not Prdl and AZA did inhibit the production of IFN-γ and TNF-α by both cell types. Flow cytometric analyses of RTX-induced activation of NK cells and γδT cells from LTRs suggested their capacity to degranulate was not markedly impacted by transplantation with similar levels of cells expressing CD107 pre- and post-LTx. However an impairment in the ability of NK cells to produce cytokines was observed in samples obtained post LTx whereas γδT cell cytokine responses were not significantly impacted. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the findings show that despite differences in the expression levels of CD16, γδT cells like NK cells can be readily activated by engagement with RTX and that in vitro exposure to CsA and TAC (calcineurin inhibitors) had a measurable effect on cytokine production but not degranulation by both NK cells and gdT cells from healthy donors. Finally the observation that in PBMC obtained from LTx recipients, NK cells but not γδT cells exhibited impaired cytokine reponses suggests that transplantation or chronic exposure to ISDs differentially impacts their potential to respond to the introduction of an allograft and/or transplant-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedigheh Jalali
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Sanda Stankovic
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Glen P Westall
- Lung Transplant Service, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Patrick C Reading
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Lucy C Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Andrew G Brooks
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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Iwamoto T, Nishikawa K. Monitoring of blood immunosuppressant concentrations and lymphocyte activation for predicting viral infections following kidney transplantation: A pilot study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e31783. [PMID: 36401367 PMCID: PMC9678530 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000031783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The current standard pharmacokinetic monitoring of immunosuppressive therapy does not consider inter- and intra-individual differences in the biological response to multidrug immunosuppressive therapy. The authors evaluated the blood levels of the immunosuppressive drugs IL-2 and IFN-γ in circulating lymphocytes as surrogate indicators of the development of viral infections after living kidney transplantation. This single-center prospective study included 20 kidney transplant recipients who underwent living-donor transplantation at the Mie University Hospital. All the study participants received tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid, methylprednisolone, and basiliximab. The area under the concentration curves (AUCs) of blood tacrolimus and serum mycophenolic acid were measured 1 day prior to transplantation and on post-transplantation days (PTD) for up to 5 months. IL-2 and IFN-γ levels in circulating lymphocytes were measured simultaneously. One recipient experienced an acute graft rejection. Although the AUC of tacrolimus at PTD 7 was significantly higher in the virus-infected group than that in the non-infected group, the AUC of mycophenolic acid did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. The expression levels of IFN-γ+ NK, IFN-γ+ CD4+ T, and CD8+ T cells in the infected group also tended to be higher than those in the noninfected group. During the study period, there was a clear difference in the expression of IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells, which increased significantly during or after infection. Circulating IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cell counts may serve as promising biomarkers for predicting opportunistic viral infections early after kidney transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Iwamoto
- Department of Pharmacy, Mie University Hospital, Tsu, Mie, Japan
- *Correspondence: Takuya Iwamoto, Department of Pharmacy, Mie University Hospital, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan (e-mail: )
| | - Kohei Nishikawa
- Department of Nephro-Urologic Surgery and Andrology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan
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Low-Dose Tacrolimus Promotes the Migration and Invasion and Nitric Oxide Production in the Human-Derived First Trimester Extravillous Trophoblast Cells In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158426. [PMID: 35955565 PMCID: PMC9369346 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Placentation is one of the most important determinants for a successful pregnancy, and this is dependent on the process of trophoblast migration and invasion. Progesterone receptors (PGR) are critical effectors of progesterone (P4) signaling that is required for trophoblast migration and invasion conducive to a successful gestation. In immune complicated pregnancies, evidence has shown that abnormal placentation occurs because of aberrant expression of PGR. Therapeutic intervention with tacrolimus (FK506) was able to restore PGR expression and improve pregnancy outcomes in immune-complicated gestations; however, the exact mode of action of tacrolimus in assisting placentation is not clear. Here, we attempt to uncover the mode of action of tacrolimus by examining its effects on trophoblast invasion and migration in the human-derived extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell line, the HTR-8/SVneo cells. Using a variety of functional assays, we demonstrated that low-dose tacrolimus (10 ng/mL) was sufficient to significantly (p < 0.001) stimulate the migration and invasion of the HTR-8/SVneo cells, inducing their cytosolic/nuclear progesterone receptor expression and activation, and modulating their Nitric Oxide (NO) production. Moreover, tacrolimus abrogated the suppressive effect of the NOS inhibitor Nω- Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) on these vital processes critically involved in the establishment of human pregnancy. Collectively, our data suggest an immune-independent mode of action of tacrolimus in positively influencing placentation in complicated gestations, at least in part, through promoting the migration and invasion of the first trimester extravillous trophoblast cells by modulating their NO production and activating their cytosolic/nuclear progesterone-receptors. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show that the mode of action of tacrolimus as a monotherapy for implantation failure is plausibly PGR-dependent.
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Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell Maintenance and Multiple Lineage Differentiation Is an Integral Function of NFATc1. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132012. [PMID: 35805096 PMCID: PMC9265824 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) maintenance and the differentiation of various lineages is a highly complex but precisely regulated process. Multiple signaling pathways and an array of transcription factors influence HSPC maintenance and the differentiation of individual lineages to constitute a functional hematopoietic system. Nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) family transcription factors have been studied in the context of development and function of multiple mature hematopoietic lineage cells. However, until now their contribution in HSPC physiology and HSPC differentiation to multiple hematopoietic lineages has remained poorly understood. Here, we show that NFAT proteins, specifically NFATc1, play an indispensable role in the maintenance of HSPCs. In the absence of NFATc1, very few HSPCs develop in the bone marrow, which are functionally defective. In addition to HSPC maintenance, NFATc1 also critically regulates differentiation of lymphoid, myeloid, and erythroid lineage cells from HSPCs. Deficiency of NFATc1 strongly impaired, while enhanced NFATc1 activity augmented, the differentiation of these lineages, which further attested to the vital involvement of NFATc1 in regulating hematopoiesis. Hematopoietic defects due to lack of NFATc1 activity can lead to severe pathologies such as lymphopenia, myelopenia, and a drastically reduced lifespan underlining the critical role NFATc1 plays in HSPC maintenance and in the differentaion of various lineages. Our findings suggest that NFATc1 is a critical component of the myriad signaling and transcriptional regulators that are essential to maintain normal hematopoiesis.
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Lim SA, Moon Y, Shin MH, Kim TJ, Chae S, Yee C, Hwang D, Park H, Lee KM. Hypoxia-Driven HIF-1α Activation Reprograms Pre-Activated NK Cells towards Highly Potent Effector Phenotypes via ERK/STAT3 Pathways. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081904. [PMID: 33920906 PMCID: PMC8071270 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In patients with advanced cancer, hypoxic stress shapes NK cells toward tumor-resistant and immunosuppressive phenotypes. Therefore, a strategy to restore NK cell function within hypoxia would be crucial for successful tumor immunotherapy. By manipulating pO2 exposure to naïve vs. pre-activated NK cells, we found that HIF-1α-dependent metabolic reprogramming of NK cells is the key to overcoming hypoxia-mediated NK cell impairment. Exposure of pre-activated NK cells to hypoxia with 1.5% pO2 initiated metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis and reduction of p21/p53-dependent apoptotic pathways, with concomitant upregulation of cell cycle-promoting genes and downregulation of cell cycle-arrest genes via HIF-1a/ERK/STAT3 activation. Furthermore, upregulation of NKp44 activating receptor in hypoxia-exposed pre-activated NK cells elevated cytotoxicity of K562, CEM, and A375 tumor cells, in both in-vitro and in-vivo tumor-clearance assays. Therefore, HIF-1α-mediated metabolic reprogramming of NK cells could reverse their impaired phenotype, generating functionally robust NK cells for adoptive therapy and clinical evaluation. Abstract NK cells are the predominant innate lymphocyte subsets specialized to kill malignant tumor cells. In patients with advanced cancer, hypoxic stress shapes NK cells toward tumor-resistant and immunosuppressive phenotypes, hence a strategy to restore NK function is critical for successful tumor immunotherapy. Here, we present evidence that pre-activation and subsequent HIF-1α-dependent metabolic shift of NK cells from oxidative phosphorylation into glycolysis are keys to overcome hypoxia-mediated impairment in NK cell survival, proliferation, and tumor cytotoxicity. Specifically, exposing NK cells to 7–9 days of normoxic culture followed by a pO2 of 1.5% hypoxia led to a highly potent effector phenotype via HIF-1α stabilization and upregulation of its target genes, BNIP3, PDK1, VEGF, PKM2, and LDHA. RNA sequencing and network analyses revealed that concomitant reduction of p21/p53 apoptotic pathways along with upregulation of cell cycle-promoting genes, CCNE1, CDC6, CDC20, and downregulation of cell cycle-arrest genes, CDKN1A, GADD45A, and MDM2 were accountable for superior expansion of NK cells via ERK/STAT3 activation. Furthermore, HIF-1α-dependent upregulation of the NKp44 receptor in hypoxia-exposed NK cells resulted in increased killing against K562, CEM, and A375 tumor targets both in-vitro and in-vivo tumor clearance assays. Therefore, hypoxic exposure on pre-activated proliferating NK cells triggered HIF-1α-dependent pathways to initiate coordinated regulation of cell cycle, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity at the global gene transcription level. Our results uncover a previously unidentified role of HIF-1α-mediated metabolic reprogramming that can reverse impaired NK effector phenotypes to generate requisite numbers of functionally robust NK cells for adoptive cellular therapy for clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seon Ah Lim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (S.A.L.); (M.H.S.); (T.-J.K.)
| | - Yunwon Moon
- Department of Life Science, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Korea;
| | - Min Hwa Shin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (S.A.L.); (M.H.S.); (T.-J.K.)
| | - Tae-Jin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (S.A.L.); (M.H.S.); (T.-J.K.)
| | - Sehyun Chae
- Korea Brain Bank, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41068, Korea;
| | - Cassian Yee
- Departments of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Immunology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA;
| | - Daehee Hwang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea;
| | - Hyunsung Park
- Department of Life Science, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Korea;
- Correspondence: (H.P.); (K.-M.L.); Tel.: +82-2-6490-2670 (H.P.); +82-2-920-6251 (K-M.L.)
| | - Kyung-Mi Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (S.A.L.); (M.H.S.); (T.-J.K.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Bio-Integrated Electronics, Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Correspondence: (H.P.); (K.-M.L.); Tel.: +82-2-6490-2670 (H.P.); +82-2-920-6251 (K-M.L.)
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Inamo J, Kaneko Y, Kikuchi J, Takeuchi T. High serum IgA and activated Th17 and Treg predict the efficacy of abatacept in patients with early, seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol 2021; 40:3615-3626. [PMID: 33704594 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-021-05602-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the predictive biomarkers for achieving remission with abatacept in patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS We enrolled patients with RA who were treated with abatacept. We compared the baseline laboratory results and longitudinal immune-phenotyping data between patients who achieved remission and those who did not achieve remission at 6 months according to the clinical disease activity index. RESULTS One hundred and twenty RA patients were enrolled. In the seropositive patients with early RA (n = 24), high serum IgA levels, anti-citrullinated peptide (CCP) titers, and neutrophil counts before treatment were predictors of remission (area under the curve [AUC], 0.659, 0.741, and 0.704, respectively). Additionally, activated Th17 (aTh17) cells and activated Treg (aTreg) cells before treatment were found to be significantly higher in patients with remission compared to those without remission (2.9% vs 1.1%, P = 0.02; 34.3% vs 17%, P = 0.03, respectively). The measurement of longitudinal cell subpopulation revealed a decrease in the effector CD4 T cell population after abatacept treatment, which correlated with anti-CCP titers and neutrophil counts, and was associated with remission achievement. In seropositive patients with established RA (n = 79), high RF titers and low IFN-γ levels were associated with the good response to abatacept. CONCLUSION Our study has shown that serum IgA levels, anti-CCP titer, and neutrophil counts are predictive biomarkers for predicting the response to abatacept in patients with seropositive and early RA and may reflect the inhibition of effector CD4 T cell subpopulations by abatacept. Key Points • Serum IgA levels and neutrophil counts are novel biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of abatacept. • Those may reflect the inhibition of effector CD4 T cell subpopulations by abatacept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Inamo
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yuko Kaneko
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
| | - Jun Kikuchi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Takeuchi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
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Wu Y, Huang M, Sun H, Zhou X, Zhou R, Gu G, Xia Q. Role of Innate Immunity in Pediatric Post-transplant Idiopathic Liver Fibrosis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2111. [PMID: 33193293 PMCID: PMC7642407 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric post-transplant idiopathic liver fibrosis is an unexplained graft fibrosis that occurs in symptom-free children without acute rejection and surgical complications. Despite a lack of consensus on the subject, the development of pediatric post-transplant idiopathic liver fibrosis is believed to be the result of multiple potential factors, including ischemia-reperfusion injury, allogeneic acute and chronic rejection, viral hepatitis recurrence, opportunistic infection, and drug-induced liver damage. Among them, there is growing evidence that innate immunity may also have a unique role in this progression. This study reviews the features of pediatric post-transplant idiopathic liver fibrosis and discusses current studies illustrating the potential mechanisms of liver allograft tolerance induced by intrahepatic innate immunity, the role of components including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), interferons (IFN), dendritic cells (DC), natural killer cells (NK cells), NKT cells, neutrophils, and Kupffer cells, as well as their possibly relevant role in the development of pediatric post-transplant idiopathic liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingzhu Huang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haojie Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiying Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruoqiao Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangxiang Gu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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10
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Lam JKP, Azzi T, Hui KF, Wong AMG, McHugh D, Caduff N, Chan KH, Münz C, Chiang AKS. Co-infection of Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus Diminishes the Frequency of CD56 dimNKG2A +KIR - NK Cells and Contributes to Suboptimal Control of EBV in Immunosuppressed Children With Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1231. [PMID: 32625211 PMCID: PMC7311655 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication, frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which develops after solid organ or stem cell transplantation. Immunosuppression received by transplant recipients has a significant impact on the development of PTLD by suppressing the function of T cells. The preferential proliferation of NKG2A-positive natural killer (NK) cells during primary symptomatic EBV infection known as infectious mononucleosis (IM) and their reactivity toward EBV-infected B cells point to a role of NK cell in the immune control of EBV. However, NK cell-mediated immune response to EBV in immunosuppressed transplant recipients who develop PTLD remains unclear. In this study, we longitudinally analyzed the phenotype and function of different NK cell subsets in a cohort of pediatric liver transplant patients who develop PTLD and compared them to those of children with IM. We found persistently elevated plasma EBV DNA levels in the PTLD patients indicating suboptimal anti-viral immune control. PTLD patients had markedly decreased frequency of CD56dimNKG2A+Killer Immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)− NK cells from the time of diagnosis through remission compared to those of IM patients. Whilst the proliferation of CD56dimNKG2A+KIR− NK cells was diminished in PTLD patients, this NK cell subset maintained its ability to potently degranulate against EBV-infected B cells. Compared to cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seropositive and -negative IM patients, PTLD patients co-infected with CMV and EBV had significantly higher levels of a CMV-associated CD56dimNKG2ChiCD57+NKG2A−KIR+ NK cell subset accumulating at the expense of NKG2A+KIR− NK cells. Taken together, our data indicate that co-infection of CMV and EBV diminishes the frequency of CD56dimNKG2A+KIR− NK cells and contributes to suboptimal control of EBV in immunosuppressed children with PTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice K P Lam
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Tarik Azzi
- Experimental Infectious Diseases and Cancer Research, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - K F Hui
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Aikha M G Wong
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Donal McHugh
- Department of Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Caduff
- Department of Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - K H Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christian Münz
- Department of Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alan K S Chiang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
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11
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Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Tacrolimus-Personalized Therapy: Second Consensus Report. Ther Drug Monit 2019; 41:261-307. [DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000000640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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12
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Brunet M, van Gelder T, Åsberg A, Haufroid V, Hesselink DA, Langman L, Lemaitre F, Marquet P, Seger C, Shipkova M, Vinks A, Wallemacq P, Wieland E, Woillard JB, Barten MJ, Budde K, Colom H, Dieterlen MT, Elens L, Johnson-Davis KL, Kunicki PK, MacPhee I, Masuda S, Mathew BS, Millán O, Mizuno T, Moes DJAR, Monchaud C, Noceti O, Pawinski T, Picard N, van Schaik R, Sommerer C, Vethe NT, de Winter B, Christians U, Bergan S. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Tacrolimus-Personalized Therapy: Second Consensus Report. Ther Drug Monit 2019. [DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000000640
expr 845143713 + 809233716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
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13
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Lim SA, Kim J, Jeon S, Shin MH, Kwon J, Kim TJ, Im K, Han Y, Kwon W, Kim SW, Yee C, Kim SJ, Jang JY, Lee KM. Defective Localization With Impaired Tumor Cytotoxicity Contributes to the Immune Escape of NK Cells in Pancreatic Cancer Patients. Front Immunol 2019; 10:496. [PMID: 31024520 PMCID: PMC6465515 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), found in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), are shown to correlate with overall survival (OS) rate. Although majority of TILs consist of CD8+/CD4+ T cells, the presence of NK cells and their role in the pathogenesis of PDAC remains elusive. We performed comprehensive analyses of TIL, PBMC, and autologous tumor cells from 80 enrolled resectable PDAC patients to comprehend the NK cell defects within PDAC. Extremely low frequencies of NK cells (<0.5%) were found within PDAC tumors, which was attributable not to the low expression of tumor chemokines, but to the lack of chemokine receptor, CXCR2. Forced expression of CXCR2 in patients' NK cells rendered them capable of trafficking into PDAC. Furthermore, NK cells exhibited impaired cell-mediated killing of autologous PDAC cells, primarily due to insufficient ligation of NKG2D and DNAM-1, and failed to proliferate within the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Importantly, these defects could be overcome by ex-vivo stimulation of NK cells from such patients. Importantly, when the proliferative capacity of NK cells in vitro was used to stratify patients on the basis of cell expansion, patients whose NK cells proliferated <250-fold experienced significantly lower DFS and OS than those with ≥250-fold. Ex-vivo activation of NK cells restored tumor trafficking and reactivity, hence provided a therapeutic modality while their fold expansion could be a potentially significant prognostic indicator of OS and DFS in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seon Ah Lim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jungwon Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seunghyun Jeon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min Hwa Shin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joonha Kwon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae-Jin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyungtaek Im
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Youngmin Han
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wooil Kwon
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sun-Whe Kim
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Cassian Yee
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Immunology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Seong-Jin Kim
- Precision Medicine Research Center, Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Jin-Young Jang
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyung-Mi Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Immunology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,Center for Bio- Integrated Electronics, Simpson Querrey Institute, Evanston, IL, United States
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14
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Pradier A, Papaserafeim M, Li N, Rietveld A, Kaestel C, Gruaz L, Vonarburg C, Spirig R, Puga Yung GL, Seebach JD. Small-Molecule Immunosuppressive Drugs and Therapeutic Immunoglobulins Differentially Inhibit NK Cell Effector Functions in vitro. Front Immunol 2019; 10:556. [PMID: 30972058 PMCID: PMC6445861 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-molecule immunosuppressive drugs (ISD) prevent graft rejection mainly by inhibiting T lymphocytes. Therapeutic immunoglobulins (IVIg) are used for substitution, antibody-mediated rejection (AbMR) and HLA-sensitized recipients by targeting distinct cell types. Since the effect of ISD and IVIg on natural killer (NK) cells remains somewhat controversial in the current literature, the aim of this comparative study was to investigate healthy donor's human NK cell functions after exposure to ISD and IVIg, and to comprehensively review the current literature. NK cells were incubated overnight with IL2/IL12 and different doses and combinations of ISD and IVIg. Proliferation was evaluated by 3[H]-thymidine incorporation; phenotype, degranulation and interferon gamma (IFNγ) production by flow cytometry and ELISA; direct NK cytotoxicity by standard 51[Cr]-release and non-radioactive DELFIA assays using K562 as stimulator and target cells; porcine endothelial cells coated with human anti-pig antibodies were used as targets in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays. We found that CD69, CD25, CD54, and NKG2D were downregulated by ISD. Proliferation was inhibited by methylprednisolone (MePRD), mycophenolic acid (MPA), and everolimus (EVE). MePRD and MPA reduced degranulation, MPA only of CD56bright NK cells. MePRD and IVIg inhibited direct cytotoxicity and ADCC. Combinations of ISD demonstrated cumulative inhibitory effects. IFNγ production was inhibited by MePRD and ISD combinations, but not by IVIg. In conclusion, IVIg, ISD and combinations thereof differentially inhibit NK cell functions. The most potent drug with an effect on all NK functions was MePRD. The fact that MePRD and IVIg significantly block NK cytotoxicity, especially ADCC, has major implications for AbMR as well as therapeutic strategies targeting cancer and immune cells with monoclonal antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Pradier
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maria Papaserafeim
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ning Li
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anke Rietveld
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Kaestel
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lyssia Gruaz
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Gisella L Puga Yung
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jörg D Seebach
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
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15
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Rohn H, Tomoya Michita R, Schwich E, Dolff S, Gäckler A, Trilling M, Le-Trilling VTK, Wilde B, Korth J, Heinemann FM, Horn PA, Kribben A, Witzke O, Rebmann V. The Donor Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Chain-Related Molecule A Allele rs2596538 G Predicts Cytomegalovirus Viremia in Kidney Transplant Recipients. Front Immunol 2018; 9:917. [PMID: 29867932 PMCID: PMC5953334 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related protein A (MICA) and its cognate activating receptor natural killer (NK) group 2 member D (NKG2D) receptor plays a significant role in viral immune control. In the context of kidney transplantation (KTx), cytomegalovirus (CMV) frequently causes severe complications. Hypothesizing that functional polymorphisms of the MICA/NKG2D axis might affect antiviral NK and T cell responses to CMV, we explored the association of the MICA-129 Met/Val single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (affecting the binding affinity of MICA with the NKG2D receptor), the MICA rs2596538 G/A SNP (influencing MICA transcription), and the NKG2D rs1049174 G/C SNP (determining the cytotoxic potential of effector cells) with the clinical outcome of CMV during the first year after KTx in a cohort of 181 kidney donor-recipients pairs. Univariate analyses identified the donor MICA rs2596538 G allele status as a protective prognostic determinant for CMV disease. In addition to the well-known prognostic factors CMV high-risk sero-status of patients and the application of lymphocyte-depleting drugs, the donor MICA rs2596538 G allele carrier status was confirmed by multivariate analyses as novel-independent factor predicting the development of CMV infection/disease during the first year after KTx. The results of our study emphasize the clinical importance of the MICA/NKG2D axis in CMV control in KTx and point out that the potential MICA transcription in the donor allograft is of clinically relevant importance for CMV immune control in this allogeneic situation. Furthermore, they provide substantial evidence that the donor MICA rs2596538 G allele carrier status is a promising genetic marker predicting CMV viremia after KTx. Thus, in the kidney transplant setting, donor MICA rs2596538 G may help to allow the future development of personal CMV approaches within a genetically predisposed patient cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Rohn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rafael Tomoya Michita
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Esther Schwich
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dolff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anja Gäckler
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mirko Trilling
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Benjamin Wilde
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Johannes Korth
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Falko M Heinemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Peter A Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Kribben
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Vera Rebmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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16
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Ohira M, Nishida S, Tryphonopoulos P, Ruiz P, Ohdan H, Tzakis AG. Impact of Steroids on Natural Killer Cells Against Cytotoxicity and Hepatitis C Virus Replication. Transplant Proc 2018; 49:1160-1164. [PMID: 28583548 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2017.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells play important roles in killing tumor and virus-infected cells. Immunosuppression used after organ transplantation is thought to increase the risk of tumor recurrence and viral infections. However, the effect of immunosuppressive drugs on NK cells has not yet been clearly established. Therefore, we examined the effect of immunosuppression on NK cells. METHODS NK cells were cultured for 7 days in the presence of interleukin-2 (100 U/mL) with or without the following immunosuppressive drugs: tacrolimus, cyclosporine A, corticosteroid (methylprednisolone [MP]), mycophenolate mofetil, and rapamycin. The effect of the drugs on NK cell activation was tested on the basis of the following: NK cell phenotype, NK cell proliferation, cytotoxicity against K562 cells, cytokine production by NK cells, and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity with HCV genomic replicon cells. RESULTS NK cells showed relatively robust functions in the presence of tacrolimus and cyclosporine A. Mycophenolate mofetil and rapamycin significantly prevented only NK cell proliferation (P < .05). In contrast, MP significantly inhibited the proliferation, cytotoxicity, and anti-HCV effect (10.9%, 18.5%, and 1.9%, respectively) of NK cells. Furthermore, MP specifically inhibited the expression of NK cell activation markers and the production of interferon-γ (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Corticosteroids have distinct effects on NK cells, which may have important implications for NK cell function in cytotoxicity and HCV effect after transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ohira
- Department of Surgery, Division of Liver and Gastrointestinal Transplantation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - S Nishida
- Department of Surgery, Division of Liver and Gastrointestinal Transplantation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
| | - P Tryphonopoulos
- Department of Surgery, Division of Liver and Gastrointestinal Transplantation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - P Ruiz
- Department of Pathology and Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - H Ohdan
- Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - A G Tzakis
- Department of Surgery, Division of Liver and Gastrointestinal Transplantation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Department of Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida
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17
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The Role of NK Cells in Pig-to-Human Xenotransplantation. J Immunol Res 2017; 2017:4627384. [PMID: 29410970 PMCID: PMC5749293 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4627384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recruitment of human NK cells to porcine tissues has been demonstrated in pig organs perfused ex vivo with human blood in the early 1990s. Subsequently, the molecular mechanisms leading to adhesion and cytotoxicity in human NK cell-porcine endothelial cell (pEC) interactions have been elucidated in vitro to identify targets for therapeutic interventions. Specific molecular strategies to overcome human anti-pig NK cell responses include (1) blocking of the molecular events leading to recruitment (chemotaxis, adhesion, and transmigration), (2) expression of human MHC class I molecules on pECs that inhibit NK cells, and (3) elimination or blocking of pig ligands for activating human NK receptors. The potential of cell-based strategies including tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC) and regulatory T cells (Treg) and the latest progress using transgenic pigs genetically modified to reduce xenogeneic NK cell responses are discussed. Finally, we present the status of phenotypic and functional characterization of nonhuman primate (NHP) NK cells, essential for studying their role in xenograft rejection using preclinical pig-to-NHP models, and summarize key advances and important perspectives for future research.
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18
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Jamil KM, Hydes TJ, Cheent KS, Cassidy SA, Traherne JA, Jayaraman J, Trowsdale J, Alexander GJ, Little AM, McFarlane H, Heneghan MA, Purbhoo MA, Khakoo SI. STAT4-associated natural killer cell tolerance following liver transplantation. Gut 2017; 66:352-361. [PMID: 26887815 PMCID: PMC5284485 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2015-309395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Natural killer (NK) cells are important mediators of liver inflammation in chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate why liver transplants (LTs) are not rejected by NK cells in the absence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching, and to identify a tolerogenic NK cell phenotype. DESIGN Phenotypic and functional analyses on NK cells from 54 LT recipients were performed, and comparisons made with healthy controls. Further investigation was performed using gene expression analysis and donor:recipient HLA typing. RESULTS NK cells from non-HCV LT recipients were hypofunctional, with reduced expression of NKp46 (p<0.05) and NKp30 (p<0.001), reduced cytotoxicity (p<0.001) and interferon (IFN)-γ secretion (p<0.025). There was no segregation of this effect with HLA-C, and these functional changes were not observed in individuals with HCV. Microarray and RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated downregulation of STAT4 in NK cells from LT recipients (p<0.0001). Changes in the expression levels of the transcription factors Helios (p=0.06) and Hobit (p=0.07), which control NKp46 and IFNγ expression, respectively, were also detected. Hypofunctionality of NK cells was associated with impaired STAT4 phosphorylation and downregulation of the STAT4 target microRNA-155. Conversely in HCV-LT NK cell tolerance was reversed, consistent with the more aggressive outcome of LT for HCV. CONCLUSIONS LT is associated with transcriptional and functional changes in NK cells, resulting in reduced activation. NK cell tolerance occurs upstream of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I mediated education, and is associated with deficient STAT4 phosphorylation. STAT4 therefore represents a potential therapeutic target to induce NK cell tolerance in liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Jamil
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - T J Hydes
- Department of Hepatology, Southampton University, Southampton, UK
| | - K S Cheent
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - S A Cassidy
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - J A Traherne
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - J Jayaraman
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - J Trowsdale
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - G J Alexander
- Department of Hepatology, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - A-M Little
- Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Service, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - H McFarlane
- Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Service, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - M A Heneghan
- Institute of Liver Studies, Kings College Hospital London, London, UK
| | - M A Purbhoo
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - S I Khakoo
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College, London, UK.,Department of Hepatology, Southampton University, Southampton, UK
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19
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Kanameishi S, Dainichi T, Endo Y, Otsuka A, Tanioka M, Kabashima K. Successful hair regrowth in an acute diffuse form of alopecia areata during oral tacrolimus treatment in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2016; 31:e137-e138. [PMID: 27532876 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.13879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S Kanameishi
- Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - T Dainichi
- Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Y Endo
- Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - A Otsuka
- Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - M Tanioka
- Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - K Kabashima
- Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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20
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Limited efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs on CD8+ T cell-mediated and natural killer cell-mediated lysis of human renal tubular epithelial cells. Transplantation 2014; 97:1110-8. [PMID: 24704664 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000000108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although CD8+ T cell-mediated and natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity against renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) plays a crucial role during rejection, the degree of inhibition of these lytic immune responses by immunosuppressive drugs is unknown. We investigated the CD8 T-cell and NK cell responses induced by TECs in vitro and questioned how these processes are affected by immunosuppressive drugs. METHODS Donor-derived TECs were co-cultured with recipient peripheral blood monocyte cells. Proliferation of CD8+ T cells and NK cell subsets was assessed using PKH dilution assay. CD107a degranulation and europium release assay were performed to explore CD8+-mediated and NK cell-mediated TEC lysis. Experiments were conducted in the absence or presence of tacrolimus (10 ng/mL), everolimus (10 ng/mL), and prednisolone (200 ng/mL). RESULTS Tubular epithelial cells induce significant CD8+ T-cell and NK cell proliferation. All immunosuppressive drugs significantly inhibited TEC-induced CD8+ T-cell proliferation. Interestingly, prednisolone was the most powerful inhibitor of NK cell proliferation. CD8-mediated and NK cell-mediated early lytic responses were marked by strong degranulation after an encounter of unstimulated TECs, represented by a high cell surface expression of CD107a. However, with the use of interferon-γ-activated and tumor necrosis factor-α-activated TECs, the NK degranulation response was significantly reduced and CD8 degranulation response was even more enhanced (P<0.05). Tubular epithelial cell-induced CD8 degranulation and CD8-mediated TEC lysis were preferentially inhibited by tacrolimus and prednisolone, and not by everolimus. Although tacrolimus showed the most inhibitory effect on the degranulation of NK cells, NK cell-mediated TEC lysis was efficiently inhibited by prednisolone (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Overall, our data point to a limited efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs on CD8+ T cell-mediated and NK cell-mediated lysis of human renal TECs.
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21
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Fcγ-receptor IIIA polymorphism p.158F has no negative predictive impact on rituximab therapy with and without sequential chemotherapy in CD20-positive posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder. J Immunol Res 2014; 2014:264723. [PMID: 24741582 PMCID: PMC3987796 DOI: 10.1155/2014/264723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 01/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We retrospectively analyzed the p.V158F polymorphism of Fcγ-receptor IIIA (FCGR3A, CD16) in patients with PTLD treated with rituximab monotherapy. Previous reports had indicated that the lower affinity F allele affects rituximab-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and is linked to inferior outcome of rituximab monotherapy in B cell malignancies. 25 patients with PTLD after solid organ transplantation were included in this analysis. They had received 4 weekly doses of rituximab as part of two clinical trials, which had a rituximab monotherapy induction regimen in common. 16/25 patients received further treatment with CHOP-21 after rituximab monotherapy (PTLD-1,
NCT01458548). The FCGR3A status was correlated to the response after 4 cycles of rituximab monotherapy. Response to rituximab monotherapy was not affected by F carrier status. This is in contrast to previous findings in B cell malignancies where investigators found a predictive impact of FCGR3A status on outcome to rituximab monotherapy. One explanation for this finding could be that ADCC is impaired in transplant recipients receiving immunosuppression. These results suggest that carrying a FCRG3A F allele does not negatively affect rituximab therapy in immunosuppressed patients.
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22
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Abstract
Tumor treatment and transplantation-associated with unavoidable mandatory immunosuppression-appear to be unreconcilable opposites. The clinical reality shows, however, that transplantation in many early stage primary tumors is the most effective treatment. The essential immunosuppression after transplantation can however promote tumor recurrence. Immunosuppression also leads to a significant increased rate of de novo tumors-in all organ transplant recipients. However, not all immunosuppressant drugs have the same effect on tumors. In experimental and clinical settings, the class of mTOR inhibitors has a clear antitumoral effect and is recommended as the immunosuppression treatment of choice in patients with increased tumor risk. The purpose of this review is to provide the reader with the scientific background regarding the clinical problem of tumors and transplantation.
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MESH Headings
- Bile Duct Neoplasms/chemically induced
- Bile Duct Neoplasms/immunology
- Bile Duct Neoplasms/surgery
- Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/chemically induced
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/surgery
- Cholangiocarcinoma/chemically induced
- Cholangiocarcinoma/immunology
- Cholangiocarcinoma/surgery
- Colorectal Neoplasms/chemically induced
- Colorectal Neoplasms/immunology
- Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery
- Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid/chemically induced
- Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid/immunology
- Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid/surgery
- Hepatectomy
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage
- Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects
- Liver Neoplasms/chemically induced
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Liver Neoplasms/secondary
- Liver Neoplasms/surgery
- Liver Transplantation/adverse effects
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/chemically induced
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/immunology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/surgery
- Neuroendocrine Tumors/chemically induced
- Neuroendocrine Tumors/immunology
- Neuroendocrine Tumors/secondary
- Neuroendocrine Tumors/surgery
- Prognosis
- Transplantation Immunology/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- M Guba
- Klinik für Allgemeine-, Viszeral-, Transplantations-, Gefäß- und Thoraxchirurgie, Klinikum der Universität München, Campus Grosshadern, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, München, Deutschland.
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23
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Lim SA, Kim TJ, Lee JE, Sonn CH, Kim K, Kim J, Choi JG, Choi IK, Yun CO, Kim JH, Yee C, Kumar V, Lee KM. Ex vivo expansion of highly cytotoxic human NK cells by cocultivation with irradiated tumor cells for adoptive immunotherapy. Cancer Res 2013; 73:2598-607. [PMID: 23580577 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-2893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive natural killer (NK) cell therapy may offer an effective treatment regimen for cancer patients whose disease is refractory to conventional therapy. NK cells can kill a wide range of tumor cells by patterned recognition of target ligands. We hypothesized that tumor targets sensitive to NK lysis would drive vigorous expansion of NK cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Here, we provide the basis for developing a novel ex vivo expansion process. By screening class I-negative or -mismatched tumor cell lines we identified a Jurkat T-lymphoblast subline termed KL-1, which was highly effective in specifically expanding NK cells. KL-1 addition to PBMC cultures achieved approximately 100-fold expansion of NK cells with nearly 90% purity, accompanied by reciprocal inhibition of T-cell growth. Marked elevations in expression of activation receptors, natural cytotoxicity receptors (NKp30, NKp44), and adhesion molecules (CD11a, ICAM-1) were associated with high tumor-lytic capacity, in both in vitro and in vivo models. KL-1-mediated expansion of NK cells was contact dependent and required interactions with CD16, the Fcγ receptor on NK cells, with ligands that are expressed on B cells. Indeed, B-cell depletion during culture abrogated selective NK cell expansion, while addition of EBV-transformed B cells further augmented NK expansion to approximately 740-fold. Together, our studies define a novel method for efficient activation of human NK cells that employs KL-1-lysed tumor cells and cocultured B cells, which drive a robust expansion of potent antitumor effector cells that will be useful for clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seon Ah Lim
- Global Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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24
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Neudoerfl C, Mueller BJ, Blume C, Daemen K, Stevanovic-Meyer M, Keil J, Lehner F, Haller H, Falk CS. The Peripheral NK Cell Repertoire after Kidney Transplantation is Modulated by Different Immunosuppressive Drugs. Front Immunol 2013; 4:46. [PMID: 23450662 PMCID: PMC3584176 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 02/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In the context of kidney transplantation, little is known about the involvement of natural killer (NK) cells in the immune reaction leading to either rejection or immunological tolerance under immunosuppression. Therefore, the peripheral NK cell repertoire of patients after kidney transplantation was investigated in order to identify NK cell subsets that may be associated with the individual immune status at the time of their protocol biopsies for histopathological evaluation of the graft. Alterations in the peripheral NK cell repertoire could be correlated to the type of immunosuppression, i.e., calcineurin-inhibitors like Cyclosporin A vs. Tacrolimus with or without addition of mTOR inhibitors. Here, we could demonstrate that the NK cell repertoire in peripheral blood of kidney transplant patients differs significantly from healthy individuals. The presence of donor-specific antibodies was associated with reduced numbers of CD56dim NK cells. Moreover, in patients, down-modulation of CD16 and CD6 on CD56dim NK cells was observed with significant differences between Cyclosporin A- and Tac-treated patients. Tac-treatment was associated with decreased CD69, HLA-DR, and increased CD94/NKG2A expression in CD56dim NK cells indicating that the quality of the immunosuppressive treatment impinges on the peripheral NK cell repertoire. In vitro studies with peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy donors showed that this modulation of CD16, CD6, CD69, and HLA-DR could also be induced experimentally. The presence of calcineurin or mTOR inhibitors had also functional consequences regarding degranulation and interferon-γ-production against K562 target cells, respectively. In summary, we postulate that the NK cell composition in peripheral blood of kidney transplanted patients represents an important hallmark of the efficacy of immunosuppression and may be even informative for the immune status after transplantation in terms of rejection vs. drug-induced allograft tolerance. Thus, NK cells can serve as sensors for immunosuppression and may be utilized for future strategies of an individualized adjustment of immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Neudoerfl
- Transplant Immunology, Institute of Transplant Immunology, Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation, Hannover Medical School Hannover, Germany
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25
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Palmer JM, Rajasekaran K, Thakar MS, Malarkannan S. Clinical relevance of natural killer cells following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. J Cancer 2012; 4:25-35. [PMID: 23386902 PMCID: PMC3564244 DOI: 10.7150/jca.5049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 12/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the first cells to recover following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and are believed to play an important role in facilitating engraftment or preventing post-transplant infection and tumor recurrence. Recent studies have provided novel insights into the mechanisms by which NK cells mediate these highly clinically relevant immunological functions. In particular, the ability of NK cells to reduce the risk of graft versus host disease (GVHD) and increase the graft versus leukemia effect (GVL) in the setting of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-haploidentical HSCT highlights their clinical potentials. NK cells also mediate anti-viral protection, in particular against cytomegalovirus (CMV), an infection that causes significant morbidity and mortality following transplant. Another crucial function of NK cells is providing protection against bacterial infections at the mucosal barriers. NK cells achieve this by promoting anti-microbial defenses and regeneration of epithelial cells. These recent exciting findings provide a strong basis for the formulation of novel NK cell-based immunotherapies. In this review, we summarize the recent advances related to the mechanisms, functions, and future clinical prospects of NK cells that can impact post-transplant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne M Palmer
- 1. Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Blood Research Institute, 8727 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- 2. Departments of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Kamalakannan Rajasekaran
- 1. Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Blood Research Institute, 8727 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Monica S Thakar
- 1. Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Blood Research Institute, 8727 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- 3. Departments of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Subramaniam Malarkannan
- 1. Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Blood Research Institute, 8727 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- 2. Departments of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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26
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Abstract
The calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) signaling pathway mediates multiple adaptive T-cell functions, but recent studies have shown that calcineurin/NFAT signaling also contributes to innate immunity and regulates the homeostasis of innate cells. Myeloid cells, including granulocytes and dendritic cells, can promote inflammation, regulate adaptive immunity, and are essential mediators of early responses to pathogens. Microbial ligation of pattern-recognition receptors, such as TLR4, CD14, and dectin 1, is now known to induce the activation of calcineurin/NFAT signaling in myeloid cells, a finding that has provided new insights into the molecular pathways that regulate host protection. Inhibitors of calcineurin/NFAT binding, such as cyclosporine A and FK506, are broadly used in organ transplantation and can act as potent immunosuppressive drugs in a variety of different disorders. There is increasing evidence that these agents influence innate responses as well as inhibiting adaptive T-cell functions. This review focuses on the role of calcineurin/NFAT signaling in myeloid cells, which may contribute to the various unexplained effects of immunosuppressive drugs already being used in the clinic.
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27
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Expansion of NK cells from cord blood with antileukemic activity using GMP-compliant substances without feeder cells. Leukemia 2011; 26:1149-52. [PMID: 22143670 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2011.345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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28
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Werner JM, Lang C, Scherer MN, Farkas SA, Geissler EK, Schlitt HJ, Hornung M. Distribution of intrahepatic T, NK and CD3(+)CD56(+)NKT cells alters after liver transplantation: Shift from innate to adaptive immunity? Transpl Immunol 2011; 25:27-33. [PMID: 21635950 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2011.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2011] [Revised: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The liver is an immunological organ containing a large number of T, NK and NKT cells, but little is known about intrahepatic immunity after LTx. Here, we investigated whether the distribution of T, NK and CD3(+)CD56(+)NKT cells is altered in transplanted livers under different circumstances. METHODS Core biopsies of transplanted livers were stained with antibodies against CD3 and CD56. Several cell populations including T (CD3(+)CD56(-)), NK (CD3(-)CD56(+)) and NKT cells (CD3(+)CD56(+)) were studied by fluorescence microscopy. Cell numbers were analyzed in relation to the time interval after LTx, immunosuppressive therapy and stage of acute graft rejection (measured with the rejection activity index: RAI) compared to tumor free liver tissue from patients after liver resection due to metastatic disease as control. RESULTS Recruitment of CD3(+)CD56(+)NKT cells revealed a significant decrease during high RAI scores in comparison to low and middle RAI scores (RAI 7-9: 0.03±0.01/HPF vs. RAI 4-6: 0.1±0.005/HPF). CD3(+)CD56(+)NKT cells were also lower during immunosuppressive therapy with tacrolimus (0.03±0.01/HPF) than with cyclosporine (0.1±0.003/HPF), cyclosporine/MMF (0.1±0.003/HPF) or sirolimus (0.1±0.01/HPF) treatment. Intrahepatic T cell numbers increased significantly 50days after LTx compared to control liver tissue (4.5±0.2/HPF vs. 1.9±0.1/HPF). In contrast, NK cells (0.3±0.004/HPF) were significantly fewer in all biopsies after LTx compared to the control (0.7±0.04/HPF). CONCLUSIONS These data indicate significant alterations in the hepatic recruitment of T, NK and CD3(+)CD56(+)NKT cells after LTx. The increase in T cells and the decrease in NK and CD3(+)CD56(+)NKT cells suggest a shift from innate to adaptive hepatic immunity in the liver graft.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens M Werner
- University Hospital Regensburg, Department of Surgery, Regensburg, Germany
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29
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Balada E, Castro-Marrero J, Pujol AP, Torres-Salido MT, Vilardell-Tarrés M, Ordi-Ros J. Enhanced transcript levels of CD48 in CD4⁺ T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Immunobiology 2011; 216:1034-7. [PMID: 21474199 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2011.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2011] [Revised: 02/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
It is known that CD48 regulates T-cell activation. We evaluated the transcriptional expression of CD48 in CD4⁺ T cells from 30 SLE patients and 30 healthy controls. CD48 mRNA levels were considerably higher in the patients group: 1.80 ± 1.41 versus 1.10 ± 0.50 (p=0.023). An inverse correlation was obtained with respect to CD48 mRNA levels and age in the control group (r= -0.478, p=0.007). None association was found between CD48 mRNA expression and levels of anti-dsDNA, complement, or lymphocyte counts. Alternatively, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between CD48 transcript levels and SLEDAI values (r=0.372, p=0.042). The higher CD48 mRNA levels observed in CD4⁺ T cells from SLE patients and the positive correlation found with SLEDAI lead us to infer that an overexpression of the protein coded by this gene may have important consequences on the development of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Balada
- Research Unit in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
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