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Sun R, Li J, Lin X, Yang Y, Liu B, Lan T, Xiao S, Deng A, Yin Z, Xu Y, Xiang Z, Wu B. Peripheral immune characteristics of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1079495. [PMID: 37077908 PMCID: PMC10106696 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1079495] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundLiver cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related death. As a chronic liver disease, many studies have shown that the immune response plays a key role in the progression of liver cancer. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the high-risk factors for HCC, accounting for 50%–80% of HCC cases worldwide, and little is known about the immune status of HBV associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC), therefore, we aimed to explore the changes in peripheral immunity in patients with HBV-HCC.MethodsIn this study, patients with HBV-HCC (n=26), patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis (HBV-LC) (n=31) and healthy volunteers (n=49) were included. The lymphocytes and their subpopulation phenotypes in peripheral blood were characterized. In addition, we explored the effect of viral replication on peripheral immunity in patients with HCC and analyzed the circulating immunophenotypic characteristics at different stages of HCC with flow cytometry.ResultsFirstly, our results showed that the percentages of total αβ T cells in the peripheral blood of HBV-HCC patients was significantly decreased compared to healthy subjects. Secondly, we found that naïve CD4+ T cells in HBV-HCC patients were significantly reduced, terminally differentiated CD8+ T cells, homing memory CD8+ T cells and Th2 cells were increased in peripheral circulation in HBV-HCC patients. Moreover, in the peripheral blood of HBV-HCC patients, expression of TIGIT on CD4+ T cells and PD-1 on the surface of Vδ 1 T cells was increased. In addition, we found that sustained viral replication resulted in up-regulation of TIM3 expression on CD4+ T cells, and TIM3+ γδ T cells increased in peripheral circulation in patients with advanced HBV-HCC.ConclusionOur study showed that circulating lymphocytes in HBV-HCC patients exhibited features of immune exhaustion, especially in HCC patients with persistent viral replication and in patients with intermediate and advanced HBV-HCC, including decreased frequency of T cells and elevated expression of inhibitory receptors including TIGIT and TIM3 on CD4+ T cells and γδ T cells. Meanwhile, our research suggests that the combination of CD3+ T cell and CD8+HLADR+CD38+ T cell may be a potential diagnostic indicator for HBV-HCC. These findings could help us to better understand the immune characteristics of HBV-HCC and explore the immune mechanisms and immunotherapy strategies for HBV-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruonan Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiawei Li
- The Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Health Science Center (School of Medicine), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xianyi Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yidong Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Interventional Medicine, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai hospital affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Tianbi Lan
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), Dongguan, China
| | - Shuang Xiao
- Guangzhou Purui Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Anyi Deng
- The Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Health Science Center (School of Medicine), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhinan Yin
- The Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Health Science Center (School of Medicine), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Xu
- The Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Health Science Center (School of Medicine), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Wu, ; Zheng Xiang, ; Yan Xu,
| | - Zheng Xiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Health Science Center (School of Medicine), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Wu, ; Zheng Xiang, ; Yan Xu,
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Wu, ; Zheng Xiang, ; Yan Xu,
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STAT1 is associated with NK cell dysfunction by downregulating NKG2D transcription in chronic HBV-infected patients. Immunobiology 2022; 227:152272. [PMID: 36122437 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2022.152272] [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: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Natural killer (NK) cells are key players in the immune system, however, the exact mechanism of NK cell dysfunction during HBV infection remains poorly defined. METHODS Hepatitis B envelope antigen-negative (HBeAg-, n = 19) chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) patients, HBeAg-positive (HBeAg+, n = 20) CHB patients, HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC, n = 12) patients and healthy blood donors (HD, n = 20), were enrolled in our study. The phenotype and function of the corresponding NK cells of these subjects were then determined. NK cells were cocultured with HBV to assess whether HBV influences the activation of STAT1. Receptors, proliferation, apoptosis rate, and cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells were detected after STAT1 overexpression and knockdown. The relationship between STAT1 and NKG2D promoter was determined by luciferase assay. RESULTS The levels of NKG2D and STAT1 were the lowest in the HBV-HCC group compared with the HD group, followed by the HBeAg+ group and then the HBeAg- group, respectively. Interestingly, STAT1 levels were positively correlated with NKG2D expression and HBeAg status. Furthermore, STAT1 directly bound to the NKG2D promoter to regulate the transcription and expression of NKG2D. Finally, the results also suggested that knockdown of STAT1 can inhibit proliferation, increase apoptosis rate of NK-92 cells and impair cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells. CONCLUSION STAT1 is correlated with NK cell dysfunction by downregulating NKG2D transcription in HBV-infected patients. Our findings demonstrate that STAT1 is an important and positive regulator of NK cells, which could provide a potential immunotherapy target for CHB.
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The Characteristics of Natural Killer Cells in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Who Received PEGylated-Interferon versus Entecavir Therapy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:2178143. [PMID: 33575322 PMCID: PMC7857883 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2178143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background To explore the role of natural killer (NK) cells in the process of hepatitis B virus (HBV) clearance and whether their phenotype is related to antiviral treatment outcome in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Method We performed a single-center prospective cohort study to analyze changes of NK cells at weeks 12 and 24 from baseline in CHB patients who received PEGylated-interferon- (PEG-IFN-) α-2a versus entecavir. The frequencies of NK, CD56bright, CD56dim, IFNAR2+, NKp46+, NKp46bright, and NKp46dim NK cells and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of receptors NKp46 and IFNAR2 on the surface of NK cells were measured. Subgroup analyses were performed by comparing treatment responders versus nonresponders with aforementioned parameters in each group. Results In PEG-IFN-α-treated patients, posttreatment CD56bright NK cell frequency increased, but CD56dim NK cell frequency decreased. Additionally, receptor NKp46 and IFNAR2 expression enhanced. In entecavir-treated patients, although NK cell frequency increased, CD56bright and CD56dim NK cell frequencies and IFNAR2 expression did not differ between baseline and posttreatment. In subgroup analyses, posttreatment CD56bright NK cell frequency and IFNAR2 expression significantly increased in PEG-IFN-α responders from baseline, while changes were absent in PEG-IFN-α nonresponders and entecavir treatment responders. Among patients with HBV viremia after entecavir therapy, NK cell frequency significantly increased, whereas NKp46bright and IFNAR2+ NK frequency and IFNAR2 MFI significantly decreased at 12 and 24 weeks from baseline. Conclusions In CHB patients, PEG-IFN-α treatment significantly enhanced NK cell frequency and function when compared to entacavir. Positive treatment responses to either interferon or entecavir were associated with NK cell function improvement. This trial is registered with clinical trial registration no. NCT03208998.
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Sheppard S, Schuster IS, Andoniou CE, Cocita C, Adejumo T, Kung SKP, Sun JC, Degli-Esposti MA, Guerra N. The Murine Natural Cytotoxic Receptor NKp46/NCR1 Controls TRAIL Protein Expression in NK Cells and ILC1s. Cell Rep 2019; 22:3385-3392. [PMID: 29590608 PMCID: PMC5896200 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
TRAIL is an apoptosis-inducing ligand constitutively expressed on liver-resident type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) and a subset of natural killer (NK) cells, where it contributes to NK cell anti-tumor, anti-viral, and immunoregulatory functions. However, the intrinsic pathways involved in TRAIL expression in ILCs remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the murine natural cytotoxic receptor mNKp46/NCR1, expressed on ILC1s and NK cells, controls TRAIL protein expression. Using NKp46-deficient mice, we show that ILC1s lack constitutive expression of TRAIL protein and that NK cells activated in vitro and in vivo fail to upregulate cell surface TRAIL in the absence of NKp46. We show that NKp46 regulates TRAIL expression in a dose-dependent manner and that the reintroduction of NKp46 in mature NK cells deficient for NKp46 is sufficient to restore TRAIL surface expression. These studies uncover a link between NKp46 and TRAIL expression in ILCs with potential implications in pathologies involving NKp46-expressing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Sheppard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Zuckerman Research Center, 408 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Iona S Schuster
- Immunology and Virology Program, Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Experimental Immunology, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher E Andoniou
- Immunology and Virology Program, Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Experimental Immunology, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Clement Cocita
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Thomas Adejumo
- Medical Research Center, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Sam K P Kung
- Department of Immunology, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 0T5, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Joseph C Sun
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Zuckerman Research Center, 408 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mariapia A Degli-Esposti
- Immunology and Virology Program, Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Experimental Immunology, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nadia Guerra
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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Fisicaro P, Rossi M, Vecchi A, Acerbi G, Barili V, Laccabue D, Montali I, Zecca A, Penna A, Missale G, Ferrari C, Boni C. The Good and the Bad of Natural Killer Cells in Virus Control: Perspective for Anti-HBV Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20205080. [PMID: 31614928 PMCID: PMC6834135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune modulatory therapies are widely believed to represent potential therapeutic strategies for chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB). Among the cellular targets for immune interventions, Natural Killer (NK) cells represent possible candidates because they have a key role in anti-viral control by producing cytokines and by exerting cytotoxic functions against virus-infected cells. However, in patients with chronic hepatitis B, NK cells have been described to be more pathogenic than protective with preserved cytolytic activity but with a poor capacity to produce anti-viral cytokines. In addition, NK cells can exert a regulatory activity and possibly suppress adaptive immune responses in the setting of persistent viral infections. Consequently, a potential drawback of NK-cell targeted modulatory interventions is that they can potentiate the suppressive NK cell effect on virus-specific T cells, which further causes impairment of exhausted anti-viral T cell functions. Thus, clinically useful NK-cell modulatory strategies should be not only suited to improve positive anti-viral NK cell functions but also to abrogate T cell suppression by NK cell-mediated T cell killing. This review outlines the main NK cell features with a particular focus on CHB infection. It describes different mechanisms involved in NK-T cell interplay as well as how NK cells can have positive anti-viral effector functions and negative suppressive effects on T cells activity. This review discusses how modulation of their balance can have potential therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Fisicaro
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Marzia Rossi
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Andrea Vecchi
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Greta Acerbi
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Valeria Barili
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Diletta Laccabue
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Montali
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Zecca
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Amalia Penna
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Missale
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Carlo Ferrari
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Carolina Boni
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
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Sag D, Ayyildiz ZO, Gunalp S, Wingender G. The Role of TRAIL/DRs in the Modulation of Immune Cells and Responses. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101469. [PMID: 31574961 PMCID: PMC6826877 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis–inducing ligand) by immune cells can lead to the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells. However, it becomes increasingly clear that the interaction of TRAIL and its death receptors (DRs) can also directly impact immune cells and influence immune responses. Here, we review what is known about the role of TRAIL/DRs in immune cells and immune responses in general and in the tumor microenvironment in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duygu Sag
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), 35340 Balcova/Izmir, Turkey.
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340 Balcova/Izmir, Turkey.
- Department of Genome Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology, Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340 Balcova/Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Zeynep Ozge Ayyildiz
- Department of Genome Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology, Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340 Balcova/Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Sinem Gunalp
- Department of Genome Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology, Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340 Balcova/Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Gerhard Wingender
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), 35340 Balcova/Izmir, Turkey.
- Department of Biomedicine and Health Technologies, Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340 Balcova/Izmir, Turkey.
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KLRG1+ natural killer cells exert a novel antifibrotic function in chronic hepatitis B. J Hepatol 2019; 71:252-264. [PMID: 30905683 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Natural killer (NK) cells are known to exert strong antiviral activity. Killer cell lectin-like receptor subfamily G member 1 (KLRG1) is expressed by terminally differentiated NK cells and KLRG1-expressing lymphocytes are known to expand following chronic viral infections. We aimed to elucidate the previously unknown role of KLRG1 in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS KLRG1+ NK cells were taken from the blood and liver of healthy individuals and patients with CHB. The phenotype and function of these cells was assessed using flow cytometry and in vitro stimulation. RESULTS Patients with CHB had a higher frequency of KLRG1+ NK cells compared to healthy controls (blood 13.4 vs. 2.3%, p <0.0001 and liver 23.4 vs. 2.6%, p <0.01). KLRG1+ NK cells were less responsive to K562 and cytokine stimulation, but demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity (9.0 vs. 4.8%, p <0.05) and IFN-γ release (8.0 vs. 1.5%, p <0.05) via antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity compared to their KLRG1- counterparts. KLRG1+ NK cells possessed a mature phenotype, demonstrating stronger cytolytic activity and IFN-γ secretion against hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) than KLRG1- NK cells. Moreover, KLRG1+ NK cells more effectively induced primary HSC apoptosis in a TRAIL-dependent manner. Increased KLRG1+ NK cell frequency in the liver and blood was associated with lower fibrosis stage (F0/F1) in patients with CHB. Finally, the expression of CD44, degranulation and IFN-γ production were all increased in KLRG1+ NK cells following stimulation with osteopontin, the CD44 ligand, suggesting that HSC-derived osteopontin may cause KLRG1+ NK cell activation. CONCLUSIONS KLRG1+ NK cells likely play an antifibrotic role during the natural course of CHB infection. Harnessing this antifibrotic function may provide a novel therapeutic approach to treat liver fibrosis in patients with CHB. LAY SUMMARY Individuals that are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) possess an increased number of immune cells, called natural killer (NK) cells expressing the surface marker KLRG1 in the blood and liver. Here, we demonstrate that these specific NK cells are able to kill activated stellate cells in the liver. Because activated stellate cells contribute to liver scarring, i.e. fibrosis, and subsequent liver dysfunction in individuals with chronic HBV infection, KLRG1+ NK cells are a novel immune cell type that can limit liver scarring.
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Jiang HJ, Wang XX, Luo BF, Cong X, Jin Q, Qin H, Zhang HY, Kong XS, Wei L, Feng B. Direct antiviral agents upregulate natural killer cell potential activity in chronic hepatitis C patients. Clin Exp Med 2019; 19:299-308. [PMID: 31218578 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-019-00564-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Direct antiviral agents (DAAs) can eliminate hepatitis C virus rapidly and make chronic hepatitis C (CHC) curable. The changes in the innate immune system during treatment with DAAs are still in dispute. To investigate how the functions of natural killer (NK) cells change during and after treatment with DAAs in each NK cell subset. Thirteen CHC patients were treated with sofosbuvir/ledipasvir, and the expression levels of NKp46 and NKG2A were tested via flow cytometry at baseline, at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks during the therapy and 12 and 24 weeks after the end of treatment; expression levels were compared between CHC patients and 13 healthy controls. A redirected killing assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of NK cells. After coculturing NK cells with JFH-Huh7 cells for 72 h, HCV RNA was tested to analyze the inhibition ability of NK cells. All patients achieved sustained virologic response. The expression of the activating receptor NKp46 was decreased first at week 8 during therapy with DAAs and then increased and normalized to levels in healthy controls after treatment with DAAs. The expression of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A was decreased during and after treatment with DAAs. Each NK cell subset has a similar changing trend during and after treatment with DAAs, although some differences can be found earlier and later. The ratio of NKp46 and NKG2A was upregulated after treatment with DAAs. CD56bright NK cells have less amplitude in the frequency ratio changes after treatment with DAAs. The coculture results showed that both the specific lysis and the inhibition of HCV replication were significantly upregulated after treatment with DAAs. DAA treatments can affect patients' NK cell function. After DAA treatments, the expression of functional markers is downregulated, but the potential activity of NK cells is upregulated. The function of NK cells is normalized to levels in healthy controls. CD56bright NK cells play an important role in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Ji Jiang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China
| | - Bi-Fen Luo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Cong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Jin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Qin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Ying Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Sha Kong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China
| | - Lai Wei
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Feng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China.
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Zheng B, Yang Y, Han Q, Yin C, Pan Z, Zhang J. STAT3 directly regulates NKp46 transcription in NK cells of HBeAg-negative CHB patients. J Leukoc Biol 2019; 106:987-996. [PMID: 31132315 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.2a1118-421r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells play an important role in early control of HBV infection. The function of NK cells is inhibited in chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection, although the underlying mechanism remains unknown. We found that the expression of STAT3 decreased in peripheral NK cells of CHB patients, and was associated with low levels of degranulation and IFN-γ secretion. In addition, STAT3 levels were positively correlated with cytolysis-associated molecules and antiviral cytokines, such as CD107a, granzyme B, perforin, and IFN-γ. HBsAg directly inhibited the expression and activation of STAT3 in NK cells, and knocking down STAT3 expression in NK cells inhibited proliferation, decreased cyclin d1 levels, and suppressed responsiveness to IL-21 stimulation. Furthermore, STAT3 directly bound to the promoter of NKp46, an important activating receptor of NK cells, to regulate its transcription and expression. Taken together, our findings indicate that STAT3 is an important positive regulator of NK cells, and provide a new mechanism of NK cell dysfunction in CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqing Zheng
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yinli Yang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qiuju Han
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chunlai Yin
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhaoyi Pan
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Wang WT, Zhao XQ, Li GP, Chen YZ, Wang L, Han MF, Li WN, Chen T, Chen G, Xu D, Ning Q, Zhao XP. Immune response pattern varies with the natural history of chronic hepatitis B. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:1950-1963. [PMID: 31086463 PMCID: PMC6487378 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i16.1950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B is a highly heterogeneous disease that can be divided into four phases: Immune tolerant (IT), immune active (IA), inactive carrier (IC) and hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)-negative hepatitis (ENEG).
AIM To investigate the immune status of natural killer (NK) and T cells in different phases of chronic hepatitis B.
METHODS The frequency, phenotype and function of circulating NK cells, as well as nonantigen-specific and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T cell responses were detected by flow cytometry in healthy and HBV-infected subjects.
RESULTS The ability of NK cells to produce IFN-γ was markedly attenuated in HBV-infected patients overall but was less compromised in IC patients. Patients in the IT and IA phases also displayed significantly lower TNF-α production compared to healthy subjects. NK cells were phenotypically activated in the IA and ENEG phases, as evidenced by the upregulation of NKp44 in CD56bright NK cells and CD69 in CD56dim NK cells. Furthermore, global T-cells from the ENEG phase displayed a proinflammatory cytokine profile with upregulated IFN-γ and TNF-α expression, while this profile was suppressed in IT and IA patients. Finally, core and S antigen-specific T cell responses were significantly stronger after in vitro expansion in the IC phase compared to other phases.
CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate the changes in immune response pattern during the natural history of HBV infection. Both NK and T cells are functionally impaired in the IT and IA phases. With the spontaneous clearance of HBeAg and hepatitis B surface antigen decline, NK cell cytokine production and HBV-specific T responses are partially restored in IC phase, and the ENEG phase is dominated by nonantigen-specific T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Tao Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xue-Qi Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Gui-Ping Li
- Department of Heart Function Examination, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yi-Zhi Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Mei-Fang Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wei-Na Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Guang Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Dong Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Qin Ning
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xi-Ping Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
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11
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Golsaz-Shirazi F, Amiri MM, Shokri F. Immune function of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and their crosstalk in HBV infection. Rev Med Virol 2018; 28:e2007. [PMID: 30175481 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2017] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a major health problem, with over 245 million chronic carriers worldwide. This persistent infection is thought to be associated with inefficient innate and adaptive immune responses. Natural killer cells (NK cells) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are the major innate immune cells which respond to viral infection at the early phase and are considered major components of the antiviral immune response. In this review, we summarize recent findings regarding the role of NK cells, pDCs, and their cross-talk in HBV infection and its chronicity. Although the data regarding the biological function of pDCs and NK cells in HBV infection is still controversial, many studies show that in chronic HBV infection, the cytotoxicity of NK cells is retained, while their capacity to secrete cytokines is strongly impaired. In addition, interferon-α production by pDCs is impaired during chronic HBV infection, and the virus interferes with pDC-NK cell interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forough Golsaz-Shirazi
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Amiri
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fazel Shokri
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
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12
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Ma M, Wang Z, Chen X, Tao A, He L, Fu S, Zhang Z, Fu Y, Guo C, Liu J, Han X, Xu J, Chu Z, Ding H, Shang H, Jiang Y. NKG2C +NKG2A - Natural Killer Cells are Associated with a Lower Viral Set Point and may Predict Disease Progression in Individuals with Primary HIV Infection. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1176. [PMID: 28979268 PMCID: PMC5611385 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are the first line of defense against pathogens of the immune system and also play an important role in resistance against HIV. The activating receptor NKG2C and the inhibitory receptor NKG2A co-modulate the function of NK cells by recognizing the same ligand, HLA-E. However, the role of NKG2A and NKG2C on viral set point and the prediction of HIV disease progression have been rarely reported. In this study, we determined the expression of NKG2C or NKG2A on the surface of NK cells from 22 individuals with primary HIV infection (PHI) stage and 23 HIV-negative normal control (NC) subjects. The CD4+ T cell count and plasma level of HIV RNA in the infected individuals were longitudinally followed-up for about 720 days. The proportion of NKG2C+NKG2A- NK cells was higher in subjects from the low set point group and was negatively correlated with the viral load. In addition, strong anti-HIV activities were observed in NKG2C+ NK cells from the HIV-positive donors. Furthermore, a proportion of NKG2C+NKG2A- NK cells >35.45%, and a ratio of NKG2C/NKG2A >1.7 were predictive for higher CD4+ T cell counts 720 days after infection. Collectively, the experimental results allow us to draw the conclusion that NKG2C+ NK cells might exert an antiviral effect and that the proportion of NKG2C+NKG2A- NK cells, and the ratio of NKG2C/NKG2A, are potential biomarkers for predicting HIV disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meichen Ma
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Anfu Tao
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei He
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuai Fu
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zining Zhang
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yajing Fu
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenxi Guo
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxu Han
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junjie Xu
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenxing Chu
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haibo Ding
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Shang
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongjun Jiang
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
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