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Gong Y, Germeraad WTV, Zhang X, Wu N, Li B, Janssen L, He Z, Gijbels MJJ, Wu B, Gijsbers BLMG, Olieslagers TI, Bos GMJ, Zheng L, Klein Wolterink RGJ. NKG2A genetic deletion promotes human primary NK cell anti-tumor responses better than an anti-NKG2A monoclonal antibody. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2711-2727. [PMID: 38943249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.06.034] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells eliminate infected or cancer cells via their cytotoxic capacity. NKG2A is an inhibitory receptor on NK cells and cancer cells often overexpress its ligand HLA-E to evade NK cell surveillance. Given the successes of immune checkpoint blockade in cancer therapy, NKG2A is an interesting novel target. However, anti-NKG2A antibodies have shown limited clinical response. In the pursuit of enhancing NK cell-mediated anti-tumor responses, we devised a Cas9-based strategy to delete KLRC1, encoding NKG2A, in human primary NK cells. Our approach involved electroporation of KLRC1-targeting Cas9 ribonucleoprotein resulting in effective ablation of NKG2A expression. Compared with anti-NKG2A antibody blockade, NKG2AKO NK cells exhibited enhanced activation, reduced suppressive signaling, and elevated expression of key transcription factors. NKG2AKO NK cells overcame inhibition from HLA-E, significantly boosting NK cell activity against solid and hematologic cancer cells. We validated this efficacy across multiple cell lines, a xenograft mouse model, and primary human leukemic cells. Combining NKG2A knockout with antibody coating of tumor cells further enhanced cytotoxicity through ADCC. Thus, we provide a comprehensive comparison of inhibition of the NKG2A pathway using genetic ablation and antibodies and provide novel insight in the observed differences in molecular mechanisms, which can be translated to enhance adoptive NK cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Wilfred T V Germeraad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; CiMaas BV, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Xulin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Nisha Wu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
| | - Lynn Janssen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Zongzhong He
- Department of Transfusion Medicine of General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
| | - Marion J J Gijbels
- GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Experimental Vascular Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bodeng Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
| | - Birgit L M G Gijsbers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Timo I Olieslagers
- GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Transplantation Immunology, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard M J Bos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; CiMaas BV, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China.
| | - Roel G J Klein Wolterink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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2
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Okano S. Immunotherapy for head and neck cancer: Fundamentals and therapeutic development. Auris Nasus Larynx 2024; 51:684-695. [PMID: 38729034 DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2024.05.001] [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: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) has been treated by multidisciplinary therapy consisting of surgery, radiotherapy, and cancer chemotherapy, but the recent advent of immunotherapy has produced significant changes in treatment systems and the results of these therapies. Immunotherapy has greatly improved the outcome of recurrent metastatic SCCHN, and the development of new treatment methods based on immunotherapy is now being applied not only to recurrent metastatic cases but also to locally advanced cases. To understand and practice cancer immunotherapy, it is important to understand the immune environment surrounding cancer, and the changes to which it is subject. Currently, the anti-PD-1 antibody drugs nivolumab and pembrolizumab are the only immunotherapies with proven efficacy in head and neck cancer. However, anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibody drugs have also been shown to be useful in other types of cancer and are being incorporated into clinical practice. In head and neck cancer, numerous clinical trials have aimed to improve efficacy and safety by combining immunotherapy with other drug therapies and treatment modalities. Combinations of immunotherapy with cancer drugs with different mechanisms of action (cytotoxic agents, molecular-targeted agents, immune checkpoint inhibitors), as well as with radiation therapy and surgery are being investigated, and have the potential to significantly change medical care for these patients. The application of cancer immunotherapy not only to daily clinical practice but also to further therapeutic development requires a clear and complete understanding of the fundamentals of cancer immunotherapy, and knowledge of the numerous clinical studies conducted, both past and present. The results of these trials are numerous, both positive and negative, and a comprehensive understanding of this wide range of completed and ongoing clinical trials is critical to a systematic and comprehensive understanding of their scope and lessons learnt. In this article, after outlining the concepts of ``cancer immune cycle,'' ``cancer immune editing,'' and ``tumor microenvironment'' to provide an understanding of the basics of cancer immunity, we summarize the basics and clinical trial data on representative immune checkpoint inhibitors used in various cancer types, as well as recent therapeutic developments in cancer immunotherapy and the current status of these new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Okano
- Department of Head and Neck Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan.
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3
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Verhaar ER, Gan J, Buhl S, Li Z, Horowitz A, Ploegh HL. A monoclonal antibody that recognizes a unique 13-residue epitope in the cytoplasmic tail of HLA-E. Mol Immunol 2024; 172:56-67. [PMID: 38901180 PMCID: PMC11257791 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2024.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The Class I MHC molecule (MHC-I) HLA-E presents peptides that are derived from the signal sequences, either those of other MHC-I products, or of viral type I membrane glycoproteins. Monoclonal antibodies with proven specificity for HLA-E, and with no cross-reactions with other MHC-I products, have yet to be described. To obtain anti-HLA-E-specific antibodies suitable for a range of applications, we generated monoclonal antibodies against a unique feature of HLA-E: its cytoplasmic tail. We created an immunogen by performing an enzymatically catalyzed transpeptidation reaction to obtain a fusion of the cytoplasmic tail of HLA-E with a nanobody that recognizes murine Class II MHC (MHC-II) products. We obtained a mouse monoclonal antibody that recognizes a 13-residue stretch in the HLA-E cytoplasmic tail. We cloned the genes that encode this antibody in expression vectors to place an LPETG sortase recognition motif at the C-terminus of the heavy and light chains. This arrangement allows the site-specific installation of fluorophores or biotin at these C-termini. The resulting immunoglobulin preparations, labeled with 4 equivalents of a fluorescent or biotinylated payload of choice, can then be used for direct immunofluorescence or detection of the tag by fluorescence or by streptavidin-based methods. We also show that the 13-residue sequence can serve as an epitope tag, independent of the site of its placement within a protein's sequence. The antibody can be used diagnostically to stain for HLA-E on patient tumor samples, it can be used as an antibody-epitope tag for extracellular proteins, and it enables research into the unique role of the cytoplasmic tail of HLA-E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisha R Verhaar
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jin Gan
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Susan Buhl
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ziao Li
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amir Horowitz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hidde L Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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4
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Pan Y, Cheng J, Zhu Y, Zhang J, Fan W, Chen X. Immunological nanomaterials to combat cancer metastasis. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:6399-6444. [PMID: 38745455 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00968d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Metastasis causes greater than 90% of cancer-associated deaths, presenting huge challenges for detection and efficient treatment of cancer due to its high heterogeneity and widespread dissemination to various organs. Therefore, it is imperative to combat cancer metastasis, which is the key to achieving complete cancer eradication. Immunotherapy as a systemic approach has shown promising potential to combat metastasis. However, current clinical immunotherapies are not effective for all patients or all types of cancer metastases owing to insufficient immune responses. In recent years, immunological nanomaterials with intrinsic immunogenicity or immunomodulatory agents with efficient loading have been shown to enhance immune responses to eliminate metastasis. In this review, we would like to summarize various types of immunological nanomaterials against metastasis. Moreover, this review will summarize a series of immunological nanomaterial-mediated immunotherapy strategies to combat metastasis, including immunogenic cell death, regulation of chemokines and cytokines, improving the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, activation of the STING pathway, enhancing cytotoxic natural killer cell activity, enhancing antigen presentation of dendritic cells, and enhancing chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy. Furthermore, the synergistic anti-metastasis strategies based on the combinational use of immunotherapy and other therapeutic modalities will also be introduced. In addition, the nanomaterial-mediated imaging techniques (e.g., optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, photoacoustic imaging, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, radionuclide imaging, etc.) for detecting metastasis and monitoring anti-metastasis efficacy are also summarized. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects of immunological nanomaterial-based anti-metastasis are also elucidated with the intention to accelerate its clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanbo Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precise Treatment and Clinical Translational Research of Neurological Diseases, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Junjie Cheng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Yang Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian, China.
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precise Treatment and Clinical Translational Research of Neurological Diseases, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Wenpei Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
- Theranostics Center of Excellence (TCE), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 11 Biopolis Way, Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore
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5
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Iyer RF, Verweij MC, Nair SS, Morrow D, Mansouri M, Chakravarty D, Beechwood T, Meyer C, Uebelhoer L, Lauron EJ, Selseth A, John N, Thin TH, Dzedzik S, Havenar-Daughton C, Axthelm MK, Douglas J, Korman A, Bhardwaj N, Tewari AK, Hansen S, Malouli D, Picker LJ, Früh K. CD8 + T cell targeting of tumor antigens presented by HLA-E. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm7515. [PMID: 38728394 PMCID: PMC11086602 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm7515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The nonpolymorphic major histocompatibility complex E (MHC-E) molecule is up-regulated on many cancer cells, thus contributing to immune evasion by engaging inhibitory NKG2A/CD94 receptors on NK cells and tumor-infiltrating T cells. To investigate whether MHC-E expression by cancer cells can be targeted for MHC-E-restricted T cell control, we immunized rhesus macaques (RM) with rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) vectors genetically programmed to elicit MHC-E-restricted CD8+ T cells and to express established tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) including prostatic acidic phosphatase (PAP), Wilms tumor-1 protein, or Mesothelin. T cell responses to all three tumor antigens were comparable to viral antigen-specific responses with respect to frequency, duration, phenotype, epitope density, and MHC restriction. Thus, CMV-vectored cancer vaccines can bypass central tolerance by eliciting T cells to noncanonical epitopes. We further demonstrate that PAP-specific, MHC-E-restricted CD8+ T cells from RhCMV/PAP-immunized RM respond to PAP-expressing HLA-E+ prostate cancer cells, suggesting that the HLA-E/NKG2A immune checkpoint can be exploited for CD8+ T cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi F. Iyer
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Marieke C. Verweij
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Sujit S. Nair
- Department of Urology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - David Morrow
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Mandana Mansouri
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Dimple Chakravarty
- Department of Urology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Teresa Beechwood
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | | | - Luke Uebelhoer
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | | | - Andrea Selseth
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Nessy John
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Tin Htwe Thin
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Siarhei Dzedzik
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Michael K. Axthelm
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | | | - Alan Korman
- Vir Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA 14158, USA
| | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Department of Urology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ashutosh K. Tewari
- Department of Urology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Scott Hansen
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Daniel Malouli
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Louis J. Picker
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Klaus Früh
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
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Xianyu B, Pan S, Gao S, Xu H, Li T. Selenium-Containing Nanocomplexes Achieve Dual Immune Checkpoint Blockade for NK Cell Reinvigoration. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2306225. [PMID: 38072799 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The blockade of immune checkpoints has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. However, most of the current approaches focus on T cells, leaving natural killer (NK) cell-mediated therapeutic strategies rarely explored. Here, a selenium-containing nanocomplex is developed that acts as a dual immune checkpoint inhibitor to reinvigorate NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy. The Se nanocomplex can deliver and release siRNA that targets programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in tumor cells, thereby silencing the checkpoint receptor PD-L1. The intracellular reactive oxygen species generated by porphyrin derivatives in the nanocomplexes can oxidize the diselenide bond into seleninic acid, which blocks the expression of another checkpoint receptor, human leukocyte antigen E. The blockade of dual immune checkpoints shows synergistic effects on promoting NK cell-mediated antitumoral activity. This study provides a new strategy to reinvigorate NK cell immunity for the development of combined cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banruo Xianyu
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Shuojiong Pan
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Shiqian Gao
- Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalate Science of the Ministry of Education, Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Huaping Xu
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
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7
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Peppercorn K, Edgar CD, Kleffmann T, Tate WP. A pilot study on the immune cell proteome of long COVID patients shows changes to physiological pathways similar to those in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22068. [PMID: 38086949 PMCID: PMC10716514 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49402-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Of those infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), ~ 10% develop the chronic post-viral debilitating condition, long COVID (LC). Although LC is a heterogeneous condition, about half of cases have typical post-viral fatigue with onset and symptoms that are very similar to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). A key question is whether these conditions are closely related. ME/CFS is a post-stressor fatigue condition that arises from multiple triggers. To investigate the pathophysiology of LC, a pilot study of patients (n = 6) and healthy controls (n = 5) has used quantitative proteomics to discover changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proteins. A principal component analysis separated all long COVID patients from healthy controls. Analysis of 3131 proteins identified 162 proteins differentially regulated, of which 37 were related to immune functions, and 21 to mitochondrial functions. Markov cluster analysis identified clusters involved in immune system processes, and two aspects of gene expression-spliceosome and transcription. These results were compared with an earlier dataset of 346 differentially regulated proteins in PBMC's from ME/CFS patients (n = 9) analysed by the same methodology. There were overlapping protein clusters and enriched molecular pathways particularly in immune functions, suggesting the two conditions have similar immune pathophysiology as a prominent feature, and mitochondrial functions involved in energy production were affected in both conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Peppercorn
- Division of Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - Christina D Edgar
- Division of Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - Torsten Kleffmann
- Division of Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - Warren P Tate
- Division of Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand.
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8
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Lee J, Keam B, Park HR, Park JE, Kim S, Kim M, Kim TM, Kim DW, Heo DS. Monalizumab efficacy correlates with HLA-E surface expression and NK cell activity in head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:5705-5715. [PMID: 36547689 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04532-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE NKG2A, an inhibitory receptor expressed on NK cells and T cells, leads to immune evasion by binding to HLA-E expressed on cancer cells. Here, we investigated the relationship between HLA-E surface expression on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and the efficacy of monalizumab, an NKG2A inhibitor, in promoting NK cell activity. METHODS Six HNSCC cell lines were used as target cells. After exposure to IFN- γ, HLA-E surface expression on HNSCC cell lines was measured by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and isolated NK cells were used as effector cells. NK cells were stimulated by treatment with IL-2 and IL-15 for 5 days, and NK cell-induced cytotoxicity was analyzed by CD107a degranulation and 51Cr release assays. RESULTS We confirmed that HLA-E expression was increased by IFN-γ secreted by NK cells and that HLA-E expression was different for each cell line upon exposure to IFN-γ. Cell lines with high HLA-E expression showed stronger inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity, and efficacy of monalizumab was high. Combination with cetuximab increased the efficacy of monalizumab. In addition, stimulation of isolated NK cells with IL-2 and IL-15 increased the efficacy of monalizumab, even in the HLA-E low groups. CONCLUSION Monalizumab efficacy was correlated with HLA-E surface expression and was enhanced when NK cell activity was increased by cetuximab or cytokines. These results suggest that monalizumab may be potent against HLA-E-positive tumors and that monalizumab efficacy could be improved by promoting NK cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongjae Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ha-Ram Park
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Park
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeon Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Miso Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Min Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Wan Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Seog Heo
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
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Ridgley LA, Falci Finardi N, Gengenbach BB, Opdensteinen P, Croxford Z, Ma JKC, Bodman-Smith M, Buyel JF, Teh AYH. Killer to cure: Expression and production costs calculation of tobacco plant-made cancer-immune checkpoint inhibitors. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:1254-1269. [PMID: 36811226 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have achieved huge clinical success. However, many still have limited response rates, and are prohibitively costly. There is a need for effective and affordable ICIs, as well as local manufacturing capacity to improve accessibility, especially to low-to-middle income countries (LMICs). Here, we have successfully expressed three key ICIs (anti-PD-1 Nivolumab, anti-NKG2A Monalizumab, and anti-LAG-3 Relatimab) transiently in Nicotiana benthamiana and Nicotiana tabacum plants. The ICIs were expressed with a combination of different Fc regions and glycosylation profiles. They were characterized in terms of protein accumulation levels, target cell binding, binding to human neonatal Fc receptors (hFcRn), human complement component C1q (hC1q) and various Fcγ receptors, as well as protein recovery during purification at 100 mg- and kg-scale. It was found that all ICIs bound to the expected target cells. Furthermore, the recovery during purification, as well as Fcγ receptor binding, can be altered depending on the Fc region used and the glycosylation profiles. This opens the possibility of using these two parameters to fine-tune the ICIs for desired effector functions. A scenario-based production cost model was also generated based on two production scenarios in hypothetical high- and low-income countries. We have shown that the product accumulation and recovery of plant production platforms were as competitive as mammalian cell-based platforms. This highlights the potential of plants to deliver ICIs that are more affordable and accessible to a widespread market, including LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Ridgley
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
- Institute for Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapy, London, UK
| | - Nicole Falci Finardi
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Patrick Opdensteinen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | - Zack Croxford
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Julian K-C Ma
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Mark Bodman-Smith
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
- Institute for Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapy, London, UK
| | - Johannes F Buyel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering (IBSE), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Audrey Y-H Teh
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
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10
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Morinaga T, Iwatsuki M, Yamashita K, Yasuda-Yoshihara N, Yamane T, Matsumoto C, Harada K, Eto K, Kurashige J, Ishimoto T, Baba Y, Miyamoto Y, Yoshida N, Baba H. Dynamic Alteration in HLA-E Expression and Soluble HLA-E via Interaction with Natural Killer Cells in Gastric Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:1240-1252. [PMID: 36149610 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-022-12505-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some reports showed the immune tolerance of soluble human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E), but the role that soluble HLA-E plays in gastric cancer (GC) is unknown. We aimed to clarify the molecular mechanism and clinical significance of soluble HLA-E in GC. METHODS We examined the expression of HLA-E on GC cells and soluble HLA-E under co-culture with natural killer (NK) cells in a time-dependent manner. Changes in NK cell activity were investigated using anti-NK group 2 member A (NKG2A) antibodies in the presence of soluble HLA-E. Expression of soluble HLA-E in the serum of GC patients was determined. RESULTS Whereas HLA-E expression on GC cells peaked with interferon (IFN)-γ secretion by NK cells in a time-dependent manner, soluble HLA-E was upregulated in conditioned medium. Pre-incubation with anti-NKG2A antibodies increased the activation of NKG2A+ NK cells in the presence of soluble HLA-E. Expression of soluble HLA-E in the serum of GC patients correlated with disease progression. CONCLUSIONS HLA-E expression dynamically changes on GC cells and in conditioned medium. Furthermore, soluble HLA-E can contribute to immune escape in GC cell lines, which may have significance in clinical practice. Moreover, soluble HLA-E may be a potential prognostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Morinaga
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masaaki Iwatsuki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kohei Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Noriko Yasuda-Yoshihara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Taishi Yamane
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Chihiro Matsumoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kazuto Harada
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kojiro Eto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Junji Kurashige
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Ishimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuji Miyamoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naoya Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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11
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Dutta S, Ganguly A, Chatterjee K, Spada S, Mukherjee S. Targets of Immune Escape Mechanisms in Cancer: Basis for Development and Evolution of Cancer Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020218. [PMID: 36829496 PMCID: PMC9952779 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has emerged as a novel therapeutic tool for cancer therapy in the last decade. Unfortunately, a small number of patients benefit from approved immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Therefore, multiple studies are being conducted to find new ICIs and combination strategies to improve the current ICIs. In this review, we discuss some approved immune checkpoints, such as PD-L1, PD-1, and CTLA-4, and also highlight newer emerging ICIs. For instance, HLA-E, overexpressed by tumor cells, represents an immune-suppressive feature by binding CD94/NKG2A, on NK and T cells. NKG2A blockade recruits CD8+ T cells and activates NK cells to decrease the tumor burden. NKG2D acts as an NK cell activating receptor that can also be a potential ICI. The adenosine A2A and A2B receptors, CD47-SIRPα, TIM-3, LAG-3, TIGIT, and VISTA are targets that also contribute to cancer immunoresistance and have been considered for clinical trials. Their antitumor immunosuppressive functions can be used to develop blocking antibodies. PARPs, mARTs, and B7-H3 are also other potential targets for immunosuppression. Additionally, miRNA, mRNA, and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated immunotherapeutic approaches are being investigated with great interest. Pre-clinical and clinical studies project these targets as potential immunotherapeutic candidates in different cancer types for their robust antitumor modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shovan Dutta
- The Center for Immunotherapy & Precision Immuno-Oncology (CITI), Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Anirban Ganguly
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar 814152, India
| | | | - Sheila Spada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Sumit Mukherjee
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (S.M.)
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12
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Helmin-Basa A, Gackowska L, Balcerowska S, Ornawka M, Naruszewicz N, Wiese-Szadkowska M. The application of the natural killer cells, macrophages and dendritic cells in treating various types of cancer. PHYSICAL SCIENCES REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/psr-2019-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Innate immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) are involved in the surveillance and clearance of tumor. Intensive research has exposed the mechanisms of recognition and elimination of tumor cells by these immune cells as well as how cancers evade immune response. Hence, harnessing the immune cells has proven to be an effective therapy in treating a variety of cancers. Strategies aimed to harness and augment effector function of these cells for cancer therapy have been the subject of intense researches over the decades. Different immunotherapeutic possibilities are currently being investigated for anti-tumor activity. Pharmacological agents known to influence immune cell migration and function include therapeutic antibodies, modified antibody molecules, toll-like receptor agonists, nucleic acids, chemokine inhibitors, fusion proteins, immunomodulatory drugs, vaccines, adoptive cell transfer and oncolytic virus–based therapy. In this review, we will focus on the preclinical and clinical applications of NK cell, macrophage and DC immunotherapy in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Helmin-Basa
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Lidia Gackowska
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Sara Balcerowska
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Marcelina Ornawka
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Natalia Naruszewicz
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Małgorzata Wiese-Szadkowska
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
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13
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Jennifer Zhang Q. Donor selection based on NK alloreactivity for patients with hematological malignancies. Hum Immunol 2022; 83:695-703. [PMID: 35965181 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are an important defender against infections and tumors. Their function is regulated by the balance of inhibitory and activating receptors. Among all inhibitory NK receptors: killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and CD94/NKG2A recognize human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class I molecules, allowing NK cells to be 'licensed' to avoid autoreactivity, but be fully functional at the same time. Licensed NK cells can target malignant cells with altered or downregulated/missing 'self' antigens. NK cell attacking malignant cells is one of the mechanisms of graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. Numerous studies have demonstrated that NK cells improve hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) survival by reducing relapse mortality through GVL effect. Therapeutic strategies, such as adoptive alloreactive NK cell transfer, CAR-NK cells, antibodies against NKG2A and KIR2DL1-3, have been utilized to treat hematological malignancies in HCT. In this review, NK cell functions, NK cell receptors and ligands, as well as common alloreactive NK donor selection algorithms for patients with hematological malignancies in the setting of HCT are discussed. The goal of this review is to provide insights on the controversial results and provide better understanding and resources on how to perform alloreactive donor NK cell selection in HCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuheng Jennifer Zhang
- UCLA Immunogenetics Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles 90095, USA.
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14
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Pan Y, Tang W, Fan W, Zhang J, Chen X. Development of nanotechnology-mediated precision radiotherapy for anti-metastasis and radioprotection. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:9759-9830. [DOI: 10.1039/d1cs01145f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT), including external beam RT and internal radiation therapy, uses high-energy ionizing radiation to kill tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanbo Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precise Treatment and Clinical Translational Research of Neurological Diseases, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore
| | - Wei Tang
- Departments of Pharmacy and Diagnostic Radiology, Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Faculty of Science and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117544, Singapore
| | - Wenpei Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precise Treatment and Clinical Translational Research of Neurological Diseases, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
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15
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Xu YF, Du XF, Li ZY, Fang ZP, Zhang FB. Lesion human leukocyte antigen-E is associated with favourable prognosis for patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. J Int Med Res 2021; 49:3000605211047278. [PMID: 34617814 PMCID: PMC8504691 DOI: 10.1177/03000605211047278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the clinical significance of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E levels in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods The levels of HLA-E immunostaining in ESCC lesions and 47 corresponding adjacent normal tissues were measured using immunohistochemistry. The correlation between the levels of immunostaining and clinical parameters was analysed. Results This study analysed 110 paraffin-embedded primary tumour lesions and 47 case–controlled paracancerous tissues that were surgically resected from 110 patients with ESCC. Positive immunostaining for HLA-E was observed in 88.2% (97 of 110) of ESCC lesions and 29.8% (14 of 47) of normal oesophageal tissues. There was no correlation between HLA-E immunostaining in ESCC lesions and clinicopathological characteristics such as lymph node metastasis, tumour–node–metastasis stage and differentiation grade. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed a significantly better prognosis in patients with higher levels of HLA-E immunostaining than in those with lower levels of HLA-E immunostaining; overall survival was 28.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.2, 34.0) versus 15.3 months (95% CI, 11.5, 19.1), respectively. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that the HLA-E level was an independent prognostic factor in patients with ESCC. Conclusion A higher level of HLA-E immunostaining was associated with favourable survival in patients with ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Fu Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xue-Feng Du
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhen-Yu Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhe-Ping Fang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Fa-Biao Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
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16
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Vredevoogd D, Apriamashvili G, Peeper D. The (re)discovery of tumor-intrinsic determinants of immune sensitivity by functional genetic screens. IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY 2021; 11:100043. [PMID: 35756970 PMCID: PMC9216628 DOI: 10.1016/j.iotech.2021.100043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Functional genetic screens by CRISPR-Cas9 allow for the unbiased discovery of proteins causally involved in complex biological processes. In recent years, this approach has been used by multiple laboratories to uncover a range of tumor cell regulators determining immune sensitivity. In this review, we provide an overview of genetic screens carried out both in vitro and in vivo. By comparative analysis we highlight commonly identified proteins and pathways that are key in establishing tumor-intrinsic immune susceptibility. Together, these screens demonstrated the importance of the antigen presentation, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor and autophagy pathways in governing sensitivity of tumor cells to immune attack. Moreover, they underline the complex interplay between tumor cells and their microenvironment, providing both fundamental and clinically relevant insights into the mechanisms of tumor immune resistance. CRISPR-Cas9 screens shed light on tumor-intrinsic mechanisms of immune sensitivity. Different screen settings highlight tumor-intrinsic and environmental influences. Effects of IFN-γ and antigen presentation pathways depend on environmental contexts. Cellular context impacts how TNF and autophagy pathways affect immune sensitivity. Potential therapeutic targets identified in the TNF, autophagy and IFN-γ pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - D.S. Peeper
- Correspondence to: Prof. Daniel S. Peeper, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode Institute, Division of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 20 512 2002
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17
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Rowaiye AB, Asala T, Oli AN, Uzochukwu IC, Akpa A, Esimone CO. The Activating Receptors of Natural Killer Cells and Their Inter-Switching Potentials. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 21:1733-1751. [PMID: 32914713 DOI: 10.2174/1389450121666200910160929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The global incidence of cancer is on the increase and researchers are prospecting for specific and non-selective therapies derived from the immune system. The killer activating receptors of NK cells are known to be involved in immunosurveillance against tumor and virally-infected cells. These receptors belong to two main categories, namely the immunoglobulin like and C-lectin like families. Though they have different signal pathways, all the killer activating receptors have similar effector functions which include direct cytotoxicity and the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. To transduce signals that exceed the activation threshold for cytotoxicity, most of these receptors require synergistic effort. This review profiles 21 receptors: 13 immunoglobulin-like, 5 lectin-like, and 3 others. It critically explores their structural uniqueness, role in disease, respective transduction signal pathways and their status as current and prospective targets for cancer immunotherapy. While the native ligands of most of these receptors are known, much work is required to prospect for specific antibodies, peptides and multi-target small molecules with high binding affinities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Titilayo Asala
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Angus Nnamdi Oli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu, Anambra state, Nigeria
| | - Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu, Anambra state, Nigeria
| | - Alex Akpa
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Charles Okechukwu Esimone
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu, Anambra state, Nigeria
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18
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Wei Y, Ren X, Galbo PM, Moerdler S, Wang H, Sica RA, Etemad-Gilbertson B, Shi L, Zhu L, Tang X, Lin Q, Peng M, Guan F, Zheng D, Chinai JM, Zang X. KIR3DL3-HHLA2 is a human immunosuppressive pathway and a therapeutic target. Sci Immunol 2021; 6:eabf9792. [PMID: 34244312 PMCID: PMC9744578 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abf9792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The B7 family ligand HERV-H LTR-associating protein 2 (HHLA2) is an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy because of its coinhibitory function, overexpression in human cancers, and association with poor prognoses. However, the knowledge of the HHLA2 pathway is incomplete. HHLA2 has an established positive receptor transmembrane and immunoglobulin (Ig) domain containing 2 (TMIGD2) but a poorly characterized negative receptor human killer cell Ig-like receptor, three Ig domains, and long cytoplasmic tail (KIR3DL3). Here, KIR3DL3 and TMIGD2 simultaneously bound to different sites of HHLA2. KIR3DL3 was mainly expressed on CD56dim NK and terminally differentiated effector memory CD8+ T (CD8+ TEMRA) cells. KIR3DL3+ CD8+ TEMRA acquired an NK-like phenotype and function. HHLA2 engagement recruited KIR3DL3 to the immunological synapse and coinhibited CD8+ T and NK cell function and killing, inducing immune-evasive HHLA2+ tumors. KIR3DL3 recruited SHP-1 and SHP-2 to attenuate Vav1, ERK1/2, AKT, and NF-κB signaling. HHLA2+ tumors from human kidney, lung, gallbladder, and stomach were infiltrated by KIR3DL3+ immune cells. KIR3DL3 blockade inhibited tumor growth in multiple humanized mouse models. Thus, our findings elucidated the molecular and cellular basis for the inhibitory function of KIR3DL3, demonstrating that the KIR3DL3-HHLA2 pathway is a potential immunotherapeutic target for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wei
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Xiaoxin Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Phillip M Galbo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Scott Moerdler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - R Alejandro Sica
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | | | - Lei Shi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Liqiang Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Xudong Tang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Qi Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Mou Peng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Fangxia Guan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jordan M Chinai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Xingxing Zang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Urology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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19
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Nikoloudis A, Wagner H, Machherndl-Spandl S, Buxhofer-Ausch V, Strassl I, Stiefel O, Wipplinger D, Milanov R, Kaynak E, Hasengruber P, Binder M, Weltermann A, Petzer A, Wolf D, Nachbaur D, Clausen J. Relapse Protection Following Early Cytomegalovirus Reactivation after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Is Limited to HLA-C Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor Ligand Homozygous Recipients. Transplant Cell Ther 2021; 27:686.e1-686.e9. [PMID: 33991724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2021.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although the risk for nonrelapse mortality (NRM) associated with early cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation (CMVR) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is well established, debate is ongoing on whether CMVR may reduce the risk of primary disease relapse. The aim of this study was to evaluate relapse protection following early CMV reactivation after HSCT in the context of the recipient HLA-C killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor ligands (KIRLs). In this retrospective bicentric study, 406 matched related or unrelated donor transplantations for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were stratified by HLA-C KIRL group (homozygous versus heterozygous) and analyzed separately for the impact of early CMVR on the cumulative incidences of relapse, NRM, and acute and chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) using landmark and multistate analyses. By landmark analysis of patients alive and relapse-free at 45 days post-HSCT, HLA-C KIRL homozygous recipients (C1/1 or C2/2) had a lower risk of subsequent relapse if CMVR occurred before this landmark (subhazard ratio [sHR], 0.36; P = .002). In contrast, in HLA-C KIRL heterozygous (C1/2) recipients, early CMVR had no impact on subsequent relapse (sHR, 0.88; P = .63). NRM (sHR, 3.31; P < .001) and grade III-IV acute GVHD (sHR, 2.60; P = .04) were significantly increased after early CMVR in the homozygous cohort, but not in the heterozygous cohort (NRM: sHR, 1.23; P = .53; grade III-IV acute GVHD: sHR, 1.40; P = .50). Multivariable landmark analyses and a multistate model confirmed the limitation of the relapse-protective effect of early CMVR to the homozygous cohort. Chronic GVHD and overall survival were not influenced in neither cohort. An antileukemic effect of early CMVR after HSCT for AML/MDS was significant but strictly limited to recipients homozygous for HLA-C KIRL. However, particularly in this cohort, CMVR had an adverse impact on aGVHD and NRM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Nikoloudis
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria; Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria.
| | - Helga Wagner
- Department of Applied Statistics: Medical Statistics and Biometry and Competence Center for Clinical Studies, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria
| | - Sigrid Machherndl-Spandl
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria; Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria
| | - Veronika Buxhofer-Ausch
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria; Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria
| | - Irene Strassl
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - Olga Stiefel
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - Dagmar Wipplinger
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - Robert Milanov
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - Emine Kaynak
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - Petra Hasengruber
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - Michaela Binder
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - Ansgar Weltermann
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria; Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria
| | - Andreas Petzer
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - Dominik Wolf
- University Hospital of Internal Medicine V, Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Nachbaur
- University Hospital of Internal Medicine V, Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Clausen
- Department of Internal Medicine I: Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria; Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria
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20
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that provide critical host defense against pathogens and cancer. Originally heralded for their early and rapid effector activity, NK cells have been recognized over the last decade for their ability to undergo adaptive immune processes, including antigen-driven clonal expansion and generation of long-lived memory. This review presents an overview of how NK cells lithely partake in both innate and adaptive responses and how this versatility is manifest in human NK cell-mediated immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana M Mujal
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Rebecca B Delconte
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Joseph C Sun
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; .,Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
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21
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Rafei H, Daher M, Rezvani K. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK)-cell therapy: leveraging the power of innate immunity. Br J Haematol 2021; 193:216-230. [PMID: 33216984 PMCID: PMC9942693 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are a rapidly emerging form of cancer treatment, and have resulted in remarkable responses in refractory lymphoid malignancies. However, their widespread clinical use is limited by toxicity related to cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, the logistic complexity of their manufacturing, cost and time-to-treatment for autologous CAR-T cells, and the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) associated with allogeneic CAR-T cells. Natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as a promising source of cells for CAR-based therapies due to their ready availability and safety profile. NK cells are part of the innate immune system, providing the first line of defence against pathogens and cancer cells. They produce cytokines and mediate cytotoxicity without the need for prior sensitisation and have the ability to interact with, and activate other immune cells. NK cells for immunotherapy can be generated from multiple sources, such as expanded autologous or allogeneic peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, haematopoietic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, as well as cell lines. Genetic engineering of NK cells to express a CAR has shown impressive preclinical results and is currently being explored in multiple clinical trials. In the present review, we discuss both the preclinical and clinical trial progress made in the field of CAR NK-cell therapy, and the strategies to overcome the challenges encountered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hind Rafei
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
| | - May Daher
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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22
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Bödder J, Zahan T, van Slooten R, Schreibelt G, de Vries IJM, Flórez-Grau G. Harnessing the cDC1-NK Cross-Talk in the Tumor Microenvironment to Battle Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 11:631713. [PMID: 33679726 PMCID: PMC7933030 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.631713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapeutic approaches have revolutionized the treatment of several diseases such as cancer. The main goal of immunotherapy for cancer is to modulate the anti-tumor immune responses by favoring the recognition and destruction of tumor cells. Recently, a better understanding of the suppressive effect of the tumor microenvironment (TME) on immune cells, indicates that restoring the suppressive effect of the TME is crucial for an efficient immunotherapy. Natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) are cell types that are currently administered to cancer patients. NK cells are used because of their ability to kill tumor cells directly via cytotoxic granzymes. DCs are employed to enhance anti-tumor T cell responses based on their ability to present antigens and induce tumor-antigen specific CD8+ T cell responses. In preclinical models, a particular DC subset, conventional type 1 DCs (cDC1s) is shown to be specialized in cross-presenting extracellular antigens to CD8+ T cells. This feature makes them a promising DC subset for cancer treatment. Within the TME, cDC1s show a bidirectional cross-talk with NK cells, resulting in a higher cDC1 recruitment, differentiation, and maturation as well as activation and stimulation of NK cells. Consequently, the presence of cDC1s and NK cells within the TME might be of utmost importance for the success of immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the function of cDC1s and NK cells, their bidirectional cross-talk and potential strategies that could improve cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Bödder
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tasmin Zahan
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rianne van Slooten
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Gerty Schreibelt
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - I Jolanda M de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Georgina Flórez-Grau
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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23
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Fisher K, Hazini A, Seymour LW. Tackling HLA Deficiencies Head on with Oncolytic Viruses. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:719. [PMID: 33578735 PMCID: PMC7916504 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of HLA (human leukocyte antigen) function is increasingly recognized as a common escape mechanism for cancers subject to the pressures exerted by immunosurveillance or immunotherapeutic interventions. Oncolytic viruses have the potential to counter this resistance by upregulating HLA expression or encouraging an HLA-independent immunological responses. However, to achieve the best therapeutic outcomes, a prospective understanding of the HLA phenotype of cancer patients is required to match them to the characteristics of different oncolytic strategies. Here, we consider the spectrum of immune competence observed in clinical disease and discuss how it can be best addressed using this novel and powerful treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Fisher
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK;
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24
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Frederiksen HR, Doehn U, Tveden-Nyborg P, Freude KK. Non-immunogenic Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, a Promising Way Forward for Allogenic Transplantations for Neurological Disorders. Front Genome Ed 2021; 2:623717. [PMID: 34713244 PMCID: PMC8525385 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2020.623717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorder is a general term used for diseases affecting the function of the brain and nervous system. Those include a broad range of diseases from developmental disorders (e.g., Autism) over injury related disorders (e.g., stroke and brain tumors) to age related neurodegeneration (e.g., Alzheimer's disease), affecting up to 1 billion people worldwide. For most of those disorders, no curative treatment exists leaving symptomatic treatment as the primary mean of alleviation. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) in combination with animal models have been instrumental to foster our understanding of underlying disease mechanisms in the brain. Of specific interest are patient derived hiPSC which allow for targeted gene editing in the cases of known mutations. Such personalized treatment would include (1) acquisition of primary cells from the patient, (2) reprogramming of those into hiPSC via non-integrative methods, (3) corrective intervention via CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing of mutations, (4) quality control to ensure successful correction and absence of off-target effects, and (5) subsequent transplantation of hiPSC or pre-differentiated precursor cells for cell replacement therapies. This would be the ideal scenario but it is time consuming and expensive. Therefore, it would be of great benefit if transplanted hiPSC could be modulated to become invisible to the recipient's immune system, avoiding graft rejection and allowing for allogenic transplantations. This review will focus on the current status of gene editing to generate non-immunogenic hiPSC and how these cells can be used to treat neurological disorders by using cell replacement therapy. By providing an overview of current limitations and challenges in stem cell replacement therapies and the treatment of neurological disorders, this review outlines how gene editing and non-immunogenic hiPSC can contribute and pave the road for new therapeutic advances. Finally, the combination of using non-immunogenic hiPSC and in vivo animal modeling will highlight the importance of models with translational value for safety efficacy testing; before embarking on human trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriette Reventlow Frederiksen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Doehn
- Stem Cell Discovery, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Pernille Tveden-Nyborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristine K. Freude
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Kristine K. Freude
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25
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Charap AJ, Enokida T, Brody R, Sfakianos J, Miles B, Bhardwaj N, Horowitz A. Landscape of natural killer cell activity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:jitc-2020-001523. [PMID: 33428584 PMCID: PMC7754625 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) encompasses a set of cancers arising from the epithelia of the upper aerodigestive tract, accounting for a significant burden of disease worldwide due to the disease’s mortality, morbidity, and predilection for recurrence. Prognosis of HNSCC in the recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M-HNSCC) setting is especially poor and effective treatment options increasingly rely on modulating T-cell antitumor responses. Still, immunotherapy response rates are generally low, prompting the exploration of novel strategies that incorporate other effector cells within the tumor microenvironment. Within the last decade, important advances have been made leveraging the powerful innate antitumor function of natural killer (NK) cells to treat solid tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. NK cells are hybrid innate-adaptive effector cells capable of directly eliminating tumor cells in addition to initiating adaptive antitumor immune responses. In the setting of HNSCC, NK cells are important for tumor surveillance and control, and NK cell infiltration has repeatedly been associated with a favorable prognosis. Yet, HNSCC-infiltrating NK cells are susceptible to an array of immune evasion strategies employed by tumors that must be overcome to fully realize the antitumor potential of NK cells. We believe that a conceptual framework informed by the basic biological understanding of the mechanisms underlying NK cell activation can improve treatment of HNSCC, in part by selecting for patients most likely to respond to NK cell-based immunotherapy. Herein, we review the activity of NK cells in HNSCC, paying special attention to the role of environmental and genetic determinants of NK cell antitumor function. Moreover, we explore the evidence that NK cells are a crucial determinant of the efficacy of both established and emerging treatments for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Charap
- Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Tomohiro Enokida
- Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rachel Brody
- Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - John Sfakianos
- Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Brett Miles
- Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Amir Horowitz
- Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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26
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Zhu T, Bao X, Chen M, Lin R, Zhuyan J, Zhen T, Xing K, Zhou W, Zhu S. Mechanisms and Future of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Metastasis. Front Oncol 2020; 10:585284. [PMID: 33262947 PMCID: PMC7686569 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.585284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer, renowned for its fast progression and metastatic potency, is rising to become a leading cause of death globally. It has been long observed that lung cancer is particularly ept in spawning distant metastasis at its early stages, and it can readily colonize virtually any human organ. In recent years, cancer research has shed light on why lung cancer is endowed with its exceptional ability to metastasize. In this review, we will take a comprehensive look at the current research on lung cancer metastasis, including molecular pathways, anatomical features and genetic traits that make lung cancer intrinsically metastatic, as we go from lung cancer’s general metastatic potential to the particular metastasis mechanisms in multiple organs. We highly concerned about the advanced discovery and development of lung cancer metastasis, indicating the importance of lung cancer specific gene mutations, heterogeneity or biomarker discovery, and discussing potential opportunities and challenges. We will also introduce some current treatments that targets certain metastatic strategies of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Advances made in these regards could be critical to our current knowledge base of lung cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhao Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Mingyu Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University Medical School, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianan Zhuyan
- Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Emergency, Souths Campus, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sibo Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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27
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Michen S, Frosch J, Füssel M, Schackert G, Momburg F, Temme A. Artificial feeder cells expressing ligands for killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and CD94/NKG2A for expansion of functional primary natural killer cells with tolerance to self. Cytotherapy 2020; 22:354-368. [PMID: 32451262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Natural killer (NK) cells are promising cells for immunotherapy of cancer, and there are ongoing efforts to improve their ex vivo expansion to clinically relevant numbers. This study focused on the development of a C1-, C2-, Bw4 killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) ligand and NKG2A ligand-containing feeder cell line for autonomous expansion of functional NK cells. METHODS PC3PSCA-derived feeder cells expressing IL-2, 4-1BBL and membrane-bound IL-15-mutDAP12 (mIL-15d) fusion protein in combinations or alone were generated and used for expansion. Expanded NK cells were analyzed with respect to subpopulations, expression of NK cell receptors and immune checkpoint molecules as well as their cytotoxicity against K562 cells, cetuximab-marked tumor cells and autologous B cells. RESULTS Only combinatorial expression of IL-2 plus 4-1BBL or IL-2, 4-1BBL plus mIL-15d in feeder cells efficiently expanded NK cells and supported selective outgrowth of NK cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples. Best expansion of NK cells was achieved using PC3PSCA-IL-2-4-1BBL-mIL-15d feeder cells. Such expanded NK cells exhibited upregulation of natural cytotoxicity receptors, DNAM-1 and NKG2C and induced expression of high affinity IL-2 receptor, which were paralleled by attenuated KIR and increased expression of NKG2A and ILT2. In addition, elevated TIM-3 levels were noted and PD-1 and T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domain (TIGIT) levels remained low. Expanded NK cells were highly cytolytic when encountering K562 cells and cetuximab-marked target cells but remained unresponsive to autologous B cells and target cells with protective levels of human leukocyte antigen. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the results demonstrate the feasibility of PC3PSCA-IL-2-4-1BBL-mIL-15d feeder cells for robust expansion of NK cells, which remain tolerant to self and could be used in the future for adoptive cell therapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Michen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Section Experimental Neurosurgery/Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jennifer Frosch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Section Experimental Neurosurgery/Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Gabriele Schackert
- Department of Neurosurgery, Section Experimental Neurosurgery/Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Frank Momburg
- Antigen Presentation and T/NK Cell Activation Group (D121), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit "Applied Tumor Immunity" (D120), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Achim Temme
- Department of Neurosurgery, Section Experimental Neurosurgery/Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany.
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28
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Hodgins JJ, Khan ST, Park MM, Auer RC, Ardolino M. Killers 2.0: NK cell therapies at the forefront of cancer control. J Clin Invest 2020; 129:3499-3510. [PMID: 31478911 DOI: 10.1172/jci129338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphocytes involved in the surveillance and elimination of cancer. As we have learned more and more about the mechanisms NK cells employ to recognize and eliminate tumor cells, and how, in turn, cancer evades NK cell responses, we have gained a clear appreciation that NK cells can be harnessed in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we review the evidence for NK cells' critical role in combating transformed and malignant cells, and how cancer immunotherapies potentiate NK cell responses for therapeutic purposes. We highlight cutting-edge immunotherapeutic strategies in preclinical and clinical development such as adoptive NK cell transfer, chimeric antigen receptor-expressing NK cells (CAR-NKs), bispecific and trispecific killer cell engagers (BiKEs and TriKEs), checkpoint blockade, and oncolytic virotherapy. Further, we describe the challenges that NK cells face (e.g., postsurgical dysfunction) that must be overcome by these therapeutic modalities to achieve cancer clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Hodgins
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and
| | - Sarwat T Khan
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria M Park
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and
| | - Rebecca C Auer
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michele Ardolino
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and
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29
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Abstract
Innate lymphocyte populations are emerging as key effectors in tissue homeostasis, microbial defense, and inflammatory skin disease. The cells are evolutionarily ancient and carry conserved principles of function, which can be achieved through shared or unique specific mechanisms. Recent technological and treatment advances have provided insight into heterogeneity within and between individuals and species. Similar pathways can extend through to adaptive lymphocytes, which softens the margins with innate lymphocyte populations and allows investigation of nonredundant pathways of immunity and inflammation that might be amenable to therapeutic intervention. Here, we review advances in understanding of innate lymphocyte biology with a focus on skin disease and the roles of commensal and pathogen responses and tissue homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ling Chen
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Clare S Hardman
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Koshika Yadava
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Ogg
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LE, United Kingdom;
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30
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Paiardini M, Dhodapkar K, Harper J, Deeks SG, Ahmed R. Editorial: HIV and Cancer Immunotherapy: Similar Challenges and Converging Approaches. Front Immunol 2020; 11:519. [PMID: 32296432 PMCID: PMC7138010 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Paiardini
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kavita Dhodapkar
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Justin Harper
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Steven G Deeks
- Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Rafi Ahmed
- Emory Vaccine Center and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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31
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Gao S, Li T, Guo Y, Sun C, Xianyu B, Xu H. Selenium-Containing Nanoparticles Combine the NK Cells Mediated Immunotherapy with Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1907568. [PMID: 32053267 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201907568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Considering the limited clinical benefits of individual approaches against malignancy, natural killer (NK) cell-mediated immunotherapy is increasingly utilized in combination with radiotherapy and target therapeutics. However, the interplay of targeted agents, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy is complex. An improved understanding of the effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy on specific molecular pathways in immune cells would help to optimize the synergistic antitumor efficiency. In this study, the selenium-containing nanoparticles (NPs) could deliver the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) to tumor sites by systemic administration. Radiation stimuli facilitate DOX release and enhance chemotherapy efficiency. Moreover, radiation could oxidize diselenide-containing NPs to seleninic acid, which have both synergistic antitumor effect and immunomodulatory activity through enhancing NK cells function. These results indicate that the selenium-containing NPs would be a potential approach to achieve simultaneous treatments of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy by a simple but effective method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqian Gao
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics & Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics & Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Ye Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
| | - Chenxing Sun
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics & Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Banruo Xianyu
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics & Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Huaping Xu
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics & Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
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32
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Ben-Shmuel A, Biber G, Barda-Saad M. Unleashing Natural Killer Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment-The Next Generation of Immunotherapy? Front Immunol 2020; 11:275. [PMID: 32153582 PMCID: PMC7046808 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of immunotherapy for cancer treatment bears considerable clinical promise. Nevertheless, many patients remain unresponsive, acquire resistance, or suffer dose-limiting toxicities. Immune-editing of tumors assists their escape from the immune system, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) induces immune suppression through multiple mechanisms. Immunotherapy aims to bolster the activity of immune cells against cancer by targeting these suppressive immunomodulatory processes. Natural Killer (NK) cells are a heterogeneous subset of immune cells, which express a diverse array of activating and inhibitory germline-encoded receptors, and are thus capable of directly targeting and killing cancer cells without the need for MHC specificity. Furthermore, they play a critical role in triggering the adaptive immune response. Enhancing the function of NK cells in the context of cancer is therefore a promising avenue for immunotherapy. Different NK-based therapies have been evaluated in clinical trials, and some have demonstrated clinical benefits, especially in the context of hematological malignancies. Solid tumors remain much more difficult to treat, and the time point and means of intervention of current NK-based treatments still require optimization to achieve long term effects. Here, we review recently described mechanisms of cancer evasion from NK cell immune surveillance, and the therapeutic approaches that aim to potentiate NK function. Specific focus is placed on the use of specialized monoclonal antibodies against moieties on the cancer cell, or on both the tumor and the NK cell. In addition, we highlight newly identified mechanisms that inhibit NK cell activity in the TME, and describe how biochemical modifications of the TME can synergize with current treatments and increase susceptibility to NK cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviad Ben-Shmuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Guy Biber
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Mira Barda-Saad
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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33
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Kanevskiy L, Erokhina S, Kobyzeva P, Streltsova M, Sapozhnikov A, Kovalenko E. Dimorphism of HLA-E and its Disease Association. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215496. [PMID: 31690066 PMCID: PMC6862560 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
HLA-E is a nonclassical member of the major histocompatibility complex class I gene locus. HLA-E protein shares a high level of homology with MHC Ia classical proteins: it has similar tertiary structure, associates with β2-microglobulin, and is able to present peptides to cytotoxic lymphocytes. The main function of HLA-E under normal conditions is to present peptides derived from the leader sequences of classical HLA class I proteins, thus serving for monitoring of expression of these molecules performed by cytotoxic lymphocytes. However, opposite to multiallelic classical MHC I genes, HLA-E in fact has only two alleles—HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03—which differ by one nonsynonymous amino acid substitution at position 107, resulting in an arginine in HLA-E*01:01 (HLA-ER) and glycine in HLA-E*01:03 (HLA-EG). In contrast to HLA-ER,HLA-EG has higher affinity to peptide, higher surface expression, and higher thermal stability of the corresponding protein, and it is more ancient than HLA-ER, though both alleles are presented in human populations in nearly equal frequencies. In the current review, we aimed to uncover the reason of the expansion of the younger allele, HLA-ER, by analysis of associations of both HLA-E alleles with a number of diseases, including viral and bacterial infections, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid Kanevskiy
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Sofya Erokhina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Polina Kobyzeva
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Maria Streltsova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Alexander Sapozhnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Elena Kovalenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
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34
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Lucar O, Reeves RK, Jost S. A Natural Impact: NK Cells at the Intersection of Cancer and HIV Disease. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1850. [PMID: 31474977 PMCID: PMC6705184 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite efficient suppression of plasma viremia in people living with HIV (PLWH) on cART, evidence of HIV-induced immunosuppression remains, and normally benign and opportunistic pathogens become major sources of co-morbidities, including virus-induced cancers. In fact, cancer remains a primary cause of death even in virally suppressed PLWH. Natural killer (NK) cells provide rapid early responses to HIV infection, contribute substantially to disease modulation and vaccine protection, and are also major therapeutic targets for cancer immunotherapy. However, much like other lymphocyte populations, recent burgeoning evidence suggests that in chronic conditions like HIV, NK cells can become functionally exhausted with impaired cytotoxic function, altered cytokine production and impaired antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Recent work suggests functional anergy is likely due to low-level ongoing virus replication, increased inflammatory cytokines, or increased presence of MHClow target cells. Indeed, HIV-induced loss of NK cell-mediated control of lytic EBV infection has been specifically shown to cause lymphoma and also increases replication of CMV. In this review, we will discuss current understanding of NK cell modulation of HIV disease, reciprocal exhaustion of NK cells, and how this may impact increased cancer incidences and prospects for NK cell-targeted immunotherapies. Finally, we will review the most recent evidence supporting adaptive functions of NK cells and highlight the potential of adaptive NK cells for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Lucar
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - R Keith Reeves
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Stephanie Jost
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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35
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Tremblay-McLean A, Coenraads S, Kiani Z, Dupuy FP, Bernard NF. Expression of ligands for activating natural killer cell receptors on cell lines commonly used to assess natural killer cell function. BMC Immunol 2019; 20:8. [PMID: 30696399 PMCID: PMC6352444 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-018-0272-x] [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: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer cell responses to virally-infected or transformed cells depend on the integration of signals received through inhibitory and activating natural killer cell receptors. Human Leukocyte Antigen null cells are used in vitro to stimulate natural killer cell activation through missing-self mechanisms. On the other hand, CEM.NKr.CCR5 cells are used to stimulate natural killer cells in an antibody dependent manner since they are resistant to direct killing by natural killer cells. Both K562 and 721.221 cell lines lack surface major histocompatibility compatibility complex class Ia ligands for inhibitory natural killer cell receptors. Previous work comparing natural killer cell stimulation by K562 and 721.221 found that they stimulated different frequencies of natural killer cell functional subsets. We hypothesized that natural killer cell function following K562, 721.221 or CEM.NKr.CCR5 stimulation reflected differences in the expression of ligands for activating natural killer cell receptors. RESULTS K562 expressed a higher intensity of ligands for Natural Killer G2D and the Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors, which are implicated in triggering natural killer cell cytotoxicity. 721.221 cells expressed a greater number of ligands for activating natural killer cell receptors. 721.221 expressed cluster of differentiation 48, 80 and 86 with a higher mean fluorescence intensity than did K562. The only ligands for activating receptor that were detected on CEM.NKr.CCR5 cells at a high intensity were cluster of differentiation 48, and intercellular adhesion molecule-2. CONCLUSIONS The ligands expressed by K562 engage natural killer cell receptors that induce cytolysis. This is consistent with the elevated contribution that the cluster of differentiation 107a function makes to total K562 induced natural killer cell functionality compared to 721.221 cells. The ligands expressed on 721.221 cells can engage a larger number of activating natural killer cell receptors, which may explain their ability to activate a larger frequency of these cells to become functional and secrete cytokines. The few ligands for activating natural killer cell receptors expressed by CEM.NKr.CCR5 may reduce their ability to activate natural killer cells in an antibody independent manner explaining their relative resistance to direct natural killer cell cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Tremblay-McLean
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Glen Site, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Block E, Rm EM3.3238, Montréal, Québec, H4A 3J1, Canada.,Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sita Coenraads
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Glen Site, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Block E, Rm EM3.3238, Montréal, Québec, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Zahra Kiani
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Glen Site, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Block E, Rm EM3.3238, Montréal, Québec, H4A 3J1, Canada.,Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Franck P Dupuy
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Glen Site, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Block E, Rm EM3.3238, Montréal, Québec, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Nicole F Bernard
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Glen Site, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Block E, Rm EM3.3238, Montréal, Québec, H4A 3J1, Canada. .,Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada. .,Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada. .,Division of Clinical Immunology, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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36
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Kim N, Kim HS. Targeting Checkpoint Receptors and Molecules for Therapeutic Modulation of Natural Killer Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2041. [PMID: 30250471 PMCID: PMC6139314 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the most promising therapeutic modalities for cancer treatment is the blockade of immune checkpoint pathways, which are frequently co-opted by tumors as a major mechanism of immune escape. CTLA-4 and PD-1 are the representative examples, and their blockade by therapeutic antibodies leads to enhanced anti-tumor immunity with durable clinical responses, but only in a minority of patients. This has highlighted the need to identify and target additional immune checkpoints that can be exploited to further enhance immune responses to refractory cancers. These emerging targets include natural killer (NK) cell-directed checkpoint receptors (KIR and CD94/NKG2A) as well as the NK- and T cell-expressed checkpoints TIM-3, TIGIT, CD96, and LAG-3. Interestingly, the potentiation of anti-tumor immunity by checkpoint blockade relies not only on T cells but also on other components of the innate immune system, including NK cells. NK cells are innate lymphoid cells that efficiently kill tumor cells without MHC specificity, which is complementary to the MHC-restricted tumor lysis mediated by cytotoxic T cells. However, the role of these immune checkpoints in modulating the function of NK cells remains unclear and somewhat controversial. Unraveling the mechanisms by which these immune checkpoints function in NK cells and other immune cells will pave the way to developing new therapeutic strategies to optimize anti-tumor immunity while limiting cancer immune escape. Here, we focus on recent findings regarding the roles of immune checkpoints in regulating NK cell function and their potential application in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayoung Kim
- Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hun Sik Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center (SCIRC), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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37
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Bigley AB, Baker FL, Simpson RJ. Cytomegalovirus: an unlikely ally in the fight against blood cancers? Clin Exp Immunol 2018; 193:265-274. [PMID: 29737525 PMCID: PMC6150251 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a potentially fatal complication in patients receiving haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but recent evidence indicates that CMV has strong anti-leukaemia effects due in part to shifts in the composition of natural killer (NK) cell subsets. NK cells are the primary mediators of the anti-leukaemia effect of allogeneic HSCT, and infusion of allogeneic NK cells has shown promise as a means of inducing remission and preventing relapse of several different haematological malignancies. The effectiveness of these treatments is limited, however, when tumours express human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-E, a ligand for the inhibitory receptor NKG2A, which is expressed by the vast majority of post-transplant reconstituted and ex-vivo expanded NK cells. It is possible to enhance NK cell cytotoxicity against HLA-Epos malignancies by increasing the proportion of NK cells expressing NKG2C (the activating receptor for HLA-E) and lacking the corresponding inhibitory receptor NKG2A. The proportion of NKG2Cpos /NKG2Aneg NK cells is typically low in healthy adults, but it can be increased by CMV infection or ex-vivo expansion of NK cells using HLA-E-transfected feeder cells and interleukin (IL)-15. In this review, we will discuss the role of CMV-driven NKG2Cpos /NKG2Aneg NK cell expansion on anti-tumour cytotoxicity and disease progression in the context of haematological malignancies, and explore the possibility of harnessing NKG2Cpos /NKG2Aneg NK cells for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. B. Bigley
- Department of Nutritional SciencesThe University of ArizonaTucsonAZUSA
- Department of Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of HoustonHoustonTXUSA
| | - F. L. Baker
- Department of Nutritional SciencesThe University of ArizonaTucsonAZUSA
- Department of Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of HoustonHoustonTXUSA
| | - R. J. Simpson
- Department of Nutritional SciencesThe University of ArizonaTucsonAZUSA
- Department of Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of HoustonHoustonTXUSA
- Department of PediatricsThe University of ArizonaTucsonAZUSA
- Department of ImmunobiologyThe University of ArizonaTucsonAZUSA
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38
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Babay W, Ben Yahia H, Boujelbene N, Zidi N, Laaribi AB, Kacem D, Ben Ghorbel R, Boudabous A, Ouzari HI, Rizzo R, Rebmann V, Mrad K, Zidi I. Clinicopathologic significance of HLA-G and HLA-E molecules in Tunisian patients with ovarian carcinoma. Hum Immunol 2018; 79:463-470. [PMID: 29499226 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2018.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G and HLA-E, non classical HLA class I molecules, have been highly implicated in immune tolerance. HLA-G and HLA-E molecules were proposed as putative markers of several advanced cancers. As a step towards a better understanding of ovarian carcinoma, we evaluated the expression of both HLA-G and HLA-E molecules and explored their prognostic implication. METHODS HLA-G and HLA-E expression were studied by immunohistochemistry on ovarian carcinoma tissues. This expression was semi-quantitatively scored into four expression groups and correlated to clinicopathological parameters and patients' survival. RESULTS HLA-G and HLA-E have been found to be highly expressed in ovarian carcinoma tissues (Respectively, 72.4% and 96.8%). They are frequently co-expressed. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that a positive HLA-G expression status in tumor tissue is a promising candidate parameter to predict disease recurrence in addition to the disease status in Tunisian patients with ovarian carcinoma. Moreover, the elevated HLA-E expression was associated with serous ovarian carcinoma subtype as well as with advanced stages of ovarian carcinoma. CONCLUSION HLA-G and HLA-E are highly represented in ovarian carcinoma suggesting a potential association with progressive disease mechanism. HLA-G and HLA-E molecules might be new candidates' markers for ovarian carcinoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wafa Babay
- Laboratory Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hamza Ben Yahia
- Laboratory Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nadia Boujelbene
- Laboratory Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia; Department of Pathology, Salah Azaïz Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nour Zidi
- Department of Radiotherapy, Salah Azaïz Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ahmed Baligh Laaribi
- Laboratory Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Dhikra Kacem
- Department of Pathology, Salah Azaïz Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Abdellatif Boudabous
- Laboratory Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hadda-Imene Ouzari
- Laboratory Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Roberta Rizzo
- Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Section Microbiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Vera Rebmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Virchowstr. 179, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Karima Mrad
- Laboratory Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia; Department of Pathology, Salah Azaïz Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Inès Zidi
- Laboratory Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
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Abstract
Natural killer cells are important effector lymphocytes of the innate immune system, playing critical roles in antitumor and anti-infection host defense. Tumor progression or chronic infections, however, usually leads to exhaustion of NK cells, thus limiting the antitumor/infection potential of NK cells. In many tumors or chronic infections, multiple mechanisms might contribute to the exhaustion of NK cells, such as dysregulated NK cell receptors signaling, as well as suppressive effects by regulatory cells or soluble factors within the microenvironment. Better understanding of the characteristics, as well as the underlying mechanisms of NK cell exhaustion, not only should increase our understanding of the basic biology of NK cells but also could reveal novel NK cell-based antitumor/infection targets. Here, we provide an overview of our current knowledge on NK cell exhaustion in tumors, and in chronic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Bi
- Shenzhen Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease of Chinese Academy of Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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40
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Wagner B, da Silva Nardi F, Schramm S, Kraemer T, Celik AA, Dürig J, Horn PA, Dührsen U, Nückel H, Rebmann V. HLA-E allelic genotype correlates with HLA-E plasma levels and predicts early progression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cancer 2017; 123:814-823. [PMID: 27859015 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human leukocyte antigen-E (HLA-E) is a nonclassical major histocompatibility complex class I molecule that recently came into sharper focus as a putative marker of advanced tumor stages and disease progression. In solid tumors, increased HLA-E expression as well as elevated soluble HLA-E (sHLA-E) plasma levels are associated with a poor prognosis; however, a role for HLA-E in hematologic malignancies remains to be established. METHODS The authors analyzed HLA-E alleles and sHLA-E levels in a cohort of 110 individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). RESULTS In patients with CLL, levels of sHLA-E increased with advanced disease stage (P = .01) and decreased after therapy (P = .01). Longitudinal follow-up revealed that both HLA-E*01:03 alleles and high levels of sHLA-E were significantly associated with a requirement for early treatment in patients with CLL (P = .027 and P = .023, respectively). In vitro, sHLA-E inhibited degranulation and interferon-γ production by natural killer (NK) cells when cocultivated with tumor cells. Moreover, sHLA-E loaded onto microspheres induced transforming growth factor-β release by NK cells. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of at least 1 HLA-E*01:03 allele was an independent predictor of a requirement for early treatment. CONCLUSIONS HLA-E alleles and sHLA-E levels may represent novel biomarkers for early disease progression in patients with CLL. Cancer 2017;123:814-23. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Alleles
- Biomarkers, Tumor/blood
- Disease Progression
- Female
- Genotype
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/blood
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/genetics
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/blood
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukocytes/pathology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prognosis
- HLA-E Antigens
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Wagner
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Fabiola da Silva Nardi
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- Coordinaton for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Sabine Schramm
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraemer
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexander A Celik
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Dürig
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Peter A Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Dührsen
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Holger Nückel
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Vera Rebmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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41
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Classical and non-classical HLA class I aberrations in primary cervical squamous- and adenocarcinomas and paired lymph node metastases. J Immunother Cancer 2016; 4:78. [PMID: 27895918 PMCID: PMC5109766 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-016-0184-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tumors avoid destruction by cytotoxic T cells (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells by downregulation of classical human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and overexpression of non-classical HLA. This is the first study to investigate HLA expression in relation to histology (squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) vs. adenocarcinoma (AC)), clinicopathological parameters and survival in a large cervical cancer patient cohort. Methods Classical (HLA-A and HLA-B/C)- and non-classical HLA molecules (HLA-E and HLA-G) were studied on primary tumors and paired lymph node (LN) metastases from cervical cancer patients (n = 136) by immunohistochemistry. The Chi2 test was used for the comparison of clinicopathological characteristics between SCC and AC patients. The Related-Samples Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used to compare HLA expression between the primary tumor and metastasis in LN. Patient survival rates were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves and Log Rank test. The Mann-Whitney U Test was used to compare the distribution of HLA class I expression between SCC and AC. Results Decreased expression of HLA-A (SCC P < 0.001), HLA-B/C (SCC P < 0.01; AC P < 0.01) and total classical HLA (SCC P < 0.001; AC P = 0.02) was apparent in metastatic tumor cells compared to the primary tumor. In primary SCC, there was a clear trend towards complete loss of HLA-A (P = 0.05). SCC metastases showed more complete loss of HLA-A, while AC metastases showed more complete loss of HLA-B/C (P = 0.04). In addition, tumor size and parametrium involvement were also related to aberrant HLA class I expression. No significant associations between HLA expression and disease-specific (DSS) or disease-free survival (DFS) were found in this advanced disease cohort. However, in the SCC group, samples showing loss of HLA-A or loss of total classical HLA but positive for HLA-G were linked to poor patient survival (DSS P = 0.001 and P = 0.01; DFS P = 0.003 and P = 0.01, for HLA-A and total classical HLA, respectively). Conclusion These results strengthen the idea of tumor immune escape variants leading to metastasis. Moreover, SCC tumors showing downregulation of HLA-A or total classical HLA in combination with HLA-G expression had poor prognosis. Our findings warrant further analysis of HLA expression as a biomarker for patient selection for CTL- and NK- cell based immunotherapeutic intervention. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40425-016-0184-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Shevtsov M, Multhoff G. Immunological and Translational Aspects of NK Cell-Based Antitumor Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2016; 7:492. [PMID: 27891129 PMCID: PMC5104957 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in the first line of defense against cancer. NK cells that are deficient in CD3 and a clonal T cell receptor (TCR) can be subdivided into two major subtypes, CD56dimCD16+ cytotoxic and CD56brightCD16− immunoregulatory NK cells. Cytotoxic NK cells not only directly kill tumor cells without previous stimulation by cytotoxic effector molecules, such as perforin and granzymes or via death receptor interactions, but also act as regulatory cells for the immune system by secreting cytokines and chemokines. The aim of this review is to highlight therapeutic strategies utilizing autologous and allogenic NK cells, combinations of NK cells with monoclonal antibodies to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, or immune checkpoint inhibitors. Additionally, we discuss the use of chimeric antigen receptor-engineered NK cells in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Shevtsov
- Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Gabriele Multhoff
- Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Experimental Immune Biology, Institute for innovative Radiotherapy (iRT), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
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Seliger B, Jasinski-Bergner S, Quandt D, Stoehr C, Bukur J, Wach S, Legal W, Taubert H, Wullich B, Hartmann A. HLA-E expression and its clinical relevance in human renal cell carcinoma. Oncotarget 2016; 7:67360-67372. [PMID: 27589686 PMCID: PMC5341881 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The non-classical human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) expression is frequently overexpressed in tumor diseases, transplants and virus-infected cells and represents an immunomodulatory molecule by binding to the receptors CD94/NKG2A, -B and -C on NK and T cells. Due to its immune suppressive features HLA-E expression might represent an important mechanism of tumors to escape immune surveillance.While an aberrant expression of the non-classical HLA-G antigen in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been demonstrated to be associated with a worse outcome of patients and reduced sensitivity to immune effector cell-mediated cytotoxicity, the expression and function of HLA-E has not yet been analyzed in this tumor entity.Higher levels of HLA-E transcripts were detected in all RCC cell lines and tumor lesions, which were tested in comparison to normal kidney epithelium. Immunohistochemical staining of a tissue microarray (TMA) using the HLA-E-specific monoclonal antibody TFL-033 recognizing the cytoplasmic HLA-E α-chain as monomer revealed a heterogeneous HLA-E expression in RCC lesions with the highest frequency in chromophobe RCC when compared to other RCC subtypes. HLA-E expression did not correlate with the frequency of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and FoxP3+ immune cell infiltrations, but showed an inverse correlation with infiltrating CD56+ cells. In contrast to HLA-G, HLA-E expression in RCCs was not statistically significant associated with a decreased disease specific survival. These data suggest that HLA-E overexpression frequently occurs in RCC and correlates with reduced immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
| | | | - Dagmar Quandt
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
| | - Christine Stoehr
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Juergen Bukur
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
| | - Sven Wach
- Clinics for Urology, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Legal
- Clinics for Urology, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Helge Taubert
- Clinics for Urology, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Bernd Wullich
- Clinics for Urology, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
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Human Leukocyte Antigen-DR Expression is Significantly Related to an Increased Disease-Free and Disease-Specific Survival in Patients With Cervical Adenocarcinoma. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2016; 26:1503-1509. [PMID: 27654088 DOI: 10.1097/igc.0000000000000783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II antigens are expressed on antigen-presenting cells, that is, macrophages, dendritic cells, and B lymphocytes. Under the influence of IFN-γ, HLA class II molecules can also be expressed on T lymphocytes, epithelial and endothelial cells. In addition, HLA class II antigens can be expressed in a variety of malignancies; however, the link with prognosis and ultimately patient survival is controversial. METHODS The pattern of HLA-DRA expression in cervical carcinoma was studied using immunohistochemistry. In total, 124 cervical carcinomas were examined, of which 60 (48.4%) were squamous cell carcinomas and 64 (51.6%) were adenocarcinomas. RESULTS In squamous cell carcinoma, HLA-DRA was expressed in 41 (68.3%) of 60 tumors, whereas in adenocarcinoma, HLA-DRA was expressed in 60 (93.8%) of 64 tumors (P < 0.001). In adenocarcinoma, HLA-DRA expression was associated with an increased disease-free survival (211.0 ± 13.0 vs 53.3 ± 30.5 months; P = 0.004) and disease-specific survival (226.45 ± 11.5 vs 75.8 ± 27.6 months; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Upregulation of HLA-DRA is significantly related to an increased disease-free and disease-specific survival in cervical adenocarcinoma. These data warrant further analysis of the functional role of HLA-DRA in these tumors.
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Sub-apoptotic dosages of pro-oxidant vitamin cocktails sensitize human melanoma cells to NK cell lysis. Oncotarget 2016; 6:31039-49. [PMID: 26427039 PMCID: PMC4741587 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-tochopheryl succinate (αTOS), vitamin K3 (VK3) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AA) were previously shown to synergistically promote different death pathways in carcinoma cells, depending on their concentrations and combinations. Similar effects were observed herein in melanoma cells, although αTOS behaved as an antagonist. Interestingly, suboptimal cell death-inducing concentrations (1.5 μM αTOS/20 μM AA/0.2 μM VK3) effectively up-regulated activating Natural Killer (NK) cell ligands, including MICA (the stress-signaling ligand of the NKG2D receptor), and/or the ligands of at least one of the natural cytotoxicity receptors (NKp30, NKp44 and NKp46) in 5/6 melanoma cell lines. Only an isolated MICA down-regulation was seen. HLA class I, HLA class II, ULBP1, ULBP2, ULBP3, Nectin-2, and PVR displayed little, if any, change in expression. Ligand up-regulation resulted in improved lysis by polyclonal NK cells armed with the corresponding activating receptors. These results provide the first evidence for concerted induction of cell death by cell-autonomous and extrinsic (immune) mechanisms. Alarming the immune system much below the cell damage threshold may have evolved as a sensitive readout of neoplastic transformation and oxidative stress. Cocktails of vitamin analogues at slightly supra-physiological dosages may find application as mild complements of melanoma treatment, and in chemoprevention.
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Bigley AB, Rezvani K, Shah N, Sekine T, Balneger N, Pistillo M, Agha N, Kunz H, O'Connor DP, Bollard CM, Simpson RJ. Latent cytomegalovirus infection enhances anti-tumour cytotoxicity through accumulation of NKG2C+ NK cells in healthy humans. Clin Exp Immunol 2016; 185:239-51. [PMID: 26940026 PMCID: PMC4955006 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection markedly expands NKG2C+/NKG2A- NK cells, which are potent killers of infected cells expressing human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-E. As HLA-E is also over-expressed in several haematological malignancies and CMV has been linked to a reduced risk of leukaemic relapse, we determined the impact of latent CMV infection on NK cell cytotoxicity against four tumour target cell lines with varying levels of HLA-E expression. NK cell cytotoxicity against K562 (leukaemia origin) and U266 (multiple myeloma origin) target cells was strikingly greater in healthy CMV-seropositive donors than seronegative donors and was associated strongly with target cell HLA-E and NK cell NKG2C expression. NK cell cytotoxicity against HLA-E transfected lymphoma target cells (221.AEH) was ∼threefold higher with CMV, while NK cell cytotoxicity against non-transfected 721.221 cells was identical between the CMV groups. NK cell degranulation (CD107a(+) ) and interferon (IFN)-γ production to 221.AEH cells was localized almost exclusively to the NKG2C subset, and antibody blocking of NKG2C completely eliminated the effect of CMV on NK cell cytotoxicity against 221.AEH cells. Moreover, 221.AEH feeder cells and interleukin (IL)-15 were found to expand NKG2C(+) /NKG2A(-) NK cells preferentially from CMV-seronegative donors and increase NK cell cytotoxicity against HLA-E(+) tumour cell lines. We conclude that latent CMV infection enhances NK cell cytotoxicity through accumulation of NKG2C(+) NK cells, which may be beneficial in preventing the initiation and progression of haematological malignancies characterized by high HLA-E expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. B. Bigley
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of HoustonHoustonTXUSA
| | - K. Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer MedicineThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
| | - N. Shah
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer MedicineThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
| | - T. Sekine
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer MedicineThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
| | - N. Balneger
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of HoustonHoustonTXUSA
| | - M. Pistillo
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of HoustonHoustonTXUSA
| | - N. Agha
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of HoustonHoustonTXUSA
| | - H. Kunz
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of HoustonHoustonTXUSA
| | - D. P. O'Connor
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of HoustonHoustonTXUSA
| | - C. M. Bollard
- Program for Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy, Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation and Center for Cancer and Immunology ResearchChildren's National Health SystemWashingtonDCUSA
| | - R. J. Simpson
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of HoustonHoustonTXUSA
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Combination of NK Cells and Cetuximab to Enhance Anti-Tumor Responses in RAS Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157830. [PMID: 27314237 PMCID: PMC4912059 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of Natural Killer (NK) cells to kill tumor targets has been extensively studied in various hematological malignancies. However, NK cell therapy directed against solid tumors is still in early development. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) targeted therapies using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as cetuximab and panitumumab are widely used for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Still, the clinical efficacy of this treatment is hampered by mutations in RAS gene, allowing tumors to escape from anti-EGFR mAb therapy. It is well established that NK cells kill tumor cells by natural cytotoxicity and can in addition be activated upon binding of IgG1 mAbs through Fc receptors (CD16/FcγRIIIa) on their surface, thereby mediating antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). In the current study, activated Peripheral Blood NK cells (PBNK) were combined with anti-EGFR mAbs to study their effect on the killing of EGFR+/- cancer cell lines, including those with RAS mutations. In vitro cytotoxicity experiments using colon cancer primary tumors and cell lines COLO320, Caco-2, SW620, SW480 and HT-29, demonstrated that PBNK cells are cytotoxic for a range of tumor cells, regardless of EGFR, RAS or BRAF status and at low E:T ratios. Cetuximab enhanced the cytotoxic activity of NK cells on EGFR+ tumor cells (either RASwt, RASmut or BRAFmut) in a CD16 dependent manner, whereas it could not increase the killing of EGFR- COLO320. Our study provides a rationale to strengthen NK cell immunotherapy through a combination with cetuximab for RAS and BRAF mutant mCRC patients.
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Carotta S. Targeting NK Cells for Anticancer Immunotherapy: Clinical and Preclinical Approaches. Front Immunol 2016; 7:152. [PMID: 27148271 PMCID: PMC4838611 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent success of checkpoint blockade has highlighted the potential of immunotherapy approaches for cancer treatment. Although the majority of approved immunotherapy drugs target T cell subsets, it is appreciated that other components of the immune system have important roles in tumor immune surveillance as well and thus represent promising additional targets for immunotherapy. Natural killer (NK) cells are the body’s first line of defense against infected or transformed cells, as they kill target cells in an antigen-independent manner. Although several studies have clearly demonstrated the active role of NK cells in cancer immune surveillance, only few clinically approved therapies currently exist that harness their potential. Our increased understanding of NK cell biology over the past few years has renewed the interest in NK cell-based anticancer therapies, which has lead to a steady increase of NK cell-based clinical and preclinical trials. Here, the role of NK cells in cancer immune surveillance is summarized, and several novel approaches to enhance NK cell cytotoxicity against cancer are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Carotta
- Immune Modulation Department, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV, Vienna, Austria; The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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49
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Bigley AB, Rezvani K, Pistillo M, Reed J, Agha N, Kunz H, O'Connor DP, Sekine T, Bollard CM, Simpson RJ. Acute exercise preferentially redeploys NK-cells with a highly-differentiated phenotype and augments cytotoxicity against lymphoma and multiple myeloma target cells. Part II: impact of latent cytomegalovirus infection and catecholamine sensitivity. Brain Behav Immun 2015; 49:59-65. [PMID: 25578514 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2014] [Revised: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We showed previously that acute exercise is associated with a preferential redeployment of highly-differentiated NK-cells and increased cytotoxicity against HLA-expressing tumor cell lines during exercise recovery. In this part II study, we retrospectively analyzed these findings in the context of latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and performed additional experiments to explore potential mechanisms underpinning the marked reduction in NK-cell redeployment with exercise in CMV-seropositive individuals. We show here that latent CMV infection impairs NK-cell mobilization with exercise, only when the intensity of the exercise bout exceeds the individual blood lactate threshold (BLT). This impaired mobilization is associated with increased proportions of poorly exercise-responsive NK-cell subsets (NKG2C+/KIR-, NKG2C+/NKG2A-, and NKG2C+/CD57+) and decreased NK-cell β(2)-adrenergic receptor (AR) expression in those with CMV. As a result, NK-cell production of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in response to in vitro isoproterenol (synthetic β-agonist) stimulation was drastically lower in those with CMV (6.0 vs. 20.3pmol/mL, p<0.001) and correlated highly with the proportion of NKG2C+/CD57+ NK-cells (R(2)=0.97). Moreover, NK-cell cytotoxic activity (NKCA) against the K562 (36.6% vs. 22.7%, p<0.05), U266 (23.6% vs. 15.9%, p<0.05), and 221.AEH (41.3% vs. 13.3%, p<0.001) cell lines was increased at baseline in those infected with CMV; however, latent CMV infection abated the post-exercise increase in NKCA as a result of decreased NK-cell mobilization. Additionally, NKCA per cell against the U266 (0.24 vs. 0.12, p<0.01), RPMI-8226 (0.17 vs. 0.11, p<0.05), and 221.AEH (0.18 vs. 0.11, p<0.05) cell lines was increased 1h post-exercise (relative to baseline) in CMV-seronegative subjects, but not in those infected with CMV. Collectively, these data indicate that latent CMV infection may compromise NK-cell mediated immunosurveillance after acute exercise due to an increased proportion of "CMV-specific" NK-cell subsets with impaired β-adrenergic receptor signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin B Bigley
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mira Pistillo
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Justin Reed
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Nadia Agha
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Hawley Kunz
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Daniel P O'Connor
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Takuya Sekine
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Catherine M Bollard
- Program for Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy, Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, and Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Richard J Simpson
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, Houston, TX 77204, USA.
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Cichocki F, Cooley S, Davis Z, DeFor TE, Schlums H, Zhang B, Brunstein CG, Blazar BR, Wagner J, Diamond DJ, Verneris MR, Bryceson YT, Weisdorf DJ, Miller JS. CD56dimCD57+NKG2C+ NK cell expansion is associated with reduced leukemia relapse after reduced intensity HCT. Leukemia 2015; 30:456-63. [PMID: 26416461 PMCID: PMC4740203 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2015] [Revised: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
We have recently described a specialized subset of human natural killer (NK) cells with a CD56dimCD57+NKG2C+ phenotype that expand specifically in response to cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients and exhibit properties characteristic of adaptive immunity. We hypothesize that these cells mediate relapse protection and improve post-HCT outcomes. In 674 allogeneic HCT recipients, we found that those who reactivated CMV had lower leukemia relapse (26% [17–35%], p=0.05) and superior disease-free survival (DFS) (55% [45–65%] p=0.04) 1 year after reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) compared to CMV seronegative recipients who experienced higher relapse rates (35% [27–43%]) and lower DFS (46% [38–54%]). This protective effect was independent of age and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and was not observed in recipients who received myeloablative (MA) regimens. Analysis of the reconstituting NK cells demonstrated that CMV reactivation is associated with both higher frequencies and greater absolute numbers of CD56dimCD57+NKG2C+ NK cells, particularly after RIC HCT. Furthermore, expansion of these cells at 6 months post-transplant independently trended toward a lower 2-year relapse risk. Together, our data suggest that the protective effect of CMV reactivation on post-transplant relapse is in part driven by adaptive NK cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Cichocki
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - S Cooley
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Z Davis
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - T E DeFor
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - H Schlums
- Centre for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - B Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - C G Brunstein
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - B R Blazar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J Wagner
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - D J Diamond
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - M R Verneris
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Y T Bryceson
- Centre for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,Broeglmann Research Laboratory, Clinical Institute, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - D J Weisdorf
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J S Miller
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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