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Pan W, Tao T, Qiu Y, Zhu X, Zhou X. Natural killer cells at the forefront of cancer immunotherapy with immune potency, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 193:104231. [PMID: 38070841 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are vital components of the human immune system, acting as innate lymphocytes and playing a crucial role in immune surveillance. Their unique ability to independently eliminate target cells without antigen contact or antibodies has sparked interest in immunological research. This review examines recent NK cell developments and applications, encompassing immune functions, interactions with target cells, genetic engineering techniques, pharmaceutical interventions, and implications in cancers. Insights into NK cell regulation emerge, with a focus on promising genetic engineering like CAR-engineered NK cells, enhancing specificity against tumors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors also enhance NK cells' potential in cancer therapy. Nanotechnology's emergence as a tool for targeted drug delivery to improve NK cell therapies is explored. In conclusion, NK cells are pivotal in immunity, holding exciting potential in cancer immunotherapy. Ongoing research promises novel therapeutic strategies, advancing immunotherapy and medical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyi Pan
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China; School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Tao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Yishu Qiu
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Xiao Zhu
- Computational Systems Biology Lab (CSBL), The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.
| | - Xiaorong Zhou
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China.
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Li K, Wu Y, Li Y, Yu Q, Tian Z, Wei H, Qu K. Landscape and Dynamics of the Transcriptional Regulatory Network During Natural Killer Cell Differentiation. GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2020; 18:501-515. [PMID: 33385611 PMCID: PMC8377244 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are essential in controlling cancer and infection. However, little is known about the dynamics of the transcriptional regulatory machinery during NK cell differentiation. In this study, we applied the assay of transposase accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq) technique in a home-developed in vitro NK cell differentiation system. Analysis of ATAC-seq data illustrated two distinct transcription factor (TF) clusters that dynamically regulate NK cell differentiation. Moreover, two TFs from the second cluster, FOS-like 2 (FOSL2) and early growth response 2 (EGR2), were identified as novel essential TFs that control NK cell maturation and function. Knocking down either of these two TFs significantly impacted NK cell differentiation. Finally, we constructed a genome-wide transcriptional regulatory network that provides a better understanding of the regulatory dynamics during NK cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230021, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230021, China
| | - Young Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230021, China
| | - Qiaoni Yu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230021, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230021, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Sciences, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230021, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Sciences, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.
| | - Kun Qu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230021, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Sciences, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; School of Data Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
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Xu J, Niu T. Natural killer cell-based immunotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:167. [PMID: 33287858 PMCID: PMC7720594 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00996-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable progress has been achieved in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia over the past decades, relapse remains a major problem. Novel therapeutic options aimed at attaining minimal residual disease-negative complete remission are expected to reduce the incidence of relapse and prolong survival. Natural killer cell-based immunotherapy is put forward as an option to tackle the unmet clinical needs. There have been an increasing number of therapeutic dimensions ranging from adoptive NK cell transfer, chimeric antigen receptor-modified NK cells, antibodies, cytokines to immunomodulatory drugs. In this review, we will summarize different forms of NK cell-based immunotherapy for AML based on preclinical investigations and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ting Niu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Cruz-Muñoz ME, Valenzuela-Vázquez L, Sánchez-Herrera J, Santa-Olalla Tapia J. From the "missing self" hypothesis to adaptive NK cells: Insights of NK cell-mediated effector functions in immune surveillance. J Leukoc Biol 2019; 105:955-971. [PMID: 30848847 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.mr0618-224rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The original discovery of NK cells approximately 40 yr ago was based on their unique capability to kill tumor cells without prior sensitization or priming, a process named natural cytotoxicity. Since then, several studies have documented that NK cells can kill hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cancer cells. NK cells also recognize and kill cells that have undergone viral infections. Besides natural cytotoxicity, NK cells are also major effectors of antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). Therefore, NK cells are well "armed" to recognize and mount immune responses against "insults" that result from cell transformation and viral infections. Because of these attributes, an essential role of NK cells in tumor surveillance was noted. Indeed, several studies have shown a correlation between impaired NK cell cytotoxicity and a higher risk of developing cancer. This evidence led to the idea that cancer initiation and progress is intimately related to an abnormal or misdirected immune response. Whereas all these ideas remain current, it is also true that NK cells represent a heterogeneous population with different abilities to secrete cytokines and to mediate cytotoxic functions. In addition, recent data has shown that NK cells are prone to suffer epigenetic modifications resulting in the acquisition of previously unrecognized attributes such as memory and long-term survival. Such NK cells, referred as "adaptive" or "memory-like," also display effector functions that are not necessarily equal to those observed in conventional NK cells. Given the new evidence available, it is essential to discuss the conceptual reasoning and misconceptions regarding the role of NK cells in immune surveillance and immunotherapy.
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