1
|
Saultz JN, Otegbeye F. Optimizing the cryopreservation and post-thaw recovery of natural killer cells is critical for the success of off-the-shelf platforms. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1304689. [PMID: 38193082 PMCID: PMC10773738 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1304689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a promising allogeneic, off-the-shelf, cellular immunotherapy product. These cells can be manipulated ex vivo, genetically edited to enhance tumor targeting and expanded to produce large cell banks for multiple patient infusions. Therapeutic efficacy of these products depends on the recovery of viable and functional cells post-thaw. Post-thaw loss of viability and cytolytic activity results in large, and often variable, discrepancies between the intended cell dose (based on counts at cryopreservation) and the actual dose administered. Compared to their highly activated state in fresh culture, post-thaw NK cells demonstrate critical changes in cytokine production, cytotoxic activity, in vivo proliferation and migration. When these NK cells are introduced into the highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, the functional changes induced by cryopreservation further limits the clinical potential of these products. This report will review the impact of cryopreservation on ex vivo expanded NK cells and outlines strategies described in published studies to recover post-thaw function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer N. Saultz
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Folashade Otegbeye
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang X, Yang X, Yuan X, Wang W, Wang Y. Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered NK cells: new weapons of cancer immunotherapy with great potential. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:85. [PMID: 36324149 PMCID: PMC9628181 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00341-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T (CAR-T) cells have obtained prominent achievement in the clinical immunotherapy of hematological malignant tumors, leading to a rapid development of cellular immunotherapy in cancer treatment. Scientists are also aware of the prospective advantages of CAR engineering in cellular immunotherapy. Due to various limitations such as the serious side effects of CAR-T therapy, researchers began to investigate other immune cells for CAR modification. Natural killer (NK) cells are critical innate immune cells with the characteristic of non-specifically recognizing target cells and with the potential to become "off-the-shelf" products. In recent years, many preclinical studies on CAR-engineered NK (CAR-NK) cells have shown their remarkable efficacy in cancer therapy and their superiority over autologous CAR-T cells. In this review, we summarize the generation, mechanisms of anti-tumor activity and unique advantages of CAR-NK cells, and then analyze some challenges and recent clinical trials about CAR-NK cells therapy. We believe that CAR-NK therapy is a promising prospect for cancer immunotherapy in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Xuejiao Yang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Xiang Yuan
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Thoracic Oncology, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Wenbo Wang
- grid.24516.340000000123704535Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072 China
| | - Yueying Wang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Castiello L, Santodonato L, Napolitano M, Carlei D, Montefiore E, Monque DM, D’Agostino G, Aricò E. Chimeric Antigen Receptor Immunotherapy for Solid Tumors: Choosing the Right Ingredients for the Perfect Recipe. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5351. [PMID: 36358770 PMCID: PMC9655484 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies are revolutionizing the clinical practice of hematological tumors, whereas minimal progresses have been achieved in the solid tumor arena. Multiple reasons have been ascribed to this slower pace: The higher heterogeneity, the hurdles of defining reliable tumor antigens to target, and the broad repertoire of immune escape strategies developed by solid tumors are considered among the major ones. Currently, several CAR therapies are being investigated in preclinical and early clinical trials against solid tumors differing in the type of construct, the cells that are engineered, and the additional signals included with the CAR constructs to overcome solid tumor barriers. Additionally, novel approaches in development aim at overcoming some of the limitations that emerged with the approved therapies, such as large-scale manufacturing, duration of manufacturing, and logistical issues. In this review, we analyze the advantages and challenges of the different approaches under development, balancing the scientific evidences supporting specific choices with the manufacturing and regulatory issues that are essential for their further clinical development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Castiello
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Santodonato
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Napolitano
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Carlei
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrica Montefiore
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Domenica Maria Monque
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina D’Agostino
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Aricò
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cryopreservation of NK and T Cells Without DMSO for Adoptive Cell-Based Immunotherapy. BioDrugs 2021; 35:529-545. [PMID: 34427899 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-021-00494-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Dimethylsufoxide (DMSO) being universally used as a cryoprotectant in clinical adoptive cell-therapy settings to treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors is a growing concern, largely due to its broad toxicities. Its use has been associated with significant clinical side effects-cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and allergic-in patients receiving infusions of cell-therapy products. DMSO has also been associated with altered expression of natural killer (NK) and T-cell markers and their in vivo function, not to mention difficulties in scaling up DMSO-based cryoprotectants, which introduce manufacturing challenges for autologous and allogeneic cellular therapies, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T and CAR-NK cell therapies. Interest in developing alternatives to DMSO has resulted in the evaluation of a variety of sugars, proteins, polymers, amino acids, and other small molecules and osmolytes as well as modalities to efficiently enable cellular uptake of these cryoprotectants. However, the DMSO-free cryopreservation of NK and T cells remains difficult. They represent heterogeneous cell populations that are sensitive to freezing and thawing. As a result, clinical use of cryopreserved cell-therapy products has not moved past the use of DMSO. Here, we present the state of the art in the development and use of cryopreservation options that do not contain DMSO toward clinical solutions to enable the global deployment of safer adoptively transferred cell-based therapies.
Collapse
|
5
|
T-Cell Dysfunction as a Limitation of Adoptive Immunotherapy: Current Concepts and Mitigation Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040598. [PMID: 33546277 PMCID: PMC7913380 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary T cells are immune cells that can be used to target infections or cancers. Adoptive T-cell immunotherapy leverages these properties and/or confers new features to T cells through ex vivo manipulations prior to their use in patients. However, as a “living drug,” the function of these cells can be hampered by several built-in physiological constraints and external factors that limit their efficacy. Manipulating T cells ex vivo can impart dysfunctional features to T cells through repeated stimulations and expansion, but it also offers many opportunities to improve the therapeutic potential of these cells, including emerging interventions to prevent or reverse T-cell dysfunction developing ex vivo or after transfer in patients. This review outlines the various forms of T-cell dysfunction, emphasizes how it affects various types of T-cell immunotherapy approaches, and describes current and anticipated strategies to limit T-cell dysfunction. Abstract Over the last decades, cellular immunotherapy has revealed its curative potential. However, inherent physiological characteristics of immune cells can limit the potency of this approach. Best defined in T cells, dysfunction associated with terminal differentiation, exhaustion, senescence, and activation-induced cell death, undermine adoptive cell therapies. In this review, we concentrate on how the multiple mechanisms that articulate the various forms of immune dysfunction impact cellular therapies primarily involving conventional T cells, but also other lymphoid subtypes. The repercussions of immune cell dysfunction across the full life cycle of cell therapy, from the source material, during manufacturing, and after adoptive transfer, are discussed, with an emphasis on strategies used during ex vivo manipulations to limit T-cell dysfunction. Applicable to cellular products prepared from native and unmodified immune cells, as well as genetically engineered therapeutics, the understanding and potential modulation of dysfunctional features are key to the development of improved cellular immunotherapies.
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu S, Galat V, Galat Y, Lee YKA, Wainwright D, Wu J. NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy: from basic biology to clinical development. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:7. [PMID: 33407739 PMCID: PMC7788999 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-01014-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 306] [Impact Index Per Article: 102.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell is a specialized immune effector cell type that plays a critical role in immune activation against abnormal cells. Different from events required for T cell activation, NK cell activation is governed by the interaction of NK receptors with target cells, independent of antigen processing and presentation. Due to relatively unsophisticated cues for activation, NK cell has gained significant attention in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Many efforts are emerging for developing and engineering NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we provide our current understandings of NK cell biology, ongoing pre-clinical and clinical development of NK cell-based therapies and discuss the progress, challenges, and future perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sizhe Liu
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior St., Lurie Research Building 6-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Vasiliy Galat
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yekaterina Galat
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
| | | | - Derek Wainwright
- Departments of Neurological Surgery, Medicine-Hematology and Oncology, Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jennifer Wu
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior St., Lurie Research Building 6-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Choi JW, Lim S, Kang JH, Hwang SH, Hwang KC, Kim SW, Lee S. Proteome Analysis of Human Natural Killer Cell Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Identification of Anticancer Effectors. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215216. [PMID: 33182448 PMCID: PMC7664935 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a clinically validated therapeutic modality for cancer and has been rapidly advancing in recent years. Adoptive transfer of immune cells such as T cells and natural killer (NK) cells has emerged as a viable method of controlling the immune system against cancer. Recent evidence indicates that even immune-cell-released vesicles such as NK-cell-derived exosomes also exert anticancer effect. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In the present study, the anticancer potential of isolated extracellular vesicles (EVs) from expanded and activated NK-cell-enriched lymphocytes (NKLs) prepared by house-developed protocol was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, isolated EVs were characterized by using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE)-based proteome and network analysis, and functional study using identified factors was performed. Our data indicated that the EVs from expanded and active NKLs had anticancer properties, and a number of molecules, such as Fas ligand, TRAIL, NKG2D, β-actin, and fibrinogen, were identified as effector candidates based on the proteome analysis and functional study. The results of the present study suggest the possibility of NK-cell-derived EVs as a viable immunotherapeutic strategy for cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Won Choi
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do 210-701, Korea; (J.-W.C.); (S.L.); (K.-C.H.)
| | - Soyeon Lim
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do 210-701, Korea; (J.-W.C.); (S.L.); (K.-C.H.)
| | - Jung Hwa Kang
- IMMUNISBIO Co. Ltd., B2F MTP Mall, International St. Mary’s Hospital, Incheon Metropolitan City 22711, Korea; (J.H.K.); (S.H.H.)
| | - Sung Hwan Hwang
- IMMUNISBIO Co. Ltd., B2F MTP Mall, International St. Mary’s Hospital, Incheon Metropolitan City 22711, Korea; (J.H.K.); (S.H.H.)
| | - Ki-Chul Hwang
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do 210-701, Korea; (J.-W.C.); (S.L.); (K.-C.H.)
| | - Sang Woo Kim
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do 210-701, Korea; (J.-W.C.); (S.L.); (K.-C.H.)
- Correspondence: (S.W.K.); (S.L.)
| | - Seahyoung Lee
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do 210-701, Korea; (J.-W.C.); (S.L.); (K.-C.H.)
- Correspondence: (S.W.K.); (S.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Analysis of ex vivo expanded and activated clinical-grade human NK cells after cryopreservation. Cytotherapy 2020; 22:450-457. [PMID: 32536506 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Several methods to expand and activate (EA) NK cells ex vivo have been developed for the treatment of relapsed or refractory cancers. Infusion of fresh NK cells is generally preferred to the infusion of cryopreserved/thawed (C/T) NK cells because of concern that cryopreservation diminishes NK cell activity. However, there has been little head-to-head comparison of the functionality of fresh versus C/T NK cell products. METHODS We evaluated activity of fresh and C/T EA NK cells generated by interleukin (IL)-15, IL-2 and CD137L expansion. RESULTS Analysis of C/T NK cell products demonstrated decreased recovery of viable CD56+ cells, but the proportion of NK cells in the C/T EA NK cell product did not decrease compared with the fresh EA NK cell product. Fresh and C/T EA NK cells demonstrated increased granzyme B compared with NK cells pre-expansion, but only fresh EA NK cells showed increased NKG2D. Compared with fresh EA NK cells, cytotoxic ability of C/T EA NK cells was reduced, but C/T EA NK cells remained potently cytotoxic against tumor cells via both antibody-independent and antibody-dependent mechanisms within 4 h post-thaw. Fresh EA NK cells generated high levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), which was abrogated by JAK1/JAK2 inhibition with ruxolitinib, but C/T EA NK cells showed lower IFN-γ unaffected by JAK1/JAK2 inhibition. DISCUSSION Usage of C/T EA NK cells may be an option to provide serial "boost" NK cell infusions from a single apheresis to maximize NK cell persistence and potentially improve NK-induced responses to refractory cancer.
Collapse
|
9
|
Yao X, Jovevski JJ, Todd MF, Xu R, Li Y, Wang J, Matosevic S. Nanoparticle-Mediated Intracellular Protection of Natural Killer Cells Avoids Cryoinjury and Retains Potent Antitumor Functions. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:1902938. [PMID: 32382476 PMCID: PMC7201255 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201902938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The ability of natural killer (NK) cells to mediate potent antitumor immunity in clinical adoptive transfer settings relies, in large part, on their ability to retain cytotoxic function following cryopreservation. To avoid potential systemic toxicities associated with infusions of NK cells into patients in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), interest in alternative cryoprotective agents (CPAs) with improved safety profiles has grown. Despite the development of various sugars, amino acids, polyols, and polyampholytes as cryoprotectants, their ability to promote protection from intracellular cryodamage is limited because they mostly act outside of the cell. Though ways to shuttle cryoprotectants intracellularly exist, NK cells' high aversity to manipulation and freezing has meant they are highly understudied as targets for the development of new cryopreservation approaches. Here, the first example of a safe and efficient platform for the intracellular delivery of non-DMSO CPAs to NK cells is presented. Biocompatible chitosan-based nanoparticles are engineered to mediate the efficient DMSO-free cryopreservation of NK cells. NK cells cryopreserved in this way retain potent cytotoxic, degranulation, and cytokine production functions against tumor targets. This not only represents the first example of delivering nanoparticles to NK cells, but illustrates the clinical potential in manufacturing safer allogeneic adoptive immunotherapies "off the shelf."
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yao
- Department of Industrial and Physical PharmacyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIN47907USA
| | - Joshua J. Jovevski
- Department of Industrial and Physical PharmacyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIN47907USA
| | - Michaela F. Todd
- Department of Industrial and Physical PharmacyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIN47907USA
| | - Rui Xu
- Department of Industrial and Physical PharmacyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIN47907USA
| | - Yining Li
- Department of Industrial and Physical PharmacyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIN47907USA
| | - Jiao Wang
- Department of Industrial and Physical PharmacyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIN47907USA
| | - Sandro Matosevic
- Department of Industrial and Physical PharmacyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIN47907USA
- Center for Cancer ResearchPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIN47907USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Choi JW, Lee ES, Kim SY, Park SI, Oh S, Kang JH, Ryu HA, Lee S. Cytotoxic effects of ex vivo-expanded natural killer cell-enriched lymphocytes (MYJ1633) against liver cancer. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:817. [PMID: 31426763 PMCID: PMC6700835 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6034-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Adoptive transfer of immune cells such as T cells and natural killer (NK) cells has emerged as a targeted method of controlling the immune system against cancer. Despite their significant therapeutic potential, efficient methods to generate adequate numbers of NK cells are lacking and ex vivo-expansion and activation of NK cells is currently under intensive investigation. The primary purpose of this study was to develop an effective method for expansion and activation of the effector cells with high proportion of NK cells and increasing cytotoxicity against liver cancer in a short time period. Methods Expanded NK cell-enriched lymphocytes (NKL) designated as “MYJ1633” were prepared by using autologous human plasma, cytokines (IL-2, IL-12 and IL-18) and agonistic antibodies (CD16, CD56 and NKp46) without an NK cell-sorting step. The characteristics of NKL were compared to those of freshly isolated PBMCs. In addition, the cytotoxic effect of the NKL on liver cancer cell was examined in vitro and in vivo. Results The total cell number after ex vivo-expansion increased about 140-fold compared to that of freshly isolated PBMC within 2 weeks. Approximately 78% of the expanded and activated NKL using the house-developed protocol was NK cell and NKT cells even without a NK cell-sorting step. In addition, the expanded and activated NKL demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against liver cancer in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion The house-developed method can be a new and effective strategy to prepare clinically applicable NKL for autologous NK cell-based anti-tumor immunotherapy. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-6034-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Won Choi
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, 25601, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui Soo Lee
- IMMUNISBIO Co., Ltd, International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon Metropolitan City, 22711, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Young Kim
- IMMUNISBIO Co., Ltd, International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon Metropolitan City, 22711, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Il Park
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, 25601, Republic of Korea
| | - Sena Oh
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, 25601, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hwa Kang
- IMMUNISBIO Co., Ltd, International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon Metropolitan City, 22711, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Aae Ryu
- IMMUNISBIO Co., Ltd, International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon Metropolitan City, 22711, Republic of Korea
| | - Seahyoung Lee
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, 25601, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Min B, Choi H, Her JH, Jung MY, Kim HJ, Jung MY, Lee EK, Cho SY, Hwang YK, Shin EC. Optimization of Large-Scale Expansion and Cryopreservation of Human Natural Killer Cells for Anti-Tumor Therapy. Immune Netw 2018; 18:e31. [PMID: 30181919 PMCID: PMC6117513 DOI: 10.4110/in.2018.18.e31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell therapy is a potential therapeutic approach for a variety of solid tumors. We established an expansion method for large-scale production of highly purified and functionally active NK cells, as well as a freezing medium for the expanded NK cells. In the present study, we assessed the effect of cryopreservation on the expanded NK cells in regards to viability, phenotype, and anti-tumor activity. NK cells were enormously expanded (about 15,000-fold expansion) with high viability and purity by stimulating CD3+ T cell-depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with irradiated autologous PBMCs in the presence of IL-2 and OKT3 for 3 weeks. Cell viability was slightly reduced after freezing and thawing, but cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion were not significantly different. In a xenograft mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, cryopreserved NK cells had slightly lower anti-tumor efficacy than freshly expanded NK cells, but this was overcome by a 2-fold increased dose of cryopreserved NK cells. In vivo antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity of cryopreserved NK cells was also demonstrated in a SCID mouse model injected with Raji cells with rituximab co-administration. Therefore, we demonstrated that expanded/frozen NK cells maintain viability, phenotype, and anti-tumor activity immediately after thawing, indicating that expanded/frozen NK cells can provide ‘ready-to-use’ cell therapy for cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bokyung Min
- BioMedical Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea.,Cell Therapy Research Center, GC LabCell, Yongin 16924, Korea
| | - Hana Choi
- Cell Therapy Research Center, GC LabCell, Yongin 16924, Korea
| | - Jung Hyun Her
- Cell Therapy Research Center, GC LabCell, Yongin 16924, Korea
| | - Mi Young Jung
- Cell Therapy Research Center, GC LabCell, Yongin 16924, Korea
| | - Hyo-Jin Kim
- Cell Therapy Research Center, GC LabCell, Yongin 16924, Korea
| | - Mi-Young Jung
- Cell Therapy Research Center, GC LabCell, Yongin 16924, Korea
| | | | - Sung Yoo Cho
- Cell Therapy Research Center, GC LabCell, Yongin 16924, Korea
| | - Yu Kyeong Hwang
- Cell Therapy Research Center, GC LabCell, Yongin 16924, Korea
| | - Eui-Cheol Shin
- BioMedical Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea.,Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Effect of Aging on NK Cell Population and Their Proliferation at Ex Vivo Culture Condition. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2018; 2018:7871814. [PMID: 30175033 PMCID: PMC6098903 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7871814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-associated changes in natural killer (NK) cell population, phenotype, and functions are directly attributed to the risk of several diseases and infections. It is predicted to be the major cause of the increase in mortality. Based on the surface density of CD56, NK cells are subdivided into two types, such as CD56bright and CD56dim cells, which represent cytokine production and cytotoxicity. In our study, we have examined the age-associated changes in the NK cell population and their subsets at different age groups of males and females (at a range from 41 to 80 years). We found that the total lymphocyte count significantly dropped upon aging in both genders. Although, the level of total immune cells also dropped on aging, and surprisingly the total NK cell population was remarkably increased with the majority of NK cells being CD56dim. Subsequently, we evaluated the proliferation potential of NK cells and our results showed that the NK cell proliferation ability declines with age. Overall, our findings prove that there is an increase in the circulating NK cell population upon aging. However, the proliferation rate upon aging declines when compared to the young age group (<41 yrs).
Collapse
|
13
|
Fang F, Xiao W, Tian Z. Challenges of NK cell-based immunotherapy in the new era. Front Med 2018; 12:440-450. [PMID: 30047028 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-018-0653-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer cells (NKs) have a great potential for cancer immunotherapy because they can rapidly and directly kill transformed cells in the absence of antigen presensitization. Various cellular sources, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), stem cells, and NK cell lines, have been used for producing NK cells. In particular, NK cells that expanded from allogeneic PBMCs exhibit better efficacy than those that did not. However, considering the safety, activities, and reliability of the cell products, researchers must develop an optimal protocol for producing NK cells from PBMCs in the manufacture setting and clinical therapeutic regimen. In this review, the challenges on NK cell-based therapeutic approaches and clinical outcomes are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Weihua Xiao
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, 230027, China.
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, 230027, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Nhung HTM, Anh BV, Huyen TL, Hiep DT, Thao CT, Lam PN, Liem NT. Ex vivo expansion of human peripheral blood natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes from lung cancer patients. Oncol Lett 2018; 15:5730-5738. [PMID: 29552207 PMCID: PMC5840746 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer with the highest cancer-associated mortality rates worldwide, as well as in Vietnam. Numerous studies have demonstrated that higher numbers and higher rate of activity of infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in the tumor are closely correlated with positive prognosis, tumor size decrease and longer survival of lung cancer patients. In the present study, the effectiveness of BINKIT® kit in the ex vivo expansion of NK cells and CTLs in the peripheral blood of 7 patients aged between 30 and 84 years with metastatic lung cancer was evaluated. After 21 days of culture, the average number of CTLs (CD3+CD8+) increased by 742.3-fold in the CTL culture, accounting for 72.2% of the cultured cell population, and the mean cell viability was 95.7%. In the NK cell culture, the average number of NK cells (CD3-CD56+) increased by 637.5-fold, accounting for 84.3% of the cultured cell population, with an average viability of 94.7%. The percentage of active NK cells (CD3-CD56+ bright) was 82.1%, which increased by 408.9-fold. Notably, a close correlation was identified between the numbers of cytokine-induced killer (CD3+CD56+) and NK (CD3-CD56+) cells in the NK cell culture (P<0.05). In the two culture conditions (namely NK cell and CTL cultures), no clear correlation was identified between the rate of initial immune cells in the peripheral blood and the corresponding number following ex vivo expansion (P>0.05). These results revealed that the method of expansion and activation of NK cells and CTLs from peripheral blood was successfully applied using BINKIT, and reached the requirements for clinical applications in cancer treatment in Vietnam.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Thi My Nhung
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Cell, Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cells and Gene Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam.,Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Bui Viet Anh
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Cell, Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cells and Gene Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Truong Linh Huyen
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Cell, Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cells and Gene Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Doan Trung Hiep
- Department of Oncology, Vinmec International Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Chu Thi Thao
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Cell, Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cells and Gene Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Phung Nam Lam
- Department of Oncology, Vinmec International Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thanh Liem
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Cell, Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cells and Gene Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Granzin M, Wagner J, Köhl U, Cerwenka A, Huppert V, Ullrich E. Shaping of Natural Killer Cell Antitumor Activity by Ex Vivo Cultivation. Front Immunol 2017; 8:458. [PMID: 28491060 PMCID: PMC5405078 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a promising tool for the use in adoptive immunotherapy, since they efficiently recognize and kill tumor cells. In this context, ex vivo cultivation is an attractive option to increase NK cells in numbers and to improve their antitumor potential prior to clinical applications. Consequently, various strategies to generate NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy have been developed. Here, we give an overview of different NK cell cultivation approaches and their impact on shaping the NK cell antitumor activity. So far, the cytokines interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, and IL-21 are used to culture and expand NK cells. The selection of the respective cytokine combination is an important factor that directly affects NK cell maturation, proliferation, survival, distribution of NK cell subpopulations, activation, and function in terms of cytokine production and cytotoxic potential. Importantly, cytokines can upregulate the expression of certain activating receptors on NK cells, thereby increasing their responsiveness against tumor cells that express the corresponding ligands. Apart from using cytokines, cocultivation with autologous accessory non-NK cells or addition of growth-inactivated feeder cells are approaches for NK cell cultivation with pronounced effects on NK cell activation and expansion. Furthermore, ex vivo cultivation was reported to prime NK cells for the killing of tumor cells that were previously resistant to NK cell attack. In general, NK cells become frequently dysfunctional in cancer patients, for instance, by downregulation of NK cell activating receptors, disabling them in their antitumor response. In such scenario, ex vivo cultivation can be helpful to arm NK cells with enhanced antitumor properties to overcome immunosuppression. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on NK cell modulation by different ex vivo cultivation strategies focused on increasing NK cytotoxicity for clinical application in malignant diseases. Moreover, we critically discuss the technical and regulatory aspects and challenges underlying NK cell based therapeutic approaches in the clinics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Granzin
- Clinical Research, Miltenyi Biotec Inc., Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Juliane Wagner
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, Hospital of the Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Cellular Immunology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ulrike Köhl
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Adelheid Cerwenka
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Immunbiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Huppert
- R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, Hospital of the Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Cellular Immunology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|