1
|
Zientarska A, Mikuła-Pietrasik J, Kaczmarek M, Witkowska A, Rozpłochowski B, Kowala-Piaskowska A, Książek K, Żeromski J, Mozer-Lisewska I. Gender as a factor affecting NK cell activity in patients successfully treated for chronic hepatitis C with direct-acting antivirals. Cent Eur J Immunol 2021; 46:481-491. [PMID: 35125947 PMCID: PMC8808305 DOI: 10.5114/ceji.2021.109846] [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] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) affects the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, but successful interferon- free treatment partially restores it. The goal of this study was to assess whether gender influences NK functionality. We examined 21 post-menopausal women and 24 men with CHC who were treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) and 33 healthy volunteers. Using flow cytometry, we analysed KIR2DS4, NKG2D, NKp30, KIR2DL2/DL3, NKG2A and TRAIL on the surface of NK cells. Intracellular granzyme B was also assessed and serum CXCL10 was quantified via ELISA. Overall, patients with CHC had higher expression of KIR2DS4, NKG2A, and NKp30 relative to the control group. Further, CHC patients had a lower percentage of NK cells among lymphocytes relative to the control group. After treatment, KIR2DS4, KIR2DL2/DL, NKG2A, TRAIL and NKp30 on NK cells were decreased whilst the percentage of NK cells and the expression of granzyme B and NKG2D increased. Prior to treatment, serum CXCL10 was elevated, but it was inhibited post-treatment. We observed gender-specific differences in the expression of KIR2DL2/DL3 (higher in women) and NKp30 (elevated in men) compared to CHC/control groups. After treatment, KIR2DL2/DL3, NKp30 and CXCL10 dropped only in the female group while granzyme B increased in the male group. In conclusion, the response of NK cells among men and women of post-menopausal ages with CHC differs. Our research may lead to more studies on the different nature of female and male immune systems in the context of HCV infection and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agata Zientarska
- Chair and Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Justyna Mikuła-Pietrasik
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Mariusz Kaczmarek
- Chair of Clinical Immunology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Witkowska
- Chair and Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Błażej Rozpłochowski
- Chair and Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Arleta Kowala-Piaskowska
- Chair and Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Książek
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Jan Żeromski
- Chair of Clinical Immunology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Iwona Mozer-Lisewska
- Chair and Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Obaid A, Naz A, Ikram A, Awan FM, Raza A, Ahmad J, Ali A. Model of the adaptive immune response system against HCV infection reveals potential immunomodulatory agents for combination therapy. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8874. [PMID: 29891859 PMCID: PMC5995896 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27163-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A regulated immune system employs multiple cell types, diverse variety of cytokines and interacting signalling networks against infections. Systems biology offers a promising solution to model and simulate such large populations of interacting components of immune systems holistically. This study focuses on the distinct components of the adaptive immune system and analysis, both individually and in association with HCV infection. The effective and failed adaptive immune response models have been developed followed by interventions/perturbations of various treatment strategies to get better assessment of the treatment responses under varying stimuli. Based on the model predictions, the NK cells, T regulatory cells, IL-10, IL-21, IL-12, IL-2 entities are found to be the most critical determinants of treatment response. The proposed potential immunomodulatory therapeutic interventions include IL-21 treatment, blocking of inhibitory receptors on T-cells and exogenous anti-IL-10 antibody treatment. The relative results showed that these interventions have differential effect on the expression levels of cellular and cytokines entities of the immune response. Notably, IL-21 enhances the expression of NK cells, Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and CD4+ T cells and hence restore the host immune potential. The models presented here provide a starting point for cost-effective analysis and more comprehensive modeling of biological phenomenon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Obaid
- Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Anam Naz
- Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Aqsa Ikram
- Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Faryal Mehwish Awan
- Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Abida Raza
- National Institute of Lasers and Optronics (NILOP), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Jamil Ahmad
- Research Center for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Amjad Ali
- Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Control of the HIV-1 DNA Reservoir Is Associated In Vivo and In Vitro with NKp46/NKp30 (CD335 CD337) Inducibility and Interferon Gamma Production by Transcriptionally Unique NK Cells. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.00647-17. [PMID: 28956765 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00647-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The size of lentiviral DNA reservoirs reflects the effectiveness of immune responses against lentiviruses. So far, abundant information has been gathered on the control of HIV-1 replication. Understanding the innate mechanisms contributing to containment of the HIV DNA reservoir, however, are only partly clarified and are relevant to guiding interventions for reservoir containment or eradication. We studied the contribution of natural killer (NK) cell functional features in HIV patients controlling replication either spontaneously (HIV controllers [HIC]) or after progression and antiretroviral treatment (progressor patients [PP]). An inverse correlation between HIV DNA copy numbers (either total or integrated) in circulating CD4+ cells and NK cell function was observed. Induced interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production and NKp46/NKp30 activating receptor-induced expression correlated inversely with reservoir size. The correlation was present not only for a homogeneous cohort of HIC patients but also when PP were included in the analysis. Adaptive (NKG2C+ CD57+) NK cell features were not associated with reservoir size. However, a distinct set of 370 differentially expressed transcripts was found to underlie functional differences in NK cells controlling HIV DNA reservoir size. In proof-of-principle in vitro experiments of CD4+ cell infection with HIV-1, purified NK cells with the above-mentioned functional/transcriptional features displayed 10- and 30-fold higher abilities to control HIV replication and DNA burdens in vitro, respectively, than those of other NK cells. Thus, NK cells with a specific functional and transcriptional signature contribute to control of the HIV reservoir in CD4+ cells. Their selection, expansion, and/or adoptive transfer may support strategies to eradicate HIV-1 infection or to safely deescalate antiretroviral treatment.IMPORTANCE The most relevant feature of HIV-1 infection is represented by its DNA reservoir size in the body, which guarantees lifelong infection and resumption of virus replication after antiretroviral treatment interruption. So far, there has been little success in the identification of factors contributing to HIV-1 reservoir containment. In this study, by studying quantitative total and integrated HIV-1 DNA levels and NK cells in HIV-1 patients with either progressive or nonprogressive disease, we observed that inducible IFN-γ and natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) expression in a specific subset of NK cells with a characteristic transcriptional signature represents a correlate for HIV-1 reservoir control. This represents an advance in our understanding of the mechanism(s) that controls the lentivirus reservoir. Monitoring, selection, expansion, and adoptive transfer of these NK cells may allow monitoring of treatment efficacy and the likelihood of reservoir control and may support protocols for HIV-1 eradication.
Collapse
|
4
|
Prall TM, Graham ME, Karl JA, Wiseman RW, Ericsen AJ, Raveendran M, Alan Harris R, Muzny DM, Gibbs RA, Rogers J, O'Connor DH. Improved full-length killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor transcript discovery in Mauritian cynomolgus macaques. Immunogenetics 2017; 69:325-339. [PMID: 28343239 PMCID: PMC5856007 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-017-0977-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) modulate disease progression of pathogens including HIV, malaria, and hepatitis C. Cynomolgus and rhesus macaques are widely used as nonhuman primate models to study human pathogens, and so, considerable effort has been put into characterizing their KIR genetics. However, previous studies have relied on cDNA cloning and Sanger sequencing that lack the throughput of current sequencing platforms. In this study, we present a high throughput, full-length allele discovery method utilizing Pacific Biosciences circular consensus sequencing (CCS). We also describe a new approach to Macaque Exome Sequencing (MES) and the development of the Rhexome1.0, an adapted target capture reagent that includes macaque-specific capture probe sets. By using sequence reads generated by whole genome sequencing (WGS) and MES to inform primer design, we were able to increase the sensitivity of KIR allele discovery. We demonstrate this increased sensitivity by defining nine novel alleles within a cohort of Mauritian cynomolgus macaques (MCM), a geographically isolated population with restricted KIR genetics that was thought to be completely characterized. Finally, we describe an approach to genotyping KIRs directly from sequence reads generated using WGS/MES reads. The findings presented here expand our understanding of KIR genetics in MCM by associating new genes with all eight KIR haplotypes and demonstrating the existence of at least one KIR3DS gene associated with every haplotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trent M Prall
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Michael E Graham
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Julie A Karl
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Roger W Wiseman
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Adam J Ericsen
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | | | - R Alan Harris
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Donna M Muzny
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Richard A Gibbs
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jeffrey Rogers
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - David H O'Connor
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Analysis of NK Cell Function and Receptor Expression During HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 Infection. Methods Mol Biol 2017. [PMID: 28357671 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6872-5_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Cytofluorimetric analysis is a typical method in immunology to evaluate phenotype and function of Natural Killer (NK) cells derived from HTLV-1/2 infected patients and healthy donors. Here, we described protocols to NK cells phenotypical and cytotoxicity assay, performed by flow cytometry on fresh and immune-magnetically or flow cytometry sorted NK cells. A new developed protocol able to evaluate IFNγ production has been included.
Collapse
|
6
|
Pazina T, Shemesh A, Brusilovsky M, Porgador A, Campbell KS. Regulation of the Functions of Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors by Interactions with Diverse Ligands and Alterations in Splice Variant Expression. Front Immunol 2017; 8:369. [PMID: 28424697 PMCID: PMC5371597 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) family is constituted by NKp46, NKp44, and NKp30 in humans, which are expressed mainly on natural killer (NK) cells and are encoded by the ncr1, ncr2, and ncr3 genes, respectively. NCRs have classically been defined as activating receptors that trigger cytotoxicity and cytokine responses by NK cells upon engaging with ligands on tumor cells. Several new findings, however, have challenged this model and identified alternative mechanisms regulating the function of NCRs. Recent reports indicate that ligand matters, since the interaction of NKp44 with distinct ligands on target cells can either activate or inhibit NK cells. Also, the NCRs have been found to interact with distinct specificities to various heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans, which are complex polysaccharides found in extracellular matrix or on cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). The NCRs can engage with HSPGs in trans as a co-ligand on the target cells or in cis on the NK cell surface to regulate receptor–ligand interactions and NK cell activation. A number of splice variants of ncr2 and ncr3 have also been identified, and a predominant expression of certain variants results in inhibitory signaling through NKp44 and NKp30. Several recent studies have found that the selective expression of some of these inhibitory splice variants can significantly influence outcome in the contexts of cancer, infection, and pregnancy. These findings establish that NCR functions are more diverse than originally thought, and better understanding of their splice variant expression profiles and ligand interactions are needed to establish their functional regulation in the context of human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Pazina
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Institute of Experimental Medicine", St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Avishai Shemesh
- Faculty of Health Sciences, The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Michael Brusilovsky
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Angel Porgador
- Faculty of Health Sciences, The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Kerry S Campbell
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wałajtys-Rode E, Dzik JM. Monocyte/Macrophage: NK Cell Cooperation-Old Tools for New Functions. Results Probl Cell Differ 2017; 62:73-145. [PMID: 28455707 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-54090-0_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Monocyte/macrophage and natural killer (NK) cells are partners from a phylogenetic standpoint of innate immune system development and its evolutionary progressive interaction with adaptive immunity. The equally conservative ways of development and differentiation of both invertebrate hemocytes and vertebrate macrophages are reviewed. Evolutionary conserved molecules occurring in macrophage receptors and effectors have been inherited by vertebrates after their common ancestor with invertebrates. Cytolytic functions of mammalian NK cells, which are rooted in immune cells of invertebrates, although certain NK cell receptors (NKRs) are mammalian new events, are characterized. Broad heterogeneity of macrophage and NK cell phenotypes that depends on surrounding microenvironment conditions and expression profiles of specific receptors and activation mechanisms of both cell types are discussed. The particular tissue specificity of macrophages and NK cells, as well as their plasticity and mechanisms of their polarization to different functional subtypes have been underlined. The chapter summarized studies revealing the specific molecular mechanisms and regulation of NK cells and macrophages that enable their highly specific cross-cooperation. Attention is given to the evolving role of human monocyte/macrophage and NK cell interaction in pathogenesis of hypersensitivity reaction-based disorders, including autoimmunity, as well as in cancer surveillance and progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta Wałajtys-Rode
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Drug Technology and Biotechnology, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3 Str, 00-664, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Jolanta M Dzik
- Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Arefanian S, Schäll D, Chang S, Ghasemi R, Higashikubo R, Zheleznyak A, Guo Y, Yu J, Asgharian H, Li W, Gelman AE, Kreisel D, French AR, Zaher H, Plougastel-Douglas B, Maggi L, Yokoyama W, Beer-Hammer S, Krupnick AS. Deficiency of the adaptor protein SLy1 results in a natural killer cell ribosomopathy affecting tumor clearance. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1238543. [PMID: 28123874 PMCID: PMC5215235 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1238543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with robust natural killer (NK) cell function incur lower rates of malignancies. To expand our understanding of genetic factors contributing to this phenomenon, we analyzed NK cells from cancer resistant and susceptible strains of mice. We identified a correlation between NK levels of the X-chromosome-located adaptor protein SLy1 and immunologic susceptibility to cancer. Unlike the case for T or B lymphocytes, where SLy1 shuttles between the cytoplasm and nucleus to facilitate signal transduction, in NK cells SLy1 functions as a ribosomal protein and is located solely in the cytoplasm. In its absence, ribosomal instability results in p53-mediated NK cell senescence and decreased clearance of malignancies. NK defects are reversible under inflammatory conditions and viral clearance is not impacted by SLy1 deficiency. Our work defines a previously unappreciated X-linked ribosomopathy that results in a specific and subtle NK cell dysfunction leading to immunologic susceptibility to cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Arefanian
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel Schäll
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapy, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Tübingen , Germany
| | - Stephanie Chang
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Reza Ghasemi
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ryuji Higashikubo
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alex Zheleznyak
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yizhan Guo
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jinsheng Yu
- Genome Technology Access Center at Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hosseinali Asgharian
- Program in Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wenjun Li
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andrew E Gelman
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel Kreisel
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Anthony R French
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hani Zaher
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Leonard Maggi
- Department of Internal Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Wayne Yokoyama
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Howard Hughes Institute of Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sandra Beer-Hammer
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapy, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Tübingen , Germany
| | - Alexander S Krupnick
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Alvin Siteman Cancer Center of Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The John Cochran VA Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cell Surface Downregulation of NK Cell Ligands by Patient-Derived HIV-1 Vpu and Nef Alleles. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2016; 72:1-10. [PMID: 26656785 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000000917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE HIV-1 Vpu and Nef proteins downregulate cell surface levels of natural killer (NK) cell ligands but functional consequences of individual downregulation events are unclear. We tested how well-conserved NK cell ligand downregulation is among Vpu and Nef variants isolated from chronic HIV patients. METHODS Proviral vpu and nef sequences were amplified from 27 chronic HIV patients, subcloned, and tested for their ability to downregulate cell surface receptors. RESULTS Cell surface downregulation of CD4, CD317/tetherin, and major histocompatibility complex class 1 that exert biological functions other than NK cell activation were well conserved among patient-derived Vpu and Nef variants. Among NK cell ligands, NK-T-B-antigen, poliovirus receptor, and UL16-binding protein were identified as main targets for Vpu and Nef, the downregulation of which by at least 1 viral protein was highly conserved. NK cell ligands displayed specific sensitivity to Vpu (NK-T-B-antigen) or Nef (poliovirus receptor), and downregulation of cell surface UL16-binding protein was identified as a novel and highly conserved activity of HIV-1 Vpu but not Nef. CONCLUSIONS The conservation of downregulation of major NK cell ligands by either HIV-1 Vpu or Nef suggests an important pathophysiological role of this activity, which may impact the acute but not the chronic phase of HIV infection.
Collapse
|
10
|
Cariani E, Pilli M, Barili V, Porro E, Biasini E, Olivani A, Dalla Valle R, Trenti T, Ferrari C, Missale G. Natural killer cells phenotypic characterization as an outcome predictor of HCV-linked HCC after curative treatments. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1154249. [PMID: 27622055 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1154249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
NK-cell number and function have been associated with cancer progression. A detailed analysis of phenotypic and functional characteristics of NK-cells in HCC is still lacking. NK-cell function is regulated by activating and inhibitory receptors determined by genetic factors and engagement with cognate ligands on transformed or infected cells. We evaluated phenotypic and functional characteristic of NK-cells in HCC patients undergoing curative treatment in relation to clinical outcome. NK-cells from 70 HCC patients undergoing resection or ablative treatment, 18 healthy volunteers and 12 cirrhotic patients with HCV-infection (controls) were phenotypically characterized. Unsupervised clustering based on the frequency of cells expressing different phenotypic NK-cell markers segregated HCC patients into different cohorts that were compared for outcome. NK-cell cytokine production and cytotoxicity were compared between cohorts with different overall survival (OS) and time to disease recurrence (TTR). By multivariate analysis, age, Child-Pugh class and NK-cell phenotypic clustering could independently identify patients with significantly different OS. NK-cells from patients with better outcome expressed higher levels of cytotoxic granules and CD3ζ and lower levels of natural cytotoxic receptors (NCRs) that were co-expressed with the inhibitory receptor NKG2A known to negatively regulate NCR function. Cytotoxic function and IFNγ production were significantly lower in the cohort of patients with worse outcome compared to controls (p < 0.05). Our results show a role for NK-cells in the control of HCC progression and survival providing the basis for the development of immunotherapeutic strategies to potentiate NK-cell response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Massimo Pilli
- Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Valeria Barili
- Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Emanuela Porro
- Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Biasini
- Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Olivani
- Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma , Parma, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso Trenti
- Clinical Pathology-Toxicology, Ospedale Civile , Modena, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferrari
- Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Gabriele Missale
- Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma , Parma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Natural killer cells are a diverse group of innate lymphocytes that are specialized to rapidly respond to cancerous or virus-infected cells. NK cell function is controlled by the integration of signals from activating and inhibitory receptors expressed at the cell surface. Variegated expression patterns of these activating and inhibitory receptors at the single cell level leads to a highly diverse NK cell repertoire. Here I review the factors that influence NK cell repertoire diversity and its functional consequences for our ability to fight viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A. Blish
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine
- Immunology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cantoni C, Grauwet K, Pietra G, Parodi M, Mingari MC, Maria AD, Favoreel H, Vitale M. Role of NK cells in immunotherapy and virotherapy of solid tumors. Immunotherapy 2015; 7:861-82. [PMID: 26314197 DOI: 10.2217/imt.15.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although natural killer (NK) cells are endowed with powerful cytolytic activity against cancer cells, their role in different therapies against solid tumors has not yet been fully elucidated. Their interactions with various elements of the tumor microenvironment as well as their possible effects in contributing to and/or limiting oncolytic virotherapy render this potential immunotherapeutic tool still difficult to exploit at the bedside. Here, we will review the current literature with the aim of providing new hints to manage this powerful cell type in future innovative therapies, such as the use of NK cells in combination with new cytokines, specific mAbs (inducing ADCC), Tyr-Kinase inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs and/or the design of oncolytic viruses aimed at optimizing the effect of NK cells in virotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Cantoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Korneel Grauwet
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Virology, Parasitology & Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Monica Parodi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea De Maria
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST Genova, Genova, Italy.,Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Herman Favoreel
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Virology, Parasitology & Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mantovani S, Mele D, Oliviero B, Barbarini G, Varchetta S, Mondelli MU. NKp30 isoforms in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Immunology 2015; 146:234-42. [PMID: 26094914 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in virus infection, their action being regulated by several activating and inhibitory receptors. The NKp30 activating receptor and its isoforms have recently emerged as important determinants of efficient NK cell responses. We determined the relative proportions of NKp30 isoforms in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and healthy donors (HD). NK cell function (degranulation and cytokine production) and correlations with clinical parameters were assessed following unsupervised hierarchical clustering of patients according to isoform expression. NKp30 receptor expression on NK cells and all isoforms were reduced in HCV-infected patients. Patients were clustered into two groups: the HCV-1 group had similar isoform expression to the HD group, whereas the HCV-2 group had lower expression. The latter showed a better functional activity, and a higher proportion of the activating a isoform and of the NKp30 isoform a/c ratio compared with the HCV-1 cluster. There was a positive correlation between the activating a isoform and liver stiffness and an inverse relationship between the immunosuppressive c isoform and the fibrosis 4 score, suggesting a potentially important role of NKp30 isoforms in influencing liver damage and ensuing fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Mantovani
- Research Laboratories, Department of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Dalila Mele
- Research Laboratories, Department of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Barbara Oliviero
- Research Laboratories, Department of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Barbarini
- Division of Tropical Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefania Varchetta
- Research Laboratories, Department of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mario U Mondelli
- Research Laboratories, Department of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Angelo LS, Banerjee PP, Monaco-Shawver L, Rosen JB, Makedonas G, Forbes LR, Mace EM, Orange JS. Practical NK cell phenotyping and variability in healthy adults. Immunol Res 2015; 62:341-56. [PMID: 26013798 PMCID: PMC4470870 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-015-8664-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Human natural killer (NK) cells display a wide array of surface and intracellular markers that indicate various states of differentiation and/or levels of effector function. These NK cell subsets exist simultaneously in peripheral blood and may vary among individuals. We examined variety among selected NK cell receptors expressed by NK cells from normal donors, as well as the distribution of select NK cell subsets and NK cell receptor expression over time in several individual donors. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were evaluated using flow cytometry via fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies against a number of NK cell receptors. Results were analyzed for both mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and the percent positive cells for each receptor. CD56(bright) and CD56(dim) NK cell subsets were also considered separately, as was variation in receptor expression in NK cell subsets over time in selected individuals. Through this effort, we provide ranges of NK cell surface receptor expression for a local adult population as well as provide insight into intra-individual variation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura S. Angelo
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, The Feigin Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 330, Houston, TX, USA 77030 and Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Pinaki P. Banerjee
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, The Feigin Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 330, Houston, TX, USA 77030 and Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Linda Monaco-Shawver
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA USA 19104
| | - Joshua B. Rosen
- Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N. 15 Street, Philadelphia, PA USA 19102
| | - George Makedonas
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, The Feigin Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 330, Houston, TX, USA 77030 and Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Lisa R. Forbes
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, The Feigin Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 330, Houston, TX, USA 77030 and Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Emily M. Mace
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, The Feigin Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 330, Houston, TX, USA 77030 and Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Jordan S. Orange
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, The Feigin Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 330, Houston, TX, USA 77030 and Baylor College of Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Anderson JL, Fromentin R, Corbelli GM, Østergaard L, Ross AL. Progress towards an HIV cure: update from the 2014 International AIDS Society Symposium. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2015; 31:36-44. [PMID: 25257573 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2014.0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomedical research has led to profound advances in the treatment of HIV infection. Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) now provides the means to readily control viral infection, and people living with HIV who receive timely and effective ART can expect to benefit from a life expectancy comparable to uninfected individuals. Nevertheless, despite effective treatment, ART does not fully restore the immune system and importantly HIV persists indefinitely in latent reservoirs, resulting in the need for life-long treatment. The challenges and limits of life-long treatment have spurred significant scientific interest and global investment into research towards an HIV cure. The International AIDS Society (IAS) 2014 Towards an HIV cure symposium brought together researchers and community to discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of latency and HIV reservoirs, and the clinical approaches towards an HIV cure under current investigation. This report summarizes and reviews some of the major findings discussed during the symposium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rémi Fromentin
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida
| | | | | | - Anna Laura Ross
- ANRS, Paris, France
- International AIDS Society, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sivori S, Olive D, López-Botet M, Vitale M. NK receptors: tools for a polyvalent cell family. Front Immunol 2014; 5:617. [PMID: 25520722 PMCID: PMC4253963 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Sivori
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DI.ME.S.), Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche (CEBR), Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Daniel Olive
- U1068, CRCM, Immunity and Cancer, INSERM , Marseille , France ; Institut Paoli-Calmettes , Marseille , France ; UM 105, Aix-Marseille Université , Marseille , France ; UMR7258, CNRS , Marseille , France
| | - Miguel López-Botet
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Universitat Pompeu Fabra , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Massimo Vitale
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria S.Martino-IST , Genova , Italy
| |
Collapse
|