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Caforio M, Tumino N, Sorino C, Manni I, Di Giovenale S, Piaggio G, Iezzi S, Strimpakos G, Mattei E, Moretta L, Fanciulli M, Vacca P, Locatelli F, Folgiero V. AATF/Che-1 RNA polymerase II binding protein overexpression reduces the anti-tumor NK-cell cytotoxicity through activating receptors modulation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1191908. [PMID: 37435061 PMCID: PMC10332273 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1191908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction AATF/Che-1 over-expression in different tumors is well known and its effect on tumorigenicity is mainly due to its central role demonstrated in the oncogenic pathways of solid tumors, where it controls proliferation and viability. The effect exerted by tumors overexpressing Che-1 on the immune response has not yet been investigated. Methods Starting from ChIP-sequencing data we confirmed Che-1 enrichment on Nectin-1 promoter. Several co-cultures experiments between NK-cells and tumor cells transduced by lentiviral vectors carrying Che-1-interfering sequence, analyzed by flow-cytometry have allowed a detailed characterization of NK receptors and tumor ligands expression. Results Here, we show that Che-1 is able to modulate the expression of Nectin-1 ligand at the transcriptional level, leading to the impairment of killing activity of NK-cells. Nectin-1 down-modulation induces a modification in NK-cell ligands expression able to interact with activating receptors and to stimulate NK-cell function. In addition, NK-cells from Che-1 transgenic mice, confirming a reduced expression of activating receptors, exhibit impaired activation and a preferential immature status. Discussion The critical equilibrium between NK-cell ligand expression on tumor cells and the interaction with NK cell receptors is affected by Che-1 over-expression and partially restored by Che-1 interference. The evidence of a new role for Che-1 as regulator of anti-tumor immunity supports the necessity to develop approaches able to target this molecule which shows a dual tumorigenic function as cancer promoter and immune response modulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Caforio
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Immunology Research Area, Innate Lymphoid Cells Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Sorino
- Stabilimento Allevamento Fornitore e Utilizzatore (SAFU) Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Manni
- Stabilimento Allevamento Fornitore e Utilizzatore (SAFU) Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Giovenale
- Stabilimento Allevamento Fornitore e Utilizzatore (SAFU) Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- Stabilimento Allevamento Fornitore e Utilizzatore (SAFU) Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Iezzi
- Stabilimento Allevamento Fornitore e Utilizzatore (SAFU) Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Georgios Strimpakos
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Mattei
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)-Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Tumor Immunology Unit , Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, RomaLM, Rome, Italy
| | - M. Fanciulli
- Stabilimento Allevamento Fornitore e Utilizzatore (SAFU) Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Immunology Research Area, Innate Lymphoid Cells Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Folgiero
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
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Sakatoku K, Nakashima Y, Nagasaki J, Nishimoto M, Hirose A, Nakamae M, Koh H, Hino M, Nakamae H. Immunomodulatory and Direct Activities of Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b on Cancer Cells in Mouse Models of Leukemia. Cancer Sci 2022; 113:2246-2257. [PMID: 35441749 PMCID: PMC9277408 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Although ropeginterferon alfa‐2b has recently been clinically applied to myeloproliferative neoplasms with promising results, its antitumor mechanism has not been thoroughly investigated. Using a leukemia model developed in immunocompetent mice, we evaluated the direct cytotoxic effects and indirect effects induced by ropeginterferon alfa‐2b in tumor cells. Ropeginterferon alfa‐2b therapy significantly prolonged the survival of mice bearing leukemia cells and led to long‐term remission in some mice. Alternatively, conventional interferon‐alpha treatment slightly extended the survival and all mice died. When ropeginterferon alfa‐2b was administered to interferon‐alpha receptor 1–knockout mice after the development of leukemia to verify the direct effect on the tumor, the survival of these mice was slightly prolonged; nevertheless, all of them died. In vivo CD4+ or CD8+ T‐cell depletion resulted in a significant loss of therapeutic efficacy in mice. These results indicate that the host adoptive immunostimulatory effect of ropeginterferon alfa‐2b is the dominant mechanism through which tumor cells are suppressed. Moreover, mice in long‐term remission did not develop leukemia, even after tumor rechallenge. Rejection of rechallenge tumors was canceled only when both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were removed in vivo, which indicates that each T‐cell group functions independently in immunological memory. We show that ropeginterferon alfa‐2b induces excellent antitumor immunomodulation in hosts. Our finding serves in devising therapeutic strategies with ropeginterferon alfa‐2b.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Sakatoku
- Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakashima
- Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Joji Nagasaki
- Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mitsutaka Nishimoto
- Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Asao Hirose
- Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mika Nakamae
- Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hideo Koh
- Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masayuki Hino
- Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Nakamae
- Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
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3
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Han S, Jung M, Kim AS, Lee DY, Cha BH, Putnam CW, Lim KS, Bull DA, Won YW. Peptide Adjuvant to Invigorate Cytolytic Activity of NK Cells in an Obese Mouse Cancer Model. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13081279. [PMID: 34452238 PMCID: PMC8401452 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer patients who are overweight compared to those with normal body weight have obesity-associated alterations of natural killer (NK) cells, characterized by poor cytotoxicity, slow proliferation, and inadequate anti-cancer activity. Concomitantly, prohibitin overexpressed by cancer cells elevates glucose metabolism, rendering the tumor microenvironment (TME) more tumor-favorable, and leading to malfunction of immune cells present in the TME. These changes cause vicious cycles of tumor growth. Adoptive immunotherapy has emerged as a promising option for cancer patients; however, obesity-related alterations in the TME allow the tumor to bypass immune surveillance and to down-regulate the activity of adoptively transferred NK cells. We hypothesized that inhibiting the prohibitin signaling pathway in an obese model would reduce glucose metabolism of cancer cells, thereby changing the TME to a pro-immune microenvironment and restoring the cytolytic activity of NK cells. Priming tumor cells with an inhibitory the prohibitin-binding peptide (PBP) enhances cytokine secretion and augments the cytolytic activity of adoptively transferred NK cells. NK cells harvested from the PBP-primed tumors exhibit multiple markers associated with the effector function of active NK cells. Our findings suggest that PBP has the potential as an adjuvant to enhance the cytolytic activity of adoptively transferred NK cells in cancer patients with obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungmin Han
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (S.H.); (M.J.); (A.S.K.); (D.Y.L.); (B.-H.C.); (C.W.P.); (D.A.B.)
| | - Minjin Jung
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (S.H.); (M.J.); (A.S.K.); (D.Y.L.); (B.-H.C.); (C.W.P.); (D.A.B.)
| | - Angela S. Kim
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (S.H.); (M.J.); (A.S.K.); (D.Y.L.); (B.-H.C.); (C.W.P.); (D.A.B.)
| | - Daniel Y. Lee
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (S.H.); (M.J.); (A.S.K.); (D.Y.L.); (B.-H.C.); (C.W.P.); (D.A.B.)
| | - Byung-Hyun Cha
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (S.H.); (M.J.); (A.S.K.); (D.Y.L.); (B.-H.C.); (C.W.P.); (D.A.B.)
| | - Charles W. Putnam
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (S.H.); (M.J.); (A.S.K.); (D.Y.L.); (B.-H.C.); (C.W.P.); (D.A.B.)
| | - Kwang Suk Lim
- Interdisciplinary Program in Biohealth-Machinery Convergence Engineering, Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, College of Art, Culture and Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea;
| | - David A. Bull
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (S.H.); (M.J.); (A.S.K.); (D.Y.L.); (B.-H.C.); (C.W.P.); (D.A.B.)
| | - Young-Wook Won
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (S.H.); (M.J.); (A.S.K.); (D.Y.L.); (B.-H.C.); (C.W.P.); (D.A.B.)
- Correspondence:
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4
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Sanseviero E. NK Cell-Fc Receptors Advance Tumor Immunotherapy. J Clin Med 2019; 8:E1667. [PMID: 31614774 PMCID: PMC6832859 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8101667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of cancer patients. Among immunotherapeutic approaches, antibodies targeting immune checkpoint inhibitors Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) are approved for treatment of metastatic melanoma and are in clinical trials for a variety of other cancers. The contribution of Natural Killer (NK) cells to the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors is becoming more evident. Enhancing both T and NK cell function in cancer could result in a robust and durable response. Along with the ability to directly kill tumor cells, NK cells can mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) given the expression of Fragment Crystallizable (Fc) receptors. Promising novel antibodies modified with improved Fc-receptor-mediated functions or Fc-engagers to kill target cells have been tested in pre-clinical models with considerable results. Combination therapies with immune-therapeutic antibodies with enhancers of NK-cell Fc-receptor-mediated function can be exploited to increase the efficacy of these antibodies. Herein, I discuss possible strategies to improve the success of immunotherapy by boosting NK cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Sanseviero
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Bestach Y, Toloza MJ, Ferri C, Larripa I, Belli C. The dynamic of TNF and IL6 gene expression in chronic myeloid leukemia patients reveals early responders to imatinib. Leuk Res 2019; 86:106221. [PMID: 31520987 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2019.106221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yesica Bestach
- Laboratorio de Genética Hematológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX-CONICET)/Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - María Jazmín Toloza
- Laboratorio de Genética Hematológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX-CONICET)/Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristian Ferri
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología Misiones (InBioMis), Misiones, Argentina
| | - Irene Larripa
- Laboratorio de Genética Hematológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX-CONICET)/Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Belli
- Laboratorio de Genética Hematológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX-CONICET)/Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Del Prete A, Sozio F, Schioppa T, Ponzetta A, Vermi W, Calza S, Bugatti M, Salvi V, Bernardini G, Benvenuti F, Vecchi A, Bottazzi B, Mantovani A, Sozzani S. The Atypical Receptor CCRL2 Is Essential for Lung Cancer Immune Surveillance. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:1775-1788. [PMID: 31484658 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CCRL2 is a nonsignaling seven-transmembrane domain receptor. CCRL2 binds chemerin, a protein that promotes chemotaxis of leukocytes, including macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells. In addition, CCRL2 controls the inflammatory response in different pathologic settings, such as hypersensitivity, inflammatory arthritis, and experimental autoimmune encephalitis. Here, we investigated the role of CCRL2 in the regulation of lung cancer-related inflammation. The genetic deletion of Ccrl2 promoted tumor progression in urethane-induced and in Kras G12D/+/p53 LoxP lung tumor mouse models. Similarly, a Kras-mutant lung tumor displayed enhanced growth in Ccrl2-deficient mice. This phenotype was associated with a reduced inflammatory infiltrate characterized by the impaired recruitment of several leukocyte populations including NK cells. Bone marrow chimeras showed that CCRL2 expression by the nonhematopoietic cell compartment was responsible for the increased tumor formation observed in Kras-mutant Ccrl2-deficient mice. In human and mouse lungs, CCRL2 was expressed by a fraction of CD31+ endothelial cells, where it could control NK infiltration. Elevated CCRL2 expression in biopsies from human lung adenocarcinoma positively correlated with clinical outcome. These results provide evidence for a crucial role of CCRL2 in shaping an anti-lung tumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Del Prete
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Francesca Sozio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Tiziana Schioppa
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Andrea Ponzetta
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - William Vermi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Calza
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mattia Bugatti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Salvi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur-Italia, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | - Federica Benvenuti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Alberto Mantovani
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy.,Humanitas University, Rozzano-Milano, Italy.,The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvano Sozzani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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Natural Killer Cells as Key Players of Tumor Progression and Angiogenesis: Old and Novel Tools to Divert Their Pro-Tumor Activities into Potent Anti-Tumor Effects. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040461. [PMID: 30939820 PMCID: PMC6521276 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune cells, as a consequence of their plasticity, can acquire altered phenotype/functions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Some of these aberrant functions include attenuation of targeting and killing of tumor cells, tolerogenic/immunosuppressive behavior and acquisition of pro-angiogenic activities. Natural killer (NK) cells are effector lymphocytes involved in tumor immunosurveillance. In solid malignancies, tumor-associated NK cells (TANK cells) in peripheral blood and tumor-infiltrating NK (TINK) cells show altered phenotypes and are characterized by either anergy or reduced cytotoxicity. Here, we aim at discussing how NK cells can support tumor progression and how induction of angiogenesis, due to TME stimuli, can be a relevant part on the NK cell-associated tumor supporting activities. We will review and discuss the contribution of the TME in shaping NK cell response favoring cancer progression. We will focus on TME-derived set of factors such as TGF-β, soluble HLA-G, prostaglandin E2, adenosine, extracellular vesicles, and miRNAs, which can exhibit a dual function. On one hand, these factors can suppress NK cell-mediated activities but, on the other hand, they can induce a pro-angiogenic polarization in NK cells. Also, we will analyze the impact on cancer progression of the interaction of NK cells with several TME-associated cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Then, we will discuss the most relevant therapeutic approaches aimed at potentiating/restoring NK cell activities against tumors. Finally, supported by the literature revision and our new findings on NK cell pro-angiogenic activities, we uphold NK cells to a key host cellular paradigm in controlling tumor progression and angiogenesis; thus, we should bear in mind NK cells like a TME-associated target for anti-tumor therapeutic approaches.
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Chang MC, Cheng HI, Hsu K, Hsu YN, Kao CW, Chang YF, Lim KH, Chen CG. NKG2A Down-Regulation by Dasatinib Enhances Natural Killer Cytotoxicity and Accelerates Effective Treatment Responses in Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Front Immunol 2019; 9:3152. [PMID: 30705677 PMCID: PMC6344416 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematological malignancy characterized by the presence of t(9;22) chromosomal translocation that results in BCR-ABL fusion gene. ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib, are currently the front-line treatment options for CML. Recently, natural killer (NK) cell activation and expansion have been shown to be associated with optimal treatment responses for CML. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of these TKIs on NK cells, here we characterized activating and inhibitory NK receptors in CD3-CD16+CD56dim NK cells isolated from CML patients in chronic phase (CP). The expressions of activating NK receptors, such as NKG2D, natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) and DNAM-1, rebounded after successful TKI treatments for CML. In contrast, among the three surveyed inhibitory receptors (NKG2A, KIR2DL1, and KIR3DL1), only the expression of NKG2A was reverted and suppressed to a very low level by dasatinib, and not by imatinib or nilotinib. CML patients treated with dasatinib indeed expressed fewer NKG2A+ NK cells, which send negative signals for induction of NK cytotoxicity. For these dasatinib-treated patients, the duration to reach major molecular response (MMR) was shorter, and significantly correlated with individual's NKG2A+ NK cell number. This clinical relevance to NKG2A was not observed in treatments with imatinib or nilotinib. In line with dasatinib-specific down-regulation of NKG2A, NK cytotoxicity evaluated by the killing assay was also significantly higher in patients treated with dasatinib than in those treated with imatinib or nilotinib. The lower NK cytotoxicity from imatinib or nilotinib treatments could be reverted by NKG2A blockade using anti-NKG2A antibody. Further in vitro experiments revealed mechanistically that dasatinib could inactivate p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and consequently affect nuclear import of GATA-3 and GATA-3 transcriptional activities for NKG2A. Our results highlight the dual effects of dasatinib in direct inhibition of ABL kinase and in immunomodulation through NKG2A down-regulation, contributing to accelerated molecular responses (MR) in CML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chin Chang
- Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-I Cheng
- Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
| | - Kate Hsu
- Department of Medical Research, Transfusion Medicine & Immunogenetics Laboratories, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ning Hsu
- Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Wei Kao
- GCRC Laboratory, Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fang Chang
- Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan.,GCRC Laboratory, Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ken-Hong Lim
- Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan.,GCRC Laboratory, Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Caleb Gonshen Chen
- Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan.,GCRC Laboratory, Department of Hematology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
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9
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Vulpis E, Stabile H, Soriani A, Fionda C, Petrucci MT, Mariggio' E, Ricciardi MR, Cippitelli M, Gismondi A, Santoni A, Zingoni A. Key Role of the CD56 lowCD16 low Natural Killer Cell Subset in the Recognition and Killing of Multiple Myeloma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10120473. [PMID: 30501078 PMCID: PMC6317053 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10120473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in the immunosurveillance of Multiple Myeloma (MM), but it is still undefined whether the NK cell functional properties underlying their protective activity against MM are confined to distinct NK cell populations. Interestingly, herein we report that the CD56lowCD16low NK cell subset displayed higher cytolytic activity compared to the other NK cell subsets (i.e., CD56highCD16+/−, CD56lowCD16high) against MM cells and its activity was impaired in MM patients. Decreased DNAM-1 expression levels were observed on the CD56lowCD16low NK cells during MM progression. Evaluating NK cell subset frequency after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, we found that CD56lowCD16low NK cells recovered earlier after transplantation. Overall, our data denote a key role of CD56lowCD16low subpopulation in the killing of MM cells and suggest that the reconstitution of CD56lowCD16low subpopulation after HSCT could be a useful approach of adoptive immunotherapy in the treatment of relapsed/refractory MM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Vulpis
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Helena Stabile
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Soriani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Fionda
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Teresa Petrucci
- Division of Hematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Elena Mariggio'
- Division of Hematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Rosaria Ricciardi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Cippitelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Angela Gismondi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
- IRCCS, Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Zingoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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10
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Abstract
Aging is a key aspect of neoplasia at the level of cells, individuals and populations. Unrestrained expression and production of inflammatory mediators is a key feature of aging at the cellular and organism level. Inflammatory cells and mediators are a key component of the tumor microenvironment and drive tumor progression. Non-resolving smoldering inflammation increases the risk of cancer (the extrinsic pathway connecting inflammation and cancer). In the intrinsic pathway, genetic events that cause neoplasia (oncogenes and oncosupressor genes) orchestrate the construction of cancer-related inflammation. We argue that uncontrolled smoldering inflammation drives carcinogenesis in aging and acts as a common denominator linking aging and cancer.
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11
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Vicario M, Mattiolo A, Montini B, Piano MA, Cavallari I, Amadori A, Chieco-Bianchi L, Calabrò ML. A Preclinical Model for the ATLL Lymphoma Subtype With Insights Into the Role of Microenvironment in HTLV-1-Mediated Lymphomagenesis. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1215. [PMID: 29951044 PMCID: PMC6008390 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult T cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL) is a mature T cell malignancy associated with Human T cell Leukemia Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection. Among its four main clinical subtypes, the prognosis of acute and lymphoma variants remains poor. The long latency (3–6 decades) and low incidence (3–5%) of ATLL imply the involvement of viral and host factors in full-blown malignancy. Despite multiple preclinical and clinical studies, the contribution of the stromal microenvironment in ATLL development is not yet completely unraveled. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of the host microenvironment, and specifically fibroblasts, in ATLL pathogenesis and to propose a murine model for the lymphoma subtype. Here we present evidence that the oncogenic capacity of HTLV-1-immortalized C91/PL cells is enhanced when they are xenotransplanted together with human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) in immunocompromised BALB/c Rag2-/-γc-/- mice. Moreover, cell lines derived from a developed lymphoma and their subsequent in vivo passages acquired the stable property to induce aggressive T cell lymphomas. In particular, one of these cell lines, C91/III cells, consistently induced aggressive lymphomas also in NOD/SCID/IL2Rγc KO (NSG) mice. To dissect the mechanisms linked to this enhanced tumorigenic ability, we quantified 45 soluble factors released by these cell lines and found that 21 of them, mainly pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, were significantly increased in C91/III cells compared to the parental C91/PL cells. Moreover, many of the increased factors were also released by human fibroblasts and belonged to the known secretory pattern of ATLL cells. C91/PL cells co-cultured with HFF showed features reminiscent of those observed in C91/III cells, including a similar secretory pattern and a more aggressive behavior in vivo. On the whole, our data provide evidence that fibroblasts, one of the major stromal components, might enhance tumorigenesis of HTLV-1-infected and immortalized T cells, thus throwing light on the role of microenvironment contribution in ATLL pathogenesis. We also propose that the lymphoma induced in NSG mice by injection with C91/III cells represents a new murine preclinical ATLL model that could be adopted to test novel therapeutic interventions for the aggressive lymphoma subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Vicario
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Adriana Mattiolo
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Barbara Montini
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Assunta Piano
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cavallari
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Alberto Amadori
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.,Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Luigi Chieco-Bianchi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Calabrò
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
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12
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Borrelli C, Ricci B, Vulpis E, Fionda C, Ricciardi MR, Petrucci MT, Masuelli L, Peri A, Cippitelli M, Zingoni A, Santoni A, Soriani A. Drug-Induced Senescent Multiple Myeloma Cells Elicit NK Cell Proliferation by Direct or Exosome-Mediated IL15 Trans-Presentation. Cancer Immunol Res 2018; 6:860-869. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-17-0604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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13
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Molgora M, Bonavita E, Ponzetta A, Riva F, Barbagallo M, Jaillon S, Popović B, Bernardini G, Magrini E, Gianni F, Zelenay S, Jonjić S, Santoni A, Garlanda C, Mantovani A. IL-1R8 is a checkpoint in NK cells regulating anti-tumour and anti-viral activity. Nature 2017; 551:110-114. [PMID: 29072292 PMCID: PMC5768243 DOI: 10.1038/nature24293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-1 receptor 8 (IL-1R8, also known as single immunoglobulin IL-1R-related receptor, SIGIRR, or TIR8) is a member of the IL-1 receptor (ILR) family with distinct structural and functional characteristics, acting as a negative regulator of ILR and Toll-like receptor (TLR) downstream signalling pathways and inflammation. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells which mediate resistance against pathogens and contribute to the activation and orientation of adaptive immune responses. NK cells mediate resistance against haematopoietic neoplasms but are generally considered to play a minor role in solid tumour carcinogenesis. Here we report that IL-1R8 serves as a checkpoint for NK cell maturation and effector function. Its genetic blockade unleashes NK-cell-mediated resistance to hepatic carcinogenesis, haematogenous liver and lung metastasis, and cytomegalovirus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Federica Riva
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy
| | | | - Sébastien Jaillon
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
- Humanitas University, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Branka Popović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Università di Roma "La Sapienza" 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Magrini
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | | | - Santiago Zelenay
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4QL, United Kingdom
| | - Stipan Jonjić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Angela Santoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Università di Roma "La Sapienza" 00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Mantovani
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
- Humanitas University, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
- The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
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14
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Hughes A, Yong ASM. Immune Effector Recovery in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and Treatment-Free Remission. Front Immunol 2017; 8:469. [PMID: 28484463 PMCID: PMC5402174 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematological cancer, characterized by a reciprocal chromosomal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 [t(9;22)], producing the Bcr-Abl oncogene. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) represent the standard of care for CML patients and exert a dual mode of action: direct oncokinase inhibition and restoration of effector-mediated immune surveillance, which is rendered dysfunctional in CML patients at diagnosis, prior to TKI therapy. TKIs such as imatinib, and more potent second-generation nilotinib and dasatinib induce a high rate of deep molecular response (DMR, BCR-ABL1 ≤ 0.01%) in CML patients. As a result, the more recent goal of therapy in CML treatment is to induce a durable DMR as a prelude to successful treatment-free remission (TFR), which occurs in approximately half of all CML patients who cease TKI therapy. The lack of overt relapse in such patients has been attributed to immunological control of CML. In this review, we discuss an immunological timeline to successful TFR, focusing on the immunology of CML during TKI treatment; an initial period of immune suppression, limiting antitumor immune effector responses in newly diagnosed CML patients, linked to an expansion of immature myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells and aberrant expression of immune checkpoint signaling pathways, including programmed death-1/programmed death ligand-1. Commencement of TKI treatment is associated with immune system re-activation and restoration of effector-mediated [natural killer (NK) cell and T cell] immune surveillance in CML patients, albeit with differing frequencies in concert with differing levels of molecular response achieved on TKI. DMR is associated with maximal restoration of immune recovery in CML patients on TKI. Current data suggest a net balance between both the effector and suppressor arms of the immune system, at a minimum involving mature, cytotoxic CD56dim NK cells may be important in mediating TFR success. However, a major goal remains in CML to identify the most effective pathways to target to maximize an advantageous immune response and promote TFR success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Hughes
- Department of Haematology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Cancer Theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Agnes S M Yong
- Department of Haematology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Cancer Theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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15
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Huenecke S, Cappel C, Esser R, Pfirrmann V, Salzmann-Manrique E, Betz S, Keitl E, Banisharif-Dehkordi J, Bakhtiar S, Königs C, Jarisch A, Soerensen J, Ullrich E, Klingebiel T, Bader P, Bremm M. Development of Three Different NK Cell Subpopulations during Immune Reconstitution after Pediatric Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Prognostic Markers in GvHD and Viral Infections. Front Immunol 2017; 8:109. [PMID: 28239380 PMCID: PMC5300968 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) exerting graft-versus-leukemia/tumor effect and mediating pathogen-specific immunity. Although NK cells are the first donor-derived lymphocytes reconstituting post-HSCT, their distribution of CD56++CD16- (CD56bright), CD56++CD16+ (CD56intermediate=int), and CD56+CD16++ (CD56dim) NK cells is explicitly divergent from healthy adults, but to some extent comparable to the NK cell development in early childhood. The proportion of CD56bright/CD56int/CD56dim changed from 15/8/78% in early childhood to 6/4/90% in adults, respectively. Within this study, we first compared the NK cell reconstitution post-HSCT to reference values of NK cell subpopulations of healthy children. Afterward, we investigated the reconstitution of NK cell subpopulations post-HSCT in correlation to acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) and chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD) as well as to viral infections. Interestingly, after a HSCT follow-up phase of 12 months, the distribution of NK cell subpopulations largely matched the 50th percentile of the reference range for healthy individuals. Patients suffering from aGvHD and cGvHD showed a delayed reconstitution of NK cells. Remarkably, within the first 2 months post-HSCT, patients suffering from aGvHD had significantly lower levels of CD56bright NK cells compared to patients without viral infection or without graft versus host disease (GvHD). Therefore, the amount of CD56bright NK cells might serve as an early prognostic factor for GvHD development. Furthermore, a prolonged and elevated peak in CD56int NK cells seemed to be characteristic for the chronification of GvHD. In context of viral infection, a slightly lower CD56 and CD16 receptor expression followed by a considerable reduction in the absolute CD56dim NK cell numbers combined with reoccurrence of CD56int NK cells was observed. Our results suggest that a precise analysis of the reconstitution of NK cell subpopulations post-HSCT might indicate the occurrence of undesired events post-HSCT such as severe aGvHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Huenecke
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Claudia Cappel
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Ruth Esser
- GMP Development Unit, Hannover Medical School, Institute of Cellular Therapeutics , Hannover , Germany
| | - Verena Pfirrmann
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany
| | | | - Sibille Betz
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Eileen Keitl
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany
| | | | - Shahrzad Bakhtiar
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Christoph Königs
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Andrea Jarisch
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Jan Soerensen
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany; LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Klingebiel
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Peter Bader
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Melanie Bremm
- Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany
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16
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Vyas M, Schneider AC, Shatnyeva O, Reiners KS, Tawadros S, Kloess S, Köhl U, Hallek M, Hansen HP, Pogge von Strandmann E. Mono- and dual-targeting triplebodies activate natural killer cells and have anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo against chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1211220. [PMID: 27757305 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1211220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common form of leukemia that affects B lymphocytes in adults. Natural killer (NK) cells in CLL patients are intrinsically potent but display poor in situ effector functions. NKG2D is an activating receptor found on NK and CD8+ T cells and plays a role in immunosurveillance of CLL. In this study, we developed mono- and dual-targeting triplebodies utilizing a natural ligand for human NKG2D receptor (ULBP2) to retarget NK cells against tumor cells. Triplebodies in both formats showed better ability to induce NK-cell-dependent killing of target cells compared to bispecific counterparts. A mono-targeting triplebody ULBP2-aCD19-aCD19 successfully triggered NK cell effector functions against CLL cell line MEC1 and primary tumor cells in allogenic and autologous settings. Additionally, a dual-targeting triplebody ULBP2-aCD19-aCD33 specific for two distinct tumor-associated antigens was developed to target antigen loss variants, such as mixed lineage leukemia (MLL). Of note, this triplebody exhibited cytotoxic activity against CD19/CD33 double positive cells and retained its binding features even in the absence of one of the tumor antigens. Further, ULBP2-aCD19-aCD19 showed significant in vivo activity in immune-deficient (NSG) mouse model transplanted with CLL cell line as target cells and human immune cells as an effector population providing a proof-of-principle for this therapeutic concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maulik Vyas
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Olga Shatnyeva
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne, Germany
| | - Katrin S Reiners
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne, Germany
| | - Samir Tawadros
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne, Germany
| | - Stephan Kloess
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrike Köhl
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Hallek
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne, Germany
| | - Hinrich P Hansen
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne, Germany
| | - Elke Pogge von Strandmann
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Experimental Tumor Research, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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