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Kaur K, Jewett A. Role of Natural Killer Cells as Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Oral Tumor Eradication and Differentiation Both In Vivo and In Vitro. Crit Rev Immunol 2024; 44:87-98. [PMID: 38618731 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2024052389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Despite advancements in the field of cancer therapeutics, the five-year survival rate remains low in oral cancer patients. Therefore, the effective therapeutics are needed against oral cancer. Also, several studies including ours, have shown severely suppressed function and number of NK cells in oral cancer patients. In this review, we discuss the approach to inhibit the tumor growth and metastasis by direct killing or NK cell-mediated tumor differentiation. This review also provides an overview on supercharging NK cells using osteoclasts and probiotic bacteria, and their efficacy as cancer immunotherapeutic in humanized-BLT mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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2
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Kaur K, Chen PC, Ko MW, Mei A, Senjor E, Malarkannan S, Kos J, Jewett A. Sequential therapy with supercharged NK cells with either chemotherapy drug cisplatin or anti-PD-1 antibody decreases the tumor size and significantly enhances the NK function in Hu-BLT mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1132807. [PMID: 37197660 PMCID: PMC10183580 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1132807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction and methods In this study we report that sequential treatment of supercharged NK (sNK) cells with either chemotherapeutic drugs or check-point inhibitors eliminate both poorly differentiated and well differentiated tumors in-vivo in humanized-BLT mice. Background and results sNK cells were found to be a unique population of activated NK cells with genetic, proteomic, and functional attributes that are very different from primary untreated or IL-2 treated NK cells. Furthermore, NK-supernatant differentiated or well-differentiated oral or pancreatic tumor cell lines are not susceptible to IL-2 activated primary NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity; however, they are greatly killed by the CDDP and paclitaxel in in-vitro assays. Injection of one dose of sNK cells at 1 million cells per mouse to aggressive CSC-like/poorly differentiated oral tumor bearing mice, followed by an injection of CDDP, inhibited tumor weight and growth, and increased IFN-γ secretion as well as NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity substantially in bone marrow, spleen and peripheral blood derived immune cells. Similarly, the use of check point inhibitor anti-PD-1 antibody increased IFN-γ secretion and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and decreased the tumor burden in-vivo, and tumor growth of resected minimal residual tumors from hu-BLT mice when used sequentially with sNK cells. The addition of anti-PDL1 antibody to poorly differentiated MP2, NK-differentiated MP2 or well-differentiated PL-12 pancreatic tumors had different effects on tumor cells depending on the differentiation status of the tumor cells, since differentiated tumors expressed PD-L1 and were susceptible to NK cell mediated ADCC, whereas poorly differentiated OSCSCs or MP2 did not express PD-L1 and were killed directly by the NK cells. Conclusions Therefore, the ability to target combinatorially clones of tumors with NK cells and chemotherapeutic drugs or NK cells with checkpoint inhibitors at different stages of tumor differentiation may be crucial for successful eradication and cure of cancer. Furthermore, the success of check point inhibitor PD-L1 may relate to the levels of expression on tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Po-Chun Chen
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Meng-Wei Ko
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ao Mei
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Emanuela Senjor
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Subramaniam Malarkannan
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Janko Kos
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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3
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Walcheck MT, Schwartz PB, Carrillo ND, Matkowsky KA, Nukaya M, Bradfield CA, Ronnekleiv-Kelly SM. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor knockout accelerates PanIN formation and fibro-inflammation in a mutant Kras-driven pancreatic cancer model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.01.526625. [PMID: 36778364 PMCID: PMC9915668 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.01.526625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Objectives The pathogenesis of pancreas cancer (PDAC) remains poorly understood, hindering efforts to develop a more effective therapy for PDAC. Recent discoveries show the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of several cancers, and can be targeted for therapeutic effect. However, its involvement in PDAC remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the role of AHR in the development of PDAC in vivo. Methods We created a global AHR-null, mutant Kras-driven PDAC mouse model (A-/-KC) and evaluated the changes in PDAC precursor lesion formation (Pan-IN 1, 2, and 3) and associated fibro-inflammation between KC and A-/-KC at 5 months of age. We then examined the changes in the immune microenvironment followed by single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis to evaluate concomitant transcriptomic changes. Results We found a significant increase in PanIN-1 lesion formation and PanIN-1 associated fibro-inflammatory infiltrate in A-/-KC vs KC mice. This was associated with significant changes in the adaptive immune system, particularly a decrease in the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio, as well as a decrease in the T-regulatory/Th17 T-cell ratio suggesting unregulated inflammation. Conclusion These findings show the loss of AHR results in heightened Kras-induced PanIN formation, through modulation of immune cells within the pancreatic tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan T Walcheck
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, K4/747 CSC, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
| | - Patrick B Schwartz
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, K4/747 CSC, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
| | - Noah D Carrillo
- University of Wisconsin, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, 1400 University Avenue, McArdle Research Building, Madison, WI, 53706
| | - Kristina A Matkowsky
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, L5/183 CSC, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53705
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Manabu Nukaya
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, K4/747 CSC, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
- University of Wisconsin, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, 1400 University Avenue, McArdle Research Building, Madison, WI, 53706
| | - Christopher A Bradfield
- University of Wisconsin, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, 1400 University Avenue, McArdle Research Building, Madison, WI, 53706
| | - Sean M Ronnekleiv-Kelly
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, K4/747 CSC, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
- University of Wisconsin, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, 1400 University Avenue, McArdle Research Building, Madison, WI, 53706
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Kaur K, Chen PC, Ko MW, Mei A, Huerta-Yepez S, Maharaj D, Malarkannan S, Jewett A. Successes and Challenges in Taming the Beast: Cytotoxic Immune Effectors in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Crit Rev Immunol 2023; 43:1-11. [PMID: 37522557 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2023047235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurological disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. No effective therapeutic strategies have been established thus far, and therefore there is a significant unmet need for effective therapeutics to arrest the disease and reverse the pathologies induced by it. Although the cause of ALS is not well-defined, it appears to be heterogenous. Currently over 20 genes have been found to be associated with ALS. Family history can only be found in 10% of ALS patients, but in the remaining 90% no association with family history is found. The most common genetic causes are expansion in the C9orf72 gene and mutations in superoxide dismutase 1, TDP-43, and FUS. In our recent study, we also found mutations in TDP43 and FUS in ALS patients. To understand the pathogenesis of the disease, we set ourselves the task of analyzing the phenotype and function of all key immune effectors in ALS patients, comparing them with either a genetically healthy twin or healthy individuals. Our study demonstrated a significant increase in functional activation of NK and CD8+ T cytotoxic immune effectors and release of significant IFN-γ not only by the effector cells but also in the serum of ALS patients. Longitudinal analysis of CD8+ T cell-mediated IFN-γ secretion from ALS patients demonstrated continued and sustained increase in IFN-γ secretion with periods of decrease which coincided with certain treatments; however, the effects were largely short-lived. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), one of the treatments used, is known to block cell death; however, even though such treatment was able to block most of the proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and growth factor release, it was not able to block IFN-γ and TNF-α, the two cytokines we had demonstrated previously to induce differentiation of the cells. In this review, we discuss the contribution of cytotoxic effector cells, especially primary NK cells, supercharged NK cells (sNK), and the contribution of sNK cells in expansion and functional activation of CD8+ T cells to memory/effector T cells in the pathogenesis of ALS. Potential new targeted therapeutic strategies are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Po-Chun Chen
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Meng-Wei Ko
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ao Mei
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
| | - Sara Huerta-Yepez
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Dipnarine Maharaj
- South Florida Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant Institute, DBA Maharaj Institute of Immune Regenerative Medicine, Boynton Beach, FL 33437
| | - Subramaniam Malarkannan
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI 53226; Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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5
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Kaur K, Jewett A. Supercharged NK Cell-Based Immuotherapy in Humanized Bone Marrow Liver and Thymus (Hu-BLT) Mice Model of Oral, Pancreatic, Glioblastoma, Hepatic, Melanoma and Ovarian Cancers. Crit Rev Immunol 2023; 43:13-25. [PMID: 37938193 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2023050618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we review a number of in vitro and in vivo studies regarding the efficacy of supercharged NK (sNK) cell therapy in elimination or treatment of cancer. We have performed studies using six different types of cancer models of oral, pancreatic, glioblastoma, melanoma, hepatic and ovarian cancers using hu-BLT mice. Our in vitro studies demonstrated that primary NK cells preferentially target cancer stem-like cells (CSCs)/poorly differentiated tumors whereas sNK cells target both CSCs/poorly-differentiated and well-differentiated tumors significantly higher than primary activated NK cells. Our in vivo studies in humanized-BLT mice showed that sNK cells alone or in combination with other cancer therapeutics prevented tumor growth and metastasis. In addition, sNK cells were able to increase IFN-γ secretion and cytotoxic function by the immune cells in bone marrow, spleen, gingiva, pancreas and peripheral blood. Furthermore, sNK cells were able to increase the expansion and function of CD8+ T cells both in in vitro and in vivo studies. Overall, our studies demonstrated that sNK cells alone or in combination with other cancer therapeutics were not only effective against eliminating aggressive cancers, but were also able to increase the expansion and function of CD8+ T cells to further target cancer cells, providing a successful approach to eradicate and cure cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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6
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Huang Y, Zhang H, Feng J, Tang B. STK11
mutation affects the killing effect of
NK
cells to promote the progression of lung adenocarcinoma. APMIS 2022; 130:647-656. [DOI: 10.1111/apm.13271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Huang
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Zigong Fourth People's Hospital Zigong Sichuan 643000 China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Zigong Fourth People's Hospital Zigong Sichuan 643000 China
| | - Juan Feng
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Zigong Fourth People's Hospital Zigong Sichuan 643000 China
| | - Bo Tang
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Zigong Fourth People's Hospital Zigong Sichuan 643000 China
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7
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Wu J, Wang M, Han L, Zhang H, Lei S, Zhang Y, Mo X. RNA modification-related variants in genomic loci associated with body mass index. Hum Genomics 2022; 16:25. [PMID: 35879730 PMCID: PMC9316745 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-022-00403-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified hundreds of loci for body mass index (BMI), but functional variants in these loci are less known. The purpose of this study was to identify RNA modification-related SNPs (RNAm-SNPs) for BMI in GWAS loci. BMI-associated RNAm-SNPs were identified in a GWAS of approximately 700,000 individuals. Gene expression and circulating protein levels affected by the RNAm-SNPs were identified by QTL analyses. Mendelian randomization (MR) methods were applied to test whether the gene expression and protein levels were associated with BMI. RESULTS A total of 78 RNAm-SNPs associated with BMI (P < 5.0 × 10-8) were identified, including 65 m6A-, 10 m1A-, 3 m7G- and 1 A-to-I-related SNPs. Two functional loss, high confidence level m6A-SNPs, rs6713978 (P = 6.4 × 10-60) and rs13410999 (P = 8.2 × 10-59), in the intron of ADCY3 were the top significant SNPs. These two RNAm-SNPs were associated with ADCY3 gene expression in adipose tissues, whole blood cells, the tibial nerve, the tibial artery and lymphocytes, and the expression levels in these tissues were associated with BMI. Proteins enriched in specific KEGG pathways, such as natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, the Rap1 signaling pathway and the Ras signaling pathway, were affected by the RNAm-SNPs, and circulating levels of some of these proteins (ADH1B, DOCK9, MICB, PRDM1, STOM, TMPRSS11D and TXNDC12) were associated with BMI in MR analyses. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified RNAm-SNPs in BMI-related genomic loci and suggested that RNA modification may affect BMI by affecting the expression levels of corresponding genes and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyun Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Genomics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mimi Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Genomics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Limin Han
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Genomics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Shufeng Lei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Genomics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yonghong Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingbo Mo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. .,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Genomics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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8
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Marelli G, Morina N, Portale F, Pandini M, Iovino M, Di Conza G, Ho PC, Di Mitri D. Lipid-loaded macrophages as new therapeutic target in cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004584. [PMID: 35798535 PMCID: PMC9263925 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are main players of the innate immune system. They show great heterogeneity and play diverse functions that include support to development, sustenance of tissue homeostasis and defense against infections. Dysfunctional macrophages have been described in multiple pathologies including cancer. Indeed tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant in most tumors and sustain cancer growth, promote invasion and mediate immune evasion. Importantly, lipid metabolism influences macrophage activation and lipid accumulation confers pathogenic features on macrophages. Notably, a subset of lipid-loaded macrophages has been recently identified in many tumor types. Lipid-loaded TAMs support tumor growth and progression and exert immune-suppressive activities. In this review, we describe the role of lipid metabolism in macrophage activation in physiology and pathology and we discuss the impact of lipid accumulation in macrophages in the context of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Marelli
- Tumor Microenvironment Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Nicolò Morina
- Tumor Microenvironment Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Lombardia, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Federica Portale
- Tumor Microenvironment Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Marta Pandini
- Tumor Microenvironment Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Lombardia, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Marta Iovino
- Tumor Microenvironment Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Giusy Di Conza
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ping-Chih Ho
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Diletta Di Mitri
- Tumor Microenvironment Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Lombardia, Italy .,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Lombardia, Italy
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9
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Kaur K, Ko MW, Chen F, Jewett A. Defective NK cell expansion, cytotoxicity, and lack of ability to differentiate tumors from a pancreatic cancer patient in a long term follow-up: implication in the progression of cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:1033-1047. [PMID: 34559307 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03044-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The majority of the previous reports on NK cells use cross-sectional studies to establish the status of patient NK cell function, however such studies fail to evaluate the immune status of the patients on a continuous basis from the disease-free stage to progression of cancer. In this study, we performed a prospective study of the immune function by continuously monitoring the NK numbers, expansion and function of a pancreatic cancer patient from 1/6/2016 to 2/14/2019. The results indicated that at initial stages of the disease where no overt disease was identified, the patient had consistently higher percentages of NK and B cells and lower percentages of CD3 + T cells in the peripheral blood. The percentages of CD14 + monocytes were similar at the initial stages of the disease, and at the later stages of the disease, it increased and remained higher in the patient when compared to those from healthy donors. The numbers of expanded NK cells and the cytotoxic function, as well as secretion of IFN-γ from primary and osteoclast expanded patient NK cells remained consistently low throughout the years of follow up. Similarly, the majority of cytokines in patient's serum remained lower with the exception of IL-6 which was higher. The IFN-γ secreted from the patients' NK cells had much lower ability to differentiate the poorly differentiated oral tumors as assessed by their lack of ability to upregulate differentiation antigens. Overall, before any evidence of overt disease, patient NK cells exhibited significant dysfunction. Intervention at the stage of no disease or minimal disease may be important for the prevention of pancreatic cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Meng-Wei Ko
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Franklin Chen
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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10
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Highlights on the Role of KRAS Mutations in Reshaping the Microenvironment of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910219. [PMID: 34638560 PMCID: PMC8508406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The most frequent mutated oncogene family in the history of human cancer is the RAS gene family, including NRAS, HRAS, and, most importantly, KRAS. A hallmark of pancreatic cancer, recalcitrant cancer with a very low survival rate, is the prevalence of oncogenic mutations in the KRAS gene. Due to this fact, studying the function of KRAS and the impact of its mutations on the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a priority for understanding pancreatic cancer progression and designing novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of the dismal disease. Despite some recent enlightening studies, there is still a wide gap in our knowledge regarding the impact of KRAS mutations on different components of the pancreatic TME. In this review, we will present an updated summary of mutant KRAS role in the initiation, progression, and modulation of the TME of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This review will highlight the intriguing link between diabetes mellitus and PDAC, as well as vitamin D as an adjuvant effective therapy via TME modulation of PDAC. We will also discuss different ongoing clinical trials that use KRAS oncogene signaling network as therapeutic targets.
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11
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Fincham REA, Delvecchio FR, Goulart MR, Yeong JPS, Kocher HM. Natural killer cells in pancreatic cancer stroma. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:3483-3501. [PMID: 34239264 PMCID: PMC8240050 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i24.3483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains one of medicine's largest areas of unmet need. With five-year survival rates of < 8%, little improvement has been made in the last 50 years. Typically presenting with advance stage disease, treatment options are limited. To date, surgery remains the only potentially curative option, however, with such late disease presentation, the majority of patients are unresectable. Thus, new therapeutic options and a greater understanding of the complex stromal interactions within the tumour microenvironment are sorely needed to revise the dismal outlook for pancreatic cancer patients. Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial effector units in cancer immunosurveillance. Often used as a prognostic biomarker in a range of malignancies, NK cells have received much attention as an attractive target for immunotherapies, both as cell therapy and as a pharmaceutical target. Despite this interest, the role of NK cells in pancreatic cancer remains poorly defined. Nevertheless, increasing evidence of the importance of NK cells in this dismal prognosis disease is beginning to come to light. Here, we review the role of NK cells in pancreatic cancer, examine the complex interactions of these crucial effector units within pancreatic cancer stroma and shed light on the increasingly attractive use of NK cells as therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Elizabeth Ann Fincham
- Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Romana Delvecchio
- Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle R Goulart
- Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Joe Poe Sheng Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Hemant M Kocher
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
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12
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Elaraby E, Malek AI, Abdullah HW, Elemam NM, Saber-Ayad M, Talaat IM. Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction in Obese Patients with Breast Cancer: A Review of a Triad and Its Implications. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:9972927. [PMID: 34212054 PMCID: PMC8205589 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9972927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells (NK cells) are a crucial constituent of the innate immune system as they mediate immunity against viruses, bacteria, parasites, and most importantly, tumor cells. The exact mechanism of how the innate immune system and specifically NK cells interact with cancer cells is complex and is yet to be understood. Several factors that constitute the tumor microenvironment (TME) such as hypoxia and TGF-β are believed to play a role in the complex physiological reaction of NK cells to tumor cells. On the other hand, several risk factors are implicated in the development and progression of breast cancer, most importantly: obesity. Cytokines released from adipose tissue such as adipokines, leptin, and resistin, among others, are also believed to facilitate tumor progression. In this study, we aimed to build a triad of breast cancer, obesity, and NK cell dysfunction to elucidate a link between these pillars on a cellular level. Directing efforts towards solidifying the link between these factors will help in designing a targeted immunotherapy with a low side-effect profile that can revolutionize breast cancer treatment and improve survival in obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esraa Elaraby
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | | | | | - Noha Mousaad Elemam
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Maha Saber-Ayad
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
- Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Iman M. Talaat
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
- Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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13
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Spielmann J, Naujoks W, Emde M, Allweyer M, Kielstein H, Quandt D, Bähr I. High-Fat Diet and Feeding Regime Impairs Number, Phenotype, and Cytotoxicity of Natural Killer Cells in C57BL/6 Mice. Front Nutr 2020; 7:585693. [PMID: 33330585 PMCID: PMC7728990 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2020.585693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Overweight and obesity are major public health challenges worldwide. Obesity is associated with a higher risk for the development of several cancer types, but specific mechanisms underlying the link of obesity and cancer are still unclear. Natural killer (NK) cells are circulating lymphoid cells promoting the elimination of virus-infected and tumor cells. Previous investigations demonstrated conflicting results concerning the influence of obesity on functional NK cell parameters in small animal models. The aim of the present study was to clarify potential obesity-associated alterations of murine NK cells in vivo, implementing different feeding regimes. Therefore, C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal-fat diet (NFD) or high-fat diet (HFD) under restrictive and ad libitum feeding regimes. Results showed diet and feeding-regime dependent differences in body weight, visceral fat mass and plasma cytokine concentrations. Flow cytometry analyses demonstrated significant changes in total cell counts as well as frequencies of immune cell populations in peripheral blood comparing mice fed NFD or HFD in an ad libitum or restrictive manner. Mice fed the HFD showed significantly decreased frequencies of total NK cells and the mature CD11b+CD27+ NK cell subset compared to mice fed the NFD. Feeding HFD resulted in significant changes in the expression of the maturation markers KLRG1 and CD127 in NK cells. Furthermore, real-time PCR analyses of NK-cell related functional parameters in adipose tissue revealed significant diet and feeding-regime dependent differences. Most notable, real-time cytotoxicity assays demonstrated an impaired cytolytic activity of splenic NK cells toward murine colon cancer cells in HFD-fed mice compared to NFD-fed mice. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that feeding a high-fat diet influences the frequency, phenotype and function of NK cells in C57BL/6 mice. Interestingly, restricted feeding of HFD compared to ad libitum feeding resulted in a partial prevention of the obesity-associated alterations on immune cells and especially on NK cells, nicely fitting with the current concept of an advantage for interval fasting for improved health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Spielmann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Wiebke Naujoks
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Matthias Emde
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Martin Allweyer
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Heike Kielstein
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Dagmar Quandt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Ina Bähr
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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14
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Kaur K, Ko MW, Ohanian N, Cook J, Jewett A. Osteoclast-expanded super-charged NK-cells preferentially select and expand CD8+ T cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20363. [PMID: 33230147 PMCID: PMC7683603 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76702-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoclasts (OCs) and much less dendritic cells (DCs) induce significant expansion and functional activation of NK cells, and furthermore, the OC-expanded NK cells preferentially increase the expansion and activation of CD8+ T cells by targeting CD4+ T cells. When autologous OCs were used to expand patient NK cells much lower percentages of expanded CD8+ T cells, decreased numbers of expanded NK cells and decreased functions of NK cells could be observed, and the addition of allogeneic healthy OCs increased the patients' NK function. Mechanistically, OC-expanded NK cells were found to lyse CD4+ T cells but not CD8+ T cells suggesting potential selection of CD8+ T cells before their expansion by OC activated NK cells. In agreement, Increased IFN-γ secretion, and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and higher percentages of CD8+ T cells, in various tissue compartments of oral tumor-bearing hu-BLT mice in response to immunotherapy by OC-expanded NK cells were observed. Thus, our results indicate an important relationship between NK and CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Meng-Wei Ko
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Nick Ohanian
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jessica Cook
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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15
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Naujoks W, Quandt D, Hauffe A, Kielstein H, Bähr I, Spielmann J. Characterization of Surface Receptor Expression and Cytotoxicity of Human NK Cells and NK Cell Subsets in Overweight and Obese Humans. Front Immunol 2020; 11:573200. [PMID: 33101297 PMCID: PMC7546782 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.573200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is associated with an increased risk for several cancer types and an altered phenotype and functionality of natural killer (NK) cells. This study aimed to investigate the association of overweight and obesity with NK cell functions and receptor expression profiles in humans. Therefore, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from normal weight, overweight, and obese healthy blood donors. In depth analysis of immune cell populations and 23 different surface markers, including NK cell receptors, NK-cell-related markers as well as functional intracellular markers on total NK cells and NK subgroups were performed by multicolor flow cytometry. The data revealed a decreased expression of the activating NK cell receptors KIR2DS4 and NKp46 as well as an increased expression of the inhibitory NK cell receptors NKG2A and Siglec-7 in overweight and obese compared to normal weight individuals. Additionally, the expression of the adhesion molecule CD62L and the maturation and differentiation marker CD27 was downregulated in NK cells of overweight and obese subjects. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of NK cells against colorectal cancer cells was decreased in overweight and obese subjects. Investigations on underlying killing mechanisms demonstrated a reduced TRAIL expression on NK cells of obese subjects suggesting an impaired death receptor pathway in obesity. The present study gives new insights into an impaired functionality and phenotype of NK cells and NK cell subsets in overweight and obesity. These phenotypic alterations and dysfunction of NK cells might be an explanation for the increased cancer risk in obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Naujoks
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Dagmar Quandt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Anja Hauffe
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Heike Kielstein
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ina Bähr
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Julia Spielmann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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16
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Jewett A. The Potential Effect of Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 on NK Cells; A Perspective on Potential Therapeutic Interventions. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1692. [PMID: 32754162 PMCID: PMC7365845 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus-induced disease-2019 (COVID-19) continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. While studies on SARS-CoV-2 effects on immune cell function continue to progress, we know very little about the significance of depletion of key immune effectors by the virus in the mortality and morbidity of the disease. This commentary outlines what is the reported literature thus far on the effect of virus on NK cells known to kill virally infected cells. It also underscores the necessity for the future comprehensive studies of NK cells in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals and animal models to better understand the role and significance of reported NK cell depletion and functional inactivation in disease morbidity and mortality, in hope to design effective therapeutic interventions for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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17
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Bähr I, Spielmann J, Quandt D, Kielstein H. Obesity-Associated Alterations of Natural Killer Cells and Immunosurveillance of Cancer. Front Immunol 2020; 11:245. [PMID: 32231659 PMCID: PMC7082404 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is accompanied by a systemic chronic low-grade inflammation as well as dysfunctions of several innate and adaptive immune cells. Recent findings emphasize an impaired functionality and phenotype of natural killer (NK) cells under obese conditions. This review provides a detailed overview on research related to overweight and obesity with a particular focus on NK cells. We discuss obesity-associated alterations in subsets, distribution, phenotype, cytotoxicity, cytokine secretion, and signaling cascades of NK cells investigated in vitro as well as in animal and human studies. In addition, we provide recent insights into the effects of physical activity and obesity-associated nutritional factors as well as the reduction of body weight and fat mass on NK cell functions of obese individuals. Finally, we highlight the impact of impaired NK cell physiology on obesity-associated diseases, focusing on the elevated susceptibility for viral infections and increased risk for cancer development and impaired treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Bähr
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Julia Spielmann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Dagmar Quandt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Heike Kielstein
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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18
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Kaur K, Kozlowska AK, Topchyan P, Ko MW, Ohanian N, Chiang J, Cook J, Maung PO, Park SH, Cacalano N, Fang C, Jewett A. Probiotic-Treated Super-Charged NK Cells Efficiently Clear Poorly Differentiated Pancreatic Tumors in Hu-BLT Mice. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:cancers12010063. [PMID: 31878338 PMCID: PMC7017229 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract: Background and Aims: We have previously demonstrated that the stage of differentiation of tumors has profound effect on the function of NK cells, and that stem-like/poorly differentiated tumors were preferentially targeted by the NK cells. Therefore, in this study we determined the role of super-charged NK cells in immune mobilization, lysis, and differentiation of stem-like/undifferentiated tumors implanted in the pancreas of humanized-BLT (hu-BLT) mice fed with or without AJ2 probiotics. The phenotype, growth rate and metastatic potential of pancreatic tumors differentiated by the NK cells (NK-differentiated) or patient derived differentiated or stem-like/undifferentiated pancreatic tumors were investigated. Methods: Pancreatic tumor implantation was performed in NSG and hu-BLT mice. Stage of differentiation of tumors was determined using our published criteria for well-differentiated tumors exhibiting higher surface expression of MHC- class I, CD54, and PD-L1 (B7H1) and lower expression of CD44 receptors. The inverse was seen for poorly-differentiated tumors. Results: Stem-like/undifferentiated pancreatic tumors grew rapidly and formed large tumors and exhibited lower expression of above-mentioned differentiation antigens in the pancreas of NSG and hu-BLT mice. Unlike stem-like/undifferentiated tumors, NK-differentiated MP2 (MiaPaCa-2) tumors or patient-derived differentiated tumors were not able to grow or grew smaller tumors, and were unable to metastasize in NSG or hu-BLT mice, and they were susceptible to chemotherapeutic drugs. Stem-like/undifferentiated pancreatic tumors implanted in the pancreas of hu-BLT mice and injected with super-charged NK cells formed much smaller tumors, proliferated less, and exhibited differentiated phenotype. When differentiation of stem-like tumors by the NK cells was prevented by the addition of antibodies to IFN-γ and TNF-α, tumors grew rapidly and metastasized, and they remained resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs. Greater numbers of immune cells infiltrated the tumors of NK-injected and AJ2-probiotic bacteria-fed mice. Moreover, increased IFN-γ secretion in the presence of decreased IL-6 was seen in tumors resected and cultured from NK-injected and AJ2 fed mice. Tumor-induced decreases in NK cytotoxicity and IFN-γ secretion were restored/increased within PBMCs, spleen, and bone marrow when mice received NK cells and were fed with AJ2. Conclusion: NK cells prevent growth of pancreatic tumors through lysis and differentiation, thereby curtailing the growth and metastatic potential of stem-like/undifferentiated-tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Anna Karolina Kozlowska
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
| | - Paytsar Topchyan
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Meng-Wei Ko
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Nick Ohanian
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Jessica Chiang
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Jessica Cook
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Phyu Ou Maung
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - So-Hyun Park
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
| | - Nicholas Cacalano
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Changge Fang
- BioPro Diagnostics, LLC, 4919 Brook Hills Drive, Annandale, VA 22003, USA;
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (K.K.); (A.K.K.); (P.T.); (M.-W.K.); (N.O.); (J.C.); (J.C.); (P.O.M.); (S.-H.P.)
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-310-968-4994; Fax: +1-310-794-7109
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19
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Jewett A, Kos J, Kaur K, Safaei T, Sutanto C, Chen W, Wong P, Namagerdi AK, Fang C, Fong Y, Ko MW. Natural Killer Cells: Diverse Functions in Tumor Immunity and Defects in Pre-neoplastic and Neoplastic Stages of Tumorigenesis. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2019; 16:41-52. [PMID: 31930165 PMCID: PMC6951836 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2019.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are the key immune effectors with the ability to mediate selection and differentiation of a number of different cancer stem cells/undifferentiated tumors via lysis, and secreted or membrane-bound interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, respectively, leading to curtailment of tumor growth and metastasis. In this review, we present an overview of our recent findings on the biology and significance of NK cells in selection and differentiation of stem-like tumors using in vitro and in vivo studies conducted in humanized-BLT mice and in cancer patients. In addition, we present current advances in NK cell expansion and therapeutic delivery, and discuss the utility of allogeneic supercharged NK cells in the treatment of cancer patients. Moreover, we discuss the potential loss of NK cell numbers and function at the neoplastic and pre-neoplastic stages of tumorigenesis in induction and progression of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, because of their indispensable role in targeting cancer stem-like/undifferentiated tumors, NK cells should be placed high in the armamentarium of tumor immunotherapy. A combination of allogeneic supercharged NK cells with other immunotherapeutic strategies such as oncolytic viruses, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)-inducing antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, CAR NK cells, and chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic strategies can be used for the ultimate goal of tumor eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Corresponding author: Anahid Jewett, The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Janko Kos
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tahmineh Safaei
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christine Sutanto
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wuyang Chen
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paul Wong
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Artin Keshishian Namagerdi
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Changge Fang
- APD-PAPD Center for NK Cell Therapy, Beijing, China
| | - Yuman Fong
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
- Center for Gene Therapy, Duarte, CA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Meng-Wei Ko
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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20
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Hu S, Yang J, Shangguan J, Eresen A, Li Y, Ma Q, Yaghmai V, Velichko Y, Hu C, Zhang Z. Natural killer cell-based adoptive transfer immunotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in a KrasLSL-G12D p53LSL-R172H Pdx1-Cre mouse model. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:1757-1765. [PMID: 31497356 PMCID: PMC6726992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in host immunity against different malignancies, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Our study aimed to evaluate the antitumor effects of NK cell-based adoptive transfer immunotherapy for PDAC in an orthotopic mouse model. Orthotopic KrasLSL-G12D p53LSL-R172H Pdx1-Cre (KPC) mice were used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Mouse NK cells (LNK cells) (1×106) were intravenously injected to tumor-bearing mice once a week for 3 weeks. MRI measurements (tumor volume and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values) and survival were compared between control and LNK treated tumors. Flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to determine LNK cells cytotoxicity and IFN-γ level, respectively. LNK cells can produce a higher level of IFN-γ and more effectively lyse PDAC cells compared with spleen NK cells in vitro. LNK-cell adoptive transfer therapy elicited potent in vivo antitumor activity, resulting in delayed tumor growth (P=0.033) in KPC mice. The ADC values at the last timepoint ((0.94±0.06)×10-3 mm2/s) were significantly higher than that at first timepoint ((0.75±0.04)×10-3 mm2/s) in treated tumors (P<0.001). ADC values were significantly different between control group and treated tumors at the last time point ((0.75±0.09)×10-3 mm2/s vs (0.94±0.06)×10-3 mm2/s, P=0.004) in KPC mice. Our data demonstrate the potential of NK cell-based adoptive transfer immunotherapy for PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Hu
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jia Yang
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
| | - Junjie Shangguan
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
| | - Aydin Eresen
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Quanhong Ma
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
| | - Vahid Yaghmai
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
| | - Yuri Velichko
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
| | - Chunhong Hu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhuoli Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
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21
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Dysregulation of Natural Killer Cells in Obesity. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040573. [PMID: 31018563 PMCID: PMC6521109 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a population of lymphocytes which classically form part of the innate immune system. They are defined as innate lymphocytes, due to their ability to kill infected or transformed cells without prior activation. In addition to their cytotoxic abilities, NK cells are also rapid producers of inflammatory cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and are therefore a critical component of early immune responses. Due to these unique abilities, NK cells are a very important component of host protection, especially anti-tumour and anti-viral immunity. Obesity is a worldwide epidemic, with over 600 million adults and 124 million children now classified as obese. It is well established that individuals who are obese are at a higher risk of many acute and chronic conditions, including cancer and viral infections. Over the past 10 years, many studies have investigated the impact of obesity on NK cell biology, detailing systemic dysregulation of NK cell functions. More recently, several studies have investigated the role of NK cells in the homeostasis of adipose tissue and the pathophysiology of obesity. In this review, we will discuss in detail these studies and focus on emerging data detailing the metabolic mechanisms altering NK cells in obesity.
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22
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Shahrabi S, Zayeri ZD, Ansari N, Hadad EH, Rajaei E. Flip-flops of natural killer cells in autoimmune diseases versus cancers: Immunologic axis. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:16998-17010. [PMID: 30864163 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play an essential role in the immune response to infections, inflammations, and malignancies. Recent studies suggest that NK cell surface receptors and cytokines are the key points of the disease development and protection. We hypothesized that the interactions between NK cell receptors and targeted cells construct an eventual niche, and this niche has an eventual profile in various autoimmune diseases and cancers. The NK cells preactivated with cytokines, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18 can have higher cytotoxicity; however, the toxic side effect of IL-2 should be considered. The vicissitudes of NK cell profile and its receptors obey the environmental communications and cell interactions. Our vision around the NK cells as an immune axis remained dual, and we still cannot judge the immune responses based on the NK cell flip-flop. A design of eventual niche to monitor the NK cell and targeted cell interaction is needed to strengthen our ability in diagnosis and treatment approaches based on the NK cells. Here, we have reviewed the shifts in the NK cells and their surface receptors in autoimmune diseases, solid tumors, and leukemia, and also discussed the effective chemokines that affect NK cell activation and proliferation. The main aim of this review is to present a broader vision of the NK cell changes in autoimmune disease and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Shahrabi
- Department of Biochemistry and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Zeinab D Zayeri
- Golestan Hospital Clinical Research Development Unit, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Narges Ansari
- Isfahan Bone Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Elham H Hadad
- Research Center of Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Elham Rajaei
- Golestan Hospital Clinical Research Development Unit, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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23
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Jewett A, Kos J, Fong Y, Ko MW, Safaei T, Perišić Nanut M, Kaur K. NK cells shape pancreatic and oral tumor microenvironments; role in inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:178-188. [PMID: 30081230 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We have recently shown that natural killer (NK) cells select and differentiate cancer stem cells (CSCs)/undifferentiated tumors via secreted and membrane bound IFN-gamma (IFN-γ) and TNF-alpha (TNF-α), preventing tumor growth and inducing remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. Since many conventional therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy remain fairly unsuccessful in treating CSCs/poorly differentiated tumors, there has been an increasing interest in NK cell-targeted immunotherapy for the treatment of aggressive tumors. In our recent studies, we used humanized-BLT (hu-BLT) mouse model with transplanted human bone marrow, liver and thymus to demonstrate the efficacy of adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded, super-charged NK cells in selection and differentiation of stem-like tumors within the context of a fully reconstituted human immune system. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that CSCs differentiated with split-anergized NK cells prior to implantation in hu-BLT mice were not able to grow or metastasize. However, when NK cell-mediated tumor differentiation was blocked by the addition of antibodies to IFN-γ and TNF-α, tumors grew and metastasized. In this review, we present current advances in NK cell expansion and therapeutic delivery, and discuss the utility of allogeneic super-charged NK cells in treatment of cancer patients. In addition, NK suppression occurs not only at the stage of overt cancer, but also at the pre-neoplastic stage. Therefore, due to the indispensable role of NK cells in targeting CSCs/undifferentiated tumors and their role in differentiation of the tumors, NK cells should be placed high in the armamentarium of tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Janko Kos
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Yuman Fong
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA; Center of Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Meng-Wei Ko
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tahmineh Safaei
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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