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Hermans L, O’Sullivan TE. No time to die: Epigenetic regulation of natural killer cell survival. Immunol Rev 2024; 323:61-79. [PMID: 38426615 PMCID: PMC11102341 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
NK cells are short-lived innate lymphocytes that can mediate antigen-independent responses to infection and cancer. However, studies from the past two decades have shown that NK cells can acquire transcriptional and epigenetic modifications during inflammation that result in increased survival and lifespan. These findings blur the lines between the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, and suggest that the homeostatic mechanisms that govern the persistence of innate immune cells are malleable. Indeed, recent studies have shown that NK cells undergo continuous and strictly regulated adaptations controlling their survival during development, tissue residency, and following inflammation. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the critical factors regulating NK cell survival throughout their lifespan, with a specific emphasis on the epigenetic modifications that regulate the survival of NK cells in various contexts. A precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern NK cell survival will be important to enhance therapies for cancer and infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Hermans
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Timothy E. O’Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Ivanov N, Krastev B, Miteva DG, Batselova H, Alexandrova R, Velikova T. Effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with oncological diseases: State-of-the-art. World J Clin Oncol 2023; 14:343-356. [PMID: 37771630 PMCID: PMC10523189 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v14.i9.343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was declared to be no longer “a public health emergency of international concern” with its wide range of clinical manifestations and late complications, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection proved to be a serious threat, especially to the elderly and patients with comorbidities. Patients with oncologic diseases are vulnerable to severe infection and death. Indeed, patients with oncohematological diseases have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 and impaired post-vaccination immunity. Unfortunately, cancer patients are usually excluded from vaccine trials and investigations of post-vaccinal immune responses and the effectiveness of the vaccines. We aimed to elucidate to what extent patients with cancer are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 and what is their overall case fatality rate. We also present the current concept and evidence on the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, in oncology patients. In conclusion, despite the considerably higher mortality in the cancer patient group than the general population, countries with high vaccination rates have demonstrated trends toward improved survival of cancer patients early and late in the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nedelcho Ivanov
- Department of Clinical Immunology with Stem Cell Bank, University Hospital Alexanrovska, Sofia 1431, Bulgaria
| | - Boris Krastev
- Medical Center Nadezhda, Medical Center Nadezhda, Sofia 1407, Bulgaria
| | | | - Hristiana Batselova
- Department of Epidemiology and Disaster Medicine, Medical University, Plovdiv, University Hospital St. George, Plovdiv 6000, Bulgaria
| | - Radostina Alexandrova
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria
| | - Tsvetelina Velikova
- Medical Faculty, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Sofia 1407, Bulgaria
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Tang Y, Qian C. Research progress in leveraging biomaterials for enhancing NK cell immunotherapy. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2023; 52:267-278. [PMID: 37476938 PMCID: PMC10409897 DOI: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2022-0728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
NK cell immunotherapy is a promising antitumor therapeutic modality after the development of T cell immunotherapy. Structural modification of NK cells with biomaterials may provide a precise, efficient, and low-cost strategy to enhance NK cell immunotherapy. The biomaterial modification of NK cells can be divided into two strategies: surface engineering with biomaterials and intracellular modification. The surface engineering strategies include hydrophobic interaction of lipids, receptor-ligand interaction between membrane proteins, covalent binding to amino acid residues, click reaction and electrostatic interaction. The intracellular modification strategies are based on manipulation by nanotechnology using membranous materials from various sources of NK cells (such as exosome, vesicle and cytomembranes). Finally, the biomaterials-based strategies regulate the recruitment, recognition and cytotoxicity of NK cells in the solid tumor site in situ to boost the activity of NK cells in the tumor. This article reviews the recent research progress in enhancing NK cell therapy based on biomaterial modification, to provide a reference for further researches on engineering NK cell therapy with biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqi Tang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Chenggen Qian
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Liu Q, Huang W, Liang W, Ye Q. Current Strategies for Modulating Tumor-Associated Macrophages with Biomaterials in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Molecules 2023; 28:2211. [PMID: 36903458 PMCID: PMC10004660 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. However, there are currently few clinical diagnosis and treatment options available, and there is an urgent need for novel effective approaches. More research is being undertaken on immune-associated cells in the microenvironment because they play a critical role in the initiation and development of HCC. Macrophages are specialized phagocytes and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that not only directly phagocytose and eliminate tumor cells, but also present tumor-specific antigens to T cells and initiate anticancer adaptive immunity. However, the more abundant M2-phenotype tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) at tumor sites promote tumor evasion of immune surveillance, accelerate tumor progression, and suppress tumor-specific T-cell immune responses. Despite the great success in modulating macrophages, there are still many challenges and obstacles. Biomaterials not only target macrophages, but also modulate macrophages to enhance tumor treatment. This review systematically summarizes the regulation of tumor-associated macrophages by biomaterials, which has implications for the immunotherapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoyun Liu
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, National Quality Control Center for Donated Organ Procurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantation, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Natural Polymer Biological Liver, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymer-Based Medical Materials, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, National Quality Control Center for Donated Organ Procurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantation, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Natural Polymer Biological Liver, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymer-Based Medical Materials, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wenjin Liang
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, National Quality Control Center for Donated Organ Procurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantation, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Natural Polymer Biological Liver, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymer-Based Medical Materials, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Qifa Ye
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, National Quality Control Center for Donated Organ Procurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantation, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Natural Polymer Biological Liver, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymer-Based Medical Materials, Wuhan 430071, China
- The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Research Center of National Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine Engineering and Technology, Changsha 410013, China
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Cheng Y, Gong Y, Chen X, Zhang Q, Zhang X, He Y, Pan L, Ni B, Yang F, Xu Y, Zhou L, Yang Y, Chen W. Injectable adhesive hemostatic gel with tumor acidity neutralizer and neutrophil extracellular traps lyase for enhancing adoptive NK cell therapy prevents post-resection recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomaterials 2022; 284:121506. [PMID: 35390709 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Post-resection recurrence remains an intractable problem in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) management. Natural killer (NK) cell infusion is considered as a promising cancer therapy, but acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) greatly counteract its efficacy. Recently, polymer hydrogels have aroused much interest in tumor combination therapy, since they load and controllably release therapeutic agents with high bioavailability and low systemic toxicity. Therefore, a biocompatible hydrogel with tumor acidity neutralizer and NETs lyase may show promise for enhancing NK infusion to prevent post-resection HCC recurrence. Herein, a dual pH-responsive hydrogel with tumor acidity neutralizer (mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles) and NETs lyase (Deoxyribonuclease I, DNase I) is developed and used in combination with NK cell infusion for preventing post-resection HCC recurrence. The hydrogel can be injected to surgical margin and form an adhesive gel with a rapid hemostasis. Besides, it neutralizes tumor acidity to reduce tumor infiltration of immunosuppressive cells, and releases DNase I in a pH-responsive manner to degrade NETs. Moreover, this combination therapy significantly enhances NK cell infusion to combat post-surgical HCC recurrence without systemic toxicity. This study provides proof of concept that combination of NK cell adoptive therapy and hydrogel-based delivery system can successfully prevent post-resection HCC recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusheng Cheng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yihang Gong
- Department of Hepatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Xiuxing Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Medical Oncology. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Biotherapy Centre & Cell-gene Therapy Translational Medicine Research Centre, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Xijian Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yizhan He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Medical Oncology. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Lijie Pan
- Biotherapy Centre & Cell-gene Therapy Translational Medicine Research Centre, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Beibei Ni
- Biotherapy Centre & Cell-gene Therapy Translational Medicine Research Centre, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Biotherapy Centre & Cell-gene Therapy Translational Medicine Research Centre, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Biotherapy Centre & Cell-gene Therapy Translational Medicine Research Centre, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Spine Disease Prevention and Treatment, Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China.
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
| | - Wenjie Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
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