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Tao JH, Zhang J, Li HS, Zhou Y, Guan CX. Nature killer cell for solid tumors: Current obstacles and prospective remedies in NK cell therapy and beyond. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2025; 205:104553. [PMID: 39515404 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104553] [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: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2024] [Accepted: 10/31/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, cell therapy has emerged as an innovative treatment method for the management of clinical tumors following immunotherapy. Among them, Natural killer (NK) cell therapy has achieved a significant breakthrough in the treatment of hematological tumors. However, the therapeutic effectiveness of NK cells in the treatment of solid tumors remains challenging. With the progress of gene editing and culture techniques and their application to NK cell engineering, it is expected that NK cell therapy will revolutionize the treatment of solid tumors. In this review, we explore the discovery and biological properties of NK cells, their role in the tumor microenvironment, and the therapeutic strategies, clinical trials, challenges, and prospects of NK cells in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Hao Tao
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ascle Therapeutics, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Hua-Shun Li
- Ascle Therapeutics, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China.
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
| | - Cha-Xiang Guan
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
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2
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Dick JK, Sangala JA, Krishna VD, Khaimraj A, Hamel L, Erickson SM, Hicks D, Soigner Y, Covill LE, Johnson AK, Ehrhardt MJ, Ernste K, Brodin P, Koup RA, Khaitan A, Baehr C, Thielen BK, Henzler CM, Skipper C, Miller JS, Bryceson YT, Wu J, John CC, Panoskaltsis-Mortari A, Orioles A, Steiner ME, Cheeran MCJ, Pravetoni M, Hart GT. NK Cell and Monocyte Dysfunction in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 213:1452-1466. [PMID: 39392378 PMCID: PMC11533154 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2400395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024]
Abstract
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection characterized by multiorgan involvement and inflammation. Testing of cellular function ex vivo to understand the aberrant immune response in MIS-C is limited. Despite strong Ab production in MIS-C, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid testing can remain positive for 4-6 wk postinfection. Therefore, we hypothesized that dysfunctional cell-mediated Ab responses downstream of Ab production may be responsible for delayed clearance of viral products in MIS-C. In MIS-C, monocytes were hyperfunctional for phagocytosis and cytokine production, whereas NK cells were hypofunctional for both killing and cytokine production. The decreased NK cell cytotoxicity correlated with an NK exhaustion marker signature and systemic IL-6 levels. Potentially providing a therapeutic option, cellular engagers of CD16 and SARS-CoV-2 proteins were found to rescue NK cell function in vitro. Taken together, our results reveal dysregulation in Ab-mediated cellular responses of myeloid and NK cells that likely contribute to the immune pathology of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna K. Dick
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Jules A. Sangala
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | | | - Aaron Khaimraj
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Lydia Hamel
- Division of Critical Care, Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Spencer M. Erickson
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Dustin Hicks
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Yvette Soigner
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplant, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Laura E. Covill
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alexander K. Johnson
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Michael J. Ehrhardt
- Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Keenan Ernste
- Virology Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Petter Brodin
- Unit for Clinical Pediatrics, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A. Koup
- Virology Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Alka Khaitan
- Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Carly Baehr
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Beth K. Thielen
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
| | | | - Caleb Skipper
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Jeffrey S. Miller
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplant, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Yenan T. Bryceson
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Broegelmann Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jianming Wu
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
| | - Chandy C. John
- Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari
- Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Alberto Orioles
- Division of Critical Care, Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Marie E. Steiner
- Divisions of Pediatric Critical Care and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Maxim C. J. Cheeran
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
| | - Marco Pravetoni
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Geoffrey T. Hart
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
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3
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Chen YZ, Meng ZS, Zhang YN, Xiang ZL. Natural Killer Cell-Associated Radiogenomics Model for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Integrating CD2 and Enhanced CT-Derived Radiomics Signatures. Acad Radiol 2024:S1076-6332(24)00831-6. [PMID: 39542805 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2024.10.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2024] [Revised: 10/13/2024] [Accepted: 10/24/2024] [Indexed: 11/17/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality. Natural Killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in immune defense against HCC, but their activity is often impaired by the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study aims to integrate radiomics and transcriptomics to develop a prognostic model linking NK cell characteristics to clinical outcomes in HCC. METHODS Transcriptomic data from five cohorts (734 HCC patients) from the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases were analyzed using the Microenvironment Cell Populations-counter algorithm. NK cell-related prognostic biomarkers were identified via weighted gene co-expression network analysis and LASSO-Cox regression. Radiomics models were established using CT imaging features from 239 patients in three datasets from The Cancer Imaging Archive and Shanghai East Hospital. HCC radiogenomic subtypes were proposed by integrating genetic biomarkers and radiomics models. RESULTS CD2 expression was identified as an independent NK cell-related prognostic biomarker, with a positive impact on prognosis and a strong correlation with NK cell-associated biological processes in HCC. A robust radiomics model was constructed, and the integration of CD2 expression with radioscore identified potential radiogenomic subtypes of HCC. CONCLUSION Radiomics has potential to link TME immune phenotypes with HCC prognosis. CD2 is a key biomarker connecting NK cells with radiomic features, offering a new classification of HCC into radiogenomic subtypes. This approach supports the use of radiogenomics in personalized HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Zhu Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China (Y.Z.C., Z.L.X.)
| | - Zhi-Shang Meng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (Z.S.M.)
| | - Yan-Nan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China (Y.N.Z.)
| | - Zuo-Lin Xiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China (Y.Z.C., Z.L.X.); Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital Ji'an Hospital, Ji'an, China (Z.L.X.).
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4
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Li X, Zhang Y, Mao Z, Zhao H, Cao H, Wang J, Liu W, Dai S, Yang Y, Huang Y, Wang H. Decorin-armed oncolytic adenovirus promotes natural killers (NKs) activation and infiltration to enhance NK therapy in CRC model. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2024; 5:48. [PMID: 39482550 PMCID: PMC11527862 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-024-00212-z] [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: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 11/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal system, with the third and second highest incidence and mortality rates globally in 2020, respectively. Immunotherapy has developed rapidly in recent years. Natural killer (NK) cells have received increasing attention in the field of tumor immunotherapy due to their recognition and killing tumor cells without the limitations of major histocompatibility complexes. However, constraints within the tumor microenvironment that impede the infiltration and proliferation of NK cells result in poor efficacy of NK cell therapy for solid tumors. Oncolytic viral therapy is an immunogenic treatment with the potential to enhance anti-tumour immune responses and promote immune cell infiltration. In this study, we synergistically combine NK cells with an oncolytic adenovirus carrying Decorin (rAd.DCN) for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a xenograft mouse model. By using Flow cytometry, real-time quantitative PCR and Calcein-AM release assay, we found that rAd.DCN could effectively promote proliferation, activation and degranulation of NK cells, up-regulate expression and secretion of NK cell killing activity-related factors, and enhance their killing activity. The efficacy is better than that of the blank control oncolytic virus rAd.Null. Combined treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth, increased the number of NK cells in peripheral blood, promoted the killing function of NK cells, and increased the expression levels of perforin and IFN-γ. At the same time, more NK cells were recruited to infiltrate tumor tissue. Our study established the feasibility of combination NK cells and oncolytic adenovirus application, thus expanding the scope of potentially curative treatments for NK cells in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- College of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, P.R. China
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Yuning Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Zhuang Mao
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Huiqiang Zhao
- Department of Healthcare, The Second Medical Center & National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Hu Cao
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Jingyi Wang
- Beijing Jingda Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Beijing Jingda Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Shiyun Dai
- Beijing Jingda Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Yuefeng Yang
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, 315010, China
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- Beijing Jingda Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Beijing, 102629, China.
| | - Hua Wang
- College of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, P.R. China.
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China.
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Wang Y, Li J, Wang Z, Liu Y, Wang T, Zhang M, Xia C, Zhang F, Huang D, Zhang L, Zhao Y, Liu L, Zhu Y, Qi H, Zhu X, Qian W, Hu F, Wang J. Comparison of seven CD19 CAR designs in engineering NK cells for enhancing anti-tumour activity. Cell Prolif 2024; 57:e13683. [PMID: 38830795 PMCID: PMC11533075 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer (CAR-NK) cell therapy is emerging as a promising cancer treatment, with notable safety and source diversity benefits over CAR-T cells. This study focused on optimizing CAR constructs for NK cells to maximize their therapeutic potential. We designed seven CD19 CAR constructs and expressed them in NK cells using a retroviral system, assessing their tumour-killing efficacy and persistence. Results showed all constructs enhanced tumour-killing and prolonged survival in tumour-bearing mice. In particular, CAR1 (CD8 TMD-CD3ζ SD)-NK cells showed superior efficacy in treating tumour-bearing animals and exhibited enhanced persistence when combined with OX40 co-stimulatory domain. Of note, CAR1-NK cells were most effective at lower effector-to-target ratios, while CAR4 (CD8 TMD-OX40 CD- FcεRIγ SD) compromised NK cell expansion ability. Superior survival rates were noted in mice treated with CAR1-, CAR2 (CD8 TMD- FcεRIγ SD)-, CAR3 (CD8 TMD-OX40 CD- CD3ζ SD)- and CAR4-NK cells over those treated with CAR5 (CD28 TMD- FcεRIγ SD)-, CAR6 (CD8 TMD-4-1BB CD-CD3ζ 1-ITAM SD)- and CAR7 (CD8 TMD-OX40 CD-CD3ζ 1-ITAM SD)-NK cells, with CAR5-NK cells showing the weakest anti-tumour activity. Increased expression of exhaustion markers, especially in CAR7-NK cells, suggests that combining CAR-NK cells with immune checkpoint inhibitors might improve anti-tumour outcomes. These findings provide crucial insights for developing CAR-NK cell products for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wang
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive BiologyInstitute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jianhuan Li
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive BiologyInstitute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zhiqian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive BiologyInstitute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yanhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive BiologyInstitute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Tongjie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive BiologyInstitute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Mengyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive BiologyInstitute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Chengxiang Xia
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Fan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive BiologyInstitute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Dehao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive BiologyInstitute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Leqiang Zhang
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Yaoqin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive BiologyInstitute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineBeijingChina
- GMU‐GIBH Joint School of Life SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Lijuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive BiologyInstitute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yanping Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive BiologyInstitute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Hanmeng Qi
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Xiaofan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & National Clinical Research Center for Blood DiseasesInstitute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjinChina
- Center for Stem Cell Medicine & Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjinChina
| | - Wenbin Qian
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of MedicineZhejiang UniversityZhejiangHangzhouChina
| | - Fangxiao Hu
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Jinyong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive BiologyInstitute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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Ebihara T, Yamada T, Fuchimukai A, Takasuga S, Endo T, Yamada T, Tatematsu M. Dysfunction of type 1 and type 2 immune cells: a lesson from exhausted-like ILC2s and their activation-induced cell death. Int Immunol 2024; 36:585-594. [PMID: 38788198 PMCID: PMC11511622 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxae032] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The concept of immune cell exhaustion/dysfunction has developed mainly to understand impaired type 1 immune responses, especially by CD8 T-cells against tumors or virus-infected cells, and has been applied to other lymphocytes. Natural killer (NK) cells and CD4 T cells support the efficient activation of CD8 T cells but exhibit dysfunctional phenotypes in tumor microenvironments and in chronic viral infections. In contrast, the concept of type 2 immune cell exhaustion/dysfunction is poorly established. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and T-helper 2 (Th2) cells are the major lymphocyte subsets that initiate and expand type 2 immune responses for antiparasitic immunity or allergy. In mouse models of chronic parasitic worm infections, Th2 cells display impaired type 2 immune responses. Chronic airway allergy induces exhausted-like ILC2s that quickly fall into activation-induced cell death to suppress exaggerated inflammation. Thus, the modes of exhaustion/dysfunction are quite diverse and rely on the types of inflammation and the cells. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of lymphocyte exhaustion/dysfunction in the context of type 1 and type 2 immune responses and discuss ILC2-specific regulatory mechanisms during chronic allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Ebihara
- Department of Medical Biology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita 010-8543, Japan
- Center for Integrated Control, Epidemiology and Molecular Pathophysiology of Infectious Diseases, Akita University, Akita 010-8543, Japan
| | - Toshiki Yamada
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita 010-8543, Japan
| | - Akane Fuchimukai
- Department of Medical Biology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita 010-8543, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Takasuga
- Department of Medical Biology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita 010-8543, Japan
| | - Tentaro Endo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita 010-8543, Japan
| | - Takechiyo Yamada
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita 010-8543, Japan
| | - Megumi Tatematsu
- Department of Medical Biology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita 010-8543, Japan
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Xie DH, Wang J, Sun K, Shi ZY, Wang YZ, Chang Y, Yuan XY, Liu YR, Jiang H, Jiang Q, Huang XJ, Qin YZ. The Functional and Prognostic Impact of TIGIT Expression on Bone Marrow NK Cells in Core Binding Factor-Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients at Diagnosis. Biomedicines 2024; 12:2207. [PMID: 39457520 PMCID: PMC11504867 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12102207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The effect of the expression of the newly identified immune checkpoint, T cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif domain (TIGIT) on NK cells in core binding factor-acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML) remains to be investigated. Methods: Fresh bone marrow samples from a total of 39 newly diagnosed CBF-AML patients and 25 healthy donors (HDs) were collected for testing the phenotype and function state of total NK, CD56bright, and CD56dim NK cell subsets after in vitro stimulation. Results: The frequencies of TIGIT+ cells in total NK, CD56bright, and CD56dim NK cell subsets had no significant difference between patients and HDs. TNF-α and INF-γ levels were uniformly lower in TIGIT+ cells than the corresponding TIGIT- cells in all HDs, whereas those for TIGIT+ to TIGIT- cells in patients were highly heterogenous; TIGIT expression was not related to PFP and GZMB expression in HDs, whereas it was related to higher intracellular PFP and GZMB levels in patients. Patients' TIGIT+ NK cells displayed lower K562 cell-killing activity than their TIGIT- NK cells. In addition, high frequencies of TIGIT+ cells in total NK and CD56dim NK cells were associated with poor RFS. Conclusions: TIGIT expression affected the diagnostic bone marrow-sited NK cell function and had prognostic significance in CBF-AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ya-Zhen Qin
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing 100044, China
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8
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Nanru P. Immunomodulatory effects of immune cell-derived extracellular vesicles in melanoma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1442573. [PMID: 39391320 PMCID: PMC11464304 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1442573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, recognized as one of the most immunogenic malignancies in humans, holds paramount significance in the realm of immunotherapy. However, the emergence of drug resistance and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions underscore the pressing need to explore increasingly personalized immunotherapeutic modalities. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs), pivotal derivatives of immune cells, assume pivotal roles by encapsulating proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids within bilayer lipid structures, thereby facilitating targeted delivery to other immune cells. This orchestrated process orchestrates critical functions including antigen presentation, immune modulation, and the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells. A burgeoning body of evidence underscores the vast therapeutic potential of EVs in melanoma treatment. This comprehensive review aims to delineate the roles of EVs derived from immune cells such as dendritic cells, natural killer cells, macrophages, and T cells in the context of melanoma patients, thereby furnishing invaluable insights for the future direction of melanoma immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Nanru
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou
University, Zhengzhou, China
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9
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Cooksey LC, Friesen DC, Mangan ED, Mathew PA. Prospective Molecular Targets for Natural Killer Cell Immunotherapy against Glioblastoma Multiforme. Cells 2024; 13:1567. [PMID: 39329751 PMCID: PMC11429815 DOI: 10.3390/cells13181567] [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: 08/21/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumor and has a dismal overall survival rate. To date, no GBM therapy has yielded successful results in survival for patients beyond baseline surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. Immunotherapy has taken the oncology world by storm in recent years and there has been movement from researchers to implement the immunotherapy revolution into GBM treatment. Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapies are a rising candidate to treat GBM from multiple therapeutic vantage points: monoclonal antibody therapy targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-NK cell therapy, Bi-specific killer cell engagers (BiKEs), and more. NK therapies often focus on tumor antigens for targeting. Here, we reviewed some common targets analyzed in the fight for GBM immunotherapy relevant to NK cells: EGFR, HER2, CD155, and IL-13Rα2. We further propose investigating the Lectin-like Transcript 1 (LLT1) and cell surface proliferating cell nuclear antigen (csPCNA) as targets for NK cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke C. Cooksey
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA; (L.C.C.); (D.C.F.); (E.D.M.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Derek C. Friesen
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA; (L.C.C.); (D.C.F.); (E.D.M.)
| | - Enrique D. Mangan
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA; (L.C.C.); (D.C.F.); (E.D.M.)
| | - Porunelloor A. Mathew
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA; (L.C.C.); (D.C.F.); (E.D.M.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
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10
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Zhang Y, Xie J, Wu H, Huang J, Zheng D, Wang S, Jia X, He Z, Gong Y, Ju L, Sun Q. NK cell based immunotherapy against oral squamous cell carcinoma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1440764. [PMID: 39192980 PMCID: PMC11347299 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1440764] [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: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a major subtype of head and neck cancers, presents significant challenges due to its aggressive feature and limited therapeutic efficacy of conventional treatments. In response to these challenges, Natural Killer (NK) cells, a vital component of the innate immune system, are being explored for their therapeutic potential in OSCC due to their inherent ability to target and eliminate cancer cells without prior sensitization. This review uniquely focuses on the evolving role of NK cells specifically in OSCC, incorporating recent advancements in CAR-NK cell engineering and personalized therapy approaches that have not been comprehensively covered in previous reviews. The mechanisms through which NK cells exert cytotoxic effects on tumor cells include direct killing through the engagement of natural cytotoxic receptors and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), making them promising agents in cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, the article explores recent advancements in engineering NK cells to enhance their antitumor activity, such as the modification with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to target specific tumor antigens. Clinical implications of NK cell-based therapies, including the challenges of integrating these treatments with existing protocols and the potential for personalized therapy, are examined. The review highlights the promise of NK cell therapies in improving outcomes for OSCC patients and outlines future directions for research in this dynamic field of oncological immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jianming Xie
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Anyuan People’s hospital, Ganzhou, China
| | - Haoran Wu
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinhui Huang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Danna Zheng
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaotong Wang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueqiang Jia
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zongzhong He
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Gong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Linling Ju
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Qiurong Sun
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
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11
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Rojas-Diaz JM, Solorzano-Ibarra F, Garcia-Barrientos NT, Klimov-Kravtchenko K, Guitron-Aviña MS, Cruz-Ramos JA, Ortiz-Lazareno PC, Urciaga-Gutierrez PI, Bueno-Topete MR, Garcia-Chagollan M, Haramati J, del Toro-Arreola S. Uncovering the Expression Pattern of the Costimulatory Receptors ICOS, 4-1BB, and OX-40 in Exhausted Peripheral and Tumor-Infiltrating Natural Killer Cells from Patients with Cervical Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8775. [PMID: 39201462 PMCID: PMC11354483 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168775] [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: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) poses a significant health burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. NK cells play a crucial role against CC; however, they can become exhausted and lose their cytotoxic capacity. This work explores the expression of costimulatory receptors (ICOS, 4-1BB, OX-40) in exhausted NK cells from CC patients. Peripheral blood and tumor biopsies were collected, and flow cytometry was used to evaluate the expression of costimulatory receptors in exhausted NK cells. There is an increase of peripheral exhausted NK cells (PD-1+TIGIT+) in CC patients; this subpopulation has a selectively increased expression of the costimulatory receptors ICOS and 4-1BB. An exhausted population is also highly increased in tumor-infiltrating NK cells, and it shows a dramatically increased expression of the costimulatory receptors ICOS (>15×) and 4-1BB (>10×) compared to peripheral NK cells. The exhausted cells, both in the periphery and in the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), are also more likely than non-exhausted NK cell populations (PD-1-TIGIT-) to express these costimulatory receptors; increases ranging from 2.0× ICOS, 2.4× 4-1BB, and 2.6× OX-40 in CD56dim PBMCs to 1.5× ICOS, 5× 4-1BB, and 10× OX-40 in TILs were found. Our study demonstrates for the first time the increased expression of the costimulatory receptors ICOS, 4-1BB, and OX-40 in peripheral CD56dim, CD56bright, and tumor-infiltrating NK cells in CC. Targeting these receptors for stimulation could reverse exhaustion and be a promising immunotherapy strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Manuel Rojas-Diaz
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada # 950, Colonia Independencia, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Fabiola Solorzano-Ibarra
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada # 950, Colonia Independencia, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Nadia Tatiana Garcia-Barrientos
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada # 950, Colonia Independencia, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Ksenia Klimov-Kravtchenko
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada # 950, Colonia Independencia, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Marcela Sofia Guitron-Aviña
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada # 950, Colonia Independencia, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Traslacional, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Camino Ramón Padilla Sánchez # 2100, Zapopan 45200, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Jose Alfonso Cruz-Ramos
- Coordinación de Investigación, Subdirección de Desarrollo Institucional, Instituto Jalisciense de Cancerología, Guadalajara 44200, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Pablo Cesar Ortiz-Lazareno
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Occidente, División de Inmunología, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Pedro Ivan Urciaga-Gutierrez
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada # 950, Colonia Independencia, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Miriam Ruth Bueno-Topete
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada # 950, Colonia Independencia, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Mariel Garcia-Chagollan
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Jesse Haramati
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Traslacional, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Camino Ramón Padilla Sánchez # 2100, Zapopan 45200, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Susana del Toro-Arreola
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada # 950, Colonia Independencia, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
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12
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Mao J, Liu L, Shen Q, Cen M. Integrating single-cell transcriptomics and machine learning to predict breast cancer prognosis: A study based on natural killer cell-related genes. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18549. [PMID: 39098994 PMCID: PMC11298315 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18549] [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: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women globally. Natural killer (NK) cells play a vital role in tumour immunosurveillance. This study aimed to establish a prognostic model using NK cell-related genes (NKRGs) by integrating single-cell transcriptomic data with machine learning. We identified 44 significantly expressed NKRGs involved in cytokine and T cell-related functions. Using 101 machine learning algorithms, the Lasso + RSF model showed the highest predictive accuracy with nine key NKRGs. We explored cell-to-cell communication using CellChat, assessed immune-related pathways and tumour microenvironment with gene set variation analysis and ssGSEA, and observed immune components by HE staining. Additionally, drug activity predictions identified potential therapies, and gene expression validation through immunohistochemistry and RNA-seq confirmed the clinical applicability of NKRGs. The nomogram showed high concordance between predicted and actual survival, linking higher tumour purity and risk scores to a reduced immune score. This NKRG-based model offers a novel approach for risk assessment and personalized treatment in BC, enhancing the potential of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Mao
- Department of Thyroid and Breast SurgeryNingbo Hospital of TCM Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine UniversityNingbo CityZhejiang ProvinceChina
| | - Ling‐lin Liu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast SurgeryNingbo Hospital of TCM Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine UniversityNingbo CityZhejiang ProvinceChina
| | - Qian Shen
- Department of Thyroid and Breast SurgeryNingbo Hospital of TCM Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine UniversityNingbo CityZhejiang ProvinceChina
| | - Mengyan Cen
- Department of Thyroid and Breast SurgeryNingbo Hospital of TCM Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine UniversityNingbo CityZhejiang ProvinceChina
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13
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Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi M, Yazdanparast S, Kheyrandish S, Safdari SM, Amiri Samani F, Sohani M, Jaafarian AS, Damirchiloo F, Izadpanah A, Parkhideh S, Mikanik F, Roshandel E, Hajifathali A, Gharehbaghian A. Harnessing natural killer cells for refractory/relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma: biological roles, clinical trials, and future prospective. Biomark Res 2024; 12:66. [PMID: 39020411 PMCID: PMC11253502 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00610-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) are heterogeneous and are among the most common hematological malignancies worldwide. Despite the advances in the treatment of patients with NHLs, relapse or resistance to treatment is anticipated in several patients. Therefore, novel therapeutic approaches are needed. Recently, natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy alone or in combination with monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antigen receptors, or bispecific killer engagers have been applied in many investigations for NHL treatment. The functional defects of NK cells and the ability of cancerous cells to escape NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity within the tumor microenvironment of NHLs, as well as the beneficial results from previous studies in the context of NK cell-based immunotherapy in NHLs, direct our attention to this therapeutic strategy. This review aims to summarize clinical studies focusing on the applications of NK cells in the immunotherapy of patients with NHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Yazdanparast
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Setare Kheyrandish
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehrab Safdari
- Departments of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fateme Amiri Samani
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Sohani
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Sadat Jaafarian
- Departments of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fateme Damirchiloo
- Departments of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Izadpanah
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Parkhideh
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mikanik
- Laboratory Hematology and Blood Bank Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Roshandel
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Hajifathali
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ahmad Gharehbaghian
- Laboratory Hematology and Blood Bank Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Pediatric Congenital Hematologic Disorders Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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14
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Cantoni C, Falco M, Vitale M, Pietra G, Munari E, Pende D, Mingari MC, Sivori S, Moretta L. Human NK cells and cancer. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2378520. [PMID: 39022338 PMCID: PMC11253890 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2378520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The long story of NK cells started about 50 y ago with the first demonstration of a natural cytotoxic activity within an undefined subset of circulating leukocytes, has involved an ever-growing number of researchers, fascinated by the apparently easy-to-reach aim of getting a "universal anti-tumor immune tool". In fact, in spite of the impressive progress obtained in the first decades, these cells proved far more complex than expected and, paradoxically, the accumulating findings have continuously moved forward the attainment of a complete control of their function for immunotherapy. The refined studies of these latter years have indicated that NK cells can epigenetically calibrate their functional potential, in response to specific environmental contexts, giving rise to extraordinarily variegated subpopulations, comprehensive of memory-like cells, tissue-resident cells, or cells in various differentiation stages, or distinct functional states. In addition, NK cells can adapt their activity in response to a complex body of signals, spanning from the interaction with either suppressive or stimulating cells (myeloid-derived suppressor cells or dendritic cells, respectively) to the engagement of various receptors (specific for immune checkpoints, cytokines, tumor/viral ligands, or mediating antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity). According to this picture, the idea of an easy and generalized exploitation of NK cells is changing, and the way is opening toward new carefully designed, combined and personalized therapeutic strategies, also based on the use of genetically modified NK cells and stimuli capable of strengthening and redirecting their effector functions against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Cantoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Integrated Department of Services and Laboratories, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michela Falco
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Integrated Department of Services and Laboratories, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Massimo Vitale
- UO Pathology and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- UO Pathology and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Daniela Pende
- UO Pathology and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- UO Pathology and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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15
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Zhong Y, Liu J. Emerging roles of CAR-NK cell therapies in tumor immunotherapy: current status and future directions. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:318. [PMID: 38987565 PMCID: PMC11236993 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02077-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy harnesses the body's immune system to combat malignancies, building upon an understanding of tumor immunosurveillance and immune evasion mechanisms. This therapeutic approach reactivates anti-tumor immune responses and can be categorized into active, passive, and combined immunization strategies. Active immunotherapy engages the immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells by leveraging host immunity with cytokine supplementation or vaccination. Conversely, passive immunotherapy employs exogenous agents, such as monoclonal antibodies (anti-CTLA4, anti-PD1, anti-PD-L1) or adoptive cell transfers (ACT) with genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T or NK cells, to exert anti-tumor effects. Over the past decades, CAR-T cell therapies have gained significant traction in oncological treatment, offering hope through their targeted approach. However, the potential adverse effects associated with CAR-T cells, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS), off-tumor toxicity, and neurotoxicity, warrant careful consideration. Recently, CAR-NK cell therapy has emerged as a promising alternative in the landscape of tumor immunotherapy, distinguished by its innate advantages over CAR-T cell modalities. In this review, we will synthesize the latest research and clinical advancements in CAR-NK cell therapies. We will elucidate the therapeutic benefits of employing CAR-NK cells in oncology and critically examine the developmental bottlenecks impeding their broader application. Our discussion aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status and future potential of CAR-NK cells in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhong
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingfeng Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammatory Diseases, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shenzhen, China.
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16
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Kong JC, Sa’ad MA, Vijayan HM, Ravichandran M, Balakrishnan V, Tham SK, Tye GJ. Chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer cell therapy: current advancements and strategies to overcome challenges. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1384039. [PMID: 38726000 PMCID: PMC11079817 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1384039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer (CAR-NK) cell therapy is a novel immunotherapy targeting cancer cells via the generation of chimeric antigen receptors on NK cells which recognize specific cancer antigens. CAR-NK cell therapy is gaining attention nowadays owing to the ability of CAR-NK cells to release potent cytotoxicity against cancer cells without side effects such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). CAR-NK cells do not require antigen priming, thus enabling them to be used as "off-the-shelf" therapy. Nonetheless, CAR-NK cell therapy still possesses several challenges in eliminating cancer cells which reside in hypoxic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Therefore, this review is envisioned to explore the current advancements and limitations of CAR-NK cell therapy as well as discuss strategies to overcome the challenges faced by CAR-NK cell therapy. This review also aims to dissect the current status of clinical trials on CAR-NK cells and future recommendations for improving the effectiveness and safety of CAR-NK cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Chang Kong
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Auwal Sa’ad
- Celestialab Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, AIMST University, Bedong, Kedah, Malaysia
| | | | - Manickam Ravichandran
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, AIMST University, Bedong, Kedah, Malaysia
- MyGenome, ALPS Global Holding, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Venugopal Balakrishnan
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Seng Kong Tham
- ALPS Medical Centre, ALPS Global Holding, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Gee Jun Tye
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
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17
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Jiang B, Zhou H, Xie X, Xia T, Ke C. Down-regulation of zinc finger protein 335 undermines natural killer cell function in mouse colitis-associated colorectal carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25721. [PMID: 38375265 PMCID: PMC10875430 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells constitute an active and potent anti-tumor effector population against multiple malignancies. NK cells exploit tumoricidal machinery to restrain colorectal carcinoma (CRC) expansion and invasion. Nonetheless, it is becoming increasingly evident that functional exhaustion considerably compromises the potency of NK cells in patients with CRC. To elucidate the factors that impair NK cell function in the context of CRC, we determined the role of zinc finger protein 335 (ZFP335) in modulating NK cell activity in mouse CRC induced by azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium. ZFP335 was profoundly decreased in NK cells in mesenteric lymph nodes of CRC-bearing mice. ZFP335 was especially diminished in NK cells that were both phenotypically and functionally exhausted. Besides, effective ZFP335 knockdown markedly undermined NK cell proliferation, tumoricidal protein production, degranulation, and cytotoxic efficacy on malignant cells, strongly suggesting that ZFP335 reinforces NK cell function. Importantly, ZFP335 knockdown lowered the expression of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and Janus kinase 3 (JAK3), both of which play crucial roles in NK cell homeostasis and activation. Collectively, ZFP335 down-regulation is essential for NK cell exhaustion in mesenteric lymph nodes of mice with CRC. We discovered a new ZFP335-JAK1/3 signaling pathway that modulates NK cell exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Jiang
- The Department of Gastrointestinal, Hernia, and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Wuhan Third Hospital (Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University), Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430060, China
| | - Hongjian Zhou
- The Department of Gastrointestinal, Hernia, and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Wuhan Third Hospital (Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University), Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430060, China
| | - Xingwang Xie
- The Department of Gastrointestinal, Hernia, and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Wuhan Third Hospital (Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University), Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430060, China
| | - Tian Xia
- The Department of Gastrointestinal, Hernia, and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Wuhan Third Hospital (Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University), Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430060, China
| | - Chao Ke
- The Department of Gastrointestinal, Hernia, and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Wuhan Third Hospital (Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University), Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430060, China
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18
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Kiefer A, Prüfer M, Röder J, Pfeifer Serrahima J, Bodden M, Kühnel I, Oberoi P, Wels WS. Dual Targeting of Glioblastoma Cells with Bispecific Killer Cell Engagers Directed to EGFR and ErbB2 (HER2) Facilitates Effective Elimination by NKG2D-CAR-Engineered NK Cells. Cells 2024; 13:246. [PMID: 38334638 PMCID: PMC10854564 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030246] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
NKG2D is an activating receptor of natural killer cells that recognizes stress-induced ligands (NKG2DL) expressed by many tumor cells. Nevertheless, NKG2DL downregulation or shedding can still allow cancer cells to evade immune surveillance. Here, we used lentiviral gene transfer to engineer clinically usable NK-92 cells with a chimeric antigen receptor (NKAR) which contains the extracellular domain of NKG2D for target recognition, or an NKAR, together with the IL-15 superagonist RD-IL15, and combined these effector cells with recombinant NKG2D-interacting bispecific engagers that simultaneously recognize the tumor-associated antigens epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or ErbB2 (HER2). Applied individually, in in vitro cell-killing assays, these NKAB-EGFR and NKAB-ErbB2 antibodies specifically redirected NKAR-NK-92 and NKAR_RD-IL15-NK-92 cells to glioblastoma and other cancer cells with elevated EGFR or ErbB2 levels. However, in mixed glioblastoma cell cultures, used as a model for heterogeneous target antigen expression, NKAR-NK cells only lysed the EGFR- or ErbB2-expressing subpopulations in the presence of one of the NKAB molecules. This was circumvented by applying NKAB-EGFR and NKAB-ErbB2 together, resulting in effective antitumor activity similar to that against glioblastoma cells expressing both target antigens. Our results demonstrate that combining NK cells carrying an activating NKAR receptor with bispecific NKAB antibodies allows for flexible targeting, which can enhance tumor-antigen-specific cytotoxicity and prevent immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kiefer
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Maren Prüfer
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jasmin Röder
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jordi Pfeifer Serrahima
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Malena Bodden
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ines Kühnel
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Pranav Oberoi
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, a Partnership between DKFZ and University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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