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Gallardo-Zapata J, Pérez-Figueroa E, Olivar-López V, Medina-Sansón A, Jiménez-Hernández E, Ortega E, Maldonado-Bernal C. TLR Agonists Modify NK Cell Activation and Increase Its Cytotoxicity in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7500. [PMID: 39000607 PMCID: PMC11242025 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137500] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in innate immunity, particularly in combating infections and tumors. However, in hematological cancers, NK cells often exhibit impaired functions. Therefore, it is very important to activate its endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) as a potential strategy to restore its antitumor activity. We stimulated NK cells from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and NK cells isolated, and the NK cells were stimulated with specific TLR ligands (Poly I:C, Imiquimod, R848, and ODN2006) and we evaluated changes in IFN-γ, CD107a, NKG2D, NKp44 expression, Granzyme B secretion, cytokine/chemokine release, and cytotoxic activity. Results revealed that Poly I:C and Imiquimod enhanced the activation of both immunoregulatory and cytotoxic NK cells, increasing IFN-γ, CD107a, NKG2D, and NKp44 expression. R848 activated immunoregulatory NK cells, while ODN2006 boosted CD107a, NKp44, NKG2D, and IFN-γ secretion in cytotoxic NK cells. R848 also increased the secretion of seven cytokines/chemokines. Importantly, R848 and ODN 2006 significantly improved cytotoxicity against leukemic cells. Overall, TLR stimulation enhances NK cell activation, suggesting TLR8 (R848) and TLR9 (ODN 2006) ligands as promising candidates for antitumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Gallardo-Zapata
- Immunology and Proteomics Research Laboratory, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04360, Mexico
| | - Erandi Pérez-Figueroa
- Immunology and Proteomics Research Laboratory, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Víctor Olivar-López
- Emergency Service, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Aurora Medina-Sansón
- Hemato-Oncology Department, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | | | - Enrique Ortega
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 4510, Mexico
| | - Carmen Maldonado-Bernal
- Immunology and Proteomics Research Laboratory, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
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Golloshi K, Mitchell W, Kumar D, Malik S, Parikh S, Aljudi AA, Castellino SM, Chandrakasan S. HLH and Recurrent EBV Lymphoma as the presenting manifestation of MAGT1 Deficiency: A Systematic Review of the Expanding Disease Spectrum. J Clin Immunol 2024; 44:153. [PMID: 38896122 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-024-01749-y] [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: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Magnesium transporter 1 (MAGT1) gene loss-of-function variants lead to X-linked MAGT1 deficiency with increased susceptibility to EBV infection and N-glycosylation defect (XMEN), a condition with a variety of clinical and immunological effects. In addition, MAGT1 deficiency has been classified as a congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) due to its unique role in glycosylation of multiple substrates including NKG2D, necessary for viral protection. Due to the predisposition for EBV, this etiology has been linked with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), however only limited literature exists. Here we present a complex case with HLH and EBV-driven classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) as the presenting manifestation of underlying immune defect. However, the patient's underlying immunodeficiency was not identified until his second recurrence of Hodgkin disease, recurrent episodes of Herpes Zoster, and after he had undergone autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) for refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. This rare presentation of HLH and recurrent lymphomas without some of the classical immune deficiency manifestations of MAGT1 deficiency led us to review the literature for similar presentations and to report the evolving spectrum of disease in published literature. Our systematic review showcased that MAGT1 predisposes to multiple viruses (including EBV) and adds risk of viral-driven neoplasia. The roles of MAGT1 in the immune system and glycosylation were highlighted through the multiple organ dysfunction showcased by the previously validated Immune Deficiency and Dysregulation Activity (IDDA2.1) score and CDG-specific Nijmegen Pediatric CDG Rating Scale (NPCRS) score for the patient cohort in the systematic review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William Mitchell
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sakshi Malik
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Suhag Parikh
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ahmed A Aljudi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sharon M Castellino
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shanmuganathan Chandrakasan
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Landolina N, Ricci B, Veneziani I, Alicata C, Mariotti FR, Pelosi A, Quatrini L, Mortari EP, Carsetti R, Vacca P, Tumino N, Azzarone B, Moretta L, Maggi E. TLR2/4 are novel activating receptors for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on NK cells. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1368946. [PMID: 38881905 PMCID: PMC11176535 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1368946] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In early infected or severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, circulating NK cells are consistently reduced, despite being highly activated or exhausted. The aim of this paper was to establish whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike glycoprotein (SP) may directly trigger NK cells and through which receptor(s). Methods SP-stimulated human NK cells have been evaluated for the expression of activation markers, cytokine release, and cytotoxic activity, as well as for gene expression profiles and NF-kB phosphorylation, and they have been silenced with specific small interfering RNAs. Results SPs from the Wuhan strain and other variants of concern (VOCs) directly bind and stimulate purified NK cells by increasing activation marker expression, cytokine release, and cytolytic activity, prevalently in the CD56brightNK cell subset. VOC-SPs differ in their ability to activate NK cells, G614, and Delta-Plus strains providing the strongest activity in the majority of donors. While VOC-SPs do not trigger ACE2, which is not expressed on NK cells, or other activating receptors, they directly and variably bind to both Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4. Moreover, SP-driven NK cell functions are inhibited upon masking such receptors or silencing the relative genes. Lastly, VOC-SPs upregulate CD56dimNK cell functions in COVID-19 recovered, but not in non-infected, individuals. Conclusions TLR2 and TLR4 are novel activating receptors for SP in NK cells, suggesting a new role of these cells in orchestrating the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The pathogenic relevance of this finding is highlighted by the fact that free SP providing NK cell activation is frequently detected in a SARS-CoV-2 inflamed environment and in plasma of infected and long-COVID-19 subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Landolina
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Biancamaria Ricci
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Veneziani
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Alicata
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Pelosi
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Linda Quatrini
- Innate Lymphoid Cells Unit, Immunology Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Eva Piano Mortari
- B cell Unit, Immunology Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Carsetti
- B cell Unit, Immunology Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Innate Lymphoid Cells Unit, Immunology Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Innate Lymphoid Cells Unit, Immunology Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Azzarone
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Maggi
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Gutiérrez-Guerrero A, Espinosa-Padilla SE, Lugo-Reyes SO. [Anything that can go wrong: cytotoxic cells and their control of Epstein-Barr virus]. REVISTA ALERGIA MÉXICO 2024; 71:29-39. [PMID: 38683066 DOI: 10.29262/ram.v71i1.1276] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an gamma of herpes virus affecting exclusively humans, was the first oncogenic virus described and is associated with over seven different cancers. Curiously, the exchange of genes during viral infections has enabled the evolution of other cellular organisms, favoring new functions and the survival of the host. EBV has been co-evolving with mammals for hundreds of millions of years, and more than 95% of adults have been infected in one moment of their life. The infection is acquired primarily during childhood, in most cases as an asymptomatic infection. However, during adolescence or young adulthood, around 10 to 30% develop infectious mononucleosis. The NK and CD8+ T cells are the cytotoxic cells of the immune system that focus on antiviral responses. Importantly, an essential role of NK and CD8+ T cells has been demonstrated during the control and elimination of EBV-infected cells. Nonetheless, when the cytotoxic function of these cells is compromised, the infection increases the risk of developing lymphoproliferative diseases and cancer, often fatal. In this review, we delineate EBV infection and the importance of cytotoxic responses by NK and CD8+ T cells during the control and elimination of EBV-infected cells. Furthermore, we briefly discuss the main inborn errors of immunity that compromise cytotoxic responses by NK and CD8+ T cells, and how this scenario affects the antiviral response during EBV infection. Finally, we conclude the review by underlying the need for an effective EBV vaccine capable of preventing infection and the consequent development of malignancies and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Gutiérrez-Guerrero
- Laboratorio de Inmunodeficiencias, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México
| | - Sara Elva Espinosa-Padilla
- Laboratorio de Inmunodeficiencias, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México
| | - Saúl Oswaldo Lugo-Reyes
- Laboratorio de Inmunodeficiencias, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México
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Zhang X, Li Y, Han X, Xu Y, Wang H, Wang T, Zhang T. Role of the Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptor and Human Leukocyte Antigen I Complex Polymorphisms in Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Infection. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad435. [PMID: 37636520 PMCID: PMC10456215 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Kaposi sarcoma, caused by the pathogen Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is the most common neoplasm for patients with AIDS. Susceptibility to KSHV has been associated with several different genetic risk variants. The purpose of this study was to test whether variants of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and their human leukocyte antigen (HLA-I) ligands influence the risk of KSHV infection. Methods A case-control study was performed in Xinjiang, a KSHV-endemic region of China. We recruited 299 individuals with HIV, including 123 KSHV-seropositive persons and 176 KSHV-seronegative controls. We used logistic regression and the MiDAS package to evaluate the association between KIR/HLA-I polymorphisms and KSHV infection. Results HLA-A*31:01, HLA-C*03:04, and HLA-C*12:03 were found to be associated with KSHV infection, with A*31:01 showing a protective effect under 3 different models (dominant: 0.30 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .08-.82], P = .031; additive: 0.30 [95% CI, .09-.80], P = .030; overdominant: 0.31 [95% CI, .09-.88], P = .042). The effect of A*31:01 might cause the variants of amino acid at HLA-A position 56, with individuals carrying an arginine having a lower KSHV infection risk. The increased homozygous KIR2DL3 was associated with a relatively high KSHV viral load (16.30% vs 41.94%, P = .010). Conclusions This study provides further insight into the link between HLA-I alleles and KIR genes and KSHV infection, highlighting KSHV-susceptible variants of HLA-I and KSHV replication caused by specific KIR genotype, and revealing a potential role of KIR-mediated natural killer cell activation in anti-KSHV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyu Han
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiyun Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Haili Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianye Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Tiejun Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Yiwu Research Institute, Fudan University, Yiwu, China
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Guilz NC, Ahn YO, Seo S, Mace EM. Unwinding the Role of the CMG Helicase in Inborn Errors of Immunity. J Clin Immunol 2023; 43:847-861. [PMID: 36809597 PMCID: PMC10789183 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-023-01437-3] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are a collection of diseases resulting from genetic causes that impact the immune system through multiple mechanisms. Natural killer cell deficiency (NKD) is one such IEI where natural killer (NK) cells are the main immune lineage affected. Though rare, the deficiency of several genes has been described as underlying causes of NKD, including MCM4, GINS1, MCM10 , and GINS4 , all of which are involved in the eukaryotic CMG helicase. The CMG helicase is made up of C DC45 – M CM – G INS and accessory proteins including MCM10. The CMG helicase plays a critical role in DNA replication by unwinding the double helix and enabling access of polymerases to single-stranded DNA, and thus helicase proteins are active in any proliferating cell. Replication stress, DNA damage, and cell cycle arrest are among the cellular phenotypes attributed to loss of function variants in CMG helicase proteins. Despite the ubiquitous function of the CMG helicase, NK cells have an apparent susceptibility to the deficiency of helicase proteins. This review will examine the role of the CMG helicase in inborn errors of immunity through the lens of NKD and further discuss why natural killer cells can be so strongly affected by helicase deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C Guilz
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Yong-Oon Ahn
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Seungmae Seo
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Emily M Mace
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th St., New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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Graninger M, Vietzen H, Puchhammer-Stöckl E. Association between human genetic variants affecting the host NK cell response and the development of herpes simplex virus type 1 encephalitis. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28759. [PMID: 37212301 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28759] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSE) is a rare complication of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection or reactivation. It is so far unclear why only few patients develop HSE. As natural killer (NK) cells provide an important defense against HSV-1, we investigated whether there is an association between distinct human genetic variants associated with the host NK cell response and HSE. Forty-nine adult patients with confirmed HSE and 247 matched controls were analyzed for the distribution of the following genotypes: CD16A (FcγRIIIA) V/F and IGHG1 G1m3/17, both influencing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity; HLA-E*0101/*0103, associated with NK cell activation; and SLFN13 rs9916629C/T associated with NK cell response. Homozygous HLA-E*0101:0101 and HLA-E*0103:0103 variants as well as the rs9916629CC genotype were overrepresented in HSE patients compared to controls (p ≤ 0.001). Notably, cooccurrence of the homozygous HLA-E*0101 and rs9916629CC genotypes was present in 19% of patients but totally absent in controls (p ≤ 0.0001). Distribution of CD16A and IGHG1 variants did not differ between patients and controls. Our data show that the rare combination of HLA-E*0101:0101 and rs9916629CC is significantly associated with HSE. Possibly, these genetic variations could be useful as clinical markers predicting HSE prognosis and helping to adapt the treatment of HSE in the individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannes Vietzen
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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8
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Yu J, Caligiuri MA. Viral- and tumor-reactive natural killer cells. Semin Immunol 2023; 67:101749. [PMID: 36965383 PMCID: PMC10192023 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
When we can understand what natural killer (NK) cells recognize during an encounter with an infectious pathogen or a tumor cell, and when we can understand how the NK cell responds to that encounter, we can then begin to understand the role of NK cells in human health and how to improve upon their role for the prevention and treatment of human disease. In the quest to understand how these cells function in antiviral and antitumoral immunity, there have been previously described mechanisms established for NK cells to participate in clearing viral infections and tumors, including classical NK cell antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) as well as recognition and elimination of transformed malignant cells through direct ligand interactions. However, it is now clear that there are additional mechanisms by which NK cells can participate in these critical immune tasks. Here we review two recently described types of NK cell recognition and response: the first is to primary infection with herpes virus, recognized and responded to by non-specific Fc bridged cellular cytotoxicity (FcBCC), and the second describes a novel phenotypic and functional response when a subset of NK cells recognize myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Department of Immuno-Oncology, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA.
| | - Michael A Caligiuri
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA.
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9
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Blyakher MS, Fedorova IM, Tulskaya E, Kapustin IV, Koteleva SI, Ramazanova ZK, Odintsov EE, Sandalova SV, Novikova LI. [Assesment of specific T-cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 virus antigens in COVID-19 reconvalescents]. Vopr Virusol 2023; 67:527-537. [PMID: 37264842 DOI: 10.36233/0507-4088-151] [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: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The development of the COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated the scientific research aimed at studying of the mechanisms of formation the immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Currently, there is a need to develop a domestic simple and cost-effective specific method suitable for monitoring of T-cell response against SARS-CoV-2 in reconvalescents and vaccinated individuals. AIM Development of a screening method for evaluation specific T-cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2. MATERIALS AND METHODS Total 40 individuals who had mild to moderate COVID-19 and 20 healthy volunteers who did not have a history of this disease were examined. The presence and levels of IgG and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were identified in participants sera by ELISA using the diagnostic kits from JSC Vector-Best (Novosibirsk, Russian Federation). Antigenic stimulation of mononuclear cells was carried out on commercial plates with adsorbed whole-virion inactivated SARS-CoV-2 antigen (State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR Novosibirsk, Russian Federation). The concentration of IFN- was measured in ELISA using the test systems from JSC Vector-Best (Novosibirsk, Russian Federation). The immunophenotyping of lymphocytes was performed on a flow cytometer Cytomics FC500 (Beckman Coulter, USA). Statistical data processing was carried out using the Microsoft Excel and STATISTICA 10 software package. RESULTS Stimulation of mononuclear cells isolated from the peripheral blood with whole-virion inactivated SARS-CoV-2 antigen fixed at the bottom of the wells of a polystyrene plate showed a significantly higher median response in terms of IFN- production in 40 people who had history of COVID-19 compared to 20 healthy blood donors (172.1 [34.3575.1] pg/ml versus 15.4 [6.925.8] pg/ml, p 0.0001). There was no difference in median IFN- levels in supernatants collected from unstimulated mononuclear cells from COVID-19 reconvalescents and healthy donors (2.7 [0.411.4] pg/ml versus 0.8 [0.023.3] pg/ml, p 0.05). The overall sensitivity and specificity of this method were 73% (95% CI 5888%) and 100% (95% CI 100100%), respectively, at a cut-off of 50 pg/ml. CONCLUSION The developed method for assessment of the cellular immune response to SARS-CoV-2 can be used as a screening method for monitoring the T-cell response in a population against a new coronavirus infection in recovered people.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Blyakher
- G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology
| | - I M Fedorova
- G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology
| | - E Tulskaya
- G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology
| | - I V Kapustin
- G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology
| | - S I Koteleva
- G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology
| | - Z K Ramazanova
- G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology
| | - E E Odintsov
- G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology
| | - S V Sandalova
- G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology
| | - L I Novikova
- G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology
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10
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Rascle P, Woolley G, Jost S, Manickam C, Reeves RK. NK cell education: Physiological and pathological influences. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1087155. [PMID: 36742337 PMCID: PMC9896005 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1087155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells represent a critical defense against viral infections and cancers. NK cells require integration of activating and inhibitory NK cell receptors to detect target cells and the balance of these NK cell inputs defines the global NK cell response. The sensitivity of the response is largely defined by interactions between self-major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules and specific inhibitory NK cell receptors, so-called NK cell education. Thus, NK cell education is a crucial process to generate tuned effector NK cell responses in different diseases. In this review, we discuss the relationship between NK cell education and physiologic factors (type of self-MHC-I, self-MHC-I allelic variants, variant of the self-MHC-I-binding peptides, cytokine effects and inhibitory KIR expression) underlying NK cell education profiles (effector function or metabolism). Additionally, we describe the broad-spectrum of effector educated NK cell functions on different pathologies (such as HIV-1, CMV and tumors, among others).
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Rascle
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Griffin Woolley
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Stephanie Jost
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Cordelia Manickam
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - R. Keith Reeves
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Alicata C, Veneziani I, Ricci B, Moretta L, Maggi E. Determining Endosomal Toll-Like Receptors Gene Expression in NK Cells After Stimulation with Specific Agonists. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2700:151-162. [PMID: 37603179 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3366-3_8] [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] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Poor knowledge is currently available about the biology of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in natural killer (NK) cells. This is particularly due to the old belief that NK cells are unable to specifically eliminate microbes without presensitization. On the contrary, it has been clearly demonstrated that not only they can be activated through the engagement of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) by microbial molecules, but also that this interaction induces NK cells to release cytokines that, in turn, activate other cells of both innate and adaptive immunity. For this reason, immunotherapy based on local infusion of TLRs ligands is currently considered as a novel potential strategy to treat solid tumors. Here, we provide a protocol to efficiently stimulate NK cells via endosomal TLRs agonists and to determine endosomal TLRs gene expression level. This protocol can be used for in vitro investigation into endosomal TLRs function in NK cells under different conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Alicata
- Tumor Immunology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy.
| | - Irene Veneziani
- Tumor Immunology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Biancamaria Ricci
- Tumor Immunology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Tumor Immunology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Maggi
- Tumor Immunology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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12
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Esteso G, Felgueres MJ, García-Jiménez ÁF, Reyburn-Valés C, Benguría A, Vázquez E, Reyburn HT, Aguiló N, Martín C, Puentes E, Murillo I, Rodríguez E, Valés-Gómez M. BCG-activation of leukocytes is sufficient for the generation of donor-independent innate anti-tumor NK and γδ T-cells that can be further expanded in vitro. Oncoimmunology 2022; 12:2160094. [PMID: 36567803 PMCID: PMC9788708 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2160094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the nonpathogenic Mycobacterium bovis strain used as tuberculosis vaccine, has been successfully used as treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer for decades, and suggested to potentiate cellular and humoral immune responses. However, the exact mechanism of action is not fully understood. We previously described that BCG mainly activated anti-tumor cytotoxic NK cells with upregulation of CD56 and a CD16+ phenotype. Now, we show that stimulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with iBCG, a preparation based on BCG-Moreau, expands oligoclonal γδ T-cells, with a cytotoxic phenotype, together with anti-tumor CD56high CD16+ NK cells. We have used scRNA-seq, flow cytometry, and functional assays to characterize these BCG-activated γδ T-cells in detail. They had a high IFNγ secretion signature with expression of CD27+ and formed conjugates with bladder cancer cells. BCG-activated γδ T-cells proliferated strongly in response to minimal doses of cytokines and had anti-tumor functions, although not fully based on degranulation. BCG was sufficient to stimulate proliferation of γδ T-cells when cultured with other PBMC; however, BCG alone did not stimulate expansion of purified γδ T-cells. The characterization of these non-donor restricted lymphocyte populations, which can be expanded in vitro, could provide a new approach to prepare cell-based immunotherapy tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Esteso
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - María José Felgueres
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro F. García-Jiménez
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christina Reyburn-Valés
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Benguría
- Servicio de Genómica, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Vázquez
- Servicio de Genómica, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Hugh T. Reyburn
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nacho Aguiló
- Grupo de Genética de Micobacterias, Departamento de Microbiología y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza, IIS-Aragon; Zaragoza, Spain and CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Martín
- Grupo de Genética de Micobacterias, Departamento de Microbiología y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza, IIS-Aragon; Zaragoza, Spain and CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Madrid, Spain,Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, IIS Aragon; Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Eugenia Puentes
- Clinical Research Department y Research & Development Department, Biofabri, Grupo Zendal, O’Porriño, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Ingrid Murillo
- Clinical Research Department y Research & Development Department, Biofabri, Grupo Zendal, O’Porriño, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Esteban Rodríguez
- Clinical Research Department y Research & Development Department, Biofabri, Grupo Zendal, O’Porriño, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Mar Valés-Gómez
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain,CONTACT Mar Valés-Gómez Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
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13
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Tong L, Jiménez-Cortegana C, Tay AHM, Wickström S, Galluzzi L, Lundqvist A. NK cells and solid tumors: therapeutic potential and persisting obstacles. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:206. [PMID: 36319998 PMCID: PMC9623927 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01672-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, which are innate lymphocytes endowed with potent cytotoxic activity, have recently attracted attention as potential anticancer therapeutics. While NK cells mediate encouraging responses in patients with leukemia, the therapeutic effects of NK cell infusion in patients with solid tumors are limited. Preclinical and clinical data suggest that the efficacy of NK cell infusion against solid malignancies is hampered by several factors including inadequate tumor infiltration and persistence/activation in the tumor microenvironment (TME). A number of metabolic features of the TME including hypoxia as well as elevated levels of adenosine, reactive oxygen species, and prostaglandins negatively affect NK cell activity. Moreover, cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and regulatory T cells actively suppress NK cell-dependent anticancer immunity. Here, we review the metabolic and cellular barriers that inhibit NK cells in solid neoplasms as we discuss potential strategies to circumvent such obstacles towards superior therapeutic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Tong
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carlos Jiménez-Cortegana
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Apple H M Tay
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biological Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stina Wickström
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
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14
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Chen J, Song J, Dai L, Post SR, Qin Z. SARS-CoV-2 infection and lytic reactivation of herpesviruses: A potential threat in the postpandemic era? J Med Virol 2022; 94:5103-5111. [PMID: 35819034 PMCID: PMC9350099 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the causative pathogen for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has greatly stressed our healthcare system. In addition to severe respiratory and systematic symptoms, several comorbidities increase the risk of fatal disease outcomes, including chronic viral infections. Increasing cases of lytic reactivation of human herpesviruses in COVID-19 patients and vaccinated people have been reported recently. SARS-CoV2 coinfection, COVID-19 treatments, and vaccination may aggravate those herpesvirus-associated diseases by reactivating the viruses in latently infected host cells. In this review, we summarize recent clinical findings and limited mechanistic studies regarding the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and different human herpesviruses that suggest an ongoing potential threat to human health in the postpandemic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungang Chen
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer InstituteUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Jiao Song
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer InstituteUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Lu Dai
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer InstituteUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Steven R. Post
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer InstituteUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Zhiqiang Qin
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer InstituteUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
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15
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Restricted Recruitment of NK Cells with Impaired Function Is Caused by HPV-Driven Immunosuppressive Microenvironment of Papillomas in Aggressive Juvenile-Onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Patients. J Virol 2022; 96:e0094622. [PMID: 36154611 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00946-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Laryngopharynx epithelium neoplasia induced by HPV6/11 infection in juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JO-RRP) causes a great health issue characteristic of frequent relapse and aggressive disease progression. Local cell-mediated immunity shaped by the recruitment and activation of cytotoxic effector cells is critical for viral clearance. In this study, we found that NK cells in the papillomas of aggressive JO-RRP patients, in contrast to massive infiltrated T cells, were scarce in number and impaired in activation and cytotoxicity as they were in peripheral blood. Data from cell infiltration analysis indicated that the migration of NK cell to papilloma was restricted in aggressive JO-RRP patients. Further study showed that the skewed chemokine expression in the papillomas and elevated ICAM-1 expression in hyperplastic epithelia cells favored the T cell but not NK cell recruitment in aggressive JO-RRP patients. In parallel to the increased CD3+ T cells, we observed a dramatical increase in Tregs and Treg-promoting cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10 and TGFβ in papillomas of aggressive JO-RRP patients. Our study suggested that likely initialized by the intrinsic change in neoplastic epithelial cells with persistent HPV infection, the aggressive papillomas built an entry barrier for NK cell infiltration and formed an immunosuppressive clump to fend off the immune attack from intra-papillomas NK cells. IMPORTANCE Frequent relapse and aggressive disease progression of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JO-RRP) pose a great challenge to the complete remission of HPV 6/11 related laryngeal neoplasia. Local immune responses in papillomas are more relevant to the disease control considering the locale infected restriction of HPV virus in epitheliums. In our study, the restricted NK cell number and reduced expression of activating NKp30 receptor suggested one possible mechanism underlying impaired NK cell defense ability in aggressive JO-RRP papillomas. Meanwhile, the negative impact of HPV persistent infection on NK cell number and function represented yet another example of a chronic pathogen subverting NK cell behavior, affirming a potentially important role for NK cells in viral containment. Further, the skewed chemokine/cytokine expression in the papillomas and the elevated adhesion molecules expression in hyperplastic epithelia cells provided important clues for understanding blocked infiltration and antiviral dysfunction of NK cells in papilloma.
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16
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Initial TK-deficient HSV-1 infection in the lip alters contralateral lip challenge immune dynamics. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8489. [PMID: 35590057 PMCID: PMC9119387 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12597-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary infection with herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) occurring around the mouth and nose switches rapidly to lifelong latent infection in sensitive trigeminal ganglia (TG) neurons. Sporadic reactivation of these latent reservoirs later in life is the cause of acute infections of the corneal epithelium, which can cause potentially blinding herpes simplex keratitis (HSK). There is no effective vaccine to protect against HSK, and antiviral drugs provide only partial protection against recurrences. We previously engendered an acute disease-free, non-reactivating latent state in mice when challenged with virulent HSV-1 in orofacial mucosa, by priming with non-neurovirulent HSV-1 (TKdel) before the challenge. Herein, we define the local immune infiltration and inflammatory chemokine production changes after virulent HSV-1 challenge, which were elicited by TKdel prime. Heightened immunosurveillance before virulent challenge, and early enhanced lymphocyte-enriched infiltration of the challenged lip were induced, which corresponded to attenuation of inflammation in the TG and enhanced viral control. Furthermore, classical latent-phase T cell persistence around latent HSV-1 reservoirs were severely reduced. These findings identify the immune processes that are likely to be responsible for establishing non-reactivating latent HSV-1 reservoirs. Stopping reactivation is essential for development of efficient vaccine strategies against HSV-1.
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17
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Exploring the Utility of NK Cells in COVID-19. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051002. [PMID: 35625739 PMCID: PMC9138257 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can manifest as acute respiratory distress syndrome and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Extensive data now indicate that immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection determine the COVID-19 disease course. A wide range of immunomodulatory agents have been tested for the treatment of COVID-19. Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in antiviral innate immunity, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and antifibrotic activity are particularly critical for COVID-19 control. Notably, SARS-CoV-2 clearance rate, antibody response, and disease progression in COVID-19 correlate with NK cell status, and NK cell dysfunction is linked with increased SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility. Thus, NK cells function as the key element in the switch from effective to harmful immune responses in COVID-19. However, dysregulation of NK cells has been observed in COVID-19 patients, exhibiting depletion and dysfunction, which correlate with COVID-19 severity; this dysregulation perhaps contributes to disease progression. Given these findings, NK-cell-based therapies with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, antifibrotic activity, and strong safety profiles for cancers may encourage the rapid application of functional NK cells as a potential therapeutic strategy to eliminate SARS-CoV-2-infected cells at an early stage, facilitate immune–immune cell interactions, and favor inflammatory processes that prevent and/or reverse over-inflammation and inhibit fibrosis progression, thereby helping in the fight against COVID-19. However, our understanding of the role of NK cells in COVID-19 remains incomplete, and further research on the involvement of NK cells in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is needed. The rationale of NK-cell-based therapies for COVID-19 has to be based on the timing of therapeutic interventions and disease severity, which may be determined by the balance between beneficial antiviral and potential detrimental pathologic actions. NK cells would be more effective early in SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevent the progression of COVID-19. Immunomodulation by NK cells towards regulatory functions could be useful as an adjunct therapy to prevent the progression of COVID-19.
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18
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Capuano C, Pighi C, Battella S, Pulcinelli F, Santoro C, Ferretti A, Turriziani O, De Federicis D, Fionda C, Sciumè G, Galandrini R, Palmieri G. (Auto)Antibody Responses Shape Memory NK Cell Pool Size and Composition. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030625. [PMID: 35327427 PMCID: PMC8945707 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo establishment and long-term persistence of a heterogeneous memory or an adaptive NK cell pool represents a functional adaptation to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in humans. Memory NK cells are commonly identified by lack of the FcεRIγ signalling chain, variably associated to the preferential but not completely overlapping expression of the HLA-E receptor NKG2C and CD57 maturation marker. Although characterized by selective hyperresponsiveness to IgG stimulation, the impact of the CD16/antibody interaction in regulating the establishment/maintenance and size, and in determining the relative abundance of this population, is still under investigation. Memory NK cell subset ex vivo profile and in vitro responsiveness to CD16 stimulation was evaluated in HCMV+ healthy donors and in patients affected by immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), an antibody-mediated autoimmune disease. We identified the FcεRIγ− NKG2C+CD57+ memory NK cell subset, whose abundance is uniquely associated with anti-HCMV antibody levels in healthy seropositive donors, and which is significantly expanded in ITP patients. This fully mature memory subset robustly and selectively expands in vitro in response to mAb-opsonized targets or ITP-derived platelets and displays superior CD16-dependent IFNγ production. Our work identifies opsonizing antibodies as a host-dependent factor that shapes HCMV-driven memory NK cell compartment. We first demonstrate that chronic exposure to auto-antibodies contributes to the establishment/expansion of a highly specialized and unique memory NK cell subset with distinct CD16-dependent functional capabilities. We also identify the specific contribution of the lack of FcεRIγ chain in conferring to NKG2C+CD57+ memory cells a higher responsivity to CD16 engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Capuano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.C.); (C.P.); (S.B.); (F.P.); (D.D.F.)
| | - Chiara Pighi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.C.); (C.P.); (S.B.); (F.P.); (D.D.F.)
| | - Simone Battella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.C.); (C.P.); (S.B.); (F.P.); (D.D.F.)
| | - Fabio Pulcinelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.C.); (C.P.); (S.B.); (F.P.); (D.D.F.)
| | - Cristina Santoro
- Hematology Division, Policlinico Umberto I, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Antonietta Ferretti
- Hematology Division, Policlinico Umberto I, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Ombretta Turriziani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (O.T.); (C.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Davide De Federicis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.C.); (C.P.); (S.B.); (F.P.); (D.D.F.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (O.T.); (C.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Cinzia Fionda
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (O.T.); (C.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Giuseppe Sciumè
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (O.T.); (C.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Ricciarda Galandrini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.C.); (C.P.); (S.B.); (F.P.); (D.D.F.)
- Correspondence: (R.G.); (G.P.); Tel.: +39-06-4997-4084 (R.G.); +39-06-446-8448 (G.P.)
| | - Gabriella Palmieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.C.); (C.P.); (S.B.); (F.P.); (D.D.F.)
- Correspondence: (R.G.); (G.P.); Tel.: +39-06-4997-4084 (R.G.); +39-06-446-8448 (G.P.)
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19
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Veneziani I, Alicata C, Pelosi A, Landolina N, Ricci B, D'Oria V, Fagotti A, Scambia G, Moretta L, Maggi E. Toll-like receptor 8 agonists improve NK-cell function primarily targeting CD56brightCD16− subset. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003385. [PMID: 35091452 PMCID: PMC8804697 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern-recognition sensors mainly expressed in innate immune cells that directly recognize conserved pathogen structures (pathogen-associated molecular patterns-PAMPs). Natural killer (NK) cells have been described to express different endosomal TLRs triggered by RNA and DNA sequences derived from both viruses and bacteria. This study was addressed to establish which endosomal TLR could directly mediate NK activation and function after proper stimuli. It was also important to establish the most suitable TLR agonist to be used as adjuvant in tumor vaccines or in combined cancer immunotherapies. Methods We assessed endosomal TLR expression in total NK cells by using RT-qPCR and western blotting technique. In some experiments, we purified CD56brightCD16− and CD56dimCD16+ cells subsets by using NK Cell Isolation Kit Activation marker, cytokine production, CD107a expression and cytotoxicity assay were evaluated by flow cytometry. Cytokine release was quantified by ELISA. NK cells obtained from ovarian ascites underwent the same analyses. Results Although the four endosomal TLRs (TLR3, TLR7/8, and TLR9) were uniformly expressed on CD56brightCD16− and CD56dimCD16+ cell subsets, the TLR7/8 (R848), TLR3 (polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, Poly I:C) and TLR9 (ODN2395) ligands promoted NK-cell function only in the presence of suboptimal doses of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18, produced in vivo by other environmental cells. We showed that R848 rather than TLR3 and TLR9 agonists primarily activated CD56brightCD16− NK cells by increasing their proliferation, cytokine production and cytotoxic activity. Moreover, we demonstrated that R848, which usually triggers TLR7 and TLR8 on dendritic cells, macrophages and neutrophils cells, activated CD56brightCD16− NK-cell subset only via TLR8. Indeed, specific TLR8 but not TLR7 agonists increased cytokine production and cytotoxic activity of CD56brightCD16− NK cells. Importantly, these activities were also observed in peritoneal NK cells from patients with metastatic ovarian carcinoma, prevalently belonging to the CD56brightCD16− subset. Conclusion These data highlight the potential value of TLR8 in NK cells as a new target for immunotherapy in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Veneziani
- Department of Immunology, Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - Claudia Alicata
- Department of Immunology, Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Pelosi
- Department of Immunology, Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - Nadine Landolina
- Department of Immunology, Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - Biancamaria Ricci
- Department of Immunology, Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - Valentina D'Oria
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - Anna Fagotti
- Department of Woman's Health Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Campus di Roma, Roma, Lazio, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Department of Woman's Health Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Campus di Roma, Roma, Lazio, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - Enrico Maggi
- Department of Immunology, Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital, Roma, Italy
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20
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microRNA, a Subtle Indicator of Human Cytomegalovirus against Host Immune Cells. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020144. [PMID: 35214602 PMCID: PMC8874957 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the β-herpesvirus family and infects 40–90% of the adult population worldwide. HCMV infection is usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals but causes serious problems in immunocompromised people. We restricted this narrative review (PubMed, January 2022) to demonstrate the interaction and molecular mechanisms between the virus and host immune cells with a focus on HCMV-encoded miRNAs. We found a series of HCMV-encoded miRNAs (e.g., miR-UL112 and miR-UL148D) are explicitly involved in the regulation of viral DNA replication, immune evasion, as well as host cell fate. MiRNA-targeted therapies have been explored for the treatment of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and hepatitis C virus infection. It is feasible to develop an alternative vaccine to restart peripheral immunity or to inhibit HCMV activity, which may contribute to the antiviral intervention for serious HCMV-related diseases.
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21
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Shokouhifar A, Firouzi J, Nouri M, Sarab GA, Ebrahimi M. NK cell upraise in the dark world of cancer stem cells. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:682. [PMID: 34923966 PMCID: PMC8684645 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02400-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the obstacles in treating different cancers, especially solid tumors, is cancer stem cells (CSCs) with their ability in resistance to chemo/radio therapy. The efforts for finding advanced treatments to overcome these cells have led to the emergence of advanced immune cell-based therapy (AICBT). Today, NK cells have become the center of attention since they have been proved to show an appropriate cytotoxicity against different cancer types as well as the capability of detecting and killing CSCs. Attempts for reaching an off-the-shelf source of NK cells have been made and resulted in the emergence of chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cells (CAR-NK cells). The CAR technology has then been used for generating more cytotoxic and efficient NK cells, which has increased the hope for cancer treatment. Since utilizing this advanced technology to target CSCs have been published in few studies, the present study has focused on discussing the characteristics of CSCs, which are detected and targeted by NK cells, the advantages and restrictions of using CAR-NK cells in CSCs treatment and the probable challenges in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Shokouhifar
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Genomic Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.,Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.,Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16635-148, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Firouzi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16635-148, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Nouri
- R&D Department, Royan Stem Cell Technology Co., Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Anani Sarab
- Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
| | - Marzieh Ebrahimi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16635-148, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Centre, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 14155-4364, Tehran, Iran.
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22
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The Epstein-Barr Virus Oncogene EBNA1 Suppresses Natural Killer Cell Responses and Apoptosis Early after Infection of Peripheral B Cells. mBio 2021; 12:e0224321. [PMID: 34781735 PMCID: PMC8593684 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02243-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The innate immune system serves as frontline defense against pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. Natural killer (NK) cells are a part of innate immunity and can both secrete cytokines and directly target cells for lysis. NK cells express several cell surface receptors, including NKG2D, which bind multiple ligands. People with deficiencies in NK cells are often susceptible to uncontrolled infection by herpesviruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Infection with EBV stimulates both innate and adaptive immunity, yet the virus establishes lifelong latent infection in memory B cells. We show that the EBV oncogene EBNA1, previously known to be necessary for maintaining EBV genomes in latently infected cells, also plays an important role in suppressing NK cell responses and cell death in newly infected cells. EBNA1 does so by downregulating the NKG2D ligands ULBP1 and ULBP5 and modulating expression of c-Myc. B cells infected with a derivative of EBV that lacks EBNA1 are more susceptible to NK cell-mediated killing and show increased levels of apoptosis. Thus, EBNA1 performs a previously unappreciated role in reducing immune response and programmed cell death after EBV infection, helping infected cells avoid immune surveillance and apoptosis and thus persist for the lifetime of the host. IMPORTANCE Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human pathogen, infecting up to 95% of the world's adult population. Initial infection with EBV can cause infectious mononucleosis. EBV is also linked to several human malignancies, including lymphomas and carcinomas. Although infection by EBV alerts the immune system and causes an immune response, the virus persists for life in memory B cells. We show that the EBV protein EBNA1 can downregulate several components of the innate immune system linked to natural killer (NK) cells. This downregulation of NK cell activity translates to lower killing of EBV-infected cells and is likely one way that EBV escapes immune surveillance after infection. Additionally, we show that EBNA1 reduces apoptosis in newly infected B cells, allowing more of these cells to survive. Taken together, our findings uncover new functions of EBNA1 and provide insights into viral strategies to survive the initial immune response postinfection.
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23
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Vigón L, García-Pérez J, Rodríguez-Mora S, Torres M, Mateos E, Castillo de la Osa M, Cervero M, Malo De Molina R, Navarro C, Murciano-Antón MA, García-Gutiérrez V, Planelles V, Alcamí J, Pérez-Olmeda M, Coiras M, López-Huertas MR. Impaired Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in a Spanish Cohort of Patients With COVID-19 Admitted to the ICU. Front Immunol 2021; 12:742631. [PMID: 34616404 PMCID: PMC8488389 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.742631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes COVID-19, ranging from mild to critical disease in symptomatic subjects. It is essential to better understand the immunologic responses occurring in patients with the most severe outcomes. In this study, parameters related to the humoral immune response elicited against SARS-CoV-2 were analysed in 61 patients with different presentations of COVID-19 who were recruited in Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres in Madrid, Spain, during the first pandemic peak between April and June 2020. Subjects were allocated as mild patients without hospitalization, severe patients hospitalized or critical patients requiring ICU assistance. Critical patients showed significantly enhanced levels of B cells with memory and plasmablast phenotypes, as well as higher levels of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 with neutralization ability, which were particularly increased in male gender. Despite all this, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity was defective in these individuals. Besides, patients with critical COVID-19 also showed increased IgG levels against herpesvirus such as CMV, EBV, HSV-1 and VZV, as well as detectable CMV and EBV viremia in plasma. Altogether, these results suggest an enhanced but ineffectual immune response in patients with critical COVID-19 that allowed latent herpesvirus reactivation. These findings should be considered during the clinical management of these patients due to the potential contribution to the most severe disease during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Vigón
- Immunopathology Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Javier García-Pérez
- AIDS Immunopathology Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Sara Rodríguez-Mora
- Immunopathology Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Montserrat Torres
- Immunopathology Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Elena Mateos
- Immunopathology Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - María Castillo de la Osa
- Serology Laboratory, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Miguel Cervero
- Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa, Leganés, Spain
| | - Rosa Malo De Molina
- Neumology Service, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Vicente Planelles
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - José Alcamí
- AIDS Immunopathology Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Mayte Pérez-Olmeda
- Serology Laboratory, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Mayte Coiras
- Immunopathology Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - María Rosa López-Huertas
- Immunopathology Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
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24
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Shmeleva EV, Colucci F. Maternal natural killer cells at the intersection between reproduction and mucosal immunity. Mucosal Immunol 2021; 14:991-1005. [PMID: 33903735 PMCID: PMC8071844 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-020-00374-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Many maternal immune cells populate the decidua, which is the mucosal lining of the uterus transformed during pregnancy. Here, abundant natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages help the uterine vasculature adapt to fetal demands for gas and nutrients, thereby supporting fetal growth. Fetal trophoblast cells budding off the forming placenta and invading deep into maternal tissues come into contact with these and other immune cells. Besides their homeostatic functions, decidual NK cells can respond to pathogens during infection, but in doing so, they may become conflicted between destroying the invader and sustaining fetoplacental growth. We review how maternal NK cells balance their double duty both in the local microenvironment of the uterus and systemically, during toxoplasmosis, influenza, cytomegalovirus, malaria and other infections that threat pregnancy. We also discuss recent developments in the understanding of NK-cell responses to SARS-Cov-2 infection and the possible dangers of COVID-19 during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeniya V Shmeleva
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, CB2 0SW, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Francesco Colucci
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, CB2 0SW, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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25
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A COVID-19 Overview and Potential Applications of Cell Therapy. Biologics 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/biologics1020011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has already reaped thousands of lives, although many scientific studies already showed the possibility of this scenario. Currently, further attention is provided to patients depicting comorbidities such as respiratory or immunocompromised diseases, hypertension, and diabetes, as these individuals show a worse prognosis. Cell therapies using stem cells and/or defense cells, combined or not with traditional treatment, could be an outstanding strategy for COVID-19 management since these treatments can act by modulating the immune system, reducing proliferation, and favoring the complete elimination of the virus. In this review, we highlight the main molecular characteristics of this novel coronavirus, as well as the main pathognomonic signs of COVID-19. Furthermore, possible cell therapies are pointed out to show alternative treatments against COVID-19 and its sequels.
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26
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Galitska G, Coscia A, Forni D, Steinbrueck L, De Meo S, Biolatti M, De Andrea M, Cagliani R, Leone A, Bertino E, Schulz T, Santoni A, Landolfo S, Sironi M, Cerboni C, Dell'Oste V. Genetic Variability of Human Cytomegalovirus Clinical Isolates Correlates With Altered Expression of Natural Killer Cell-Activating Ligands and IFN-γ. Front Immunol 2021; 12:532484. [PMID: 33897679 PMCID: PMC8062705 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.532484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection often leads to systemic disease in immunodeficient patients and congenitally infected children. Despite its clinical significance, the exact mechanisms contributing to HCMV pathogenesis and clinical outcomes have yet to be determined. One of such mechanisms involves HCMV-mediated NK cell immune response, which favors viral immune evasion by hindering NK cell-mediated cytolysis. This process appears to be dependent on the extent of HCMV genetic variation as high levels of variability in viral genes involved in immune escape have an impact on viral pathogenesis. However, the link between viral genome variations and their functional effects has so far remained elusive. Thus, here we sought to determine whether inter-host genetic variability of HCMV influences its ability to modulate NK cell responses to infection. For this purpose, five HCMV clinical isolates from a previously characterized cohort of pediatric patients with confirmed HCMV congenital infection were evaluated by next-generation sequencing (NGS) for genetic polymorphisms, phylogenetic relationships, and multiple-strain infection. We report variable levels of genetic characteristics among the selected clinical strains, with moderate variations in genome regions associated with modulation of NK cell functions. Remarkably, we show that different HCMV clinical strains differentially modulate the expression of several ligands for the NK cell-activating receptors NKG2D, DNAM-1/CD226, and NKp30. Specifically, the DNAM-1/CD226 ligand PVR/CD155 appears to be predominantly upregulated by fast-replicating (“aggressive”) HCMV isolates. On the other hand, the NGK2D ligands ULBP2/5/6 are downregulated regardless of the strain used, while other NK cell ligands (i.e., MICA, MICB, ULBP3, Nectin-2/CD112, and B7-H6) are not significantly modulated. Furthermore, we show that IFN-γ; production by NK cells co-cultured with HCMV-infected fibroblasts is directly proportional to the aggressiveness of the HCMV clinical isolates employed. Interestingly, loss of NK cell-modulating genes directed against NK cell ligands appears to be a common feature among the “aggressive” HCMV strains, which also share several gene variants across their genomes. Overall, even though further studies based on a higher number of patients would offer a more definitive scenario, our findings provide novel mechanistic insights into the impact of HCMV genetic variability on NK cell-mediated immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganna Galitska
- Laboratory of Pathogenesis of Viral Infections, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandra Coscia
- Neonatal Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Diego Forni
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Lars Steinbrueck
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Simone De Meo
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunopathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Biolatti
- Laboratory of Pathogenesis of Viral Infections, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco De Andrea
- Laboratory of Pathogenesis of Viral Infections, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Disease - CAAD, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Rachele Cagliani
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Agata Leone
- Neonatal Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertino
- Neonatal Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Thomas Schulz
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Angela Santoni
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunopathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Santo Landolfo
- Laboratory of Pathogenesis of Viral Infections, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Manuela Sironi
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Cristina Cerboni
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunopathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Dell'Oste
- Laboratory of Pathogenesis of Viral Infections, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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27
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Gasior M, Ferreras C, de Paz R, Bueno D, Mozo Y, Sisinni L, Canizales JT, González B, Olivas-Mazón R, Marcos A, Romero AB, Constanzo A, Mirones I, Fernández-Arroyo A, Balas A, Vicario JL, Escudero A, Yuste VJ, Pérez-Martínez A. The role of early natural killer cell adoptive infusion before engraftment in protecting against human herpesvirus-6B encephalitis after naïve T-cell-depleted allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Transfusion 2021; 61:1505-1517. [PMID: 33713461 DOI: 10.1111/trf.16354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Naïve T-cell-depleted grafts have been employed as an ex vivo T-cell depletion (TCD) platform to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and improve immune reconstitution by providing rapid donor memory T-cell reconstitution after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). CD45RA- memory T cells confer protection against viruses such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and adenovirus; however, reports have shown an unexpectedly high incidence of human herpesvirus (HHV)-6B encephalitis among pediatric allo-HSCT patients. METHODS We report the first 18 consecutive allo-HSCT, 16 haplo-HSCT, and two human leukocyte antigen-matched related donors implanted with naïve TCD grafts. All donors were administered three cell products: first, a CD34+ stem cell product; second, a CD45RA+ TCD graft, followed by an adoptive natural killer (NK) cell infusion within 10 days after HSCT. The study's primary endpoint was the incidence of HHV-6B encephalitis. RESULTS Engraftment was achieved in 94.5% of cases; 2-year overall survival, event-free survival, and GvHD/relapse-free survival were 87.2% (95% CI 78.6-95.8), 67.3% (95% CI 53.1-81.5), and 64% (95% CI 50.5-78.1), respectively. HHV-6B reactivation occurred in 7 of the haplo-HSCT patients, six of who received a cell infusion with an NK/CD4 ratio <2. None of the patients developed encephalitis. CONCLUSIONS In this clinical study, we show that early adoptive NK cell infusion after a 45RA+ TCD allo-HSCT graft is safe and can prevent HHV-6B encephalitis. We recommend infusing adoptive NK cells after allo-HSCT using CD45RA+ TCD grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Gasior
- Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Ferreras
- Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel de Paz
- Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Bueno
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Yasmina Mozo
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luisa Sisinni
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Berta González
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Olivas-Mazón
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Marcos
- Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Romero
- Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aída Constanzo
- Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Mirones
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Balas
- Histocompatibility and HLA Typing Lab. Transfusion Center of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Vicario
- Histocompatibility and HLA Typing Lab. Transfusion Center of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adela Escudero
- Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Pérez-Martínez
- Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.,Pediatric Onco-Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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28
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Ferretti E, Carlomagno S, Pesce S, Muccio L, Obino V, Greppi M, Solari A, Setti C, Marcenaro E, Della Chiesa M, Sivori S. Role of the Main Non HLA-Specific Activating NK Receptors in Pancreatic, Colorectal and Gastric Tumors Surveillance. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3705. [PMID: 33321719 PMCID: PMC7763095 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human NK cells can control tumor growth and metastatic spread thanks to their powerful cytolytic activity which relies on the expression of an array of activating receptors. Natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) NKG2D and DNAM-1 are those non-HLA-specific activating NK receptors that are mainly involved in sensing tumor transformation by the recognition of different ligands, often stress-induced molecules, on the surface of cancer cells. Tumors display several mechanisms aimed at dampening/evading NK-mediated responses, a relevant fraction of which is based on the downregulation of the expression of activating receptors and/or their ligands. In this review, we summarize the role of the main non-HLA-specific activating NK receptors, NCRs, NKG2D and DNAM-1, in controlling tumor growth and metastatic spread in solid malignancies affecting the gastrointestinal tract with high incidence in the world population, i.e., pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and gastric cancer (GC), also describing the phenotypic and functional alterations induced on NK cells by their tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ferretti
- Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Letizia Muccio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Valentina Obino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Marco Greppi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Agnese Solari
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Chiara Setti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES) and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Mariella Della Chiesa
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES) and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Simona Sivori
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES) and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
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29
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Soleimanian S, Yaghobi R. Harnessing Memory NK Cell to Protect Against COVID-19. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1309. [PMID: 32973527 PMCID: PMC7468462 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The worldwide struggle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a public health crisis continues to sweep across the globe. Up to now, effective antiviral treatment against COVID-19 is not available. Therefore, throughout virus infections, a thorough clarification of the virus-host immune system interactions will be most probably helpful to encounter these challenges. Emerging evidence suggests that just like SARS and MERS, COVID-19 primarily suppresses the innate immune system, enabling its stable propagation during the early stage of infection. Consequently, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines have been increasing during infection progression associated with severe lung pathology. It is imperative to consider hyper inflammation in vaccine designing, as vaccine-induced immune responses must have a protective role against infection without leading to immunopathology. Among the front-line responders to viral infections, Natural Killer (NK) cells have immense therapeutic potential, forming a bridge between innate and adaptive responses. A subset of NK cells exhibits putatively increased effector functions against viruses following pathogen-specific and immunization. Memory NK cells have higher cytotoxicity and effector activity, compared with the conventional NK cells. As a pioneering strategy, prompt accumulation and long-term maintenance of these memory NK cells could be an efficacious viral treatment. According to the high prevalence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in the world, it remains to be determined whether HCMV adaptive NK cells could play a protective role against this new emerging virus. In addition, the new adaptive-like KIR+NKG2C+ NK cell subset (the adaptive-like lung tissue residue [tr]NK cell) in the context of the respiratory infection at this site could specifically exhibit the expansion upon COVID-19. Another aspect of NK cells we should note, utilizing modified NK cells such as allogeneic off-the-shelf CAR-NK cells as a state-of-the-art strategy for the treatment of COVID-19. In this line, we speculate introducing NKG2C into chimeric antigen receptors in NK cells might be a potential approach in future viral immunotherapy for emerging viruses. In this contribution, we will briefly discuss the current status and future perspective of NK cells, which provide to successfully exploit NK cell-mediated antiviral activity that may offer important new tools in COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ramin Yaghobi
- Shiraz Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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30
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Nasonov EL, Lila AM. BARICITINIB: NEW PHARMACOTHERAPY OPTIONS FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND OTHER IMMUNE-MEDIATED INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATIC DISEASES. RHEUMATOLOGY SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.14412/1995-4484-2020-304-316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Deciphering the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IMIRDs) in conjunction with designing a wide range of biological agents is one of the major medical advances in the 21st century. A new promising area of pharmacotherapy for IMIRDs is associated with the design of the so-called targeted oral medications that primarily include Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. The review presents new data on the efficacy and safety of the new JAK inhibitor baricitinib in treating rheumatoid arthritis and other IMIRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. L. Nasonov
- V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology;
I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Ministry of Health of Russia
| | - A. M. Lila
- V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology; Russian Medical Academy of
Continuing Professional Education, Ministry of Health of Russia
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31
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Market M, Angka L, Martel AB, Bastin D, Olanubi O, Tennakoon G, Boucher DM, Ng J, Ardolino M, Auer RC. Flattening the COVID-19 Curve With Natural Killer Cell Based Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1512. [PMID: 32655581 PMCID: PMC7324763 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate immune responders critical for viral clearance and immunomodulation. Despite their vital role in viral infection, the contribution of NK cells in fighting SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been directly investigated. Insights into pathophysiology and therapeutic opportunities can therefore be inferred from studies assessing NK cell phenotype and function during SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. These studies suggest a reduction in circulating NK cell numbers and/or an exhausted phenotype following infection and hint toward the dampening of NK cell responses by coronaviruses. Reduced circulating NK cell levels and exhaustion may be directly responsible for the progression and severity of COVID-19. Conversely, in light of data linking inflammation with coronavirus disease severity, it is necessary to examine NK cell potential in mediating immunopathology. A common feature of coronavirus infections is that significant morbidity and mortality is associated with lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome resulting from an exaggerated immune response, of which NK cells are an important component. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of how NK cells respond in both early and late coronavirus infections, and the implication for ongoing COVID-19 clinical trials. Using this immunological lens, we outline recommendations for therapeutic strategies against COVID-19 in clearing the virus while preventing the harm of immunopathological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Market
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Leonard Angka
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Andre B. Martel
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Donald Bastin
- Schulich School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Oladunni Olanubi
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Gayashan Tennakoon
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dominique M. Boucher
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Juliana Ng
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michele Ardolino
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca C. Auer
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Ansari MH, Ebrahimi M, Fattahi MR, Gardner MG, Safarpour AR, Faghihi MA, Lankarani KB. Viral metagenomic analysis of fecal samples reveals an enteric virome signature in irritable bowel syndrome. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:123. [PMID: 32429898 PMCID: PMC7236503 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-01817-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changes in the enteric microbiota have been suggested to contribute to gastrointestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome. Most of the published work is on bacterial dysbiosis with meager data on the role of the virome in irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal diseases. In the current study, we therefore aimed to investigate the viral community composition of the gut and test for potential dysbiosis linked to irritable bowel syndrome. RESULTS A metagenomics analysis on fecal samples of 50 individuals - 30 of whom met the Rome IV criteria for IBS and 20 healthy controls- was conducted. There was a noticeable alteration in viral taxa observed in association with irritable bowel syndrome when compared to healthy individuals - where some eukaryotic viral taxa noticeably prevail over others. We observed a significant decrease in the diversity and abundance of enteric virome particularly in eukaryotic viruses of Megavirales in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. CONCLUSIONS These findings shed light on a new hypothesis that the alteration of the viral taxa contributes to the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome and related symptoms, and therefore, pave the way for developing a new diagnostic biomarker or anti-viral drugs for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Hojat Ansari
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mehregan Ebrahimi
- Department of Biology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mohammad Reza Fattahi
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Michael G Gardner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Ali Reza Safarpour
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Faghihi
- Persian Bayan Gene Research and Training Center, Dr. Faghihi's Medical Genetics Center, Shiraz, Iran
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Kamran Bagheri Lankarani
- Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Cifaldi C, Cotugno N, Di Cesare S, Giliani S, Di Matteo G, Amodio D, Piano Mortari E, Chiriaco M, Buonsenso D, Zangari P, Pagliara D, Gaspari S, Carsetti R, Palma P, Finocchi A, Locatelli F, Rossi P, Doria M, Cancrini C. Partial T cell defects and expanded CD56 bright NK cells in an SCID patient carrying hypomorphic mutation in the IL2RG gene. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:739-748. [PMID: 32392633 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5ma0220-239r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) caused by full mutation of the IL2RG gene leads to T- B+ NK- phenotype and is usually associated with severe opportunistic infections, diarrhea, and failure to thrive. When IL2RG hypomorphic mutation occurs, diagnosis could be delayed and challenging since only moderate reduction of T and NK cells may be present. Here, we explored phenotypic insights and the impact of the p.R222C hypomorphic mutation (IL2RGR222C ) in distinct cell subsets in an 8-month-old patient with atypical X-SCID. We found reduced CD4+ T cell counts, a decreased frequency of naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and an expansion of B cells. Ex vivo STAT5 phosphorylation was impaired in CD4+ CD45RO+ T cells, yet compensated by supraphysiological doses of IL-2. Sanger sequencing on purified cell subsets showed a partial reversion of the mutation in total CD3+ cells, specifically in recent thymic emigrants (RTE), effector memory (EM), and CD45RA+ terminally differentiated EM (EMRA) CD4+ T cells. Of note, patient's NK cells had a normal frequency compared to age-matched healthy subjects, but displayed an expansion of CD56bright cells with higher perforin content and cytotoxic potential, associated with accumulation of NK-cell stimulatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-7, IL-15). Overall, this report highlights an alteration in the NK-cell compartment that, together with the high disease-phenotype variability, should be considered in the suspicion of X-SCID with hypomorphic IL2RG mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Cifaldi
- Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Cotugno
- Research Unit of Congenital and Perinatal Infection, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Cesare
- Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Giliani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, A. Nocivelli Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Gigliola Di Matteo
- Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Donato Amodio
- Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Eva Piano Mortari
- Immunology Research Division, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Chiriaco
- Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Zangari
- Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Daria Pagliara
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Gaspari
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Carsetti
- Immunology Research Division, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Palma
- Research Unit of Congenital and Perinatal Infection, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Finocchi
- Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Rossi
- Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Research Unit of Congenital and Perinatal Infection, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita Doria
- Research Unit of Congenital and Perinatal Infection, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Cancrini
- Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Childrens' Hospital-Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus Associations with Neurological Diseases and the Need for Vaccine Development. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010035. [PMID: 31968673 PMCID: PMC7157723 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpesviruses have been isolated from a wide range of hosts including humans—for which, nine species have been designated. The human herpesviruses are highly host adapted and possess the capacity for latency, allowing them to survive in the host for life, effectively hidden from the immune system. This ability of human herpesviruses to modulate the host immune response poses particular challenges for vaccine development but at the same time proves attractive for the application of human herpesvirus vaccines to certain spheres of medicine. In this review, congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and hearing loss will be described followed by a comment on the status of current vaccine development. Secondly, the association of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection with multiple sclerosis (MS) and how EBV vaccination may be of benefit will then be discussed. Prevention of congenital CMV by vaccination is an attractive proposition and several vaccines have been evaluated for potential use. Particularly challenging for the development of CMV vaccines are the needs to prevent primary infection, reinfection, and reactivation at the same time as overcoming the capacity of the virus to generate highly sophisticated immunomodulatory mechanisms. Cost and the practicalities of administering potential vaccines are also significant issues, particularly for low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of disease is greatest. An effective EBV vaccine that could prevent the 200,000 new EBV-associated malignancies which occur globally each year is not currently available. There is increasing interest in developing EBV vaccines to prevent MS and, in view of the association of infectious mononucleosis with MS, reducing childhood infectious mononucleosis is a potential intervention. Currently, there is no licensed EBV vaccine and, in order to progress the development of EBV vaccines for preventing MS, a greater understanding of the association of EBV with MS is required.
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