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Chiawpanit C, Wathikthinnakorn M, Sawasdee N, Phanthaphol N, Sujjitjoon J, Junking M, Yamabhai M, Panaampon J, Yenchitsomanus PT, Panya A. Precision immunotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma: Pioneering the use of human-derived anti-cMET single chain variable fragment in anti-cMET chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) NK cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 136:112273. [PMID: 38810311 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) presents a significant clinical challenge which is often identified in advanced stages, therby restricting the effectiveness of surgical interventions for most patients. The high incidence of cancer recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy further contribute to a bleak prognosis and low survival rates. To address this pressing need for effective therapeutic strategies, our study focuses on the development of an innovative cellular immunotherapy, specifically utilizing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered natural killer (NK) cells designed to target the cMET receptor tyrosine kinase. In this investigation, we initiated the screening of a phage library displaying human single-chain variable fragment (ScFv) to identify novel ScFv molecules with specificity for cMET. Remarkably, ScFv11, ScFv72, and ScFv114 demonstrated exceptional binding affinity, confirmed by molecular docking analysis. These selected ScFvs, in addition to the well-established anti-cMET ScFvA, were integrated into a CAR cassette harboring CD28 transmembrane region-41BB-CD3ζ domains. The resulting anti-cMET CAR constructs were transduced into NK-92 cells, generating potent anti-cMET CAR-NK-92 cells. To assess the specificity and efficacy of these engineered cells, we employed KKU213A cells with high cMET expression and KKU055 cells with low cMET levels. Notably, co-culture of anti-cMET CAR-NK-92 cells with KKU213A cells resulted in significantly increased cell death, whereas no such effect was observed with KKU055 cells. In summary, our study identified cMET as a promising therapeutic target for CCA. The NK-92 cells, armed with the anti-cMET CAR molecule, have shown strong ability to kill cancer cells specifically, indicating their potential as a promising treatment for CCA in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chutipa Chiawpanit
- Cell Engineering for Cancer Therapy Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Methi Wathikthinnakorn
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nunghathai Sawasdee
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Research Department, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nattaporn Phanthaphol
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Jatuporn Sujjitjoon
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Research Department, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mutita Junking
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Research Department, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Montarop Yamabhai
- Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agriculture Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Jutatip Panaampon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pa-Thai Yenchitsomanus
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Research Department, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Aussara Panya
- Cell Engineering for Cancer Therapy Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
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Huang Y, Chen Z, Zhang J, Amoah K, Asiedu B, Cai J, Wang B, Jian J. Novel C-type lectin mediated non-specific cytotoxic cells killing activity through NCCRP-1 in nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 149:109594. [PMID: 38697376 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Non-specific cytotoxic cells (NCCs) are vital immune cells involved in teleost's non-specific immunity. As a receptor molecule on the NCCs' surface, the non-specific cytotoxic cell receptor protein 1 (NCCRP-1) is known to play a crucial role in mediating their activity. Nevertheless, there have been limited studies on the signal molecule that transmits signals via NCCRP-1. In this study, a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) library of tilapia liver and head kidney was constructed and subsequently screened with the bait vector NCCRP-1 of Oreochromis niloticus (On-NCCRP-1) to obtain a C-type lectin (On-CTL) with an interacting protein sequence. Consequently, the full-length sequence of On-CTL was cloned and analyzed. The expression analysis revealed that On-CTL is highly expressed in the liver and is widely distributed in other tissues. Furthermore, On-CTL expression was significantly up-regulated in the brain, intestine, and head kidney following a challenge with Streptococcus agalactiae. A point-to-point Y2H method was also used to confirm the binding between On-NCCRP-1 and On-CTL. The recombinant On-CTL (rOn-CTL) protein was purified. In vitro experiments demonstrated that rOn-CTL can up-regulate the expression of killer effector molecules in NCCs via its interaction with On-NCCRP-1. Moreover, activation of NCCs by rOn-CTL resulted in a remarkable enhancement in their ability to eliminate fathead minnow cells, indicating that rOn-CTL effectively modulates the killing activity of NCCs through the NCC receptor molecule On-NCCRP-1. These findings significantly contribute to our comprehension of the regulatory mechanisms governing NCC activity, paving the way for future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Huang
- College of Fishery, Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animal Health Assessment, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhengsi Chen
- College of Fishery, Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jiaxuan Zhang
- College of Fishery, Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Kwaku Amoah
- College of Fishery, Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Berchie Asiedu
- Department of Fisheries and Water Resources, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Post Office Box 214, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Jia Cai
- College of Fishery, Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animal Health Assessment, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bei Wang
- College of Fishery, Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animal Health Assessment, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jichang Jian
- College of Fishery, Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animal Health Assessment, Shenzhen, China.
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Guo F, Zhang Y, Cui J. Manufacturing CAR-NK against tumors: Who is the ideal supplier? Chin J Cancer Res 2024; 36:1-16. [PMID: 38455373 PMCID: PMC10915637 DOI: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2024.01.01] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer (CAR-NK) cells have emerged as another prominent player in the realm of tumor immunotherapy following CAR-T cells. The unique features of CAR-NK cells make it possible to compensate for deficiencies in CAR-T therapy, such as the complexity of the manufacturing process, clinical adverse events, and solid tumor challenges. To date, CAR-NK products from different allogeneic sources have exhibited remarkable anti-tumor effects on preclinical studies and have gradually been applied in clinical practice. However, each source has advantages and disadvantages. Selecting a suitable source may help maximize CAR-NK cell efficacy and increase the feasibility of clinical transformation. Therefore, this review discusses the development and challenges of CAR-NK cells from different sources to provide a reference for future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Guo
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Cancer Center, Changchun 133021, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Cancer Center, Changchun 133021, China
| | - Jiuwei Cui
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Cancer Center, Changchun 133021, China
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Wang B, Wang T, Yang C, Nan Z, Ai D, Wang X, Wang H, Qu X, Wei F. Co-inhibition of adenosine 2b receptor and programmed death-ligand 1 promotes the recruitment and cytotoxicity of natural killer cells in oral squamous cell carcinoma. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15922. [PMID: 37663280 PMCID: PMC10474825 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15922] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenosine promotes anti-tumor immune responses by modulating the functions of T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells in the tumor microenvironment; however, the role of adenosine receptors in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its effects on immune checkpoint therapy remain unclear. In this study, we obtained the tumor tissues from 80 OSCC patients admitted at the Shandong University Qilu Hospital between February 2014 and December 2016. Thereafter, we detected the expression of adenosine 2b receptor (A2BR) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) using immunohistochemical staining and analyzed the association between their expression in different regions of the tumor tissues, such as tumor nest, border, and paracancer stroma. To determine the role of A2BR in PD-L1 expression, CAL-27 (an OSCC cell line) was treated with BAY60-6583 (an A2BR agonist), and PD-L1 expression was determined using western blot and flow cytometry. Furthermore, CAL-27 was treated with a nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κ B) inhibitor, PDTC, to determine whether A2BR regulates PD-L1 expression via the NF-κ B signaling pathway. Additionally, a transwell assay was performed to verify the effect of A2BR and PD-L1 on NK cell recruitment. The results of our study demonstrated that A2BR and PD-L1 are co-expressed in OSCC. Moreover, treatment with BAY60-6583 induced PD-L1 expression in the CAL-27 cells, which was partially reduced in cells pretreated with PDTC, suggesting that A2BR agonists induce PD-L1 expression via the induction of the NF-κ B signaling pathway. Furthermore, high A2BR expression in OSCC was associated with lower infiltration of NK cells. Additionally, our results demonstrated that treatment with MRS-1706 (an A2BR inverse agonist) and/or CD274 (a PD-L1-neutralizing antibody) promoted NK cell recruitment and cytotoxicity against OSCC cells. Altogether, our findings highlight the synergistic effect of co-inhibition of A2BR and PD-L1 in the treatment of OSCC via the modulation of NK cell recruitment and cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Institute of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Institute of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chengzhe Yang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Institute of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhaodi Nan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dan Ai
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Huayang Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xun Qu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fengcai Wei
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Institute of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Khawar MB, Gao G, Rafiq M, Shehzadi A, Afzal A, Abbasi MH, Sheikh N, Afzal N, Ashraf MA, Hamid SE, Shahzaman S, Kawish N, Sun H. Breaking down barriers: The potential of smarter CAR-engineered NK cells against solid tumors. J Cell Biochem 2023; 124:1082-1104. [PMID: 37566723 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are considered to be the foremost fighters of our innate immune system against foreign invaders and thus tend to promptly latch onto the virus-infected and tumor/cancerous cells, killing them through phagocytosis. At present, the application of genetically engineered Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) receptors ensures a guaranteed optimistic response with NK cells and would not allow the affected cells to dodge or escape unchecked. Hence the specificity and uniqueness of CAR-NK cells over CAR-T therapy make them a better immunotherapeutic choice to reduce the load of trafficking of numerous tumor cells near the healthy cell populations in a more intact way than offered by CAR-T immunotherapy. Our review mainly focuses on the preclinical, clinical, and recent advances in clinical research trials and further strategies to achieve an augmented and efficient cure against solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad B Khawar
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Noncoding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
- Department of Zoology, Applied Molecular Biology and Biomedicine Lab, University of Narowal, Narowal, Pakistan
| | - Guangzhong Gao
- Department of Physiatry, Haian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mussarat Rafiq
- Cell & Molecular Biology Lab, Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Anila Shehzadi
- Department of Zoology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ali Afzal
- Department of Zoology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Nadeem Sheikh
- Cell & Molecular Biology Lab, Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Nimra Afzal
- Department of Zoology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Syeda E Hamid
- Department of Zoology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sara Shahzaman
- Department of Zoology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Naseer Kawish
- Cell & Molecular Biology Lab, Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Haibo Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Noncoding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
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Seliger B, Koehl U. Underlying mechanisms of evasion from NK cells as rational for improvement of NK cell-based immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:910595. [PMID: 36045670 PMCID: PMC9422402 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.910595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells belong to the family of innate immune cells with the capacity to recognize and kill tumor cells. Different phenotypes and functional properties of NK cells have been described in tumor patients, which could be shaped by the tumor microenvironment. The discovery of HLA class I-specific inhibitory receptors controlling NK cell activity paved the way to the fundamental concept of modulating immune responses that are regulated by an array of inhibitory receptors, and emphasized the importance to explore the potential of NK cells in cancer therapy. Although a whole range of NK cell-based approaches are currently being developed, there are still major challenges that need to be overcome for improved efficacy of these therapies. These include escape of tumor cells from NK cell recognition due to their expression of inhibitory molecules, immune suppressive signals of NK cells, reduced NK cell infiltration of tumors, an immune suppressive micromilieu and limited in vivo persistence of NK cells. Therefore, this review provides an overview about the NK cell biology, alterations of NK cell activities, changes in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment contributing to immune escape or immune surveillance by NK cells and their underlying molecular mechanisms as well as the current status and novel aspects of NK cell-based therapeutic strategies including their genetic engineering and their combination with conventional treatment options to overcome tumor-mediated evasion strategies and improve therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Barbara Seliger,
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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CAR-T cell therapy in India requires a paradigm shift in training, education and health care processes. Cytotherapy 2021; 24:101-109. [PMID: 34753677 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2021.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of some kinds of cancers. Hundreds of companies and academic institutions are collaborating to develop gene-modified cell therapies using novel targets, different cell types, and manufacturing processes of autologous and allogenic cell therapies. The individualized, custom-made autologous CAR-T cell production platform remains a significant limiting factor for its large-scale clinical application. In this respect, the advances in standardization and automation of the process can have considerable impact on cost reduction. Development of off-the-shelf, ready-to-use universal killer cells can enable scaling up. Despite the wide use of this cell therapy in the United States, Europe and China, its development is limited in developing countries in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America. In this review, we focus on good manufacturing practices-compliant manufacturing requirements, operational logistics, and regulatory processes that need to be considered for high-quality gene-modified cell therapies from an Indian perspective. We also list the potential strategies to overcome challenges associated with translation to affordability and scalability.
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