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Rowaiye AB, Asala T, Oli AN, Uzochukwu IC, Akpa A, Esimone CO. The Activating Receptors of Natural Killer Cells and Their Inter-Switching Potentials. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 21:1733-1751. [PMID: 32914713 DOI: 10.2174/1389450121666200910160929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The global incidence of cancer is on the increase and researchers are prospecting for specific and non-selective therapies derived from the immune system. The killer activating receptors of NK cells are known to be involved in immunosurveillance against tumor and virally-infected cells. These receptors belong to two main categories, namely the immunoglobulin like and C-lectin like families. Though they have different signal pathways, all the killer activating receptors have similar effector functions which include direct cytotoxicity and the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. To transduce signals that exceed the activation threshold for cytotoxicity, most of these receptors require synergistic effort. This review profiles 21 receptors: 13 immunoglobulin-like, 5 lectin-like, and 3 others. It critically explores their structural uniqueness, role in disease, respective transduction signal pathways and their status as current and prospective targets for cancer immunotherapy. While the native ligands of most of these receptors are known, much work is required to prospect for specific antibodies, peptides and multi-target small molecules with high binding affinities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Titilayo Asala
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Angus Nnamdi Oli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu, Anambra state, Nigeria
| | - Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu, Anambra state, Nigeria
| | - Alex Akpa
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Charles Okechukwu Esimone
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu, Anambra state, Nigeria
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2
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Michen S, Frosch J, Füssel M, Schackert G, Momburg F, Temme A. Artificial feeder cells expressing ligands for killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and CD94/NKG2A for expansion of functional primary natural killer cells with tolerance to self. Cytotherapy 2020; 22:354-368. [PMID: 32451262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Natural killer (NK) cells are promising cells for immunotherapy of cancer, and there are ongoing efforts to improve their ex vivo expansion to clinically relevant numbers. This study focused on the development of a C1-, C2-, Bw4 killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) ligand and NKG2A ligand-containing feeder cell line for autonomous expansion of functional NK cells. METHODS PC3PSCA-derived feeder cells expressing IL-2, 4-1BBL and membrane-bound IL-15-mutDAP12 (mIL-15d) fusion protein in combinations or alone were generated and used for expansion. Expanded NK cells were analyzed with respect to subpopulations, expression of NK cell receptors and immune checkpoint molecules as well as their cytotoxicity against K562 cells, cetuximab-marked tumor cells and autologous B cells. RESULTS Only combinatorial expression of IL-2 plus 4-1BBL or IL-2, 4-1BBL plus mIL-15d in feeder cells efficiently expanded NK cells and supported selective outgrowth of NK cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples. Best expansion of NK cells was achieved using PC3PSCA-IL-2-4-1BBL-mIL-15d feeder cells. Such expanded NK cells exhibited upregulation of natural cytotoxicity receptors, DNAM-1 and NKG2C and induced expression of high affinity IL-2 receptor, which were paralleled by attenuated KIR and increased expression of NKG2A and ILT2. In addition, elevated TIM-3 levels were noted and PD-1 and T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domain (TIGIT) levels remained low. Expanded NK cells were highly cytolytic when encountering K562 cells and cetuximab-marked target cells but remained unresponsive to autologous B cells and target cells with protective levels of human leukocyte antigen. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the results demonstrate the feasibility of PC3PSCA-IL-2-4-1BBL-mIL-15d feeder cells for robust expansion of NK cells, which remain tolerant to self and could be used in the future for adoptive cell therapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Michen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Section Experimental Neurosurgery/Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jennifer Frosch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Section Experimental Neurosurgery/Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Gabriele Schackert
- Department of Neurosurgery, Section Experimental Neurosurgery/Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Frank Momburg
- Antigen Presentation and T/NK Cell Activation Group (D121), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit "Applied Tumor Immunity" (D120), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Achim Temme
- Department of Neurosurgery, Section Experimental Neurosurgery/Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany.
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3
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Oszmiana A, Williamson DJ, Cordoba SP, Morgan DJ, Kennedy PR, Stacey K, Davis DM. The Size of Activating and Inhibitory Killer Ig-like Receptor Nanoclusters Is Controlled by the Transmembrane Sequence and Affects Signaling. Cell Rep 2016; 15:1957-72. [PMID: 27210755 PMCID: PMC4893158 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.04.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Super-resolution microscopy has revealed that immune cell receptors are organized in nanoscale clusters at cell surfaces and immune synapses. However, mechanisms and functions for this nanoscale organization remain unclear. Here, we used super-resolution microscopy to compare the surface organization of paired killer Ig-like receptors (KIR), KIR2DL1 and KIR2DS1, on human primary natural killer cells and cell lines. Activating KIR2DS1 assembled in clusters two-fold larger than its inhibitory counterpart KIR2DL1. Site-directed mutagenesis established that the size of nanoclusters is controlled by transmembrane amino acid 233, a lysine in KIR2DS1. Super-resolution microscopy also revealed two ways in which the nanoscale clustering of KIR affects signaling. First, KIR2DS1 and DAP12 nanoclusters are juxtaposed in the resting cell state but coalesce upon receptor ligation. Second, quantitative super-resolution microscopy revealed that phosphorylation of the kinase ZAP-70 or phosphatase SHP-1 is favored in larger KIR nanoclusters. Thus, the size of KIR nanoclusters depends on the transmembrane sequence and affects downstream signaling. Activating and inhibitory NK cell receptors have a distinct nanoscale organization The transmembrane sequence of KIR controls their nanoscale organization Nanoclusters of KIR2DS1 and its adaptor are juxtaposed but mix upon activation Phosphorylation of ZAP-70 or SHP-1 is favored in larger receptor nanoclusters
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Oszmiana
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - David J Williamson
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Shaun-Paul Cordoba
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - David J Morgan
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Philippa R Kennedy
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Kevin Stacey
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Daniel M Davis
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK.
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Gras Navarro A, Björklund AT, Chekenya M. Therapeutic potential and challenges of natural killer cells in treatment of solid tumors. Front Immunol 2015; 6:202. [PMID: 25972872 PMCID: PMC4413815 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that hold tremendous potential for effective immunotherapy for a broad range of cancers. Due to the mode of NK cell killing, requiring one-to-one target engagement and site-directed release of cytolytic granules, the therapeutic potential of NK cells has been most extensively explored in hematological malignancies. However, their ability to precisely kill antibody coated cells, cancer stem cells, and genotoxically altered cells, while maintaining tolerance to healthy cells makes them appealing therapeutic effectors for all cancer forms, including metastases. Due to their release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, NK cells may potently reverse the anti-inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME) and augment adaptive immune responses by promoting differentiation, activation, and/or recruitment of accessory immune cells to sites of malignancy. Nevertheless, integrated and coordinated mechanisms of subversion of NK cell activity against the tumor and its microenvironment exist. Although our understanding of the receptor ligand interactions that regulate NK cell functionality has evolved remarkably, the diversity of ligands and receptors is complex, as is their mechanistic foundations in regulating NK cell function. In this article, we review the literature and highlight how the TME manipulates the NK cell phenotypes, genotypes, and tropism to evade tumor recognition and elimination. We discuss counter strategies that may be adopted to augment the efficacy of NK cell anti-tumor surveillance, the clinical trials that have been undertaken so far in solid malignancies, critically weighing the challenges and opportunities with this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas T Björklund
- Karolinska University Hospital, Hematology Center and Karolinska Institute , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Martha Chekenya
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
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Töpfer K, Cartellieri M, Michen S, Wiedemuth R, Müller N, Lindemann D, Bachmann M, Füssel M, Schackert G, Temme A. DAP12-based activating chimeric antigen receptor for NK cell tumor immunotherapy. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:3201-12. [PMID: 25740942 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
NK cells are emerging as new effectors for immunotherapy of cancer. In particular, the genetic engraftment of chimeric Ag receptors (CARs) in NK cells is a promising strategy to redirect NK cells to otherwise NK cell-resistant tumor cells. On the basis of DNAX-activation protein 12 (DAP12), a signaling adaptor molecule involved in signal transduction of activating NK cell receptors, we generated a new type of CAR targeting the prostate stem cell Ag (PSCA). We demonstrate in this article that this CAR, designated anti-PSCA-DAP12, consisting of DAP12 fused to the anti-PSCA single-chain Ab fragment scFv(AM1) confers improved cytotoxicity to the NK cell line YTS against PSCA-positive tumor cells when compared with a CAR containing the CD3ζ signaling chain. Further analyses revealed phosphorylation of the DAP12-associated ZAP-70 kinase and IFN-γ release of CAR-engineered cells after contact with PSCA-positive target cells. YTS cells modified with DAP12 alone or with a CAR bearing a phosphorylation-defective ITAM were not activated. Notably, infused YTS cells armed with anti-PSCA-DAP12 caused delayed tumor xenograft growth and resulted in complete tumor eradication in a significant fraction of treated mice. The feasibility of the DAP12-based CAR was further tested in human primary NK cells and confers specific cytotoxicity against KIR/HLA-matched PSCA-positive tumor cells, which was further enhanced by KIR-HLA mismatches. We conclude that NK cells engineered with DAP12-based CARs are a promising tool for adoptive tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Töpfer
- Section of Experimental Neurosurgery and Tumor Immunology, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Cartellieri
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Michen
- Section of Experimental Neurosurgery and Tumor Immunology, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Wiedemuth
- Section of Experimental Neurosurgery and Tumor Immunology, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Nadja Müller
- Section of Experimental Neurosurgery and Tumor Immunology, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dirk Lindemann
- Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Monika Füssel
- DKMS Life Science Lab, GmbH, 01307 Dresden, Germany; and
| | - Gabriele Schackert
- Section of Experimental Neurosurgery and Tumor Immunology, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Achim Temme
- Section of Experimental Neurosurgery and Tumor Immunology, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 01307 Dresden, Germany
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Boukouaci W, Lauden L, Siewiera J, Dam N, Hocine HR, Khaznadar Z, Tamouza R, Borlado LR, Charron D, Jabrane-Ferrat N, Al-Daccak R. Natural killer cell crosstalk with allogeneic human cardiac-derived stem/progenitor cells controls persistence. Cardiovasc Res 2014; 104:290-302. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvu208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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Selective expansion of human natural killer cells leads to enhanced alloreactivity. Cell Mol Immunol 2013; 11:160-8. [PMID: 24240123 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2013.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Revised: 10/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), natural killer (NK) cells lacking their cognate inhibitory ligand can induce graft-versus-leukemia responses, without the induction of severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This feature can be exploited for cellular immunotherapy. In this study, we examined selective expansion of NK cell subsets expressing distinct killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) within the whole human peripheral blood NK cell population, in the presence of HLA-Cw3 (C1) or Cw4 (C2) transfected K562 stimulator cells. Coculture of KIR(+) NK cells with C1 or C2 positive K562 cells, in the presence of IL-2+IL-15, triggered the outgrowth of NK cells that missed their cognate ligand. This resulted in an increased frequency of alloreactive KIR(+) NK cells within the whole NK cell population. Also, after preculture with K562 cells lacking their cognate ligand, we observed that this alloreactive NK population revealed higher numbers of CD107(+) cells when cocultured with the relevant K562 HLA-C transfected target cells, as compared to coculture with untransfected K562 cells. This enhanced reactivity was confirmed using primary leukemic cells as target. This study demonstrates that HLA class I expression can mediate the skewing of the NK cell repertoire and enrich the population for cells with enhanced alloreactivity towards leukemic target cells. This feature may support future clinical applications of NK cell-based immunotherapy.
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8
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Xiong S, Sharkey AM, Kennedy PR, Gardner L, Farrell LE, Chazara O, Bauer J, Hiby SE, Colucci F, Moffett A. Maternal uterine NK cell-activating receptor KIR2DS1 enhances placentation. J Clin Invest 2013; 123:4264-72. [PMID: 24091323 DOI: 10.1172/jci68991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced trophoblast invasion and vascular conversion in decidua are thought to be the primary defect of common pregnancy disorders including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Genetic studies suggest these conditions are linked to combinations of polymorphic killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) genes expressed by maternal decidual NK cells (dNK) and HLA-C genes expressed by fetal trophoblast. Inhibitory KIR2DL1 and activating KIR2DS1 both bind HLA-C2, but confer increased risk or protection from pregnancy disorders, respectively. The mechanisms underlying these genetic associations with opposing outcomes are unknown. We show that KIR2DS1 is highly expressed in dNK, stimulating strong activation of KIR2DS1+ dNK. We used microarrays to identify additional responses triggered by binding of KIR2DS1 or KIR2DL1 to HLA-C2 and found different responses in dNK coexpressing KIR2DS1 with KIR2DL1 compared with dNK only expressing KIR2DL1. Activation of KIR2DS1+ dNK by HLA-C2 stimulated production of soluble products including GM-CSF, detected by intracellular FACS and ELISA. We demonstrated that GM-CSF enhanced migration of primary trophoblast and JEG-3 trophoblast cells in vitro. These findings provide a molecular mechanism explaining how recognition of HLA class I molecules on fetal trophoblast by an activating KIR on maternal dNK may be beneficial for placentation.
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Denman CJ, Senyukov VV, Somanchi SS, Phatarpekar PV, Kopp LM, Johnson JL, Singh H, Hurton L, Maiti SN, Huls MH, Champlin RE, Cooper LJN, Lee DA. Membrane-bound IL-21 promotes sustained ex vivo proliferation of human natural killer cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30264. [PMID: 22279576 PMCID: PMC3261192 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 430] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells have therapeutic potential for a wide variety of human malignancies. However, because NK cells expand poorly in vitro, have limited life spans in vivo, and represent a small fraction of peripheral white blood cells, obtaining sufficient cell numbers is the major obstacle for NK-cell immunotherapy. Genetically-engineered artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) expressing membrane-bound IL-15 (mbIL15) have been used to propagate clinical-grade NK cells for human trials of adoptive immunotherapy, but ex vivo proliferation has been limited by telomere shortening. We developed K562-based aAPCs with membrane-bound IL-21 (mbIL21) and assessed their ability to support human NK-cell proliferation. In contrast to mbIL15, mbIL21-expressing aAPCs promoted log-phase NK cell expansion without evidence of senescence for up to 6 weeks of culture. By day 21, parallel expansion of NK cells from 22 donors demonstrated a mean 47,967-fold expansion (median 31,747) when co-cultured with aAPCs expressing mbIL21 compared to 825-fold expansion (median 325) with mbIL15. Despite the significant increase in proliferation, mbIL21-expanded NK cells also showed a significant increase in telomere length compared to freshly obtained NK cells, suggesting a possible mechanism for their sustained proliferation. NK cells expanded with mbIL21 were similar in phenotype and cytotoxicity to those expanded with mbIL15, with retained donor KIR repertoires and high expression of NCRs, CD16, and NKG2D, but had superior cytokine secretion. The mbIL21-expanded NK cells showed increased transcription of the activating receptor CD160, but otherwise had remarkably similar mRNA expression profiles of the 96 genes assessed. mbIL21-expanded NK cells had significant cytotoxicity against all tumor cell lines tested, retained responsiveness to inhibitory KIR ligands, and demonstrated enhanced killing via antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity. Thus, aAPCs expressing mbIL21 promote improved proliferation of human NK cells with longer telomeres and less senescence, supporting their clinical use in propagating NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecele J. Denman
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Vladimir V. Senyukov
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Srinivas S. Somanchi
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Prasad V. Phatarpekar
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lisa M. Kopp
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Johnson
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Harjeet Singh
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lenka Hurton
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sourindra N. Maiti
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - M. Helen Huls
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Richard E. Champlin
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Laurence J. N. Cooper
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Dean A. Lee
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
NK cell effector function is regulated by a range of activating and inhibitory receptors, and many of their known ligands are MHC class I molecules. Human NK receptors encoded by the Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene family recognize polymorphic HLA-C as well as some HLA-A and HLA-B molecules. KIRs are expressed by uterine NK (uNK) cells, which are distinctive NK cells directly in contact with the invading fetal placental cells that transform the uterine arteries during the first trimester. Trophoblast cells express both maternal and paternal HLA-C allotypes and can therefore potentially interact with KIRs expressed by uNK. Therefore, allorecognition of paternal HLA-C by maternal KIR might influence trophoblast invasion and vascular remodeling, with subsequent effects on placental development and the outcome of pregnancy. We discuss here the studies relating to KIR/HLA-C interactions with an emphasis on how these function during pregnancy to regulate placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olympe Chazara
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Merino A, Malhotra R, Morton M, Mulenga J, Allen S, Hunter E, Tang J, Kaslow RA. Impact of a functional KIR2DS4 allele on heterosexual HIV-1 transmission among discordant Zambian couples. J Infect Dis 2011; 203:487-95. [PMID: 21216870 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiq075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and their HLA ligands interact to regulate natural killer (NK) cell function. KIR gene content and allelic variations are reported to influence human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection and pathogenesis. We investigated the impact of KIR genes on heterosexual HIV-1 transmission among 566 discordant couples from Lusaka, Zambia. KIR2DS4*001, the only allele of KIR2DS4 known to encode a functional activating receptor, was associated with relatively high viral load for HIV-1 in index (HIV-1 seroprevalent) partners (β [standard error (SE)], .17 [.8] log₁₀; P = .04) and with accelerated transmission of HIV-1 to cohabiting seronegative partners (relative hazard [RH], 2.00; P = .004). The latter association was independent of the direction of transmission (male-to-female or female-to-male), genital ulcers, and carriage of the putative ligand (HLA-Cw*04). No KIR-gene variant in the initially seronegative partners was associated with HIV-1 acquisition or early viral load following seroconversion. Further analysis of NK cell function should clarify the role of KIR2DS4*001 in HIV-1 transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Merino
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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12
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Xu L, Shen Y, Xia M, Miao F, Shen C, Xie W, Zhang J. Up-regulate HLA class I expression following hepatitis B virus transfection in a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line BEL7405. Immunol Invest 2010; 39:621-34. [PMID: 20653429 DOI: 10.3109/08820131003792826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is associated with a high risk of developing into hepatocellular carcinoma, while tumor recognition is important during the immune surveillance process that prevents cancer development in humans. The mechanisms of immune evasion and the role of the early immune response in chronic infection caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) are still unclear. In the present study, 1 copy or 1.2 copies of HBV genome was transfected into a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line BEL7405. RT-PCR, Western blot and flow cytometry analysis were used to evaluate the expression of HLA class I molecules and transporter associated with antigen processing 1 (TAP1). Finally, the cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells against HBV transfected liver cells was detected by MTT colorimetry method. Following transfection of 1 copy or 1.2 copies of HBV genome, HLA class I expression was up-regulated in BEL7405 cell line in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, increased the surface HLA class I expression were caused by enhanced expression of TAP1 at mRNA and protein levels in those transfected cells. Consequently, a significantly down-regulated cytotoxic activity of NK cells against HBV transfected liver cells was observed. These results may demonstrate a way by which HBV avoids recognition by NK cells that might be associated with the establishment of chronic infection and tumor formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianhong Xu
- The Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education of China for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Southeast University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, P.R. China
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Moroso V, Metselaar HJ, Mancham S, Tilanus HW, Eissens D, van der Meer A, van der Laan LJW, Kuipers EJ, Joosten I, Kwekkeboom J. Liver grafts contain a unique subset of natural killer cells that are transferred into the recipient after liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 2010; 16:895-908. [PMID: 20583081 DOI: 10.1002/lt.22080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to other solid organ transplantations, liver grafts have tolerogenic properties. Animal models indicate that donor leukocytes transferred into the recipient after liver transplantation (LTX) play a relevant role in this tolerogenic phenomenon. However, the specific donor cell types involved in modulation of the recipient alloresponse are not yet defined. We hypothesized that this unique property of liver grafts may be related to their high content of organ-specific natural killer (NK) and CD56(+) T cells. Here, we show that a high proportion of hepatic NK cells that detach from human liver grafts during pretransplant perfusion belong to the CD56bright subset, and are in an activated state (CD69(+)). Liver NK cells contained perforin and granzymes, exerted stronger cytotoxicity against K562 target cells when compared with blood NK cells, and secreted interferon-gamma, but no interleukin-10 or T helper 2 cytokines, upon stimulation with monokines. Interestingly, whereas the CD56bright subset is classically considered as noncytolytic, liver CD56bright NK cells showed a high content of cytolytic molecules and degranulated in response to K562 cells. After LTX, but not after renal transplantation, significant numbers of donor CD56dim NK and CD56(+) T cells were detected in the recipient circulation for approximately 2 weeks. In conclusion, during clinical LTX, activated and highly cytotoxic NK cells of donor origin are transferred into the recipient, and a subset of them mixes with the recirculating recipient NK cell pool. The unique properties of the transferred hepatic NK cells may enable them to play a role in regulating the immunological response of the recipient against the graft and therefore contribute to liver tolerogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Moroso
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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De Santis D, Foley BA, John E, Senitzer D, Christiansen FT, Witt CS. Rapid, flow cytometric assay for NK alloreactivity reveals exceptions to rules governing alloreactivity. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2009; 16:179-91. [PMID: 19879950 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2009.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2009] [Accepted: 10/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Alloreactive NK cells lyse target cells lacking self-HLA-C or the HLA-B-Bw4 epitope. Prior to haploidentical stem cell transplants, donor alloreactivity toward the patient is evaluated by natural killer (NK) cloning followed by testing of the clones in the (51)Cr-release assay. As only a few percent of NK clones are alloreactive, a large number of NK clones must be established and evaluated. This approach is laborious and time consuming, with a complete evaluation taking up to 6 weeks. We developed a flow cytometry-based cytotoxicity assay utilizing CD107a expression on 12-day polyclonally expanded NK cells and showed that NK alloreactivity mediated by inhibitory and activating KIR can be detected by measuring CD107a expression following incubation with targets lacking the appropriate class I epitope. The percentage of alloreactive NK cells varied greatly between individuals and was easily estimated by the CD107a assay. For each epitope (C1, C2, Bw4), donors were found who did not have alloreactivity, although alloreactivity was predicted by the current rules thought to govern alloreactivity. The data emphasize the importance of demonstrating alloreactivity in a functional assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne De Santis
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
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