1
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Santourlidis S, Araúzo-Bravo MJ, Erichsen L, Bendhack ML. Epigenetics Meets CAR-T-Cell Therapy to Fight Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1941. [PMID: 38792020 PMCID: PMC11119853 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Based on the impressive success of Car-T-cell therapy in the treatment of hematological malignancies, a broad application for solid tumors also appears promising. However, some important hurdles need to be overcome. One of these is certainly the identification of specific target antigens on cancer cells. Hypomethylation is a characteristic epigenetic aberration in many tumor entities. Genome-wide screenings for consistent DNA hypomethylations in tumors enable the identification of aberrantly upregulated transcripts, which might result in cell surface proteins. Thus, this approach provides a new perspective for the discovery of potential new Car-T-cell target antigens for almost every tumor entity. First, we focus on this approach as a possible treatment for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeon Santourlidis
- Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany;
| | - Marcos J. Araúzo-Bravo
- Group of Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain;
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Lars Erichsen
- Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany;
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Marcelo L. Bendhack
- Department of Urology, Red Cross University Hospital, Positivo University, Rua Mauá 1111, Curitiba 80030-200, Brazil;
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2
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Rückert T, Romagnani C. Extrinsic and intrinsic drivers of natural killer cell clonality. Immunol Rev 2024; 323:80-106. [PMID: 38506411 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Clonal expansion of antigen-specific lymphocytes is the fundamental mechanism enabling potent adaptive immune responses and the generation of immune memory. Accompanied by pronounced epigenetic remodeling, the massive proliferation of individual cells generates a critical mass of effectors for the control of acute infections, as well as a pool of memory cells protecting against future pathogen encounters. Classically associated with the adaptive immune system, recent work has demonstrated that innate immune memory to human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is stably maintained as large clonal expansions of natural killer (NK) cells, raising questions on the mechanisms for clonal selection and expansion in the absence of re-arranged antigen receptors. Here, we discuss clonal NK cell memory in the context of the mechanisms underlying clonal competition of adaptive lymphocytes and propose alternative selection mechanisms that might decide on the clonal success of their innate counterparts. We propose that the integration of external cues with cell-intrinsic sources of heterogeneity, such as variegated receptor expression, transcriptional states, and somatic variants, compose a bottleneck for clonal selection, contributing to the large size of memory NK cell clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Rückert
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chiara Romagnani
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Wright PW, Li H, Rahman MA, Anderson EM, Karwan M, Carrell J, Anderson SK. The KIR2DL1 intermediate upstream element participates in gene activation. Immunogenetics 2023; 75:495-506. [PMID: 37801092 PMCID: PMC10651540 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-023-01321-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The human KIR genes encode a family of class I MHC receptors that are expressed on subsets of NK cells. The expression of KIR proteins is controlled by a stochastic process, and competition between sense and antisense promoter elements has been suggested to program the variegated expression of these genes. Previous studies have demonstrated distinct roles of distal, intermediate, and proximal sense promoter/enhancer elements in gene activation and expression. Conversely, proximal and intronic antisense promoter transcripts have been associated with gene silencing at different stages of NK cell development. In the current study, we examine the effect of intermediate promoter deletion on KIR2DL1 expression in the YTS cell line. Homozygous deletion of the KIR2DL1 intermediate element did not affect proximal promoter activity but resulted in increased detection of upstream transcripts. No significant changes in alternative mRNA splicing or expression levels of KIR2DL1 protein were observed. However, intermediate element deletion was associated with a reduced frequency of gene activation by 5-azacytidine. Taken together, these results indicate that the intermediate element is not an enhancer required for KIR expression; however, it is required for the efficient activation of the gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul W Wright
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Hongchuan Li
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Md Ahasanur Rahman
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Erik M Anderson
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Megan Karwan
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Jeffrey Carrell
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Stephen K Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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4
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Liberatore C, Di Ianni M. Novel Approaches to Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Relapse Post Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15019. [PMID: 37834466 PMCID: PMC10573608 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241915019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapsed post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains a clinical challenge. Intensive treatment approaches are limited by severe toxicities in the early post-transplantation period. Therefore, hypomethylating agents (HMAs) have become the standard therapeutic approach due to favorable tolerability. Moreover, HMAs serve as a backbone for additional anti-leukemic agents. Despite discordant results, the addition of donor lymphocytes infusions (DLI) generally granted improved outcomes with manageable GvHD incidence. The recent introduction of novel targeted drugs in AML gives the opportunity to add a third element to salvage regimens. Those patients harboring targetable mutations might benefit from IDH1/2 inhibitors Ivosidenib and Enasidenib as well as FLT3 inhibitors Sorafenib and Gilteritinib in combination with HMA and DLI. Conversely, patients lacking targetable mutations actually benefit from the addition of Venetoclax. A second HSCT remains a valid option, especially for fit patients and for those who achieve a complete disease response with salvage regimens. Overall, across studies, higher response rates and longer survival were observed in cases of pre-emptive intervention for molecular relapse. Future perspectives currently rely on the development of adoptive immunotherapeutic strategies mainly represented by CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Liberatore
- Hematology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Santo Spirito Hospital, 65124 Pescara, Italy;
| | - Mauro Di Ianni
- Hematology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Santo Spirito Hospital, 65124 Pescara, Italy;
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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5
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Pang Y, Holtzman NG. Immunopathogenic mechanisms and modulatory approaches to graft-versus-host disease prevention in acute myeloid leukaemia. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2023; 36:101475. [PMID: 37353287 PMCID: PMC10291443 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2023.101475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains the only potential cure for intermediate to high-risk acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The therapeutic effect of HSCT is largely dependent on the powerful donor-derived immune response against recipient leukaemia cells, known as graft-versus-leukaemia effect (GvL). However, the donor-derived immune system can also cause acute or chronic damage to normal recipient organs and tissues, in a process known as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). GvHD is a leading cause of non-relapse mortality in HSCT recipients. There are many similarities and cross talk between the immune pathways of GvL and GvHD. Studies have demonstrated that both processes require the presence of mismatched alloantigens between the donor and recipient, and activation of immune responses centered around donor T-cells, which can be further modulated by various recipient or donor factors. Dissecting GvL from GvHD to achieve more effective GvHD prevention and enhanced GvL has been the holy grail of HSCT research. In this review, we focused on the key factors that contribute to the immune responses of GvL and GvHD, the effect on GvL with different GvHD prophylactic strategies, and the potential impact of various AML relapse prevention therapy or treatments on GvHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Pang
- Department of Haematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, NC, USA.
| | - Noa G Holtzman
- Immune Deficiency Cellular Therapy Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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6
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Al-Shaibani E, Novitzky-Basso I, Mattsson J, Kim DDH. Post-transplant maintenance therapy in acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation harmonizing multiple therapeutic modalities including targeted therapy, immunotherapy and cellular therapy. Int J Hematol 2023:10.1007/s12185-023-03614-x. [PMID: 37212948 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-023-03614-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) has improved survival for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), especially for those at high risk of relapse. However, relapse remains the leading cause of treatment failure post-HCT, occurring in around 35-45% of patients, and leading to dismal outcomes. Strategies to reduce relapse risk are urgently needed, especially in the early post-transplant period before activation of the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. Maintenance therapy is a course of treatment given post-HCT with the expectation of reducing relapse risk. While there are currently no therapies approved for maintenance therapy for AML after HCT, there are a number of studies and ongoing investigations examining the role of maintenance therapies that include targeted agents against FLT3-ITD, BCL2, or IDH mutations, hypomethylating agents, immunomodulatory therapies and cellular therapies. In this review, we discuss the mechanistic and clinical data for post-transplant maintenance therapies in AML and strategies for maintenance therapy for AML after HCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshrak Al-Shaibani
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, OPG Rm 6-222, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Igor Novitzky-Basso
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, OPG Rm 6-222, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Jonas Mattsson
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, OPG Rm 6-222, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Dennis Dong Hwan Kim
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, OPG Rm 6-222, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada.
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7
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Lordo MR, Stiff AR, Oakes CC, Mundy-Bosse BL. Effects of epigenetic therapy on natural killer cell function and development in hematologic malignancy. J Leukoc Biol 2023; 113:518-524. [PMID: 36860165 PMCID: PMC10443672 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic therapy is an emerging field in the treatment of human cancer, including hematologic malignancies. This class of therapeutic agents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for cancer treatment includes DNA hypomethylating agents, histone deacetylase inhibitors, IDH1/2 inhibitors, EZH2 inhibitors, and numerous preclinical targets/agents. Most studies measuring the biological effects of epigenetic therapy focus their attention on either their direct cytotoxic effects on malignant cells or their effects on modifying tumor cell antigen expression, exposing them to immune surveillance mechanisms. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that epigenetic therapy also has effects on the development and function of the immune system, including natural killer cells, which can alter their response to cancer cells. In this review, we summarize the body of literature studying the effects of different classes of epigenetic therapy on the development and/or function of natural killer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Lordo
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 460 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, 370 W. 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Andrew R. Stiff
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 460 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Physician Scientist Training Program, The Ohio State University, 370 W. 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Christopher C. Oakes
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 460 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Bethany L. Mundy-Bosse
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 460 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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8
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Hojjatipour T, Maali A, Azad M. Natural killer cell epigenetic reprogramming in tumors and potential for cancer immunotherapy. Epigenomics 2023; 15:249-266. [PMID: 37125432 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0454] [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: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical members of the innate lymphoid cell population and have a pivotal role in cancer eradication. NK cell maturation, development and function are tightly regulated by epigenetic modifications, which can also be recruited for cancer propagation and immune escape. NK cells have the potential to be activated against tumors through several epigenetic regulators. Given that epigenetic changes are inducible and reversible, focusing on aberrant epigenetic regulations recruited by tumor cells provides a tremendous opportunity for cancer treatment. This review presents a comprehensive picture of NK cell normal epigenetic regulation and cancer-driven epigenetic modifications. From our perspective, a better understanding of epigenetic regulators that can edit and revise NK cells' activity is a promising avenue for NK cell-based therapy in cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Hojjatipour
- Department of Hematology & Blood Transfusion, Students Research Center, School of Allied Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Maali
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Paramedicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mehdi Azad
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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9
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Bruijnesteijn J. HLA/MHC and KIR characterization in humans and non-human primates using Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Pacific Biosciences sequencing platforms. HLA 2023; 101:205-221. [PMID: 36583332 DOI: 10.1111/tan.14957] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The gene products of the HLA/MHC and KIR multigene families are important modulators of the immune system and are associated with health and disease. Characterization of the genes encoding these receptors has been integrated into different biomedical applications, including transplantation and reproduction biology, immune therapies and in fundamental research into disease susceptibility or resistance. Conventional short-read sequencing strategies have shown their value in high throughput typing, but are insufficient to uncover the entire complexity of the highly polymorphic HLA/MHC and KIR gene systems. The implementation of single-molecule and real-time sequencing platforms, offered by Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), revolutionized the fields of genomics and transcriptomics. Using fundamentally distinct principles, these platforms generate long-read data that can unwire the plasticity of the HLA/MHC and KIR genes, including high-resolution characterization of genes, alleles, phased haplotypes, transcription levels and epigenetics modification patterns. These insights might have profound clinical relevance, such as improved matching of donors and patients in clinical transplantation, but could also lift disease association studies to a higher level. Even more, a comprehensive characterization may refine animal models in preclinical studies. In this review, the different HLA/MHC and KIR characterization approaches using PacBio and ONT platforms are described and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
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10
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Tien FM, Lu HH, Lin SY, Tsai HC. Epigenetic remodeling of the immune landscape in cancer: therapeutic hurdles and opportunities. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:3. [PMID: 36627707 PMCID: PMC9832644 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00893-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment represents a sophisticated ecosystem where various immune cell subtypes communicate with cancer cells and stromal cells. The dynamic cellular composition and functional characteristics of the immune landscape along the trajectory of cancer development greatly impact the therapeutic efficacy and clinical outcome in patients receiving systemic antitumor therapy. Mounting evidence has suggested that epigenetic mechanisms are the underpinning of many aspects of antitumor immunity and facilitate immune state transitions during differentiation, activation, inhibition, or dysfunction. Thus, targeting epigenetic modifiers to remodel the immune microenvironment holds great potential as an integral part of anticancer regimens. In this review, we summarize the epigenetic profiles and key epigenetic modifiers in individual immune cell types that define the functional coordinates of tumor permissive and non-permissive immune landscapes. We discuss the immunomodulatory roles of current and prospective epigenetic therapeutic agents, which may open new opportunities in enhancing cancer immunotherapy or overcoming existing therapeutic challenges in the management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Ming Tien
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Hsuan Lu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225, Taiwan
- Center for Frontier Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Yung Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Chen Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan.
- Center for Frontier Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Toxicology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Jen Ai Road Section 1, Rm542, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100225, Taiwan.
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11
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dos Reis FD, Jerónimo C, Correia MP. Epigenetic modulation and prostate cancer: Paving the way for NK cell anti-tumor immunity. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1152572. [PMID: 37090711 PMCID: PMC10113550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1152572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoepigenetics is a growing field, as there is mounting evidence on the key role played by epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of tumor immune cell recognition and control of immune cell anti-tumor responses. Moreover, it is increasingly acknowledgeable a tie between epigenetic regulation and prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression. PCa is intrinsically a cold tumor, with scarce immune cell infiltration and low inflammatory tumor microenvironment. However, Natural Killer (NK) cells, main anti-tumor effector immune cells, have been frequently linked to improved PCa prognosis. The role that epigenetic-related mechanisms might have in regulating both NK cell recognition of PCa tumor cells and NK cell functions in PCa is still mainly unknown. Epigenetic modulating drugs have been showing boundless therapeutic potential as anti-tumor agents, however their role in immune cell regulation and recognition is scarce. In this review, we focused on studies addressing modulation of epigenetic mechanisms involved in NK cell-mediated responses, including both the epigenetic modulation of tumor cell NK ligand expression and NK cell receptor expression and function in different tumor models, highlighting studies in PCa. The integrated knowledge from diverse epigenetic modulation mechanisms promoting NK cell-mediated immunity in various tumor models might open doors for the development of novel epigenetic-based therapeutic options for PCa management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa D. dos Reis
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Master Program in Oncology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Margareta P. Correia
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Margareta P. Correia,
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12
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Araúzo-Bravo MJ, Erichsen L, Ott P, Beermann A, Sheikh J, Gerovska D, Thimm C, Bendhack ML, Santourlidis S. Consistent DNA Hypomethylations in Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010386. [PMID: 36613831 PMCID: PMC9820221 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010386] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
With approximately 1.4 million men annually diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) worldwide, PCa remains a dreaded threat to life and source of devastating morbidity. In recent decades, a significant decrease in age-specific PCa mortality has been achieved by increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and improving treatments. Nevertheless, upcoming, augmented recommendations against PSA screening underline an escalating disproportion between the benefit and harm of current diagnosis/prognosis and application of radical treatment standards. Undoubtedly, new potent diagnostic and prognostic tools are urgently needed to alleviate this tensed situation. They should allow a more reliable early assessment of the upcoming threat, in order to enable applying timely adjusted and personalized therapy and monitoring. Here, we present a basic study on an epigenetic screening approach by Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation (MeDIP). We identified genes associated with hypomethylated CpG islands in three PCa sample cohorts. By adjusting our computational biology analyses to focus on single CpG-enriched 60-nucleotide-long DNA probes, we revealed numerous consistently differential methylated DNA segments in PCa. They were associated among other genes with NOTCH3, CDK2AP1, KLK4, and ADAM15. These can be used for early discrimination, and might contribute to a new epigenetic tumor classification system of PCa. Our analysis shows that we can dissect short, differential methylated CpG-rich DNA fragments and combinations of them that are consistently present in all tumors. We name them tumor cell-specific differential methylated CpG dinucleotide signatures (TUMS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos J. Araúzo-Bravo
- Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Lars Erichsen
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Pauline Ott
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Agnes Beermann
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jamal Sheikh
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Daniela Gerovska
- Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Chantelle Thimm
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marcelo L. Bendhack
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, Positivo University, Curitiba 80420-011, Brazil
| | - Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Correspondence:
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13
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Maffini E, Ursi M, Barbato F, Dicataldo M, Roberto M, Campanini E, Dan E, De Felice F, De Matteis S, Storci G, Bonafè M, Arpinati M, Bonifazi F. The prevention of disease relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1066285. [DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1066285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease relapse represents by far the most frequent cause of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) failure. Patients with acute leukemia suffering relapse after HCT have limited conventional treatment options with little possibility of cure and represent, de facto, suitable candidates for the evaluation of novel cellular and biological-based therapies. Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) has been one of the first cellular therapies adopted to treat post HCT relapse of acute leukemia patients and still now, it is widely adopted in preemptive and prophylactic settings, with renewed interest for manipulated cellular products such as NK-DLI. The acquisition of novel biological insights into pathobiology of leukemia relapse are translating into the clinic, with novel combinations of target therapies and novel agents, helping delineate new therapeutical landscapes. Hypomethylating agents alone or in combination with novel drugs demonstrated their efficacy in pre-clinical models and controlled trials. FLT3 inhibitors represent an essential therapeutical instrument incorporated in post-transplant maintenance strategies. The Holy grail of allogeneic transplantation lies in the separation of graft-vs.-host disease from graft vs. tumor effects and after more than five decades, is still the most ambitious goal to reach and many ways to accomplish are on their way.
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KIR3DL2 contributes to the typing of acute adult T-cell leukemia and is a potential therapeutic target. Blood 2022; 140:1522-1532. [PMID: 35687761 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022016765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is a lymphoid neoplasm caused by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), which encodes the transcriptional activator Tax, which participates in the immortalization of infected T cells. ATL is classified into 4 subtypes: smoldering, chronic, acute, and lymphoma. We determined whether natural killer receptors (NKRs) were expressed in ATL. NKR expression (KIR2DL1/2DS1, KIR2DL2/2DL3/2DS2, KIR3DL2, NKG2A, NKG2C, and NKp46) was assessed in a discovery cohort of 21 ATL, and KIR3DL2 was then assessed in 71 patients with ATL. KIR3DL2 was the only NKR among those studied frequently expressed by acute-type vs lymphoma- and chronic/smoldering-type ATL (36 of 40, 4 of 16, and 1 of 15, respectively; P = .001), although acute- and lymphoma-type ATL had similar mutation profiles by targeted exome sequencing. The correlation of KIR3DL2 expression with promoter demethylation was determined by microarray-based DNA methylation profiling. To explore the role of HTLV-1, KIR3DL2 and TAX messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels were assessed by PrimeFlow RNA in primary ATL and in CD4+ T cells infected with HTLV-1 in vitro. TAX mRNA and KIR3DL2 protein expressions were correlated on ATL cells. HTLV-1 infection triggered KIR3DL2 by CD4+ cells but Tax alone did not induce KIR3DL2 expression. Ex vivo, autologous, antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity using lacutamab, a first-in-class anti-KIR3DL2 humanized antibody, selectively killed KIR3DL2+ primary ATL cells ex vivo. To conclude, KIR3DL2 expression is associated with acute-type ATL. Transcription of KIR3DL2 may be triggered by HTLV-1 infection and correlates with hypomethylation of the promoter. The benefit of targeting KIR3DL2 with lacutamab is being further explored in a randomized phase 2 study in peripheral T-cell lymphoma, including ATL (registered on https://clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT04984837).
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Ott P, Araúzo-Bravo MJ, Hoffmann MJ, Poyet C, Bendhack ML, Santourlidis S, Erichsen L. Differential DNA Methylation of THOR and hTAPAS in the Regulation of hTERT and the Diagnosis of Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184384. [PMID: 36139544 PMCID: PMC9497117 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Because of its high prevalence of >45% in 9 out of 11 (82%) cancer types screened, THOR hypermethylation has been suggested to be a frequent telomerase-activating mechanism in hTERT-expressing tumor types, e.g., in cancers of the prostate, breast, blood, colon, lung, bladder, and brain. In this prime example, we present detailed DNA methylation profiles in urothelial cancer that reveal the exact positions of the most differentially methylated CpG dinucleotides within the THOR region in order to design an efficient Methylation-Specific PCR (MSPCR) approach for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Furthermore, our data suggest an epigenetic mechanism regulating hTERT expression through the methylation status of THOR and lncRNA hTAPAS. Abstract Background: Although DNA methylation in the gene promoters usually represses gene expression, the TERT hypermethylated oncological region (THOR) located 5′ of the hTERT gene is hypermethylated when hTERT is expressed in diverse cancer types, including urothelial cancer (UC). Methods: Comprehensive MeDIP and DNA methylation array analyses complemented by the technically independent method of bisulfite genomic sequencing were applied on pathologically reviewed and classified urothelial carcinoma specimens and healthy urothelial tissue samples to reveal the methylation status of THOR in detail. Results: The detailed DNA methylation profiles reveal the exact positions of differentially methylated CpG dinucleotides within THOR in urothelial cancer and provide evidence ofa diverging role of methylation of these CpGs in the regulation of hTERT. In particular, our data suggest a regulating mechanism in which THOR methylation acts on hTERT expression through epigenetic silencing of the lncRNA hTERT antisense promoter-associated (hTAPAS), which represses hTERT. Conclusions: These findings precisely define the most differentially methylated CpGs of THOR in early urothelial cancer, enabling optimal design of Methylation-Specific PCR (MSPCR) primers to reliably probe these methylation differences for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. In addition, this strategy presents a prime example that is also applicable to many other malignancies. Finally, the first evidence for the underlying epigenetic mechanism regulating hTERT expression through the methylation status of THOR is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Ott
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Marcos J. Araúzo-Bravo
- Group of Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Michèle J. Hoffmann
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Cedric Poyet
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcelo L. Bendhack
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, Positivo University, Curitiba 80420-011, Brazil
| | - Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (L.E.)
| | - Lars Erichsen
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (L.E.)
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16
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Liberatore C, Stanghellini MTL, Lorentino F, Vago L, Carrabba MG, Greco R, Marktel S, Assanelli A, Farina F, Corti C, Bernardi M, Peccatori J, Sockel K, Middeke JM, Schetelig J, Bergmann A, Rautenberg C, Ciceri F, Bornhäuser M, Schroeder T, Stölzel F. Azacitidine and donor lymphocytes infusions in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome relapsed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from alternative donors. Ther Adv Hematol 2022; 13:20406207221090882. [PMID: 35747461 PMCID: PMC9210096 DOI: 10.1177/20406207221090882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Azacitidine (AZA) either single-agent or with donor lymphocytes infusions (DLI) has been used as a salvage treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) relapsing after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To date, the majority of data come from patients relapsed after HSCT from full-matched donors. Methods We report a multicenter, collaborative, retrospective analysis of 71 patients with hematologic (n = 40, 56%) and molecular relapse (n = 31, 44%) of myeloid neoplasms after HSCT from alternative donors (mismatched unrelated, n = 39, 55%; haploidentical, n = 29, 41%) consecutively treated at three European centers with AZA ± DLI. Results Median time from HSCT to relapse was 9 months. Additional DLI were given to 33 patients (46%). After a median of four cycles, overall response rate (ORR) was 49% and complete response (CR) rate was 38%. CR lasted for a median of 17 months (range 5-89 months). Median follow-up in the entire cohort was 11 months (range 1-115 months). Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) at 1 year were 26% and 53%, respectively. Treatment of molecular relapse granted higher CR rate (65% versus 15%; p = 0.0001), 1-year EFS (43% versus 13%; p = 0.006), and 1-year OS (79% versus 34%; p < 0.001) compared to hematologic relapses. Addition of DLI resulted in significantly higher responses and longer 1-year EFS and OS (Mantel-Byar test, p = 0.004 and p = 0.002, respectively). When applied to our cohort, the APSS-R score confirmed its ability to stratify patients into distinct prognostic groups with significantly different response rates (p = 0.0005) and survival (p < 0.0001). Treatment was well tolerated, with the incidence of late acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease of 27% and 18%, respectively. Conclusion AZA ± DLI proved feasible and effective in AML and MDS relapsing after HSCT from alternative donors. Despite modest efficacy among hematologic relapses, pre-emptive treatment with AZA ± DLI fared better in molecular relapse. Additional DLI contributed to improving efficacy and ensuring longer survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Liberatore
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Lorentino
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Vago
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Giovanni Carrabba
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Greco
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sarah Marktel
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Assanelli
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Farina
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Consuelo Corti
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Bernardi
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Peccatori
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Katja Sockel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Moritz Middeke
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johannes Schetelig
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anika Bergmann
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Christina Rautenberg
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 60, Milano 20132, Italy
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Schroeder
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Friedrich Stölzel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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17
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Differential Regulation of NK Cell Receptors in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:7972039. [PMID: 35652109 PMCID: PMC9150999 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7972039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies are preferred over conventional treatments which are highly cytotoxic to normal cells. Focus has been on T cells but natural killer (NK) cells have equal potential. Concepts in cancer control and influence of sex require further investigation to improve successful mobilization of immune cells in cancer patients. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a hematological malignancy mainly of B cell (B-ALL) and T cell (T-ALL) subtypes. Influence of ALL on NK cell is still unclear. Targeted next-generation sequencing was conducted on 62 activating/inhibitory receptors, ligands, effector, and exhaustion molecules on T-ALL (6 males) and normal controls (NC) (4 males and 4 females). Quantitative PCR (q-PCR) further investigated copy number variation (CNV), methylation index (MI), and mRNA expression of significant genes in T-ALL (14 males), NC (12 males and 12 females), and B-ALL samples (N = 12 males and 12 females). Bioinformatics revealed unique variants particularly rs2253849 (T>C) in KLRC1 and rs1141715 (A>G) in KLRC2 only among T-ALL (allele frequency 0.8-1.0). Gene amplification was highest in female B-ALL compared to male B-ALL (KLRC2, KLRC4, and NCR3, p < 0.05) and lowest in male T-ALL cumulating in deletion of KLRD1 and CD69. MI was higher in male ALL of both subtypes compared to normal (KIR2DL1-2 and 4 and KIR2DS2 and 4, p < 0.05) as well as to female B-ALL (KIR3DL2 and KIR2DS2, p < 0.05). mRNA expressions were low. Thus, ALL subtypes potentially regulated NK cell suppression by different mechanisms which should be considered in future immunotherapies for ALL.
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18
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Santourlidis S. Phyloepigenetics. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:754. [PMID: 35625482 PMCID: PMC9138650 DOI: 10.3390/biology11050754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, phylogenetic interspecies relationships are estimated based on genetic diversity, since it is assumed that the more recently diverged a species, with comparable constancy of development, the more similar their genetic material and proteins should be. However, occasional controversies in the field may reflect limited resolution and accuracy of this approach. Epigenetics has, meanwhile, provided significant evidence that CpG dinucleotides (CpGs) within genetic material are of particular importance for the annotation and function of the genome and the formation of the phenotype, which is continuously shaped by evolutionary interaction with environmental factors. Based on this, it can be concluded that CpGs follow a distinct rate of evolution, compared to all other nucleotide positions. Evidence is provided that supports this conclusion. Therefore, using CpGs to fathom evolutionary relationships between species could turn out to be a valuable approach to achieve, in some cases, an improved understanding of evolutionary development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
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19
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Erichsen L, Thimm C, Bohndorf M, Rahman MS, Wruck W, Adjaye J. Activation of the Renin–Angiotensin System Disrupts the Cytoskeletal Architecture of Human Urine-Derived Podocytes. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071095. [PMID: 35406662 PMCID: PMC8997628 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
High blood pressure is one of the major public health problems that causes severe disorders in several tissues including the human kidney. One of the most important signaling pathways associated with the regulation of blood pressure is the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), with its main mediator angiotensin II (ANGII). Elevated levels of circulating and intracellular ANGII and aldosterone lead to pro-fibrotic, -inflammatory, and -hypertrophic milieu that causes remodeling and dysfunction in cardiovascular and renal tissues. Furthermore, ANGII has been recognized as a major risk factor for the induction of apoptosis in podocytes, ultimately leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the past, disease modeling of kidney-associated diseases was extremely difficult, as the derivation of kidney originated cells is very challenging. Here we describe a differentiation protocol for reproducible differentiation of sine oculis homeobox homolog 2 (SIX2)-positive urine-derived renal progenitor cells (UdRPCs) into podocytes bearing typical cellular processes. The UdRPCs-derived podocytes show the activation of the renin–angiotensin system by being responsive to ANGII stimulation. Our data reveal the ANGII-dependent downregulation of nephrin (NPHS1) and synaptopodin (SYNPO), resulting in the disruption of the podocyte cytoskeletal architecture, as shown by immunofluorescence-based detection of α-Actinin. Furthermore, we show that the cytoskeletal disruption is mainly mediated through angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AGTR1) signaling and can be rescued by AGTR1 inhibition with the selective, competitive angiotensin II receptor type 1 antagonist, losartan. In the present manuscript we confirm and propose UdRPCs differentiated to podocytes as a unique cell type useful for studying nephrogenesis and associated diseases. Furthermore, the responsiveness of UdRPCs-derived podocytes to ANGII implies potential applications in nephrotoxicity studies and drug screening.
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20
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Kungwankiattichai S, Ponvilawan B, Roy C, Tunsing P, Kuchenbauer F, Owattanapanich W. Maintenance With Hypomethylating Agents After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:801632. [PMID: 35242779 PMCID: PMC8887643 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.801632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) seem to have a range of properties favorable to post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) maintenance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Materials and Methods The Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were independently searched by two investigators to identify relevant studies published inception to 18 November 2021. These trials compared HMA maintenance to observation following allo-SCT for AML or myelodysplastic syndrome. Results The meta-analysis eligibility criteria were fulfilled by 14 studies. The overall survival and relapse-free survival of the HMA maintenance group were superior to the observation group, with a pooled risk ratio (RR) of 1.38 and 1.46, respectively. Moreover, the cumulative incidence of relapse was significantly lower in those who received HMAs. The HMA group also had lower non-relapse mortality compared with the observation group. Overall, the incidences of grades III–IV acute graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) and chronic GVHD did not differ in both groups. However, when looking specifically at those receiving decitabine maintenance, the rate of chronic GVHD seemed to be lower compared with observation alone. Conclusions The current systematic review and meta-analysis illustrated that AML and MDS patients receiving HMA maintenance after allo-SCT had better outcomes in regards to OS, RFS, NRM, CIR as well as a reduced incidence of chronic GVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smith Kungwankiattichai
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ben Ponvilawan
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Claudie Roy
- Vancouver General Hospital, L/BMT Program of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Pattaraporn Tunsing
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Florian Kuchenbauer
- Vancouver General Hospital, L/BMT Program of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Research Centre, Terry Fox Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Weerapat Owattanapanich
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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21
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Leotta S, Condorelli A, Sciortino R, Milone GA, Bellofiore C, Garibaldi B, Schininà G, Spadaro A, Cupri A, Milone G. Prevention and Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Relapse after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: The State of the Art and Future Perspectives. J Clin Med 2022; 11:253. [PMID: 35011994 PMCID: PMC8745746 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11010253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents the only curative option. Progress has been made in the last two decades in the pre-transplant induction therapies, supportive care, selection of donors and conditioning regimens that allowed to extend the HSCT to a larger number of patients, including those aged over 65 years and/or lacking an HLA-identical donor. Furthermore, improvements in the prophylaxis of the graft-versus-host disease and of infection have dramatically reduced transplant-related mortality. The relapse of AML remains the major reason for transplant failure affecting almost 40-50% of the patients. From 10 to 15 years ago to date, treatment options for AML relapsing after HSCT were limited to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy and donor leukocyte infusions (DLI). Nowadays, novel agents and targeted therapies have enriched the therapeutic landscape. Moreover, very recently, the therapeutic landscape has been enriched by manipulated cellular products (CAR-T, CAR-CIK, CAR-NK). In light of these new perspectives, careful monitoring of minimal-residual disease (MRD) and prompt application of pre-emptive strategies in the post-transplant setting have become imperative. Herein, we review the current state of the art on monitoring, prevention and treatment of relapse of AML after HSCT with particular attention on novel agents and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annalisa Condorelli
- Division of Hematology, AOU “Policlinico G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95124 Catania, Italy; (S.L.); (R.S.); (G.A.M.); (C.B.); (B.G.); (G.S.); (A.S.); (A.C.); (G.M.)
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22
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Tuong ZK, Stewart BJ, Guo SA, Clatworthy MR. Epigenetics and tissue immunity-Translating environmental cues into functional adaptations. Immunol Rev 2021; 305:111-136. [PMID: 34821397 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13036] [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: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
There is an increasing appreciation that many innate and adaptive immune cell subsets permanently reside within non-lymphoid organs, playing a critical role in tissue homeostasis and defense. The best characterized are macrophages and tissue-resident T lymphocytes that work in concert with organ structural cells to generate appropriate immune responses and are functionally shaped by organ-specific environmental cues. The interaction of tissue epithelial, endothelial and stromal cells is also required to attract, differentiate, polarize and maintain organ immune cells in their tissue niche. All of these processes require dynamic regulation of cellular transcriptional programmes, with epigenetic mechanisms playing a critical role, including DNA methylation and post-translational histone modifications. A failure to appropriately regulate immune cell transcription inevitably results in inadequate or inappropriate immune responses and organ pathology. Here, with a focus on the mammalian kidney, an organ which generates differing regional environmental cues (including hypersalinity and hypoxia) due to its physiological functions, we will review the basic concepts of tissue immunity, discuss the technologies available to profile epigenetic modifications in tissue immune cells, including those that enable single-cell profiling, and consider how these mechanisms influence the development, phenotype, activation and function of different tissue immune cell subsets, as well as the immunological function of structural cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zewen Kelvin Tuong
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Cellular Genetics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Benjamin J Stewart
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Cellular Genetics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Shuang Andrew Guo
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Cellular Genetics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Menna R Clatworthy
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Cellular Genetics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.,Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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23
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Ma J. Bioinformatics-guided analysis uncovers TIGIT as an epigenetically regulated immunomodulator affecting immunotherapeutic sensitivity of gastric cancer. Cancer Biomark 2021; 33:349-358. [PMID: 34511485 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-210159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunomodulatory genes play significant roles in the regulation of immunological properties of gastric cancer, but the effect of epigenetic regulation of these genes on the immune properties is unknown. METHOD I analyzed the methylation-expression correlation among all immunomodulators and compared with the non-immunomodulators. The association between epigenetically regulated immunomodulators (ERI) and tumor microenvironment is evaluated. A key immunomodulator TIGIT is further selected to investigate the potential value in the regulation of immunologic properties. Furthermore, the prognostic value and the immunotherapeutic potential of TIGIT are also explored. RESULT Four genes are identified as ERIs based on the negative correlation between expression and methylation. Association analysis shows that three ERIs participate in the regulation of the immune microenvironment of gastric cancer. Among these ERIs, TIGIT is identified as a key immunomodulator. TIGIT is found to be significantly associated with immune properties. The high TIGIT expression group tends to display an active immune landscape. TIGIT expression is also found to be associated with survival and immunotherapeutic sensitivity. High TIGIT expression group has a favorable prognosis and is more likely to respond to immunotherapy than the low expression group. CONCLUSION TIGIT is an epigenetically regulated immunomodulator of gastric cancer which can modify the immune activity and affect immunotherapeutic sensitivity. These findings can promote the research of epigenetic therapies and improve the survival of cancer patients by sensitizing tumors to immune therapies.
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Bolarín JM, Pérez-Cárceles M, Luna A, Minguela A, Muro M, Legaz I. Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) genes can be an adequate tool in forensic anthropological studies: evaluation in a wide Caucasian Spanish population. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2021.1930156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. M. Bolarín
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - M.D. Pérez-Cárceles
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - A. Luna
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - A. Minguela
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de investigación biosanitaria (IMIB) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de enfermedades hepáticas y digestivas (CIBERehd), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), Murcia, Spain
| | - M. Muro
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de investigación biosanitaria (IMIB) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de enfermedades hepáticas y digestivas (CIBERehd), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), Murcia, Spain
| | - I. Legaz
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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25
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Xia M, Wang B, Wang Z, Zhang X, Wang X. Epigenetic Regulation of NK Cell-Mediated Antitumor Immunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:672328. [PMID: 34017344 PMCID: PMC8129532 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.672328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical innate lymphocytes that can directly kill target cells without prior immunization. NK cell activation is controlled by the balance of multiple germline-encoded activating and inhibitory receptors. NK cells are a heterogeneous and plastic population displaying a broad spectrum of functional states (resting, activating, memory, repressed, and exhausted). In this review, we present an overview of the epigenetic regulation of NK cell-mediated antitumor immunity, including DNA methylation, histone modification, transcription factor changes, and microRNA expression. NK cell-based immunotherapy has been recognized as a promising strategy to treat cancer. Since epigenetic alterations are reversible and druggable, these studies will help identify new ways to enhance NK cell-mediated antitumor cytotoxicity by targeting intrinsic epigenetic regulators alone or in combination with other strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoran Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bingbing Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xulong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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26
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de Lima M, Roboz GJ, Platzbecker U, Craddock C, Ossenkoppele G. AML and the art of remission maintenance. Blood Rev 2021; 49:100829. [PMID: 33832807 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2021.100829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Relapse in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is common, especially in older patients, and there is currently no standard of care maintenance therapy for those who achieve complete remission. Finding effective, tolerable maintenance therapy to prolong remission has been a goal for decades, but early clinical trials testing a variety of agents demonstrated disappointing results with no overall survival benefit. CC-486, an oral hypomethylating agent, was recently approved in the United States for maintenance treatment in patients with AML in first remission following chemotherapy. A number of ongoing studies are assessing various therapeutics in the maintenance setting, including other hypomethylating agents, targeted small-molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and immunomodulators. New strategies are needed to identify patients most likely to benefit from maintenance therapy, including those for whom a preemptive approach reliant on monitoring of measurable residual disease would be advantageous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos de Lima
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America.
| | - Gail J Roboz
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America; New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Charles Craddock
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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27
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Linking the KIR phenotype with STAT3 and TET2 mutations to identify chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of NK cells. Blood 2021; 137:3237-3250. [PMID: 33512451 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020006721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Distinguishing chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of NK cells (CLPD-NK) from reactive NK-cell expansion is challenging. We assessed the value of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor(KIR) phenotyping and targeted high-throughput sequencing in a cohort of 114 consecutive patients with NK cell proliferation, retrospectively assigned to a CLPD-NK group (n = 46) and a reactive NK group (n = 68). We then developed an NK-cell clonality score combining flow cytometry and molecular profiling with a positive predictive value of 93%. STAT3 and TET2 mutations were respectively identified in 27% and 34% of the patients with CLPD-NK, constituting a new diagnostic hallmark for this disease. TET2-mutated CLPD-NK preferentially exhibited a CD16low phenotype, more frequently displayed a lower platelet count, and was associated with other hematologic malignancies such as myelodysplasia. To explore the mutational clonal hierarchy of CLPD-NK, we performed whole-exome sequencing of sorted, myeloid, T, and NK cells and found that TET2 mutations were shared by myeloid and NK cells in 3 of 4 cases. Thus, we hypothesized that TET2 alterations occur in early hematopoietic progenitors which could explain a potential link between CLPD-NK and myeloid malignancies. Finally, we analyzed the transcriptome by RNA sequencing of 7 CLPD-NK and evidenced 2 groups of patients. The first group displayed STAT3 mutations or SOCS3 methylation and overexpressed STAT3 target genes. The second group, including 2 TET2-mutated cases, significantly underexpressed genes known to be downregulated in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. Our results provide new insights into the pathogenesis of NK-cell proliferative disorders and, potentially, new therapeutic opportunities.
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28
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Okamoto H, Kamitsuji Y, Komori Y, Sasaki N, Tsutsumi Y, Miyashita A, Tsukamoto T, Mizutani S, Shimura Y, Kobayashi T, Uoshima N, Kuroda J. Durable Remission of Chemotherapy-Refractory Myeloid Sarcoma by Azacitidine. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2021; 254:101-105. [PMID: 34148918 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.254.101] [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] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Myeloid sarcoma is a rare disease entity of extramedullary myeloid neoplasm that can occur both as an initial isolated myeloid sarcoma without leukemic cell invasion in the peripheral blood and bone marrow, and as the secondary lesion of acute and chronic myeloid leukemias, myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms. Due to its rarity and its frequent emergence as the recurrent lesion after intensive systemic therapy, including allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the standard treatment has not been established for myeloid sarcoma. In this report, we presented an 84-year-old female patient with isolated myeloid sarcoma which progressed to myelodysplastic syndrome and systemic myeloid sarcoma despite various types of conventional anti-leukemic chemotherapies. However, the patient got a durable partial response by the monotherapy of azacitidine, a hypomethylating agent. She received thirteen courses of azacitidine therapy without progression. We discuss the possibility that hypomethylating agents are the novel effective and feasible therapeutic options for myeloid sarcoma, even in cases refractory to or relapsed after intensive systemic treatment. We also discuss the possible future development of hypomethylating agent-containing combinatory therapeutic strategy for myeloid sarcoma, given its direct anti-leukemic effect and immunomodulatory effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruya Okamoto
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine.,Department of Hematology, Japanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini Hospital
| | - Yuri Kamitsuji
- Department of Hematology, Japanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini Hospital
| | - Yukiko Komori
- Department of Hematology, Japanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini Hospital
| | - Nana Sasaki
- Department of Hematology, Japanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini Hospital
| | | | | | - Taku Tsukamoto
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
| | - Shinsuke Mizutani
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
| | - Yuji Shimura
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
| | - Tsutomu Kobayashi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
| | - Nobuhiko Uoshima
- Department of Hematology, Japanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini Hospital
| | - Junya Kuroda
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
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29
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Stomper J, Rotondo JC, Greve G, Lübbert M. Hypomethylating agents (HMA) for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes: mechanisms of resistance and novel HMA-based therapies. Leukemia 2021; 35:1873-1889. [PMID: 33958699 PMCID: PMC8257497 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01218-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation plays a pivotal role in tumor development and progression. DNA hypomethylating agents (HMA) constitute a class of drugs which are able to reverse DNA methylation, thereby triggering the re-programming of tumor cells. The first-generation HMA azacitidine and decitabine have now been in standard clinical use for some time, offering a valuable alternative to previous treatments in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, so far particularly in older, medically non-fit patients. However, the longer we use these drugs, the more we are confronted with the (almost inevitable) development of resistance. This review provides insights into the mode of action of HMA, mechanisms of resistance to this treatment, and strategies to overcome HMA resistance including next-generation HMA and HMA-based combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Stomper
- grid.7708.80000 0000 9428 7911Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - John Charles Rotondo
- grid.7708.80000 0000 9428 7911Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.8484.00000 0004 1757 2064Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gabriele Greve
- grid.7708.80000 0000 9428 7911Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Lübbert
- grid.7708.80000 0000 9428 7911Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany
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30
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Antar AI, Otrock ZK, Abou Dalle I, El-Cheikh J, Bazarbachi A. Pharmacologic Therapies to Prevent Relapse of Acute Myeloid Leukemia After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Front Oncol 2020; 10:596134. [PMID: 33224890 PMCID: PMC7667262 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.596134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapse is the main cause of mortality in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Adverse cytogenetic or molecular risk factors, as well as refractory disease or persistent measurable residual disease (MRD) at the time of transplantation are associated with an increased risk of recurrence. Salvage therapy for AML relapse after allo-HSCT is often limited to chemotherapy, donor lymphocyte infusions and/or second transplants and is rarely successful. Effective post-transplant preventive intervention in high risk AML may be crucial. The most frequent and promising approach is the use of post-transplant maintenance with hypomethylating agents or with FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors when the target is present. Moreover, IDH1/IDH2 inhibitors and BCL-2 inhibitors in combination with other strategies are promising approaches in the maintenance setting. Here we summarize the current knowledge about the preemptive and prophylactic use of pharmacologic agents after allo-HSCT to prevent relapse of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad I. Antar
- Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hammoud Hospital University Medical Center, Saida, Lebanon
| | - Zaher K. Otrock
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Iman Abou Dalle
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Program, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jean El-Cheikh
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Program, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali Bazarbachi
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Program, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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31
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Intra-lineage Plasticity and Functional Reprogramming Maintain Natural Killer Cell Repertoire Diversity. Cell Rep 2020; 29:2284-2294.e4. [PMID: 31747601 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.10.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell repertoires are made up of phenotypically distinct subsets with different functional properties. The molecular programs involved in maintaining NK cell repertoire diversity under homeostatic conditions remain elusive. Here, we show that subset-specific NK cell proliferation kinetics correlate with mTOR activation, and global repertoire diversity is maintained through a high degree of intra-lineage subset plasticity during interleukin (IL)-15-driven homeostatic proliferation in vitro. Slowly cycling sorted KIR+CD56dim NK cells with an induced CD57 phenotype display increased functional potential associated with increased transcription of genes involved in adhesion and immune synapse formation. Rapidly cycling cells upregulate NKG2A, display a general loss of functionality, and a transcriptional signature associated with increased apoptosis/cellular stress, actin-remodeling, and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation. These results shed light on the role of intra-lineage plasticity during NK cell homeostasis and suggest that the functional fate of the cell is tightly linked to the acquired phenotype and transcriptional reprogramming.
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32
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Bruijnesteijn J, de Groot NG, Bontrop RE. The Genetic Mechanisms Driving Diversification of the KIR Gene Cluster in Primates. Front Immunol 2020; 11:582804. [PMID: 33013938 PMCID: PMC7516082 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.582804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity and function of natural killer (NK) cells are modulated through the interactions of multiple receptor families, of which some recognize MHC class I molecules. The high level of MHC class I polymorphism requires their ligands either to interact with conserved epitopes, as is utilized by the NKG2A receptor family, or to co-evolve with the MHC class I allelic variation, which task is taken up by the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family. Multiple molecular mechanisms are responsible for the diversification of the KIR gene system, and include abundant chromosomal recombination, high mutation rates, alternative splicing, and variegated expression. The combination of these genetic mechanisms generates a compound array of diversity as is reflected by the contraction and expansion of KIR haplotypes, frequent birth of fusion genes, allelic polymorphism, structurally distinct isoforms, and variegated expression, which is in contrast to the mainly allelic nature of MHC class I polymorphism in humans. A comparison of the thoroughly studied human and macaque KIR gene repertoires demonstrates a similar evolutionarily conserved toolbox, through which selective forces drove and maintained the diversified nature of the KIR gene cluster. This hypothesis is further supported by the comparative genetics of KIR haplotypes and genes in other primate species. The complex nature of the KIR gene system has an impact upon the education, activity, and function of NK cells in coherence with an individual’s MHC class I repertoire and pathogenic encounters. Although selection operates on an individual, the continuous diversification of the KIR gene system in primates might protect populations against evolving pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Natasja G de Groot
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Ronald E Bontrop
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands.,Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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33
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Hanson AL, Vukcevic D, Leslie S, Harris J, Lê Cao KA, Kenna TJ, Brown MA. Epistatic interactions between killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and human leukocyte antigen ligands are associated with ankylosing spondylitis. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008906. [PMID: 32804949 PMCID: PMC7451988 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), found predominantly on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells and some T-cells, are a collection of highly polymorphic activating and inhibitory receptors with variable specificity for class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands. Fifteen KIR genes are inherited in haplotypes of diverse gene content across the human population, and the repertoire of independently inherited KIR and HLA alleles is known to alter risk for immune-mediated and infectious disease by shifting the threshold of lymphocyte activation. We have conducted the largest disease-association study of KIR-HLA epistasis to date, enabled by the imputation of KIR gene and HLA allele dosages from genotype data for 12,214 healthy controls and 8,107 individuals with the HLA-B*27-associated immune-mediated arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We identified epistatic interactions between KIR genes and their ligands (at both HLA subtype and allele resolution) that increase risk of disease, replicating analyses in a semi-independent cohort of 3,497 cases and 14,844 controls. We further confirmed that the strong AS-association with a pathogenic variant in the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase gene ERAP1, known to alter the HLA-B*27 presented peptidome, is not modified by carriage of the canonical HLA-B receptor KIR3DL1/S1. Overall, our data suggests that AS risk is modified by the complement of KIRs and HLA ligands inherited, beyond the influence of HLA-B*27 alone, which collectively alter the proinflammatory capacity of KIR-expressing lymphocytes to contribute to disease immunopathogenesis. Cells of the immune system utilise various cell-surface receptors to differentiate between healthy and infected or malignant cells, enabling targeted inflammatory responses while minimising damage to self-tissue. In instances where the immune system fails to correctly differentiate healthy from diseased tissue, or inflammatory activity is poorly regulated, autoimmune or autoinflammatory conditions can develop. Here we have investigated a possible role for a class of immune-cell activating and inhibitory receptors in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a common but poorly understood inflammatory arthritis in which the immune system causes severe damage to the joints of the pelvis and spine. Using genetic information from 12,214 healthy controls and 8,107 individuals with AS we were able to identify combinations of independently inherited immune cell receptors and their ligands that increase or decrease an individual’s risk of disease. This research provides new insight into the nature of co-inherited genetic factors that may collectively alter the proinflammatory capacity of immune cells, contributing to the immunopathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee L. Hanson
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Damjan Vukcevic
- Melbourne Integrative Genomics, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Data Science, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Leslie
- Melbourne Integrative Genomics, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Data Science, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria Australia
| | - Jessica Harris
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kim-Anh Lê Cao
- Melbourne Integrative Genomics, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tony J. Kenna
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Matthew A. Brown
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
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34
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Baek DW, Kim J, Cho HJ, Moon JH, Sohn SK. Hypomethylating agent-based post-transplant strategies to maximize the outcome of high-risk acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Expert Rev Hematol 2020; 13:959-969. [PMID: 32731765 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2020.1804355] [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: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clinical outcomes of patients diagnosed with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are poor, and relapse or refractoriness is main cause of treatment failure, even in those who underwent standard allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Therefore, innovative or additional approaches are necessary to overcome refractoriness to the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect immediately after allo-SCT. AREAS COVERED Hypomethylating agents (HMA) present a feasible option that can be adopted during the post-transplant phase. Moreover, combination strategies based on HMA may induce a synergistic effect by promoting anti-leukemic effects that overcome residual leukemic burden, and it is a well-tolerated therapeutic option for high-risk disease. Relevant literatures published in the last 30 years were searched from PubMed to review the topic of AML, allo-SCT, and HMAs. EXPERT OPINION Post-transplant therapy is strongly needed to improve the outcomes of allogeneic transplantation for certain AML patients classified with high-risk disease. In that sense, prophylactic and preemptive HMAs are a promising additive therapy for allogeneic recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Won Baek
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University , Daegu, South Korea
| | - Juhyung Kim
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University , Daegu, South Korea
| | - Hee Jeong Cho
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University , Daegu, South Korea
| | - Joon Ho Moon
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University , Daegu, South Korea
| | - Sang Kyun Sohn
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University , Daegu, South Korea
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35
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Yu K, Davidson CE, Burshtyn DN. LILRB1 Intron 1 Has a Polymorphic Regulatory Region That Enhances Transcription in NK Cells and Recruits YY1. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:3030-3041. [PMID: 32321755 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
LILRB1 is a highly polymorphic receptor expressed by subsets of innate and adaptive immune cells associated with viral and autoimmune diseases and targeted by pathogens for immune evasion. LILRB1 expression on human NK cells is variegated, and the frequency of LILRB1+ cells differs among people. However, little is known about the processes and factors mediating LILRB1 transcription in NK cells. LILRB1 gene expression in lymphoid and myeloid cells arises from two distinct promoters that are separated by the first exon and intron. In this study, we identified a polymorphic 3-kb region within LILRB1 intron 1 that is epigenetically marked as an active enhancer in human lymphoid cells and not monocytes. This region possesses multiple YY1 sites, and complexes of the promoter/enhancer combination were isolated using anti-YY1 in chromatin immunoprecipitation-loop. CRISPR-mediated deletion of the 3-kb region lowers LILRB1 expression in human NKL cells. Together, these results indicate the enhancer in intron 1 binds YY1 and suggest YY1 provides a scaffold function enabling enhancer function in regulating LILRB1 gene transcription in human NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Yu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - Chelsea E Davidson
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - Deborah N Burshtyn
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2S2, Canada; .,Alberta Transplant Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada; and.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada
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36
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Cristiani CM, Garofalo C, Passacatini LC, Carbone E. New avenues for melanoma immunotherapy: Natural Killer cells? Scand J Immunol 2020; 91:e12861. [PMID: 31879979 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Human solid malignant tumours may be particularly resistant to conventional therapies. Among solid tumours, immunological features of cutaneous melanoma have been well characterized in the past and today melanoma patients are routinely treated with the anti-immune checkpoints immunotherapy that has completely changed metastatic melanoma treatment and prognosis. Two cytotoxic cell populations may lead to the physical elimination of tumour cell targets: cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. Tumour recognition by CTLs depends on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, while NK cells recognize tumours expressing low or null levels of MHC class I molecules. Despite this well-established complementarity, NK cells are still left behind in the optimization of innovative immunotherapy approaches. NK cells are members of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) that play a critical role in early host defence against invading pathogens and transformed cells. Recent findings suggest that NK cell frequencies directly correlate with the overall survival of ipilimumab-treated melanoma patients. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo evidences indicate that NK cells can selectively kill cancer stem cells, reducing tumour size and delaying metastatic progression. The aim of this review is to provide a survey of the evidences indicating NK cells as an excellent candidate to complement the newest solid tumour immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Maria Cristiani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Cinzia Garofalo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Lucia Carmela Passacatini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ennio Carbone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Stockholm, Sweden
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Basic Hallmarks of Urothelial Cancer Unleashed in Primary Uroepithelium by Interference with the Epigenetic Master Regulator ODC1. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3808. [PMID: 32123240 PMCID: PMC7052216 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60796-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a common disease causing significant morbidity and mortality as well as considerable costs for health systems. Extensive aberrant methylation of DNA is broadly documented in early UC, contributing to genetic instability, altered gene expression and tumor progression. However the triggers initiating aberrant methylation are unknown. Recently we discovered that several genes encoding key enzymes of methyl group and polyamine metabolism, including Ornithine Decarboxylase 1 (ODC1), are affected by DNA methylation in early stage UC. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that these epigenetic alterations act in a feed-forward fashion to promote aberrant DNA methylation in UC. We demonstrate that siRNA-mediated knockdown of ODC1 expression elicits genome-wide LINE-1 demethylation, induction of LINE-1 transcripts and double-strand DNA breaks and decreases viability in primary cultured uroepithelial cells. Similarly, following siRNA-mediated knockdown of ODC1, UC cells undergo double-strand DNA breaks and apoptosis. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that ODC1 gene hypermethylation could be a starting point for the onset of genome-wide epigenetic aberrations in urothelial carcinogenesis. Furthermore, LINE-1 induction enabled by ODC1 interference provides a new experimental model to study mechanisms and consequences of LINE-1 activation in the etiology and progression of UC as well as presumably other cancers.
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38
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Bruijnesteijn J, de Groot N, van der Wiel MKH, Otting N, de Vos-Rouweler AJM, de Groot NG, Bontrop RE. Unparalleled Rapid Evolution of KIR Genes in Rhesus and Cynomolgus Macaque Populations. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:1770-1786. [PMID: 32111732 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1901140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR) modulate immune responses through interactions with MHC class I molecules. The KIR region in large cohorts of rhesus and cynomolgus macaque populations were characterized, and the experimental design enabled the definition of a considerable number of alleles (n = 576) and haplotypes, which are highly variable with regard to architecture. Although high levels of polymorphism were recorded, only a few alleles are shared between species and populations. The rapid evolution of allelic polymorphism, accumulated by point mutations, was further confirmed by the emergence of a novel KIR allele in a rhesus macaque family. In addition to allelic variation, abundant orthologous and species-specific KIR genes were identified, the latter of which are frequently generated by fusion events. The concerted action of both genetic mechanisms, in combination with differential selective pressures at the population level, resulted in the unparalleled rapid evolution of the KIR gene region in two closely related macaque species. The variation of the KIR gene repertoire at the species and population level might have an impact on the outcome of preclinical studies with macaque models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and
| | - Nanine de Groot
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and
| | - Marit K H van der Wiel
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and
| | - Nel Otting
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and
| | - Annemiek J M de Vos-Rouweler
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and
| | - Natasja G de Groot
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and
| | - Ronald E Bontrop
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and .,Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics Group, Utrecht University, 3527 Utrecht, the Netherlands
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39
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Wright PA. Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor assessment algorithms in haemopoietic progenitor cell transplantation: current perspectives and future opportunities. HLA 2020; 95:435-448. [PMID: 31999071 DOI: 10.1111/tan.13817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer cells preferentially target and kill malignant and virally infected cells. Both these properties present compelling clinical utility in the field of haemopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT), potentially promoting a graft vs leukaemia effect in the absence of graft vs host disease and protecting against cytomegalovirus activation. Killer Ig-like receptors (KIR) play a central role in the cytotoxic action of natural killer cells, providing opportunity for improving transplantation outcomes by prioritising potential donors with optimal characteristics. Numerous algorithms for assessing KIR gene content as part of HPCT donor selection protocols exist, but no single model has been found to be universally applicable in all transplant centres. This review summarises several of the predominant strategies in KIR assessment algorithms, discussing their basic scientific principles, clinical utility and benefits to post-transplant outcomes. Finally, the review will consider how future donor selection protocols could develop towards unifying the concepts of KIR proteomics and genetics for optimising patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Wright
- Transplantation Laboratory, Division of Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
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40
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Wang QY, Li Y, Liang ZY, Yin Y, Liu W, Wang Q, Dong YJ, Sun YH, Xu WL, Ren HY. Decitabine-Containing Conditioning Regimen for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Intermediate- and High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Potential Decrease in the Incidence of Acute Graft versus Host Disease. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:10195-10203. [PMID: 31824191 PMCID: PMC6900353 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s229768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the role of Decitabine in the allo-HSCT conditioning regimen for intermediate- and high-risk patients with MDS or AML. Patients and methods Retrospective analysis of data pertaining to 76 intermediate- and high-risk patients with MDS or AML who underwent allo-HSCT between December 2005 and June 2018 at the Peking University First Hospital. Forty patients received Decitabine-containing conditioning regimen before transplantation, while thirty-six patients received regimen without Decitabine. Results Over a median follow-up of 40 months (range, 1 to 155), the cumulative incidence of grade II to IV acute graft versus host disease was 12.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.9–30.9%] in the Decitabine group and 41.5% (95% CI 28.1–61.2%) in the non-Decitabine group (P=0.005). On multivariate analysis, Decitabine-containing conditioning regimen was found to protect against grade II to IV aGVHD (HR=0.279, 95% CI 0.102–0.765, P=0.013). Incidence of respiratory infection in the Decitabine and non-Decitabine groups was 22.5% and 52.78%, respectively (P=0.012). No significant between-group difference was observed with respect to 3-year OS, DFS, or RR (P=0.980, 0.959, and 0.573, respectively), while the median relapse time was longer in the Decitabine group [7 months (range, 2–12) versus 3 months (range, 2–4), P=0.171]. Decitabine-containing conditioning showed a tendency for lower relapse rate among higher risk patients, as assessed by IPSS R; however, the between-group difference was not statistically significant (P=0.085). Conclusion Inclusion of Decitabine in the conditioning regimen for allo-HSCT in intermediate- and high-risk patients may lower the incidence of aGVHD and respiratory infections, and contribute to longer median relapse time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Ya Wang
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ze Yin Liang
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Yin
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Jun Dong
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Hua Sun
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Lin Xu
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Yun Ren
- Department of Hematology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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41
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Nutalai R, Gaudieri S, Jumnainsong A, Leelayuwat C. Regulation of KIR3DL3 Expression via Mirna. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10080603. [PMID: 31405037 PMCID: PMC6723774 DOI: 10.3390/genes10080603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) 3DL3 is a framework gene present in all human KIR haplotypes. Although the structure of KIR3DL3 is suggestive of an inhibitory receptor, the function of KIR3DL3 has not been demonstrated and cognate ligands have not been identified. KIR3DL3 has been shown to be constitutively expressed at a low RNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and decidual natural kill (NK) cells, but cell surface expression of KIR3DL3 cannot be detected. Accordingly, post-transcriptional regulation of KIR3DL3 should exist. Using bioinformatics analysis, we identified three candidate micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs; miR-26a-5p, -26b-5p and -185-5p) that potentially regulate KIR3DL3 expression. Luciferase reporter assays utilizing constructs with mutated miRNA-binding sites of miR-26a-5p, -26b-5p and -185-5p in the 3’-untranslated region (3’ UTR) of KIR3DL3 resulted in up-regulation of luciferase activity demonstrating a potential mechanism of gene regulation. Furthermore, knockdown of the same endogenous miRNAs using silencing ribonucleic acid (siRNA) led to induced surface expression of KIR3DL3. In conclusion, we provide a novel mechanism of functional regulation of KIR3DL3 via miRNAs. These findings are relevant in understanding the generation of KIR repertoire and NK cell clonality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rungtiwa Nutalai
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduates School of Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Sciences, School of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Amonrat Jumnainsong
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Sciences, School of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Chanvit Leelayuwat
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Sciences, School of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
- The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
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42
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Natural Killer Cells as Allogeneic Effectors in Adoptive Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060769. [PMID: 31163679 PMCID: PMC6628161 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are attractive within adoptive transfer settings in cancer immunotherapy due to their potential for allogeneic use; their alloreactivity is enhanced under conditions of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) mismatch with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands on cancer cells. In addition to this, NK cells are platforms for genetic modification, and proliferate in vivo for a shorter time relative to T cells, limiting off-target activation. Current clinical studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of allogeneic NK cell adoptive transfer therapies as a means for treatment of hematologic malignancies and, to a lesser extent, solid tumors. However, challenges associated with sourcing allogeneic NK cells have given rise to controversy over the contribution of NK cells to graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Specifically, blood-derived NK cell infusions contain contaminating T cells, whose activation with NK-stimulating cytokines has been known to lead to heightened release of proinflammatory cytokines and trigger the onset of GvHD in vivo. NK cells sourced from cell lines and stem cells lack contaminating T cells, but can also lack many phenotypic characteristics of mature NK cells. Here, we discuss the available published evidence for the varying roles of NK cells in GvHD and, more broadly, their use in allogeneic adoptive transfer settings to treat various cancers.
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43
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Rautenberg C, Germing U, Haas R, Kobbe G, Schroeder T. Relapse of Acute Myeloid Leukemia after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Prevention, Detection, and Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E228. [PMID: 30626126 PMCID: PMC6337734 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a phenotypically and prognostically heterogeneous hematopoietic stem cell disease that may be cured in eligible patients with intensive chemotherapy and/or allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Tremendous advances in sequencing technologies have revealed a large amount of molecular information which has markedly improved our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and enables a better classification and risk estimation. Furthermore, with the approval of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitor Midostaurin a first targeted therapy has been introduced into the first-line therapy of younger patients with FLT3-mutated AML and several other small molecules targeting molecular alterations such as isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations or the anti-apoptotic b-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) protein are currently under investigation. Despite these advances, many patients will have to undergo allo-SCT during the course of disease and depending on disease and risk status up to half of them will finally relapse after transplant. Here we review the current knowledge about the molecular landscape of AML and how this can be employed to prevent, detect and treat relapse of AML after allo-SCT.
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MESH Headings
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/diagnosis
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/prevention & control
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Mutation/genetics
- Neoplasm, Residual/diagnosis
- Neoplasm, Residual/drug therapy
- Recurrence
- Transplantation, Homologous
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Rautenberg
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University of Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Germing
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University of Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany.
| | - Rainer Haas
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University of Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany.
| | - Guido Kobbe
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University of Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany.
| | - Thomas Schroeder
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University of Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany.
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44
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Arenas-Ramirez N, Sahin D, Boyman O. Epigenetic mechanisms of tumor resistance to immunotherapy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:4163-4176. [PMID: 30140960 PMCID: PMC11105392 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2908-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The recent impact of cancer immunotherapies has firmly established the ability and importance of the immune system to fight malignancies. However, the intimate interaction between the highly dynamic tumor and immune cells leads to a selection process driven by genetic and epigenetic processes. As the molecular pathways of cancer resistance mechanisms to immunotherapy become increasingly known, novel therapeutic targets are being tested in combination with immune-stimulating approaches. We here review recent insights into the molecular mechanisms of tumor resistance with particular emphasis on epigenetic processes and place these in the context of previous models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dilara Sahin
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Onur Boyman
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland.
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45
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Damani-Yokota P, Telfer JC, Baldwin CL. Variegated Transcription of the WC1 Hybrid PRR/Co-Receptor Genes by Individual γδ T Cells and Correlation With Pathogen Responsiveness. Front Immunol 2018; 9:717. [PMID: 29867919 PMCID: PMC5949365 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
γδ T cells have broad reactivity and actively participate in protective immunity against tumors and infectious disease-causing organisms. In γδ-high species such as ruminants and other artiodactyls many γδ T cells bear the lineage-specific markers known as WC1. WC1 molecules are scavenger receptors coded for by a multigenic array and are closely related to SCART found on murine γδ T cells and CD163 found on a variety of cells. We have previously shown that WC1 molecules are hybrid pattern recognition receptors thereby binding pathogens as well as signaling co-receptors for the γδ T cell receptor. WC1+ γδ T cells can be divided into two major subpopulations differentiated by the WC1 genes they express and the pathogens to which they respond. Therefore, we hypothesize that optimal γδ T cell responses are contingent on pathogen binding to WC1 molecules, especially since we have shown that silencing WC1 results in an inability of γδ T cells from primed animals to respond to the pathogen Leptospira, a model system we have employed extensively. Despite this knowledge about the crucial role WC1 plays in γδ T cell biology, the pattern of WC1 gene expression by individual γδ T cells was not known but is critical to devise methods to engage γδ T cells for responses to specific pathogens. To address this gap, we generated 78 γδ T cell clones. qRT-PCR evaluation showed that approximately 75% of the clones had one to three WC1 genes transcribed but up to six per cell occurred. The co-transcription of WC1 genes by clones showed many combinations and some WC1 genes were transcribed by both subpopulations although there were differences in the overall pattern of WC1 genes transcription. Despite this overlap, Leptospira-responsive WC1+ memory γδ T cell clones were shown to have a significantly higher propensity to express WC1 molecules that are known to bind to the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payal Damani-Yokota
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Janice C Telfer
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States.,Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Cynthia L Baldwin
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States.,Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
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46
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Niu C, Li M, Zhu S, Chen Y, Zhou L, Xu D, Li W, Cui J, Liu Y, Chen J. Decitabine Inhibits Gamma Delta T Cell Cytotoxicity by Promoting KIR2DL2/3 Expression. Front Immunol 2018; 9:617. [PMID: 29632540 PMCID: PMC5879086 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gamma delta (γδ) T cells, which possess potent cytotoxicity against a wide range of cancer cells, have become a potential avenue for adoptive immunotherapy. Decitabine (DAC) has been reported to enhance the immunogenicity of tumor cells, thereby reinstating endogenous immune recognition and tumor lysis. However, DAC has also been demonstrated to have direct effects on immune cells. In this study, we report that DAC inhibits γδ T cell proliferation. In addition, DAC increases the number of KIR2DL2/3-positive γδ T cells, which are less cytotoxic than the KIR2DL2/3-negative γδ T cells. We found that DAC upregulated KIR2DL2/3 expression in KIR2DL2/3-negative γδ T cells by inhibiting KIR2DL2/3 promoter methylation, which enhances the binding of KIR2DL2/3 promoter to Sp-1 and activates KIR2DL2/3 gene expression. Our data demonstrated that DAC can inhibit the function of human γδ T cells at both cellular and molecular levels, which confirms and extrapolates the results of previous studies showing that DAC can negatively regulate the function of NK cells and αβ T cells of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Niu
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shan Zhu
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yongchong Chen
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dongsheng Xu
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiuwei Cui
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yongjun Liu
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Sanofi Research and Development, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Jingtao Chen
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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47
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Ewen EM, Pahl JHW, Miller M, Watzl C, Cerwenka A. KIR downregulation by IL-12/15/18 unleashes human NK cells from KIR/HLA-I inhibition and enhances killing of tumor cells. Eur J Immunol 2017; 48:355-365. [PMID: 29105756 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201747128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
To exploit autologous NK cells for cancer immunotherapy, it is highly relevant to circumvent killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)-mediated self-inhibition of human NK cells by HLA-I-expressing tumor cells. Here, we show that stimulation of NK cells with IL-12/15/18 for two days led to downregulation of surface expression of the inhibitory KIR2DL2/L3, KIR2DL1 and KIR3DL1 receptors on peripheral blood NK cells. Downregulation of KIR expression was attributed to decreased KIR mRNA levels which could be re-induced already 3 days after re-culture in IL-2. Reduced KIR2DL2/L3 expression on IL-12/15/18-activated NK cells resulted in less inhibition upon antibody-mediated KIR engagement and increased CD16-dependent cytotoxicity in redirected lysis assays. Most importantly, downregulated KIR2DL2/L3 expression enabled enhanced cytotoxicity of IL-12/15/18-stimulated NK cells against tumor cells expressing cognate HLA-I molecules. NK cells pre-activated with IL-12/15/18 were previously shown to exert potent anti-tumor activity and memory-like long-lived functionality, mediating remission in a subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in a clinical trial. Our study reveals a novel mechanism of IL-12/15/18 in improving the cytotoxicity of NK cells by reducing their sensitivity to inhibition by self-HLA-I due to decreased KIR expression, highlighting the potency of IL-12/15/18-activated NK cells for anti-tumor immunotherapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Ewen
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens H W Pahl
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Immunobiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Miller
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Watzl
- Department of Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Germany
| | - Adelheid Cerwenka
- Innate Immunity Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Immunobiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Germany
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48
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Hypomethylating agents for treatment and prevention of relapse after allogeneic blood stem cell transplantation. Int J Hematol 2017; 107:138-150. [DOI: 10.1007/s12185-017-2364-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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49
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Chaisri S, Traherne JA, Jayaraman J, Romphruk A, Trowsdale J, Leelayuwat C. Novel KIR genotypes and gene copy number variations in northeastern Thais. Immunology 2017; 153:380-386. [PMID: 28950036 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
KIR (Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptor) variants influence immune responses and are genetic factors in disease susceptibility. Using sequence-specific priming PCR, we have previously described the diversity of KIR genes in term of presence/absence in northeastern Thais (NETs). To provide additional resolution beyond conventional methods, quantitative PCR was applied to determine KIR copy number profiles. Novel expanded and contracted KIR copy number profiles were identified at cumulatively high frequencies. These all comprise haplotypes with duplication (6·9%) or deletion (2·7%) of KIR3DL1/S1 along with adjacent genes. Five expanded KIR profiles comprised haplotypes with duplications of KIR2DP1, 2DL1, 3DP1, 2DL4, 3DL1/S1 and 2DS1/4, whereas two contracted profiles contained only a single copy of KIR3DP1, 3DL1/S1 and 2DL4. Using a KIR haplotype prediction program (KIR Haplotype Identifier), 14% of NET haplotypes carried atypical haplotypes based on the gene copy number data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suwit Chaisri
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine (CICM), Thammasat University, Klong Luang, Thailand.,The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - James A Traherne
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jyothi Jayaraman
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Amornrat Romphruk
- The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.,Blood Transfusion Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - John Trowsdale
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Chanvit Leelayuwat
- The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.,Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
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50
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Malmberg KJ, Carlsten M, Björklund A, Sohlberg E, Bryceson YT, Ljunggren HG. Natural killer cell-mediated immunosurveillance of human cancer. Semin Immunol 2017; 31:20-29. [PMID: 28888619 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The contribution of natural killer (NK) cells to immunosurveillance of human cancer remains debatable. Here, we discuss advances in several areas of human NK cell research, many of which support the ability of NK cells to prevent cancer development and avoid relapse following adoptive immunotherapy. We describe the molecular basis for NK cell recognition of human tumor cells and provide evidence for NK cell-mediated killing of human primary tumor cells ex vivo. Subsequently, we highlight studies demonstrating the ability of NK cells to migrate to, and reside in, the human tumor microenvironment where selection of tumor escape variants from NK cells can occur. Indirect evidence for NK cell immunosurveillance against human malignancies is provided by the reduced incidence of cancer in individuals with high levels of NK cell cytotoxicity, and the significant clinical responses observed following infusion of human NK cells into cancer patients. Finally, we describe studies showing enhanced tumor progression, or increased cancer incidence, in patients with inherited and acquired defects in cellular cytotoxicity. All these observations have in common that they, either indirectly or directly, suggest a role for NK cells in mediating immunosurveillance against human cancer. This opens up for exciting possibilities with respect to further exploring NK cells in settings of adoptive immunotherapy in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Johan Malmberg
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; The KG Jebsen Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mattias Carlsten
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Björklund
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ebba Sohlberg
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yenan T Bryceson
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA.
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