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Dinh V, de Armas LR, Pallikkuth S, Pahwa R, Rinaldi S, Dang C, Kizhner A, Cotugno N, Palma P, Ismael N, Vaz P, Lain MG, Pahwa S. Longitudinal analysis of innate immune system in infants with perinatal HIV infection until 18 months of age. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.21.568007. [PMID: 38045254 PMCID: PMC10690219 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.21.568007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), perinatal HIV infection is declining globally but prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa is still greater than other nations. The relationship of HIV replication in early infancy and the developing immune system is not well understood. In this study, we investigated cellular components of the innate immune system including Natural Killer (NK) cells, monocytes, and Dendritic Cells (DC) in a cohort of HIV exposed infected (HEI) and age-matched HIV exposed uninfected (HEU) infants from Mozambique. Study entry was at the first visit after delivery at age 1-2 months for HIV diagnosis and initiation of ART. Phenotypic analysis by multi-parameter flow cytometry revealed an expansion of total NK cells and the dysfunctional, CD56-CD16+, NK cell subset; increased activation in monocytes and DC; and higher levels of inflammatory homing receptor CCR5 on circulating DC subsets in the HEI infants. NKG2A, an inhibitory receptor for NK cytolytic function, was reduced in HEI compared to HEU and positively correlated with pre-ART viral load (VL) while expression of CCR2, the inflammatory homing receptor, on NK was negatively correlated with VL. Other subsets exhibited positive correlations with VL including the frequency of intermediate monocytes amongst total monocytes. Longitudinal analysis of VL indicated suboptimal ART adherence in HEI. Regardless of level of viral suppression achieved, the frequencies of specific innate immune subsets in HEI were normalized to HEU by 18m. These data support the notion that in early life, NK cells play a role in virus control and should be explored for functional attributes that are effective against HIV at this time during development. Overall, our study provides high resolution overview of the innate immune system during perinatal HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinh Dinh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Lesley R. de Armas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Suresh Pallikkuth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Rajendra Pahwa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Stefano Rinaldi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Christine Dang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Alexander Kizhner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Nicola Cotugno
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Palma
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu, Rome, Italy
| | - Nália Ismael
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Marracuene, Mozambique
| | - Paula Vaz
- Fundação Ariel Glaser Contra O Sida Pediátrico, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Savita Pahwa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
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Capuano C, De Federicis D, Ciuti D, Turriziani O, Angeloni A, Anastasi E, Giannini G, Belardinilli F, Molfetta R, Alvaro D, Palmieri G, Galandrini R. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on FcγRIIIA/CD16 dynamics in Natural Killer cells: relevance for antibody-dependent functions. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1285203. [PMID: 38045702 PMCID: PMC10693335 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Natural Killer (NK) cells contribute to the protective effects of vaccine-induced antibodies thanks to the low affinity receptor for IgG, FcγRIIIA/CD16, whose aggregation leads to the killing of infected cells and IFNγ release, through which they potentiate adaptive immune responses. Methods Forty-seven healthy young individuals undergoing either homologous (ChAdOx1-S/ChAdOx1-S) or heterologous (ChAdOx1-S/BNT162B2) SARS-CoV-2 vaccination settings were recruited. Peripheral blood samples were collected immediately prior to vaccination and 8 weeks after the booster dose. The phenotypic and functional profile of NK cells was evaluated by flow cytometry at both time points. Serum samples were tested to evaluate circulating anti-Spike IgG levels and cytomegalovirus serostatus. CD16 F158V polymorphism was assessed by sequencing analysis. Results The downregulation of CD16 and the selective impairment of antibody-dependent cytotoxicity and IFNγ production in CD56dim NK population, persisting 8 weeks after boosting, were observed in heterologous, but not in homologous SARS-CoV-2 vaccination scheme. While the magnitude of CD16-dependent functions of the global CD56dim pool correlated with receptor levels before and after vaccination, the responsivity of NKG2C+ subset, that displays amplified size and functionality in HCMV+ individuals, resulted intrinsically insensitive to CD16 levels. Individual CD16 responsiveness was also affected by CD16F158V polymorphism; F/F low affinity individuals, characterized by reduced CD16 levels and functions independently of vaccination, did not show post-vaccinal functional impairment with respect to intermediate and high affinity ones, despite a comparable CD16 downregulation. Further, CD16 high affinity ligation conditions by means of afucosylated mAb overcame vaccine-induced and genotype-dependent functional defects. Finally, the preservation of CD16 expression directly correlated with anti-Spike IgG titer, hinting that the individual magnitude of receptor-dependent functions may contribute to the amplification of the vaccinal response. Conclusion This study demonstrates a durable downmodulation of CD16 levels and Ab-dependent NK functions after SARS-CoV-2 heterologous vaccination, and highlights the impact of genetic and environmental host-related factors in modulating NK cell susceptibility to post-vaccinal Fc-dependent functional impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Capuano
- Departmental Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide De Federicis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniel Ciuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Angeloni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Anastasi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rosa Molfetta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Alvaro
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Palmieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Cocker ATH, Guethlein LA, Parham P. The CD56-CD16+ NK cell subset in chronic infections. Biochem Soc Trans 2023:233017. [PMID: 37140380 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221374] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Long-term human diseases can shape the immune system, and natural killer (NK) cells have been documented to differentiate into distinct subsets specifically associated with chronic virus infections. One of these subsets found in large frequencies in HIV-1 are the CD56-CD16+ NK cells, and this population's association with chronic virus infections is the subject of this review. Human NK cells are classically defined by CD56 expression, yet increasing evidence supports the NK cell status of the CD56-CD16+ subset which we discuss herein. We then discuss the evidence linking CD56-CD16+ NK cells to chronic virus infections, and the potential immunological pathways that are altered by long-term infection that could be inducing the population's differentiation. An important aspect of NK cell regulation is their interaction with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class-I molecules, and we highlight work that indicates both virus and genetic-mediated variations in HLA expression that have been linked to CD56-CD16+ NK cell frequencies. Finally, we offer a perspective on CD56-CD16+ NK cell function, taking into account recent work that implies the subset is comparable to CD56+CD16+ NK cell functionality in antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity response, and the definition of CD56-CD16+ NK cell subpopulations with varying degranulation capacity against target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander T H Cocker
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
| | - Lisbeth A Guethlein
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
| | - Peter Parham
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
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Krebs P, Peng H, Duhan V. Editorial: Natural killer cell plasticity and diversity in antiviral immunity. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1175111. [PMID: 36999011 PMCID: PMC10043422 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1175111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Krebs
- Institute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hui Peng
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Vikas Duhan
- Tumor Immunology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- *Correspondence: Vikas Duhan,
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Zafarani A, Razizadeh MH, Pashangzadeh S, Amirzargar MR, Taghavi-Farahabadi M, Mahmoudi M. Natural killer cells in COVID-19: from infection, to vaccination and therapy. Future Virol 2023:10.2217/fvl-2022-0040. [PMID: 36936055 PMCID: PMC10013930 DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2022-0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are among the most important innate immunity members, which are the first cells that fight against infected cells. The function of these cells is impaired in patients with COVID-19 and they are not able to prevent the spread of the disease or destroy the infected cells. Few studies have evaluated the effects of COVID-19 vaccines on NK cells, though it has been demonstrated that DNA vaccines and BNT162b2 can affect NK cell response. In the present paper, the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the NK cells during infection, the effect of vaccination on NK cells, and the NK cell-based therapies were reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Zafarani
- 1Department of Hematology & Blood Banking, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Salar Pashangzadeh
- 3Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- 4Immunology Today, Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Amirzargar
- 1Department of Hematology & Blood Banking, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Taghavi-Farahabadi
- 5Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahmoudi
- 6Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran
- Author for correspondence: Tel.: +98 936 002 0731;
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6
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Cocker ATH, Liu F, Djaoud Z, Guethlein LA, Parham P. CD56-negative NK cells: Frequency in peripheral blood, expansion during HIV-1 infection, functional capacity, and KIR expression. Front Immunol 2022; 13:992723. [PMID: 36211403 PMCID: PMC9539804 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.992723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human NK cells are usually defined as CD3-CD56+ lymphocytes. However, a CD56-CD16+ (CD56neg) lymphocyte population that displays NK-associated markers expands during chronic viral infections such as HIV-1 and HCV, and, to lesser extent, in herpesvirus infections. This CD56neg NK cell subset has been understudied because it requires the exclusion of other lymphocytes to accurately identify its presence. Many questions remain regarding the origin, development, phenotype, and function of the CD56neg NK cell population. Our objective was to determine the frequency of this NK subset in healthy controls and its alteration in viral infections by performing a meta-analysis. In addition to this, we analyzed deposited CyTOF and scRNAseq datasets to define the phenotype and subsets of the CD56neg NK cell population, as well as their functional variation. We found in 757 individuals, from a combined 28 studies and 6 datasets, that the CD56neg subset constitutes 5.67% of NK cells in healthy peripheral blood, while HIV-1 infection increases this population by a mean difference of 10.69%. Meta-analysis of surface marker expression between NK subsets showed no evidence of increased exhaustion or decreased proliferation within the CD56neg subset. CD56neg NK cells have a distinctive pattern of KIR expression, implying they have a unique potential for KIR-mediated education. A perforin-CD94-NKG2C-NKp30- CD56neg population exhibited different gene expression and degranulation responses against K562 cells compared to other CD56neg cells. This analysis distinguishes two functionally distinct subsets of CD56neg NK cells. They are phenotypically diverse and have differing capacity for education by HLA class-I interactions with KIRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander T. H. Cocker
- Department of Structural Biology and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Alexander T. H. Cocker,
| | - Fuguo Liu
- Department of Structural Biology and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Laboratory Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Zakia Djaoud
- Department of Structural Biology and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lisbeth A. Guethlein
- Department of Structural Biology and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Peter Parham
- Department of Structural Biology and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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7
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Vaaben AV, Levan J, Nguyen CBT, Callaway PC, Prahl M, Warrier L, Nankya F, Musinguzi K, Kakuru A, Muhindo MK, Dorsey G, Kamya MR, Feeney ME. In Utero Activation of Natural Killer Cells in Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:566-575. [PMID: 35876164 PMCID: PMC9441208 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common infectious cause of birth defects and neurological damage in newborns. Despite a well-established role for natural killer (NK) cells in control of CMV infection in older children and adults, it remains unknown whether fetal NK cells can sense and respond to CMV infection acquired in utero. METHODS Here, we investigate the impact of congenital CMV infection on the neonatal NK-cell repertoire by assessing the frequency, phenotype, and functional profile of NK cells in cord blood samples from newborns with congenital CMV and from uninfected controls enrolled in a birth cohort of Ugandan mothers and infants. RESULTS We find that neonatal NK cells from congenitally CMV infected newborns show increased expression of cytotoxic mediators, signs of maturation and activation, and an expansion of mature CD56- NK cells, an NK-cell subset associated with chronic viral infections in adults. Activation was particularly prominent in NK cell subsets expressing the Fcγ receptor CD16, indicating a role for antibody-mediated immunity against CMV in utero. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that NK cells can be activated in utero and suggest that NK cells may be an important component of the fetal and infant immune response against CMV. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT02793622.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna V Vaaben
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Justine Levan
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Catherine B T Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Perri C Callaway
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.,Infectious Diseases and Immunity Graduate Group, University of California Berkeley, California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Mary Prahl
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lakshmi Warrier
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | - Abel Kakuru
- Infectious Disease Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mary K Muhindo
- Infectious Disease Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Grant Dorsey
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Moses R Kamya
- Infectious Disease Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Margaret E Feeney
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Bernard NF, Alsulami K, Pavey E, Dupuy FP. NK Cells in Protection from HIV Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061143. [PMID: 35746615 PMCID: PMC9231282 DOI: 10.3390/v14061143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Some people, known as HIV-exposed seronegative (HESN) individuals, remain uninfected despite high levels of exposure to HIV. Understanding the mechanisms underlying their apparent resistance to HIV infection may inform strategies designed to protect against HIV infection. Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells whose activation state depends on the integration of activating and inhibitory signals arising from cell surface receptors interacting with their ligands on neighboring cells. Inhibitory NK cell receptors use a subset of major histocompatibility (MHC) class I antigens as ligands. This interaction educates NK cells, priming them to respond to cells with reduced MHC class I antigen expression levels as occurs on HIV-infected cells. NK cells can interact with both autologous HIV-infected cells and allogeneic cells bearing MHC antigens seen as non self by educated NK cells. NK cells are rapidly activated upon interacting with HIV-infected or allogenic cells to elicit anti-viral activity that blocks HIV spread to new target cells, suppresses HIV replication, and kills HIV-infected cells before HIV reservoirs can be seeded and infection can be established. In this manuscript, we will review the epidemiological and functional evidence for a role for NK cells in protection from HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole F. Bernard
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada; (K.A.); (E.P.); (F.P.D.)
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Division of Clinical Immunology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(514)-934-1934 (ext. 44584)
| | - Khlood Alsulami
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada; (K.A.); (E.P.); (F.P.D.)
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Erik Pavey
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada; (K.A.); (E.P.); (F.P.D.)
- Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Franck P. Dupuy
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada; (K.A.); (E.P.); (F.P.D.)
- Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
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9
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Bernard NF, Kant S, Kiani Z, Tremblay C, Dupuy FP. Natural Killer Cells in Antibody Independent and Antibody Dependent HIV Control. Front Immunol 2022; 13:879124. [PMID: 35720328 PMCID: PMC9205404 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.879124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), when left untreated, typically leads to disease progression towards acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Some people living with HIV (PLWH) control their virus to levels below the limit of detection of standard viral load assays, without treatment. As such, they represent examples of a functional HIV cure. These individuals, called Elite Controllers (ECs), are rare, making up <1% of PLWH. Genome wide association studies mapped genes in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I region as important in HIV control. ECs have potent virus specific CD8+ T cell responses often restricted by protective MHC class I antigens. Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells whose activation state depends on the integration of activating and inhibitory signals arising from cell surface receptors interacting with their ligands on neighboring cells. Inhibitory NK cell receptors also use a subset of MHC class I antigens as ligands. This interaction educates NK cells, priming them to respond to HIV infected cell with reduced MHC class I antigen expression levels. NK cells can also be activated through the crosslinking of the activating NK cell receptor, CD16, which binds the fragment crystallizable portion of immunoglobulin G. This mode of activation confers NK cells with specificity to HIV infected cells when the antigen binding portion of CD16 bound immunoglobulin G recognizes HIV Envelope on infected cells. Here, we review the role of NK cells in antibody independent and antibody dependent HIV control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole F. Bernard
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Clinical Immunology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Nicole F. Bernard,
| | - Sanket Kant
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Zahra Kiani
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cécile Tremblay
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology Infectiology and Immunology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Franck P. Dupuy
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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10
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Overview of Memory NK Cells in Viral Infections: Possible Role in SARS-CoV-2 Infection. IMMUNO 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/immuno2010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells have usually been defined as cells of the innate immune system, although they are also involved in adaptative responses. These cells belong to the innate lymphocyte cells (ILC) family. They remove unwanted cells, tumoral cells and pathogens. NK cells are essential for viral infection clearance and are involved in tolerogenic responses depending on the dynamic balance of the repertoire of activating and inhibitory receptors. NK plasticity is crucial for tissue function and vigilant immune responses. They directly eliminate virus-infected cells by recognising viral protein antigens using a non-MHC dependent mechanism, recognising viral glycan structures and antigens by NCR family receptors, inducing apoptosis by Fas-Fas ligand interaction, and killing cells by antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity via the FcγIII receptor. Activating receptors are responsible for the clearance of virally infected cells, while inhibitory KIR receptor activation impairs NK responses and facilitates virus escape. Effective NK memory cells have been described and characterised by a low NKG2A and high NKG2C or NKG2D expression. NK cells have also been used in cell therapy. In SARS-CoV-2 infection, several contradicting reports about the role of NK cells have been published. A careful analysis of the current data and possible implications will be discussed.
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11
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Cox A, Cevik H, Feldman HA, Canaday LM, Lakes N, Waggoner SN. Targeting natural killer cells to enhance vaccine responses. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:789-801. [PMID: 34311992 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vaccination serves as a cornerstone of global health. Successful prevention of infection or disease by vaccines is achieved through elicitation of pathogen-specific antibodies and long-lived memory T cells. However, several microbial threats to human health have proven refractory to past vaccine efforts. These shortcomings have been attributed to either inefficient triggering of memory T and B cell responses or to the unfulfilled need to stimulate non-conventional forms of immunological memory. Natural killer (NK) cells have recently emerged as both key regulators of vaccine-elicited T and B cell responses and as memory cells that contribute to pathogen control. We discuss potential methods to modulate these functions of NK cells to enhance vaccine success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Cox
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Hilal Cevik
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - H Alex Feldman
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Laura M Canaday
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nora Lakes
- Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Stephen N Waggoner
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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A Brief Analysis of Tissue-Resident NK Cells in Pregnancy and Endometrial Diseases: The Importance of Pharmacologic Modulation. IMMUNO 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/immuno1030011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are lymphocytes involved in the innate and adaptative immune response. These cells are located in peripheral blood and tissues with ample functions, from immune vigilant to tolerogenic reactions. In the endometrium, NK cell populations vary depending on age, hormones, and inflammation. When pregnancy occurs, tissue-resident NK cells and conventional NK cells are recruited to protect the fetus, a tolerogenic response. On the contrary, in the inflamed endometrium, various inflammatory cells down-regulate NK tolerance and impair embryo implantation. Therefore, NK cells’ pharmacological modulation is difficult to achieve. Several strategies have been used, from progesterone, lipid emulsions to steroids; the success has not been as expected. However, new therapeutic approaches have been proposed to decrease the endometrial inflammatory burden and increase pregnancy success based on understanding NK cell physiology.
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Souza‐Fonseca‐Guimaraes F. New horizons for natural killer cell research in cancer, infection and inflammation. Clin Transl Immunology 2021; 10:e1275. [PMID: 33959280 PMCID: PMC8080282 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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