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Bexte T, Reindl LM, Ullrich E. Nonviral technologies can pave the way for CAR-NK cell therapy. J Leukoc Biol 2023; 114:475-486. [PMID: 37403203 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells are a promising platform for cancer immunotherapy. Natural killer cells have high intrinsic killing capability, and the insertion of a chimeric antigen receptor can further enhance their antitumor potential. In first-in-human trials, chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer cells demonstrated strong clinical activity without therapy-induced side effects. The applicability of natural killer cells as an "off-the-shelf" product makes them highly attractive for gene-engineered cell therapies. Traditionally, viral transduction has been used for gene editing; however, the use of viral vectors remains a safety concern and is associated with high costs and regulatory requirements. Here, we review the current landscape of nonviral approaches for chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer cell generation. This includes transfection of vector particles and electroporation of mRNA and DNA vectors, resulting in transient modification and chimeric antigen receptor expression. In addition, using nonviral transposon technologies, natural killer cells can be stably modified ensuring long-lasting chimeric antigen receptor expression. Finally, we discuss CRISPR/Cas9 tools to edit key genes for natural killer cell functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Bexte
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Experimental Immunology & Cell Therapy, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- University Cancer Center (UCT), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Career Center (MSNZ), Hospital of the Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lisa Marie Reindl
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Experimental Immunology & Cell Therapy, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Experimental Immunology & Cell Therapy, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- University Cancer Center (UCT), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Career Center (MSNZ), Hospital of the Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) partner site Frankfurt/Mainz; Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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2
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Lin CY, Gobius I, Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes F. Natural killer cell engineering – a new hope for cancer immunotherapy. Semin Hematol 2020; 57:194-200. [DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Reindl LM, Albinger N, Bexte T, Müller S, Hartmann J, Ullrich E. Immunotherapy with NK cells: recent developments in gene modification open up new avenues. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1777651. [PMID: 33457093 PMCID: PMC7781759 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1777651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies have achieved remarkable success. However, application-related toxicities, such as cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity, moved natural killer (NK) cells into focus as novel players in immunotherapy. CAR-NK cells provide an advantageous dual killing-capacity by CAR-dependent and -independent mechanisms and induce few side effects. While the majority of trials still use CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cell trials are on the rise with 19 ongoing studies worldwide. This review illuminates the current state of research and clinical application of CAR-NK cells, as well as future developmental potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Marie Reindl
- Children’s Hospital, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nawid Albinger
- Children’s Hospital, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tobias Bexte
- Children’s Hospital, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stephan Müller
- Children’s Hospital, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jessica Hartmann
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Children’s Hospital, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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4
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Kandell WM, Donatelli SS, Trinh TL, Calescibetta AR, So T, Tu N, Gilvary DL, Chen X, Cheng P, Adams WA, Chen YK, Liu J, Djeu JY, Wei S, Eksioglu EA. MicroRNA-155 governs SHIP-1 expression and localization in NK cells and regulates subsequent infiltration into murine AT3 mammary carcinoma. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0225820. [PMID: 32040476 PMCID: PMC7010306 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cell migration and activation are crucial elements of tumor immune surveillance. In mammary carcinomas, the number and function of NK cells is diminished, despite being positively associated with clinical outcome. MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) has been shown to be an important regulator of NK cell activation through its interaction with SHIP-1 downstream of inhibitory NK receptor signaling, but has not been explored in regard to NK cell migration. Here, we explored the migratory potential and function of NK cells in subcutaneous AT3 in mice lacking miR-155. Without tumor, these bic/miR-155-/- mice possess similar numbers of NK cells that exhibit comparable surface levels of cytotoxic receptors as NK cells from wild-type (WT) mice. Isolated miR-155-/- NK cells also exhibit equivalent cytotoxicity towards tumor targets in vitro compared to isolated WT control NK cells, despite overexpression of known miR-155 gene targets. NK cells isolated from miR-155-/- mice exhibit impaired F-actin polymerization and migratory capacity in Boyden-chamber assays in response chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2). This migratory capacity could be normalized in the presence of SHIP-1 inhibitors. Of note, miR-155-/- mice challenged with mammary carcinomas exhibited heightened tumor burden which correlated with a lower number of tumor-infiltrating NK1.1+ cells. Our results support a novel, physiological role for SHIP-1 in the control of NK cell tumor trafficking, and implicate miR-155 in the regulation of NK cell chemotaxis, in the context of mammary carcinoma. This may implicate dysfunctional NK cells in the lack of tumor clearance in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy M. Kandell
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sarah S. Donatelli
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Thu Le Trinh
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- Dong Nai Technology University, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam
| | | | - Tina So
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nhan Tu
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Danielle L. Gilvary
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Xianghong Chen
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Pingyan Cheng
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - William A. Adams
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Yin-Kai Chen
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jinhong Liu
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Julie Y. Djeu
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sheng Wei
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Erika A. Eksioglu
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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5
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Viral and Nonviral Engineering of Natural Killer Cells as Emerging Adoptive Cancer Immunotherapies. J Immunol Res 2018; 2018:4054815. [PMID: 30306093 PMCID: PMC6166361 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4054815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are powerful immune effectors whose antitumor activity is regulated through a sophisticated network of activating and inhibitory receptors. As effectors of cancer immunotherapy, NK cells are attractive as they do not attack healthy self-tissues nor do they induce T cell-driven inflammatory cytokine storm, enabling their use as allogeneic adoptive cellular therapies. Clinical responses to adoptive NK-based immunotherapy have been thwarted, however, by the profound immunosuppression induced by the tumor microenvironment, particularly severe in the context of solid tumors. In addition, the short postinfusion persistence of NK cells in vivo has limited their clinical efficacy. Enhancing the antitumor immunity of NK cells through genetic engineering has been fueled by the promise that impaired cytotoxic functionality can be restored or augmented with the use of synthetic genetic approaches. Alongside expressing chimeric antigen receptors to overcome immune escape by cancer cells, enhance their recognition, and mediate their killing, NK cells have been genetically modified to enhance their persistence in vivo by the expression of cytokines such as IL-15, avoid functional and metabolic tumor microenvironment suppression, or improve their homing ability, enabling enhanced targeting of solid tumors. However, NK cells are notoriously adverse to endogenous gene uptake, resulting in low gene uptake and transgene expression with many vector systems. Though viral vectors have achieved the highest gene transfer efficiencies with NK cells, nonviral vectors and gene transfer approaches—electroporation, lipofection, nanoparticles, and trogocytosis—are emerging. And while the use of NK cell lines has achieved improved gene transfer efficiencies particularly with viral vectors, challenges with primary NK cells remain. Here, we discuss the genetic engineering of NK cells as they relate to NK immunobiology within the context of cancer immunotherapy, highlighting the most recent breakthroughs in viral vectors and nonviral approaches aimed at genetic reprogramming of NK cells for improved adoptive immunotherapy of cancer, and, finally, address their clinical status.
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Angelo LS, Banerjee PP, Monaco-Shawver L, Rosen JB, Makedonas G, Forbes LR, Mace EM, Orange JS. Practical NK cell phenotyping and variability in healthy adults. Immunol Res 2015; 62:341-56. [PMID: 26013798 PMCID: PMC4470870 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-015-8664-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Human natural killer (NK) cells display a wide array of surface and intracellular markers that indicate various states of differentiation and/or levels of effector function. These NK cell subsets exist simultaneously in peripheral blood and may vary among individuals. We examined variety among selected NK cell receptors expressed by NK cells from normal donors, as well as the distribution of select NK cell subsets and NK cell receptor expression over time in several individual donors. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were evaluated using flow cytometry via fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies against a number of NK cell receptors. Results were analyzed for both mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and the percent positive cells for each receptor. CD56(bright) and CD56(dim) NK cell subsets were also considered separately, as was variation in receptor expression in NK cell subsets over time in selected individuals. Through this effort, we provide ranges of NK cell surface receptor expression for a local adult population as well as provide insight into intra-individual variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S. Angelo
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, The Feigin Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 330, Houston, TX, USA 77030 and Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Pinaki P. Banerjee
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, The Feigin Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 330, Houston, TX, USA 77030 and Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Linda Monaco-Shawver
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA USA 19104
| | - Joshua B. Rosen
- Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N. 15 Street, Philadelphia, PA USA 19102
| | - George Makedonas
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, The Feigin Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 330, Houston, TX, USA 77030 and Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Lisa R. Forbes
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, The Feigin Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 330, Houston, TX, USA 77030 and Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Emily M. Mace
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, The Feigin Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 330, Houston, TX, USA 77030 and Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Jordan S. Orange
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, The Feigin Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 330, Houston, TX, USA 77030 and Baylor College of Medicine
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7
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Carlsten M, Childs RW. Genetic Manipulation of NK Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy: Techniques and Clinical Implications. Front Immunol 2015; 6:266. [PMID: 26113846 PMCID: PMC4462109 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Given their rapid and efficient capacity to recognize and kill tumor cells, natural killer (NK) cells represent a unique immune cell to genetically reprogram in an effort to improve the outcome of cell-based cancer immunotherapy. However, technical and biological challenges associated with gene delivery into NK cells have significantly tempered this approach. Recent advances in viral transduction and electroporation have now allowed detailed characterization of genetically modified NK cells and provided a better understanding for how these cells can be utilized in the clinic to optimize their capacity to induce tumor regression in vivo. Improving NK cell persistence in vivo via autocrine IL-2 and IL-15 stimulation, enhancing tumor targeting by silencing inhibitory NK cell receptors such as NKG2A, and redirecting tumor killing via chimeric antigen receptors, all represent approaches that hold promise in preclinical studies. This review focuses on available methods for genetic reprograming of NK cells and the advantages and challenges associated with each method. It also gives an overview of strategies for genetic reprograming of NK cells that have been evaluated to date and an outlook on how these strategies may be best utilized in clinical protocols. With the recent advances in our understanding of the complex biological networks that regulate the ability of NK cells to target and kill tumors in vivo, we foresee genetic engineering as an obligatory pathway required to exploit the full potential of NK-cell based immunotherapy in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Carlsten
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA
| | - Richard W Childs
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA
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8
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell lines are difficult to transfect using standard techniques, which limits the ability to establish long-term knockdown of proteins with short-hairpin (sh)RNAs. We have developed a method to stably knockdown protein expression in human NK-like lines by introducing shRNAs in retroviral vectors. After a single transduction with retrovirus, shRNA-containing cells can be selected with drug treatment or sorted for enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression. With this method, protein expression can be stably decreased to less than 10% of wild-type levels.
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9
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Abstract
As our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing natural killer (NK) cell activity increases, their potential in cancer immunotherapy is growing increasingly prominent. This review analyses the currently available preclinical and clinical data regarding NK cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches in cancer starting from a historical background and an overview of molecular mechanisms taking part in NK cell responses. The status of NK cells in cancer patients, currently investigated clinical applications such as in vivo modulation of NK cell activity, ex vivo purification/expansion and adoptive transfer as well as future possibilities such as genetic modifications are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Sutlu
- Division of Haematology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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10
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Jones GJ, Wiseman JCD, Marr KJ, Wei S, Djeu JY, Mody CH. In contrast to anti-tumor activity, YT cell and primary NK cell cytotoxicity for Cryptococcus neoformans bypasses LFA-1. Int Immunol 2009; 21:423-32. [PMID: 19261694 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxp010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cell cytotoxicity requires two positive signals for killing of tumors. Activation receptors induce polarization of the microtubule organization center and degranulation, while leukocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 is required for conjugate formation and actin polymerization and under some circumstances may be sufficient for NK cell cytotoxicity. Although the receptor for direct killing of fungi is not known, CD18, the beta2 chain of LFA-1, binds components of the capsule and cell wall of the opportunistic pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, namely the polysaccharides glucoronoxylomannan and galactoxylomannan. Herein, we also demonstrate that LFA-1 was concentrated in regions of the NK cell surface interacting with C. neoformans. Consequently, there was compelling evidence to hypothesize that NK cells would also use LFA-1 to recognize and kill C. neoformans. Using a combination of NK cell lines that did or did not express LFA-1 or by using a CD18-specific functional blocking antibody, we confirm that NK cell anti-tumor activity is critically dependent upon the expression of LFA-1. Duplicating the events of tumor cytotoxicity, NK cells form conjugates with cryptococcal targets, rearrange the cell cytoskeleton to develop an NK immunologic synapse and release perforin-containing granules; however, each of these events occurred independently of LFA-1. Furthermore, NK cell-mediated killing of C. neoformans was detectable in both NK cells pre-treated with CD18-blocking antibodies and in NK cells lacking cell surface LFA-1 expression. These results demonstrate that in the absence of LFA-1 expression, NK cells are fully capable of recognizing a target (C. neoformans) and retain all of the events required for cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth J Jones
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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11
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Alici E, Sutlu T, Sirac Dilber M. Retroviral gene transfer into primary human natural killer cells. Methods Mol Biol 2009; 506:127-137. [PMID: 19110624 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-409-4_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Modulation of intracellular signaling pathways or receptor expression in natural killer (NK) cells by genetic manipulation is an attractive possibility in studies of NK cell specificity and function. Moreover, feasible applications of these genetic manipulations in the context of gene and NK cell therapy regimens may be considered. However, efficient gene modification of primary NK cells has been largely hampered by the absence of an efficient gene-transfer protocol.A retrovirus-based easy-to-use transduction protocol that can insert the gene of interest permanently into primary NK cells would be an important tool to advance our studies in NK cell biology and NK cell-mediated therapies. We have recently described a protocol for efficient expansion of NK cells under good manufacturing practice (GMP) conditions from the healthy donors and from patients with hematological malignancies. As the active division of cells is a prerequisite for efficient retroviral insertion, the high rate of expansion in this protocol provides more efficient transduction by retroviral vectors. We hereby present this simple and efficient retroviral vector-based gene-transfer protocol for such ex vivo cultured primary human NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evren Alici
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Migration of donor-derived T cells into GVHD target organs plays an essential role in the development of GVHD. beta2 integrins are critically important for leukocyte extravasation through vascular endothelia and for T-cell activation. We asked whether CD18-deficient T cells would induce less GVHD while sparing the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. In murine allogeneic bone marrow transplantation models, we found that recipients of CD18-/- donor T cells had significantly less GVHD morbidity and mortality compared with recipients of wild-type (WT) donor T cells. Analysis of alloreactivity showed that CD18-/- and WT T cells had comparable activation, expansion, and cytokine production in vivo. Reduced GVHD was associated with a significant decrease in donor T-cell infiltration of recipient intestine and with an overall decrease in pathologic scores in intestine and liver. Finally, we found that the in vivo GVL effect of CD18-/- donor T cells was largely preserved, because mortality of the recipients who received transplants of CD18-/- T cells plus tumor cells was greatly delayed or prevented. Our data suggest that strategies to target beta2 integrin have clinical potential to alleviate or prevent GVHD while sparing GVL activity.
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13
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Sadhu C, Harris EAS, Staunton DE. Enhancement of Natural Killer cell cytotoxicity by a CD18 integrin-activating antibody. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2007; 358:938-41. [PMID: 17512497 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2007] [Accepted: 05/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells kill certain tumor cells and virus infected cells in an antigen-independent manner. Members of CD18 integrins such as CD11a, CD11b, and CD11c are expressed in all NK cells. CD18-blocking mAbs inhibit the killing activity of NK cells implying an essential role of these integrins in NK cell cytotoxicity. In this report we show that the pan CD18-activating mAb, 240Q, augments cytotoxicity of resting NK cells. Since activation of either CD11a or CD11c alone fails to augment the NK cell activity, we postulate that a functional synergy of the individual CD18 integrins is responsible for the observed stimulatory effect of pan CD18 activation on NK cell cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanchal Sadhu
- ICOS Corporation, 22021 20th Avenue SE, Bothell, WA 98021, USA.
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14
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Guven H, Konstantinidis KV, Alici E, Aints A, Abedi-Valugerdi M, Christensson B, Ljunggren HG, Dilber MS. Efficient gene transfer into primary human natural killer cells by retroviral transduction. Exp Hematol 2006; 33:1320-8. [PMID: 16263416 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2005.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2004] [Revised: 06/29/2005] [Accepted: 07/18/2005] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To optimize retroviral gene transfer into primary human natural killer (NK) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS NK cells from healthy donors were expanded ex vivo for a period of 21 days. Retroviral transductions were carried out by replacing culture media with retrovirus-containing supernatant during 2-hour incubations on days 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, or 20. In some experiments, NK cells were transduced on 2 consecutive days (days 5 and 6). Green fluorescent protein served as a marker for detection of transduced cells. RESULTS NK cells showed a median of 27.2% transduction efficiency after a single transduction round (transduction on day 5) and a median of 47.1% transduction efficiency after two rounds of transduction (transduction on days 5 and 6), 24 hours after exposure to retrovirus-containing supernatants. On day 21 after initial culture, 51.9% of NK cells were transduced after a single transduction round (transduction on day 5) and 75.4% after two rounds of transduction (transduction on days 5 and 6). Gene transfer did not change the function or phenotype of NK cells as determined by phenotypical analysis, nor did the proliferative ability or cytotoxic function change. CONCLUSION The results show that NK cells can successfully be transduced with retroviral vectors, without any detectable changes in phenotype or function. This may open up new possibilities in the studies of NK cell biology and the development of NK cells for immunotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayrettin Guven
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
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Barber DF, Faure M, Long EO. LFA-1 contributes an early signal for NK cell cytotoxicity. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2004; 173:3653-9. [PMID: 15356110 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.6.3653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cytotoxicity of human NK cells is activated by receptors that bind ligands on target cells, but the relative contribution of the many different activating and inhibitory NK cell receptors is difficult to assess. In this study, we describe an experimental system that circumvents some of the difficulties. Adhesion through beta2 integrin LFA-1 is a common requirement of CTLs and NK cells for efficient lysis of target cells. However, the contribution of LFA-1 to activation signals for NK cell cytotoxicity, besides its role in adhesion, is unclear. The role of LFA-1 was evaluated by exposing NK cells to human ICAM-1 that was either expressed on a Drosophila insect cell line, or directly coupled to beads. Expression of ICAM-1 on insect cells was sufficient to induce lysis by NK cells through LFA-1. Coexpression of peptide-loaded HLA-C with ICAM-1 on insect cells blocked the LFA-1-dependent cytotoxicity of NK cells that expressed HLA-C-specific inhibitory receptors. Polarization of cytotoxic granules in NK cells toward ICAM-1- and ICAM-2-coated beads showed that engagement of LFA-1 alone is sufficient to initiate activation signals in NK cells. Thus, in contrast to T cells, in which even adhesion through LFA-1 is dependent on signals from other receptors, NK cells receive early activation signals directly through LFA-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domingo F Barber
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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16
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Trompeter HI, Weinhold S, Thiel C, Wernet P, Uhrberg M. Rapid and highly efficient gene transfer into natural killer cells by nucleofection. J Immunol Methods 2003; 274:245-56. [PMID: 12609550 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-1759(02)00431-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are important mediators of virus- and tumor-specific immune responses. The transfection of genes into NK cells has been proven difficult and so far requires infection with virus-based vectors. Here, the application of a novel nonviral, electroporation-based gene transfer method is described for the rapid and highly efficient transient transfection of NK cell lines as well as freshly isolated NK cells. In contrast to conventional methods, this technique, termed nucleofection, leads to direct transfer of DNA into the nucleus. Using reporter proteins H-2K(k), luciferase+, and enhanced yellow green fluorescent protein (EYFP) as independent read-out systems, transfection efficiencies of well over 50% were achieved in transient transfection assays. The highest luciferase activity could be measured only 4 h after transfection, whereas EYFP, when analyzed by flow cytometry, showed expression peaks after 28 h. Interestingly, best transfection efficiencies were achieved with non-dividing NK cells. The novel nuclear gene transfer method presented here is highly useful for the analysis of NK cell-specific gene regulation and should facilitate the development of NK cell-based gene therapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Ingo Trompeter
- Institute for Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, University Clinic of Düsseldorf, Building 14.80, Moorenstr. 5, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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17
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Schirrmann T, Pecher G. Human natural killer cell line modified with a chimeric immunoglobulin T-cell receptor gene leads to tumor growth inhibition in vivo. Cancer Gene Ther 2002; 9:390-8. [PMID: 11960290 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2002] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The gene transfer of tumor-specific chimeric immunoglobulin T-cell receptors (cIgTCRs) combining antibody-like specificity with the effector cell function could be an attractive tool in immunotherapy. In this study, we directed the human natural killer (NK) cell line YT to tumor cells by gene transfer of a cIgTCR with specificity against the human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The cIgTCR was constructed of a CEA-specific humanized single-chain Fv antibody fragment fused to the IgG1 Fc domain and the CD3 zeta chain. YT cells were transfected with the cIgTCR gene by electroporation and cIgTCR-expressing cells were enriched by immunoaffinity purification. cIgTCR-expressing YT cells specifically lysed CEA(+) colon carcinoma cell lines, which were resistant to the parental YT cell line. The lysis was not inhibited in the presence of soluble CEA. Receptor gene-modified YT cells retained their CEA-specific cytolytic activity after gamma-irradiation in vitro and inhibited the tumor growth in vivo after adoptive transfer into NOD/SCID mice. This gene-modified NK cell line available in unlimited source might be useful in clinical immunotherapy of CEA(+) cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- CD3 Complex/immunology
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen/genetics
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen/immunology
- Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
- DNA Primers/chemistry
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/immunology
- Flow Cytometry
- Gamma Rays
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor/immunology
- Genetic Vectors
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin Fragments/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/radiation effects
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- Transduction, Genetic
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Tumor Escape
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schirrmann
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology, AG Molecular Gene and Immunotherapy, Humboldt-University Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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18
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Wei S, Gamero AM, Liu JH, Daulton AA, Valkov NI, Trapani JA, Larner AC, Weber MJ, Djeu JY. Control of lytic function by mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular regulatory kinase 2 (ERK2) in a human natural killer cell line: identification of perforin and granzyme B mobilization by functional ERK2. J Exp Med 1998; 187:1753-65. [PMID: 9607917 PMCID: PMC2212310 DOI: 10.1084/jem.187.11.1753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The signal pathways that control effector function in human natural killer (NK) cells are little known. In this study, we have identified the critical role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in NK lysis of tumor cells, and this pathway may involve the mobilization of granule components in NK cells upon interaction with sensitive tumor target cells. Evidence was provided by biological, biochemical, and gene transfection methods. NK cell binding to tumor cells for 5 min was sufficient to maximally activate MAPK/extracellular signal-regulatory kinase 2 (ERK2), demonstrated by its tyrosine phosphorylation and by its ability to function as an efficient kinase for myelin basic protein. MAPK activation was achieved in NK cells only after contact with NK-sensitive but not NK-resistant target cells. In immunocytochemical studies, cytoplasmic perforin and granzyme B were both maximally redirected towards the tumor contact zone within 5 min of NK cell contact with tumor cells. A specific MAPK pathway inhibitor, PD098059, could block not only MAPK activation but also redistribution of perforin/granzyme B in NK cells, which occur upon target ligation. PD098059 also interfered with NK lysis of tumor cells in a 5-h 51Cr-release assay, but had no ability to block NK cell proliferation. Transient transfection studies with wild-type and dominant-negative MAPK/ERK2 genes confirmed the importance of MAPK in NK cell lysis. These results document a pivotal role of MAPK in NK effector function, possibly by its control of movement of lytic granules, and clearly define MAPK involvement in a functional pathway unlinked to cell growth or differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Wei
- Immunology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
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19
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Stable Transduction of the Interleukin-2 Gene Into Human Natural Killer Cell Lines and Their Phenotypic and Functional Characterization In Vitro and In Vivo. Blood 1998. [DOI: 10.1182/blood.v91.10.3850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractA variety of strategies have been attempted in the past to stably transduce natural killer (NK) cells with cytokine or other cellular genes. Here, we demonstrate the successful delivery of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene into two human NK cell lines, IL-2–dependent NK-92 and IL-2–independent YT, by retroviral transduction. An MuLV-based retroviral vector expressing human IL-2 andneor markers from a polycistronic message was constructed and transduced into a CRIP packaging cell line. By coincubation of NK cells with monolayers of CRIP cells or by using retrovirus-containing supernatants in a flow-through method, 10% to 20% of NK cells were stably transduced. Upon selection in the presence of increasing G418 concentrations, transduced NK cells were able to proliferate independently of IL-2 for more than 5 months and to secrete up to 5.5 ng/106 cells/24 h of IL-2. IL-2 gene-transduced NK-92 cells had an in vitro cytotoxicity against tumor targets that was significantly higher than that of parental cells and secreted interferon gamma (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in addition to IL-2. Moreover, the in vivo antitumor activity of IL-2 gene-transduced NK-92 cells against established 3-day liver metastases in mice was greater than that of parental nontransduced NK cells. Stable expression of the IL-2 transgene in NK cells improved their therapeutic potential in tumor-bearing hosts. Thus, transduced NK cells secreted sufficient quantities of bioactive IL-2 to proliferate in vitro and mediated the antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo in the absence of exogenous IL-2. These results suggest that genetic modification of NK cells ex vivo could be useful for clinical cancer therapy in the future.
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20
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Stable Transduction of the Interleukin-2 Gene Into Human Natural Killer Cell Lines and Their Phenotypic and Functional Characterization In Vitro and In Vivo. Blood 1998. [DOI: 10.1182/blood.v91.10.3850.3850_3850_3861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of strategies have been attempted in the past to stably transduce natural killer (NK) cells with cytokine or other cellular genes. Here, we demonstrate the successful delivery of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene into two human NK cell lines, IL-2–dependent NK-92 and IL-2–independent YT, by retroviral transduction. An MuLV-based retroviral vector expressing human IL-2 andneor markers from a polycistronic message was constructed and transduced into a CRIP packaging cell line. By coincubation of NK cells with monolayers of CRIP cells or by using retrovirus-containing supernatants in a flow-through method, 10% to 20% of NK cells were stably transduced. Upon selection in the presence of increasing G418 concentrations, transduced NK cells were able to proliferate independently of IL-2 for more than 5 months and to secrete up to 5.5 ng/106 cells/24 h of IL-2. IL-2 gene-transduced NK-92 cells had an in vitro cytotoxicity against tumor targets that was significantly higher than that of parental cells and secreted interferon gamma (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in addition to IL-2. Moreover, the in vivo antitumor activity of IL-2 gene-transduced NK-92 cells against established 3-day liver metastases in mice was greater than that of parental nontransduced NK cells. Stable expression of the IL-2 transgene in NK cells improved their therapeutic potential in tumor-bearing hosts. Thus, transduced NK cells secreted sufficient quantities of bioactive IL-2 to proliferate in vitro and mediated the antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo in the absence of exogenous IL-2. These results suggest that genetic modification of NK cells ex vivo could be useful for clinical cancer therapy in the future.
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21
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Jaso-Friedmann L, Leary JH, Warren J, McGraw RA, Evans DL. Molecular characterization of a protozoan parasite target antigen recognized by nonspecific cytotoxic cells. Cell Immunol 1997; 176:93-102. [PMID: 9073381 DOI: 10.1006/cimm.1996.1063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The target cell antigen(s) on tumor cells and on protozoan parasites recognized by NK and nonspecific cytotoxic cells (NCC) has not yet been specifically identified. NCC may be the teleost equivalent of NK cells and IL-2-activated NK cells. A ligand recognized by NCC has been identified. It is expressed on both protozoan parasites and mammalian tumor target cells. In the present study, a protozoan parasite antigen (NK target antigen/NKTag/p46) was purified from Tetrahymena pyriformis and the entire amino acid sequence was deduced from cDNA. Soluble and purified NKTag inhibited NCC lysis of human and mouse transformed target cells. Homology comparisons using Swissprot database revealed that NKTag is a novel protein. Molecular weight computation of the deduced sequence demonstrated that NKTag is a 48.17-kDa protein containing 422 amino acids with relatively high percentages of tyrosine and serine residues. Expression of NKTag on various mammalian tumor target cells, normal tissue, and T. pyriformis was determined using anti-multiple antigenic peptide (MAP) monoclonal antibody (mab) 22A12 [generated against an N-terminal 20-mer (aa 61-80) of p46]. This mab bound to tissue-cultured and tumor cells (YAC-1, IM-9, NC-37, MOLT-4, and U937) with low levels of binding to fish, mouse, and equine cells. Studies were also done to determine if purified and iodinated NKTag bound specifically to NCC. Binding was saturable and specific. These data provide evidence that NCC recognize a target cell ligand which is found on both protozoan and tumor cells. This may provide an explanation as to how NCC (including activated NK cells) recognize a vast array of targets in the absence of haplotype recognition and in spite of a diverse species of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Jaso-Friedmann
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA
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22
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Levitz SM, North EA, Dupont MP, Harrison TS. Mechanisms of inhibition of Cryptococcus neoformans by human lymphocytes. Infect Immun 1995; 63:3550-4. [PMID: 7642290 PMCID: PMC173492 DOI: 10.1128/iai.63.9.3550-3554.1995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, our laboratory and others have demonstrated that human peripheral blood T and NK lymphocytes directly inhibit the growth of Cryptococcus neoformans. In this study, we further define the conditions under which lymphocyte-mediated fungistasis against C. neoformans occurs and examine whether mechanisms implicated in lymphocyte-mediated activities against other target cells are also involved in anticryptococcal activity. The addition of whole or broken heat-killed C. neoformans modestly inhibited lymphocyte-mediated fungistasis, whereas other particulates had no effect. The hydroxyl radical scavenger catechin, but not diethyl urea or propyl gallate, profoundly inhibited fungistasis. Salicylic acid inhibited fungistasis in a dose-dependent fashion. However, two other cyclooxygenase inhibitors, piroxicam and indomethacin, had no effect, suggesting that the mechanism of inhibition by salicylic acid was cyclooxygenase independent. Reagent prostaglandin E2, at concentrations shown by others to inhibit NK cell-mediated bactericidal and tumorlytic activities, had no effect on lymphocyte-mediated fungistasis. The addition of selected monoclonal antibodies or ligands reactive with receptors on human lymphocytes had no significant effect on lymphocyte-mediated fungistasis. Acapsular, small-capsuled, and large-capsuled C. neoformans organisms were inhibited by lymphocytes to an approximately equal extent. These data demonstrate that lymphocyte-mediated activity against C. neoformans proceeds regardless of the presence of capsule and by mechanisms at least in part dissimilar from those seen with other target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Levitz
- Evans Memorial Department of Clinical Research, Boston University Medical Center Hospital, Massachusetts, USA
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23
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Montel AH, Morse PA, Brahmi Z. Upregulation of B7 molecules by the Epstein-Barr virus enhances susceptibility to lysis by a human NK-like cell line. Cell Immunol 1995; 160:104-14. [PMID: 7531116 DOI: 10.1016/0008-8749(95)80015-b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The original human NK-like line YT was reported to lyse K562 and several B- and T-cell lines. The YT subline we are investigating, YT-INDY, does not lyse K562 or the T-cell line Molt-4. It does, however, lyse the EBV+ Burkitt lymphoma (BL) B-cell line Raji and EBV-immortalized B-cell lines. Several EBV- BL lines and an EBV- pre-B-cell leukemia line that we tested were not appreciably lysed by YT-INDY. To determine if EBV plays a role in TC susceptibility to lysis by YT-INDY, we compared YT-INDY's ability to lyse the EBV- BL line BL41 to its ability to lyse an EBV-infected derivative of BL41. The EBV-infected cell line was lysed, on average, at twice the level of the uninfected line. CD28/B7 interactions appeared to be involved in TC recognition by YT-INDY. Therefore, we examined the level of expression of B7 molecules on the infected and uninfected BL41 lines. An average of 15% of the uninfected BL41 cells expressed B7-1/B7-3, compared to 79% of the infected. B7-2 expression was similar in the two cell lines. Lysis of EBV-infected BL41 was reduced by anti-B7-1/B7-3 (BB1) or anti-CD28 antibodies (Abs) to the level of lysis of the uninfected line, indicating that upregulation of B7-1/B7-3 by the virus may be responsible for the enhanced susceptibility. We attempted to determine the particular EBV latent protein responsible for B7-1/B7-3 upregulation by analyzing BL41 clones expressing LMP1, EBNA-2/EBNA-LP, or EBNA-1. All of the high-expressing clones showed a higher level of B7-1/B7-3 expression than the vector-transfected control cell line, with LMP1-expressing clones expressing the highest amount. EBNA-1 clones and a high-expressing EBNA-2/EBNA-LP clone had a slightly higher density of B7-2 on their surface than the remaining clones. The increased expression of molecules of the B7 family correlated with increased susceptibility of the clones to lysis by YT-INDY. Anti-CD28 or a combination of anti-B7-1/B7-3 and anti-By-2 did not inhibit lysis of the clones to the level of lysis of the vector-transfected control cell line in all cases. We conclude that intact EBV enhances susceptibility to YT-INDY lysis by upregulating B7-1/B7-3. EBV proteins expressed individually also enhance susceptibility to lysis and upregulate members of the B7 family.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Montel
- Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202-5200
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