1
|
Niehaus C, Klein S, Strunz B, Freyer E, Maasoumy B, Wedemeyer H, Björkström NK, Kraft ARM, Cornberg M. CXCR6 +CD69 + CD8 + T cells in ascites are associated with disease severity in patients with cirrhosis. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:101074. [PMID: 38882602 PMCID: PMC11179582 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Patients with advanced cirrhosis often develop hepatic decompensation, which is accompanied by systemic inflammation and may eventually lead to acute-on-chronic liver failure. One important cause of systemic hyperinflammation is a dysregulated overshooting immune response in ascites in the abdominal cavity. In this study, we analyzed the role of CD8+ T cells in the ascites immune compartment. Methods Peripheral blood and ascites fluid were collected from 50 patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Phenotype and functional responses of CD8+ T cells were analyzed, and obtained data were compared with each other as well as with healthy controls and patients with compensated cirrhosis. Results High-dimensional flow cytometry revealed that CD8+ T cells are abundant in the ascites of patients with cirrhosis and exhibit a chronically activated bystander phenotype with innate-like functions. Indeed, we identified distinct CXCR6+CD69+ clusters of late effector memory CD8+ T cells that were rarely found in blood and correlated with clinical parameters of disease severity. Moreover, this CD8+ T-cell population was hyperresponsive to innate cytokines and exhibited cytokine-mediated bystander activation. Interestingly, the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib was able to effectively block bystander-activated CXCR6+CD69+ CD8+ T cells and significantly suppress effector molecule production. Conclusions The results indicate that CXCR6+CD69+ CD8+ T cells in ascites are associated with disease severity and may contribute to inflammation in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, suggesting that targeted inhibition of this immune cell subset may be a viable therapeutic option. Impact and Implications Patients with advanced cirrhosis often develop hepatic decompensation, which is accompanied by systemic inflammation and eventually leads to acute-on-chronic liver failure. One important cause of systemic hyperinflammation is a dysregulated overshooting immune response in ascites in the abdominal cavity. In this study, we demonstrate that CXCR6+CD69+ CD8+ T cells are abundant in the ascites of patients with cirrhosis, exhibit a chronically activated bystander phenotype, and correlate with clinical parameters of disease severity. Moreover, we show that the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib can effectively block these bystander-activated CXCR6+CD69+ CD8+ T cells, suggesting that targeted inhibition of this immune cell subset may be a potential therapeutic strategy. Clinical trial number Prospective registry: INFEKTA (DRKS00010664).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Niehaus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
- Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner-site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Klein
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
- Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- CAIMed - Center for AI in Medicine, Joint Venture of Leibniz University Hannover and Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Benedikt Strunz
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erich Freyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
- Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner-site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Benjamin Maasoumy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner-site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner-site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anke R M Kraft
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
- Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner-site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
- Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner-site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, HepNet Study-House German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kojadinovic A, Mundi PS. Florid Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection in a Patient With Large Granular Lymphocytic (LGL) Leukemia on Chronic Cyclophosphamide. Cureus 2021; 13:e19754. [PMID: 34812338 PMCID: PMC8604561 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.19754] [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] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia is a rare form of incurable chronic leukemia frequently complicated by life-threatening cytopenias. The less common NK-cell variant of this disorder poses a diagnostic challenge and its etiologic basis is poorly understood. Here we present the case of an elderly man diagnosed with LGL leukemia after presenting with severe Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia, who had a robust durable response to oral cyclophosphamide. Close to two years after initial diagnosis, he developed a florid Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) infection of the lungs. We discuss the clinical and pathologic features of this case, highlighting aspects common to this disorder and areas of clinical uncertainty. We hope to both raise awareness of the risk for pulmonary MAI infection in patients treated with lymphodepleting drugs and to motivate the prospective evaluation of strategies to prevent opportunistic infections in LGL leukemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Prabhjot S Mundi
- Internal Medicine/Hematology-Oncology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dębska-Zielkowska J, Moszkowska G, Zieliński M, Zielińska H, Dukat-Mazurek A, Trzonkowski P, Stefańska K. KIR Receptors as Key Regulators of NK Cells Activity in Health and Disease. Cells 2021; 10:1777. [PMID: 34359951 PMCID: PMC8303609 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the cellular immune response. They target mainly cancer and virally infected cells. To a high extent cytotoxic activity of NK cells is regulated inter alia by signals from killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules are important ligands for KIR receptors. Binding of ligands (such as MHC I) to the KIR receptors has the important role in solid organ or hematopoietic cell transplantation. Of note, the understanding of the relationship between KIR and MHC receptors may contribute to the improvement of transplant results. Donor-recipient matching, which also includes the KIR typing, may improve monitoring, individualize the treatment and allow for predicting possible effects after transplantation, such as the graft-versus-leukemia effect (GvL) or viral re-infection. There are also less evident implications of KIR/MHC matching, such as with pregnancy and cancer. In this review, we present the most relevant literature reports on the importance of the KIR/MHC relationship on NK cell activity and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)/solid organ transplantation (SOT) effects, the risk of allograft rejection, protection against post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, pregnancy complications, cancer and adoptive therapy with NK cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Dębska-Zielkowska
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (G.M.); (M.Z.); (H.Z.); (A.D.-M.); (P.T.)
| | - Grażyna Moszkowska
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (G.M.); (M.Z.); (H.Z.); (A.D.-M.); (P.T.)
| | - Maciej Zieliński
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (G.M.); (M.Z.); (H.Z.); (A.D.-M.); (P.T.)
| | - Hanna Zielińska
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (G.M.); (M.Z.); (H.Z.); (A.D.-M.); (P.T.)
| | - Anna Dukat-Mazurek
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (G.M.); (M.Z.); (H.Z.); (A.D.-M.); (P.T.)
| | - Piotr Trzonkowski
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (G.M.); (M.Z.); (H.Z.); (A.D.-M.); (P.T.)
| | - Katarzyna Stefańska
- Department of Obstetrics, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Myeloma cells induce the accumulation of activated CD94low NK cells by cell-to-cell contacts involving CD56 molecules. Blood Adv 2021; 4:2297-2307. [PMID: 32453840 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells represent innate effector cells potentially able to play a role during the immune response against multiple myeloma (MM). To better define the distribution and the specific properties of NK cell subsets during MM disease, we analyzed their features in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of newly diagnosed MM patients. Our findings revealed that, in both compartments, NK cells were more abundant than in healthy donors. Among total MM-NK cells, a significant increase of CD94lowCD56dim NK cell subset was observed, which already appears in clinical precursor conditions leading to MM, namely monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and smoldering MM, and eventually accumulates with disease progression. Moreover, a consistent fraction of CD94lowCD56dim NK cells was in a proliferation phase. When analyzed for their killing abilities, they represented the main cytotoxic NK cell subset against autologous MM cells. In vitro, MM cells could rapidly induce the expansion of the CD94lowCD56dim NK cell subset, thus reminiscent of that observed in MM patients. Mechanistically, this accumulation relied on cell to cell contacts between MM and NK cells and required both activation via DNAM-1 and homophilic interaction with CD56 expressed on MM cells. Considering the growing variety of combination treatments aimed at enhancing NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against MM, these results may also be informative for optimizing current immunotherapeutic approaches.
Collapse
|
5
|
Bister J, Crona Guterstam Y, Strunz B, Dumitrescu B, Haij Bhattarai K, Özenci V, Brännström M, Ivarsson MA, Gidlöf S, Björkström NK. Human endometrial MAIT cells are transiently tissue resident and respond to Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Mucosal Immunol 2021; 14:357-365. [PMID: 32759973 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-020-0331-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are non-classical T cells important in the mucosal defense against microbes. Despite an increasing interest in the immunobiology of the endometrial mucosa, little is known regarding human MAIT cells in this compartment. The potential role of MAIT cells as a tissue-resident local defense against microbes in the endometrium is largely unexplored. Here, we performed a high-dimensional flow cytometry characterization of MAIT cells in endometrium from pre- and postmenopausal women, and in decidua from first-trimester pregnancies. Furthermore, we assessed MAIT cell function by stimulation with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae). Endometrial MAIT (eMAIT) cells represented a stable endometrial immune cell population as limited dynamic changes were observed during the menstrual cycle, post menopause, or in response to pregnancy. Furthermore, eMAIT cells exhibited an activated tissue-resident phenotype. Despite expressing CD69 and CD103, eMAIT cells were replenished over time by circulating MAIT cells, as assessed using human uterus transplantation as a model. Finally, functional experiments revealed the capability of MAIT cells to respond to the sexually transmitted and tissue-relevant pathogen, N. gonorrhoeae. In conclusion, our study provides novel insight into human MAIT cell dynamics and anti-microbial properties in the human uterus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonna Bister
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ylva Crona Guterstam
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Benedikt Strunz
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Karin Haij Bhattarai
- Clinical microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Volkan Özenci
- Clinical microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Brännström
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg and Stockholm IVF - Eugin, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin A Ivarsson
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Gidlöf
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stockholm South General Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Niehaus CE, Strunz B, Cornillet M, Falk CS, Schnieders A, Maasoumy B, Hardtke S, Manns MP, Kraft ARM, Björkström NK, Cornberg M. MAIT Cells Are Enriched and Highly Functional in Ascites of Patients With Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis. Hepatology 2020; 72:1378-1393. [PMID: 32012321 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Patients with advanced liver cirrhosis have an increased susceptibility to infections. As part of the cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction, mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, which have the capacity to respond to bacteria, are severely diminished in circulation and liver tissue. However, MAIT cell presence and function in the peritoneal cavity, a common anatomical site for infections in cirrhosis, remain elusive. In this study, we deliver a comprehensive investigation of the immune compartment present in ascites of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, and focus especially on MAIT cells. APPROACH AND RESULTS To study this, matched peripheral blood and ascites fluid were collected from 35 patients with decompensated cirrhosis, with or without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). MAIT cell phenotype and function were analyzed using high-dimensional flow cytometry, and the obtained data were compared with the blood samples of healthy controls (n = 24) and patients with compensated cirrhosis (n = 11). We found circulating MAIT cells to be severely decreased in patients with cirrhosis as compared with controls. In contrast, in ascites fluid, MAIT cells were significantly increased together with CD14+ CD16+ monocytes, innate lymphoid cells, and natural killer cells. This was paralleled by elevated levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in ascites fluid as compared with plasma. Peritoneal MAIT cells displayed an activated tissue-resident phenotype, and this was corroborated by increased functional responses following stimulation with E. coli or interleukin (lL)-12 + IL-18 as compared with circulating MAIT cells. During SBP, peritoneal MAIT cell frequencies increased most among all major immune cell subsets, suggestive of active homing of MAIT cells to the site of infection. CONCLUSIONS Despite severely diminished MAIT cell numbers and impaired phenotype in circulation, peritoneal MAIT cells remain abundant, activated, and highly functional in decompensated cirrhosis and are further enriched in SBP. This suggests that peritoneal MAIT cells could be of interest for immune-intervention strategies in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and SBP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian E Niehaus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Benedikt Strunz
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Cornillet
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christine S Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner-Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ansgar Schnieders
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Benjamin Maasoumy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner-Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Svenja Hardtke
- German Center for Infection Research, HepNet Study-House German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner-Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anke R M Kraft
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner-Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner-Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany.,Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), Hannover, Germany.,TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hanover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Strunz B, Hengst J, Deterding K, Manns MP, Cornberg M, Ljunggren HG, Wedemeyer H, Björkström NK. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection irreversibly impacts human natural killer cell repertoire diversity. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2275. [PMID: 29891939 PMCID: PMC5995831 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04685-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Diversity is a central requirement for the immune system’s capacity to adequately clear a variety of different infections. As such, natural killer (NK) cells represent a highly diverse population of innate lymphocytes important in the early response against viruses. Yet, the extent to which a chronic pathogen affects NK cell diversity is largely unknown. Here we study NK cell functional diversification in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. High-dimensional flow cytometer assays combined with stochastic neighbor embedding analysis reveal that chronic HCV infection induces functional imprinting on human NK cells that is largely irreversible and persists long after successful interventional clearance of the virus. Furthermore, HCV infection increases inter-individual, but decreases intra-individual, NK cell diversity. Taken together, our results provide insights into how the history of infections affects human NK cell diversity. Natural killer (NK) cells are important immune cells for mediating antiviral immunity. Here the authors show that chronic hepatitis C virus infection in human can imprint lasting functional phenotypes in NK cells to increase their inter-individual but decrease intra-individual diversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Strunz
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julia Hengst
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Essen University Hospital, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Podhorzer A, Dirchwolf M, Machicote A, Belen S, Montal S, Paz S, Fainboim H, Podestá LG, Fainboim L. The Clinical Features of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infections Are Associated with Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor Genes and Their Expression on the Surface of Natural Killer Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 8:1912. [PMID: 29354127 PMCID: PMC5760500 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes are known to play a role in the acute phase of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The present study investigated their roles in chronic HCV (CHCV) infection by analyzing the phenotypes and function of natural killer (NK) and T cells that express KIRs. T cells from CHCV patients showed a more differentiated phenotype, and NK cells exhibited an activated profile. These observations are consistent with the increased expression of the degranulation marker CD107a observed after PMA stimulation. We explored the correlations between the expression of KIR genes and lectin type-C receptors with clinical factors that predict progression to fibrosis and cirrhosis. The expression levels of KIR2DS3 and the functional alleles of KIR2DS4-FL were increased in patients with intermediate and high viral loads. Homozygous KIR2DS4 was also associated with the presence of cirrhosis. In the group of individuals with a shorter infection time who developed cirrhosis, we detected decreased expression of KIR3DL1 in CD56dim NK cells in the presence of its ligand. Similarly, in the group of patients with late CHCV infections complicated with cirrhosis, we detected lower expression of the strong inhibitory receptor NKG2A in CD56bright NK cells. We also detected an increase in NKG2C expression in CD56dim NK cells in CHCV patients who displayed high necroinflammatory activity. Decreased KIR3DL2 expression in CD56dim and CD56bright NK cells was associated with a high body mass index, and KIR3DL2 expression may be one factor associated with the more rapid progression of CHCV to fibrosis in patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Podhorzer
- Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo (INIGEM-CONICET), Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melisa Dirchwolf
- Hepatopatías Infecciosas, Hospital Francisco J. Muñiz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés Machicote
- Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo (INIGEM-CONICET), Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago Belen
- Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo (INIGEM-CONICET), Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvina Montal
- Unidad de Cirugía Hepato-Biliar y Trasplante, Hospital Universitario Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia Paz
- Hepatopatías Infecciosas, Hospital Francisco J. Muñiz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hugo Fainboim
- Hepatopatías Infecciosas, Hospital Francisco J. Muñiz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luis G Podestá
- Unidad de Cirugía Hepato-Biliar y Trasplante, Hospital Universitario Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leonardo Fainboim
- Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo (INIGEM-CONICET), Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Malone DFG, Lunemann S, Hengst J, Ljunggren HG, Manns MP, Sandberg JK, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H, Björkström NK. Cytomegalovirus-Driven Adaptive-Like Natural Killer Cell Expansions Are Unaffected by Concurrent Chronic Hepatitis Virus Infections. Front Immunol 2017; 8:525. [PMID: 28533779 PMCID: PMC5421146 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive-like expansions of natural killer (NK) cell subsets are known to occur in response to human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. These expansions are typically made up of NKG2C+ NK cells with particular killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) expression patterns. Such NK cell expansion patterns are also seen in patients with viral hepatitis infection. Yet, it is not known if the viral hepatitis infection promotes the appearance of such expansions or if effects are solely attributed to underlying CMV infection. In sizeable cohorts of CMV seropositive hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infected patients, we analyzed NK cells for expression of NKG2A, NKG2C, CD57, and inhibitory KIRs to assess the appearance of NK cell expansions characteristic of what has been seen in CMV seropositive healthy individuals. Adaptive-like NK cell expansions observed in viral hepatitis patients were strongly associated with CMV seropositivity. The number of subjects with these expansions did not differ between CMV seropositive viral hepatitis patients and corresponding healthy controls. Hence, we conclude that adaptive-like NK cell expansions observed in HBV, HCV, and/or HDV infected individuals are not caused by the chronic hepatitis infections per se, but rather are a consequence of underlying CMV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David F G Malone
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Lunemann
- Department for Viral Immunology, Heinrich Pette Institute, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Hengst
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Johan K Sandberg
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hengst J, Strunz B, Deterding K, Ljunggren H, Leeansyah E, Manns MP, Cornberg M, Sandberg JK, Wedemeyer H, Björkström NK. Nonreversible MAIT cell‐dysfunction in chronic hepatitis C virus infection despite successful interferon‐free therapy. Eur J Immunol 2016; 46:2204-10. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201646447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hengst
- Center for Infectious MedicineDepartment of Medicine HuddingeKarolinska InstitutetKarolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
- Department of GastroenterologyHepatology and EndocrinologyHannover Medical School Hannover Germany
| | - Benedikt Strunz
- Center for Infectious MedicineDepartment of Medicine HuddingeKarolinska InstitutetKarolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of GastroenterologyHepatology and EndocrinologyHannover Medical School Hannover Germany
| | - Hans‐Gustaf Ljunggren
- Center for Infectious MedicineDepartment of Medicine HuddingeKarolinska InstitutetKarolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - Edwin Leeansyah
- Center for Infectious MedicineDepartment of Medicine HuddingeKarolinska InstitutetKarolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
- Program in Emerging Infectious DiseasesDuke–National University of Singapore Medical School Singapore Singapore
| | - Michael P. Manns
- Department of GastroenterologyHepatology and EndocrinologyHannover Medical School Hannover Germany
- German Center for Infection Research partner site Hannover‐Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of GastroenterologyHepatology and EndocrinologyHannover Medical School Hannover Germany
- German Center for Infection Research partner site Hannover‐Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Johan K. Sandberg
- Center for Infectious MedicineDepartment of Medicine HuddingeKarolinska InstitutetKarolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of GastroenterologyHepatology and EndocrinologyHannover Medical School Hannover Germany
- German Center for Infection Research partner site Hannover‐Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Niklas K. Björkström
- Center for Infectious MedicineDepartment of Medicine HuddingeKarolinska InstitutetKarolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Augusto DG, O’Connor GM, Lobo-Alves SC, Bass S, Martin MP, Carrington M, McVicar DW, Petzl-Erler ML. Pemphigus is associated with KIR3DL2 expression levels and provides evidence that KIR3DL2 may bind HLA-A3 and A11 in vivo. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:2052-60. [PMID: 25867094 PMCID: PMC4530613 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201445324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Although HLA-A3 and A11 have been reported to be ligands for KIR3DL2, evidence for any in vivo relevance of this interaction is still missing. To explore the functional importance of KIR3DL2 allelic variation, we analyzed the autoimmune disease pemphigus foliaceus, previously associated (lower risk) with activating KIR genes. KIR3DL2*001 was increased in patients (odds ratio (OR) = 2.04; p = 0.007). The risk was higher for the presence of both KIR3DL2*001 and HLA-A3 or A11 (OR = 3.76, p = 0.013), providing the first evidence that HLA-A3 and A11 may interact with KIR3DL2 in vivo. The nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphism 1190T (rs3745902) was associated with protection (OR = 0.52, p = 0.018). This SNP results in a threonine-to-methionine substitution. Individuals who have methionine in this position exhibit a lower percentage of KIR3DL2-positive natural killer (NK) cells and also lower intensity of KIR3DL2 on expressing natural killer cells; additionally, we show that the expression of KIR3DL2 is independent of other killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors. Pemphigus foliaceus is a very unique complex disease strongly associated with immune-related genes. It is the only autoimmune disease known to be endemic, showing a strong correlation with environmental factors. Our data demonstrate that this relatively unknown autoimmune disease may facilitate understanding of the molecular mechanisms of KIR3DL2 ligand recognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danillo G. Augusto
- Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Boston, MA, 02139, USA
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Cancer and Inflammation Program, Laboratory for Experimental Immunology, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Geraldine M. O’Connor
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Sara C. Lobo-Alves
- Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Sara Bass
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Maureen P. Martin
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Cancer and Inflammation Program, Laboratory for Experimental Immunology, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Mary Carrington
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Boston, MA, 02139, USA
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Cancer and Inflammation Program, Laboratory for Experimental Immunology, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Daniel W. McVicar
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lunemann S, Malone DFG, Grabowski J, Port K, Béziat V, Bremer B, Malmberg KJ, Manns MP, Sandberg JK, Cornberg M, Ljunggren HG, Wedemeyer H, Björkström NK. Effects of HDV infection and pegylated interferon α treatment on the natural killer cell compartment in chronically infected individuals. Gut 2015; 64:469-82. [PMID: 24721903 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-306767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although hepatitis delta is considered an immune-mediated disease, adaptive immune responses to hepatitis delta virus (HDV) are hardly detectable. Thus, the role of other immune responses, including those mediated by natural killer (NK) cells, must be considered in HDV pathogenesis and in treatments with immune-stimulating agents such as interferon (IFN)α. However, the phenotype and function of NK cells in chronic HDV infection, or in HDV-infected individuals undergoing IFNα treatment, have not been extensively studied. DESIGN We performed an extensive analysis of NK cells in chronically HDV-infected patients before and during treatment with IFNα, and compared the results with those for patients with HBV mono-infection as well as healthy controls. RESULTS In untreated HDV-infected patients, a higher than normal frequency of NK cells was observed in peripheral blood with unaltered phenotypic NK cell differentiation status. In contrast, long-term IFNα treatment of HDV-infected patients caused a significant change in NK cell differentiation status, with selective loss of terminally differentiated NK cells and, in parallel, a relative enrichment in immature NK cell subsets. Treatment was associated with marked functional impairment of the NK cells, which was independent of the changes in NK cell differentiation status. Furthermore, treatment polarised NK cell IFN signalling from STAT4 towards STAT1 dependency. Strikingly, a high frequency of CD56(dim) NK cells at baseline was positively associated with IFNα treatment outcome in the patients. CONCLUSIONS We describe in detail how HDV infection, and IFNα treatment of this infection, affects the NK cell compartment and what consequences this has for the functional capacity of NK cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Lunemann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - David F G Malone
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Grabowski
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Port
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Vivien Béziat
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Birgit Bremer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Karl-Johan Malmberg
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway Institute for Cancer Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Michael P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Johan K Sandberg
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Liver Immunology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that the human natural killer (NK)-cell compartment is phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous and is composed of several differentiation stages. Moreover, NK-cell subsets have been shown to exhibit adaptive immune features during herpes virus infection in experimental mice and to expand preferentially during viral infections in humans. However, both phenotype and role of NK cells during acute symptomatic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, termed infectious mononucleosis (IM), remain unclear. Here, we longitudinally assessed the kinetics, the differentiation, and the proliferation of subsets of NK cells in pediatric IM patients. Our results indicate that acute IM is characterized by the preferential proliferation of early-differentiated CD56(dim) NKG2A(+) immunoglobulin-like receptor(-) NK cells. Moreover, this NK-cell subset exhibits features of terminal differentiation and persists at higher frequency during at least the first 6 months after acute IM. Finally, we demonstrate that this NK-cell subset preferentially degranulates and proliferates on exposure to EBV-infected B cells expressing lytic antigens. Thus, early-differentiated NK cells might play a key role in the immune control of primary infection with this persistent tumor-associated virus.
Collapse
|
14
|
Viel S, Charrier E, Marçais A, Rouzaire P, Bienvenu J, Karlin L, Salles G, Walzer T. Monitoring NK cell activity in patients with hematological malignancies. Oncoimmunology 2013; 2:e26011. [PMID: 24327939 PMCID: PMC3850490 DOI: 10.4161/onci.26011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that can recognize and kill various types of malignant cells. Monitoring the activity of peripheral NK cells in patients affected by hematological malignancies may provide prognostic information or unveil ongoing tumor-specific immune responses. Moreover, further insights into the biology of NK cells might also promote the development of novel strategies for stimulating their anticancer activity. Here, we review the main methods to monitor phenotypic and functional NK cell properties in cancer patients, focusing on individuals affected by multiple myeloma, a hematological malignancy currently treated with immunomodulatory drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Viel
- CIRI, International Center for Infectiology Research; Université de Lyon; Lyon, France ; Inserm, U1111; Lyon, France ; Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon; Lyon, France ; Université Lyon 1; Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie; Lyon, France ; CNRS, UMR5308; Lyon, France ; Laboratoire d'Immunologie; Hospices Civils de Lyon; Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud; Lyon, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
CD8 T cells express randomly selected KIRs with distinct specificities compared with NK cells. Blood 2012; 120:3455-65. [PMID: 22968455 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-03-416867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epistatic interactions between killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and their cognate HLA class I ligands have important implications for reproductive success, antiviral immunity, susceptibility to autoimmune conditions and cancer, as well as for graft-versus-leukemia reactions in settings of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Although CD8 T cells are known to acquire KIRs when maturing from naive to terminally differentiated cells, little information is available about the constitution of KIR repertoires on human CD8 T cells. Here, we have performed a high-resolution analysis of KIR expression on CD8 T cells. The results show that most CD8 T cells possess a restricted KIR expression pattern, often dominated by a single activating or inhibitory KIR. Furthermore, the expression of KIR, and its modulation of CD8 T-cell function, was independent of expression of self-HLA class I ligands. Finally, despite similarities in the stochastic regulation of KIRs by the bidirectional proximal promoter, the specificity of inhibitory KIRs on CD8 T cells was often distinct from that of natural killer cells in the same individual. The results provide new insight into the formation of KIR repertoires on human T cells.
Collapse
|
16
|
Lion E, Smits ELJM, Berneman ZN, Van Tendeloo VFI. NK cells: key to success of DC-based cancer vaccines? Oncologist 2012; 17:1256-70. [PMID: 22907975 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2011-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytotoxic and regulatory antitumor functions of natural killer (NK) cells have become attractive targets for immunotherapy. Manipulation of specific NK cell functions and their reciprocal interactions with dendritic cells (DCs) might hold therapeutic promise. In this review, we focus on the engagement of NK cells in DC-based cancer vaccination strategies, providing a comprehensive overview of current in vivo experimental and clinical DC vaccination studies encompassing the monitoring of NK cells. From these studies, it is clear that NK cells play a key regulatory role in the generation of DC-induced antitumor immunity, favoring the concept that targeting both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms may synergistically promote clinical outcome. However, to date, DC vaccination trials are only infrequently accompanied by NK cell monitoring. Here, we discuss different strategies to improve DC vaccine preparations via exploitation of NK cells and provide a summary of relevant NK cell parameters for immune monitoring. We underscore that the design of DC-based cancer vaccines should include the evaluation of their NK cell stimulating potency both in the preclinical phase and in clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Lion
- Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, TIGR, University of Antwerp (UA), Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2650 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Björkström NK, Svensson A, Malmberg KJ, Eriksson K, Ljunggren HG. Characterization of natural killer cell phenotype and function during recurrent human HSV-2 infection. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27664. [PMID: 22110712 PMCID: PMC3216993 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Human natural killer (NK) cell differentiation, characterized by a loss of NKG2A in parallel with the acquisition of NKG2C, KIRs, and CD57 is stimulated by a number of virus infections, including infection with human cytomegalovirus (CMV), hantavirus, chikungunya virus, and HIV-1. Here, we addressed if HSV-2 infection in a similar way drives NK cell differentiation towards an NKG2A-NKG2C+KIR+CD57+ phenotype. In contrast to infection with CMV, hantavirus, chikungunya virus, and HIV-1, recurrent HSV-2 infection did not yield an accumulation of highly differentiated NK cells in human peripheral blood. This outcome indicates that human HSV-2 infection has no significant imprinting effect on the human NK cell repertoire.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Longitudinal analysis of the human T cell response during acute hantavirus infection. J Virol 2011; 85:10252-60. [PMID: 21795350 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.05548-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Longitudinal studies of T cell immune responses during viral infections in humans are essential for our understanding of how effector T cell responses develop, clear infection, and provide long-lasting immunity. Here, following an outbreak of a Puumala hantavirus infection in the human population, we longitudinally analyzed the primary CD8 T cell response in infected individuals from the first onset of clinical symptoms until viral clearance. A vigorous CD8 T cell response was observed early following the onset of clinical symptoms, determined by the presence of high numbers of Ki67(+)CD38(+)HLA-DR(+) effector CD8 T cells. This response encompassed up to 50% of total blood CD8 T cells, and it subsequently contracted in parallel with a decrease in viral load. Expression levels of perforin and granzyme B were high throughout the initial T cell response and likewise normalized following viral clearance. When monitoring regulatory components, no induction of regulatory CD4 or CD8 T cells was observed in the patients during the infection. However, CD8 as well as CD4 T cells exhibited a distinct expression profile of inhibitory PD-1 and CTLA-4 molecules. The present results provide insight into the development of the T cell response in humans, from the very onset of clinical symptoms following a viral infection to resolution of the disease.
Collapse
|
19
|
Björkström NK, Lindgren T, Stoltz M, Fauriat C, Braun M, Evander M, Michaëlsson J, Malmberg KJ, Klingström J, Ahlm C, Ljunggren HG. Rapid expansion and long-term persistence of elevated NK cell numbers in humans infected with hantavirus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 208:13-21. [PMID: 21173105 PMCID: PMC3023129 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20100762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 380] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Acute hantavirus infection in humans triggers a rapid expansion and long-term persistence of NK cells. Natural killer (NK) cells are known to mount a rapid response to several virus infections. In experimental models of acute viral infection, this response has been characterized by prompt NK cell activation and expansion followed by rapid contraction. In contrast to experimental model systems, much less is known about NK cell responses to acute viral infections in humans. We demonstrate that NK cells can rapidly expand and persist at highly elevated levels for >60 d after human hantavirus infection. A large part of the expanding NK cells expressed the activating receptor NKG2C and were functional in terms of expressing a licensing inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and ability to respond to target cell stimulation. These results demonstrate that NK cells can expand and remain elevated in numbers for a prolonged period of time in humans after a virus infection. In time, this response extends far beyond what is considered normal for an innate immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
CD56 negative NK cells: origin, function, and role in chronic viral disease. Trends Immunol 2010; 31:401-6. [PMID: 20829113 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2010.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2010] [Revised: 08/05/2010] [Accepted: 08/12/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells serve as a first line of defense against acute viral infections. Immunogenetic association data suggest that NK cells also influence the course of chronic viral infections, such as infections with HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Chronic stages of these infections have a negative impact on NK cell function and promote the appearance of phenotypically and functionally abnormal NK cells. In this paper, we summarize available data on CD56(neg) NK cells, an aberrant NK cell subset found in small numbers in healthy individuals and at elevated levels in individuals chronically infected with HIV-1 and HCV. We discuss current knowledge of CD56(neg) NK cells, with a particular emphasis on their accumulation during chronic infection and the possible consequences of this for the host.
Collapse
|
21
|
Expression patterns of NKG2A, KIR, and CD57 define a process of CD56dim NK-cell differentiation uncoupled from NK-cell education. Blood 2010; 116:3853-64. [PMID: 20696944 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-04-281675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 569] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that, following differentiation from CD56(bright) to CD56(dim) cells, have been thought to retain fixed functional and phenotypic properties throughout their lifespan. In contrast to this notion, we here show that CD56(dim) NK cells continue to differentiate. During this process, they lose expression of NKG2A, sequentially acquire inhibitory killer cell inhibitory immunoglobulin-like receptors and CD57, change their expression patterns of homing molecules, and display a gradual decline in proliferative capacity. All cellular intermediates of this process are represented in varying proportions at steady state and appear, over time, during the reconstitution of the immune system, as demonstrated in humanized mice and in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. CD56(dim) NK-cell differentiation, and the associated functional imprint, occurs independently of NK-cell education by interactions with self-human leukocyte antigen class I ligands and is an essential part of the formation of human NK-cell repertoires.
Collapse
|