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Xi J, Zheng W, Chen M, Zou Q, Tang C, Zhou X. Genetically engineered pigs for xenotransplantation: Hopes and challenges. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1093534. [PMID: 36712969 PMCID: PMC9878146 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1093534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The shortage of donor resources has greatly limited the application of clinical xenotransplantation. As such, genetically engineered pigs are expected to be an ideal organ source for xenotransplantation. Most current studies mainly focus on genetically modifying organs or tissues from donor pigs to reduce or prevent attack by the human immune system. Another potential organ source is interspecies chimeras. In this paper, we reviewed the progress of the genetically engineered pigs from the view of immunologic barriers and strategies, and discussed the possibility and challenges of the interspecies chimeras.
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Lopez KJ, Cross-Najafi AA, Farag K, Obando B, Thadasina D, Isidan A, Park Y, Zhang W, Ekser B, Li P. Strategies to induce natural killer cell tolerance in xenotransplantation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:941880. [PMID: 36072599 PMCID: PMC9441937 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.941880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Eliminating major xenoantigens in pig cells has drastically reduced human antibody-mediated hyperacute xenograft rejection (HXR). Despite these advancements, acute xenograft rejection (AXR) remains one of the major obstacles to clinical xenotransplantation, mediated by innate immune cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells play an ‘effector’ role by releasing cytotoxicity granules against xenogeneic cells and an ‘affecter’ role on other immune cells through cytokine secretion. We highlight the key receptor-ligand interactions that determine the NK cell response to target cells, focusing on the regulation of NK cell activating receptor (NKG2D, DNAM1) and inhibitory receptor (KIR2DL1-4, NKG2A, and LIR-1) signaling pathways. Inhibition of NK cell activity may protect xenografts from cytotoxicity. Recent successful approaches to reducing NK cell-mediated HXR and AXR are reviewed, including genetic modifications of porcine xenografts aimed at improving pig-to-human compatibility. Future directions to promote xenograft acceptance are discussed, including NK cell tolerance in pregnancy and NK cell evasion in viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ping Li
- *Correspondence: Ping Li, ; Burcin Ekser,
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Bortolotti D, Gentili V, Santi E, Taliento C, Vitagliano A, Schiuma G, Beltrami S, Rizzo S, Lanza G, Rizzo R, Gafà R, Greco P. Late-onset intrauterine growth restriction and HHV-6 infection: A pilot study. J Med Virol 2021; 93:6317-6322. [PMID: 34138476 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Late-onset Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to impaired growth and development of the fetus, characterized by placental morphological abnormalities that affect the fetus's supply of nutrients. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is physiologically expressed during pregnancy, but decreased in normal placenta during the last weeks of gestation possibly inducing childbirth. Several viruses involved in congenital infection, such as herpesviruses, exploit HLA-G expression as an immune-escape mechanism. To date, despite different congenital herpetic infections having been associated with late IUGR, no direct implication of Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection has been reported. We evaluated HLA-G expression and HHV-6 infection in 11 placentas from late-onset IUGR newborns and 11 placentas from uncomplicated pregnancies by histopathological and immunohistochemistry analysis. We found higher levels of HLA-G expression and HHV-6 presence in IUGR placenta samples compared with control placenta samples. We report HHV-6 staining in IUGR placenta samples, characterized by high HLA-G expression. These preliminary data suggest a possible involvement of HHV-6 infection in HLA-G deregulation that might affect vessel remodeling and prevent the correct pregnancy outcome in the IUGR condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Bortolotti
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valentina Gentili
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Erica Santi
- Department of Medical Sciences,Obstetric and Gynecological Clinic, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cristina Taliento
- Department of Medical Sciences,Obstetric and Gynecological Clinic, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Amerigo Vitagliano
- Department of Medical Sciences,Obstetric and Gynecological Clinic, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanna Schiuma
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Beltrami
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rizzo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lanza
- Department of Translational and for Romagna Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberta Rizzo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberta Gafà
- Department of Translational and for Romagna Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pantaleo Greco
- Department of Medical Sciences,Obstetric and Gynecological Clinic, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Lin A, Yan WH. Heterogeneity of HLA-G Expression in Cancers: Facing the Challenges. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2164. [PMID: 30319626 PMCID: PMC6170620 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic heterogeneity has been observed in most malignancies, which represents a considerable challenge for tumor therapy. In recent decades, the biological function and clinical significance of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G have been intensively explored. It is now widely accepted that HLA-G is a critical marker of immunotolerance in cancer cell immune evasion and is strongly associated with disease progress and prognosis for cancer patients. Moreover, it has recently been emphasized that the signaling pathway linking HLA-G and immunoglobulin-like transcripts (ILTs) is considered an immune checkpoint. In addition, HLA-G itself can generate at least seven distinct isoforms, and intertumor and intratumor heterogeneity of HLA-G expression is common across different tumor types. Furthermore, HLA-G heterogeneity in cancers has been related to disease stage and outcomes, metastatic status and response to different therapies. This review focuses on the heterogeneity of HLA-G expression in malignant lesions, and clinical implications of this heterogeneity that might be relevant to personalized treatments are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifen Lin
- Biological Resource Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
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The Role of NK Cells in Pig-to-Human Xenotransplantation. J Immunol Res 2017; 2017:4627384. [PMID: 29410970 PMCID: PMC5749293 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4627384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recruitment of human NK cells to porcine tissues has been demonstrated in pig organs perfused ex vivo with human blood in the early 1990s. Subsequently, the molecular mechanisms leading to adhesion and cytotoxicity in human NK cell-porcine endothelial cell (pEC) interactions have been elucidated in vitro to identify targets for therapeutic interventions. Specific molecular strategies to overcome human anti-pig NK cell responses include (1) blocking of the molecular events leading to recruitment (chemotaxis, adhesion, and transmigration), (2) expression of human MHC class I molecules on pECs that inhibit NK cells, and (3) elimination or blocking of pig ligands for activating human NK receptors. The potential of cell-based strategies including tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC) and regulatory T cells (Treg) and the latest progress using transgenic pigs genetically modified to reduce xenogeneic NK cell responses are discussed. Finally, we present the status of phenotypic and functional characterization of nonhuman primate (NHP) NK cells, essential for studying their role in xenograft rejection using preclinical pig-to-NHP models, and summarize key advances and important perspectives for future research.
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Djurisic S, Skibsted L, Hviid TVF. A Phenotypic Analysis of Regulatory T Cells and Uterine NK Cells from First Trimester Pregnancies and Associations with HLA-G. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 74:427-44. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.12421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Snezana Djurisic
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry; Centre for Immune Regulation and Reproductive Immunology (CIRRI); Copenhagen University Hospital (Roskilde); University of Copenhagen; Roskilde Denmark
| | - Lillian Skibsted
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Copenhagen University Hospital (Roskilde); Roskilde Denmark
| | - Thomas Vauvert F. Hviid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry; Centre for Immune Regulation and Reproductive Immunology (CIRRI); Copenhagen University Hospital (Roskilde); University of Copenhagen; Roskilde Denmark
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NK cytolysis is dependent on the proportion of HLA-G expression. Hum Immunol 2013; 74:286-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2012.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2012] [Revised: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Kahan BD. Forty years of publication of Transplantation Proceedings--the fourth decade: Globalization of the enterprise. Transplant Proc 2011; 43:3-29. [PMID: 21335147 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2010.12.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Barry D Kahan
- Division of Immunology and Organ Transplantation, The University of Texas-Health Science Center at Houston Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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Zhang Y, Liu Y, Lu N, Shan NN, Zheng GX, Zhao SM, Zou X, Gao YJ, Li YJ, Wang YS. Expression of the genes encoding human leucocyte antigens-A, -B, -DP, -DQ and -G in gastric cancer patients. J Int Med Res 2010; 38:949-56. [PMID: 20819431 DOI: 10.1177/147323001003800321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This study compared the expression of the genes encoding human leucocyte antigens (HLA)-A, -B, -DP, -DR and -G in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in gastric cancer patients and healthy controls. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, levels of classical HLA-A, -B, -DP and -DR and non-classical HLA-G mRNA were studied in 43 gastric cancer patients and 22 controls. In addition, the levels of HLA-A,B,C and -G antigens on the surface of PBMCs were measured in 30 gastric cancer patients and 15 controls using flow cytometry. The mean fluorescence intensity of HLA-A,B,C antigen in the gastric cancer group was significantly lower than in controls. The HLA-G antigen was mainly present on CD4(+)CD8(-) T-lymphocytes. The percentage of CD4(+)CD8(-) T-lymphocytes positive for HLA-G antigen was significantly lower in the gastric cancer group compared with the healthy controls. Levels of HLA-A, -B and -G mRNA in the gastric cancer group were significantly lower than in controls. The HLA-G mRNA levels were significantly lower in gastric cancer of histological grades III and IV than in grades I and II. These data may provide a novel diagnostic and research tool for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Kim TJ, Kim N, Kim EO, Choi JR, Bluestone JA, Lee KM. Suppression of human anti-porcine natural killer cell xenogeneic responses by combinations of monoclonal antibodies specific to CD2 and NKG2D and extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase inhibitor. Immunology 2010; 130:545-55. [PMID: 20406306 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2010.03253.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells can destroy xenogeneic tissues by antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) and direct lysis. Unlike ADCC, activating interactions between human NK receptors and their cognate ligands in pigs are not fully elucidated. We set up this study to identify human NK activating receptors recognizing porcine cells isolated from distinct organs, e.g., aorta, cornea and liver, and to provide a molecular basis for effective immunosuppressive regimens. Among the array of NK receptors tested, NKp46, 2B4, CD49d, CD48, CD2 and NKG2D, only CD2 and NKG2D were shown to be involved in both cytotoxicity and cytokine (interferon-gamma and tumour necrosis factor-alpha) production against porcine targets. Simultaneous blocking of CD2 and NKG2D by combining its monoclonal antibodies further suppressed xenogeneic NK responses. Moreover, addition of a suboptimal dose of PD98059, an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase inhibitor, to those cells maximally reduced NK cytotoxicity, suggesting that ERK plays an important role in NK-mediated xenoreactivity. These impairments in NK cells were tightly associated with defective intracellular calcium mobilization and the subsequent degranulation process. Therefore, our data demonstrate a distinct role of CD2 and NKG2D on human NK cells in recognizing porcine grafts and further provide a potentially efficacious combinational regimen using anti-CD2 and anti-NKG2D monoclonal antibodies with PD98059 in a pig-to-human transplantation model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Jin Kim
- Global Research Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Division of Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Down-regulation of HLA-G boosted natural killer cell-mediated cytolysis in JEG-3 cells cultured in vitro. Fertil Steril 2008; 90:2398-405. [PMID: 18243178 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.10.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2007] [Revised: 10/29/2007] [Accepted: 10/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine how decidual natural killer (NK) cells interact with fetal trophoblasts in vitro. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING University hospitals and IVF units. PATIENT(S) Not applicable. INTERVENTION(S) Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) An adenovirus vector containing small interfering RNA (siRNA) specifically targeting the human lymphocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) gene was constructed and applied to diminish HLA-G mRNA expression. The steady-state levels of HLA-G messenger RNA (mRNA) were then checked by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and protein levels by Western blot analysis. The NK-mediated cell cytotoxicity in the siRNA treated cells was studied by application of a nonradioactive cytotoxicity assay. RESULT(S) Steady-state levels of HLA-G mRNA and protein were significantly diminished by the targeting siRNA. In cells where HLA-G expression was thus reduced, a significant increase in NK cell-mediated lysis occurred. CONCLUSION(S) These results indicate that the recombinant adenoviral vectors used were efficient tools for studying HLA-G function. More important, this study reveals an important immunoprotective function for HLA-G in controlling NK cell-mediated lysis of trophoblasts, cells whose role in mediating normal pregnancy is important.
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Le Bouteiller P, Fons P, Herault JP, Bono F, Chabot S, Cartwright JE, Bensussan A. Soluble HLA-G and control of angiogenesis. J Reprod Immunol 2007; 76:17-22. [PMID: 17467060 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2007.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2007] [Revised: 03/20/2007] [Accepted: 03/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we summarize the results of a number of our recent in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrating that, in addition to the immunoregulatory functions, soluble HLA-G molecules also affect endothelial cell activity. We have found that soluble HLA-G1 (also designated HLA-G5) inhibits endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tubule formation, and this occurred through binding to the CD160 receptor and via an apoptotic pathway. Moreover, we have demonstrated that soluble HLA-G1 blocks in vivo rabbit corneal neoangiogenesis. Although it cannot be excluded that other soluble HLA class I molecules may have similar effects, as soluble forms of HLA-G are being produced by trophoblast cells at the maternal-fetal interface during early gestation, we discuss how such anti-angiogenic properties of soluble HLA-G1 may locally influence uterine vascular remodeling.
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