NK cells and surveillance in humans

Global, pathway and gene coverage of three Illumina arrays with respect to inflammatory and immune-related pathways

Genome-wide association studies have led in the past to the discovery of susceptibility genes for many diseases including cancer and inflammatory conditions. However, a number of these studies did not realise their full potential. A first critical step in developing such large-scale studies is the choice of genotyping array with respect to the study goal. Coverage is the central criterion for array evaluation. We distinguish between estimates of global coverage across the genome, coverage for each chromosome, coverage for selected pathways and the coverage for genes of interest. Here, we focus on inflammatory and immunological pathways and genes relevant for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We compared three arrays: the Infinium Global Screening Array-24 v1.0, the Infinium OncoArray-500 K BeadChip and the Infinium PsychArray-24 v1.2 BeadChip. We employed the European population from the 1000 Genomes Project as reference genome. Global coverage was found to range between 12.2 and 14.2% whereas coverage for a selected pathway ranged from 6.2 to 13.2% and gene coverage ranged from 0 to 54.1%. The Global Screening Array outperformed both other arrays in terms of global coverage, for most chromosomes, most considered pathways and most genes. When selecting suitable arrays for a new study, the coverage of pathways or genes of interest should be considered in addition to global coverage. Local coverage should be regarded when discussing association findings inconsistent across studies and can be useful in data analysis and decision making for additional genotyping.

Therapeutic Antibodies to KIR3DL2 and Other Target Antigens on Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas

KIR3DL2 is a member of the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family that was initially identified at the surface of natural killer (NK) cells. KIR3DL2, also known as CD158k, is expressed as a disulfide-linked homodimer. Each chain is composed of three immunoglobulin-like domains and a long cytoplasmic tail containing two immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs. Beside its expression on NK cells, it is also found on rare circulating T lymphocytes, mainly CD8⁺. Although the KIR gene number varies between haplotype, KIR3DL2 is a framework gene present in all individuals. Together with the presence of genomic regulatory sequences unique to KIR3DL2, this suggests some particular functions for the derived protein in comparison with other KIR family members. Several ligands have been identified for KIR3DL2. As for other KIRs, binding to HLA class I molecules is essential for NK development by promoting phenomena such as licensing and driving NK cell maturation. For KIR3DL2, this includes binding to HLA-A3 and -A11 and to the free heavy chain form of HLA-B27. In addition, KIR3DL2 binds to CpG oligonucleotides (ODN) and ensures their transport to endosomal toll-like receptor 9 that promotes cell activation. These characteristics have implicated KIR3DL2 in several pathologies: ankylosing spondylitis and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas such as Sézary syndrome, CD30⁺ cutaneous lymphoma, and transformed mycosis fungoides. Consequently, a new generation of humanized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against KIR3DL2 has been helpful in the diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment of these diseases. In addition, preliminary clinical studies of a novel targeted immunotherapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphomas using the anti-KIR3DL2 mAb IPH4102 are now underway. In this review, we discuss the various aspects of KIR3DL2 on the functions of CD4⁺ T cells and how targeting this receptor helps to develop innovative therapeutic strategies.

Transforming growth factor-β1 regulates human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell susceptibility to natural killer cells via modulation of the NKG2D ligands

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has a significant role in the response to injury and tissue repair, and it has been detected in various cell types. However, the mechanism by which it regulates the response to ischemia‑reperfusion injury (IRI) and manipulates natural killer (NK) cells is not well understood. In the present study, TGF‑β modulated NK cell function, thereby promoting recovery from renal IRI. Human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK‑2) treated with TGF‑β exhibited increased surface and intracellular expression of the NK group 2 member D (NKG2D) ligand MICA. This increased surface expression of MICA inhibited NK cell cytotoxicity to the HK‑2 cells. In addition, an enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay revealed that TGF‑β treatment evidently increased the amount of soluble MICA released into the culture supernatant from HK‑2 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that TGF‑β‑induced release of soluble MICA leads to downregulation of NKG2D, thereby preventing NK cell‑mediated cytotoxicity toward renal proximal tubular epithelial cells in renal IRI, which in turn improves the survival of these cells.

Low dose irradiation profoundly affects transcriptome and microRNAme in rat mammary gland tissues

Ionizing radiation has been successfully used in medical tests and treatment therapies for a variety of medical conditions. However, patients and health-care workers are greatly concerned about overexposure to medical ionizing radiation and possible cancer induction due to frequent mammographies and/or CT scans. Diagnostic imaging involves the use of low doses of ionizing radiation, and its potential carcinogenic role creates a cancer risk concern for exposed individuals. In this study, the effects of X-ray exposure of different doses on the gene expression patterns and the micro-RNA expression patterns in normal breast tissue were investigated in rats. Our results revealed the activation of immune response pathways upon low dose of radiation exposure. These included natural killer mediated cytotoxicity pathways, antigen processing and presentation pathways, chemokine signaling pathways, and T- and B-cell receptor signaling pathways. Both high and low doses of radiation led to miRNA expression alterations. Increased expression of miR-34a may be linked to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Up-regulation of miR-34a was correlated with down-regulation of its target E2F3 and up-regulation of p53. This data suggests that ionizing radiation at specific high and low doses leads to cell cycle arrest and a possible initiation of apoptosis.

Synergistic enhancement of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity by combination of histone deacetylase inhibitor and ionizing radiation

BACKGROUND

The overexpression of histone deacetylase (HDAC) and a subsequent decrease in the acetylation levels of nuclear histones are frequently observed in cancer cells. Generally it was accepted that the deacetylation of histones suppressed expression of the attached genes. Therefore, it has been suggested that HDAC might contribute to the survival of cancer cells by altering the NKG2D ligands transcripts. By the way, the translational regulation of NKG2D ligands remains unclear in cancer cells. It appears the modulation of this unclear mechanism could enhance NKG2D ligand expressions and the susceptibility of cancer cells to NK cells. Previously, it was reported that irradiation can increase the surface expressions of NKG2D ligands on several cancer cell types without increasing the levels of NKG2D ligand transcripts via ataxia telangiectasia mutated and ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATM-ATR) pathway, and suggested that radiation therapy might be used to increase the translation of NKG2D ligands.

METHODS

Two NSCLC cell lines, that is, A549 and NCI-H23 cells, were used to investigate the combined effects of ionizing radiation and HDAC inhibitors on the expressions of five NKG2D ligands. The mRNA expressions of the NKG2D ligands were quantitated by multiplex reverse transcription-PCR. Surface protein expressions were measured by flow cytometry, and the susceptibilities of cancer cells to NK cells were assayed by time-resolved fluorometry using the DELFIA® EuTDA cytotoxicity kit and by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The expressions of NKG2D ligands were found to be regulated at the transcription and translation levels. Ionizing radiation and HDAC inhibitors in combination synergistically increased the expressions of NKG2D ligands. Furthermore, treatment with ATM-ATR inhibitors efficiently blocked the increased translations of NKG2D ligands induced by ionizing radiation but did not block the increased ligand translations induced by HDAC inhibitors. The study confirms that increased NKG2D ligand levels by ionizing radiation and HDAC inhibitors could synergistically enhance the susceptibilities of cancer cells to NK-92 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that the expressions of NKG2D ligands are regulated in a complex manner at the multilevel of gene expression, and that their expressions can be induced by combinatorial treatments in lung cancer cells.

Susceptibility to natural killer cell-mediated lysis of colon cancer cells is enhanced by treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors through UL16-binding protein-1 induction

We have previously shown that inhibition of intracellular signaling pathways by treatment with quercetin induced the expression of natural killer cell group 2D (NKG2D) ligands on cancer cells and made the cells sensitive to natural killer (NK)-cell mediated cytotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated whether epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors could induce the expression of NKG2D ligands in colon cancer cells. Treatment with EGFR inhibitors predominantly increased the levels of mRNA transcripts and surface protein of UL16-binding protein-1 (ULBP1) in various colon cancer cells, including KM12, Caco-2, HCT-15, and HT-29, which express EGFR, and increased susceptibility of these colon cancer cells to NK-92 cells. The expression of ULBP1 was not induced by inhibitors of nuclear factor-κB, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase, and MAPK, but was induced by inhibitors of PKC, and the induction of ULBP1 expression with EGFR inhibitors was prevented by treatment with PMA in colon cancer cells. A transcription factor, activator protein-2 alpha (AP-2α), which has a suppressive effect on ULBP1 transcription, was prevented from binding to the ULBP1 promoter by treatment with EGFR inhibitors. The present study suggests that EGFR inhibitors can enhance the susceptibility to NK cell-mediated lysis of colon cancer cells by induction of ULBP1 via inhibition of the PKC pathway.

Regulation of NK92-MI cell cytotoxicity by substance P

The neuropeptide substance P (SP) can regulate a number of immunological functions in vitro and in vivo and may regulate natural killer (NK) cell activity. Here, we investigated whether SP has a role in regulating NK92-MI cell function in vitro, and how it influences NK cell activity. We found that SP dose dependently increased the cytotoxicity of NK92-MI cells and had a maximal effect at a concentration of 10(-12) and 10(-10) m. Furthermore, the expression of cytotoxic-associated molecules (perforin, granzyme) and activating receptor NKp46 [a member of natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs)] was observed to be upregulated by SP at optimal concentration, at which SP enhanced the cytotoxicity of NK92-MI cells. Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R), a functional receptor of SP, was found on NK92-MI cells, and the observed effects of SP on NK92-MI cells could be more partially blocked by an NK-1R antagonist. Our data suggest that SP induces NK92-MI cell cytotoxicity by directly increasing the expression of cytotoxic granules and upregulates NK92-MI cell receptor-mediated functions indirectly. Thus, SP may regulate NK cell function mainly through NK-1R.

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma: toward the identification of clinical molecular targets

Extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma of nasal type (NKTCL) is a malignant disorder of cytotoxic lymphocytes of NK or more rarely T cells associated with clonal Epstein-Barr virus infection. Extranodal NKTCL is rare in Western countries, but in Asia and Central and South America it can account for up to 10% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. It is an aggressive neoplasm with very poor prognosis. Although the pathogenesis of extranodal NKTCL remains poorly understood, some insights have been gained in the recent years, especially from genome-wide studies. Based on our own experience and knowledge of the literature, we here review some of the genomic and functional pathway alterations observed in NKTCL that could provide a rationale for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.