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Huang M, Liu Y, Yan Q, Peng M, Ge J, Mo Y, Wang Y, Wang F, Zeng Z, Li Y, Fan C, Xiong W. NK cells as powerful therapeutic tool in cancer immunotherapy. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-023-00909-3. [PMID: 38170381 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00909-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells have gained considerable attention and hold great potential for their application in tumor immunotherapy. This is mainly due to their MHC-unrestricted and pan-specific recognition capabilities, as well as their ability to rapidly respond to and eliminate target cells. To artificially generate therapeutic NK cells, various materials can be utilized, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), umbilical cord blood (UCB), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and NK cell lines. Exploiting the therapeutic potential of NK cells to treat tumors through in vivo and in vitro therapeutic modalities has yielded positive therapeutic results. CONCLUSION This review provides a comprehensive description of NK cell therapeutic approaches for tumors and discusses the current problems associated with these therapeutic approaches and the prospects of NK cell therapy for tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Huang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yixuan Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qijia Yan
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410078, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Peng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Junshang Ge
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongzhen Mo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yumin Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410078, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fuyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Alkek Building, RM N720, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chunmei Fan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 410013, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Lin X, Sun Y, Dong X, Liu Z, Sugimura R, Xie G. IPSC-derived CAR-NK cells for cancer immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115123. [PMID: 37406511 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapies (ACT) based on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified immune cells have made great progress with six CAR-T cell products approved by the U.S. FDA for hematological malignancies. Compared with CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells have attracted increasing attention owing to their multiple killing mechanisms, higher safety profile, and broad sources. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells possess a mature phenotype and potent cytolytic activity, and can provide a homogeneous population of CAR-NK cells that can be expanded to clinical scale. Thus, iPSC-derived CAR-NK (CAR-iNK) cells could be used as a standardized and "off-the-shelf" product for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize the current status of the manufacturing techniques, genetic modification strategies, preclinical and clinical evidence of CAR-iNK cells, and discuss the challenges and future prospects of CAR-iNK cell therapy as a novel cellular immunotherapy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yao Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xin Dong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zishen Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ryohichi Sugimura
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
| | - Guozhu Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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Goldenson BH, Hor P, Kaufman DS. iPSC-Derived Natural Killer Cell Therapies - Expansion and Targeting. Front Immunol 2022; 13:841107. [PMID: 35185932 PMCID: PMC8851389 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.841107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of cancer with allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell therapies has seen rapid development, especially use against hematologic malignancies. Clinical trials of NK cell-based adoptive transfer to treat relapsed or refractory malignancies have used peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood and pluripotent stem cell-derived NK cells, with each approach undergoing continued clinical development. Improving the potency of these therapies relies on genetic modifications to improve tumor targeting and to enhance expansion and persistence of the NK cells. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NK cells allow for routine targeted introduction of genetic modifications and expansion of the resulting NK cells derived from a clonal starting cell population. In this review, we discuss and summarize recent important advances in the development of new iPSC-derived NK cell therapies, with a focus on improved targeting of cancer. We then discuss improvements in methods to expand iPSC-derived NK cells and how persistence of iPSC-NK cells can be enhanced. Finally, we describe how these advances may combine in future NK cell-based therapy products for the treatment of both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin H Goldenson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Pooja Hor
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Dan S Kaufman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Stem cells-derived natural killer cells for cancer immunotherapy: current protocols, feasibility, and benefits of ex vivo generated natural killer cells in treatment of advanced solid tumors. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:3369-3395. [PMID: 34218295 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02975-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy provides a practical therapeutic strategy for patients with advanced solid tumors (STs). This approach is adaptively conducted by the autologous and identical NK cells after in vitro expansion and overnight activation. However, the NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy has been faced with some fundamental and technical limitations. Moreover, the desirable outcomes of the NK cell therapy may not be achieved due to the complex tumor microenvironment by inhibition of intra-tumoral polarization and cytotoxicity of implanted NK cells. Currently, stem cells (SCs) technology provides a powerful opportunity to generate more effective and universal sources of the NK cells. Till now, several strategies have been developed to differentiate types of the pluripotent and adult SCs into the mature NK cells, with both feeder layer-dependent and/or feeder laye-free strategies. Higher cytokine production and intra-tumoral polarization capabilities as well as stronger anti-tumor properties are the main features of these SCs-derived NK cells. The present review article focuses on the principal barriers through the conventional NK cell immunotherapies for patients with advanced STs. It also provides a comprehensive resource of protocols regarding the generation of SCs-derived NK cells in an ex vivo condition.
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Lee DA. Cellular therapy: Adoptive immunotherapy with expanded natural killer cells. Immunol Rev 2019; 290:85-99. [DOI: 10.1111/imr.12793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dean A. Lee
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio
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6
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Long D, Chen Y, Wu H, Zhao M, Lu Q. Clinical significance and immunobiology of IL-21 in autoimmunity. J Autoimmun 2019; 99:1-14. [PMID: 30773373 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21), an autocrine cytokine predominantly produced by follicular helper T (Tfh) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells, has been proven to play an important role in the immune system, for example, by promoting proliferation and the development of Tfh and Th17 cells, balancing helper T cell subsets, inducing B cell generation and differentiation into plasma cells, and enhancing the production of immunoglobulin. These effects are mainly mediated by activation of the JAK/STAT, MAPK and PI3K pathways. Some IL-21 target genes, such as B lymphocyte induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp-1), suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS), CXCR5 and Bcl-6, play important roles in the immune response. Therefore, IL-21 has been linked to autoimmune diseases. Indeed, IL-21 levels are increased in the peripheral blood and tissues of patients with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), type 1 diabetes (T1D), immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and psoriasis. This increased IL-21 even positively associates with Tfh cells, plasma cells, autoantibodies and disease activity in SLE and RA. Additionally, IL-21 has been utilized as a therapeutic target in SLE, RA, T1D and psoriatic mouse models. Profoundly, clinical trials have shown safety and improvement in RA patients. However, tolerance and long-term pharmacodynamics effects with low bioavailability have been found in SLE patients. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the latest progress on IL-21 function and its signaling pathway and discuss the role of IL-21 in the pathogenesis of and therapy for autoimmune diseases, with the hope of providing potential therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Long
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, PR China
| | - Yongjian Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, PR China
| | - Haijing Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, PR China
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
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Sharma J, Bhar S, Devi CS. A review on interleukins: The key manipulators in rheumatoid arthritis. Mod Rheumatol 2017; 27:723-746. [DOI: 10.1080/14397595.2016.1266071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jatin Sharma
- School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, India
| | - Sutonuka Bhar
- School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, India
| | - C. Subathra Devi
- School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, India
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NK cells activated by Interleukin-4 in cooperation with Interleukin-15 exhibit distinctive characteristics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:10139-44. [PMID: 27551096 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1600112113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are known to be activated by Th1-type cytokines, such as IL-2, -12, or -18, and they secrete a large amount of IFN-γ that accelerates Th1-type responses. However, the roles of NK cells in Th2-type responses have remained unclear. Because IL-4 acts as an initiator of Th2-type responses, we examined the characteristics of NK cells in mice overexpressing IL-4. In this study, we report that IL-4 overexpression induces distinctive characteristics of NK cells (B220(high)/CD11b(low)/IL-18Rα(low)), which are different from mature conventional NK (cNK) cells (B220(low)/CD11b(high)/IL-18Rα(high)). IL-4 overexpression induces proliferation of tissue-resident macrophages, which contributes to NK cell proliferation via production of IL-15. These IL-4-induced NK cells (IL4-NK cells) produce higher levels of IFN-γ, IL-10, and GM-CSF, and exhibit high cytotoxicity compared with cNK cells. Furthermore, incubation of cNK cells with IL-15 and IL-4 alters their phenotype to that similar to IL4-NK cells. Finally, parasitic infection, which typically causes strong Th2-type responses, induces the development of NK cells with characteristics similar to IL4-NK cells. These IL4-NK-like cells do not develop in IL-4Rα KO mice by parasitic infection. Collectively, these results suggest a novel role of IL-4 in immune responses through the induction of the unique NK cells.
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Hermanson DL, Ni Z, Kaufman DS. Human Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Renewable Source of Natural Killer Cells. SPRINGERBRIEFS IN STEM CELLS 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-7312-6_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Alnabhan R, Madrigal A, Saudemont A. Differential activation of cord blood and peripheral blood natural killer cells by cytokines. Cytotherapy 2014; 17:73-85. [PMID: 25248279 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Natural killer (NK) cells play important roles in the clearance of infection and transformed cells. Cord blood (CB) is currently used as a source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation and is a potential source of NK cells for immunotherapy. We previously showed that CB NK cells are immature and less cytotoxic as compared with peripheral blood (PB) NK cells. We aimed to identify which cytokines, among interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, IL-15 and IL-18 and their combinations, could fully activate CB NK cells as compared with PB NK cells. METHODS We performed a comprehensive analysis of phenotype and functionality of cytokine-activated NK cells. RESULTS Our results show that the lower responsiveness of CB NK cells to IL-2 is associated with lower levels of expression of IL-2 receptors and decreased phosphorylation of STAT5 as compared with PB NK cells. Activation of CB NK cells with IL-15+18 led to the most robust proliferative response and higher interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α secretion, whereas activation with IL-15+2 promoted enhanced cytotoxicity. PB NK cells responded significantly better to IL-2 than to CB NK cells but were also fully activated with other cytokine treatments including IL-15, IL-15+2 or IL-15+18. It was also possible to use cytokines to generate memory-like NK cells, with sustained ability to produce interferon-γ, from both CB and PB. CONCLUSIONS CB NK cells are fully functional on activation with IL-15+2 or IL-15+18 rather than IL-2 alone as observed for PB NK cells. These cytokines should be considered in the future to activate CB NK cells for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehab Alnabhan
- University College London, Cancer Institute, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom; Anthony Nolan Research Institute, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandro Madrigal
- University College London, Cancer Institute, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom; Anthony Nolan Research Institute, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aurore Saudemont
- University College London, Cancer Institute, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom; Anthony Nolan Research Institute, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom.
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Lim DP, Jang YY, Kim S, Koh SS, Lee JJ, Kim JS, Thi Phan MT, Shin DJ, Shin MG, Lee SH, Yoon M, Kim SK, Yoon JH, Park MH, Cho D. Effect of exposure to interleukin-21 at various time points on human natural killer cell culture. Cytotherapy 2014; 16:1419-30. [PMID: 24950680 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2014.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 04/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Interleukin-21 (IL-21) can enhance the effector function of natural killer (NK) cells but also limits their proliferation when continuously combined with IL-2/IL-15. Paradoxically, membrane-bound (mb)-IL-21 has been shown to improve human NK cell proliferation when cultured with IL-2/mb-IL-15. To clarify the role of IL-21, we investigated the effect of the timing of IL-21 addition to NK cell culture. METHODS IL-2/IL-15-activated NK cells were additionally treated with IL-21 according to the following schedules; (i) control (without IL-21); (ii) first week (day 0 to day 7); (iii) intermittent (the first 3 days of each week for 7 weeks); (iv) after 1 week (day 8 to day 14); and (v) continuous (day 0 to day 49). The expression of NK receptors, granzyme B, perforin, CD107a, interferon-γ, telomere length and NK cell death were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS Compared with the control (2004.2-fold; n = 10 healthy donors) and intermittent groups (2063.9-fold), a strong proliferative response of the NK cells on day 42 was identified in the "first week" group (3743.8-fold) (P < 0.05). NK cells treated with IL-21 in the "first week" group showed cytotoxicity similar to that in control cells. On day 28, there was a significant increase in cytotoxicity of "first week" NK cells that received IL-21 treatment for an additional 2 days compared with the "first week" NK cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that controlling temporal exposure of IL-21 during NK cell proliferation can be a critical consideration to improve the yields and cytotoxicity of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Pyo Lim
- Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Youn-Young Jang
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University, Hwasun Hospital, Jeollanam-do, Korea
| | - Seokho Kim
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sang Seok Koh
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Je-Jung Lee
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University, Hwasun Hospital, Jeollanam-do, Korea
| | - Ju-Sun Kim
- Department of Companion & Laboratory Animal Science, Kongju National University, Yesan, Korea
| | - Minh-Trang Thi Phan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea; Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists at Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Dong-Jun Shin
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University, Hwasun Hospital, Jeollanam-do, Korea; Department of Companion & Laboratory Animal Science, Kongju National University, Yesan, Korea
| | - Myung-Geun Shin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Seung-Hwan Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Meesun Yoon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Sang-Ki Kim
- Department of Companion & Laboratory Animal Science, Kongju National University, Yesan, Korea
| | - Jung-Han Yoon
- Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Min-Ho Park
- Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
| | - Duck Cho
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University, Hwasun Hospital, Jeollanam-do, Korea; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea; Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists at Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
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Zhang Y, Wang J, Ren M, Li M, Chen D, Chen J, Shi F, Wang X, Dou J. Gene therapy of ovarian cancer using IL-21-secreting human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in nude mice. J Ovarian Res 2014; 7:8. [PMID: 24444073 PMCID: PMC3909346 DOI: 10.1186/1757-2215-7-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) have the ability to migrate into tumors and therefore have been considered as an alternative source of mesenchymal progenitors for the therapy of malignant diseases. The present study was aimed to investigate effect of hUCMSCs as vehicles for a constant source of transgenic interleukin-21 (IL-21) on ovarian cancer in vivo. Methods The hUCMSCs were engineered to express IL-21 via lentiviral vector- designated ‘hUCMSCs-LV-IL-21’, and then were transplanted into SKOV3 ovarian cancer xenograft-bearing nude mice. The therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of this procedure on ovarian cancer was evaluated. Results The isolated hUCMSCs were induced to differentiate efficiently into osteoblast and adipocyte lineages in vitro. The expressed IL-21 in the supernatant from hUCMSCs-LV-IL-21 obviously stimulated splenocyte’s proliferation. The hUCMSCs-LV-IL-21 significantly reduced SKOV3 ovarian cancer burden in mice indicated by tumor sizes compared with control mice. The expressed IL-21 not only regulated the levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α in the mouse serum but also increased the expression of NKG2D and MIC A molecules in the tumor tissues. The down regulation of β-catenin and cyclin-D1 in the tumor tissues may refer to the inhibition of SKOV3 ovarian cancer growth in mice. In addition, hUCMSCs did not form gross or histological teratomas up to 60 days posttransplantation in murine lung, liver, stomach and spleen. Conclusion These results clearly indicate a safety and usability of hUCMSCs-LV- IL-21 in ovarian cancer gene therapy, suggesting the strategy may be a promising new method for clinical treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mulan Ren
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Luevano M, Madrigal A, Saudemont A. Generation of natural killer cells from hematopoietic stem cells in vitro for immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2012; 9:310-20. [PMID: 22705914 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2012.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the innate immune system and are an alluring option for immunotherapy due to their ability to kill infected cells or cancer cells without prior sensitization. Throughout the past 20 years, different groups have been able to reproduce NK cell development in vitro, and NK cell ontogeny studies have provided the basis for the establishment of protocols to produce NK cells in vitro for immunotherapy. Here, we briefly discuss NK cell development and NK cell immunotherapy approaches. We review the factors needed for NK cell differentiation in vitro, which stem cell sources have been used, published protocols, challenges and future directions for Good Manufacturing Practice protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Luevano
- Anthony Nolan Research Institute, and University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, UK
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Raza A, Yousaf W, Giannella R, Shata MT. Th17 cells: interactions with predisposing factors in the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2012; 8:161-8. [PMID: 22288454 DOI: 10.1586/eci.11.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory state of the GI tract of unknown etiology. Classically, tissue injury in IBD is thought to be primarily mediated by Th1 cells in Crohn's disease or Th2 cells in ulcerative colitis. The discoveries of new subsets of T-helper cells, especially Th17 cells, have revolutionized our understanding of the disease immunopathology. Th17 cells seem to affect both innate and adaptive immune responses by the release of regulatory cytokines. Understanding the role of Th17 cells in IBD pathogenesis and targeting their regulatory cytokines may provide potential therapeutic approaches for the treatment of IBD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Raza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert B. Sabin Way, MSB 6466, PO Box 670595, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0595, USA.
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Raza A, Yousaf W, Giannella R, Shata MT. Th17 cells: interactions with predisposing factors in the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2012. [PMID: 22288454 DOI: 10.1586/eci.11.96.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory state of the GI tract of unknown etiology. Classically, tissue injury in IBD is thought to be primarily mediated by Th1 cells in Crohn's disease or Th2 cells in ulcerative colitis. The discoveries of new subsets of T-helper cells, especially Th17 cells, have revolutionized our understanding of the disease immunopathology. Th17 cells seem to affect both innate and adaptive immune responses by the release of regulatory cytokines. Understanding the role of Th17 cells in IBD pathogenesis and targeting their regulatory cytokines may provide potential therapeutic approaches for the treatment of IBD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Raza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert B. Sabin Way, MSB 6466, PO Box 670595, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0595, USA.
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Denman CJ, Senyukov VV, Somanchi SS, Phatarpekar PV, Kopp LM, Johnson JL, Singh H, Hurton L, Maiti SN, Huls MH, Champlin RE, Cooper LJN, Lee DA. Membrane-bound IL-21 promotes sustained ex vivo proliferation of human natural killer cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30264. [PMID: 22279576 PMCID: PMC3261192 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 415] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells have therapeutic potential for a wide variety of human malignancies. However, because NK cells expand poorly in vitro, have limited life spans in vivo, and represent a small fraction of peripheral white blood cells, obtaining sufficient cell numbers is the major obstacle for NK-cell immunotherapy. Genetically-engineered artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) expressing membrane-bound IL-15 (mbIL15) have been used to propagate clinical-grade NK cells for human trials of adoptive immunotherapy, but ex vivo proliferation has been limited by telomere shortening. We developed K562-based aAPCs with membrane-bound IL-21 (mbIL21) and assessed their ability to support human NK-cell proliferation. In contrast to mbIL15, mbIL21-expressing aAPCs promoted log-phase NK cell expansion without evidence of senescence for up to 6 weeks of culture. By day 21, parallel expansion of NK cells from 22 donors demonstrated a mean 47,967-fold expansion (median 31,747) when co-cultured with aAPCs expressing mbIL21 compared to 825-fold expansion (median 325) with mbIL15. Despite the significant increase in proliferation, mbIL21-expanded NK cells also showed a significant increase in telomere length compared to freshly obtained NK cells, suggesting a possible mechanism for their sustained proliferation. NK cells expanded with mbIL21 were similar in phenotype and cytotoxicity to those expanded with mbIL15, with retained donor KIR repertoires and high expression of NCRs, CD16, and NKG2D, but had superior cytokine secretion. The mbIL21-expanded NK cells showed increased transcription of the activating receptor CD160, but otherwise had remarkably similar mRNA expression profiles of the 96 genes assessed. mbIL21-expanded NK cells had significant cytotoxicity against all tumor cell lines tested, retained responsiveness to inhibitory KIR ligands, and demonstrated enhanced killing via antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity. Thus, aAPCs expressing mbIL21 promote improved proliferation of human NK cells with longer telomeres and less senescence, supporting their clinical use in propagating NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecele J. Denman
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Vladimir V. Senyukov
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Srinivas S. Somanchi
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Prasad V. Phatarpekar
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lisa M. Kopp
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Johnson
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Harjeet Singh
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lenka Hurton
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sourindra N. Maiti
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - M. Helen Huls
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Richard E. Champlin
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Laurence J. N. Cooper
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Dean A. Lee
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Moustaki A, Argyropoulos KV, Baxevanis CN, Papamichail M, Perez SA. Effect of the simultaneous administration of glucocorticoids and IL-15 on human NK cell phenotype, proliferation and function. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2011; 60:1683-95. [PMID: 21706285 PMCID: PMC11029608 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-011-1067-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2011] [Accepted: 06/15/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
We have previously reported a synergistic effect between hydrocortisone (HC) and IL-15 on promoting natural killer (NK) cell expansion and function. In the present study, we extend our findings to methylprednisolone (MeP) and dexamethasone (Dex), thus ascribing to glucocorticoids (GCs) a general feature as positive regulators of IL-15-mediated effects on NK cells. We demonstrate that each GC when combined with IL-15 in cultures of peripheral blood (PB)-derived CD56(+) cells induces increased expansion of CD56(+)CD3(-) cells displaying high cytolytic activity, IFN-γ production potential and activating receptor expression, including NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, 2B4, NKG2D and DNAM-1. Furthermore, GCs protected NK cells from IL-15-induced cell death. The combination of IL-15 with GCs favored the expansion of a relatively more immature CD16(low/neg) NK cell population, with high expression of NKG2A and CD94, and significantly lower expression of KIR (CD158a and CD158b) and CD57, compared to IL-15 alone. IL-15-expanded NK cells, in the presence or absence of GCs, did not express CD62L, CXCR1 or CCR7. However, the presence of GCs significantly increased the density of CXCR3 and induced strong CXCR4 expression on the surface of NK cells. Our data indicate that IL-15/GC-expanded NK cells, apart from their increased proliferation rate, retain their functional integrity and exhibit a migratory potential rendering them useful for adoptive transfer in NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ardiana Moustaki
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 171 Alexandras Avenue, 11522 Athens, Greece
| | - Kimon V. Argyropoulos
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 171 Alexandras Avenue, 11522 Athens, Greece
| | - Constantin N. Baxevanis
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 171 Alexandras Avenue, 11522 Athens, Greece
| | - Michael Papamichail
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 171 Alexandras Avenue, 11522 Athens, Greece
| | - Sonia A. Perez
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 171 Alexandras Avenue, 11522 Athens, Greece
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Hu W, Wang J, Dou J, He X, Zhao F, Jiang C, Yu F, Hu K, Chu L, Li X, Gu N. Augmenting Therapy of Ovarian Cancer Efficacy by Secreting IL-21 Human Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells in Nude Mice. Cell Transplant 2011; 20:669-80. [DOI: 10.3727/096368910x536509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, CD34+ human umbilical cord blood stem cells (UCBSCs) were engineered to express interleukin-21 (IL-21) and then were transplanted into A2780 ovarian cancer xenograft-bearing Balb/c nude mice. The therapeutic efficacy of this procedure on ovarian cancer was evaluated. The findings from the study indicated that UCBSCs did not form gross or histological teratomas until up to 70 days postinjection. The CD34+ UCBSC-IL-21 therapy showed a consistent effect in the ovarian cancer of the treated mice, delaying the tumor appearance, reducing the tumor sizes, and extending life expectancy. The efficacy was attributable to keeping CD34+ UCBSC-IL-21 in the neoplastic tissues for more than 21 days. The secreted IL-21 not only increased the quantity of CD11a+ and CD56+ NK cells but also increased NK cell cytotoxicities to YAC-1 cells and A2780 cells, respectively. The efficacy was also associated with enhancing the levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, and TNF-α in the mice as well as the high expressions of the NKG2D and MIC A/B molecules in the tumor tissues. This study suggested that transferring CD34+ UCBSC-IL-21 into the nude mice was safe and feasible in ovarian cancer therapy, and that the method would be a promising new strategy for clinical treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Hu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Dou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangfeng He
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fengshu Zhao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cuilian Jiang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fangliu Yu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kai Hu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lili Chu
- Paediatric Research Institute, Nanjing Children's Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoli Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Gu
- School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Verneris MR, Miller JS. The phenotypic and functional characteristics of umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood natural killer cells. Br J Haematol 2010; 147:185-91. [PMID: 19796267 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2009.07768.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation can be curative for patients with high-risk acute leukaemia. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an increasingly used source of allogeneic stem cells for patients who are in need of a transplant, but do not have a sibling donor. This review highlights the similarities and differences between the natural killer (NK) cells obtained from adult peripheral blood (PB) and UCB. These two cell sources show similar percentages of NK cells, including the major CD56(dim) and CD56(bright) subpopulations. UCB also contains an additional CD56-CD16+ subset, not typically found in PB. In addition, there are a number of progenitor cell populations in UCB that can give rise to NK cells. Some studies showed that UCB NK cells express a relatively higher percentage of inhibitory receptors (CD94/NKG2A and killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors) and less adhesion molecules. Resting UCB NK cells also show significantly less cytotoxicity compared to PB NK cells. However, following cytokine stimulation, the cytotoxicity of UCB NK cells can be rapidly increased to levels that are comparable to PB NK cells. Activation and expansion protocols for UCB NK cells are briefly reviewed. Lastly, we outline the early use of UCB NK cells in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Verneris
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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Abstract
Cytokines are secreted signalling molecules with decisive effects on haematopoiesis, innate and adaptive immunity, and immunopathology. Interleukin (IL)-21 is a novel cytokine produced by activated CD4(+) T cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells. IL-21 is part of a family of cytokines which include IL-2, -4, -7, -9 and -15 that all share the common IL-2 receptor gamma chain (gamma(c)) in their individual receptor complexes. IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) is widely expressed on both myeloid and lymphoid cell lineages and IL-21 actions include co-stimulation of B cell differentiation and immunoglobulin (Ig) production, co-mitogen of T cells, and stimulation of NK and CD8(+) T cell cytotoxic function. Initially, IL-21 was recognized for its anti-tumour effects in several preclinical tumour models, warranting its currently ongoing clinical development as a cancer immunotherapeutic. More recently, IL-21 has been associated with the development of a panel of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, where neutralization of IL-21 has been suggested as a potential new therapy. In this review, we will cover the latest discoveries of IL-21 as a cancer therapy and its implications in immunopathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Søndergaard
- Department of Immunopharmacology, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark.
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Abstract
Recent scientific advances have expanded our understanding of the immune system and its response to malignant cells. The clinical goal of tumour immunotherapy is to provide either passive or active immunity against malignancies by harnessing the immune system to target tumours. Monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, cellular immunotherapy, and vaccines have increasingly become successful therapeutic agents for the treatment of solid and haematological cancers in preclinical models, clinical trials, and practice. In this article, we review recent advances in the immunotherapy of cancer, focusing on new strategies and future perspectives as well as on clinical trials attempting to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapeutic modalities and translate this knowledge into effective cancer therapies.
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Bonanno G, Mariotti A, Procoli A, Corallo M, Scambia G, Pierelli L, Rutella S. Interleukin-21 induces the differentiation of human umbilical cord blood CD34-lineage- cells into pseudomature lytic NK cells. BMC Immunol 2009; 10:46. [PMID: 19712464 PMCID: PMC2743656 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-10-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2009] [Accepted: 08/27/2009] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is enriched with transplantable CD34+ cells. In addition to CD34-expressing haematopoietic stem cells (HSC), human UCB contains a rare population of CD34-lineage- cells endowed with the ability to differentiate along the T/NK pathway in response to interleukin (IL)-15 and a stromal cell support. IL-21 is a crucial regulator of NK cell function, whose influence on IL-15-induced differentiation of CD34-lineage- cells has not been investigated previously. The present study was designed and conducted to address whether IL-21 might replace the stromal cell requirements and foster the IL-15-induced NK differentiation of human UCB CD34-lineage- cells. Results CD34-lineage- cells were maintained in liquid culture with Flt3-L and SCF, with the addition of IL-15 and IL-21, either alone or in combination. Cultures were established in the absence of feeder cells or serum supplementation. Cytokine-treated cells were used to evaluate cell surface phenotype, expression of molecular determinants of lymphoid/NK cell differentiation, secretion of IFN-γ, GM-CSF, TNF-α and CCL3/MIP-1α, and cytolytic activity against NK-sensitive tumour cell targets. CD34-lineage- cells proliferated vigorously in response to IL-15 and IL-21 but not to IL-21 alone, and up-regulated phosphorylated Stat1 and Stat3 proteins. CD34-lineage- cells expanded by IL-21 in combination with IL-15 acquired lymphoid morphology and killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)-CD56+CD16-/+ phenotype, consistent with pseudo-mature NK cells. IL-21/IL-15-differentiated cells expressed high levels of mRNA for Bcl-2, GATA-3 and Id2, a master switch required for NK-cell development, and harboured un-rearranged TCRγ genes. From a functional standpoint, IL-21/IL-15-treated cells secreted copious amounts of IFN-γ, GM-CSF and CCL3/MIP-1α, and expressed cell surface CD107a upon contact with NK-sensitive tumour targets, a measure of exocytosis of NK secretory granules. Conclusion This study underpins a novel role for IL-21 in the differentiation of pseudo-mature lytic NK cells in a synergistic context with IL-15, and identifies a potential strategy to expand functional NK cells for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Bonanno
- Department of Gynaecology, Catholic University Medical School, Rome, Italy.
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Dodds MG, Frederiksen KS, Skak K, Hansen LT, Lundsgaard D, Thompson JA, Hughes SD. Immune activation in advanced cancer patients treated with recombinant IL-21: multianalyte profiling of serum proteins. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2009; 58:843-54. [PMID: 18925392 PMCID: PMC11030868 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-008-0600-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2008] [Accepted: 09/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Recombinant interleukin-21 (rIL-21) is an immune stimulating cytokine recently tested in two Phase 1 trials for immune responsive cancers. A secondary objective of these trials was to characterize pharmacodynamic responses to rIL-21 in patients. Here, we report the effects of systemic rIL-21 on serum markers of immune stimulation. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Recombinant IL-21 was administered by intravenous bolus injection at dose levels from 1 to 100 microg/kg using two distinct treatment regimens: thrice weekly ('3/w') for 6 weeks; or once daily for five consecutive days followed by nine dose-free days ('5 + 9'). In the absence of dose limiting toxicity, additional cycles of dosing were initiated immediately following the nine dose-free days. An array of 70 different proteins was profiled in subject serum samples from several time points during the course of the study. Hierarchical clustering analysis was performed on a normalized subset of these data. RESULTS Systemic administration of rIL-21 affected the serum levels of several cytokines, chemokines, acute-phase proteins and cell adhesion proteins. The magnitude and duration of response were dose dependent for a subset of these biomarkers. The 5 + 9 dosing regimen generally produced cyclic changes that were of greater magnitude, as compared to a more chronic stimulation with the 3/w dosing regimen. Despite these differences, rIL-21 effects on many analytes were similar between regimens when averaged over the time of treatment. Based on similar temporal, between-subject and dose response changes, groups of analytes were identified that exhibited distinct components of the rIL-21-mediated immune activation. Biomarkers indicative of lymphocyte activation (increased IL-16, decreased RANTES), acute phase response (increased CRP, ferritin), myeloid activation (increased MDC, MIP-1 alpha), and leukocyte chemotaxis/trafficking (increased sCAMs, MCP-1) were strongly modulated in subjects treated with rIL-21. CONCLUSIONS Administration of rIL-21 resulted in activation of multiple cell types and immune response pathways. The changes observed in serum proteins were consistent with coincident processes of lymphoid and myeloid cell activation and trafficking, and acute phase response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G. Dodds
- Preclinical Development, ZymoGenetics, 1201 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98102 USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Steven D. Hughes
- Preclinical Development, ZymoGenetics, 1201 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98102 USA
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Zhang G, Rowe J, Kusel M, Bosco A, McKenna K, de Klerk N, Sly PD, Holt PG. Interleukin-10/interleukin-5 responses at birth predict risk for respiratory infections in children with atopic family history. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008; 179:205-11. [PMID: 18996999 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200803-438oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Respiratory infections in early life are associated with risk for wheezing bronchiolitis, especially in children at high risk of atopy. The underlying mechanisms are unknown, but are suspected to involve imbalance(s) in host defense responses against pathogens stemming from functional immaturity of the immune system in this age group. OBJECTIVES To assess the contribution of eosinophil-trophic IL-5, and the potent antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10, to risk for infection in early life. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We prospectively monitored a cohort of 198 high-risk children to age 5 years, recording every acute respiratory infection episode and classifying them by severity. We measured cord blood T-cell capacity to produce IL-10 and IL-5, and related these functions to subsequent infection history. IL-10 and IL-5 were associated, respectively, with resistance versus susceptibility to infections. The greatest contrasting effects of these two cytokines were seen when they were considered in combination by generating IL-10/IL-5 response ratios for each subject. The low IL-10/high IL-5 T-cell response phenotype was strongly associated with susceptibility to all grades of acute respiratory infection, relative to the more resistant high IL-10/low IL-5 phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Excessive production of IL-5 by T cells at birth is associated with heightened risk for subsequent severe respiratory infections, and this risk is attenuated by concomitant IL-10 production. The underlying mechanisms may involve IL-10-mediated feedback inhibition of IL-5-dependent eosinophil-induced inflammation, which is a common feature of host antiviral responses in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guicheng Zhang
- Division of Cell Biology, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, P.O. Box 855, West Perth, WA 6872, USA
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25
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Davis ID, Skak K, Smyth MJ, Kristjansen PEG, Miller DM, Sivakumar PV. Interleukin-21 signaling: functions in cancer and autoimmunity. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 13:6926-32. [PMID: 18056166 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-1238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a cytokine with structural and sequence homology to IL-2 and IL-15, yet possesses several biological properties distinct from these cytokines. IL-21 is produced mainly by activated CD4(+) T cells and natural killer T cells and mediates its activity by binding to the IL-21 receptor (IL-21R), consisting of an IL-21-specific alpha chain (IL-21Ralpha; JAK/STAT) that heterodimerizes with the common gamma chain (CD132). Intracellular signaling occurs through the Janus-activated kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways. Physiologic expression of IL-21R is restricted to lymphoid tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells; however, other tissues such as epithelium, synovium, or transformed cells can acquire expression of both components of IL-21R heterodimer. IL-21 has complex activities on a wide variety of cell types, leading to enhancement of adaptive T-cell immunity, antibody production, activation of natural killer cell subtypes, and opposition to suppressive effects mediated by regulatory T cells. Functionally, these activities promote immune responses and point to a physiologic role of IL-21 in autoimmunity and immune enhancement. Therapeutic manipulation of IL-21 activity may allow improved immunotherapy for cancer as well as insights into autoimmune disease. Recently conducted phase 1 trials in metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma have shown that recombinant IL-21 has a favorable safety profile and support its continued investigation as a potential anticancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian D Davis
- Ludwig-Austin Joint Medical Oncology Unit, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia.
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26
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Wilk E, Kalippke K, Buyny S, Schmidt RE, Jacobs R. New aspects of NK cell subset identification and inference of NK cells’ regulatory capacity by assessing functional and genomic profiles. Immunobiology 2008; 213:271-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2007.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2007] [Revised: 10/15/2007] [Accepted: 10/29/2007] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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27
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Vitale C, Cottalasso F, Montaldo E, Moretta L, Mingari MC. Methylprednisolone induces preferential and rapid differentiation of CD34+ cord blood precursors toward NK cells. Int Immunol 2008; 20:565-75. [PMID: 18310065 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxn014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies showed that methylprednisolone (MePDN) down-regulates the surface expression of activating NK receptors and sharply inhibits the NK cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo. Since MePDN is administered to patients undergoing hemopoietic stem cell transplant to treat acute graft versus host disease (GvHD), we analyzed whether it could also inhibit the NK cell differentiation from CD34(+) hemopoietic cell precursors, thus interfering with the development of effector cells with anti-leukemic potential. We show that MePDN promotes the in vitro differentiation of CD161+CD56+/- immature NK cells by inducing a rapid expression of NKp46, NKG2D, DNAX-accessory molecule 1 (DNAM-1), leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 and NKG2A and an efficient cytolytic activity. This phenotypic and functional NK cell maturation occurred more rapidly than in parallel control cultures performed in the absence of MePDN. In addition, MePDN induced CD33+CD161-CD56- myeloid precursors to switch toward NK cells. It is also of note that immature NK cells when cultured in the absence (but not in the presence) of MePDN produced high amounts of IL-8. These data indicate that MePDN can accelerate the in vitro NK cell differentiation, thus revealing a dichotomous effect on immature versus mature NK cells; in addition, interference with the in vitro development of myeloid cells occurred. These effects should be further investigated in hemopoietic stem cell transplanted patients receiving steroids to treat GvHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Vitale
- Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy.
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28
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Skak K, Frederiksen KS, Lundsgaard D. Interleukin-21 activates human natural killer cells and modulates their surface receptor expression. Immunology 2007; 123:575-83. [PMID: 18005035 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2007.02730.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-21 is a novel cytokine that has been shown to enhance proliferation and activation of CD8+ T cells, enhance natural killer (NK) cell activity and costimulate anti-CD40-driven B-cell proliferation in mice. Several studies have furthermore demonstrated antitumour effects of IL-21 administration in mouse models. In this study we have investigated how IL-21 affects the survival and cytotoxicity of human NK cells and modulates their expression of surface receptors and of the effector molecules granzyme B and perforin. In contrast to murine NK cells, where IL-21 alone cannot sustain survival, IL-21 and IL-2 were equally efficient in sustaining survival of human NK cells. In the absence of other cytokines, IL-21 had little effect on expression of a panel of surface receptors on human NK cells. However, IL-21 synergized with IL-2 to up-regulate several surface receptors, including NKG2A, CD25, CD86 and CD69. The CD25+ CD86+ NK cells were CD56(bright) and were large and granular. Expression of the effector molecules perforin and granzyme A and B was up-regulated by IL-21 at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, IL-21 increased the cytotoxicity of NK cells against K562 target cells. These findings suggest that IL-21 modulates NK cell activity through induction of intracellular effector molecules as well as modulation of surface receptor expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kresten Skak
- Cancer Pharmacology, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark.
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29
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30
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Good KL, Bryant VL, Tangye SG. Kinetics of human B cell behavior and amplification of proliferative responses following stimulation with IL-21. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2007; 177:5236-47. [PMID: 17015709 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.8.5236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Although recent studies indicated that IL-21 is an important regulator of human B cell activation, detailed comparison of the effects of IL-21 on distinct B cell subsets have not been performed. Our studies revealed that IL-21R is expressed by naive and germinal center B cells, but not memory or plasma cells. IL-21R was increased on naive and memory B cells following in vitro activation. Investigation into the kinetics and magnitude of responses of human B cells to IL-21 revealed that IL-21 potently augmented proliferation of CD40L-stimulated neonatal, splenic naive, and memory and tonsil germinal center B cells. This response exceeded that induced by IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13, cytokines that also induce B cell proliferation. Remarkably, CD40L/IL-21-stimulated naive B cells underwent the same number of divisions as memory cells and exhibited a greater enhancement in their response compared with CD40L alone than memory B cells. Therefore, IL-21 is a powerful growth factor for naive B cells. This may result from the higher expression of IL-21R on naive, compared with memory, B cells. Stimulation of human B cells with CD40L/IL-21 also induced IL-10 production and activation of STAT3. We propose that IL-21 may have therapeutic application in conditions of immunodeficiency where it could expand naive B cells, the predominant B cell subset in such patients. Conversely, because IL-21 is increased in murine models of lupus, dysregulated IL-21 production may contribute to perturbed B cell homeostasis observed in systemic lupus erythematosus. Thus, antagonizing IL-21 may be a novel strategy for treating Ab-mediated autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim L Good
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, New South Wales, Australia
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