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Bogunia-Kubik K, Łacina P. Non-KIR NK cell receptors: Role in transplantation of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cells. Int J Immunogenet 2020; 48:157-171. [PMID: 33352617 DOI: 10.1111/iji.12523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are of major significance in patients after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). They are the first subset of lymphocytes to appear in peripheral blood after transplantation and play an important role in the immune responses against cancer and viral infections. The function of NK cells is controlled by various surface receptors, of which type I integral proteins with immunoglobulin-like domains (killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors, KIRs) have been the most extensively studied. The present review focuses on less studied NK cell receptors, such as type II integral proteins with lectin-like domains (CD94/NKG2, NKG2D), natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs), immunoglobulin-like transcripts (ILTs) and their ligands. Their potential role in patients with haematological disorders subjected to HSC transplant procedure in the context of post-transplant complications such as viral reactivation and acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) will be presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Bogunia-Kubik
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Łacina
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
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2
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Sheng L, Mu Q, Wu X, Yang S, Zhu H, Wang J, Lai Y, Wu H, Sun Y, Hu Y, Fu H, Wang Y, Xu K, Sun Y, Zhang Y, Zhang P, Zhou M, Lai B, Xu Z, Gao M, Zhang Y, Ouyang G. Cytotoxicity of Donor Natural Killer Cells to Allo-Reactive T Cells Are Related With Acute Graft-vs.-Host-Disease Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1534. [PMID: 32849519 PMCID: PMC7411138 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The mechanism and immunoregulatory role of human natural killer (NK) cells in acute graft-vs.-host-disease (aGVHD) remains unclear. This study quantitatively analyzed the cytotoxicity of donor NK cells toward allo-reactive T cells, and investigated their relationship with acute GVHD (aGVHD). Methods: We evaluated NK dose, subgroup, and receptor expression in allografts from 98 patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). A CD107a degranulating assay was used as a quantitative detection method for the cytotoxic function of donor NK cells to allo-reactive T cells. In antibody-blocking assay, NK cells were pre-treated with anti-DNAM-1(CD226), anti-NKG2D, anti-NKP46, or anti-NKG-2A monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) before the degranulating assay. Results: NK cells in allografts effectively inhibited auto-T cell proliferation following alloantigen stimulation, selectively killing alloantigen activated T cells. NKG2A− NK cell subgroups showed higher levels of CD107a degranulation toward activated T cells, when compared with NKG2A− subgroups. Blocking NKG2D or CD226 (DNAM-1) led to significant reductions in degranulation, whereas NKG2A block resulted in increased NK degranulation. Donor NK cells in the aGVHD group expressed lower levels of NKG2D and CD226, higher levels of NKG2A, and showed higher CD107a degranulation levels when compared with NK cells in the non-aGVHD group. Using univariate analysis, higher NK degranulation activities in allografts (CD107ahigh) were correlated with a decreased risk in grade I–IV aGVHD (hazard risk [HR] = 0.294; P < 0.0001), grade III–IV aGVHD (HR = 0.102; P < 0.0001), and relapse (HR = 0.157; P = 0.015), and improved overall survival (HR = 0.355; P = 0.028) after allo-HSCT. Multivariate analyses showed that higher NK degranulation activities (CD107ahigh) in allografts were independent risk factors for grades, I–IV aGVHD (HR = 0.357; P = 0.002), and grades III–IV aGVHD (HR = 0.13; P = 0.009). Conclusions: These findings reveal that the degranulation activity of NK in allografts toward allo-activated T cells was associated with the occurrence and the severity of aGVHD, after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. This suggested that cytotoxicity of donor NK cells to allo-reactive T cells have important roles in aGVHD regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixia Sheng
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Qitian Mu
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Xiaoqing Wu
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Shujun Yang
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Huiling Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Jiaping Wang
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Yanli Lai
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Ye Sun
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Yongxian Hu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huarui Fu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Kaihong Xu
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Yongcheng Sun
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Miao Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Binbin Lai
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Zhijuan Xu
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Minjie Gao
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Guifang Ouyang
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China
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Falco M, Pende D, Munari E, Vacca P, Mingari MC, Moretta L. Natural killer cells: From surface receptors to the cure of high-risk leukemia (Ceppellini Lecture). HLA 2020; 93:185-194. [PMID: 30828978 PMCID: PMC6767140 DOI: 10.1111/tan.13509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune effector cells involved in the first line of defense against viral infections and malignancies. In the last three decades, the identification of HLA class I‐specific inhibitory killer immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIR) and of the main activating receptors has strongly improved our understanding of the mechanisms regulating NK cell functions. The increased knowledge on how NK cells discriminate healthy cells from damaged cells has made it possible to transfer basic research notions to clinical applications. Of particular relevance is the strong NK‐mediated anti‐leukemia effect in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to cure high‐risk leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Falco
- Laboratorio di Immunologia Clinica e Sperimentale, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Pende
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria C Mingari
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and CEBR, Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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4
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Recent progress in and challenges in cellular therapy using NK cells for hematological malignancies. Blood Rev 2020; 44:100678. [PMID: 32229065 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2020.100678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
NK cells have killing activity against leukemic cells and solid cancer cells that escape from T cell recognition because of the low expression level of HLA class I molecules. This characteristic feature of NK cell recognition of target cells in contrast to T cells provides a strategy to overcome tolerance in cancer and leukemia patients. A strong alloreactive NK cell-mediated anti-leukemia effect can be induced in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Also, NK cells can be expanded by several methods for adoptive immunotherapy for hematological malignancies and other malignant diseases. We review the historical role of NK cells and recent approaches to enhance the functions of NK cells, including ex vivo expansion of autologous and allogenic NK cells, checkpoint receptor blockade, and the use of memory-like NK cells and CAR-NK cells, for treatment of hematological malignancies.
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5
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Cisneros E, Moraru M, Gómez-Lozano N, Muntasell A, López-Botet M, Vilches C. Haplotype-Based Analysis of KIR-Gene Profiles in a South European Population-Distribution of Standard and Variant Haplotypes, and Identification of Novel Recombinant Structures. Front Immunol 2020; 11:440. [PMID: 32256494 PMCID: PMC7089957 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) specific for HLA class I molecules enable human natural killer cells to monitor altered antigen presentation in pathogen-infected and tumor cells. KIR genes display extensive copy-number variation and allelic polymorphism. They organize in a series of variable arrangements, designated KIR haplotypes, which derive from duplications of ancestral genes and sequence diversification through point mutation and unequal crossing-over events. Genomic studies have established the organization of multiple KIR haplotypes—many of them are fixed in most human populations, whereas variants of those have less certain distributions. Whilst KIR-gene diversity of many populations and ethnicities has been explored superficially (frequencies of individual genes and presence/absence profiles), less abundant are in-depth analyses of how such diversity emerges from KIR-haplotype structures. We characterize here the genetic diversity of KIR in a sample of 414 Spanish individuals. Using a parsimonious approach, we manage to explain all 38 observed KIR-gene profiles by homo- or heterozygous combinations of six fixed centromeric and telomeric motifs; of six variant gene arrangements characterized previously by us and others; and of two novel haplotypes never detected before in Caucasoids. Associated to the latter haplotypes, we also identified the novel transcribed KIR2DL5B*0020202 allele, and a chimeric KIR2DS2/KIR2DL3 gene (designated KIR2DL3*033) that challenges current criteria for classification and nomenclature of KIR genes and haplotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Cisneros
- Immunogenetics and Histocompatibility, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro Segovia de Arana, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuela Moraru
- Immunogenetics and Histocompatibility, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro Segovia de Arana, Madrid, Spain
| | - Natalia Gómez-Lozano
- Immunogenetics and Histocompatibility, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro Segovia de Arana, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aura Muntasell
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel López-Botet
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Vilches
- Immunogenetics and Histocompatibility, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro Segovia de Arana, Madrid, Spain
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Vacca P, Pietra G, Tumino N, Munari E, Mingari MC, Moretta L. Exploiting Human NK Cells in Tumor Therapy. Front Immunol 2020; 10:3013. [PMID: 32010130 PMCID: PMC6978749 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells play an important role in the innate defenses against tumor growth and metastases. Human NK cell activation and function are regulated by an array of HLA class I-specific inhibitory receptors and activating receptors recognizing ligands expressed de novo on tumor or virus-infected cells. NK cells have been exploited in immunotherapy of cancer, including: (1) the in vivo infusion of IL-2 or IL-15, cytokines inducing activation and proliferation of NK cells that are frequently impaired in cancer patients. Nonetheless, the significant toxicity experienced, primarily with IL-2, limited their use except for combination therapies, e.g., IL-15 with checkpoint inhibitors; (2) the adoptive immunotherapy with cytokine-induced NK cells had effect on some melanoma metastases (lung), while other localizations were not affected; (3) a remarkable evolution of adoptive cell therapy is represented by NK cells engineered with CAR-targeting tumor antigens (CAR-NK). CAR-NK cells complement CAR-T cells as they do not cause GvHD and may be obtained from unrelated donors. Accordingly, CAR-NK cells may represent an “off-the-shelf” tool, readily available for effective tumor therapy; (4) the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy in cancer is also witnessed by the αβT cell- and B cell-depleted haploidentical HSC transplantation in which the infusion of donor NK cells and γδT cells, together with HSC, sharply reduces leukemia relapses and infections; (5) a true revolution in tumor therapy is the use of mAbs targeting checkpoint inhibitors including PD-1, CTLA-4, the HLA class I-specific KIR, and NKG2A. Since PD-1 is expressed not only by tumor-associated T cells but also by NK cells, its blocking might unleash NK cells playing a crucial effector role against HLA class I-deficient tumors that are undetectable by T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Vacca
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- UOC Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- UOC Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy
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