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Harding J, Vintersten-Nagy K, Yang H, Tang JK, Shutova M, Jong ED, Lee JH, Massumi M, Oussenko T, Izadifar Z, Zhang P, Rogers IM, Wheeler MB, Lye SJ, Sung HK, Li C, Izadifar M, Nagy A. Immune-privileged tissues formed from immunologically cloaked mouse embryonic stem cells survive long term in allogeneic hosts. Nat Biomed Eng 2024; 8:427-442. [PMID: 37996616 PMCID: PMC11087263 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01133-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The immunogenicity of transplanted allogeneic cells and tissues is a major hurdle to the advancement of cell therapies. Here we show that the overexpression of eight immunomodulatory transgenes (Pdl1, Cd200, Cd47, H2-M3, Fasl, Serpinb9, Ccl21 and Mfge8) in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) is sufficient to immunologically 'cloak' the cells as well as tissues derived from them, allowing their survival for months in outbred and allogeneic inbred recipients. Overexpression of the human orthologues of these genes in human ESCs abolished the activation of allogeneic human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and their inflammatory responses. Moreover, by using the previously reported FailSafe transgene system, which transcriptionally links a gene essential for cell division with an inducible and cell-proliferation-dependent kill switch, we generated cloaked tissues from mESCs that served as immune-privileged subcutaneous sites that protected uncloaked allogeneic and xenogeneic cells from rejection in immune-competent hosts. The combination of cloaking and FailSafe technologies may allow for the generation of safe and allogeneically accepted cell lines and off-the-shelf cell products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Harding
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristina Vintersten-Nagy
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Huijuan Yang
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean Kit Tang
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Shutova
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric D Jong
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ju Hee Lee
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohammad Massumi
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tatiana Oussenko
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zohreh Izadifar
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Puzheng Zhang
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ian M Rogers
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael B Wheeler
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen J Lye
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hoon-Ki Sung
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - ChengJin Li
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohammad Izadifar
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andras Nagy
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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2
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Terzieva A, Alexandrova M, Manchorova D, Slavov S, Djerov L, Dimova T. HLA-G Expression/Secretion and T-Cell Cytotoxicity in Missed Abortion in Comparison to Normal Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2643. [PMID: 38473890 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052643] [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] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The main role of HLA-G is to protect the semi-allogeneic embryo from immune rejection by proper interaction with its cognate receptors on the maternal immune cells. Spontaneous abortion is the most common adverse pregnancy outcome, with an incidence rate between 10% and 15%, with immunologic dysregulation being thought to play a role in some of the cases. In this study, we aimed to detect the membrane and soluble HLA-G molecule at the maternal-fetal interface (MFI) and in the serum of women experiencing missed abortion (asymptomatic early pregnancy loss) in comparison to the women experiencing normal early pregnancy. In addition, the proportion of T cells and their cytotoxic profile was evaluated. We observed no difference in the spatial expression of HLA-G at the MFI and in its serum levels between the women with missed abortions and those with normal early pregnancy. In addition, comparable numbers of peripheral blood and decidual total T and γδT cells were found. In addition, as novel data we showed that missed abortion is not associated with altered extravilous invasion into uterine blood vessels and increased cytotoxicity of γδT cells. A strong signal for HLA-G on non-migrating extravilous trophoblast in the full-term normal placental bed was detected. In conclusion, HLA-G production at the MFI or in the blood of the women could not be used as a marker for normal pregnancy or missed abortions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Terzieva
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Marina Alexandrova
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Diana Manchorova
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Sergei Slavov
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Medical University, University Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital "Maichin Dom", 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Lyubomir Djerov
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Medical University, University Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital "Maichin Dom", 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Tanya Dimova
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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3
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Boulanger H, Bounan S, Mahdhi A, Drouin D, Ahriz-Saksi S, Guimiot F, Rouas-Freiss N. Immunologic aspects of preeclampsia. AJOG GLOBAL REPORTS 2024; 4:100321. [PMID: 38586611 PMCID: PMC10994979 DOI: 10.1016/j.xagr.2024.100321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a syndrome with multiple etiologies. The diagnosis can be made without proteinuria in the presence of dysfunction of at least 1 organ associated with hypertension. The common pathophysiological pathway includes endothelial cell activation, intravascular inflammation, and syncytiotrophoblast stress. There is evidence to support, among others, immunologic causes of preeclampsia. Unlike defense immunology, reproductive immunology is not based on immunologic recognition systems of self/non-self and missing-self but on immunotolerance and maternal-fetal cellular interactions. The main mechanisms of immune escape from fetal to maternal immunity at the maternal-fetal interface are a reduction in the expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules by trophoblast cells, the presence of complement regulators, increased production of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, activation of regulatory T cells, and an increase in immune checkpoints. These immune protections are more similar to the immune responses observed in tumor biology than in allograft biology. The role of immune and nonimmune decidual cells is critical for the regulation of trophoblast invasion and vascular remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries. Regulatory T cells have been found to play an important role in suppressing the effectiveness of other T cells and contributing to local immunotolerance. Decidual natural killer cells have a cytokine profile that is favored by the presence of HLA-G and HLA-E and contributes to vascular remodeling. Studies on the evolution of mammals show that HLA-E, HLA-G, and HLA-C1/C2, which are expressed by trophoblasts and their cognate receptors on decidual natural killer cells, are necessary for the development of a hemochorial placenta with vascular remodeling. The activation or inhibition of decidual natural killer cells depends on the different possible combinations between killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors, expressed by uterine natural killer cells, and the HLA-C1/C2 antigens, expressed by trophoblasts. Polarization of decidual macrophages in phenotype 2 and decidualization of stromal cells are also essential for high-quality vascular remodeling. Knowledge of the various immunologic mechanisms required for adequate vascular remodeling and their dysfunction in case of preeclampsia opens new avenues of research to identify novel biological markers or therapeutic targets to predict or prevent the onset of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henri Boulanger
- Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, Clinique de l'Estrée, Stains, France (Drs Boulanger and Ahriz-Saksi)
| | - Stéphane Bounan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint-Denis Hospital Center, Saint-Denis, France (Drs Bounan and Mahdhi)
| | - Amel Mahdhi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint-Denis Hospital Center, Saint-Denis, France (Drs Bounan and Mahdhi)
| | - Dominique Drouin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinique de l'Estrée, Stains, France (Dr Drouin)
| | - Salima Ahriz-Saksi
- Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, Clinique de l'Estrée, Stains, France (Drs Boulanger and Ahriz-Saksi)
| | - Fabien Guimiot
- Fetoplacental Unit, Robert-Debré Hospital, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France (Dr Guimiot)
| | - Nathalie Rouas-Freiss
- Fundamental Research Division, CEA, Institut de biologie François Jacob, Hemato-Immunology Research Unit, Inserm UMR-S 976, Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Paris University, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France (Dr Rouas-Freiss)
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4
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Netsrithong R, Garcia-Perez L, Themeli M. Engineered T cells from induced pluripotent stem cells: from research towards clinical implementation. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1325209. [PMID: 38283344 PMCID: PMC10811463 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1325209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived T (iT) cells represent a groundbreaking frontier in adoptive cell therapies with engineered T cells, poised to overcome pivotal limitations associated with conventional manufacturing methods. iPSCs offer an off-the-shelf source of therapeutic T cells with the potential for infinite expansion and straightforward genetic manipulation to ensure hypo-immunogenicity and introduce specific therapeutic functions, such as antigen specificity through a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Importantly, genetic engineering of iPSC offers the benefit of generating fully modified clonal lines that are amenable to rigorous safety assessments. Critical to harnessing the potential of iT cells is the development of a robust and clinically compatible production process. Current protocols for genetic engineering as well as differentiation protocols designed to mirror human hematopoiesis and T cell development, vary in efficiency and often contain non-compliant components, thereby rendering them unsuitable for clinical implementation. This comprehensive review centers on the remarkable progress made over the last decade in generating functional engineered T cells from iPSCs. Emphasis is placed on alignment with good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards, scalability, safety measures and quality controls, which constitute the fundamental prerequisites for clinical application. In conclusion, the focus on iPSC as a source promises standardized, scalable, clinically relevant, and potentially safer production of engineered T cells. This groundbreaking approach holds the potential to extend hope to a broader spectrum of patients and diseases, leading in a new era in adoptive T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratchapong Netsrithong
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Laura Garcia-Perez
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maria Themeli
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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5
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Caldara R, Tomajer V, Monti P, Sordi V, Citro A, Chimienti R, Gremizzi C, Catarinella D, Tentori S, Paloschi V, Melzi R, Mercalli A, Nano R, Magistretti P, Partelli S, Piemonti L. Allo Beta Cell transplantation: specific features, unanswered questions, and immunological challenge. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1323439. [PMID: 38077372 PMCID: PMC10701551 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1323439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) presents a persistent medical challenge, demanding innovative strategies for sustained glycemic control and enhanced patient well-being. Beta cells are specialized cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. When beta cells are damaged or destroyed, insulin production decreases, which leads to T1D. Allo Beta Cell Transplantation has emerged as a promising therapeutic avenue, with the goal of reinstating glucose regulation and insulin production in T1D patients. However, the path to success in this approach is fraught with complex immunological hurdles that demand rigorous exploration and resolution for enduring therapeutic efficacy. This exploration focuses on the distinct immunological characteristics inherent to Allo Beta Cell Transplantation. An understanding of these unique challenges is pivotal for the development of effective therapeutic interventions. The critical role of glucose regulation and insulin in immune activation is emphasized, with an emphasis on the intricate interplay between beta cells and immune cells. The transplantation site, particularly the liver, is examined in depth, highlighting its relevance in the context of complex immunological issues. Scrutiny extends to recipient and donor matching, including the utilization of multiple islet donors, while also considering the potential risk of autoimmune recurrence. Moreover, unanswered questions and persistent gaps in knowledge within the field are identified. These include the absence of robust evidence supporting immunosuppression treatments, the need for reliable methods to assess rejection and treatment protocols, the lack of validated biomarkers for monitoring beta cell loss, and the imperative need for improved beta cell imaging techniques. In addition, attention is drawn to emerging directions and transformative strategies in the field. This encompasses alternative immunosuppressive regimens and calcineurin-free immunoprotocols, as well as a reevaluation of induction therapy and recipient preconditioning methods. Innovative approaches targeting autoimmune recurrence, such as CAR Tregs and TCR Tregs, are explored, along with the potential of stem stealth cells, tissue engineering, and encapsulation to overcome the risk of graft rejection. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the inherent immunological obstacles associated with Allo Beta Cell Transplantation. It offers valuable insights into emerging strategies and directions that hold great promise for advancing the field and ultimately improving outcomes for individuals living with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Caldara
- Clinic Unit of Regenerative Medicine and Organ Transplants, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Tomajer
- Pancreatic Surgery, Pancreas Translational & Clinical Research Center, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Monti
- Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Sordi
- Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Citro
- Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Raniero Chimienti
- Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Gremizzi
- Clinic Unit of Regenerative Medicine and Organ Transplants, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Catarinella
- Clinic Unit of Regenerative Medicine and Organ Transplants, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Tentori
- Clinic Unit of Regenerative Medicine and Organ Transplants, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Vera Paloschi
- Clinic Unit of Regenerative Medicine and Organ Transplants, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffella Melzi
- Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Mercalli
- Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Rita Nano
- Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Magistretti
- Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Partelli
- Pancreatic Surgery, Pancreas Translational & Clinical Research Center, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Piemonti
- Clinic Unit of Regenerative Medicine and Organ Transplants, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Pizzato HA, Alonso-Guallart P, Woods J, Johannesson B, Connelly JP, Fehniger TA, Atkinson JP, Pruett-Miller SM, Monsma FJ, Bhattacharya D. Engineering Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines to Evade Xenogeneic Transplantation Barriers. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.27.546594. [PMID: 37425790 PMCID: PMC10326974 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.27.546594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived cells and tissues for therapeutic transplantation must necessarily overcome immunological rejection by the recipient. To define these barriers and to create cells capable of evading rejection for preclinical testing in immunocompetent mouse models, we genetically ablated β2m, Tap1, Ciita, Cd74, Mica, and Micb to limit expression of HLA-I, HLA-II, and natural killer cell activating ligands in hPSCs. Though these and even unedited hPSCs readily formed teratomas in cord blood-humanized immunodeficient mice, grafts were rapidly rejected by immunocompetent wild-type mice. Transplantation of these cells that also expressed covalent single chain trimers of Qa1 and H2-Kb to inhibit natural killer cells and CD55, Crry, and CD59 to inhibit complement deposition led to persistent teratomas in wild-type mice. Expression of additional inhibitory factors such as CD24, CD47, and/or PD-L1 had no discernible impact on teratoma growth or persistence. Transplantation of HLA-deficient hPSCs into mice genetically deficient in complement and depleted of natural killer cells also led to persistent teratomas. Thus, T cell, NK cell, and complement evasion are necessary to prevent immunological rejection of hPSCs and their progeny. These cells and versions expressing human orthologs of immune evasion factors can be used to refine tissue- and cell type-specific immune barriers, and to conduct preclinical testing in immunocompetent mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah A. Pizzato
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - James Woods
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Jon P. Connelly
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Todd A. Fehniger
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - John P. Atkinson
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Shondra M. Pruett-Miller
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Deepta Bhattacharya
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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7
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Okumura T, Joshita S, Yamazaki T, Iwadare T, Wakabayashi SI, Kobayashi H, Yamashita Y, Sugiura A, Kimura T, Ota M, Umemura T. HLA-G susceptibility to hepatitis B infection and related hepatocellular carcinoma in the Japanese population. Hum Immunol 2023:S0198-8859(23)00071-X. [PMID: 37271588 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G plays a role in various physiological immunomodulatory functions. Aberrant HLA-G expression is observed in various disease states, including tumors, autoimmune disorders, and viral infections. The present study investigated the association between HLA-G functional gene polymorphisms (rs1736933 [-486 C > A], rs1049033 [+2018 C > T], 14 bp Insertion [Ins]/Deletion [Del] [+2961 Del > Ins], and rs1063320 [+3142 C > G]) and disease susceptibility, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance. METHODS Allele discrimination of the 3 SNPs (-486 C > A, +2018 C > T, +3142 C > G) was determined by a TaqMan 5' exonuclease assay, while the 14 bp Ins/Del polymorphism was typed by fragment analysis using Genetic Analyzer and GeneMapper software. The above polymorphisms were analyzed for 325 Japanese hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients, 355 Japanese healthy subjects (Controls) as healthy controls, and 799 Japanese hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients as disease controls, respectively. RESULTS The 14 bp Insertion allele was significantly more frequent in HBV patients than Controls (27.1 % vs 20.6 %, odds ratio [OR] 1.43, P = 0.005) but did not differ between HCV patients and Controls. Similar results were found for the rs1063320 G allele (38.9 % vs 26.3 %, OR 1.78, P < 0.001) and the rs1736933 T allele (32.2 % vs 26.9 %, OR 1.29, P = 0.034) between HBV and Controls. The rs1049033 T allele showed a weak but significant association with HCC development in the dominant model (OR 1.95, P = 0.04). Regarding HBsAg clearance, the A allele at rs1736933 was significantly correlated in the recessive model (OR 3.23, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS This study revealed significant associations of HLA-G gene polymorphisms with disease susceptibility, HCC development, and HBsAg clearance in HBV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Okumura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Satoru Joshita
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan; Department of Health Promotion Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
| | - Tomoo Yamazaki
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takanobu Iwadare
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Wakabayashi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kobayashi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan; Department of Health Promotion Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamashita
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Ayumi Sugiura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takefumi Kimura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Masao Ota
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan; Department of Health Promotion Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
| | - Takeji Umemura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan; Department of Health Promotion Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan; Department of Advanced Endoscopic Therapy, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan; Consultation Center for Liver Diseases, Shinshu University Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan
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8
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Wang Y, Huang N, Yang Z. Revealing the Role of Zinc Ions in Atherosclerosis Therapy via an Engineered Three-Dimensional Pathological Model. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2300475. [PMID: 37092571 PMCID: PMC10288231 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202300475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
An incomplete understanding of the cellular functions and underlying mechanisms of zinc ions released from zinc-based stents in atherosclerosis (AS) therapy is one of the major obstacles to their clinical translation. The existing evaluation methodology using cell monolayers has limitations on accurate results due to the lack of vascular architectures and pathological features. Herein, the authors propose a 3D biomimetic AS model based on a multi-layer vascular structure comprising endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells with hyperlipidemic surroundings and inflammatory stimulations as AS-prone biochemical conditions to explore the biological functions of zinc ions in AS therapy. Concentration-dependent biphasic effects of zinc ions on cell growth are observed both in cell monolayers and 3D AS models. Nevertheless, the cells within 3D AS model exhibit more accurate biological assessments of the zinc ions, as evidenced by augmented pathological features and significantly higher half-maximal inhibitory concentration values against zinc ions. Based on such a developed 3D biomimetic AS model, the inhibitory effects on the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis, significantly influenced biological processes like cell motility, proliferation, and adhesion, and several potential bio-targets of zinc ions of cells are revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Regenerative MedicineThe Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical UniversityDongguan523059P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardiac Function and MicrocirculationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - Nan Huang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Regenerative MedicineThe Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical UniversityDongguan523059P. R. China
| | - Zhilu Yang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Regenerative MedicineThe Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical UniversityDongguan523059P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardiac Function and MicrocirculationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Department of CardiologyThird People's Hospital of Chengdu Affiliated to Southwest Jiaotong UniversityChengdu610031P. R. China
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9
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Palmer WH, Norman PJ. The impact of HLA polymorphism on herpesvirus infection and disease. Immunogenetics 2023; 75:231-247. [PMID: 36595060 PMCID: PMC10205880 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-022-01288-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) are cell surface molecules, central in coordinating innate and adaptive immune responses, that are targets of strong diversifying natural selection by pathogens. Of these pathogens, human herpesviruses have a uniquely ancient relationship with our species, where coevolution likely has reciprocating impact on HLA and viral genomic diversity. Consistent with this notion, genetic variation at multiple HLA loci is strongly associated with modulating immunity to herpesvirus infection. Here, we synthesize published genetic associations of HLA with herpesvirus infection and disease, both from case/control and genome-wide association studies. We analyze genetic associations across the eight human herpesviruses and identify HLA alleles that are associated with diverse herpesvirus-related phenotypes. We find that whereas most HLA genetic associations are virus- or disease-specific, HLA-A*01 and HLA-A*02 allotypes may be more generally associated with immune susceptibility and control, respectively, across multiple herpesviruses. Connecting genetic association data with functional corroboration, we discuss mechanisms by which diverse HLA and cognate receptor allotypes direct variable immune responses during herpesvirus infection and pathogenesis. Together, this review examines the complexity of HLA-herpesvirus interactions driven by differential T cell and Natural Killer cell immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H. Palmer
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO USA
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Paul J. Norman
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO USA
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO USA
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10
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Sung TC, Maitiruze K, Pan J, Gong J, Bai Y, Pan X, Higuchi A. Universal and hypoimmunogenic pluripotent stem cells for clinical usage. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 199:271-296. [PMID: 37678974 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
It is urgent to prepare and store large numbers of clinical trial grade human pluripotent stem (hPS) cells for off-the-shelf use in stem cell therapies. However, stem cell banks, which store off-the-shelf stem cells, need financial support and large amounts of technicians for daily cell maintenance. Therefore, it is valuable to create "universal" or "hypoimmunogenic" hPS cells with genome editing engineering by knocking in or out immune-related genes. Only a small number of universal or hypoimmunogenic hPS cell lines should be needed to store for off-the-shelf usage and reduce the large amounts of instruments, consumables and technicians. In this article, we consider how to create hypoimmunogenic or universal hPS cells as well as the demerits of the technology. β2-Microglobulin-knockout hPS cells did not harbor human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-expressing class I cells but led to the activation of natural killer cells. To escape the activities of macrophages and natural killer cells, homozygous hPS cells having a single allele of an HLA class I gene, such as HLA-C, were proposed. Major HLA class Ia molecules were knocked out, and CD47, HLA-G and PD-L1 were knocked in hPS cells utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Finally, some researchers are trying to generate universal hPS cells without genome editing. The cells evaded the activation of not only T cells but also macrophages and natural killer cells. These universal hPS cells have high potential for application in cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Cheng Sung
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Kailibinuer Maitiruze
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Jiandong Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Jian Gong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Yongheng Bai
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital Area, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodong Pan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital Area, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Akon Higuchi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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11
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Chimeric antigen receptor T cells therapy in solid tumors. Clin Transl Oncol 2023:10.1007/s12094-023-03122-8. [PMID: 36853399 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03122-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cells therapy (CAR-T therapy) is a class of ACT therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is an engineered synthetic receptor of CAR-T, which give T cells the ability to recognize tumor antigens in a human leukocyte antigen-independent (HLA-independent) manner and enables them to recognize more extensive target antigens than natural T cell surface receptor (TCR), resulting in tumor destruction. CAR-T is composed of an extracellular single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of antibody, which serves as the targeting moiety, hinge region, transmembrane spacer, and intracellular signaling domain(s). CAR-T has been developing in many generations, which differ according to costimulatory domains. CAR-T therapy has several limitations that reduce its wide availability in immunotherapy which we can summarize in antigen escape that shows either partial or complete loss of target antigen expression, so multiplexing CAR-T cells are promoted to enhance targeting of tumor profiles. In addition, the large diversity in the tumor microenvironment also plays a major role in limiting this kind of treatment. Therefore, engineered CAR-T cells can evoke immunostimulatory signals that rebalance the tumor microenvironment. Using CAR-T therapy in treating the solid tumor is mainly restricted by the difficulty of CAR-T cells infiltrating the tumor site, so local administration was developed to improve the quality of treatment. The most severe toxicity after CAR-T therapy is on-target/on-tumor toxicity, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Another type of toxicity is on-target/off-tumor toxicity which originates from the binding of CAR-T cells to target antigen that has shared expression on normal cells leading to damage in healthy cells and organs. Toxicity management should become a focus of implementation to permit management beyond specialized centers.
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12
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Chen Y, Zhou Y, Zhou Z, Fang Y, Ma L, Zhang X, Xiong J, Liu L. Hypoimmunogenic human pluripotent stem cells are valid cell sources for cell therapeutics with normal self-renewal and multilineage differentiation capacity. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:11. [PMID: 36691086 PMCID: PMC9872349 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03233-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoimmunogenic human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are expected to serve as an unlimited cell source for generating universally compatible "off-the-shelf" cell grafts. However, whether the engineered hypoimmunogenic hPSCs still preserve their advantages of unlimited self-renewal and multilineage differentiation to yield functional tissue cells remains unclear. Here, we systematically studied the self-renewal and differentiation potency of three types of hypoimmunogenic hPSCs, established through the biallelic lesion of B2M gene to remove all surface expression of classical and nonclassical HLA class I molecules (B2Mnull), biallelic homologous recombination of nonclassical HLA-G1 to the B2M loci to knockout B2M while expressing membrane-bound β2m-HLA-G1 fusion proteins (B2MmHLAG), and ectopic expression of soluble and secreted β2m-HLA-G5 fusion proteins in B2MmHLAG hPSCs (B2Mm/sHLAG) in the most widely used WA09 human embryonic stem cells. Our results showed that hypoimmunogenic hPSCs with variable expression patterns of HLA molecules and immune compromising spectrums retained their normal self-renewal capacity and three-germ-layer differentiation potency. More importantly, as exemplified by neurons, cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes, hypoimmunogenic hPSC-derived tissue cells were fully functional as of their morphology, electrophysiological properties, macromolecule transportation and metabolic regulation. Our findings thus indicate that engineered hypoimmunogenic hPSCs hold great promise of serving as an unlimited universal cell source for cell therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Chen
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanjie Zhou
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongshu Zhou
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujiang Fang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
- Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
- Tsingtao Advanced Research Institute, Tongji University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Jie Xiong
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ling Liu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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13
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Guo Z, Zhang R, Yang AG, Zheng G. Diversity of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1121285. [PMID: 36960057 PMCID: PMC10027905 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1121285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Finding effective treatments for cancer remains a challenge. Recent studies have found that the mechanisms of tumor evasion are becoming increasingly diverse, including abnormal expression of immune checkpoint molecules on different immune cells, in particular T cells, natural killer cells, macrophages and others. In this review, we discuss the checkpoint molecules with enhanced expression on these lymphocytes and their consequences on immune effector functions. Dissecting the diverse roles of immune checkpoints in different immune cells is crucial for a full understanding of immunotherapy using checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangyan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - An-Gang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Guoxu Zheng, ; An-Gang Yang,
| | - Guoxu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Guoxu Zheng, ; An-Gang Yang,
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14
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Sackett SD, Kaplan SJ, Mitchell SA, Brown ME, Burrack AL, Grey S, Huangfu D, Odorico J. Genetic Engineering of Immune Evasive Stem Cell-Derived Islets. Transpl Int 2022; 35:10817. [PMID: 36545154 PMCID: PMC9762357 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2022.10817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Genome editing has the potential to revolutionize many investigative and therapeutic strategies in biology and medicine. In the field of regenerative medicine, one of the leading applications of genome engineering technology is the generation of immune evasive pluripotent stem cell-derived somatic cells for transplantation. In particular, as more functional and therapeutically relevant human pluripotent stem cell-derived islets (SCDI) are produced in many labs and studied in clinical trials, there is keen interest in studying the immunogenicity of these cells and modulating allogeneic and autoimmune immune responses for therapeutic benefit. Significant experimental work has already suggested that elimination of Human Leukocytes Antigen (HLA) expression and overexpression of immunomodulatory genes can impact survival of a variety of pluripotent stem cell-derived somatic cell types. Limited work published to date focuses on stem cell-derived islets and work in a number of labs is ongoing. Rapid progress is occurring in the genome editing of human pluripotent stem cells and their progeny focused on evading destruction by the immune system in transplantation models, and while much research is still needed, there is no doubt the combined technologies of genome editing and stem cell therapy will profoundly impact transplantation medicine in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara D. Sackett
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, UW Transplant Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States,*Correspondence: Sara D. Sackett,
| | - Samuel J. Kaplan
- Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States,Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Samantha A. Mitchell
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, UW Transplant Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Matthew E. Brown
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, UW Transplant Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Adam L. Burrack
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN,Center for Immunology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Shane Grey
- Immunology Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Danwei Huangfu
- Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jon Odorico
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, UW Transplant Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
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15
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Xu X, Zhou Y, Fu B, Wei H. Uterine NK cell functions at maternal-fetal interface. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:327-338. [PMID: 35551350 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, maternal decidual tissue interacts with fetal trophoblasts. They constitute the maternal-fetal interface responsible for supplying nutrition to the fetus. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are the most abundant immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface during early pregnancy and play critical roles throughout pregnancy. This review provides current knowledge about the functions of uNK cells. uNK cells have been shown to facilitate remodeling of the spiral artery, control the invasion of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells, contribute to the induction and maintenance of immune tolerance, protect against pathogen infection, and promote fetal development. Pregnancy-trained memory of uNK cells improves subsequent pregnancy outcomes. In addition, this review describes the distinct functions of three uNK cell subsets: CD27-CD11b-, CD27+ and CD27-CD11b+ uNK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxiu Xu
- Institute of Gerontology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, P.R. China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, P.R. China
| | - Yonggang Zhou
- Institute of Gerontology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, P.R. China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, P.R. China
| | - Binqing Fu
- Institute of Gerontology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, P.R. China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, P.R. China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Institute of Gerontology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, P.R. China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, P.R. China
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16
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Aisagbonhi O, Morris GP. Human Leukocyte Antigens in Pregnancy and Preeclampsia. Front Genet 2022; 13:884275. [PMID: 35571013 PMCID: PMC9093604 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.884275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder, the pathophysiology of which includes underlying maternal cardiovascular disease, deficient spiral artery remodeling during placenta development, and inflammatory immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface. Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are major histocompatibility complex molecules essential for the recognition of foreign antigens that is central to immune defense against pathogens and critical determinants for the immune system discriminating between self and non-self tissues, such as in transplantation. Pregnancy represents a naturally existing “transplantation”, where the maternal immune system must be immunologically tolerant to the developing fetus which is 50% allogeneic. It is then unsurprising that HLA also influence normal pregnancy and pregnancy complications including preeclampsia. Here we review the role of classical and non-classical HLA molecules in influencing normal physiologic function during pregnancy and describe the association of HLA with pathophysiology in preeclampsia.
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17
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Bennedsen ALB, Cai L, Hasselager RP, Özcan AA, Mohamed KB, Eriksen JO, Eiholm S, Bzorek M, Fiehn AMK, Hviid TVF, Gögenur I. An exploration of immunohistochemistry-based prognostic markers in patients undergoing curative resections for colon cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:62. [PMID: 35027037 PMCID: PMC8759288 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09169-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The immune system recognizes and destroys cancer cells. However, cancer cells develop mechanisms to avoid detection by expressing cell surface proteins. Specific tumour cell surface proteins (e.g. HLA-G, PD-L1, CDX2) either alone or in combination with the relative presence of immune cells (CD3 and CD8 positive T-cells) in the tumour tissue may describe the cancer cells’ ability to escape eradication by the immune system. The aim was to investigate the prognostic value of immunohistochemical markers in patients with colon cancer. Methods We conducted a retrospective study including patients diagnosed with pT3 and pT4 colon cancers. Immunohistochemical staining with HLA-G, PD-L1, CDX2, CD3, and CD8 was performed on tissue samples with representation of the invasive margin. PD-L1 expression in tumour cells and immune cells was reported conjointly. The expression of CD3 and CD8 was reported as a merged score based on the expression of both markers in the invasive margin and the tumour centre. Subsequently, a combined marker score was established based on all of the markers. Each marker added one point to the score when unfavourable immunohistochemical features was present, and the score was categorized as low, intermediate or high depending on the number of unfavourable stains. Hazard ratios for recurrence, disease-free survival and mortality were calculated. Results We included 188 patients undergoing colon cancer resections in 2011–2012. The median follow-up was 41.7 months, during which 41 (21.8%) patients had recurrence and 74 (39.4%) died. In multivariable regression analysis positive HLA-G expression (HR = 3.37, 95%CI [1.64–6.93]) was associated with higher recurrence rates, while a preserved CDX2 expression (HR = 0.23, 95%CI [0.06–0.85]) was associated with a lower risk of recurrence. An intermediate or high combined marker score was associated with increased recurrence rates (HR = 20.53, 95%CI [2.68–157.32] and HR = 7.56, 95%CI [1.06–54.16], respectively). Neither high expression of PD-L1 nor high CD3-CD8 score was significantly associated with recurrence rates. Patients with a high CD3-CD8 score had a significantly longer DFS and OS. Conclusions In tumour cells, expression of HLA-G and loss of CDX2 expression were associated with cancer recurrence. In addition, a combination of certain tumour tissue biomarkers was associated with colorectal cancer recurrence. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09169-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Louise Bjørn Bennedsen
- Center For Surgical Science (CSS), Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark.
| | - Luyi Cai
- Cardiology department, Hospital Sønderjylland, Kresten Philipsens Vej 15, 6200, Aabenraa, Denmark
| | - Rune Petring Hasselager
- Center For Surgical Science (CSS), Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark
| | - Aysun Avci Özcan
- Center For Surgical Science (CSS), Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark
| | - Khadra Bashir Mohamed
- Center For Surgical Science (CSS), Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark
| | - Jens Ole Eriksen
- Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Sygehusvej 10, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Susanne Eiholm
- Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Sygehusvej 10, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Michael Bzorek
- Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Sygehusvej 10, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Anne-Marie Kanstrup Fiehn
- Center For Surgical Science (CSS), Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark.,Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Sygehusvej 10, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Vauvert F Hviid
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Immune Regulation and Reproductive Immunology (CIRRI), Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Zealand University Hospital, Sygehusvej 10, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Ismail Gögenur
- Center For Surgical Science (CSS), Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
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18
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Immune Regulatory Processes of the Tumor Microenvironment under Malignant Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413311. [PMID: 34948104 PMCID: PMC8706102 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a critical regulator of tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. Since immune cells represent a large fraction of the TME, they play a key role in mediating pro- and anti-tumor immune responses. Immune escape, which suppresses anti-tumor immunity, enables tumor cells to maintain their proliferation and growth. Numerous mechanisms, which have been intensively studied in recent years, are involved in this process and based on these findings, novel immunotherapies have been successfully developed. Here, we review the composition of the TME and the mechanisms by which immune evasive processes are regulated. In detail, we describe membrane-bound and soluble factors, their regulation, and their impact on immune cell activation in the TME. Furthermore, we give an overview of the tumor/antigen presentation and how it is influenced under malignant conditions. Finally, we summarize novel TME-targeting agents, which are already in clinical trials for different tumor entities.
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19
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Zhuang B, Shang J, Yao Y. HLA-G: An Important Mediator of Maternal-Fetal Immune-Tolerance. Front Immunol 2021; 12:744324. [PMID: 34777357 PMCID: PMC8586502 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.744324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal-fetal immune-tolerance occurs throughout the whole gestational trimester, thus a mother can accept a genetically distinct fetus without immunological aggressive behavior. HLA-G, one of the non-classical HLA class I molecules, is restricted-expression at extravillous trophoblast. It can concordantly interact with various kinds of receptors mounted on maternally immune cells residing in the uterus (e.g. CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, natural killer cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells) for maintaining immune homeostasis of the maternal-fetus interface. HLA-G is widely regarded as the pivotal protective factor for successful pregnancies. In the past 20 years, researches associated with HLA-G have been continually published. Indeed, HLA-G plays a mysterious role in the mechanism of maternal-fetal immune-tolerance. It can also be ectopically expressed on tumor cells, infected sites and other pathologic microenvironments to confer a significant local tolerance. Understanding the characteristics of HLA-G in immunologic tolerance is not only beneficial for pathological pregnancy, but also helpful to the therapy of other immune-related diseases, such as organ transplant rejection, tumor migration, and autoimmune disease. In this review, we describe the biological properties of HLA-G, then summarize our understanding of the mechanisms of fetomaternal immunologic tolerance and the difference from transplant tolerance. Furthermore, we will discuss how HLA-G contributes to the tolerogenic microenvironment during pregnancy. Finally, we hope to find some new aspects of HLA-G in fundamental research or clinical application for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baimei Zhuang
- Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jin Shang
- Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanqing Yao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
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20
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Tantengco OAG, Richardson L, Lee A, Kammala A, Silva MDC, Shahin H, Sheller-Miller S, Menon R. Histocompatibility Antigen, Class I, G (HLA-G)'s Role during Pregnancy and Parturition: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11101061. [PMID: 34685432 PMCID: PMC8537334 DOI: 10.3390/life11101061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Immune homeostasis of the intrauterine cavity is vital for pregnancy maintenance. At term or preterm, fetal and maternal tissue inflammation contributes to the onset of labor. Though multiple immune-modulating molecules are known, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is unique to gestational tissues and contributes to maternal–fetal immune tolerance. Several reports on HLA-G’s role exist; however, ambiguity exists regarding its functional contributions during pregnancy and parturition. To fill these knowledge gaps, a systematic review (SR) of the literature was conducted to better understand the expression, localization, function, and regulation of HLA-G during pregnancy and parturition. Methods: A SR of the literature on HLA-G expression and function reported in reproductive tissues during pregnancy, published between 1976–2020 in English, using three electronic databases (SCOPE, Medline, and ClinicalTrials.gov) was conducted. The selection of studies, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed in duplicate by two independent reviewers. Manuscripts were separated into three categories: (1) expression and localization of HLA-G, (2) regulators of HLA-G, and (3) the mechanistic roles of HAL-G. Data were extracted, analyzed, and summarized. Results: The literature search yielded 2554 citations, 117 of which were selected for full-text evaluation, and 115 were included for the final review based on our inclusion/exclusion criteria. HLA-G expression and function were mostly studied in placental tissue and/or cells and peripheral blood immune cells, while only 13% of the studies reported data on amniotic fluid/cord blood and fetal membranes. Measurements of soluble and membranous HLA-G were determined mostly by RNA-based methods and protein by immunostaining, Western blot, or flow cytometric analyses. HLA-G was reported to regulate inflammation and inhibit immune-cell-mediated cytotoxicity and trophoblast invasion. Clinically, downregulation of HLA-G is reported to be associated with poor placentation in preeclampsia and immune cell infiltration during ascending infection. Conclusions: This SR identified several reports supporting the hypothesized role of immune regulation in gestational tissues during pregnancy. A lack of rigor and reproducibility in the experimental approaches and models in several reports make it difficult to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action of HLA-G in immune tolerance during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco
- Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77551, USA; (O.A.G.T.); (L.R.); (A.L.); (A.K.); (M.d.C.S.); (H.S.); (S.S.-M.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1101, Philippines
| | - Lauren Richardson
- Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77551, USA; (O.A.G.T.); (L.R.); (A.L.); (A.K.); (M.d.C.S.); (H.S.); (S.S.-M.)
| | - Alan Lee
- Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77551, USA; (O.A.G.T.); (L.R.); (A.L.); (A.K.); (M.d.C.S.); (H.S.); (S.S.-M.)
| | - Ananthkumar Kammala
- Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77551, USA; (O.A.G.T.); (L.R.); (A.L.); (A.K.); (M.d.C.S.); (H.S.); (S.S.-M.)
| | - Mariana de Castro Silva
- Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77551, USA; (O.A.G.T.); (L.R.); (A.L.); (A.K.); (M.d.C.S.); (H.S.); (S.S.-M.)
- Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Botucatu 18618-687, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hend Shahin
- Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77551, USA; (O.A.G.T.); (L.R.); (A.L.); (A.K.); (M.d.C.S.); (H.S.); (S.S.-M.)
| | - Samantha Sheller-Miller
- Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77551, USA; (O.A.G.T.); (L.R.); (A.L.); (A.K.); (M.d.C.S.); (H.S.); (S.S.-M.)
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77551, USA; (O.A.G.T.); (L.R.); (A.L.); (A.K.); (M.d.C.S.); (H.S.); (S.S.-M.)
- Correspondence:
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21
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Banked chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells immediately available for off-the-shelf (OTS) application can solve key limitations of patient-specific CAR T-cell products while retaining their potency. The allogeneic nature of OTS cell therapies requires additional measures to minimize graft-versus-host disease and host-versus-graft immune rejection in immunocompetent recipients. In this review, we discuss engineering and manufacturing strategies aimed at minimizing unwanted interactions between allogeneic CAR T cells and the host. Overcoming these limitations will improve safety and antitumor potency of OTS CAR T cells and facilitate their wider use in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norihiro Watanabe
- From the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine; Houston Methodist Hospital; and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
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22
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The Role of NK Cells in EBV Infection and EBV-Associated NPC. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020300. [PMID: 33671917 PMCID: PMC7918975 DOI: 10.3390/v13020300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A vast majority of the population worldwide are asymptomatic carriers of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). However, some infected individuals eventually develop EBV-related cancers, including Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC). NPC is one of the most common EBV-associated epithelial cancers, and is highly prevalent in Southern China and Southeast Asia. While NPC is highly sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, there is a lack of effective and durable treatment among the 15%–30% of patients who subsequently develop recurrent disease. Natural Killer (NK) cells are natural immune lymphocytes that are innately primed against virus-infected cells and nascent aberrant transformed cells. As EBV is found in both virally infected and cancer cells, it is of interest to examine the NK cells’ role in both EBV infection and EBV-associated NPC. Herein, we review the current understanding of how EBV-infected cells are cleared by NK cells, and how EBV can evade NK cell-mediated elimination in the context of type II latency in NPC. Next, we summarize the current literature about NPC and NK cell biology. Finally, we discuss the translational potential of NK cells in NPC. This information will deepen our understanding of host immune interactions with EBV-associated NPC and facilitate development of more effective NK-mediated therapies for NPC treatment.
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23
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Dietz S, Schwarz J, Rühle J, Schaller M, Fehrenbacher B, Marmé A, Schmid E, Peter A, Poets CF, Gille C, Köstlin-Gille N. Extracellular vesicles released by myeloid-derived suppressor cells from pregnant women modulate adaptive immune responses. Cell Immunol 2020; 361:104276. [PMID: 33517124 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2020.104276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Immunological pregnancy complications are a main challenge in reproductive medicine. Mechanisms regulating the adaptation of the maternal immune system to pregnancy are incompletely understood and therapeutic options limited. Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are immune-modulatory cells expanding during healthy pregnancy and seem to play a crucial role for maternal-fetal tolerance. Recent studies showed that exosomes produced by MDSC have immune-modulatory effects corresponding to their parental cells under different pathological conditions. Here, we investigated immunological effects of exosomes of GR-MDSC during pregnancy. Isolated GR-MDSC exosomes from peripheral blood of pregnant women were tested for functionality in different in vitro assays. We show that GR-MDSC exosomes exhibited profound immune-modulatory effects such as suppression of T-cell proliferation, T helper 2 (Th2)-cell polarization, induction of regulatory T-cells and inhibition of lymphocyte cytotoxicity. Our results confirm that MDSC-derived exosomes functionally correspond to their parental cells and identify them as an interesting therapeutic target for immunological pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Dietz
- Tuebingen University Children's Hospital, Department of Neonatology, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Julian Schwarz
- Tuebingen University Children's Hospital, Department of Neonatology, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jessica Rühle
- Tuebingen University Children's Hospital, Department of Neonatology, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Martin Schaller
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Evi Schmid
- Department of Pediatric Surgery & Pediatric Urology, University of Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peter
- German Centre for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tuebingen, Germany; Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Centre Munich at the University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Department for Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian F Poets
- Tuebingen University Children's Hospital, Department of Neonatology, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Christian Gille
- Tuebingen University Children's Hospital, Department of Neonatology, Tuebingen, Germany.
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24
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Liu L, Wang L, Zhao L, He C, Wang G. The Role of HLA-G in Tumor Escape: Manipulating the Phenotype and Function of Immune Cells. Front Oncol 2020; 10:597468. [PMID: 33425752 PMCID: PMC7786297 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.597468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a non-classical major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) molecule, and under physiological conditions, its expression is strictly restricted to the maternal–fetal interface and immune-privileged organs where HLA-G is expected to contribute to establishment and maintenance of immune tolerance. However, the expression of HLA-G has been found in various types of tumors, and the level of its expression frequently correlates with high-grade histology and poor prognosis, raising the possibility that it may play a negative role in tumor immunity. ILT2 and ILT4, present on a broad of immune cells, have been identified as the main receptors engaging HLA-G, and their interactions have been found to allow the conversion of effectors like NK cells and T cells to anergic or unresponsive state, activated DCs to tolerogenic state, and to drive the differentiation of T cells toward suppressive phenotype. Therefore, tumors can employ HLA-G to modulate the phenotype and function of immune cells, allowing them to escape immune attack. In this review, we discuss the mechanism underlying HLA-G expression and function, its role played in each step of the tumor-immunity cycle, as well as the potential to target it for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Center for Digestive Diseases, People's Hospital of Baoan District, The 8th People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, People's Hospital of Baoan District, The 8th People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lijun Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, People's Hospital of Baoan District, The 8th People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lihong Zhao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chen He
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ganlu Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Center for Digestive Diseases, People's Hospital of Baoan District, The 8th People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
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25
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Shiba Y. Pluripotent Stem Cells for Cardiac Regeneration - Current Status, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. Circ J 2020; 84:2129-2135. [PMID: 33087630 DOI: 10.1253/circj.cj-20-0755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Loss of myocardium permanently impairs cardiac function because the adult mammalian heart has limited regenerative capacity. Strategies to regenerate injured heart tissue include the transplantation of multiple types of stem cells. Among them, pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are a promising option because of their unlimited self-renewal and unequivocal cardiomyogenic ability. To date, advances in stem cell biology allow generation of relatively homogeneous human PSC-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs). In this regard, preclinical studies of PSC-CM transplantation in rodents and larger animal models have provided convincing proof-of-concept results, triggering clinical studies in multiple countries. However, a few important uncertainties are yet to be addressed, warranting further investigation before clinical implementation of this novel therapy. An overview of the potential of stem cell therapy to provide new CMs for cardiac regeneration is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Shiba
- Department of Regenerative Science and Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Shinshu University
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26
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Ye Q, Sung TC, Yang JM, Ling QD, He Y, Higuchi A. Generation of universal and hypoimmunogenic human pluripotent stem cells. Cell Prolif 2020; 53:e12946. [PMID: 33174655 PMCID: PMC7705897 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a need to store very large numbers of conventional human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) lines for their off‐the‐shelf usage in stem cell therapy. Therefore, it is valuable to generate “universal” or “hypoimmunogenic” hPSCs with gene‐editing technology by knocking out or in immune‐related genes. A few universal or hypoimmunogenic hPSC lines should be enough to store for their off‐the‐shelf usage. Here, we overview and discuss how to prepare universal or hypoimmunogenic hPSCs and their disadvantages. β2‐Microglobulin‐knockout hPSCs did not harbour human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐expressing class I cells but rather activated natural killer (NK) cells. To avoid NK cell and macrophage activities, homozygous hPSCs expressing a single allele of an HLA class I molecule, such as HLA‐C, were developed. Major HLA class I molecules were knocked out, and PD‐L1, HLA‐G and CD47 were knocked in hPSCs using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. These cells escaped activation of not only T cells but also NK cells and macrophages, generating universal hPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingsong Ye
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Center of Regenerative Medicine, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Skeletal Biology Research Center, Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tzu-Cheng Sung
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Ming Yang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Qing-Dong Ling
- Cathay Medical Research Institute, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yan He
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Akon Higuchi
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Wenzhou, China.,Department of Chemical Engineering and R&D Center for Membrane Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Center for Emergent Matter Science, Riken, Saitama, Japan
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27
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Xu X, Zhou Y, Wei H. Roles of HLA-G in the Maternal-Fetal Immune Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2020; 11:592010. [PMID: 33193435 PMCID: PMC7642459 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.592010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, the maternal uterus and fetus form a special microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface to support fetal development. Extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs), differentiated from the fetus, invade into the decidua and interact with maternal cells. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a non-classical MHC-I molecule that is expressed abundantly and specifically on EVTs in physiological conditions. Soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) is also found in maternal blood, amniotic fluid, and cord blood. The abnormal expression and polymorphisms of HLA-G are related to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia (PE) and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Here we summarize current findings about three main roles of HLA-G during pregnancy, namely its promotion of spiral artery remodeling, immune tolerance, and fetal growth, all resulting from its interaction with immune cells. These findings are not only of great significance for the treatment of pregnancy-related diseases but also provide clues to tumor immunology research since HLA-G functions as a checkpoint in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxiu Xu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Molecular Medicine, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yonggang Zhou
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Molecular Medicine, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Molecular Medicine, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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28
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Morgan MA, Büning H, Sauer M, Schambach A. Use of Cell and Genome Modification Technologies to Generate Improved "Off-the-Shelf" CAR T and CAR NK Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1965. [PMID: 32903482 PMCID: PMC7438733 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The broad success of adoptive immunotherapy to treat human cancer has resulted in a paradigm shift in modern medicine. Modification of autologous and allogenic immune cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) designed to target specific antigens on tumor cells has led to production of CAR T and CAR NK cell therapies, which are ever more commonly introduced into cancer patient treatment protocols. While allogenic T cells may offer advantages such as improved anti-tumor activity, they also carry the risk of adverse reactions like graft-versus-host disease. This risk can be mitigated by use of autologous immune cells, however, the time needed for T and/or NK cell isolation, modification and expansion may be too long for some patients. Thus, there is an urgent need for strategies to robustly produce “off-the-shelf” CAR T and CAR NK cells, which could be used as a bridging therapy between cancer diagnosis or relapse and allogeneic transplantation. Advances in genome modification technologies have accelerated the generation of designer cell therapy products, including development of “off-the-shelf” CAR T cells for cancer immunotherapy. The feasibility and safety of such approaches is currently tested in clinical trials. This review will describe cell sources for CAR-based therapies, provide background of current genome editing techniques and the applicability of these approaches for generation of universal “off-the-shelf” CAR T and NK cell therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Martin Sauer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Blood Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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29
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Krijgsman D, Roelands J, Hendrickx W, Bedognetti D, Kuppen PJK. HLA-G: A New Immune Checkpoint in Cancer? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124528. [PMID: 32630545 PMCID: PMC7350262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), known as a central protein in providing immune tolerance to the fetus in pregnant women, is also studied for a possible role in tumor development. Many studies have claimed HLA-G as a new immune checkpoint in cancer. Therefore, HLA-G and its receptors might be targets for immune checkpoint blockade in cancer immunotherapy. In order to substantiate that HLA-G is indeed an immune checkpoint in cancer, two important questions need to be answered: (1) To what extent is HLA-G expressed in the tumor by cancer cells? and (2) What is the function of HLA-G in cancer immune evasion? In this review, we discuss these questions. We agree that HLA-G is a potentially new immune checkpoint in cancer, but additional evidence is required to show the extent of intra-tumor and inter-tumor expression. These studies should focus on tumor expression patterns of the seven different HLA-G isoforms and of the receptors for HLA-G. Furthermore, specific roles for the different HLA-G isoforms should be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniëlle Krijgsman
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.K.); (J.R.)
| | - Jessica Roelands
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.K.); (J.R.)
- Cancer Research Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; (W.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Wouter Hendrickx
- Cancer Research Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; (W.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Davide Bedognetti
- Cancer Research Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; (W.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Peter J. K. Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.K.); (J.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-5264569
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30
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Khan M, Arooj S, Wang H. NK Cell-Based Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Front Immunol 2020; 11:167. [PMID: 32117298 PMCID: PMC7031489 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, with an increasing number of therapeutic dimensions, is becoming an important mode of treatment for cancer patients. The inhibition of immune checkpoints, which are the source of immune escape for various cancers, is one such immunotherapeutic dimension. It has mainly been aimed at T cells in the past, but NK cells are a newly emerging target. Simultaneously, the number of checkpoints identified has been increasing in recent times. In addition to the classical NK cell receptors KIRs, LIRs, and NKG2A, several other immune checkpoints have also been shown to cause dysfunction of NK cells in various cancers and chronic infections. These checkpoints include the revolutionized CTLA-4, PD-1, and recently identified B7-H3, as well as LAG-3, TIGIT & CD96, TIM-3, and the most recently acknowledged checkpoint-members of the Siglecs family (Siglec-7/9), CD200 and CD47. An interesting dimension of immune checkpoints is their candidacy for dual-checkpoint inhibition, resulting in therapeutic synergism. Furthermore, the combination of immune checkpoint inhibition with other NK cell cytotoxicity restoration strategies could also strengthen its efficacy as an antitumor therapy. Here, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of the literature to date regarding NK cell-based immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Khan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Sumbal Arooj
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakistan
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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31
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Mattapally S, Pawlik KM, Fast VG, Zumaquero E, Lund FE, Randall TD, Townes TM, Zhang J. Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I and II Knockout Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cells: Universal Donor for Cell Therapy. J Am Heart Assoc 2019; 7:e010239. [PMID: 30488760 PMCID: PMC6405542 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.118.010239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Background We aim to generate a line of “universal donor” human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that are nonimmunogenic and, therefore, can be used to derive cell products suitable for allogeneic transplantation. Methods and Results hiPSCs carrying knockout mutations for 2 key components (β2 microglobulin and class II major histocompatibility class transactivator) of major histocompatibility complexes I and II (ie, human leukocyte antigen [HLA] I/II knockout hiPSCs) were generated using the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene‐editing system and differentiated into cardiomyocytes. Pluripotency‐gene expression and telomerase activity in wild‐type (WT) and HLAI/II knockout hiPSCs, cardiomyocyte marker expression in WT and HLAI/II knockout hiPSC‐derived cardiomyocytes, and assessments of electrophysiological properties (eg, conduction velocity, action‐potential and calcium transient half‐decay times, and calcium transient increase times) in spheroid‐fusions composed of WT and HLAI/II knockout cardiomyocytes, were similar. However, the rates of T‐cell activation before (≈21%) and after (≈24%) exposure to HLAI/II knockout hiPSC‐derived cardiomyocytes were nearly indistinguishable and dramatically lower than after exposure to WT hiPSC‐derived cardiomyocytes (≈75%), and when WT and HLAI/II knockout hiPSC‐derived cardiomyocyte spheroids were cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the WT hiPSC‐derived cardiomyocyte spheroids were smaller and displayed contractile irregularities. Finally, expression of HLA‐E and HLA‐F was inhibited in HLAI/II knockout cardiomyocyte spheroids after coculture with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, although HLA‐G was not inhibited; these results are consistent with the essential role of class II major histocompatibility class transactivator in transcriptional activation of the HLA‐E and HLA‐F genes, but not the HLA‐G gene. Expression of HLA‐G is known to inhibit natural killer cell recognition and killing of cells that lack other HLAs. Conclusions HLAI/II knockout hiPSCs can be differentiated into cardiomyocytes that induce little or no activity in human immune cells and, consequently, are suitable for allogeneic transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saidulu Mattapally
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine School of Engineering The University of Alabama at Birmingham AL
| | - Kevin M Pawlik
- 2 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics School of Medicine The University of Alabama at Birmingham AL
| | - Vladimir G Fast
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine School of Engineering The University of Alabama at Birmingham AL
| | - Esther Zumaquero
- 3 Department of Microbiology School of Medicine The University of Alabama at Birmingham AL
| | - Frances E Lund
- 3 Department of Microbiology School of Medicine The University of Alabama at Birmingham AL
| | - Troy D Randall
- 4 Department of Medicine/Rheumatology School of Medicine The University of Alabama at Birmingham AL
| | - Tim M Townes
- 2 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics School of Medicine The University of Alabama at Birmingham AL
| | - Jianyi Zhang
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine School of Engineering The University of Alabama at Birmingham AL
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Engineering universal cells that evade immune detection. Nat Rev Immunol 2019; 19:723-733. [DOI: 10.1038/s41577-019-0200-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Nakamura Y, Miyagawa S, Yoshida S, Sasawatari S, Toyofuku T, Toda K, Sawa Y. Natural killer cells impede the engraftment of cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells in syngeneic mouse model. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10840. [PMID: 31346220 PMCID: PMC6658523 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47134-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC-CMs) is a promising approach for increasing functional CMs during end-stage heart failure. Although major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I matching between donor cells and recipient could reduce acquired immune rejection, innate immune responses may have negative effects on transplanted iPSC-CMs. Here, we demonstrated that natural killer cells (NKCs) infiltrated in iPSC-CM transplants even in a syngeneic mouse model. The depletion of NKCs using an anti-NKC antibody rescued transplanted iPSC-CMs, suggesting that iPSC-CMs activated NKC-mediated innate immunity. Surprisingly, iPSC-CMs lost inhibitory MHCs but not activating ligands for NKCs. Re-expression of MHC class I induced by IFN-γ as well as suppression of activating ligands by an antibody rescued the transplanted iPSC-CMs. Thus, NKCs impede the engraftment of transplanted iPSC-CMs because of lost MHC class I, and our results provide a basis for an approach to improve iPSC-CM engraftment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Nakamura
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shigeru Miyagawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shohei Yoshida
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shigemi Sasawatari
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Toyofuku
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Koichi Toda
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Sawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
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Abstract
Polymorphic HLAs form the primary immune barrier to cell therapy. In addition, innate immune surveillance impacts cell engraftment, yet a strategy to control both, adaptive and innate immunity, is lacking. Here we employed multiplex genome editing to specifically ablate the expression of the highly polymorphic HLA-A/-B/-C and HLA class II in human pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, to prevent innate immune rejection and further suppress adaptive immune responses, we expressed the immunomodulatory factors PD-L1, HLA-G, and the macrophage "don't-eat me" signal CD47 from the AAVS1 safe harbor locus. Utilizing in vitro and in vivo immunoassays, we found that T cell responses were blunted. Moreover, NK cell killing and macrophage engulfment of our engineered cells were minimal. Our results describe an approach that effectively targets adaptive as well as innate immune responses and may therefore enable cell therapy on a broader scale.
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Gerlinskaya LA, Varlachev AV, Krotov GI, Kontsevaya GV, Moshkin MP. Mother-fetus immunogenetic dialogue as a factor of progeny immune system development. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2019. [DOI: 10.18699/vj18.444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the advances in medicine, about 4 million children under the age of 6 months die annually around the world due to infection, which is 450 deaths per hour (UNISEF, 2009). The degree of development of the immune system of children born in time is determined by many factors, including the immunogenetic similarity or difference of mother and fetus organisms, which, in turn, is due to the genotypes of mating pairs, as well as the selection of surrogate mothers duringin vitrofertilization. From our review of the literature, it follows that immunogenetic interactions of mother and fetus organisms, which occur at all stages of pre- and postnatal development, have a signifcant effect on the resistance of offspring to infections and allergens. Before implantation, the mother’s immune responses are formed under the influence of semen fluid antigens, leukocytes and cytokines, as well as under the influence of the genes of the major histocompatibility complex, which are expressed in embryos at the stage of two cells. After implantation, transplacental transfer of immunoglobulins and immunocompetent cells becomes of immunomodulating importance. It is important to emphasize that, although substances with a high molecular weight usually do not pass through the placenta, this rule does not apply to immunoglobulin G (IgG), which, with a molecular weight of about 160 kDa, overcomes the transplacental barrier due to binding to the fetal Fc receptor. The level of IgG in newborns usually correlates with the level of maternal antibodies. During the period of natural feeding, the immune protection of newborns is provided by the mechanisms of innate immunity and the factors of humoral immunity of mothers. It has been shown that immunoglobulins from the milk of many animal species are transferred through the neonatal intestinal epithelium to the blood. Since breast milk contains large amounts of various immunoactive components, including proteins, cytokines, hormones, immunoglobulins, exosomes containing micro-RNA, and viable immune cells, the immunomodulating effects of breast milk persist even after elimination of maternal immunoglobulins from the blood of the offspring, up to maturation. Analysis of a large body of experimental data shows that the study of mechanisms of “motherfetus” and “mother-newborn” interactions are the basis of a knowledge base needed to fnd means of life-long directed modulation of the descendants’ immune status.
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Abstract
In this chapter I describe Tumour Immune Escape mechanisms associated with MHC/HLA class I loss in human and experimental tumours. Different altered HLA class-I phenotypes can be observed that are produced by different molecular mechanisms. Experimental and histological evidences are summarized indicating that at the early stages of tumour development there is an enormous variety of tumour clones with different MHC class I expression patterns. This phase is followed by a strong T cell mediated immune-selection of MHC/HLA class-I negative tumour cells in the primary tumour lesion. This transition period results in a formation of a tumour composed only of HLA-class I negative cells. An updated description of this process observed in a large variety of human tumors is included. In the second section I focus on MHC/HLA class I alterations observed in mouse and human metastases, and describe the generation of different tumor cell clones with altered MHC class I phenotypes, which could be similar or different from the original tumor clone. The biological and immunological relevance of these observations is discussed. Finally, the interesting phenomenon of metastatic dormancy is analyzed in association with a particular MHC class I negative tumor phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Garrido
- Departamento de Analisis Clinicos e Inmunologia, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
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Lin A, Yan WH. Heterogeneity of HLA-G Expression in Cancers: Facing the Challenges. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2164. [PMID: 30319626 PMCID: PMC6170620 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic heterogeneity has been observed in most malignancies, which represents a considerable challenge for tumor therapy. In recent decades, the biological function and clinical significance of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G have been intensively explored. It is now widely accepted that HLA-G is a critical marker of immunotolerance in cancer cell immune evasion and is strongly associated with disease progress and prognosis for cancer patients. Moreover, it has recently been emphasized that the signaling pathway linking HLA-G and immunoglobulin-like transcripts (ILTs) is considered an immune checkpoint. In addition, HLA-G itself can generate at least seven distinct isoforms, and intertumor and intratumor heterogeneity of HLA-G expression is common across different tumor types. Furthermore, HLA-G heterogeneity in cancers has been related to disease stage and outcomes, metastatic status and response to different therapies. This review focuses on the heterogeneity of HLA-G expression in malignant lesions, and clinical implications of this heterogeneity that might be relevant to personalized treatments are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifen Lin
- Biological Resource Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Here we summarize recent advancements in β cell replacement as a therapy for type 1 diabetes. RECENT FINDINGS β cell replacement therapy has been proposed as a cure for type 1 diabetes with the introduction of the Edmonton protocol for cadaveric islet transplantation. To allow widespread use of this approach, efforts have focused on establishing an abundant source of insulin-producing β cells, protecting transplanted cells from ischemia-mediated death, immune rejection, and re-occurring autoimmunity. Recent developments addressing these issues include generation of insulin-producing cells from human pluripotent stem cells, different encapsulation strategies and prevention of ischemia upon transplant. SUMMARY Despite significant advances in generating functional β cells from human pluripotent stem cells, several key challenges remain in regard to the survival of β cell grafts, protection from (auto-) immune destruction and implementation of additional safety mechanisms before a stem cell-based cell replacement therapy approach can be widely applied. Taking current findings into consideration, we outline a multilayered approach to design immune-privileged β cells from stem cells using state of the art genome editing technologies that if successfully incorporated could result in great benefit for diabetic patients and improve clinical results for cell replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Castro-Gutierrez
- Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Bibli SI, Szabo C, Chatzianastasiou A, Luck B, Zukunft S, Fleming I, Papapetropoulos A. Hydrogen Sulfide Preserves Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Function by Inhibiting Proline-Rich Kinase 2: Implications for Cardiomyocyte Survival and Cardioprotection. Mol Pharmacol 2017; 92:718-730. [PMID: 29030392 DOI: 10.1124/mol.117.109645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exhibits beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system, many of which depend on nitric oxide (NO). Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2), a redox-sensitive tyrosine kinase, directly phosphorylates and inhibits endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). We investigated the ability of H2S to relieve PYK2-mediated eNOS inhibition and evaluated the importance of the H2S/PYK2/eNOS axis on cardiomyocyte injury in vitro and in vivo. Exposure of H9c2 cardiomyocytes to H2O2 or pharmacologic inhibition of H2S production increased PYK2 (Y402) and eNOS (Y656) phosphorylation. These effects were blocked by treatment with Na2S or by overexpression of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE). In addition, PYK2 overexpression reduced eNOS activity in a H2S-reversible manner. The viability of cardiomyocytes exposed to Η2Ο2 was reduced and declined further after the inhibition of H2S production. PYK2 downregulation, l-cysteine supplementation, or CSE overexpression alleviated the effects of H2O2 on H9c2 cardiomyocyte survival. Moreover, H2S promoted PYK2 sulfhydration and inhibited its activity. In vivo, H2S administration reduced reactive oxygen species levels, as well as PYK2 (Y402) and eNOS (Y656) phosphorylation. Pharmacologic blockade of PYK2 or inhibition of PYK2 activation by Na2S reduced myocardial infarct size in mice. Coadministration of a PYK2 inhibitor and Na2S did not result in additive effects on infarct size. We conclude that H2S relieves the inhibitory effect of PYK2 on eNOS, allowing the latter to produce greater amounts of NO, thereby affording cardioprotection. Our results unravel the existence of a novel H2S-NO interaction and identify PYK2 as a crucial target for the protective effects of H2S under conditions of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia-Iris Bibli
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (S.-I.B., A.P.); Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S.-I.B., B.L., S.Z., I.F.); Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (C.S.); "George P. Livanos and Marianthi Simou" Laboratories, First Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.C.); and Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.P.)
| | - Csaba Szabo
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (S.-I.B., A.P.); Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S.-I.B., B.L., S.Z., I.F.); Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (C.S.); "George P. Livanos and Marianthi Simou" Laboratories, First Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.C.); and Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.P.)
| | - Athanasia Chatzianastasiou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (S.-I.B., A.P.); Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S.-I.B., B.L., S.Z., I.F.); Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (C.S.); "George P. Livanos and Marianthi Simou" Laboratories, First Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.C.); and Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.P.)
| | - Bert Luck
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (S.-I.B., A.P.); Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S.-I.B., B.L., S.Z., I.F.); Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (C.S.); "George P. Livanos and Marianthi Simou" Laboratories, First Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.C.); and Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.P.)
| | - Sven Zukunft
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (S.-I.B., A.P.); Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S.-I.B., B.L., S.Z., I.F.); Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (C.S.); "George P. Livanos and Marianthi Simou" Laboratories, First Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.C.); and Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.P.)
| | - Ingrid Fleming
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (S.-I.B., A.P.); Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S.-I.B., B.L., S.Z., I.F.); Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (C.S.); "George P. Livanos and Marianthi Simou" Laboratories, First Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.C.); and Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.P.)
| | - Andreas Papapetropoulos
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (S.-I.B., A.P.); Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S.-I.B., B.L., S.Z., I.F.); Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (C.S.); "George P. Livanos and Marianthi Simou" Laboratories, First Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.C.); and Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece (A.P.)
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Melsted WN, Johansen LL, Lock-Andersen J, Behrendt N, Eriksen JO, Bzorek M, Scheike T, Hviid TVF. HLA class Ia and Ib molecules and FOXP3+ TILs in relation to the prognosis of malignant melanoma patients. Clin Immunol 2017; 183:191-197. [PMID: 28882620 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 08/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
HLA class Ia (HLA-ABC) and HLA class Ib (HLA-E, -F and -G) molecules and FOXP3+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are often reported as relevant factors of tumor immune regulation. We investigated their expression as prognostic factors in 200 patients with primary cutaneous melanoma (PCM). In our cohort, patients with tumors showing upregulation of HLA-ABC molecules had significantly thicker tumors (32% vs 7%, P<0.001), frequent ulceration (20% vs 6%, P=0.007) and frequent nodular melanomas (20% vs 4%, P=0.001). Additionally, high expression of HLA-G in the tumor was a sign of bad prognosis for the patients, being associated with thick tumors (30% vs 12%, P=0.017), ulceration (24% vs 5%, P<0.001) and positive sentinel node (13% vs 6%, P=0.015). HLA-E, HLA-F and FOXP3+ TILs were not indicative of the prognosis in PCM. High HLA-ABC and HLA-G were associated with tumor aggressiveness and could be relevant predictive markers for effective immunotherapy of melanoma tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenna Nascimento Melsted
- Centre for Immune Regulation and Reproductive Immunology (CIRRI), Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Zealand University Hospital, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lasse Lindholm Johansen
- Centre for Immune Regulation and Reproductive Immunology (CIRRI), Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Zealand University Hospital, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Lock-Andersen
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nille Behrendt
- Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Ole Eriksen
- Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Bzorek
- Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Scheike
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Vauvert F Hviid
- Centre for Immune Regulation and Reproductive Immunology (CIRRI), Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Zealand University Hospital, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Suzuki K, Ueda H, Yokono K, Taniguchi H. Normalization of Blood Glucose after Islet Cografting with Placental Tissues in Diabetic Mice. Cell Transplant 2017. [DOI: 10.3727/000000002783985701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A fetus in the uterus is not rejected at any time during the entire gestational period, even without the administration of immunosuppressive agents, though fetus is a kind of allograft. This prevention of rejection is considered to be associated with the presence of placental tissues. This hypothesis was tested by the allografting of islets together with placental tissues (trophoblasts) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Placentae were harvested from the mice at the 14th postgestation day by being peeled off carefully and with the maternal decidua left behind, and cut into small pieces. Five hundred freshly isolated islets together with placental tissues obtained from ICR mice were placed under the left kidney capsule of STZ-induced diabetic C57BL/6J mice. The nonfasting blood glucose level was reduced from 477 ± 41 mg/dl at the time of pretransplant to that of the intact normal mice (161 ± 18 mg/dl) soon after the cografting, and did not return to the pretransplant level before the 14th posttransplant day. The grafting of the same number of islets alone and/or liver tissues dropped the blood glucose level, but not to that of the intact normal mice. It returned to the pretransplant level within 1 week. This is the first successful prolongation of survival of allografted islets without immunosuppressive agents through cotransplantation of allogenic placental tissues. The underlying mechanism remains to be clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhisa Suzuki
- Department of Metabolism, Kobe Mahoshi Hospital, Kobe 651-1242, Japan
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hiroo Ueda
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Koichi Yokono
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Taniguchi
- Department of Metabolism and Community Health Science, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe 654-0142, Japan
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HLA-E-expressing pluripotent stem cells escape allogeneic responses and lysis by NK cells. Nat Biotechnol 2017; 35:765-772. [PMID: 28504668 PMCID: PMC5548598 DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 360] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Polymorphisms in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I genes can cause the rejection of pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived products in allogeneic recipients. Disruption of the Beta-2 Microglobulin (B2M) gene eliminates surface expression of all class I molecules, but leaves the cells vulnerable to lysis by natural killer (NK) cells. Here we show that this ‘missing self’ response can be prevented by forced expression of minimally polymorphic HLA-E molecules. We use adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene editing to knock in HLA-E genes at the B2M locus in human PSCs in a manner that confers inducible, regulated, surface expression of HLA-E single-chain dimers (fused to B2M) or trimers (fused to B2M and a peptide antigen), without surface expression of HLA-A, B or C. These HLA-engineered PSCs and their differentiated derivatives are not recognized as allogeneic by CD8+ T cells, do not bind anti-HLA antibodies, and are resistant to NK-mediated lysis. Our approach provides a potential source of universal donor cells for applications where the differentiated derivatives lack HLA class II expression.
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Abstract
One of the major immune checkpoints responsible for immune evasion in cancer cells is the interaction between programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1). As human trophoblastic cells display many of the features of malignant cells such as the ability to invade normal tissue including blood vessels and are apparently not eradicated by the host immune system, we undertook the present study to determine whether PD-L1 was upregulated in different types of trophoblastic cells during normal pregnancy and in gestational trophoblastic diseases. Immunohistochemistry using an anti-PD-L1-specific antibody demonstrated that in early and term normal placentas, PD-L1 was highly expressed in syncytiotrophoblast and to a much lower extent in intermediate trophoblastic cells located in the chorion laeve and implantation site. PD-L1 immunoreactivity was undetectable in cytotrophoblastic cells. This staining pattern in normal placenta was recapitulated in various types of gestational trophoblastic disease. PD-L1 was highly expressed by syncytiotrophoblast in complete moles and choriocarcinomas. The intermediate trophoblastic neoplasms, placental site trophoblastic tumors, and epithelioid trophoblastic tumors showed variable PD-L1 immunoreactivity but at a lower intensity than in the neoplastic syncytiotrophoblast in choriocarcinoma. In addition, we observed PD-1-positive lymphocytes located within the implantation site and in trophoblastic tumors. In summary, this study describes a novel mechanism for trophoblastic cells to create a tolerogenic feto-maternal interface by upregulating PD-L1 in syncytiotrophoblast and in intermediate trophoblast. Trophoblastic tumors may also use PD-L1 expression to evade the host immune response thereby promoting their survival.
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Ferreira LMR, Meissner TB, Tilburgs T, Strominger JL. HLA-G: At the Interface of Maternal-Fetal Tolerance. Trends Immunol 2017; 38:272-286. [PMID: 28279591 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2017.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, semiallogeneic fetal extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) invade the uterine mucosa without being rejected by the maternal immune system. Several mechanisms were initially proposed by Peter Medawar half a century ago to explain this apparent violation of the laws of transplantation. Then, three decades ago, an unusual human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecule was identified: HLA-G. Uniquely expressed in EVT, HLA-G has since become the center of the present understanding of fetus-induced immune tolerance. Despite slow progress in the field, the last few years have seen an explosion in our knowledge of HLA-G biology. Here, we critically review new insights into the mechanisms controlling the expression and function of HLA-G at the maternal-fetal interface, and discuss their relevance for fetal tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo M R Ferreira
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Torsten B Meissner
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Tamara Tilburgs
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Jack L Strominger
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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Recent Advances in Our Understanding of HLA-G Biology: Lessons from a Wide Spectrum of Human Diseases. J Immunol Res 2016; 2016:4326495. [PMID: 27652273 PMCID: PMC5019910 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4326495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
HLA-G is a HLA-class Ib molecule with potent immunomodulatory activities, which is expressed in physiological conditions, where modulation of the immune response is required to avoid allograft recognition (i.e., maternal-fetal interface or transplanted patients). However, HLA-G can be expressed de novo at high levels in several pathological conditions, including solid and hematological tumors and during microbial or viral infections, leading to the impairment of the immune response against tumor cells or pathogens, respectively. On the other hand, the loss of HLA-G mediated control of the immune responses may lead to the onset of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, caused by an uncontrolled activation of the immune effector cells. Here, we have reviewed novel findings on HLA-G functions in different physiological and pathological settings, which have been published in the last two years. These studies further confirmed the important role of this molecule in the modulation of the immune system.
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Hsiao YH, Huang YT, Hung CY, Kuo TC, Luo FJ, Yuan TC. PYK2 via S6K1 regulates the function of androgen receptors and the growth of prostate cancer cells. Endocr Relat Cancer 2016; 23:651-63. [PMID: 27492635 DOI: 10.1530/erc-16-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) is a steroid hormone receptor that functions as a transcription factor for regulating cell growth and survival. Aberrant AR function becomes a risk factor for promoting the progression of prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, we examined the roles of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) and ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) in regulating AR expression and activity and growth properties in PCa cells. Compared with normal prostate tissues, PCa tumors exhibited high levels of PYK2 and S6K1 expression. Furthermore, the expression levels of PYK2 and S6K1 were significantly correlated with nuclear AR expression in PCa tissues. We further found the association between PYK2, S6K1, and AR in their protein expression and phosphorylation levels among normal prostate PZ-HPV-7 cells and prostate cancer LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells. Overexpression of the wild-type PYK2 in PZ-HPV-7 and LNCaP cells promoted AR and S6K1 expression and phosphorylation as well as enhanced cell growth. In contrast, expression of the mutated PYK2 or knockdown of PYK2 expression in LNCaP or 22Rv1 cells caused reduced expression or phosphorylation of AR and S6K1 as well as retarded cell growth. Under an androgen-deprived condition, PYK2-promoted AR expression and phosphorylation and PSA production in LNCaP cells can be abolished by knocking down S6K1 expression. In summary, our data suggested that PYK2 via S6K1 activation modulated AR function and growth properties in PCa cells. Thus, PYK2 and S6K1 may potentially serve as therapeutic targets for PCa treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsuan Hsiao
- Department of Life ScienceNational Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yu-Ting Huang
- Department of Life ScienceNational Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chia-Yu Hung
- Department of Life ScienceNational Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tzu-Chien Kuo
- Department of Life ScienceNational Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Fuh-Jinn Luo
- Department of PathologyMennonite Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ta-Chun Yuan
- Department of Life ScienceNational Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
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HLA-G expression is regulated by miR-365 in trophoblasts under hypoxic conditions. Placenta 2016; 45:37-41. [PMID: 27577708 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hypoxia occurs in the first trimester of placental development and is implicated in the regulation of trophoblast differentiation. Prolonged hypoxic conditions in the placenta are related to the development of preeclampsia. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding, single-stranded RNAs that modulate gene expression by targeting messenger RNA. We hypothesized that, under hypoxic conditions, trophoblasts may have a unique miRNA profile that may play a critical role in placental development. METHODS Total RNA was extracted from human trophoblast, HChEpC1b, exposed to normoxia (20% O2) or hypoxia (2% O2) for 24 h, and the miRNA expression profiles were investigated using a microRNA array. Several differential miRNAs were selected and validated using real-time reverse transcription PCR. We identified potential targets of these miRNAs using in silico analysis. We confirmed a potential target protein by western blot analysis and luciferase assays. RESULTS The expression of miR-365 was significantly upregulated under hypoxic conditions. In silico analysis showed that miR-365 targeted human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G. Both hypoxic conditions and overexpression of miR-365 inhibited the expression of HLA-G proteins. The overexpression of miR-365 also decreased the activity of the luciferase reporter containing the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of HLA-G with the predicted miR-365-binding site. DISCUSSION HLA-G is a non-classical HLA class-Ib molecule that is expressed mainly in extravillous trophoblasts and which plays a key role in maintaining immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface. Our results indicate that miR-365 targets the HLA-G 3' UTR to repress its expression. The expression of miR-365 may play an important role in human placental development and in immunoprotection of the semiallogenic embryo.
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Bongini L, Pongor C, Falorsi G, Pertici I, Kellermayer M, Lombardi V, Bianco P. An AT-barrier mechanically controls DNA reannealing under tension. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:7954-62. [PMID: 27378772 PMCID: PMC5027502 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of genomic activity occurs through the manipulation of DNA by competent mechanoenzymes. Force-clamp optical tweezers that allow the structural dynamics of the DNA molecule to be measured were used here to investigate the kinetics of mechanically-driven strand reannealing. When the force on the torsionally unconstrained λ-phage DNA is decreased stepwise from above to below the overstretching transition, reannealing occurs via discrete shortening steps separated by exponentially distributed time intervals. Kinetic analysis reveals a transition barrier 0.58 nm along the reaction coordinate and an average reannealing-step size of ∼750 bp, consistent with the average bp interval separating segments of more than 10 consecutive AT bases. In an AT-rich DNA construct, in which the distance between segments of more than 10 consecutive AT is reduced to ∼210 bps, the reannealing step reduces accordingly without changes in the position of the transition barrier. Thus, the transition barrier for reannealing is determined by the presence of segments of more than 10 consecutive AT bps independent of changes in sequence composition, while the length of the reannealing strand changes according to the distance between poly-AT segments at least 10 bps long.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Bongini
- PhysioLab, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via G. Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - C Pongor
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 37-47 Budapest IX, H-1094 Hungary
| | - G Falorsi
- PhysioLab, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via G. Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - I Pertici
- PhysioLab, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via G. Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - M Kellermayer
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 37-47 Budapest IX, H-1094 Hungary
| | - V Lombardi
- PhysioLab, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via G. Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - P Bianco
- PhysioLab, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via G. Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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Almaqwashi AA, Paramanathan T, Rouzina I, Williams MC. Mechanisms of small molecule-DNA interactions probed by single-molecule force spectroscopy. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:3971-88. [PMID: 27085806 PMCID: PMC4872107 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a wide range of applications for non-covalent DNA binding ligands, and optimization of such interactions requires detailed understanding of the binding mechanisms. One important class of these ligands is that of intercalators, which bind DNA by inserting aromatic moieties between adjacent DNA base pairs. Characterizing the dynamic and equilibrium aspects of DNA-intercalator complex assembly may allow optimization of DNA binding for specific functions. Single-molecule force spectroscopy studies have recently revealed new details about the molecular mechanisms governing DNA intercalation. These studies can provide the binding kinetics and affinity as well as determining the magnitude of the double helix structural deformations during the dynamic assembly of DNA–ligand complexes. These results may in turn guide the rational design of intercalators synthesized for DNA-targeted drugs, optical probes, or integrated biological self-assembly processes. Herein, we survey the progress in experimental methods as well as the corresponding analysis framework for understanding single molecule DNA binding mechanisms. We discuss briefly minor and major groove binding ligands, and then focus on intercalators, which have been probed extensively with these methods. Conventional mono-intercalators and bis-intercalators are discussed, followed by unconventional DNA intercalation. We then consider the prospects for using these methods in optimizing conventional and unconventional DNA-intercalating small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Almaqwashi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Ioulia Rouzina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Mark C Williams
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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A distant trophoblast-specific enhancer controls HLA-G expression at the maternal-fetal interface. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:5364-9. [PMID: 27078102 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1602886113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
HLA-G, a nonclassical HLA molecule uniquely expressed in the placenta, is a central component of fetus-induced immune tolerance during pregnancy. The tissue-specific expression of HLA-G, however, remains poorly understood. Here, systematic interrogation of the HLA-G locus using massively parallel reporter assay (MPRA) uncovered a previously unidentified cis-regulatory element 12 kb upstream of HLA-G with enhancer activity, Enhancer L Strikingly, clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9-mediated deletion of this enhancer resulted in ablation of HLA-G expression in JEG3 cells and in primary human trophoblasts isolated from placenta. RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that Enhancer L specifically controls HLA-G expression. Moreover, DNase-seq and chromatin conformation capture (3C) defined Enhancer L as a cell type-specific enhancer that loops into the HLA-G promoter. Interestingly, MPRA-based saturation mutagenesis of Enhancer L identified motifs for transcription factors of the CEBP and GATA families essential for placentation. These factors associate with Enhancer L and regulate HLA-G expression. Our findings identify long-range chromatin looping mediated by core trophoblast transcription factors as the mechanism controlling tissue-specific HLA-G expression at the maternal-fetal interface. More broadly, these results establish the combination of MPRA and CRISPR/Cas9 deletion as a powerful strategy to investigate human immune gene regulation.
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