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Egli L, Kaulfuss M, Mietz J, Picozzi A, Verhoeyen E, Münz C, Chijioke O. CAR T cells outperform CAR NK cells in CAR-mediated effector functions in head-to-head comparison. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:51. [PMID: 38745250 PMCID: PMC11092129 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00522-6] [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: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CAR NK cells as vehicles for engineered "off-the-shelf" cellular cancer immunotherapy have attracted significant interest. Nonetheless, a comprehensive comparative assessment of the anticancer activity of CAR T cells and CAR NK cells carrying approved benchmark anti-CD19 CAR constructs is missing. Here, we report a direct head-to-head comparison of CD19-directed human T and NK cells. METHODS We generated CAR T and CAR NK cells derived from healthy donor PBMC by retroviral transduction with the same benchmark second-generation anti-CD19 CAR construct, FMC63.28z. We investigated IFN-γ secretion and direct cytotoxicity in vitro against various CD19+ cancer cell lines as well as in autologous versus allogeneic settings. Furthermore, we have assessed anticancer activity of CAR T and CAR NK cells in vivo using a xenograft lymphoma model in an autologous versus allogeneic setting and a leukemia model. RESULTS Our main findings are a drastically reduced capacity for CAR-mediated IFN-γ production and lower CAR-mediated cytotoxicity of CAR NK cells relative to CAR T cells in vitro. Consistent with these in vitro findings, we report superior anticancer activity of autologous CAR T cells compared with allogeneic CAR NK cells in vivo. CONCLUSIONS CAR T cells had significantly higher CAR-mediated effector functions than CAR NK cells in vitro against several cancer cell lines and autologous CAR T cells outperformed allogeneic CAR NK cells both in vitro and in vivo. CAR NK cells will likely benefit from further engineering to enhance anticancer activity to ultimately fulfill the promise of an effective off-the-shelf product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Egli
- Cellular Immunotherapy, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Meike Kaulfuss
- Cellular Immunotherapy, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Juliane Mietz
- Cellular Immunotherapy, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Arianna Picozzi
- Cellular Immunotherapy, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Els Verhoeyen
- International Center for Infectiology, research team Enveloped Viruses, Vectors and Innate Responses, Institut national de la Santé et de la recherche médicale, unité 1111, Unité mixte de recherche 5308, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Christian Münz
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Obinna Chijioke
- Cellular Immunotherapy, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Hermans L, O’Sullivan TE. No time to die: Epigenetic regulation of natural killer cell survival. Immunol Rev 2024; 323:61-79. [PMID: 38426615 PMCID: PMC11102341 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13314] [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] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
NK cells are short-lived innate lymphocytes that can mediate antigen-independent responses to infection and cancer. However, studies from the past two decades have shown that NK cells can acquire transcriptional and epigenetic modifications during inflammation that result in increased survival and lifespan. These findings blur the lines between the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, and suggest that the homeostatic mechanisms that govern the persistence of innate immune cells are malleable. Indeed, recent studies have shown that NK cells undergo continuous and strictly regulated adaptations controlling their survival during development, tissue residency, and following inflammation. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the critical factors regulating NK cell survival throughout their lifespan, with a specific emphasis on the epigenetic modifications that regulate the survival of NK cells in various contexts. A precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern NK cell survival will be important to enhance therapies for cancer and infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Hermans
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Timothy E. O’Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Wong P, Fehniger TA. Fat matters for natural killer cell activity. Nat Immunol 2024; 25:728-730. [PMID: 38637666 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-024-01825-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Wong
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Todd A Fehniger
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
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Karmakar S, Mishra A, Pal P, Lal G. Effector and cytolytic function of natural killer cells in anticancer immunity. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:235-252. [PMID: 37818891 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad126] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptive immune cells play an important role in mounting antigen-specific antitumor immunity. The contribution of innate immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, and gamma-delta T cells is well studied in cancer immunology. NK cells are innate lymphoid cells that show effector and regulatory function in a contact-dependent and contact-independent manner. The cytotoxic function of NK cells plays an important role in killing the infected and transformed host cells and controlling infection and tumor growth. However, several studies have also ascribed the role of NK cells in inducing pathophysiology in autoimmune diseases, promoting immune tolerance in the uterus, and antitumor function in the tumor microenvironment. We discuss the fundamentals of NK cell biology, its distribution in different organs, cellular and molecular interactions, and its cytotoxic and noncytotoxic functions in cancer biology. We also highlight the use of NK cell-based adoptive cellular therapy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surojit Karmakar
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Tolerance, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India
| | - Amrita Mishra
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Tolerance, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India
| | - Pradipta Pal
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Tolerance, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India
| | - Girdhari Lal
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Tolerance, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India
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Liang Y, Wang L, Ma P, Ju D, Zhao M, Shi Y. Enhancing anti-tumor immune responses through combination therapies: epigenetic drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1308264. [PMID: 38077327 PMCID: PMC10704038 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1308264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are processes that affect gene expression and cellular functions without involving changes in the DNA sequence. This abnormal or unstable expression of genes regulated by epigenetics can trigger cancer and other various diseases. The immune cells involved in anti-tumor responses and the immunogenicity of tumors may also be affected by epigenomic changes. This holds significant implications for the development and application of cancer immunotherapy, epigenetic therapy, and their combined treatments in the fight against cancer. We provide an overview of recent research literature focusing on how epigenomic changes in immune cells influence immune cell behavior and function, as well as the immunogenicity of cancer cells. And the combined utilization of epigenetic medications with immune checkpoint inhibitors that focus on immune checkpoint molecules [e.g., Programmed Death 1 (PD-1), Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4), T cell Immunoglobulin and Mucin Domain (TIM-3), Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3)] present in immune cells and stromal cells associated with tumors. We highlight the potential of small-molecule inhibitors targeting epigenetic regulators to amplify anti-tumor immune responses. Moreover, we discuss how to leverage the intricate relationship between cancer epigenetics and cancer immunology to create treatment regimens that integrate epigenetic therapies with immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liang
- Precision Pharmacy and Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Wuchang Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Wuchang Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Peijun Ma
- Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongen Ju
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Minggao Zhao
- Precision Pharmacy and Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yun Shi
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
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Rožmanić C, Lisnić B, Pribanić Matešić M, Mihalić A, Hiršl L, Park E, Lesac Brizić A, Indenbirken D, Viduka I, Šantić M, Adler B, Yokoyama WM, Krmpotić A, Juranić Lisnić V, Jonjić S, Brizić I. Perinatal murine cytomegalovirus infection reshapes the transcriptional profile and functionality of NK cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6412. [PMID: 37828009 PMCID: PMC10570381 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42182-w] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections in early life can elicit substantially different immune responses and pathogenesis than infections in adulthood. Here, we investigate the consequences of murine cytomegalovirus infection in newborn mice on NK cells. We show that infection severely compromised NK cell maturation and functionality in newborns. This effect was not due to compromised virus control. Inflammatory responses to infection dysregulated the expression of major transcription factors governing NK cell fate, such as Eomes, resulting in impaired NK cell function. Most prominently, NK cells from perinatally infected mice have a diminished ability to produce IFN-γ due to the downregulation of long non-coding RNA Ifng-as1 expression. Moreover, the bone marrow's capacity to efficiently generate new NK cells is reduced, explaining the prolonged negative effects of perinatal infection on NK cells. This study demonstrates that viral infections in early life can profoundly impact NK cell biology, including long-lasting impairment in NK cell functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Rožmanić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Berislav Lisnić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Andrea Mihalić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Lea Hiršl
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Eugene Park
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ana Lesac Brizić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Daniela Indenbirken
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ina Viduka
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Marina Šantić
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Barbara Adler
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute & Gene Center, Virology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wayne M Yokoyama
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Astrid Krmpotić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Vanda Juranić Lisnić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Stipan Jonjić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Ilija Brizić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
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