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Dufva O, Gandolfi S, Huuhtanen J, Dashevsky O, Duàn H, Saeed K, Klievink J, Nygren P, Bouhlal J, Lahtela J, Näätänen A, Ghimire BR, Hannunen T, Ellonen P, Lähteenmäki H, Rumm P, Theodoropoulos J, Laajala E, Härkönen J, Pölönen P, Heinäniemi M, Hollmén M, Yamano S, Shirasaki R, Barbie DA, Roth JA, Romee R, Sheffer M, Lähdesmäki H, Lee DA, De Matos Simoes R, Kankainen M, Mitsiades CS, Mustjoki S. Single-cell functional genomics reveals determinants of sensitivity and resistance to natural killer cells in blood cancers. Immunity 2023; 56:2816-2835.e13. [PMID: 38091953 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells can evade natural killer (NK) cell activity, thereby limiting anti-tumor immunity. To reveal genetic determinants of susceptibility to NK cell activity, we examined interacting NK cells and blood cancer cells using single-cell and genome-scale functional genomics screens. Interaction of NK and cancer cells induced distinct activation and type I interferon (IFN) states in both cell types depending on the cancer cell lineage and molecular phenotype, ranging from more sensitive myeloid to less sensitive B-lymphoid cancers. CRISPR screens in cancer cells uncovered genes regulating sensitivity and resistance to NK cell-mediated killing, including adhesion-related glycoproteins, protein fucosylation genes, and transcriptional regulators, in addition to confirming the importance of antigen presentation and death receptor signaling pathways. CRISPR screens with a single-cell transcriptomic readout provided insight into underlying mechanisms, including regulation of IFN-γ signaling in cancer cells and NK cell activation states. Our findings highlight the diversity of mechanisms influencing NK cell susceptibility across different cancers and provide a resource for NK cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olli Dufva
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sara Gandolfi
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jani Huuhtanen
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Olga Dashevsky
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Ludwig Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Hanna Duàn
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Khalid Saeed
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jay Klievink
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petra Nygren
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonas Bouhlal
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jenni Lahtela
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Näätänen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bishwa R Ghimire
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tiina Hannunen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pekka Ellonen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Lähteenmäki
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pauliina Rumm
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jason Theodoropoulos
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Essi Laajala
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jouni Härkönen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Petri Pölönen
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Merja Heinäniemi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Maija Hollmén
- Medicity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Shizuka Yamano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Ludwig Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ryosuke Shirasaki
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Ludwig Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - David A Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Ludwig Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jennifer A Roth
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Rizwan Romee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Ludwig Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Michal Sheffer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Ludwig Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Harri Lähdesmäki
- Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Dean A Lee
- Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Ricardo De Matos Simoes
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Ludwig Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Matti Kankainen
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Laboratory of Genetics, HUS Diagnostic Center, Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusima (HUS), 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Constantine S Mitsiades
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Ludwig Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Satu Mustjoki
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.
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Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi M, Yazdanparast S, Mikanik F, Izadpanah A, Parkhideh S, Shahbaz Ghasabeh A, Roshandel E, Hajifathali A, Gharehbaghian A. Cytokine-Induced Memory-Like NK Cells: Emerging strategy for AML immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115718. [PMID: 37857247 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease developed from the malignant expansion of myeloid precursor cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. The implementation of intensive chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has improved outcomes associated with AML, but relapse, along with suboptimal outcomes, is still a common scenario. In the past few years, exploring new therapeutic strategies to optimize treatment outcomes has occurred rapidly. In this regard, natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy has attracted clinical interest due to its critical role in immunosurveillance and their capabilities to target AML blasts. NK cells are cytotoxic innate lymphoid cells that mediate anti-viral and anti-tumor responses by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and directly inducing cytotoxicity. Although NK cells are well known as short-lived innate immune cells with non-specific responses that have limited their clinical applications, the discovery of cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) NK cells could overcome these challenges. NK cells pre-activated with the cytokine combination IL-12/15/18 achieved a long-term life span with adaptive immunity characteristics, termed CIML-NK cells. Previous studies documented that using CIML-NK cells in cancer treatment is safe and results in promising outcomes. This review highlights the current application, challenges, and opportunities of CIML-NK cell-based therapy in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Yazdanparast
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mikanik
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Izadpanah
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Parkhideh
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Shahbaz Ghasabeh
- Department of Hematology and Blood Bank, School of Allied Medical Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Roshandel
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Hajifathali
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ahmad Gharehbaghian
- Department of Hematology and Blood Bank, School of Allied Medical Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; Pediatric Congenital Hematologic Disorders Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Carreira-Santos S, López-Sejas N, González-Sánchez M, Sánchez-Hernández E, Pera A, Hassouneh F, Durán E, Solana R, Casado JG, Tarazona R. Enhanced expression of natural cytotoxicity receptors on cytokine-induced memory-like natural killer cells correlates with effector function. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1256404. [PMID: 37908353 PMCID: PMC10613704 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1256404] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Natural killer (NK) cells are a key component of the innate immune system, involved in defending the host against virus-infected cells and tumor immunosurveillance. Under in vitro culture conditions, IL-12/15/18 can induce a memory-like phenotype in NK cells. These cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) NK cells possess desirable characteristics for immunotherapies, including a longer lifespan and increased cytotoxicity. Methods In this study, NK cells were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy donors and stimulated with IL-12/15/18 to induce a memory-like phenotype or with IL-15 alone as a control. After seven days of culture, multiparametric flow cytometry analysis was performed to evaluate the phenotypic and functional profiles of CIML and control NK cells. Results Our results showed a significantly higher expression of CD25, CD69, NKG2D, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, TACTILE, and Granzyme B in CIML NK cells compared to control NK cells. In contrast, KIR2D expression was significantly lower in CIML NK cells than in control NK cells. Moreover, functional experiments demonstrated that CIML NK cells displayed enhanced degranulation capacity and increased intracellular IFN-γ production against the target cell line K562. Interestingly, the degranulation capacity of CIML NK cells was positively correlated with the expression of the activating receptors NKp46 and NKp30, as well as with the inhibitory receptor TACTILE. Discussion In conclusion, this study provides a deep phenotypic characterization of in vitro-expanded CIML NK cells. Moreover, the correlations found between NK cell receptors and degranulation capacity of CIML NK cells allowed the identification of several biomarkers that could be useful in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía Carreira-Santos
- Immunology Unit, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Nelson López-Sejas
- Immunology Unit, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | | | - Eva Sánchez-Hernández
- Immunology Unit, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Alejandra Pera
- Immunology and Allergy Group (GC01), Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Fakhri Hassouneh
- Immunology and Allergy Group (GC01), Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Esther Durán
- Anatomy and Comparative Pathological Anatomy Unit, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Rafael Solana
- Immunology and Allergy Group (GC01), Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Immunology and Allergy Service, Reina Sofia University Hospital, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Javier G. Casado
- Immunology Unit, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- RICORS-TERAV Network, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Raquel Tarazona
- Immunology Unit, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
- Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
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Sun L, Jiang G, Ng YY, Xiao L, Du Z, Wang S, Zhu J. T cells with split CARs specific for NKG2D ligands and PD-L1 exhibit improved selectivity towards monocyte-derived cells while effective in eliminating acute myeloid leukaemia in vivo. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:10189-10201. [PMID: 37270461 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04865-1] [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: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The expression of NKG2D ligands and PD-L1 has been detected on acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cells, as well as normal cells of the myeloid lineage. To target leukemic cells while minimizing collateral damage to normal cells, we constructed a split dual CAR system based on the AND-gate logic. METHODS The NKG2D extracellular domain linked with DAP12 without a co-stimulatory signal was used for the basal activation of T cells, and used together with the PD-L1-specific chimeric costimulatory receptor containing the 4-1BB activating domain for co-stimulatory signal 2 input. This dual CAR displayed cell-type specificity and activity similar as a 2nd generation NKG2D ligand-specific CAR. RESULTS When compared to CD64 and PD-L1-specific 2nd generation CARs, we observed that the split dual CAR offered an improved myeloid cell type selectivity. For example, PD-L1-specific CAR-T cells lysed all tested myeloid cell types that expressed PD-L1, including M0 macrophages (Mø0), LPS-polarized Mø1, IFN-γ polarized Mø1, IL-4 polarized Mø2, monocytes, immature dendritic cells (imDCs), mature DCs, as well as KG-1 AML cells, while the dual CAR-T cells displaying killing activity only towards LPS polarized Mø1, mature DCs and KG-1 cells that expressed both NKG2D ligands and PD-L1. In a mouse liquid tumor model, the dual CAR-T cells were effective in eradicating established KG-1 AML xenografts. CONCLUSION The improved cell type specificity offered by our split dual CAR-T cell system targeting paired antigens would favour the reduction of the on-target off-tumor toxicity towards normal myeloid cells during the treatment of myeloid leukaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Sun
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangyi Jiang
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Yang Ng
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Lin Xiao
- CNK Cell Therapeutics, #501, No 2 Avenue, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhicheng Du
- CNK Cell Therapeutics, #501, No 2 Avenue, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shu Wang
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
- CNK Cell Therapeutics, #501, No 2 Avenue, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jianqing Zhu
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, People's Republic of China.
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Jin X, Xie D, Sun R, Lu W, Xiao X, Yu Y, Meng J, Zhao M. CAR-T cells dual-target CD123 and NKG2DLs to eradicate AML cells and selectively target immunosuppressive cells. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2248826. [PMID: 37645216 PMCID: PMC10461507 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2248826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have not made significant progress in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in earlyclinical studies. This lack of progress could be attributed in part to the immunosuppressive microenvironment of AML, such as monocyte-like myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2 cells), which can inhibit the antitumor activity of CAR-T cells. Furthermore, AML cells are usually heterogeneous, and single-target CAR-T cells may not be able to eliminate all AML cells, leading to disease relapse. CD123 and NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are commonly used targets for CAR-T therapy of AML, and M-MDSCs and M2 cells express both antigens. We developed dual-targeted CAR-T (123NL CAR-T) cells targeting CD123 and NKG2DL by various structural optimization screens. Our study reveals that 123NL CAR-T cells eradicate AML cells and selectively target immunosuppressive cells. A highly compact marker/suicide gene, RQR8, which binds targeting epitopes of CD34 and CD20 antigens, was also incorporated in front of the CAR structure. The binding of Rituximab to RQR8 leads to the elimination of 123NL CAR-T cells and cessation of their cytotoxicity. In conclusion, we successfully developed dual effects of 123NL CAR-T cells against tumor cells and immunosuppressive cells, which can avoid target escape and resist the effects of immunosuppressive microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Jin
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Danni Xie
- First Central Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rui Sun
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenyi Lu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xia Xiao
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yibing Yu
- First Central Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Juanxia Meng
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mingfeng Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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Kent A, Crump LS, Davila E. Beyond αβ T cells: NK, iNKT, and γδT cell biology in leukemic patients and potential for off-the-shelf adoptive cell therapies for AML. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1202950. [PMID: 37654497 PMCID: PMC10465706 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1202950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains an elusive disease to treat, let alone cure, even after highly intensive therapies such as stem cell transplants. Adoptive cell therapeutic strategies based on conventional alpha beta (αβ)T cells are an active area of research in myeloid neoplasms given their remarkable success in other hematologic malignancies, particularly B-cell-derived acute lymphoid leukemia, myeloma, and lymphomas. Several limitations have hindered clinical application of adoptive cell therapies in AML including lack of leukemia-specific antigens, on-target-off-leukemic toxicity, immunosuppressive microenvironments, and leukemic stem cell populations elusive to immune recognition and destruction. While there are promising T cell-based therapies including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T designs under development, other cytotoxic lymphocyte cell subsets have unique phenotypes and capabilities that might be of additional benefit in AML treatment. Of particular interest are the natural killer (NK) and unconventional T cells known as invariant natural killer T (iNKT) and gamma delta (γδ) T cells. NK, iNKT, and γδT cells exhibit intrinsic anti-malignant properties, potential for alloreactivity, and human leukocyte-antigen (HLA)-independent function. Here we review the biology of each of these unconventional cytotoxic lymphocyte cell types and compare and contrast their strengths and limitations as the basis for adoptive cell therapies for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kent
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
- Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Initiative, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aurora, CO, United States
| | | | - Eduardo Davila
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
- Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Initiative, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
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Tan G, Spillane KM, Maher J. The Role and Regulation of the NKG2D/NKG2D Ligand System in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1079. [PMID: 37626965 PMCID: PMC10452210 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The family of human NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) consists of eight stress-induced molecules. Over 80% of human cancers express these ligands on the surface of tumour cells and/or associated stromal elements. In mice, NKG2D deficiency increases susceptibility to some types of cancer, implicating this system in immune surveillance for malignancy. However, NKG2DL can also be shed, released via exosomes and trapped intracellularly, leading to immunosuppressive effects. Moreover, NKG2D can enhance chronic inflammatory processes which themselves can increase cancer risk and progression. Indeed, tumours commonly deploy a range of countermeasures that can neutralise or even corrupt this surveillance system, tipping the balance away from immune control towards tumour progression. Consequently, the prognostic impact of NKG2DL expression in human cancer is variable. In this review, we consider the underlying biology and regulation of the NKG2D/NKG2DL system and its expression and role in a range of cancer types. We also consider the opportunities for pharmacological modulation of NKG2DL expression while cautioning that such interventions need to be carefully calibrated according to the biology of the specific cancer type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Tan
- CAR Mechanics Group, Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | | | - John Maher
- CAR Mechanics Group, Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK;
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne BN21 2UD, UK
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
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Damiani D, Tiribelli M. Checkpoint Inhibitors in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1724. [PMID: 37371818 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061724] [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: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unsatisfactory. Among the reasons for the poor response to therapy and high incidence of relapse, there is tumor cell immune escape, as AML blasts can negatively influence various components of the immune system, mostly weakening T-cells. Since leukemic cells can dysregulate immune checkpoints (ICs), receptor-based signal transductors that lead to the negative regulation of T-cells and, eventually, to immune surveillance escape, the inhibition of ICs is a promising therapeutic strategy and has led to the development of so-called immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). ICIs, in combination with conventional chemotherapy, hypomethylating agents or targeted therapies, are being increasingly tested in cases of AML, but the results reported are often conflicting. Here, we review the main issues concerning the immune system in AML, the main pathways leading to immune escape and the results obtained from clinical trials of ICIs, alone or in combination, in newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Damiani
- Division of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Udine Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Udine University, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Mario Tiribelli
- Division of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Udine Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Udine University, 33100 Udine, Italy
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9
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Christodoulou I, Solomou EE. A Panorama of Immune Fighters Armored with CARs in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15113054. [PMID: 37297016 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15113054] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a devastating disease. Intensive chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment but results in debilitating toxicities. Moreover, many treated patients will eventually require hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for disease control, which is the only potentially curative but challenging option. Ultimately, a subset of patients will relapse or have refractory disease, posing a huge challenge to further therapeutic decisions. Targeted immunotherapies hold promise for relapsed/refractory (r/r) malignancies by directing the immune system against cancer. Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are important components of targeted immunotherapy. Indeed, CAR-T cells have achieved unprecedented success against r/r CD19+ malignancies. However, CAR-T cells have only achieved modest outcomes in clinical studies on r/r AML. Natural killer (NK) cells have innate anti-AML functionality and can be engineered with CARs to improve their antitumor response. CAR-NKs are associated with lower toxicities than CAR-T cells; however, their clinical efficacy against AML has not been extensively investigated. In this review, we cite the results from clinical studies of CAR-T cells in AML and describe their limitations and safety concerns. Moreover, we depict the clinical and preclinical landscape of CAR used in alternative immune cell platforms with a specific focus on CAR-NKs, providing insight into the future optimization of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Christodoulou
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, 26500 Rion, Greece
| | - Elena E Solomou
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, 26500 Rion, Greece
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10
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Bakhtiari T, Ahmadvand M, Salmaninejad A, Ghaderi A, Yaghmaie M, Sadeghi A, Mousavi SA, Rostami T, Ganjalikhani-Hakemi M. The Influence of KIR Gene Polymorphisms and KIR-ligand Binding on Outcomes in Hematologic Malignancies following Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2023; 23:868-878. [PMID: 37226789 DOI: 10.2174/1568009623666230523155808] [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: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell behavior and function are controlled by a balance between negative or positive signals generated by an extensive array of activating and inhibiting receptors, including killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) proteins, main components of the innate immune system that contribute to initial responses against viral infected-transformed cells through generation of the release of cytokines and cytotoxicity. What is certain is that KIRs are genetically polymorphic and the extent of KIRs diversity within the individuals may have the potential outcomes for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In this regard, recent studies suggest that KIR is as imperative as its ligand (HLA) in stem cell transplantation for malignant diseases. However, unlike HLA epitope mismatches, which are well-known causes of NK alloreactivity, a complete understanding of KIR genes' role in HSCT remains unclear. Because of genetic variability in KIR gene content, allelic polymorphism, and cell-surface expression among individuals, an appropriate selection of donors based on HLA and KIR profiles is crucial to improve outcomes of stem cell transplantation. In addition, the impact of the KIR/HLA interaction on HSCT outcomes needs to be investigated more comprehensively. The present work aimed to review the NK cell regeneration, KIR gene polymorphisms, and KIRligand binding on outcomes in hematologic malignancies following haploidentical stem cell transplantation. Comprehensive data gathered from the literature can provide new insight into the significance of KIR matching status in transplantations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Bakhtiari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ahmadvand
- Cell Therapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology, and Cell Therapy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arash Salmaninejad
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine, Organ Procurement and Transplantation Multi-Disciplinary Center, Razi Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Afshin Ghaderi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology Ward, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Marjan Yaghmaie
- Cell Therapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology, and Cell Therapy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Sadeghi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Seied Asadollah Mousavi
- Cell Therapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology, and Cell Therapy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Rostami
- Cell Therapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology, and Cell Therapy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mazdak Ganjalikhani-Hakemi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
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11
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Li Y, Wang H, Zhao Z, Yang Y, Meng Z, Qin L. Effects of the interactions between platelets with other cells in tumor growth and progression. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1165989. [PMID: 37153586 PMCID: PMC10158495 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1165989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been confirmed that platelets play a key role in tumorigenesis. Tumor-activated platelets can recruit blood cells and immune cells to migrate, establish an inflammatory tumor microenvironment at the sites of primary and metastatic tumors. On the other hand, they can also promote the differentiation of mesenchymal cells, which can accelerate the proliferation, genesis and migration of blood vessels. The role of platelets in tumors has been well studied. However, a growing number of studies suggest that interactions between platelets and immune cells (e.g., dendritic cells, natural killer cells, monocytes, and red blood cells) also play an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor development. In this review, we summarize the major cells that are closely associated with platelets and discuss the essential role of the interaction between platelets with these cells in tumorigenesis and tumor development.
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12
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Schorr C, Perna F. Targets for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy of acute myeloid leukemia. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1085978. [PMID: 36605213 PMCID: PMC9809466 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1085978] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive myeloid malignancy associated with high mortality rates (less than 30% 5-year survival). Despite advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning leukemogenesis, standard-of-care therapeutic approaches have not changed over the last couple of decades. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting CD19 has shown remarkable clinical outcomes for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is now an FDA-approved therapy. Targeting of myeloid malignancies that are CD19-negative with this promising technology remains challenging largely due to lack of alternate target antigens, complex clonal heterogeneity, and the increased recognition of an immunosuppressive bone marrow. We carefully reviewed a comprehensive list of AML targets currently being used in both proof-of-concept pre-clinical and experimental clinical settings. We analyzed the expression profile of these molecules in leukemic as well normal tissues using reliable protein databases and data reported in the literature and we provide an updated overview of the current clinical trials with CAR T-cells in AML. Our study represents a state-of-art review of the field and serves as a potential guide for selecting known AML-associated targets for adoptive cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Schorr
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Fabiana Perna
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States,*Correspondence: Fabiana Perna,
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13
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Role of PARP Inhibitors in Cancer Immunotherapy: Potential Friends to Immune Activating Molecules and Foes to Immune Checkpoints. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225633. [PMID: 36428727 PMCID: PMC9688455 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225633] [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: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) induce cytotoxic effects as single agents in tumors characterized by defective repair of DNA double-strand breaks deriving from BRCA1/2 mutations or other abnormalities in genes associated with homologous recombination. Preclinical studies have shown that PARPi-induced DNA damage may affect the tumor immune microenvironment and immune-mediated anti-tumor response through several mechanisms. In particular, increased DNA damage has been shown to induce the activation of type I interferon pathway and up-regulation of PD-L1 expression in cancer cells, which can both enhance sensitivity to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs). Despite the recent approval of ICIs for a number of advanced cancer types based on their ability to reinvigorate T-cell-mediated antitumor immune responses, a consistent percentage of treated patients fail to respond, strongly encouraging the identification of combination therapies to overcome resistance. In the present review, we analyzed both established and unexplored mechanisms that may be elicited by PARPi, supporting immune reactivation and their potential synergism with currently used ICIs. This analysis may indicate novel and possibly patient-specific immune features that might represent new pharmacological targets of PARPi, potentially leading to the identification of predictive biomarkers of response to their combination with ICIs.
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14
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Witalisz-Siepracka A, Klein K, Zdársky B, Stoiber D. The Multifaceted Role of STAT3 in NK-Cell Tumor Surveillance. Front Immunol 2022; 13:947568. [PMID: 35865518 PMCID: PMC9294167 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.947568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a member of the Janus kinase (JAK)-STAT pathway, which is one of the key pathways contributing to cancer. STAT3 regulates transcription downstream of many cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. In cancer, STAT3 is mainly described as a tumor promoter driving tumor cell proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis and aberrant activation of STAT3 is associated with poor prognosis. STAT3 is also an important driver of immune evasion. Among many other immunosuppressive mechanisms, STAT3 aids tumor cells to escape natural killer (NK) cell-mediated immune surveillance. NK cells are innate lymphocytes, which can directly kill malignant cells but also regulate adaptive immune responses and contribute to the composition of the tumor microenvironment. The inborn ability to lyse transformed cells renders NK cells an attractive tool for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we provide an overview of the role of STAT3 in the dynamic interplay between NK cells and tumor cells. On the one hand, we summarize the current knowledge on how tumor cell-intrinsic STAT3 drives the evasion from NK cells. On the other hand, we describe the multiple functions of STAT3 in regulating NK-cell cytotoxicity, cytokine production and their anti-tumor responses in vivo. In light of the ongoing research on STAT3 inhibitors, we also discuss how targeting STAT3 would affect the two arms of STAT3-dependent regulation of NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Understanding the complexity of this interplay in the tumor microenvironment is crucial for future implementation of NK cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Witalisz-Siepracka
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Division Pharmacology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Klara Klein
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Zdársky
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Division Pharmacology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Dagmar Stoiber
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Division Pharmacology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
- *Correspondence: Dagmar Stoiber,
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15
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Barakos GP, Hatzimichael E. Microenvironmental Features Driving Immune Evasion in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Diseases 2022; 10:diseases10020033. [PMID: 35735633 PMCID: PMC9221594 DOI: 10.3390/diseases10020033] [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] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone marrow, besides the known functions of hematopoiesis, is an active organ of the immune system, functioning as a sanctuary for several mature immune cells. Moreover, evidence suggests that hematopoietic stem cells (the bone marrow’s functional unit) are capable of directly sensing and responding to an array of exogenous stimuli. This chronic immune stimulation is harmful to normal hematopoietic stem cells, while essential for the propagation of myeloid diseases, which show a dysregulated immune microenvironment. The bone marrow microenvironment in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is characterized by chronic inflammatory activity and immune dysfunction, that drive excessive cellular death and through immune evasion assist in cancer cell expansion. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is another example of immune response failure, with features that augment immune evasion and suppression. In this review, we will outline some of the functions of the bone marrow with immunological significance and describe the alterations in the immune landscape of MDS and AML that drive disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Petros Barakos
- First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Piraeus “Tzaneio”, 18536 Piraeus, Greece;
| | - Eleftheria Hatzimichael
- Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
- Correspondence:
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16
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Rahmani S, Yazdanpanah N, Rezaei N. Natural killer cells and acute myeloid leukemia: promises and challenges. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:2849-2867. [PMID: 35639116 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03217-1] [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: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is considered as one of the most malignant conditions of the bone marrow. Over the past few decades, despite substantial progresses in the management of AML, relapse remission remains a major problem. Natural killer cells (NK cells) are known as a unique component of the innate immune system. Due to swift tumor detection, distinct cytotoxic action, and extensive immune interaction, NK cells have been used in various cancer settings for decades. It has been a growing knowledge of therapeutic magnitudes ranging from adoptive NK cell transfer to chimeric antigen receptor NK cells, aiming to achieve better therapeutic responses in patients with AML. In this article, the potentials of NK cells for treatment of AML are highlighted, and challenges for such therapeutic methods are discussed. In addition, the clinical application of NK cells, mainly in patients with AML, is pictured according to the existing evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayan Rahmani
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloufar Yazdanpanah
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, 14194, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, 14194, Iran. .,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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17
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Wiatrowski K, Kim TH, Przespolewski A. Cellular and Molecular Biomarkers Predictive of Response to Immunotherapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 12:826768. [PMID: 35664748 PMCID: PMC9160191 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.826768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has without question revolutionized the treatment of both hematologic and solid malignancies. Over the last several years novel strategies are being developed to incorporate these groundbreaking therapies into the care of patients with AML. Here we present an overview of the recent developments in immunotherapy for AML with a focus on biomarkers of response. Topics reviewed include antibody drug conjugates, BiTEs, DARTs, checkpoint inhibitors, and cellular therapy as well as the development of biomarkers predictive of response in each class.
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18
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Jones AB, Rocco A, Lamb LS, Friedman GK, Hjelmeland AB. Regulation of NKG2D Stress Ligands and Its Relevance in Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2339. [PMID: 35565467 PMCID: PMC9105350 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Under cellular distress, multiple facets of normal homeostatic signaling are altered or disrupted. In the context of the immune landscape, external and internal stressors normally promote the expression of natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) ligands that allow for the targeted recognition and killing of cells by NKG2D receptor-bearing effector populations. The presence or absence of NKG2D ligands can heavily influence disease progression and impact the accessibility of immunotherapy options. In cancer, tumor cells are known to have distinct regulatory mechanisms for NKG2D ligands that are directly associated with tumor progression and maintenance. Therefore, understanding the regulation of NKG2D ligands in cancer will allow for targeted therapeutic endeavors aimed at exploiting the stress response pathway. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of regulatory mechanisms controlling the induction and repression of NKG2D ligands in cancer. Additionally, we highlight current therapeutic endeavors targeting NKG2D ligand expression and offer our perspective on considerations to further enhance the field of NKG2D ligand biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber B. Jones
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Abbey Rocco
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.R.); (G.K.F.)
| | | | - Gregory K. Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.R.); (G.K.F.)
| | - Anita B. Hjelmeland
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
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19
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Liu M, Du M, Yu J, Qian Z, Gao Y, Pan W, Zhao X, Wang M, Li H, Zheng J, Huang Q, Wang LM, Xiao H. CEBPA mutants down-regulate AML cell susceptibility to NK-mediated lysis by disruption of the expression of NKG2D ligands, which can be restored by LSD1 inhibition. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2016158. [PMID: 35003895 PMCID: PMC8741297 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.2016158] [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] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
NK group 2, member D (NKG2D) is one of the most critical activating receptors expressed by natural killer (NK) cells. There is growing evidence that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells may evade NK cell-mediated cell lysis by expressing low or no ligands for NKG2D (NKG2D-Ls). We hypothesized that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), one of the most studied lineage-specific transcription factors in hematopoiesis, might influence the expression of NKG2D-Ls. To test this hypothesis, we first examined the endogenous expression of wild-type C/EBPα (C/EBPα-p42) in human AML cell lines and demonstrated that its expression level was highly relevant to the sensitivity of AML cells to NK cell cytotoxicity. Induction of C/EBPα-p42 in the low endogenous CEBPA-expressing AML cell line increased the sensitivity to NK-induced lysis. Moreover, decreased expression of C/EBPα-p42 by RNA interference in AML cells abrogated NK-mediated cytotoxicity. We further showed that the increase in NK susceptibility caused by C/EBPα-p42 occurred through up-regulation of the NKG2D-Ls ULBP2/5/6 in AML cells. More importantly, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) coupled with high-throughput sequencing captured C/EBPα motif signatures at the enhancer regions of the ULBP 2/5/6 genes. Whilst, the AML-associated C/EBPα C-terminal mutant and N-terminal truncated mutant (C/EBPα-p30) diminished ULBP2/5/6 transcription. Finally, we identified that histone demethylase lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) inhibition can restore the expression of ULBPs via induction of CEBPA expression in AML cells, which may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for CEBPA-mutated AML. Abbreviations: C/EBPα: CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α; TF: Transcription factor; AML: Acute myeloid leukemia; TAD: Transactivation domain; FS: Frameshift; NK: Natural killer; NKG2D: NK group 2, member D; NKG2D-Ls: Ligands for NKG2D; MHC: Major histocompatibility complex; MICA: MHC class I-related chain A; ULBP: UL16-binding protein; STAT3: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; LSD1: Lysine-specific demethylase 1; Ab: Antibody; PBMC: Peripheral blood mononuclear cell; PBS: Phosphate-buffered saline; CFSE: Carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester; PI: Propidium iodide; shRNA: Short hairpin RNA; ChIP: Chromatin immunoprecipitation; BM: Binding motif; HCNE: Highly conserved noncoding element; TSS: Transcription start site; HMA: Hypomethylating agent; AZA: Azacitidine/5-azacytidine; DAC: Decitabine/5-aza-29-deoxycytidine; 2-PCPA: Tranylcypromine; RBP: RNA-binding protein; MSI2: MUSASHI-2; HDACi: Inhibitor of histone deacetylases; VPA: Valproate; DNMTi: DNA methyl transferase inhibitor; SCLC: Small cell lung cancer
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Liu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China
| | - Mengbao Du
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China
| | - Jian Yu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China
| | - Zijun Qian
- Department of Hematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Hematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China
| | - Wenjue Pan
- Department of Hematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China
| | - Xiujie Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China
| | - Mowang Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China
| | - Huimin Li
- Undergraduate School, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China
| | - Jiaqi Zheng
- Undergraduate School, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China
| | - Qianshuo Huang
- Undergraduate School, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China
| | - Li-Mengmeng Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, P R China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P R China
| | - Haowen Xiao
- Department of Hematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P R China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, P R China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P R China
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20
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Tomaipitinca L, Russo E, Bernardini G. NK cell surveillance of hematological malignancies. Therapeutic implications and regulation by chemokine receptors. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 80:100968. [PMID: 34045078 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.100968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
NK cells are circulating innate lymphoid cells that constantly move from bloodstream into tissues, exerting several functions including tumor surveillance. For this reason, NK cells are considered attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Several strategies are employed to harness NK cell efficacy especially in hematological tumors, including adoptive transfer, genetic manipulation to overexpress chimeric antigen receptors and cytokine or immunomodulatory drug treatments of ex-vivo cultivated and expanded NK cells. Several chemokine receptors support NK cell tissue homing and are required for efficient tumor infiltration. Nevertheless, chemokine receptor expression is often insufficient, or their respective ligands may not be expressed in the tumor microenvironment, thus limiting NK cell localization at the tumor site. Therefore, strategies to implement expression or promote the function of the correct chemokine receptor/ligand axes have been employed in the last years with promising results in preclinical models. In this review, we discuss how chemokine receptors and their ligands regulate the trafficking and localization of NK cells in hematological tumors and how the chemokine function can be manipulated to improve current therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Tomaipitinca
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Institute Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Russo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Institute Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Institute Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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21
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Machuldova A, Holubova M, Caputo VS, Cedikova M, Jindra P, Houdova L, Pitule P. Role of Polymorphisms of NKG2D Receptor and Its Ligands in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Human Stem Cell Transplantation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:651751. [PMID: 33868289 PMCID: PMC8044845 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.651751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells possess key regulatory function in various malignant diseases, including acute myeloid leukemia. NK cell activity is driven by signals received through ligands binding activating or inhibitory receptors. Their activity towards elimination of transformed or virally infected cells can be mediated through MICA, MICB and ULBP ligands binding the activating receptor NKG2D. Given the efficiency of NK cells, potential target cells developed multiple protecting mechanisms to overcome NK cells killing on various levels of biogenesis of NKG2D ligands. Targeted cells can degrade ligand transcripts via microRNAs or modify them at protein level to prevent their presence at cell surface via shedding, with added benefit of shed ligands to desensitize NKG2D receptor and avert the threat of destruction via NK cells. NK cells and their activity are also indispensable during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, crucial treatment option for patients with malignant disease, including acute myeloid leukemia. Function of both NKG2D and its ligands is strongly affected by polymorphisms and particular allelic variants, as different alleles can play variable roles in ligand-receptor interaction, influencing NK cell function and HSCT outcome differently. For example, role of amino acid exchange at position 129 in MICA or at position 98 in MICB, as well as the role of other polymorphisms leading to different shedding of ligands, was described. Finally, match or mismatch between patient and donor in NKG2D ligands affect HSCT outcome. Having the information beyond standard HLA typing prior HSCT could be instrumental to find the best donor for the patient and to optimize effects of treatment by more precise patient-donor match. Here, we review recent research on the NKG2D/NKG2D ligand biology, their regulation, description of their polymorphisms across the populations of patients with AML and the influence of particular polymorphisms on HSCT outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Machuldova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Monika Holubova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia.,Department of Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Pilsen, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Valentina S Caputo
- Hugh & Josseline Langmuir Center for Myeloma Research, Center for Hematology, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Cancer Biology and Therapy Laboratory, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Miroslava Cedikova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Pavel Jindra
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Pilsen, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Lucie Houdova
- NTIS, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of West Bohemia, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Pavel Pitule
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
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22
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Lamb MG, Rangarajan HG, Tullius BP, Lee DA. Natural killer cell therapy for hematologic malignancies: successes, challenges, and the future. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:211. [PMID: 33766099 PMCID: PMC7992329 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02277-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The adoptive transfer of natural killer (NK) cells is an emerging therapy in the field of immuno-oncology. In the last 3 decades, NK cells have been utilized to harness the anti-tumor immune response in a wide range of malignancies, most notably with early evidence of efficacy in hematologic malignancies. NK cells are dysfunctional in patients with hematologic malignancies, and their number and function are further impaired by chemotherapy, radiation, and immunosuppressants used in initial therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Restoring this innate immune deficit may lead to improved therapeutic outcomes. NK cell adoptive transfer has proven to be a safe in these settings, even in the setting of HLA mismatch, and a deeper understanding of NK cell biology and optimized expansion techniques have improved scalability and therapeutic efficacy. Here, we review the use of NK cell therapy in hematologic malignancies and discuss strategies to further improve the efficacy of NK cells against these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret G Lamb
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Suite 5A.1, Columbus, OH, 43205-2664, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Hemalatha G Rangarajan
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Suite 5A.1, Columbus, OH, 43205-2664, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Brian P Tullius
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Suite 5A.1, Columbus, OH, 43205-2664, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Dean A Lee
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Suite 5A.1, Columbus, OH, 43205-2664, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
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23
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Redirecting the Immune Microenvironment in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061423. [PMID: 33804676 PMCID: PMC8003817 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite remarkable progress in the outcome of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML), risk of relapse and refractory diseases remains high. Treatment of the chemo-refractory disease is restricted by dose-limiting therapy-related toxicities which necessitate alternative tolerable efficient therapeutic modalities. By disrupting its immune environment, leukemic blasts are known to gain the ability to evade immune surveillance and promote disease progression; therefore, many efforts have been made to redirect the immune system against malignant blasts. Deeper knowledge about immunologic alterations has paved the way to the discovery and development of novel targeted therapeutic concepts, which specifically override the immune evasion mechanisms to eradicate leukemic blasts. Herein, we review innovative immunotherapeutic strategies and their mechanisms of action in pediatric AML. Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia is a life-threatening malignant disorder arising in a complex and dysregulated microenvironment that, in part, promotes the leukemogenesis. Treatment of relapsed and refractory AML, despite the current overall success rates in management of pediatric AML, remains a challenge with limited options considering the heavy but unsuccessful pretreatments in these patients. For relapsed/refractory (R/R) patients, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) following ablative chemotherapy presents the only opportunity to cure AML. Even though in some cases immune-mediated graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect has been proven to efficiently eradicate leukemic blasts, the immune- and chemotherapy-related toxicities and adverse effects considerably restrict the feasibility and therapeutic power. Thus, immunotherapy presents a potent tool against acute leukemia but needs to be engineered to function more specifically and with decreased toxicity. To identify innovative immunotherapeutic approaches, sound knowledge concerning immune-evasive strategies of AML blasts and the clinical impact of an immune-privileged microenvironment is indispensable. Based on our knowledge to date, several promising immunotherapies are under clinical evaluation and further innovative approaches are on their way. In this review, we first focus on immunological dysregulations contributing to leukemogenesis and progression in AML. Second, we highlight the most promising therapeutic targets for redirecting the leukemic immunosuppressive microenvironment into a highly immunogenic environment again capable of anti-leukemic immune surveillance.
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24
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Wu Z, Zhang H, Wu M, Peng G, He Y, Wan N, Zeng Y. Targeting the NKG2D/NKG2D-L axis in acute myeloid leukemia. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111299. [PMID: 33508619 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) receptor is a crucial activating receptor in the immune recognition and eradication of abnormal cells by natural killer (NK) cells, and T lymphocytes. NKG2D can transmit activation signals and activate the immune system by recognizing the NKG2D ligands (NKG2D-L) on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Downregulation of NKG2D-L in AML can circumvent resistance to chemotherapy and immune recognition. Considering this effect, the exploration of targeting the NKG2D/NKG2D-L axis is considered to have tremendous potential for the discovery of novel biomacromolecule antibodies and pharmacological modulators in AML. This review was to outline the impact of NKG2D/NKG2D-L axis on intrinsic immunosurveillance and the development of AML. Furthermore, the NKG2D/NKG2D-L axis related modulators and progress in preclinical and clinical trials was also to be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhui Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Min Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Guorui Peng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yanqiu He
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Na Wan
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, Jiangxi Province, China.
| | - Yingjian Zeng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China.
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25
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Maurer S, Ferrari de Andrade L. NK Cell Interaction With Platelets and Myeloid Cells in the Tumor Milieu. Front Immunol 2020; 11:608849. [PMID: 33424862 PMCID: PMC7785787 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.608849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells recognize and kill tumor cells via germ-line encoded receptors and polarized degranulation of cytotoxic molecules, respectively. As such, NK cells help to inhibit the development of cancers. The activating receptor NKG2D induces NK cell-mediated killing of metastasizing tumor cells by recognition of the stress-induced ligands MICA, MICB, and ULBP1-6. However, platelets enable escape from this immune surveillance mechanism by obstructing the interactions between NK cells and tumor cells or by cleaving the stress-induced ligands. It is also being increasingly appreciated that NK cells play additional roles in cancer immunity, including chemokine-mediated recruitment of antigen presenting cells in the tumor microenvironment that is followed by generation of adaptive immunity. However, the NK cell interplays with dendritic cells, and macrophages are extremely complex and involve molecular interactions via NKG2D and cytokine receptors. Specifically, NKG2D-mediated chronic interaction between NK cells and tumor-infiltrating macrophages causes immune suppression by differentiating NK cells toward a dysfunctional state. Here we discuss the underlying mechanisms of NK cell control by platelets and myeloid cells with focus on NKG2D and its ligands, and provide a timely perspective on how to harness these pathways with novel immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Maurer
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lucas Ferrari de Andrade
- Precision Immunology Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences, and The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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26
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Driouk L, Gicobi JK, Kamihara Y, Rutherford K, Dranoff G, Ritz J, Baumeister SHC. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Targeting NKG2D-Ligands Show Robust Efficacy Against Acute Myeloid Leukemia and T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Front Immunol 2020; 11:580328. [PMID: 33384686 PMCID: PMC7769813 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.580328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CAR T cell approaches to effectively target AML and T-ALL without off-tumor effects on healthy myeloid or T cell compartments respectively are an unmet medical need. NKG2D-ligands are a promising target given their absence on healthy cells and surface expression in a wide range of malignancies. NKG2D-ligand expression has been reported in a substantial group of patients with AML along with evidence for prognostic significance. However, reports regarding the prevalence and density of NKG2D-ligand expression in AML vary and detailed studies to define whether low level expression is sufficient to trigger NKG2D-ligand directed CART cell responses are lacking. NKG2D ligand expression in T-ALL has not previously been interrogated. Here we report that NKG2D-ligands are expressed in T-ALL cell lines and primary T-ALL. We confirm that NKG2D-ligands are frequently surface expressed in primary AML, albeit at relatively low levels. Utilizing CAR T cells incorporating the natural immune receptor NKG2D as the antigen binding domain, we demonstrate striking in vitro activity of CAR T cells targeting NKG2D-ligands against AML and T-ALL cell lines and show that even low-level ligand expression in primary AML targets results in robust NKG2D-CAR activity. We found that NKG2D-ligand expression can be selectively enhanced in low-expressing AML cell lines and primary AML blasts via pharmacologic HDAC inhibition. Such pharmacologic NKG2D-ligand induction results in enhanced NKG2D-CAR anti-leukemic activity without affecting healthy PBMC, thereby providing rationale for the combination of HDAC-inhibitors with NKG2D-CAR T cell therapy as a potential strategy to achieve clinical NKG2D-CAR T cell efficacy in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Driouk
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Joanina K Gicobi
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yusuke Kamihara
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kayleigh Rutherford
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Glenn Dranoff
- Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Jerome Ritz
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Susanne H C Baumeister
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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27
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Xu J, Niu T. Natural killer cell-based immunotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:167. [PMID: 33287858 PMCID: PMC7720594 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00996-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable progress has been achieved in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia over the past decades, relapse remains a major problem. Novel therapeutic options aimed at attaining minimal residual disease-negative complete remission are expected to reduce the incidence of relapse and prolong survival. Natural killer cell-based immunotherapy is put forward as an option to tackle the unmet clinical needs. There have been an increasing number of therapeutic dimensions ranging from adoptive NK cell transfer, chimeric antigen receptor-modified NK cells, antibodies, cytokines to immunomodulatory drugs. In this review, we will summarize different forms of NK cell-based immunotherapy for AML based on preclinical investigations and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ting Niu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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28
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Taghiloo S, Asgarian-Omran H. Immune evasion mechanisms in acute myeloid leukemia: A focus on immune checkpoint pathways. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2020; 157:103164. [PMID: 33271388 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune surveillance mechanisms comprising of adaptive and innate immune systems are naturally designed to eliminate AML development. However, leukemic cells apply various immune evasion mechanisms to deviate host immune responses resulting tumor progression. One of the recently well-known immune escape mechanisms is over-expression of immune checkpoint receptors and their ligands. Introduction of blocking antibodies targeting co-inhibitory molecules achieved invaluable success in tumor targeted therapy. Moreover, several new co-inhibitory pathways are currently studying for their potential impacts on improving anti-tumor immune responses. Although immunotherapeutic strategies based on the blockade of immune checkpoint molecules have shown promising results in a number of hematological malignances, their effectiveness in AML patients showed less remarkable success. This review discusses current knowledge about the involvement of co-inhibitory signaling pathways in immune evasion mechanisms of AML and potential application of immune checkpoint inhibitors for targeted immunotherapy of this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Taghiloo
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hossein Asgarian-Omran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Immunogenetics Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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29
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NK Cell Adoptive Immunotherapy of Cancer: Evaluating Recognition Strategies and Overcoming Limitations. Transplant Cell Ther 2020; 27:21-35. [PMID: 33007496 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2020.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, the primary effector cells of the innate immune system, utilize multiple strategies to recognize tumor cells by (1) detecting the presence of activating receptor ligands, which are often upregulated in cancer; (2) targeting cells that have a loss of major histocompatibility complex (MHC); and (3) binding to antibodies that bind to tumor-specific antigens on the tumor cell surface. All these strategies have been successfully harnessed in adoptive NK cell immunotherapies targeting cancer. In this review, we review the applications of NK cell therapies across different tumor types. Similar to other forms of immunotherapy, tumor-induced immune escape and immune suppression can limit NK cell therapies' efficacy. Therefore, we also discuss how these limitations can be overcome by conferring NK cells with the ability to redirect their tumor-targeting capabilities and survive the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. Finally, we also discuss how future iterations can benefit from combination therapies with other immunotherapeutic agents.
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30
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Mellergaard M, Høgh RI, Lund A, Aldana BI, Guérillot R, Møller SH, Hayes AS, Panagiotopoulou N, Frimand Z, Jepsen SD, Hansen CHF, Andresen L, Larsen AR, Peleg AY, Stinear TP, Howden BP, Waagepetersen HS, Frees D, Skov S. Staphylococcus aureus induces cell-surface expression of immune stimulatory NKG2D ligands on human monocytes. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:11803-11821. [PMID: 32605922 PMCID: PMC7450114 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is among the leading causes of bacterial infections worldwide. The pathogenicity and establishment of S. aureus infections are tightly linked to its ability to modulate host immunity. Persistent infections are often associated with mutant staphylococcal strains that have decreased susceptibility to antibiotics; however, little is known about how these mutations influence bacterial interaction with the host immune system. Here, we discovered that clinical S. aureus isolates activate human monocytes, leading to cell-surface expression of immune stimulatory natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) ligands on the monocytes. We found that expression of the NKG2D ligand ULBP2 (UL16-binding protein 2) is associated with bacterial degradability and phagolysosomal activity. Moreover, S. aureus-induced ULBP2 expression was linked to altered host cell metabolism, including increased cytoplasmic (iso)citrate levels, reduced glycolytic flux, and functional mitochondrial activity. Interestingly, we found that the ability of S. aureus to induce ULBP2 and proinflammatory cytokines in human monocytes depends on a functional ClpP protease in S. aureus These findings indicate that S. aureus activates ULBP2 in human monocytes through immunometabolic mechanisms and reveal that clpP inactivation may function as a potential immune evasion mechanism. Our results provide critical insight into the interplay between the host immune system and S. aureus that has evolved under the dual selective pressure of host immune responses and antibiotic treatment. Our discovery of an immune stimulatory pathway consisting of human monocyte-based defense against S. aureus suggests that targeting the NKG2D pathway holds potential for managing persistent staphylococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiken Mellergaard
- Experimental Animal Models, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rikke Illum Høgh
- Experimental Animal Models, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Astrid Lund
- Experimental Animal Models, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Blanca Irene Aldana
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Romain Guérillot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sofie Hedlund Møller
- Experimental Animal Models, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ashleigh S Hayes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nafsika Panagiotopoulou
- Experimental Animal Models, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zofija Frimand
- Experimental Animal Models, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stine Dam Jepsen
- Experimental Animal Models, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Camilla Hartmann Friis Hansen
- Experimental Animal Models, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Andresen
- Experimental Animal Models, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Rhod Larsen
- Statens Serum Institut, Microbiology and Infection Control, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anton Y Peleg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Timothy P Stinear
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin P Howden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helle S Waagepetersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dorte Frees
- Food Safety and Zoonosis, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Skov
- Experimental Animal Models, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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31
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Constitutive expression of ULBP-4 on monocytes regulates NK cell NKG2D expression. Blood Adv 2020; 3:1563-1567. [PMID: 31097432 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018025742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Key Points
The NKG2D ligand ULBP-4 is expressed on healthy monocytes. Monocyte ULBP-4 expression regulates NKG2D expression by NK cells.
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32
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Circulating cells and exosomes in acute myelogenous leukemia and their role in disease progression and survival. Clin Immunol 2020; 217:108489. [PMID: 32492479 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy associated with high rates of mortality. This incidence is due to the complexity in which the AML cells interact with other healthy human cells. These phenomena create an environment that favors the expansion of leukemic cells, which will affect the patient's prognosis. An important aspect is the ability of AML cells to evade immune responses via targeting and signaling immune cells to suppress anti-tumor responses. Many studies have reported that associations among components in the peripheral bloodstream might modulate leukemic progression because AML survival is a fundamental step for recolonizing bone marrow after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation or chemotherapy. Therefore, we collected the most important data about components that circulate with leukemic blasts and contribute to their survival and proliferation. We also discuss clinical approaches that could be conducted to more effectively treat the disease.
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33
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Maurer S, Kopp HG, Salih HR, Kropp KN. Modulation of Immune Responses by Platelet-Derived ADAM10. Front Immunol 2020; 11:44. [PMID: 32117229 PMCID: PMC7012935 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Platelets have a crucial function in maintaining hemostasis. However, beyond their role in coagulation and thrombus formation, platelets have been implicated to affect various pathophysiological conditions such as infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. It is well-established that platelets aid local cancer growth by providing growth factors or contributing to cancer angiogenesis. In addition, they promote metastasis, among others by facilitation of tumor cell-extravasation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal-like transition as well as protecting metastasizing cancer cells from immunosurveillance. A variety of membrane-bound and soluble platelet-derived factors are involved in these processes, and many aspects of platelet biology in both health and disease are regulated by platelet-associated metalloproteinases and their inhibitors. Platelets synthesize (i) members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family and also inhibitors of MMPs such as members of the "tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases" (TIMP) family as well as (ii) members of the "a disintegrin and metalloproteinase" (ADAM) family including ADAM10. Notably, platelet-associated metalloproteinase activity not only influences functions of platelets themselves: platelets can also induce expression and/or release of metalloproteinases e.g., in leukocytes or cancer cells, and ADAMs are emerging as important components by which platelets directly affect other cell types and function. This review outlines the function of metalloproteinases in platelet biology with a focus on ADAM10 and discusses the role of platelet-derived metalloproteinases in the interaction of platelets with components of the immune system and/or cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Maurer
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 'Image-guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy' (IFIT), University of Tuebingen, Tubingen, Germany.,Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hans-Georg Kopp
- Departments of Molecular Oncology and Thoracic Oncology, Robert-Bosch-Hospital Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Helmut R Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 'Image-guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy' (IFIT), University of Tuebingen, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Korbinian N Kropp
- Department of Hematology, Medical Oncology and Pneumology, University Medical Center of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Arima N, Kanda J, Yabe T, Morishima Y, Tanaka J, Kako S, Sakaguchi H, Kato M, Ohashi K, Ozawa Y, Fukuda T, Ota S, Tachibana T, Onizuka M, Ichinohe T, Atsuta Y, Kanda Y. Increased Relapse Risk of Acute Lymphoid Leukemia in Homozygous HLA-C1 Patients after HLA-Matched Allogeneic Transplantation: A Japanese National Registry Study. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2019; 26:431-437. [PMID: 31704471 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2019.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells expressing killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) can recognize specific HLA class I molecules as their ligands. By studying a large Japanese transplant registry, we compared transplant outcomes between patients heterozygous for HLA-CAsn80/CLys80 (HLA-C1/C2) and those homozygous for HLA-C1 (HLA-C1/C1) among patients who had undergone HLA-matched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A high frequency of KIR2DL1 with strong HLA-C2 binding capacity and a low frequency of HLA-C2 and KIR haplotype B are characteristic of the Japanese population. In our previous report, HLA-C1/C1 patients with myeloid leukemia were less likely to relapse than HLA-C1/C2 patients. We newly assessed 2884 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who received HLA-matched allogeneic HSCT and analyzed their leukemia relapses by using adjusted competing-risk methods. HLA-C1/C1 patients with ALL experienced significantly higher relapse rates than HLA-C1/C2 patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.55, P = .003), contrary to our results in patients with myeloid leukemia. We allocated patients with ALL to several subgroups and found a higher frequency of relapse (HR >1.8) in the HLA-C1/C1 group than in the HLA-C1/C2 group among patients with Ph-negative ALL, those who had no cytomegalovirus reactivation, those who received transplants from donors who were aged 41 years or older, and those who experienced acute graft-versus-host disease, especially if it required systemic treatment. One interpretation of our results is that KIR2DL1-positive NK cells disrupt T cells, antigen-presenting cells, or both from working efficiently in transplant immunity in HLA-C1/C1 patients with ALL. Another is that KIR2DS1-positive NK cells directly attack HLA-C2-positive ALL blasts in HLA-C1/C2 patients. Whether HLA-C2 can cause recurrence to decrease or increase in patients depending on the disease (ALL or myeloid leukemia) will be a very important finding. We hope that our results will provide clues to the real mechanisms behind relapse after transplantation in patients with different HLA profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuyoshi Arima
- Department of Hematology, Shinko Hospital, Kobe, Japan; Department of Hematology, Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Junya Kanda
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshio Yabe
- Laboratory Department, Japanese Red Cross Kanto-Koshinetsu Block Blood Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Junji Tanaka
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Kako
- Division of Hematology, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hirotoshi Sakaguchi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Medical Center, Japanese Red Cross, Nagoya First Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Motohiro Kato
- Children's Cancer Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuteru Ohashi
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukiyasu Ozawa
- Department of Hematology, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya First Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takahiro Fukuda
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuichi Ota
- Department of Hematology, Sapporo Hokuyu Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | | | - Makoto Onizuka
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Ichinohe
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Atsuta
- The Japanese Data Center for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Nagoya, Japan; Department of Healthcare Administration, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Kanda
- Division of Hematology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
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Heyman B, Jamieson C. To PARP or not to PARP?-Toward sensitizing acute myeloid leukemia stem cells to immunotherapy. EMBO J 2019; 38:e103479. [PMID: 31633196 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019103479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
A new study reveals that leukemia stem cells (LSCs) in acute myeloid leukemia downregulate natural killer cell-activating receptor ligands to evade immune surveillance via the transcriptional co-factor PARP1. The inhibition of PARP1 sensitizes LSCs to immunotherapy, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Heyman
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Moores Cancer Center, Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Catriona Jamieson
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Moores Cancer Center, Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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36
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Carlsten M, Järås M. Natural Killer Cells in Myeloid Malignancies: Immune Surveillance, NK Cell Dysfunction, and Pharmacological Opportunities to Bolster the Endogenous NK Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2357. [PMID: 31681270 PMCID: PMC6797594 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are large granular lymphocytes involved in our defense against certain virus-infected and malignant cells. In contrast to T cells, NK cells elicit rapid anti-tumor responses based on signals from activating and inhibitory cell surface receptors. They also lyse target cells via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, a critical mode of action of several therapeutic antibodies used to treat cancer. A body of evidence shows that NK cells can exhibit potent anti-tumor activity against chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, disease-associated mechanisms often restrain the proper functions of endogenous NK cells, leading to inadequate tumor control and risk for disease progression. Although allogeneic NK cells can prevent leukemia relapse in certain settings of stem cell transplantation, not all patients are eligible for this type of therapy. Moreover, remissions induced by adoptively infused NK cells are only transient and require subsequent therapy to maintain durable responses. Hence, new strategies are needed to trigger full and durable anti-leukemia responses by NK cells in patients with myeloid malignancies. To achieve this, we need to better understand the interplay between the malignant cells, their microenvironment, and the NK cells. This review focuses on mechanisms that are involved in suppressing NK cells in patients with myeloid leukemia and MDS, and means to restore their full anti-tumor potential. It also discusses novel molecular targets and approaches, such as bi- and tri-specific antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, to redirect and/or unleash the NK cells against the leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Carlsten
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcus Järås
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Parvifoline AA Promotes Susceptibility of Hepatocarcinoma to Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytolysis by Targeting Peroxiredoxin. Cell Chem Biol 2019; 26:1122-1132.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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38
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Emerging agents and regimens for treatment of relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer Gene Ther 2019; 27:1-14. [PMID: 31292516 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-019-0119-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML) has complicated pathogenesis. Its treatment is complicated, and the prognosis is poor. So far, there is no consensus on what is the optimal treatment strategy. With the deepening of research, new chemotherapy regimens, new small molecule inhibitors, and immunotherapy have been increasingly applied to clinical trials, providing more possibilities for the treatment of R/R AML. The most effective treatment for patients who achieve complete remission after recurrence is still sequential conditioning therapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Finding the best combination of treatments is still an important goal for the future.
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39
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Natural Killer Immunotherapy for Minimal Residual Disease Eradication Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20092057. [PMID: 31027331 PMCID: PMC6539946 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20092057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common cause of death in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is AML relapse. Therefore, additive therapies post allo-HSCT have significant potential to prevent relapse. Natural killer (NK)-cell-based immunotherapies can be incorporated into the therapeutic armamentarium for the eradication of AML cells post allo-HSCT. In recent studies, NK cell-based immunotherapies, the use of adoptive NK cells, NK cells in combination with cytokines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, bispecific and trispecific killer cell engagers, and chimeric antigen receptor-engineered NK cells have all shown antitumor activity in AML patients. In this review, we will discuss the current strategies with these NK cell-based immunotherapies as possible therapies to cure AML patients post allo-HSCT. Additionally, we will discuss various means of immune escape in order to further understand the mechanism of NK cell-based immunotherapies against AML.
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40
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Pérez-Ferro M, Romero-Bueno FI, Serrano Del Castillo C, Mahillo I, Alvear A, Largo R, Herrero-Beaumont G, Sánchez-Pernaute O. A subgroup of lupus patients with nephritis, innate T cell activation and low vitamin D is identified by the enhancement of circulating MHC class I-related chain A. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 196:336-344. [PMID: 30737776 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related chain A (MICA) is induced upon stress, and labels malfunctioning cells for their recognition by cytotoxic lymphocytes. Alterations in this recognition and also abnormal natural killer (NK) functions have been found in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). MICA can be shed from cells, subsequently acting as a soluble decoy receptor (sMICA). Our purpose was to study circulating sMICA levels in relationship with the activation of innate pathways in PBMC in a cohort of lupus patients. NK cells were characterized by flow cytometry. Gene expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR), interferon (IFN)-I sensitive genes and MICA were separately analyzed in monocytes, T cells and B cells. Serum sMICA was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In our cohort, NK cell counts dropped in relationship with disease activity. sMICA showed an inverse trend with NK cell counts, as well as a significant association with activity indices, but not with complement decrease. Levels of sMICA associated to proteinuria and active nephritis. A multivariate regression model revealed anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) titres, the up-regulation of TLR-4 in T cells and lower vitamin D as predictors of sMICA enhancement. Interestingly, vitamin D showed an inverse association with proteinuria and a strong correlation with T cell MICA mRNA levels. According to our data, circulating sMICA identifies a subgroup of lupus patients with low vitamin D, innate activation of T cells and nephritis. We propose that lymphocyte shedding could account for the enhancement of sMICA and reflect an immune evasion mechanism driving disease activation in lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pérez-Ferro
- Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital and Research Institute, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain
| | - F I Romero-Bueno
- Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital and Research Institute, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Serrano Del Castillo
- Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital and Research Institute, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain
| | - I Mahillo
- Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital and Research Institute, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Alvear
- Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital and Research Institute, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain
| | - R Largo
- Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital and Research Institute, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain
| | - G Herrero-Beaumont
- Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital and Research Institute, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain
| | - O Sánchez-Pernaute
- Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital and Research Institute, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain
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41
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Lazarova M, Steinle A. The NKG2D axis: an emerging target in cancer immunotherapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2019; 23:281-294. [DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2019.1580693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mariya Lazarova
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alexander Steinle
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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42
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Natural killer receptor ligand expression on acute myeloid leukemia impacts survival and relapse after chemotherapy. Blood Adv 2019; 2:335-346. [PMID: 29449224 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017015230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NKs) cells provide rapid responses to viral-infected and malignant cells, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts. The balance among inhibitory and activating signals, delivered by multiple interactions between ligands on target cells and NK receptors, determines the posture of the NK cell response to either one of target cell elimination or tolerance. The aim of this work was to study the influence of the differential expression of activating and inhibitory NK receptor ligands (NKRLs) by leukemic blasts on clinical outcome in newly diagnosed AML patients. Leukemic cells and clinical data from 66 patients undergoing induction chemotherapy were obtained from the Australasian Leukemia Lymphoma Group tissue bank. Expression of 6 activating (MICA, MICAB, CD155, CD112, ULBP1, and ULBP2/5/6) and 3 inhibitory (HLA class I, PD-L1, and PD-L2) NKRLs was analyzed by flow cytometry. AML blasts displayed heterogeneous expression of NKRLs. MICA, CD112, and ULBP1 were most frequently expressed. ULBP1 expression was significantly associated with improved 2-year overall survival (51.4% vs 11.4%), relapse-free survival (42.5% vs 10.0%), and reduced relapse (44.1% vs 78.6%). We calculated a net score of activating minus inhibitory ligands and demonstrated that the expression of an overall activating NK ligand phenotype was associated with superior 2-year overall survival (59.6% vs 24.4%) and reduced relapse (31.5% vs 68.2%). Our study provides clinical evidence for the role of NK cell-mediated immunoediting against AML, mediated by the expression of NKRLs on blasts, and supports investigation into strategies to enhance NK cell function to improve outcomes in patients with AML.
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Baragaño Raneros A, López-Larrea C, Suárez-Álvarez B. Acute myeloid leukemia and NK cells: two warriors confront each other. Oncoimmunology 2018; 8:e1539617. [PMID: 30713800 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1539617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease whose therapies currently show elevated toxicity and a high rate of relapse. Recently, the burgeoning of new anti-tumor therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing the immune response has pushed natural killer cells (NKs) into the spotlight. These cells are powerful warriors that can bring about the lysis of tumor cells through their cytotoxic ability. However, tumor cells have developed strategies to evade recognition mediated by NKs. Here, we review the mechanisms triggered by AML cells and discuss the emerging immunotherapeutic strategies that potentiate the anti-tumor functions of NKs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aroa Baragaño Raneros
- Translational Immunology Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carlos López-Larrea
- Translational Immunology Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.,Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Beatriz Suárez-Álvarez
- Translational Immunology Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
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44
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Chen T, Zhang T, Liu C, Wang C, Ding S, Shao Z, Fu R. NK cells suppress CD8 + T cell immunity via NKG2D in severe aplastic anemia. Cell Immunol 2018; 335:6-14. [PMID: 30471872 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The roles of natural killer (NK) cells in shaping the immune system had raised wide interests. Here we intended to explore the regulatory functions of NK cells on CD8+ T cells in severe aplastic anemia (SAA) using human participants and lymphocyte infusion-induced bone marrow failure (BMF) mouse model. In SAA patients, NK cells had over-expressions of NKG2D and NKp46, under-expression of NKG2A and enhanced cytotoxicity. NK cells limited autologous CD8+ T cell immunity in an effector/target ratio manner. The suppression was dependent on the existence of NKG2D. We also observed upregulated MICA expression on activated CD8+ T cells, which were susceptible to NK cell mediated lysis in SAA. Animal model concurred with the data from patients. Infusion of NK cells suppressed the proliferation of CD8+ T cells and decreased IFN-γ production. In conclusion, NK cells served NKG2D-dependent immunoregulatory roles by attenuating autologous CD8+ T cell response in SAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Chen
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - ChaoMeng Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Shaoxue Ding
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - ZongHong Shao
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China.
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45
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Sallman DA, Brayer J, Sagatys EM, Lonez C, Breman E, Agaugué S, Verma B, Gilham DE, Lehmann FF, Davila ML. NKG2D-based chimeric antigen receptor therapy induced remission in a relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia patient. Haematologica 2018; 103:e424-e426. [PMID: 29703727 PMCID: PMC6119132 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2017.186742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David A. Sallman
- Malignant Hematology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA,Correspondence: /
| | - Jason Brayer
- Malignant Hematology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Sagatys
- Hematopathology and Laboratory Medicine, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marco L Davila
- Blood & Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Immunotherapy, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
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46
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Zhu HF, Li Y. Small-Molecule Targets in Tumor Immunotherapy. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOPROSPECTING 2018; 8:297-301. [PMID: 29974338 PMCID: PMC6102179 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-018-0177-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has been widely recognized as a powerful approach to fight cancers. To date, over 50 phase III trials in cancer immunotherapy are in progress. Among the many immunotherapy approaches, immune checkpoint therapy has attracted considerable attention. The reported clinical success of targeting the T cell immune checkpoint receptors PD-1 or CTLA4 by antibodies blockade in advanced stages of cancers has demonstrated the importance of immune modulation. But antibodies-based immunotherapy confronted with some disadvantages, such as immunogenicity, stability, membrane permeability, and production cost. Therefore, alternative approaches including small-molecule-regulated immune response are being introduced. In this review, we focused on some of the key intracellular pathways where small-molecule therapeutic is potential and attractive, which highlights the great potential of natural products in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Fang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
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47
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Alex AA, Ganesan S, Palani HK, Balasundaram N, David S, Lakshmi KM, Kulkarni UP, Nisham PN, Korula A, Devasia AJ, Janet NB, Abraham A, Srivastava A, George B, Padua RA, Chomienne C, Balasubramanian P, Mathews V. Arsenic Trioxide Enhances the NK Cell Cytotoxicity Against Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia While Simultaneously Inhibiting Its Bio-Genesis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1357. [PMID: 29963052 PMCID: PMC6010577 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells (NK) contribute significantly to eradication of cancer cells, and there is increased interest in strategies to enhance it’s efficacy. Therapeutic agents used in the treatment of cancer can impact the immune system in a quantitative and qualitative manner. In this study, we evaluated the impact of arsenic trioxide (ATO) used in the management of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) on NK cell reconstitution and function. In patients with APL treated with single agent ATO, there was a significant delay in the reconstitution of circulating NK cells to reach median normal levels from the time of diagnosis (655 days for NK cells vs 145 and 265 days for T cells and B cells, respectively). In vitro experiments demonstrated that ATO significantly reduced the CD34 hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) differentiation to NK cells. Additional experimental data demonstrate that CD34+ sorted cells when exposed to ATO lead to a significant decrease in the expression of IKZF2, ETS1, and TOX transcription factors involved in NK cell differentiation and maturation. In contrast, exposure of NK cells and leukemic cells to low doses of ATO modulates NK cell receptors and malignant cell ligand profile in a direction that enhances NK cell mediated cytolytic activity. We have demonstrated that NK cytolytic activity toward NB4 cell line when exposed to ATO was significantly higher when compared with controls. We also validated this beneficial effect in a mouse model of APL were the median survival with ATO alone and ATO + NK was 44 days (range: 33–46) vs 54 days (range: 52–75). In conclusion, ATO has a differential quantitative and qualitative effect on NK cell activity. This information can potentially be exploited in the management of leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansu Abu Alex
- Department of Hematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | | | | | | | - Sachin David
- Department of Hematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | | | - Uday P Kulkarni
- Department of Hematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - P N Nisham
- Department of Hematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Anu Korula
- Department of Hematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Anup J Devasia
- Department of Hematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | | | - Aby Abraham
- Department of Hematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Alok Srivastava
- Department of Hematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Biju George
- Department of Hematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Rose Ann Padua
- UMR-S1131, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France.,Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Universite Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Christine Chomienne
- UMR-S1131, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France.,Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Universite Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | | | - Vikram Mathews
- Department of Hematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
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48
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Wong E, Davis JE, Grigg A, Szer J, Ritchie D. Strategies to enhance the graft versus tumour effect after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 2018; 54:175-189. [PMID: 29904127 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-018-0244-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Relapse of haematological malignancies after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant is a major cause of mortality. The immunological mechanisms that may lead to disease relapse may include immunological immaturity prior to reconstitution of the allogeneic immune system, tumour antigen downregulation or promotion of T-cell exhaustion by interactions with the tumour microenvironment. Current therapeutic strategies for post-transplant relapse are limited in their efficacy and alternative approaches are required. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of T and NK-cell immune evasion that facilitate relapse of haematological malignancies after allogeneic stem cell transplantation, and explore emerging strategies to augment the allogeneic immune system in order to construct a more potent graft versus tumour response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Wong
- Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia. .,Australian Cancer Research Foundation Translational Research Laboratory, Victoria, Australia. .,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Joanne E Davis
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation Translational Research Laboratory, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Grigg
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Clinical Haematology and Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeff Szer
- Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Ritchie
- Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia.,Australian Cancer Research Foundation Translational Research Laboratory, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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49
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Stojanovic A, Correia MP, Cerwenka A. The NKG2D/NKG2DL Axis in the Crosstalk Between Lymphoid and Myeloid Cells in Health and Disease. Front Immunol 2018; 9:827. [PMID: 29740438 PMCID: PMC5924773 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) receptor is a type II transmembrane protein expressed by both innate and adaptive immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, CD8+ T cells, invariant NKT cells, γδ T cells, and some CD4+ T cells under certain pathological conditions. NKG2D is an activating NK receptor that induces cytotoxicity and production of cytokines by effector cells and supports their proliferation and survival upon engagement with its ligands. In both innate and T cell populations, NKG2D can costimulate responses induced by other receptors, such as TCR in T cells or NKp46 in NK cells. NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are remarkably diverse. Initially, NKG2DL expression was typically attributed to stressed, infected, or transformed cells, thus signaling “dysregulated-self.” However, many reports indicated their expression under homeostatic conditions, usually in the context of cell activation and/or proliferation. Myeloid cells, including macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), are among the first cells sensing and responding to pathogens and tissue damage. By secreting a plethora of soluble mediators, by presenting antigens to T cells and by expressing costimulatory molecules, myeloid cells play vital roles in inducing and supporting responses of other immune cells in lymphoid organs and tissues. When activated, both macrophages and DCs upregulate NKG2DLs, thereby enabling them with additional mechanisms for regulating lymphocyte responses. In this review, we will focus on the expression of NKG2D by innate and adaptive lymphocytes, the regulation of NKG2DL expression on myeloid cells, and the contribution of the NKG2D/NKG2DL axis to the crosstalk of myeloid cells with NKG2D-expressing lymphocytes. In addition, we will highlight pathophysiological conditions associated with NKG2D/NKG2DL dysregulation and discuss the putative involvement of the NKG2D/NKG2DL axis in the lymphocyte/myeloid cell crosstalk in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Stojanovic
- Innate Immunity (D080), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Immunobiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Margareta P Correia
- Innate Immunity (D080), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Immunobiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Adelheid Cerwenka
- Innate Immunity (D080), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Immunobiochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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50
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Raneros AB, Minguela A, Rodriguez RM, Colado E, Bernal T, Anguita E, Mogorron AV, Gil AC, Vidal-Castiñeira JR, Márquez-Kisinousky L, Bulnes PD, Marin AM, Garay MCG, Suarez-Alvarez B, Lopez-Larrea C. Increasing TIMP3 expression by hypomethylating agents diminishes soluble MICA, MICB and ULBP2 shedding in acute myeloid leukemia, facilitating NK cell-mediated immune recognition. Oncotarget 2018; 8:31959-31976. [PMID: 28404876 PMCID: PMC5458262 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease with great morphological and genetic heterogeneity, which complicates its prognosis and treatment. The hypomethylating agents azacitidine (Vidaza®, AZA) and decitabine (Dacogen®, DAC) have been approved for the treatment of AML patients, but their mechanisms of action are poorly understood. Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in the recognition of AML blasts through the interaction of the activating NKG2D receptor with its ligands (NKG2DL: MICA/B and ULBPs1-3). However, soluble NKG2DL (sNKG2DL) can be released from the cell surface, impairing immune recognition. Here, we examined whether hypomethylating agents modulate the release of sNKG2DL from AML cells. Results demonstrated that AZA- and DAC-treated AML cells reduce the release of sNKG2DL, preventing downregulation of NKG2D receptor on the cell surface and promoting immune recognition mediated by NKG2D-NKG2DL engagement. We show that the shedding of MICA, MICB and ULBP2 is inhibited by the increased expression of TIMP3, an ADAM17 inhibitor, after DAC treatment. The TIMP3 gene is highly methylated in AML cells lines and in AML patients (25.5%), in which it is significantly associated with an adverse cytogenetic prognosis of the disease. Overall, TIMP3 could be a target of the demethylating treatments in AML patients, leading to a decrease in MICA, MICB and ULBP2 shedding and the enhancement of the lytic activity of NK cells through the immune recognition mediated by the NKG2D receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alfredo Minguela
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Ramon M Rodriguez
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Enrique Colado
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Teresa Bernal
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Eduardo Anguita
- Hematology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Adela Vasco Mogorron
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Alberto Chaparro Gil
- Hematology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Paula Díaz Bulnes
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Amelia Martinez Marin
- Hematology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | | | | | - Carlos Lopez-Larrea
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
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