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Dash CP, Sonowal D, Dhaka P, Yadav R, Chettri D, Satapathy BP, Sheoran P, Uttam V, Jain M, Jain A. Antitumor activity of genetically engineered NK-cells in non-hematological solid tumor: a comprehensive review. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1390498. [PMID: 38694508 PMCID: PMC11061440 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1390498] [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: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements in genetic engineering have made it possible to modify Natural Killer (NK) cells to enhance their ability to fight against various cancers, including solid tumors. This comprehensive overview discusses the current status of genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptor NK-cell therapies and their potential for treating solid tumors. We explore the inherent characteristics of NK cells and their role in immune regulation and tumor surveillance. Moreover, we examine the strategies used to genetically engineer NK cells in terms of efficacy, safety profile, and potential clinical applications. Our investigation suggests CAR-NK cells can effectively target and regress non-hematological malignancies, demonstrating enhanced antitumor efficacy. This implies excellent promise for treating tumors using genetically modified NK cells. Notably, NK cells exhibit low graft versus host disease (GvHD) potential and rarely induce significant toxicities, making them an ideal platform for CAR engineering. The adoptive transfer of allogeneic NK cells into patients further emphasizes the versatility of NK cells for various applications. We also address challenges and limitations associated with the clinical translation of genetically engineered NK-cell therapies, such as off-target effects, immune escape mechanisms, and manufacturing scalability. We provide strategies to overcome these obstacles through combination therapies and delivery optimization. Overall, we believe this review contributes to advancing NK-cell-based immunotherapy as a promising approach for cancer treatment by elucidating the underlying mechanisms, evaluating preclinical and clinical evidence, and addressing remaining challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmayee Priyadarsini Dash
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Dhruba Sonowal
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Prachi Dhaka
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Rohit Yadav
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Dewan Chettri
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Bibhu Prasad Satapathy
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Pooja Sheoran
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Vivek Uttam
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Manju Jain
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Aklank Jain
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
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Fujii SI, Shimizu K. NKT-Licensed In Vivo Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy as Cellular Immunodrugs for Cancer Treatment. Crit Rev Oncog 2024; 29:45-61. [PMID: 38421713 DOI: 10.1615/critrevoncog.2023048735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
With the advent of new therapies, immunotherapy has gained attention as a critical modality. After the discovery of the natural killer T (NKT) cells ligand, ex vivo cultured dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with NKT ligand (especially α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) (DC/Gal) or ex vivo expanded NKT transfer studies were clinically examined in several institutes. To prevent tumoral immune escape, the link between innate and adaptive immunity, in situ selective targeting of DCs has been attempted; however, protocol optimization was required. As a type of DC targeting therapy that combines the benefits of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, we established an all-in-one, off-the-shelf drug, named the artificial adjuvant vector cell (aAVC), which consists of the tumor antigen and the CD1d-iNKT ligand complex. Here, to our knowledge, we first demonstrate the DC/GalCer therapy and NKT transfer therapy. Next, we introduce and discuss the use of aAVC therapy not only for efficient innate and adaptive immunity induction using fully matured DC in situ but also the characterization necessary for locally reprogramming the tumor microenvironment and systemically inducing long-term memory in T cells. We also discuss how the immune network mechanism is controlled by DCs. Next, we performed the first human clinical trial using WT1 antigen-expressing aAVC against relapse and refractory acute myelogenous leukemia. Thus, we highlight the challenges of using aAVCs as prodrugs for actively energizing DCs in vivo, underpinning immunological networks, and developing strategies for providing maximal benefits for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ichiro Fujii
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), and RIKEN Program for Drug Discovery and Medical Technology Platforms, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kanako Shimizu
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), and RIKEN Program for Drug Discovery and Medical Technology Platforms, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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3
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Abd Talib FNA, Marzuki M, Hoe SLL. Analysis of NK-92 cytotoxicity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines and patient-derived xenografts using impedance-based growth method. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17480. [PMID: 37415945 PMCID: PMC10320316 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17480] [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: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells that can remove viral-infected tumour cells without antigen priming. This characteristic offers NK cells an edge over other immune cells as a potential therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we report how cytotoxicity was evaluated in target NPC cell lines and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cells with effector NK-92, a commercially available NK cell line, by using xCELLigence RTCA system (a real-time, label-free impedance-based monitoring platform). Cell viability, proliferation and cytotoxicity were examined by RTCA. Cell morphology, growth and cytotoxicity were also monitored by microscopy. RTCA and microscopy showed that both target and effector cells were able to proliferate normally and to maintain original morphology in co-culture medium as they were in their own respective culture medium. As target and effector (T:E) cell ratios increased, cell viability as measured by arbitrary cell index (CI) values in RTCA decreased in all cell lines and PDX cells. NPC PDX cells were more sensitive to the cytotoxicity effect of NK-92 cells, than the NPC cell lines. These data were substantiated by GFP-based microscopy. We have shown how the RTCA system can be used for a high throughput screening of the effects of NK cells in cancer studies to obtain data such as cell viability, proliferation and cytotoxicity.
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4
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Yang K, Zhao Y, Sun G, Zhang X, Cao J, Shao M, Liang X, Wang L. Clinical application and prospect of immune checkpoint inhibitors for CAR-NK cell in tumor immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1081546. [PMID: 36741400 PMCID: PMC9892943 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1081546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineering of natural killer (NK) cells is an attractive research field in tumor immunotherapy. While CAR is genetically engineered to express certain molecules, it retains the intrinsic ability to recognize tumor cells through its own receptors. Additionally, NK cells do not depend on T cell receptors for cytotoxic killing. CAR-NK cells exhibit some differences to CAR-T cells in terms of more precise killing, numerous cell sources, and increased effectiveness in solid tumors. However, some problems still exist with CAR-NK cell therapy, such as cytotoxicity, low transfection efficiency, and storage issues. Immune checkpoints inhibit immune cells from performing their normal killing function, and the clinical application of immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer treatment has become a key therapeutic strategy. The application of CAR-T cells and immune checkpoint inhibitors is being evaluated in numerous ongoing basic research and clinical studies. Immune checkpoints may affect the function of CAR-NK cell therapy. In this review, we describe the combination of existing CAR-NK cell technology with immune checkpoint therapy and discuss the research of CAR-NK cell technology and future clinical treatments. We also summarize the progress of clinical trials of CAR-NK cells and immune checkpoint therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangdi Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuze Zhao
- School of Basic Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanqun Sun
- Clinical Cancer Institute, Center for Translational Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinjin Cao
- Clinical Cancer Institute, Center for Translational Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingcong Shao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xijun Liang
- Clinical Cancer Institute, Center for Translational Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Xijun Liang, ; Lina Wang,
| | - Lina Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Xijun Liang, ; Lina Wang,
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5
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Xia W, Qi X, Li M, Wu Y, Sun L, Fan X, Yuan Y, Li J. Metformin promotes anticancer activity of NK cells in a p38 MAPK dependent manner. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1995999. [PMID: 34745769 PMCID: PMC8565822 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1995999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Metformin, a drug prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, has been reported to possess antitumor activity via immunity activation. However, the influence of metformin on natural killer (NK) cells is not fully understood. Here, we investigated whether metformin exerts a potent anticancer effect by activating NK cells. The results showed that sustained exposure to metformin enhances the cytolytic activity of NK-92 cells. Moreover, this enhancement of cytotoxicity by metformin was also observed in NK cells from healthy peripheral blood and cancer patient ascites. Mechanistically, metformin induced activation of the JAK1/2/3/STAT5 and AKT/mTOR pathways in a p38 MAPK-dependent manner rather than an AMPK-dependent manner. In vivo experiments, metformin also improved cancer surveillance of NK cells in mouse models of lymphoma clearance and metastatic melanoma. Additionally, combination treatment with metformin and anti-PD-1 antibodies increased the therapy response rates of B16F10 melanoma. Moreover, metformin treatment increased NK cell and T cell infiltration in tumors. Therefore, these results provide a deeper understanding of metformin on the effector function of NK cells and will contribute to the development and applications of metformin in cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjiao Xia
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Xin Qi
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Mingfeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Yu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Lulu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Xinglong Fan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Laboratory, Yushan Campus Hospital, Hospital of Ocean University of China, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, P. R. China.,Open Studio for Druggability Research of Marine Natural Products, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, P. R. China
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6
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Esmail S, Danter WR. Stem-cell based, machine learning approach for optimizing natural killer cell-based personalized immunotherapy for high-grade ovarian cancer. FEBS J 2021; 289:985-998. [PMID: 34582617 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer continues to be a therapeutic challenge for those affected using the current therapeutic interventions. There is an increasing interest in personalized cancer immunotherapy using activated natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells account for approximately 15% of circulating white blood cells. They are also an important element of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the body's immune response to cancers. In the present study, DeepNEU-C2Rx, a machine learning platform, was first used to create validated artificially induced pluripotent stem cell simulations. These simulations were then used to generate wild-type artificially induced NK cells (aiNK-WT) and TME simulations. Once validated, the aiNK-WT simulations were exposed to artificially induced high-grade serous ovarian cancer represented by aiOVCAR3. Cytolytic activity of aiNK was evaluated in presence and absence of aiOVCAR3 and data were compared with the literature for validation. The TME simulations suggested 26 factors that could be evaluated based on their ability to enhance aiNK-WT cytolytic activity in the presence of aiOVCAR3. The addition of programmed cell death-1 inhibitor leads to significant reinvigoration of aiNK cytolytic activity. The combination of programmed cell death-1 and glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitors showed further improvement. Further addition of ascitic fluid factor inhibitors leads to optimal aiNK activation. Our data showed that NK cell simulations could be used not only to pinpoint novel immunotherapeutic targets to reinvigorate the activity of NK cells against cancers, but also to predict the outcome of targeting tumors with specific genetic expression and mutation profiles.
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7
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Marofi F, Rahman HS, Thangavelu L, Dorofeev A, Bayas-Morejón F, Shirafkan N, Shomali N, Chartrand MS, Jarahian M, Vahedi G, Mohammed RN, Shahrokh S, Akbari M, Khiavi FM. Renaissance of armored immune effector cells, CAR-NK cells, brings the higher hope for successful cancer therapy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:200. [PMID: 33752707 PMCID: PMC7983395 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02251-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, a new method of cellular immunotherapy was introduced based on engineering and empowering the immune effector cells. In this type of immunotherapy, the immune effector cells are equipped with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to specifically target cancer cells. In much of the trials and experiments, CAR-modified T cell immunotherapy has achieved very promising therapeutic results in the treatment of some types of cancers and infectious diseases. However, there are also some considerable drawbacks in the clinical application of CAR-T cells although much effort is in progress to rectify the issues. In some conditions, CAR-T cells initiate over-activated and strong immune responses, therefore, causing unexpected side-effects such as systemic cytokine toxicity (i.e., cytokine release syndrome), neurotoxicity, on-target, off-tumor toxicity, and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). To overcome these limitations in CAR-T cell immunotherapy, NK cells as an alternative source of immune effector cells have been utilized for CAR-engineering. Natural killer cells are key players of the innate immune system that can destroy virus-infected cells, tumor cells, or other aberrant cells with their efficient recognizing capability. Compared to T cells, CAR-transduced NK cells (CAR-NK) have several advantages, such as safety in clinical use, non-MHC-restricted recognition of tumor cells, and renewable and easy cell sources for their preparation. In this review, we will discuss the recent preclinical and clinical studies, different sources of NK cells, transduction methods, possible limitations and challenges, and clinical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faroogh Marofi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Heshu Sulaiman Rahman
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Suleimanyah, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Lakshmi Thangavelu
- Associate professor, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Aleksey Dorofeev
- Department of Propaedeutics of Dental Diseases, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University,), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Favian Bayas-Morejón
- Center for Research and Biotechnological Development, Research Department, Bolivar State University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Natural Resources and the Environment, CP 020150 Guaranda, Ecuador
| | - Naghmeh Shirafkan
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Navid Shomali
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Mostafa Jarahian
- German Cancer Research Center, Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit (G401), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ghasem Vahedi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Rebar N. Mohammed
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Suleimanyah, Iraq
| | - Somayeh Shahrokh
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Shahrekord, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Morteza Akbari
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Tang Y, Jiang M, Jiang HM, Ye ZJ, Huang YS, Li XS, Qin BY, Zhou RS, Pan HF, Zheng DY. The Roles of circRNAs in Liver Cancer Immunity. Front Oncol 2021; 10:598464. [PMID: 33614486 PMCID: PMC7890029 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.598464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable covalently closed non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Many studies indicate that circRNAs are involved in the pathological and physiological processes of liver cancer. However, the functions of circRNAs in liver cancer immunity are less known. In this review, we summarized the functions of circRNAs in liver cancer, including proliferative, metastasis and apoptosis, liver cancer stemness, cell cycle, immune evasion, glycolysis, angiogenesis, drug resistance/sensitizer, and senescence. Immune escape is considered to be one of the hallmarks of cancer development, and circRNA participates in the immune escape of liver cancer cells by regulating natural killer (NK) cell function. CircRNAs may provide new ideas for immunotherapy in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Tang
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Tumor, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oncology, Lingnan Medical Research Center of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oncology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hai-Mei Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Tumor, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oncology, Lingnan Medical Research Center of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oncology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeng Jie Ye
- Department of Oncology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Sheng Huang
- Department of Oncology, Lingnan Medical Research Center of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiu-Shen Li
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Tumor, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oncology, Lingnan Medical Research Center of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oncology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin-Yu Qin
- Department of Oncology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui-Sheng Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Tumor, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oncology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hua-Feng Pan
- Department of Oncology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Da-Yong Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary, Cancer Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Hepatology, TCM-Integrated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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9
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Xu Z, Zhu X, Su L, Zou C, Chen X, Hou Y, Gong C, Ng W, Ni Z, Wang L, Yan X, Zhu Y, Jiao X, Yao C, Zhu S. A high-throughput assay for screening natural products that boost NK cell-mediated killing of cancer cells. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2020; 58:357-366. [PMID: 32356467 PMCID: PMC7241510 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2020.1748661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Context: Natural killer (NK) cells can eliminate malignant cells and play a vital role in immunosurveillance. Administration of natural compounds represents a promising approach for antitumor immunotherapy, which may enhance the NK cell activity via multiple mechanisms.Objective: Establishing approaches to evaluate the effect of select natural products on NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.Materials and methods: We selected a natural product library containing 2880 pure compounds, which was provided by the National Centre for Drug Screening of China. 0.1% DMSO was employed as a negative control, and 100 U/mL human recombinant IL-2 was employed as a positive control. To evaluate the % of tumour cells which were killed by NK cells, expanded NK cells were co-cultured with tumour cells and then treated with natural products at the concentration of 10 μM. After 24-h co-incubation, luminescent signal was detected and percent lysis was calculated.Results: We report on the results of a three-round high-throughput screening effort that identified 20-deoxyingenol 3-angelate (DI3A) and its analogue ingenol 3-angelate (I3A) as immuno enhancers which boosts NK cell-mediated killing of non-small cell lung cancer cells (NSCLCs). Biophotonic cytotoxicity assay and calcein release assay were used as two well-established NK cell cytotoxicity detection assays to validate the immuno-enhancing effects of DI3A and I3A, which was achieved by increasing degranulation and interferon-gamma secretion of NK cells.Conclusions: Our newly established ATP-based method was a valuable and information-rich screening tool to investigate the biological effects of natural products on both NK cells and tumour cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihang Xu
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowen Zhu
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Su
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunpu Zou
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifei Hou
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenyuan Gong
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanyi Ng
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongya Ni
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lixin Wang
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuewei Yan
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yangzhuangzhuang Zhu
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoning Jiao
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Yao
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- CONTACT Chao Yao
| | - Shiguo Zhu
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shiguo Zhu Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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10
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Kee BL, Morman RE, Sun M. Transcriptional regulation of natural killer cell development and maturation. Adv Immunol 2020; 146:1-28. [PMID: 32327150 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ai.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer cells are lymphocytes that respond rapidly to intracellular pathogens or cancer/stressed cells by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines or chemokines and by killing target cells through direct cytolysis. NK cells are distinct from B and T lymphocytes in that they become activated through a series of broadly expressed germ line encoded activating and inhibitory receptors or through the actions of inflammatory cytokines. They are the founding member of the innate lymphoid cell family, which mirror the functions of T lymphocytes, with NK cells being the innate counterpart to CD8 T lymphocytes. Despite the functional relationship between NK cells and CD8 T cells, the mechanisms controlling their specification, differentiation and maturation are distinct, with NK cells emerging from multipotent lymphoid progenitors in the bone marrow under the control of a unique transcriptional program. Over the past few years, substantial progress has been made in understanding the developmental pathways and the factors involved in generating mature and functional NK cells. NK cells have immense therapeutic potential and understanding how to acquire large numbers of functional cells and how to endow them with potent activity to control hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic malignancies and autoimmunity is a major clinical goal. In this review, we examine basic aspects of conventional NK cell development in mice and humans and discuss multiple transcription factors that are known to guide the development of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara L Kee
- Department of Pathology and Committee on Immunology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
| | - Rosmary E Morman
- Department of Pathology and Committee on Immunology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Mengxi Sun
- Department of Pathology and Committee on Immunology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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11
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Khan M, Arooj S, Wang H. NK Cell-Based Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Front Immunol 2020; 11:167. [PMID: 32117298 PMCID: PMC7031489 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, with an increasing number of therapeutic dimensions, is becoming an important mode of treatment for cancer patients. The inhibition of immune checkpoints, which are the source of immune escape for various cancers, is one such immunotherapeutic dimension. It has mainly been aimed at T cells in the past, but NK cells are a newly emerging target. Simultaneously, the number of checkpoints identified has been increasing in recent times. In addition to the classical NK cell receptors KIRs, LIRs, and NKG2A, several other immune checkpoints have also been shown to cause dysfunction of NK cells in various cancers and chronic infections. These checkpoints include the revolutionized CTLA-4, PD-1, and recently identified B7-H3, as well as LAG-3, TIGIT & CD96, TIM-3, and the most recently acknowledged checkpoint-members of the Siglecs family (Siglec-7/9), CD200 and CD47. An interesting dimension of immune checkpoints is their candidacy for dual-checkpoint inhibition, resulting in therapeutic synergism. Furthermore, the combination of immune checkpoint inhibition with other NK cell cytotoxicity restoration strategies could also strengthen its efficacy as an antitumor therapy. Here, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of the literature to date regarding NK cell-based immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Khan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Sumbal Arooj
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakistan
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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12
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MicroRNA-130a enhances the killing ability of natural killer cells against non-small cell lung cancer cells by targeting signal transducers and activators of transcription 3. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 523:481-486. [PMID: 31883616 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.11.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a serious threat for human health and life. Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy is a promising anti-tumor strategy in various cancers including NSCLC. Emerging microRNA (miRNA) has been identified as vital regulators in NK cell-mediated immunosurveillance process. MicroRNA-130a (miR-130a) level and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) mRNA level was measured by RT-qPCR assay. STAT3 protein level was determined by western blot assay. IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion was examined by corresponding ELISA kits. NK cell cytotoxicity was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The interaction between miR-130a and STAT3 was explored by bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. We found that MiR-130a level was notably reduced and STAT3 expression was dramatically increased in primary NK cells isolated from NSCLC patients. But, miR-130a was highly expressed and STAT3 was low expressed in IL-2-activated NK-92 cells. Functional analysis revealed that miR-130a overexpression potentiated killing ability of NK cells against A549 cells. Further investigations unveiled that STAT3 was a target of miR-130a and STAT3 overexpression abrogated miR-130a-induced improvement in killing activity of NK cells against NSCLC cells. In conclusion, MiR-130a improved the killing capacity of NK cells against NSCLC cells by targeting STAT3, laying a foundation for future studies on the roles and molecular basis of miR-130a in NK cell-based immunotherapy against various cancers.
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13
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Gingrich AA, Modiano JF, Canter RJ. Characterization and Potential Applications of Dog Natural Killer Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8111802. [PMID: 31717876 PMCID: PMC6912828 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8111802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells of the innate immune system are a key focus of research within the field of immuno-oncology based on their ability to recognize and eliminate malignant cells without prior sensitization or priming. However, barriers have arisen in the effective translation of NK cells to the clinic, in part because of critical species differences between mice and humans. Companion animals, especially dogs, are valuable species for overcoming many of these barriers, as dogs develop spontaneous tumors in the setting of an intact immune system, and the genetic and epigenetic factors that underlie oncogenesis appear to be similar between dogs and humans. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge for dog NK cells, including cell surface marker phenotype, key NK genes and genetic regulation, similarities and differences of dog NK cells to other mammals, especially human and mouse, expression of canonical inhibitory and activating receptors, ex vivo expansion techniques, and current and future clinical applications. While dog NK cells are not as well described as those in humans and mice, the knowledge of the field is increasing and clinical applications in dogs can potentially advance the field of human NK biology and therapy. Better characterization is needed to truly understand the similarities and differences of dog NK cells with mouse and human. This will allow for the canine model to speed clinical translation of NK immunotherapy studies and overcome key barriers in the optimization of NK cancer immunotherapy, including trafficking, longevity, and maximal in vivo support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia A. Gingrich
- Department of Surgery, University of California Davis, 2221 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Jaime F. Modiano
- Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, College of Veterinary Medicine and Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, 1365 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA;
| | - Robert J. Canter
- Department of Surgery, University of California Davis, 2221 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- Correspondence:
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14
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Pembrolizumab for anaplastic thyroid cancer: a case study. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019; 68:1921-1934. [PMID: 31637475 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02416-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway with targeted monoclonal antibodies has demonstrated encouraging anti-tumour activity in multiple cancer types. We present the case of a patient with BRAF-negative stage IVC anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) treated with the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, pembrolizumab, following radiographic progression on chemoradiation. Blood samples were collected prior to and at four time points during treatment with pembrolizumab. Mass cytometry was used to determine expression of relevant biomarkers by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Faecal samples were collected at baseline and 4 weeks following treatment initiation; taxonomic profiling using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing was performed. Following treatment, a marked expansion in CD20+ B cell, CD16+ CD56lo NK cell and CD45RO+ CCR7+ central memory CD4+ T-cell populations was observed in the peripheral blood. Proportions of cells expressing the co-receptors TIGIT, OX40 and CD86 also increased during treatment. A high abundance of bacteria of the order Bacteroidales, specifically from the Bacteroidaceae and Rikenellaceae families, was identified in the faecal microbiota. Moreover, the patient's microbiome was enriched in Clostridiales order members Ruminococcaceae, Veillonellaceae and Lachnospiraceae. Alpha diversity of the gut microbiome was significantly higher following initiation of checkpoint therapy as assessed by the Shannon and Simpson index. Our results suggest that treatment with pembrolizumab promotes expansion of T-, B- and NK cell populations in the peripheral blood at the time of tumour regression and have the potential to be implemented as predictive biomarkers in the context of checkpoint blockade therapy. Larger studies to confirm these findings are warranted.
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15
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Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Natural Killer Cells: The Future of Cancer Immunotherapy. Ochsner J 2019; 19:186-187. [PMID: 31528126 DOI: 10.31486/toj.19.0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
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16
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Xu W, Zhang X, Hu X, Zhiyi C, Huang P. Translational Prospects of ultrasound-mediated tumor immunotherapy: Preclinical advances and safety considerations. Cancer Lett 2019; 460:86-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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17
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Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are an emerging family of innate immune cells and have been found to have an important role in infection, inflammation and tissue repair. In particular, recent work has identified significant alterations of ILC responses in tumor patients, suggesting potential roles of ILCs in tumor development. In this paper, we have focused on the basic features of ILCs and their interaction with other immune cells. Importantly, as the role of cytotoxic natural killer cells, assigned to ILC1 family, in cancer has been well established, we have summarized the new findings that showcase the potential role and mechanism of helper ILCs in different tumors. Helper ILCs might promote or inhibit tumor growth and metastasis, which depends on tumor type and ILC subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunfeng Hu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.,School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Lymphoma, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.,Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
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18
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Xiao L, Cen D, Gan H, Sun Y, Huang N, Xiong H, Jin Q, Su L, Liu X, Wang K, Yan G, Dong T, Wu S, Zhou P, Zhang J, Liang W, Ren J, Teng Y, Chen C, Xu XH. Adoptive Transfer of NKG2D CAR mRNA-Engineered Natural Killer Cells in Colorectal Cancer Patients. Mol Ther 2019; 27:1114-1125. [PMID: 30962163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
By fusing the extracellular domain of the natural killer (NK) cell receptor NKG2D to DAP12, we constructed a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to improve NK cell tumor responses. An RNA electroporation approach that provides transient expression of the CAR was adopted as a risk mitigation strategy. Expression of the NKG2D RNA CAR significantly augmented the cytolytic activity of NK cells against several solid tumor cell lines in vitro and provided a clear therapeutic benefit to mice with established solid tumors. Three patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were then treated with local infusion of the CAR-NK cells. Reduction of ascites generation and a marked decrease in number of tumor cells in ascites samples were observed in the first two patients treated with intraperitoneal infusion of low doses of the CAR-NK cells. The third patient with metastatic tumor sites in the liver was treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous injection, followed by intraperitoneal infusion of the CAR-NK cells. Rapid tumor regression in the liver region was observed with Doppler ultrasound imaging and complete metabolic response in the treated liver lesions was confirmed by positron emission tomography (PET)- computed tomographic (CT) scanning. Our results highlight a promising therapeutic potential of using RNA CAR-modified NK cells to treat metastatic colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xiao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Dongzhi Cen
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Haining Gan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Nanqi Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Hanzhen Xiong
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Qiongmei Jin
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Liqun Su
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Xuejuan Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Kejian Wang
- Lin He's Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation at The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China
| | - Guangrong Yan
- Biomedicine Research Centre, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Tianfa Dong
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Shangbiao Wu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Pengzhi Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Jinshan Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Weixiang Liang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Junlan Ren
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health-Guangdong Laboratory (GRMH-GDL), Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510320, China
| | - Yaoshu Teng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Affiliated Hangzhou First's People Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Can Chen
- Hangzhou Youshan Biomedical Co., Ltd., 459 Qianmo Road, Hangzhou 310051, China
| | - Xue Hu Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China.
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19
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Nayyar G, Chu Y, Cairo MS. Overcoming Resistance to Natural Killer Cell Based Immunotherapies for Solid Tumors. Front Oncol 2019; 9:51. [PMID: 30805309 PMCID: PMC6378304 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, the prognosis of several solid tumor malignancies remains poor. Different factors associated with solid tumors including a varied genetic signature, complex molecular signaling pathways, defective cross talk between the tumor cells and immune cells, hypoxic and immunosuppressive effects of tumor microenvironment result in a treatment resistant and metastatic phenotype. Over the past several years, immunotherapy has emerged as an attractive therapeutic option against multiple malignancies. The unique ability of natural killer (NK) cells to target cancer cells without antigen specificity makes them an ideal candidate for use against solid tumors. However, the outcomes of adoptive NK cell infusions into patients with solid tumors have been disappointing. Extensive studies have been done to investigate different strategies to improve the NK cell function, trafficking and tumor targeting. Use of cytokines and cytokine analogs has been well described and utilized to enhance the proliferation, stimulation and persistence of NK cells. Other techniques like blocking the human leukocyte antigen-killer cell receptors (KIR) interactions with anti-KIR monoclonal antibodies, preventing CD16 receptor shedding, increasing the expression of activating NK cell receptors like NKG2D, and use of immunocytokines and immune checkpoint inhibitors can enhance NK cell mediated cytotoxicity. Using genetically modified NK cells with chimeric antigen receptors and bispecific and trispecific NK cell engagers, NK cells can be effectively redirected to the tumor cells improving their cytotoxic potential. In this review, we have described these strategies and highlighted the need to further optimize these strategies to improve the clinical outcome of NK cell based immunotherapy against solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Nayyar
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Yaya Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Mitchell S Cairo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.,Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.,Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.,Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
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20
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Dunai C, Murphy WJ. NK cells for PD-1/PD-L1 blockade immunotherapy: pinning down the NK cell. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:4251-4253. [PMID: 30198909 DOI: 10.1172/jci123121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In spite of a very robust body of literature and definitive data demonstrating the importance of the programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) pathway in T cells and their function, the data on NK cell PD-1 expression have been highly variable and, particularly in the case of mouse NK cells, scarce. In this issue of the JCI, Hsu et al. present data demonstrating PD-1 expression on mouse NK cells only within tumors and show that PD-1 blockade elicits an antitumor NK cell-mediated response. This study indicates that, given the complexity of both the biology and study of NK cells, further work is needed to more clearly determine the role of the PD-1/PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) on NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William J Murphy
- Department of Dermatology and.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, UCD, Sacramento, California, USA
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21
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Dianat-Moghadam H, Rokni M, Marofi F, Panahi Y, Yousefi M. Natural killer cell-based immunotherapy: From transplantation toward targeting cancer stem cells. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:259-273. [PMID: 30144312 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are key players of the innate immune system. NK cells provide protection against infectious pathogens and malignancies in cell. This characteristic may be attributable to their intrinsic diverse potentialities and also their cooperation with adaptive immune lymphocytes, known as B and T cells. The growth, recurrence, and metastasis of cancer cells, and the failure of cytoreductive therapies against cancer cells are due to the small population of intratumor stem-like cells, called cancer stem cells (CSCs). Furthermore, NK cells can efficiently eradicate heterogeneous tumor cells after a long-term treatment. Therefore, NK cell-based therapy is a promising strategy to target and break CSC-associated resistance to anticancer drugs treatment. In this review, we have presented an overview of the emerging knowledge of the characteristics, diversities, and mechanism-driven immune surveillance of human NK cells and advances in NK cell-based immunotherapies. Finally, we will discuss how these cells can be applied to introduce the next generation of vaccine- and immune-based approaches to prevent drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Dianat-Moghadam
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rokni
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faroogh Marofi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yunes Panahi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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22
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Foerster F, Boegel S, Heck R, Pickert G, Rüssel N, Rosigkeit S, Bros M, Strobl S, Kaps L, Aslam M, Diken M, Castle J, Sahin U, Tuettenberg A, Bockamp E, Schuppan D. Enhanced protection of C57 BL/6 vs Balb/c mice to melanoma liver metastasis is mediated by NK cells. Oncoimmunology 2017; 7:e1409929. [PMID: 29632723 PMCID: PMC5889278 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1409929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The B16F10 murine melanoma cell line displays a low expression of MHC class I molecules favoring immune evasion and metastases in immunocompetent C57 BL/6 wild-type mice. Here, we generated metastases to the liver, an organ that is skewed towards immune tolerance, by intrasplenic injection of B16F10 cells in syngeneic C57 BL/6 compared to allogeneic Balb/c mice. Surprisingly, Balb/c mice, which usually display a pronounced M2 macrophage and Th2 T cell polarization, were ∼3 times more susceptible to metastasis than C57 BL/6 mice, despite a much higher M1 and Th1 T cell immune response. The anti-metastatic advantage of C57 BL/6 mice could be attributed to a more potent NK-cell mediated cytotoxicity against B16F10 cells. Our findings highlight the role of NK cells in innate anti-tumor immunity in the context of the liver – particularly against highly aggressive MHC I-deficient cancer cells. Moreover, the B16F10 model of melanoma liver metastasis is suited for developing novel therapies targeting innate NK cell related immunity in liver metastases and liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich Foerster
- First Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sebastian Boegel
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Rosario Heck
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Geetha Pickert
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nina Rüssel
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sebastian Rosigkeit
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Bros
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stephanie Strobl
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Leonard Kaps
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Misbah Aslam
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mustafa Diken
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - John Castle
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ugur Sahin
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andrea Tuettenberg
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ernesto Bockamp
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Detlef Schuppan
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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23
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Vo DN, Alexia C, Allende-Vega N, Morschhauser F, Houot R, Menard C, Tarte K, Cartron G, Villalba M. NK cell activation and recovery of NK cell subsets in lymphoma patients after obinutuzumab and lenalidomide treatment. Oncoimmunology 2017; 7:e1409322. [PMID: 29632722 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1409322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Obinutuzumab (OBZ) shows stronger antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) compared to rituximab and improved clinical activity for treating certain CD20+ neoplasia. However, the efficacy of monoclonal antibody (mAb) as a monotherapy is limited. Natural Killer (NK) cells are mediators of ADCC. Hematological cancer patients possess antitumor NK cells that are unable to control disease, possibly because they are dysfunctional. The immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide (LEN) could be a treatment to restore exhausted NK cell cytotoxic functions. The clinical trial GALEN is a Phase Ib/II study of OBZ combined with LEN for the treatment of relapsed/refractory follicular and aggressive (DLBCL and MCL) B-cell Lymphoma. During treatment, we analyzed specific aspects of NK cell biology. Treatment reversed the immature NK phenotype of patients and increased expression of NK activating receptors. Inhibitory receptors were either unchanged or decreased. There was a strong NK response at the end of the 1st cycle: NK number and intracellular granzyme B (GrzB) expression decreased, degranulation increased and NK responded better to allogeneic target challenge. Moreover, the interaction of NK cells with B cell targets, measured by trogocytosis, decreased during treatment. At the end of treatment, when target cells had been wiped out, the proportion of reactive NK cells (CD69+, CD45RARO+, CD107a+, CD19+) strongly decreased. Because all patients received LEN and OBZ, it was uncertain which drug was responsible of our observations, or even if a combination of both products was necessary for the described effects on this lymphocyte lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dang-Nghiem Vo
- INSERM U1183, Université de Montpellier 1, UFR Médecine, Montpellier, France.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy (IRMB), CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Catherine Alexia
- INSERM U1183, Université de Montpellier 1, UFR Médecine, Montpellier, France
| | - Nerea Allende-Vega
- INSERM U1183, Université de Montpellier 1, UFR Médecine, Montpellier, France.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy (IRMB), CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Franck Morschhauser
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, EA 7365 - GRITA - Groupe de Recherche sur les formes Injectables et les Technologies Associées, Lille, France
| | - Roch Houot
- Department of Clinical Hematology, University Hospital Rennes, Rennes, France.,UMR U1236, INSERM Université Rennes 1, Etablissement Français du Sang, Rennes, France
| | - Cedric Menard
- UMR U1236, INSERM Université Rennes 1, Etablissement Français du Sang, Rennes, France.,SITI, Pôle de Biologie, CHU de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Karin Tarte
- UMR U1236, INSERM Université Rennes 1, Etablissement Français du Sang, Rennes, France.,SITI, Pôle de Biologie, CHU de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Guillaume Cartron
- Département d'Hématologie Clinique, CHU Montpellier, Université Montpellier I, 80 avenue Augustin Fliche, Montpellier, France.,CNRS UMR5235, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Martin Villalba
- INSERM U1183, Université de Montpellier 1, UFR Médecine, Montpellier, France.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy (IRMB), CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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24
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Barrow AD, Colonna M. Tailoring Natural Killer cell immunotherapy to the tumour microenvironment. Semin Immunol 2017; 31:30-36. [PMID: 28935344 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic and cytokine-secreting cells that can mediate potent anti-tumour activity. Accumulating evidence indicates that NK cell functions are severely compromised within the confines of the tumour microenvironment thus impairing the efficacy and development of NK cell-based therapies. Here we review the various cellular and molecular pathways that tumours have supplanted to evade NK cell surveillance. We highlight novel strategies designed to alleviate or circumvent the immunosuppressive conditions of the tumour microenvironment in order to emancipate NK cell function and stifle the inexorable growth and metastasis of malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander David Barrow
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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25
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Immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif-dependent functions of an MHC class I-specific NK cell receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E8440-E8447. [PMID: 28923946 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1713064114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells express MHC class I (MHC-I)-specific receptors, such as Ly49A, that inhibit killing of cells expressing self-MHC-I. Self-MHC-I also "licenses" NK cells to become responsive to activating stimuli and regulates the surface level of NK-cell inhibitory receptors. However, the mechanisms of action resulting from these interactions of the Ly49s with their MHC-I ligands, particularly in vivo, have been controversial. Definitive studies could be derived from mice with targeted mutations in inhibitory Ly49s, but there are inherent challenges in specifically altering a single gene within a multigene family. Herein, we generated a knock-in mouse with a targeted mutation in the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) of Ly49A that abolished the inhibitory function of Ly49A in cytotoxicity assays. This mutant Ly49A caused a licensing defect in NK cells, but the surface expression of Ly49A was unaltered. Moreover, NK cells that expressed this mutant Ly49A exhibited an altered inhibitory receptor repertoire. These results demonstrate that Ly49A ITIM signaling is critical for NK-cell effector inhibition, licensing, and receptor repertoire development.
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