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Lee MJ, de los Rios Kobara I, Barnard TR, Vales Torres X, Tobin NH, Ferbas KG, Rimoin AW, Yang OO, Aldrovandi GM, Wilk AJ, Fulcher JA, Blish CA. NK Cell-Monocyte Cross-talk Underlies NK Cell Activation in Severe COVID-19. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 212:1693-1705. [PMID: 38578283 PMCID: PMC11102029 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
NK cells in the peripheral blood of severe COVID-19 patients exhibit a unique profile characterized by activation and dysfunction. Previous studies have identified soluble factors, including type I IFN and TGF-β, that underlie this dysregulation. However, the role of cell-cell interactions in modulating NK cell function during COVID-19 remains unclear. To address this question, we combined cell-cell communication analysis on existing single-cell RNA sequencing data with in vitro primary cell coculture experiments to dissect the mechanisms underlying NK cell dysfunction in COVID-19. We found that NK cells are predicted to interact most strongly with monocytes and that this occurs via both soluble factors and direct interactions. To validate these findings, we performed in vitro cocultures in which NK cells from healthy human donors were incubated with monocytes from COVID-19+ or healthy donors. Coculture of healthy NK cells with monocytes from COVID-19 patients recapitulated aspects of the NK cell phenotype observed in severe COVID-19, including decreased expression of NKG2D, increased expression of activation markers, and increased proliferation. When these experiments were performed in a Transwell setting, we found that only CD56bright CD16- NK cells were activated in the presence of severe COVID-19 patient monocytes. O-link analysis of supernatants from Transwell cocultures revealed that cultures containing severe COVID-19 patient monocytes had significantly elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as TGF-β. Collectively, these results demonstrate that interactions between NK cells and monocytes in the peripheral blood of COVID-19 patients contribute to NK cell activation and dysfunction in severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline J. Lee
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
- Stanford Immunology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Izumi de los Rios Kobara
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
- Stanford Immunology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Trisha R. Barnard
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Xariana Vales Torres
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
- Stanford Immunology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Nicole H. Tobin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kathie G. Ferbas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Anne W. Rimoin
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Otto O. Yang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Grace M. Aldrovandi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Aaron J. Wilk
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
- Stanford Medical Scientist Training Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Jennifer A. Fulcher
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Catherine A. Blish
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA
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Sohrabi S, Masoumi J, Naseri B, Ghorbaninezhad F, Alipour S, Kazemi T, Ahmadian Heris J, Aghebati Maleki L, Basirjafar P, Zandvakili R, Doustvandi MA, Baradaran B. STATs signaling pathways in dendritic cells: As potential therapeutic targets? Int Rev Immunol 2024; 43:138-159. [PMID: 37886903 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2023.2274576] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including heterogenous populations with phenotypic and functional diversity that coordinate bridging innate and adaptive immunity. Signal transducer and activator of transcriptions (STAT) factors as key proteins in cytokine signaling were shown to play distinct roles in the maturation and antigen presentation of DCs and play a pivotal role in modulating immune responses mediated by DCs such as differentiation of T cells to T helper (Th) 1, Th2 or regulatory T (Treg) cells. This review sheds light on the importance of STAT transcription factors' signaling pathways in different subtypes of DCs and highlights their targeting potential usages for improving DC-based immunotherapies for patients who suffer from cancer or diverse autoimmune conditions according to the type of the STAT transcription factor and its specific activating or inhibitory agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Sohrabi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Javad Masoumi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Bahar Naseri
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Shiva Alipour
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Tohid Kazemi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | | | - Pedram Basirjafar
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Raziyeh Zandvakili
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | | | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology 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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3
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Liu W, Zhou H, Lai W, Hu C, Xu R, Gu P, Luo M, Zhang R, Li G. The immunosuppressive landscape in tumor microenvironment. Immunol Res 2024:10.1007/s12026-024-09483-8. [PMID: 38691319 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-024-09483-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have revolutionized the clinical outcome of many cancer patients. Despite the fact that impressive progress has been made in recent decades, the response rate remains unsatisfactory, and many patients do not benefit from ICIs. Herein, we summarized advanced studies and the latest insights on immune inhibitory factors in the tumor microenvironment. Our in-depth discussion and updated landscape of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment may provide new strategies for reversing tumor immune evasion, enhancing the efficacy of ICIs therapy, and ultimately achieving a better clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuyi Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, 83 Xinqiao Road, Shapingba, Chongqing, China
| | - Huyue Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, 83 Xinqiao Road, Shapingba, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenjing Lai
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, 83 Xinqiao Road, Shapingba, Chongqing, China
| | - Changpeng Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, 83 Xinqiao Road, Shapingba, Chongqing, China
| | - Rufu Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, 83 Xinqiao Road, Shapingba, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Gu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, 83 Xinqiao Road, Shapingba, Chongqing, China
| | - Menglin Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, 83 Xinqiao Road, Shapingba, Chongqing, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, 83 Xinqiao Road, Shapingba, Chongqing, China.
| | - Guobing Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, 83 Xinqiao Road, Shapingba, Chongqing, China.
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4
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Sadeghi M, Dehnavi S, Sharifat M, Amiri AM, Khodadadi A. Innate immune cells: Key players of orchestra in modulating tumor microenvironment (TME). Heliyon 2024; 10:e27480. [PMID: 38463798 PMCID: PMC10923864 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27480] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) with vital role in cancer progression is composed of various cells such as endothelial cells, immune cells, and mesenchymal stem cells. In particular, innate immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, neutrophils, innate lymphoid cells, γδT lymphocytes, and natural killer cells can either promote or suppress tumor progression when present in the TME. An increase in research on the cross-talk between the TME and innate immune cells will lead to new approaches for anti-tumoral therapeutic interventions. This review primarily focuses on the biology of innate immune cells and their main functions in the TME. In addition, it summarizes several innate immune-based immunotherapies that are currently tested in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahvash Sadeghi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Sajad Dehnavi
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Moosa Sharifat
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Amir Mohammad Amiri
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ali Khodadadi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Cancer, Petroleum and Environmental Pollutants Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Rani D, Kaur S, Shahjahan, Dey JK, Dey SK. Engineering immune response to regulate cardiovascular disease and cancer. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2024; 140:381-417. [PMID: 38762276 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are major contributors to global morbidity and mortality. This book chapter delves into the intricate relationship between the immune system and the pathogenesis of both cardiovascular and cancer diseases, exploring the roles of innate and adaptive immunities, immune regulation, and immunotherapy in these complex conditions. The innate immune system acts as the first line of defense against tissue damage and infection, with a significant impact on the initiation and progression of CVD and cancer. Endothelial dysfunction, a hallmark in CVD, shares commonalities with the tumor microenvironment in cancer, emphasizing the parallel involvement of the immune system in both conditions. The adaptive immune system, particularly T cells, contributes to prolonged inflammation in both CVD and cancer. Regulatory T cells and the intricate balance between different T cell subtypes influence disease progression, wound healing, and the outcomes of ischemic injury and cancer immunosurveillance. Dysregulation of immune homeostasis can lead to chronic inflammation, contributing to the development and progression of both CVD and cancer. Thus, immunotherapy emerged as a promising avenue for preventing and managing these diseases, with strategies targeting immune cell modulation, cytokine manipulation, immune checkpoint blockade, and tolerance induction. The impact of gut microbiota on CVD and cancer too is explored in this chapter, highlighting the role of gut leakiness, microbial metabolites, and the potential for microbiome-based interventions in cardiovascular and cancer immunotherapies. In conclusion, immunomodulatory strategies and immunotherapy hold promise in reshaping the landscape of cardiovascular and cancer health. Additionally, harnessing the gut microbiota for immune modulation presents a novel approach to prevent and manage these complex diseases, emphasizing the importance of personalized and precision medicine in healthcare. Ongoing research and clinical trials are expected to further elucidate the complex immunological underpinnings of CVD and cancer thereby refining these innovative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diksha Rani
- Laboratory for Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Smaranjot Kaur
- Laboratory for Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Shahjahan
- Laboratory for Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Joy Kumar Dey
- Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar Dey
- Laboratory for Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
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Lynce F, Stevens LE, Li Z, Brock JE, Gulvady A, Huang Y, Nakhlis F, Patel A, Force JM, Haddad TC, Ueno N, Stearns V, Wolff AC, Clark AS, Bellon JR, Richardson ET, Balko JM, Krop IE, Winer EP, Lange P, Hwang ES, King TA, Tolaney SM, Thompson A, Gupta GP, Mittendorf EA, Regan MM, Overmoyer B, Polyak K. TBCRC 039: a phase II study of preoperative ruxolitinib with or without paclitaxel for triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2024; 26:20. [PMID: 38297352 PMCID: PMC10829369 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-024-01774-0] [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: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) have overall poor clinical outcomes, with triple-negative IBC (TN-IBC) being associated with the worst survival, warranting the investigation of novel therapies. Preclinical studies implied that ruxolitinib (RUX), a JAK1/2 inhibitor, may be an effective therapy for TN-IBC. METHODS We conducted a randomized phase II study with nested window-of-opportunity in TN-IBC. Treatment-naïve patients received a 7-day run-in of RUX alone or RUX plus paclitaxel (PAC). After the run-in, those who received RUX alone proceeded to neoadjuvant therapy with either RUX + PAC or PAC alone for 12 weeks; those who had received RUX + PAC continued treatment for 12 weeks. All patients subsequently received 4 cycles of doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide prior to surgery. Research tumor biopsies were performed at baseline (pre-run-in) and after run-in therapy. Tumors were evaluated for phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) by immunostaining, and a subset was also analyzed by RNA-seq. The primary endpoint was the percent of pSTAT3-positive pre-run-in tumors that became pSTAT3-negative. Secondary endpoints included pathologic complete response (pCR). RESULTS Overall, 23 patients were enrolled, of whom 21 completed preoperative therapy. Two patients achieved pCR (8.7%). pSTAT3 and IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling decreased in post-run-in biopsies of RUX-treated samples, while sustained treatment with RUX + PAC upregulated IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling compared to RUX alone. Both treatments decreased GZMB+ T cells implying immune suppression. RUX alone effectively inhibited JAK/STAT3 signaling but its combination with PAC led to incomplete inhibition. The immune suppressive effects of RUX alone and in combination may negate its growth inhibitory effects on cancer cells. CONCLUSION In summary, the use of RUX in TN-IBC was associated with a decrease in pSTAT3 levels despite lack of clinical benefit. Cancer cell-specific-targeting of JAK2/STAT3 or combinations with immunotherapy may be required for further evaluation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling as a cancer therapeutic target. TRIAL REGISTRATION www. CLINICALTRIALS gov , NCT02876302. Registered 23 August 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Lynce
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Laura E Stevens
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zheqi Li
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jane E Brock
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anushree Gulvady
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ying Huang
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Faina Nakhlis
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashka Patel
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Naoto Ueno
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Amy S Clark
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer R Bellon
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward T Richardson
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Justin M Balko
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ian E Krop
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Eric P Winer
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paulina Lange
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | | | - Tari A King
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sara M Tolaney
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Elizabeth A Mittendorf
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meredith M Regan
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Beth Overmoyer
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kornelia Polyak
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Agrez M, Chandler C, Thurecht KJ, Fletcher NL, Liu F, Subramaniam G, Howard CB, Blyth B, Parker S, Turner D, Rzepecka J, Knox G, Nika A, Hall AM, Gooding H, Gallagher L. An immunomodulating peptide with potential to suppress tumour growth and autoimmunity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19741. [PMID: 37957274 PMCID: PMC10643673 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47229-y] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancers and autoimmune diseases commonly co-exist and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (ICI) exacerbates autoimmune pathologies. We recently described a lipidic peptide, designated IK14004, that promotes expansion of immunosuppressive T regulatory (Treg) cells and uncouples interleukin-2 from interferon-gamma production while activating CD8+ T cells. Herein, we report IK14004-mediated inhibition of Lewis lung cancer (LLC) growth and re-invigoration of splenocyte-derived exhausted CD4+ T cells. In human immune cells from healthy donors, IK14004 modulates expression of the T cell receptor α/β subunits, induces Type I IFN expression, stimulates natural killer (NK) cells to express NKG2D/NKp44 receptors and enhances K562 cytotoxicity. In both T and NK cells, IK14004 alters the IL-12 receptor β1/β2 chain ratio to favour IL-12p70 binding. Taken together, this novel peptide offers an opportunity to gain further insight into the complexity of ICI immunotherapy so that autoimmune responses may be minimised without promoting tumour evasion from the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Agrez
- InterK Peptide Therapeutics Limited, New South Wales, Australia.
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | | | - Kristofer J Thurecht
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nicholas L Fletcher
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Feifei Liu
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gayathri Subramaniam
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Christopher B Howard
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Benjamin Blyth
- Department of Oncology,, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Sir Peter MacCallum, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen Parker
- InterK Peptide Therapeutics Limited, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | - Gavin Knox
- Concept Life Sciences, Edinburgh, Scotland
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8
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Kaur K, Chen PC, Ko MW, Mei A, Senjor E, Malarkannan S, Kos J, Jewett A. Sequential therapy with supercharged NK cells with either chemotherapy drug cisplatin or anti-PD-1 antibody decreases the tumor size and significantly enhances the NK function in Hu-BLT mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1132807. [PMID: 37197660 PMCID: PMC10183580 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1132807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction and methods In this study we report that sequential treatment of supercharged NK (sNK) cells with either chemotherapeutic drugs or check-point inhibitors eliminate both poorly differentiated and well differentiated tumors in-vivo in humanized-BLT mice. Background and results sNK cells were found to be a unique population of activated NK cells with genetic, proteomic, and functional attributes that are very different from primary untreated or IL-2 treated NK cells. Furthermore, NK-supernatant differentiated or well-differentiated oral or pancreatic tumor cell lines are not susceptible to IL-2 activated primary NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity; however, they are greatly killed by the CDDP and paclitaxel in in-vitro assays. Injection of one dose of sNK cells at 1 million cells per mouse to aggressive CSC-like/poorly differentiated oral tumor bearing mice, followed by an injection of CDDP, inhibited tumor weight and growth, and increased IFN-γ secretion as well as NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity substantially in bone marrow, spleen and peripheral blood derived immune cells. Similarly, the use of check point inhibitor anti-PD-1 antibody increased IFN-γ secretion and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and decreased the tumor burden in-vivo, and tumor growth of resected minimal residual tumors from hu-BLT mice when used sequentially with sNK cells. The addition of anti-PDL1 antibody to poorly differentiated MP2, NK-differentiated MP2 or well-differentiated PL-12 pancreatic tumors had different effects on tumor cells depending on the differentiation status of the tumor cells, since differentiated tumors expressed PD-L1 and were susceptible to NK cell mediated ADCC, whereas poorly differentiated OSCSCs or MP2 did not express PD-L1 and were killed directly by the NK cells. Conclusions Therefore, the ability to target combinatorially clones of tumors with NK cells and chemotherapeutic drugs or NK cells with checkpoint inhibitors at different stages of tumor differentiation may be crucial for successful eradication and cure of cancer. Furthermore, the success of check point inhibitor PD-L1 may relate to the levels of expression on tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Po-Chun Chen
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Meng-Wei Ko
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ao Mei
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Emanuela Senjor
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Subramaniam Malarkannan
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Janko Kos
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Zheng J, Lu Y, Xiao J, Duan Y, Zong S, Chen X, Hu T, Li L, Zhang Y. Pan-HDAC inhibitors augment IL2-induced proliferation of NK cells via the JAK2-STAT5B signaling pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109753. [PMID: 36738675 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109753] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells are a subtype of lymphocytes with the ability to quickly and efficiently identify and eliminate tumor cells. In the presence of IL2, NK cells can divide rapidly but in limited numbers. According to previous studies, in vivo treatment with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors did not impair NK-cell function. This study aimed to investigate the effect of HDAC inhibitors on NK-cell proliferation and the underlying regulatory mechanism. METHODS NK92 cells, primary NK (pNK) cells, and CD19-CAR-NK92 cells were treated with low concentrations of pan-HDACi Dacinostat (Dac) and Panobinostat (Pan) in the presence of IL2, and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and flow cytometry assays were used to assess cell proliferation and apoptosis. The expression of granzyme B was detected by immunofluorescence, and the expression of CD107a and NKG2D was determined by flow cytometry. The downstream regulatory genes were identified by RNA-seq, and the "JAK-STAT signaling pathway"- and "Cell cycle signaling pathway"-related genes were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis. The JAK2V617F mouse model was constructed to simulate the upregulation of the JAK2 signaling pathway in vivo, and the NK proliferation was evaluated by flow cytometry. A tumor-bearing nude mouse model was constructed to determine the anti-tumor efficacy of NK92 cells following Dac treatment. RESULTS In the presence of IL2, the proliferation rate of NK92 cells, pNK cells, and CD19-CAR-NK92 cells treated with pan-HDACi Dac and Pan at low nanomolar doses was significantly increased, although cell function was unaffected. Low doses of Dac upregulated the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and enhance the cell cycle via that pathway. In addition, the in vivo experiment in nude mice showed that the capacity of Dac treated NK92 cells to eliminate tumor cells was unaffected. CONCLUSION Low nanomolar doses of Pan-HDACi enhanced IL2-induced NK cell proliferation without compromising the functioning of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Zheng
- Tianjin Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yao Lu
- Tianjin Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- Tianjin Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yongjuan Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300041, China
| | - Suyu Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300041, China
| | - Xiaoli Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300041, China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300041, China
| | - Long Li
- Tianjin Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.
| | - Yingchi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300041, China.
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10
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Lu C, Liu Y, Ali NM, Zhang B, Cui X. The role of innate immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and research progress in anti-tumor therapy. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1039260. [PMID: 36741415 PMCID: PMC9893925 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1039260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Innate immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) mainly include macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, dendritic cells and bone marrow derived suppressor cells. They play an anti-tumor or pro-tumor role by secreting various cytokines, chemokines and other factors, and determine the occurrence and development of tumors. Comprehending the role of innate immune cells in tumorigenesis and progression can help improve therapeutic approaches targeting innate immune cells in the TME, increasing the likelihood of favorable prognosis. In this review, we discussed the cell biology of innate immune cells, their role in tumorigenesis and development, and the current status of innate immune cell-based immunotherapy, in order to provide an overview for future research lines and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglin Lu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China,Department of Oncology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, China
| | - Nasra Mohamoud Ali
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China,*Correspondence: Xiaonan Cui, ; Bin Zhang,
| | - Xiaonan Cui
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China,*Correspondence: Xiaonan Cui, ; Bin Zhang,
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11
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Macedo AB, Levinger C, Nguyen BN, Richard J, Gupta M, Cruz CRY, Finzi A, Chiappinelli KB, Crandall KA, Bosque A. The HIV Latency Reversal Agent HODHBt Enhances NK Cell Effector and Memory-Like Functions by Increasing Interleukin-15-Mediated STAT Activation. J Virol 2022; 96:e0037222. [PMID: 35867565 PMCID: PMC9364794 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00372-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Elimination of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reservoirs is a critical endpoint to eradicate HIV. One therapeutic intervention against latent HIV is "shock and kill." This strategy is based on the transcriptional activation of latent HIV with a latency-reversing agent (LRA) with the consequent killing of the reactivated cell by either the cytopathic effect of HIV or the immune system. We have previously found that the small molecule 3-hydroxy-1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(3H)-one (HODHBt) acts as an LRA by increasing signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) factor activation mediated by interleukin-15 (IL-15) in cells isolated from aviremic participants. The IL-15 superagonist N-803 is currently under clinical investigation to eliminate latent reservoirs. IL-15 and N-803 share similar mechanisms of action by promoting the activation of STATs and have shown some promise in preclinical models directed toward HIV eradication. In this work, we evaluated the ability of HODHBt to enhance IL-15 signaling in natural killer (NK) cells and the biological consequences associated with increased STAT activation in NK cell effector and memory-like functions. We showed that HODHBt increased IL-15-mediated STAT phosphorylation in NK cells, resulting in increases in the secretion of CXCL-10 and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and the expression of cytotoxic proteins, including granzyme B, granzyme A, perforin, granulysin, FASL, and TRAIL. This increased cytotoxic profile results in increased cytotoxicity against HIV-infected cells and different tumor cell lines. HODHBt also improved the generation of cytokine-induced memory-like NK cells. Overall, our data demonstrate that enhancing the magnitude of IL-15 signaling with HODHBt favors NK cell cytotoxicity and memory-like generation, and thus, targeting this pathway could be further explored for HIV cure interventions. IMPORTANCE Several clinical trials targeting the HIV latent reservoir with LRAs have been completed. In spite of a lack of clinical benefit, they have been crucial to elucidate hurdles that "shock and kill" strategies have to overcome to promote an effective reduction of the latent reservoir to lead to a cure. These hurdles include low reactivation potential mediated by LRAs, the negative influence of some LRAs on the activity of natural killer and effector CD8 T cells, an increased resistance to apoptosis of latently infected cells, and an exhausted immune system due to chronic inflammation. To that end, finding therapeutic strategies that can overcome some of these challenges could improve the outcome of shock and kill strategies aimed at HIV eradication. Here, we show that the LRA HODHBt also improves IL-15-mediated NK cell effector and memory-like functions. As such, pharmacological enhancement of IL-15-mediated STAT activation can open new therapeutic avenues toward an HIV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda B. Macedo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Callie Levinger
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Bryan N. Nguyen
- Computational Biology Institute, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jonathan Richard
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mamta Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- GW Cancer Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Conrad Russell Y. Cruz
- GW Cancer Center, Washington, DC, USA
- Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Andrés Finzi
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Katherine B. Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- GW Cancer Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Keith A. Crandall
- Computational Biology Institute, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alberto Bosque
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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12
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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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13
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Pramanik A, Bhattacharyya S. Myeloid derived suppressor cells and innate immune system interaction in tumor microenvironment. Life Sci 2022; 305:120755. [PMID: 35780842 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is a complex domain that not only contains tumor cells but also a plethora of other host immune cells. By nature, the tumor microenvironment is a highly immunosuppressive milieu providing growing conditions for tumor cells. A major immune cell population that contributes most in the development of this immunosuppressive microenvironment is the MDSC, a heterogenous population of immature cells. Although found in small numbers only in the bone marrow of healthy individuals, they readily migrate to the lymph nodes and tumor site during cancer pathogenesis. MDSC mediated disruption of antitumor T cell activity is a major cause of the immunosuppression at the tumor site, but recent findings have shown that MDSC mediated dysfunction of other major immune cells might also play an important role. In this article we will review how crosstalk with MDSC alters the activity of both conventional and unconventional immune cells that inhibits the antitumor immunity and promotes cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anik Pramanik
- Immunobiology and Translational Medicine Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Sidho Kanho Birsha University, Purulia 723104, West Bengal, India
| | - Sankar Bhattacharyya
- Immunobiology and Translational Medicine Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Sidho Kanho Birsha University, Purulia 723104, West Bengal, India.
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14
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The Role of Indoleamine 2, 3-Dioxygenase 1 in Regulating Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112756. [PMID: 35681736 PMCID: PMC9179436 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is a rate-limiting enzyme that metabolizes an essential amino acid tryptophan (Trp) into kynurenine (Kyn), and it promotes the occurrence of immunosuppressive effects by regulating the consumption of Trp and the accumulation of Kyn in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent studies have shown that the main cellular components of TME interact with each other through this pathway to promote the formation of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Here, we review the role of the immunosuppression mechanisms mediated by the IDO1 pathway in tumor growth. We discuss obstacles encountered in using IDO1 as a new tumor immunotherapy target, as well as the current clinical research progress.
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15
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Brar HK, Roy G, Kanojia A, Madan E, Madhubala R, Muthuswami R. Chromatin-Remodeling Factor BRG1 Is a Negative Modulator of L. donovani in IFNγ Stimulated and Infected THP-1 Cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:860058. [PMID: 35433496 PMCID: PMC9011159 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.860058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens manipulate the host cell for their own survival by contributing to modifications of host epigenome, and thus, altering expression of genes involved in the pathogenesis. Both ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complex and histone modifications has been shown to be involved in the activation of IFNγ responsive genes. Leishmania donovani is an intracellular pathogen that causes visceral leishmaniasis. The strategies employed by Leishmania donovani to modulate the host epigenome in order to overcome the host defense for their persistence has been worked out in this study. We show that L. donovani negatively affects BRG1, a catalytic subunit of mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, to alter IFNγ induced host responses. We observed that L. donovani infection downregulates BRG1 expression both at transcript and protein levels in cells stimulated with IFNγ. We also observed a significant decrease in IFNγ responsive gene, Class II transactivator (CIITA), as well as its downstream genes, MHC-II (HLA-DR and HLA-DM). Also, the occupancy of BRG1 at CIITA promoters I and IV was disrupted. A reversal in CIITA expression and decreased parasite load was observed with BRG1 overexpression, thus, suggesting BRG1 is a potential negative regulator for the survival of intracellular parasites in an early phase of infection. We also observed a decrease in H3 acetylation at the promoters of CIITA, post parasite infection. Silencing of HDAC1, resulted in increased CIITA expression, and further decreased parasite load. Taken together, we suggest that intracellular parasites in an early phase of infection negatively regulates BRG1 by using host HDAC1 for its survival inside the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsimran Kaur Brar
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Gargi Roy
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Akanksha Kanojia
- Chromatin Remodeling Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Evanka Madan
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Rentala Madhubala
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Rentala Madhubala, ; Rohini Muthuswami,
| | - Rohini Muthuswami
- Chromatin Remodeling Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Rentala Madhubala, ; Rohini Muthuswami,
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16
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Park J, Kim J, Ko ES, Jeong JH, Park CO, Seo JH, Jang YS. Enzymatic bioconversion of ginseng powder increases the content of minor ginsenosides and potentiates immunostimulatory activity. J Ginseng Res 2021; 46:304-314. [PMID: 35509827 PMCID: PMC9058844 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ginsenosides are biologically active components of ginseng and have various functions. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory activity of a ginseng product generated from ginseng powder (GP) via enzymatic bioconversion. This product, General Bio compound K-10 mg solution (GBCK10S), exhibited increased levels of minor ginsenosides, including ginsenoside-F1, compound K, and compound Y. Methods The immunomodulatory properties of GBCK10S were confirmed using mice and a human natural killer (NK) cell line. We monitored the expression of molecules involved in immune responses via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, NK cell-targeted cell destruction, quantitative reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analyses. Results Oral administration of GBCK10S significantly increased serum immunoglobulin M levels and primed splenocytes to express pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ. Oral administration of GBCK10S also activated NK cells in mice. Furthermore, GBCK10S treatment stimulated a human NK cell line in vitro, thereby increasing granzyme B gene expression and activating STAT5. Conclusion GBCK10S may have potent immunostimulatory properties and can activate immune responses mediated by B cells, Th1-type T cells, and NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisang Park
- Innovative Research and Education Center for Integrated Bioactive Materials and the Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Biology and the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology and the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Sil Ko
- R&D Center, General Bio Co., Ltd., Namwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hoon Jeong
- R&D Center, General Bio Co., Ltd., Namwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol-Oh Park
- R&D Center, General Bio Co., Ltd., Namwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hun Seo
- R&D Center, General Bio Co., Ltd., Namwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Suk Jang
- Innovative Research and Education Center for Integrated Bioactive Materials and the Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Biology and the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Corresponding author. Department of Molecular Biology, Jeonbuk National University, Republic of Korea.
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17
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Lin A, Xu W, Luo P, Zhang J. Mutations Status of Chemokine Signaling Pathway Predict Prognosis of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Colon Adenocarcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:721181. [PMID: 34721019 PMCID: PMC8551610 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.721181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, tumor immunotherapy has become an important treatment program and popular research focus. However, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in the treatment of colorectal cancer still has limitations due to the current markers only being able to predict the prognosis of a small number of patients. As the chemokine signaling pathway can promote the anti-tumor response of the immune system by recruiting immune cells, we explored the relationship between mutations in the chemokine signaling pathway and the prognosis of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) patients receiving ICI treatment. To analyze the relationship between chemokine mutation status and the prognosis of patients receiving ICI treatment, clinical and mutation data, with immunotherapy, for a COAD cohort was obtained from “cbioportal.” Then, combining this with COAD cohort data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the panorama of gene mutation, immunogenicity, and difference in tumor microenvironment (TME) of chemokine pathways with different mutation statuses were analyzed. High-mut status has been proved to be a prognostic indicator of COAD patients receiving ICI treatment by Univariate and Multivariate Cox regression analysis. CIBERSORT analysis showed that the infiltration degree of M1 macrophages, neutrophils, and activated natural killer (NK) cells was higher in those with high-mut status. Immunogenicity of the high-mut group was also significantly increased, with the mutation number of tumor mutation burden (TMB), neoantigen load (NAL), DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway and microsatellite instability biomarker (MSI-H) being significantly higher. In this study, we found that the mutation state of chemokine pathways is closely associated with the prognosis of COAD patients undergoing ICI treatment. The higher number of TMB, NAL, and DDR mutations and inflammatory TME, may be the mechanism of behind a better prognosis. This discovery provides a possible idea for ICI therapy of COAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Lin
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wentao Xu
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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18
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The Kynurenine Pathway-New Linkage between Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Autoimmune Endocrinopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189879. [PMID: 34576041 PMCID: PMC8469440 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway (KP) is highly regulated in the immune system, where it promotes immunosuppression in response to infection or inflammation. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), the main enzyme of KP, has a broad spectrum of activity on immune cells regulation, controlling the balance between stimulation and suppression of the immune system at sites of local inflammation, relevant to a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Various autoimmune diseases, among them endocrinopathies, have been identified to date, but despite significant progress in their diagnosis and treatment, they are still associated with significant complications, morbidity, and mortality. The precise cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to the onset and development of autoimmune disease remain poorly clarified so far. In breaking of tolerance, the cells of the innate immunity provide a decisive microenvironment that regulates immune cells’ differentiation, leading to activation of adaptive immunity. The current review provided a comprehensive presentation of the known role of IDO1 and KP activation in the regulation of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Significant attention has been paid to the immunoregulatory role of IDO1 in the most prevalent, organ-specific autoimmune endocrinopathies—type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and autoimmune thyroiditis.
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Tcyganov EN, Hanabuchi S, Hashimoto A, Campbell D, Kar G, Slidel TW, Cayatte C, Landry A, Pilataxi F, Hayes S, Dougherty B, Hicks KC, Mulgrew K, Tang CHA, Hu CCA, Guo W, Grivennikov S, Ali MAA, Beltra JC, Wherry EJ, Nefedova Y, Gabrilovich DI. Distinct mechanisms govern populations of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in chronic viral infection and cancer. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:e145971. [PMID: 34228641 DOI: 10.1172/jci145971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are major negative regulators of immune responses in cancer and chronic infections. It remains unclear if regulation of MDSC activity in different conditions is controlled by similar mechanisms. We compared MDSCs in mice with cancer and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. Chronic LCMV infection caused the development of monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) but did not induce polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs). In contrast, both MDSC populations were present in cancer models. An acquisition of immune-suppressive activity by PMN-MDSCs in cancer was controlled by IRE1α and ATF6 pathways of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. Abrogation of PMN-MDSC activity by blockade of the ER stress response resulted in an increase in tumor-specific immune response and reduced tumor progression. In contrast, the ER stress response was dispensable for suppressive activity of M-MDSCs in cancer and LCMV infection. Acquisition of immune-suppressive activity by M-MDSCs in spleens was mediated by IFN-γ signaling. However, it was dispensable for suppressive activity of M-MDSCs in tumor tissues. Suppressive activity of M-MDSCs in tumors was retained due to the effect of IL-6 present at high concentrations in the tumor site. These results demonstrate disease- and population-specific mechanisms of MDSC accumulation and the need for targeting different pathways to achieve inactivation of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenii N Tcyganov
- Immunology, Microenvironment, and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Ayumi Hashimoto
- Immunology, Microenvironment, and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Gozde Kar
- AstraZeneca, Translational Medicine, Research and Early Development, Oncology Research & Development, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Wf Slidel
- AstraZeneca, Translational Medicine, Research and Early Development, Oncology Research & Development, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chih-Hang Anthony Tang
- Immunology, Microenvironment, and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chih-Chi Andrew Hu
- Immunology, Microenvironment, and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wei Guo
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sergei Grivennikov
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Jean-Christophe Beltra
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics and.,Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - E John Wherry
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics and.,Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yulia Nefedova
- Immunology, Microenvironment, and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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20
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Davis-Marcisak EF, Fitzgerald AA, Kessler MD, Danilova L, Jaffee EM, Zaidi N, Weiner LM, Fertig EJ. Transfer learning between preclinical models and human tumors identifies a conserved NK cell activation signature in anti-CTLA-4 responsive tumors. Genome Med 2021; 13:129. [PMID: 34376232 PMCID: PMC8356429 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00944-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor response to therapy is affected by both the cell types and the cell states present in the tumor microenvironment. This is true for many cancer treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). While it is well-established that ICIs promote T cell activation, their broader impact on other intratumoral immune cells is unclear; this information is needed to identify new mechanisms of action and improve ICI efficacy. Many preclinical studies have begun using single-cell analysis to delineate therapeutic responses in individual immune cell types within tumors. One major limitation to this approach is that therapeutic mechanisms identified in preclinical models have failed to fully translate to human disease, restraining efforts to improve ICI efficacy in translational research. METHOD We previously developed a computational transfer learning approach called projectR to identify shared biology between independent high-throughput single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets. In the present study, we test this algorithm's ability to identify conserved and clinically relevant transcriptional changes in complex tumor scRNA-seq data and expand its application to the comparison of scRNA-seq datasets with additional data types such as bulk RNA-seq and mass cytometry. RESULTS We found a conserved signature of NK cell activation in anti-CTLA-4 responsive mouse and human tumors. In human metastatic melanoma, we found that the NK cell activation signature associates with longer overall survival and is predictive of anti-CTLA-4 (ipilimumab) response. Additional molecular approaches to confirm the computational findings demonstrated that human NK cells express CTLA-4 and bind anti-CTLA-4 antibodies independent of the antibody binding receptor (FcR) and that similar to T cells, CTLA-4 expression by NK cells is modified by cytokine-mediated and target cell-mediated NK cell activation. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate a novel application of our transfer learning approach, which was able to identify cell state transitions conserved in preclinical models and human tumors. This approach can be adapted to explore many questions in cancer therapeutics, enhance translational research, and enable better understanding and treatment of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily F Davis-Marcisak
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of the Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Allison A Fitzgerald
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Michael D Kessler
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ludmila Danilova
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Jaffee
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Neeha Zaidi
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Louis M Weiner
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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21
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Natural Killer Cells in Cancer and Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2021; 520:233-242. [PMID: 34302920 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The detection and killing of neoplastic cells require coordination of a variety of antitumor effector cells. Natural killer (NK) cells of the innate immune system are at the forefront of the body's defense systems and evidence suggests that the infiltration and cytotoxicity of NK cells in the cancer tissue influence treatment efficacy and survival. As powerful effectors in the anticancer immune response, NK cells rapidly recognize and kill transformed cells with little reactivity against healthy self-tissues, which highlights their potential role in cancer immunotherapy. Modern immunotherapeutic approaches include immune checkpoint inhibitors to revitalize dysfunctional T cells and adoptive cell transfer using CD8+ T cells with chimeric antigen receptors to enhance their functionality. However, treatment responses may be short-lived and risk of discontinuation due to adverse effects necessitates the development of safer immuno-oncologic therapies with improved outcomes. To this end, novel combinatorial interventions using T cells and NK cells and strategies for overcoming associated challenges are currently being investigated. This review summarizes the advances in the research on NK cells in cancer and cancer immunotherapy and discusses the possible implications for future cancer treatment.
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22
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Angiogenic Properties of NK Cells in Cancer and Other Angiogenesis-Dependent Diseases. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071621. [PMID: 34209508 PMCID: PMC8303392 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of many serious diseases, including cancer, is closely related to disturbances in the angiogenesis process. Angiogenesis is essential for the progression of tumor growth and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) has immunosuppressive properties, which contribute to tumor expansion and angiogenesis. Similarly, the uterine microenvironment (UME) exerts a tolerogenic (immunosuppressive) and proangiogenic effect on its cells, promoting implantation and development of the embryo and placenta. In the TME and UME natural killer (NK) cells, which otherwise are capable of killing target cells autonomously, enter a state of reduced cytotoxicity or anergy. Both TME and UME are rich with factors (e.g., TGF-β, glycodelin, hypoxia), which support a conversion of NK cells to the low/non-cytotoxic, proangiogenic CD56brightCD16low phenotype. It is plausible that the phenomenon of acquiring proangiogenic and low cytotoxic features by NK cells is not only limited to cancer but is a common feature of different angiogenesis-dependent diseases (ADDs). In this review, we will discuss the role of NK cells in angiogenesis disturbances associated with cancer and other selected ADDs. Expanding the knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for angiogenesis and its disorders contributes to a better understanding of ADDs and may have therapeutic implications.
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23
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Xia M, Wang B, Wang Z, Zhang X, Wang X. Epigenetic Regulation of NK Cell-Mediated Antitumor Immunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:672328. [PMID: 34017344 PMCID: PMC8129532 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.672328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical innate lymphocytes that can directly kill target cells without prior immunization. NK cell activation is controlled by the balance of multiple germline-encoded activating and inhibitory receptors. NK cells are a heterogeneous and plastic population displaying a broad spectrum of functional states (resting, activating, memory, repressed, and exhausted). In this review, we present an overview of the epigenetic regulation of NK cell-mediated antitumor immunity, including DNA methylation, histone modification, transcription factor changes, and microRNA expression. NK cell-based immunotherapy has been recognized as a promising strategy to treat cancer. Since epigenetic alterations are reversible and druggable, these studies will help identify new ways to enhance NK cell-mediated antitumor cytotoxicity by targeting intrinsic epigenetic regulators alone or in combination with other strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoran Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bingbing Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xulong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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24
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Coulibaly A, Velásquez SY, Kassner N, Schulte J, Barbarossa MV, Lindner HA. STAT3 governs the HIF-1α response in IL-15 primed human NK cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7023. [PMID: 33782423 PMCID: PMC8007797 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84916-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells mediate innate host defense against microbial infection and cancer. Hypoxia and low glucose are characteristic for these tissue lesions but do not affect early interferon (IFN) γ and CC chemokine release by interleukin 15 (IL-15) primed human NK cells in vitro. Hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) mediates cellular adaption to hypoxia. Its production is supported by mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). We used chemical inhibition to probe the importance of mTORC1 and STAT3 for the hypoxia response and of STAT3 for the cytokine response in isolated and IL-15 primed human NK cells. Cellular responses were assayed by magnetic bead array, RT-PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, and metabolic flux analysis. STAT3 but not mTORC1 activation was essential for HIF-1α accumulation, glycolysis, and oxygen consumption. In both primed normoxic and hypoxic NK cells, STAT3 inhibition reduced the secretion of CCL3, CCL4 and CCL5, and it interfered with IL-12/IL-18 stimulated IFNγ production, but it did not affect cytotoxic granule degranulation up on target cell contact. We conclude that IL-15 priming promotes the HIF-1α dependent hypoxia response and the early cytokine response in NK cells predominantly through STAT3 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Coulibaly
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sonia Y. Velásquez
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nina Kassner
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jutta Schulte
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Maria Vittoria Barbarossa
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.417999.bFrankfurt Institute of Advanced Studies, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Holger A. Lindner
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
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25
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Howe MK, Dowdell K, Kuehn HS, Li Q, Hart GT, Garabedian D, Liepshutz K, Hsu AP, Su H, Niemela JE, Stoddard JL, Uzel G, Shereck E, Schulz L, Feldman T, Rosenzweig SD, Long EO, Dropulic L, Cohen JI. Patients With Natural Killer (NK) Cell Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Have Immature NK Cells and Hyperactivation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and STAT1 Pathways. J Infect Dis 2021; 222:1170-1179. [PMID: 32386415 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa232] [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: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) presents with high levels of viral genomes in blood and tissue infiltration with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive lymphocytes. The pathogenesis of CAEBV is poorly understood. METHODS We evaluated 2 patients with natural killer (NK) cell CAEBV and studied their NK cell phenotype and signaling pathways in cells. RESULTS Both patients had increased numbers of NK cells, EBV predominantly in NK cells, and immature NK cells in the blood. Both patients had increased phosphorylation of Akt, S6, and STAT1 in NK cells, and increased total STAT1. Treatment of 1 patient with sirolimus reduced phosphorylation of S6 in T and B cells, but not in NK cells and did not reduce levels of NK cells or EBV DNA in the blood. Treatment of both patients' cells with JAK inhibitors in vitro reduced phosphorylated STAT1 to normal. Patients with T- or B-cell CAEBV had increased phosphorylation of Akt and S6 in NK cells, but no increase in total STAT1. CONCLUSIONS The increase in phosphorylated Akt, S6, and STAT1, as well as immature NK cells describe a new phenotype for NK cell CAEBV. The reduction of STAT1 phosphorylation in their NK cells with JAK inhibitors suggests a novel approach to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew K Howe
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kennichi Dowdell
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Hye Sun Kuehn
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Qingxue Li
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Geoffrey T Hart
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Doreen Garabedian
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Kelly Liepshutz
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Amy P Hsu
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Hua Su
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Julie E Niemela
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer L Stoddard
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gulbu Uzel
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Evan Shereck
- Doembecker Children's Hospital, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Laura Schulz
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
| | - Tatyana Feldman
- John Theurer Cancer Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sergio D Rosenzweig
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Eric O Long
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Lesia Dropulic
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey I Cohen
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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26
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Kucuksezer UC, Aktas Cetin E, Esen F, Tahrali I, Akdeniz N, Gelmez MY, Deniz G. The Role of Natural Killer Cells in Autoimmune Diseases. Front Immunol 2021; 12:622306. [PMID: 33717125 PMCID: PMC7947192 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.622306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, the large granular lymphocytes differentiated from the common lymphoid progenitors, were discovered in early 1970’s. They are members of innate immunity and were initially defined by their strong cytotoxicity against virus-infected cells and by their important effector functions in anti-tumoral immune responses. Nowadays, NK cells are classified among the recently discovered innate lymphoid cell subsets and have capacity to influence both innate and adaptive immune responses. Therefore, they can be considered as innate immune cells that stands between the innate and adaptive arms of immunity. NK cells don’t express T or B cell receptors and are recognized by absence of CD3. There are two major subgroups of NK cells according to their differential expression of CD16 and CD56. While CD16+CD56dim subset is best-known by their cytotoxic functions, CD16-CD56bright NK cell subset produces a bunch of cytokines comparable to CD4+ T helper cell subsets. Another subset of NK cells with production of interleukin (IL)-10 was named as NK regulatory cells, which has suppressive properties and could take part in immune-regulatory responses. Activation of NK cells is determined by a delicate balance of cell-surface receptors that have either activating or inhibitory properties. On the other hand, a variety of cytokines including IL-2, IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18 influence NK cell activity. NK-derived cytokines and their cytotoxic functions through induction of apoptosis take part in regulation of the immune responses and could contribute to the pathogenesis of many immune mediated diseases including ankylosing spondylitis, Behçet’s disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus and type-1 diabetes. Dysregulation of NK cells in autoimmune disorders may occur through multiple mechanisms. Thanks to the rapid developments in biotechnology, progressive research in immunology enables better characterization of cells and their delicate roles in the complex network of immunity. As NK cells stand in between innate and adaptive arms of immunity and “bridge” them, their contribution in inflammation and immune regulation deserves intense investigations. Better understanding of NK-cell biology and their contribution in both exacerbation and regulation of inflammatory disorders is a requisite for possible utilization of these multi-faceted cells in novel therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umut Can Kucuksezer
- Department of Immunology, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Esin Aktas Cetin
- Department of Immunology, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fehim Esen
- Department of Immunology, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ilhan Tahrali
- Department of Immunology, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nilgun Akdeniz
- Department of Immunology, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Metin Yusuf Gelmez
- Department of Immunology, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gunnur Deniz
- Department of Immunology, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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27
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Fathi E, Farahzadi R, Valipour B. Alginate/gelatin encapsulation promotes NK cells differentiation potential of bone marrow resident C-kit + hematopoietic stem cells. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 177:317-327. [PMID: 33621568 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.02.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The ability of natural killer (NK) cells to destroy cancerous cells with no prior sensitization has made them attractive candidates for cell therapy. The application of hydrogels must be notified as cell delivery vehicles in cell differentiation. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of alginate-gelatin encapsulation on NK cell differentiation potential of C-kit+ cells. C-kit+ cells were differentiated to NK cells under both encapsulated and un-encapsulated conditions. Next, the cells were subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting for the assessment of their telomere length and protein expressions, respectively. Afterward, culture medium was collected to measure cytokines levels. Thereafter, the differentiated NK cells were co-cultured with Molt-4 cells to investigate the potency of cell apoptosis by Annexin V/PI assay. A significant change was observed in the protein expression of Janus kinase/Signal transducers (JAK/STAT) pathway components. Additionally, the encapsulation caused an increase in the apoptosis of Molt-4 cells and telomere length of NK cells differentiated C-kit+ cells. Therefore, it can be concluded that the effects of encapsulation on NK cell's differentiation of C-kit+ cells could be resulted from the secreted cytokines of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-3, IL-7, and IL-12 as well as the increased telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezzatollah Fathi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Raheleh Farahzadi
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Behnaz Valipour
- Department of Histopathology and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
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28
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Pharmacological mechanism of immunomodulatory agents for the treatment of severe cases of COVID-19 infection. Inflamm Res 2021; 70:389-405. [PMID: 33608746 PMCID: PMC7894237 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-021-01445-2] [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: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a world-wide pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To date, treatment of severe COVID-19 is far from clear. Therefore, it is urgent to develop an effective option for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Most patients with severe COVID-19 exhibit markedly increased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-γ, and interleukin (IL)-1β. Immunotherapeutic strategies have an important role in the suppression of cytokine storm and respiratory failure in patients with COVID-19. METHODS A systematic search in the literature was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, as well as Google Scholar preprint database using all available MeSH terms for Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, anti-rheumatoid agents, COVID-19, cytokine storm, immunotherapeutic drugs, IFN, interleukin, JAK/STAT inhibitors, MCP, MIP, TNF. RESULTS Here, we first review common complications of COVID-19 patients, particularly neurological symptoms. We next explain host immune responses against COVID-19 particles. Finally, we summarize the existing experimental and clinical immunotherapeutic strategies, particularly anti-rheumatoid agents and also plasma (with a high level of gamma globulin) therapy for severe COVID-19 patients. We discuss both their therapeutic effects and side effects that should be taken into consideration for their clinical application. CONCLUSION It is suggested that immunosuppressants, such as anti-rheumatoid drugs, could be considered as a potential approach for the treatment of cytokine storm in severe cases of COVID-19. One possible limitation of immunosuppressant therapy is their inhibitory effects on host anti-viral immune response. So, the appropriate timing of administration should be carefully considered.
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29
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Tumino N, Di Pace AL, Besi F, Quatrini L, Vacca P, Moretta L. Interaction Between MDSC and NK Cells in Solid and Hematological Malignancies: Impact on HSCT. Front Immunol 2021; 12:638841. [PMID: 33679798 PMCID: PMC7928402 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.638841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are heterogeneous populations that through the release of soluble factors and/or by cell-to-cell interactions suppress both innate and adaptive immune effector cells. In pathological conditions, characterized by the presence of inflammation, a partial block in the differentiation potential of myeloid precursors causes an accumulation of these immunosuppressive cell subsets both in peripheral blood and in tissues. On the contrary, NK cells represent a major player of innate immunity able to counteract tumor growth. The anti-tumor activity of NK cells is primarily related to their cytolytic potential and to the secretion of soluble factors or cytokines that may act on tumors either directly or indirectly upon the recruitment of other cell types. NK cells have been shown to play a fundamental role in haploidentical hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), for the therapy of high-risk leukemias. A deeper analysis of MDSC functional effects demonstrated that these cells are capable, through several mechanisms, to reduce the potent GvL activity exerted by NK cells. It is conceivable that, in this transplantation setting, the MDSC-removal or -inactivation may represent a promising strategy to restore the anti-leukemia effect mediated by NK cells. Thus, a better knowledge of the cellular interactions occurring in the tumor microenvironment could promote the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of solid and hematological malignances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Tumino
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Laura Di Pace
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Besi
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Linda Quatrini
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
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30
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Tumino N, Di Pace AL, Besi F, Quatrini L, Vacca P, Moretta L. Interaction Between MDSC and NK Cells in Solid and Hematological Malignancies: Impact on HSCT. Front Immunol 2021. [PMID: 33679798 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.638841.pmid:33679798;pmcid:pmc7928402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are heterogeneous populations that through the release of soluble factors and/or by cell-to-cell interactions suppress both innate and adaptive immune effector cells. In pathological conditions, characterized by the presence of inflammation, a partial block in the differentiation potential of myeloid precursors causes an accumulation of these immunosuppressive cell subsets both in peripheral blood and in tissues. On the contrary, NK cells represent a major player of innate immunity able to counteract tumor growth. The anti-tumor activity of NK cells is primarily related to their cytolytic potential and to the secretion of soluble factors or cytokines that may act on tumors either directly or indirectly upon the recruitment of other cell types. NK cells have been shown to play a fundamental role in haploidentical hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), for the therapy of high-risk leukemias. A deeper analysis of MDSC functional effects demonstrated that these cells are capable, through several mechanisms, to reduce the potent GvL activity exerted by NK cells. It is conceivable that, in this transplantation setting, the MDSC-removal or -inactivation may represent a promising strategy to restore the anti-leukemia effect mediated by NK cells. Thus, a better knowledge of the cellular interactions occurring in the tumor microenvironment could promote the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of solid and hematological malignances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Tumino
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Laura Di Pace
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Besi
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Linda Quatrini
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
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Domagala J, Lachota M, Klopotowska M, Graczyk-Jarzynka A, Domagala A, Zhylko A, Soroczynska K, Winiarska M. The Tumor Microenvironment-A Metabolic Obstacle to NK Cells' Activity. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123542. [PMID: 33260925 PMCID: PMC7761432 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells have unique capabilities of recognition and destruction of tumor cells, without the requirement for prior immunization of the host. Maintaining tolerance to healthy cells makes them an attractive therapeutic tool for almost all types of cancer. Unfortunately, metabolic changes associated with malignant transformation and tumor progression lead to immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment, which in turn limits the efficacy of various immunotherapies. In this review, we provide a brief description of the metabolic changes characteristic for the tumor microenvironment. Both tumor and tumor-associated cells produce and secrete factors that directly or indirectly prevent NK cell cytotoxicity. Here, we depict the molecular mechanisms responsible for the inhibition of immune effector cells by metabolic factors. Finally, we summarize the strategies to enhance NK cell function for the treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Domagala
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieszko Lachota
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland; (M.L.); (M.K.)
| | - Marta Klopotowska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland; (M.L.); (M.K.)
| | - Agnieszka Graczyk-Jarzynka
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
| | - Antoni Domagala
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, 25-317 Kielce, Poland;
- Department of Urology, Holy Cross Cancer Center, 25-734 Kielce, Poland
| | - Andriy Zhylko
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
| | - Karolina Soroczynska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Winiarska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-225-992-199
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32
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Chu Y, Nayyar G, Kham Su N, Rosenblum JM, Soon-Shiong P, Lee J, Safrit JT, Barth M, Lee D, Cairo MS. Novel cytokine-antibody fusion protein, N-820, to enhance the functions of ex vivo expanded natural killer cells against Burkitt lymphoma. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:jitc-2020-001238. [PMID: 33109629 PMCID: PMC7592258 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prognosis of patients with relapsed or progressive B cell (CD20+) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL), including Burkitt lymphoma (BL), is dismal due to chemoradiotherapy resistance. Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. N-820 is a fusion protein of N-803 (formerly known as ALT-803) to four single-chains of rituximab. This agent has tri-specific binding activity to CD20 and enhanced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. METHODS We investigated the anti-tumor combinatorial effects of N-820 with ex vivo expanded peripheral blood natural killer (exPBNK) cells against rituximab-sensitive and rituximab-resistant CD20+ BL in vitro using cytoxicity assays and in vivo using human BL xenografted NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull (NSG) mice. We also investigated the cytokines/chemokines/growth factors released using ELISA and multiplex assay. Gene expression changes were examined using real-time PCR arrays. RESULTS N-820 significantly enhanced the expression of NK activating receptors (p<0.001) and the proliferation of exPBNK cells with enhanced Ki67 expression and Stat5 phosphorylation (p<0.001). N-820 significantly enhanced the secretion of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors including GM-CSF, RANTES, MIP-1B (p<0.001) from exPBNK cells as compared with the combination of rituximab+N-803. Importantly, N-820 significantly enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity (p<0.001) of exPBNK with enhanced granzyme B and IFN-γ release (p<0.001) against BL. Gene expression profiles in exPBNK stimulated by N-820+Raji-2R showed enhanced transcription of CXCL9, CXCL1, CSF2, CSF3, GZMB, and IFNG. Moreover, N-820 combined with exPBNK significantly inhibited rituximab-resistant BL growth (p<0.05) and extended the survival (p<0.05) of BL xenografted NSG mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide the rationale for the development of a clinical trial of N-820 alone or in combination with endogenous or ex vivo expanded NK cells in patients with CD20+ B-NHL failing prior rituximab containing chemoimmunotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaya Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Gaurav Nayyar
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Nang Kham Su
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Jeremy M Rosenblum
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | | | - John Lee
- ImmunityBio, Inc, Culver City, California, USA
| | | | - Matthew Barth
- Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Dean Lee
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Abigail Wexner Research Institute of Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Mitchell S Cairo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA .,Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.,Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
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33
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Liu M, Saredy J, Zhang R, Shao Y, Sun Y, Yang WY, Wang J, Liu L, Drummer C, Johnson C, Saaoud F, Lu Y, Xu K, Li L, Wang X, Jiang X, Wang H, Yang X. Approaching Inflammation Paradoxes-Proinflammatory Cytokine Blockages Induce Inflammatory Regulators. Front Immunol 2020; 11:554301. [PMID: 33193322 PMCID: PMC7604447 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.554301] [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: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms that underlie various inflammation paradoxes, metabolically healthy obesity, and increased inflammations after inflammatory cytokine blockades and deficiencies remain poorly determined. We performed an extensive -omics database mining, determined the expressions of 1367 innate immune regulators in 18 microarrays after deficiencies of 15 proinflammatory cytokines/regulators and eight microarray datasets of patients receiving Mab therapies, and made a set of significant findings: 1) proinflammatory cytokines/regulators suppress the expressions of innate immune regulators; 2) upregulations of innate immune regulators in the deficiencies of IFNγ/IFNγR1, IL-17A, STAT3 and miR155 are more than that after deficiencies of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, STAT1, NF-kB, and miR221; 3) IFNγ, IFNγR and IL-17RA inhibit 10, 59 and 39 proinflammatory cytokine/regulator pathways, respectively; in contrast, TNFα, IL-6 and IL-18 each inhibits only four to five pathways; 4) The IFNγ-promoted and -suppressed innate immune regulators have four shared pathways; the IFNγR1-promoted and -suppressed innate immune regulators have 11 shared pathways; and the miR155-promoted and -suppressed innate immune regulators have 13 shared pathways, suggesting negative-feedback mechanisms in their conserved regulatory pathways for innate immune regulators; 5) Deficiencies of proinflammatory cytokine/regulator-suppressed, promoted programs share signaling pathways and increase the likelihood of developing 11 diseases including cardiovascular disease; 6) There are the shared innate immune regulators and pathways between deficiency of TNFα in mice and anti-TNF therapy in clinical patients; 7) Mechanistically, up-regulated reactive oxygen species regulators such as myeloperoxidase caused by suppression of proinflammatory cytokines/regulators can drive the upregulation of suppressed innate immune regulators. Our findings have provided novel insights on various inflammation paradoxes and proinflammatory cytokines regulation of innate immune regulators; and may re-shape new therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease and other inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Liu
- Centers for Cardiovascular Research, Inflammation, Translational & Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jason Saredy
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research, & Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ruijing Zhang
- Centers for Cardiovascular Research, Inflammation, Translational & Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ying Shao
- Centers for Cardiovascular Research, Inflammation, Translational & Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yu Sun
- Centers for Cardiovascular Research, Inflammation, Translational & Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - William Y Yang
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research, & Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Jirong Wang
- Centers for Cardiovascular Research, Inflammation, Translational & Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research, & Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Charles Drummer
- Centers for Cardiovascular Research, Inflammation, Translational & Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Candice Johnson
- Centers for Cardiovascular Research, Inflammation, Translational & Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Fatma Saaoud
- Centers for Cardiovascular Research, Inflammation, Translational & Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yifan Lu
- Centers for Cardiovascular Research, Inflammation, Translational & Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Keman Xu
- Centers for Cardiovascular Research, Inflammation, Translational & Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Li Li
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- Centers for Cardiovascular Research, Inflammation, Translational & Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research, & Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hong Wang
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research, & Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Departments of Pharmacology, Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Centers for Cardiovascular Research, Inflammation, Translational & Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research, & Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Departments of Pharmacology, Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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34
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Role of the JAK/STAT Pathway in Cervical Cancer: Its Relationship with HPV E6/E7 Oncoproteins. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102297. [PMID: 33076315 PMCID: PMC7602614 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway is associated with the regulation of essential cellular mechanisms, such as proliferation, invasion, survival, inflammation, and immunity. Aberrant JAK/STAT signaling contributes to cancer progression and metastatic development. STAT proteins play an essential role in the development of cervical cancer, and the inhibition of the JAK/STAT pathway may be essential for enhancing tumor cell death. Persistent activation of different STATs is present in a variety of cancers, including cervical cancer, and their overactivation may be associated with a poor prognosis and poor overall survival. The oncoproteins E6 and E7 play a critical role in the progression of cervical cancer and may mediate the activation of the JAK/STAT pathway. Inhibition of STAT proteins appears to show promise for establishing new targets in cancer treatment. The present review summarizes the knowledge about the participation of the different components of the JAK/STAT pathway and the participation of the human papillomavirus (HPV) associated with the process of cellular malignancy.
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35
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Meissl K, Simonović N, Amenitsch L, Witalisz-Siepracka A, Klein K, Lassnig C, Puga A, Vogl C, Poelzl A, Bosmann M, Dohnal A, Sexl V, Müller M, Strobl B. STAT1 Isoforms Differentially Regulate NK Cell Maturation and Anti-tumor Activity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2189. [PMID: 33042133 PMCID: PMC7519029 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are important components of the innate immune defense against infections and cancers. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) is a transcription factor that is essential for NK cell maturation and NK cell-dependent tumor surveillance. Two alternatively spliced isoforms of STAT1 exist: a full-length STAT1α and a C-terminally truncated STAT1β isoform. Aberrant splicing is frequently observed in cancer cells and several anti-cancer drugs interfere with the cellular splicing machinery. To investigate whether NK cell-mediated tumor surveillance is affected by a switch in STAT1 splicing, we made use of knock-in mice expressing either only the STAT1α (Stat1α/α) or the STAT1β (Stat1β/β ) isoform. NK cells from Stat1α/α mice matured normally and controlled transplanted tumor cells as efficiently as NK cells from wild-type mice. In contrast, NK cells from Stat1β/β mice showed impaired maturation and effector functions, albeit less severe than NK cells from mice that completely lack STAT1 (Stat1-/- ). Mechanistically, we show that NK cell maturation requires the presence of STAT1α in the niche rather than in NK cells themselves and that NK cell maturation depends on IFNγ signaling under homeostatic conditions. The impaired NK cell maturation in Stat1β/β mice was paralleled by decreased IL-15 receptor alpha (IL-15Rα) surface levels on dendritic cells, macrophages and monocytes. Treatment of Stat1β/β mice with exogenous IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes rescued NK cell maturation but not their effector functions. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that STAT1 isoforms are not functionally redundant in regulating NK cell activity and that the absence of STAT1α severely impairs, but does not abolish, NK cell-dependent tumor surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Meissl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Natalija Simonović
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lena Amenitsch
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Agnieszka Witalisz-Siepracka
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klara Klein
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Caroline Lassnig
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Biomodels Austria, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ana Puga
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claus Vogl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Poelzl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Bosmann
- Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Alexander Dohnal
- Tumor Immunology, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children’s Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Sexl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Müller
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Biomodels Austria, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Strobl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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36
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Structure-Activity Relationship Analysis of Benzotriazine Analogues as HIV-1 Latency-Reversing Agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00888-20. [PMID: 32482680 PMCID: PMC7526807 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00888-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
“Shock and kill” therapeutic strategies toward HIV eradication are based on the transcriptional activation of latent HIV with a latency-reversing agent (LRA) and the consequent killing of the reactivated cell by either the cytopathic effect of HIV or an arm of the immune system. We have recently found several benzotriazole and benzotriazine analogues that have the ability to reactivate latent HIV by inhibiting signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) SUMOylation and promoting STAT5 binding to the HIV long terminal repeat and increasing its transcriptional activity. “Shock and kill” therapeutic strategies toward HIV eradication are based on the transcriptional activation of latent HIV with a latency-reversing agent (LRA) and the consequent killing of the reactivated cell by either the cytopathic effect of HIV or an arm of the immune system. We have recently found several benzotriazole and benzotriazine analogues that have the ability to reactivate latent HIV by inhibiting signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) SUMOylation and promoting STAT5 binding to the HIV long terminal repeat and increasing its transcriptional activity. To understand the essential structural groups required for biological activity of these molecules, we performed a systematic analysis of >40 analogues. First, we characterized the essential motifs within these molecules that are required for their biological activity. Second, we identified three benzotriazine analogues with similar activity. We demonstrated that these three compounds are able to increase STAT5 phosphorylation and transcriptional activity. All active analogues reactivate latent HIV in a primary cell model of latency and enhance the ability of interleukin-15 to reactivate latent HIV in cells isolated from aviremic participants. Third, this family of compounds also promote immune effector functions in vitro in the absence of toxicity or global immune activation. Finally, initial studies in mice suggest lack of acute toxicity in vivo. A better understanding of the biological activity of these compounds will help in the design of improved LRAs that work via inhibition of STAT5 SUMOylation.
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37
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Schultz KR, Kariminia A, Ng B, Abdossamadi S, Lauener M, Nemecek ER, Wahlstrom JT, Kitko CL, Lewis VA, Schechter T, Jacobsohn DA, Harris AC, Pulsipher MA, Bittencourt H, Choi SW, Caywood EH, Kasow KA, Bhatia M, Oshrine BR, Flower A, Chaudhury S, Coulter D, Chewning JH, Joyce M, Savasan S, Pawlowska AB, Megason GC, Mitchell D, Cheerva AC, Lawitschka A, Azadpour S, Ostroumov E, Subrt P, Halevy A, Mostafavi S, Cuvelier GDE. Immune profile differences between chronic GVHD and late acute GVHD: results of the ABLE/PBMTC 1202 studies. Blood 2020; 135:1287-1298. [PMID: 32047896 PMCID: PMC7146024 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019003186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) biology beyond 3 months after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is complex. The Applied Biomarker in Late Effects of Childhood Cancer study (ABLE/PBMTC1202, NCT02067832) evaluated the immune profiles in chronic GVHD (cGVHD) and late acute GVHD (L-aGVHD). Peripheral blood immune cell and plasma markers were analyzed at day 100 post-HSCT and correlated with GVHD diagnosed according to the National Institutes of Health consensus criteria (NIH-CC) for cGVHD. Of 302 children enrolled, 241 were evaluable as L-aGVHD, cGVHD, active L-aGVHD or cGVHD, and no cGVHD/L-aGVHD. Significant marker differences, adjusted for major clinical factors, were defined as meeting all 3 criteria: receiver-operating characteristic area under the curve ≥0.60, P ≤ .05, and effect ratio ≥1.3 or ≤0.75. Patients with only distinctive features but determined as cGVHD by the adjudication committee (non-NIH-CC) had immune profiles similar to NIH-CC. Both cGVHD and L-aGVHD had decreased transitional B cells and increased cytolytic natural killer (NK) cells. cGVHD had additional abnormalities, with increased activated T cells, naive helper T (Th) and cytotoxic T cells, loss of CD56bright regulatory NK cells, and increased ST2 and soluble CD13. Active L-aGVHD before day 114 had additional abnormalities in naive Th, naive regulatory T (Treg) cell populations, and cytokines, and active cGVHD had an increase in PD-1- and a decrease in PD-1+ memory Treg cells. Unsupervised analysis appeared to show a progression of immune abnormalities from no cGVHD/L-aGVHD to L-aGVHD, with the most complex pattern in cGVHD. Comprehensive immune profiling will allow us to better understand how to minimize L-aGVHD and cGVHD. Further confirmation in adult and pediatric cohorts is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirk R Schultz
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer research program, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amina Kariminia
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer research program, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Bernard Ng
- Department of Statistics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sayeh Abdossamadi
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer research program, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Madeline Lauener
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer research program, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Eneida R Nemecek
- Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
| | - Justin T Wahlstrom
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Carrie L Kitko
- Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation Program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Victor A Lewis
- Pediatric Oncology, Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Tal Schechter
- Hematology-Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David A Jacobsohn
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Andrew C Harris
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Primary Children's Hospital, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Michael A Pulsipher
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Henrique Bittencourt
- Hematology Oncology, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sung Won Choi
- Michigan Medicine Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Emi H Caywood
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
| | - Kimberly A Kasow
- Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Monica Bhatia
- Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Benjamin R Oshrine
- Oncology and Hematology, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL
| | - Allyson Flower
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
| | - Sonali Chaudhury
- Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Donald Coulter
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Joseph H Chewning
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Michael Joyce
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic, Nemours Children's Specialty Care, Jacksonville, FL
| | - Sureyya Savasan
- Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI
| | | | - Gail C Megason
- Children's Hematology/Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | - David Mitchell
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, QC
| | - Alexandra C Cheerva
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Norton Children's Hospital, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
| | - Anita Lawitschka
- Stem Cell Transplant Outpatient & Aftercare Clinic, St. Anna Children's Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Elena Ostroumov
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer research program, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Peter Subrt
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer research program, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anat Halevy
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer research program, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sara Mostafavi
- Department of Statistics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Assessing Phosphorylation of STAT Transcription Factors in Mouse Innate Lymphoid Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2020. [PMID: 32147786 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0338-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) ensure protection against pathogens by quickly reacting to the alterations of the cytokine milieu taking place upon infection. More than 50 cytokines and growth factors activate the Janus kinases (JAKs), leading to phosphorylation of members of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family. Activation of STATs induces specific transcriptional programs which are associated with distinct cellular outcomes. Thus, an efficient measurement of rapid STAT phosphorylation enables not only to dissect the spectrum of cytokine sensitivity among ILC subsets but also to pinpoint specific transcriptional programs and cellular functions initiated after activation. Using this method, we have previously dissected the downstream events of Interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-12 signaling in ILCs, shedding light on the differential usage of STATs among ILC subsets. Here, we provide an optimized and detailed protocol describing how to analyze phosphorylation of STAT transcription factors in murine NK and ILC subsets isolated from different tissues.
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Prinz D, Klein K, List J, Knab VM, Menzl I, Leidenfrost N, Heller G, Polić B, Putz EM, Witalisz-Siepracka A, Sexl V, Gotthardt D. Loss of NKG2D in murine NK cells leads to increased perforin production upon long-term stimulation with IL-2. Eur J Immunol 2020; 50:880-890. [PMID: 32052406 PMCID: PMC7318224 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201948222] [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: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
NK cells are innate lymphocytes responsible for lysis of pathogen-infected and transformed cells. One of the major activating receptors required for target cell recognition is the NK group 2D (NKG2D) receptor. Numerous reports show the necessity of NKG2D for effective tumor immune surveillance. Further studies identified NKG2D as a key element allowing tumor immune escape. We here use a mouse model with restricted deletion of NKG2D in mature NKp46+ cells (NKG2DΔNK ). NKG2DΔNK NK cells develop normally, have an unaltered IFN-γ production but kill tumor cell lines expressing NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) less efficiently. However, upon long-term stimulation with IL-2, NKG2D-deficient NK cells show increased levels of the lytic molecule perforin. Thus, our findings demonstrate a dual function of NKG2D for NK cell cytotoxicity; while NKG2D is a crucial trigger for cytotoxicity of tumor cells expressing activating ligands it is also capable to limit perforin production in IL-2 activated NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Prinz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klara Klein
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia List
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vanessa M Knab
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingeborg Menzl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicoletta Leidenfrost
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerwin Heller
- Institute of Internal Medicine I, Medical University, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bojan Polić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Eva Maria Putz
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Veronika Sexl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dagmar Gotthardt
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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40
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Andreou NP, Legaki E, Gazouli M. Inflammatory bowel disease pathobiology: the role of the interferon signature. Ann Gastroenterol 2020; 33:125-133. [PMID: 32127733 PMCID: PMC7049232 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2020.0457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still unclear, but includes both inflammatory and autoimmune reactions. Current methodological approaches could better elucidate the cytokine pathways and the genetics involved in the etiopathogenesis of this disease. Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines that play a key role in autoimmune/inflammatory disorders because of their pro- and anti-inflammatory properties as well as their immunoregulatory functions. An increased expression of IFN-regulated genes, widely known as an IFN signature, has been reported in blood and tissue from patients with autoimmune disorders. In this review, we present the function as well as the clinical and therapeutic potential of the IFN signature. Current data demonstrate that the IFN signature can be used as a biomarker that defines disease activity in autoimmune diseases, although this has not been thoroughly studied in IBD. Consequently, further investigation of the IFN signature in IBD would be essential for a better understanding of its actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolaos-Panagiotis Andreou
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Biology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Legaki
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Biology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Gazouli
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Biology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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41
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Owen KL, Brockwell NK, Parker BS. JAK-STAT Signaling: A Double-Edged Sword of Immune Regulation and Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E2002. [PMID: 31842362 PMCID: PMC6966445 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11122002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 319] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling mediates almost all immune regulatory processes, including those that are involved in tumor cell recognition and tumor-driven immune escape. Antitumor immune responses are largely driven by STAT1 and STAT2 induction of type I and II interferons (IFNs) and the downstream programs IFNs potentiate. Conversely, STAT3 has been widely linked to cancer cell survival, immunosuppression, and sustained inflammation in the tumor microenvironment. The discovery of JAK-STAT cross-regulatory mechanisms, post-translational control, and non-canonical signal transduction has added a new level of complexity to JAK-STAT governance over tumor initiation and progression. Endeavors to better understand the vast effects of JAK-STAT signaling on antitumor immunity have unearthed a wide range of targets, including oncogenes, miRNAs, and other co-regulatory factors, which direct specific phenotypical outcomes subsequent to JAK-STAT stimulation. Yet, the rapidly expanding field of therapeutic developments aimed to resolve JAK-STAT aberrations commonly reported in a multitude of cancers has been marred by off-target effects. Here, we discuss JAK-STAT biology in the context of immunity and cancer, the consequences of pathway perturbations and current therapeutic interventions, to provide insight and consideration for future targeting innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L. Owen
- Cancer Immunology and Therapeutics Programs, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC, Melbourne 3000, Australia;
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, VIC, Parkville 3052, Australia
| | - Natasha K. Brockwell
- Cancer Immunology and Therapeutics Programs, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC, Melbourne 3000, Australia;
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, VIC, Parkville 3052, Australia
| | - Belinda S. Parker
- Cancer Immunology and Therapeutics Programs, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC, Melbourne 3000, Australia;
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, VIC, Parkville 3052, Australia
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Gotthardt D, Trifinopoulos J, Sexl V, Putz EM. JAK/STAT Cytokine Signaling at the Crossroad of NK Cell Development and Maturation. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2590. [PMID: 31781102 PMCID: PMC6861185 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes of the innate immune system and play a critical role in anti-viral and anti-tumor responses. NK cells develop in the bone marrow from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that differentiate through common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) to NK lineage-restricted progenitors (NKPs). The orchestrated action of multiple cytokines is crucial for NK cell development and maturation. Many of these cytokines such as IL-2, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-21, IL-27, and interferons (IFNs) signal via the Janus Kinase / Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway. We here review the current knowledge about these cytokines and the downstream signaling involved in the development and maturation of conventional NK cells and their close relatives, innate lymphoid cells type 1 (ILC1). We further discuss the role of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins in NK cells and highlight their potential for therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Gotthardt
- Department for Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jana Trifinopoulos
- Department for Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Sexl
- Department for Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Maria Putz
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
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Maurer B, Kollmann S, Pickem J, Hoelbl-Kovacic A, Sexl V. STAT5A and STAT5B-Twins with Different Personalities in Hematopoiesis and Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1726. [PMID: 31690038 PMCID: PMC6895831 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factors STAT5A and STAT5B have essential roles in survival and proliferation of hematopoietic cells-which have been considered largely redundant. Mutations of upstream kinases, copy number gains, or activating mutations in STAT5A, or more frequently in STAT5B, cause altered hematopoiesis and cancer. Interfering with their activity by pharmacological intervention is an up-and-coming therapeutic avenue. Precision medicine requests detailed knowledge of STAT5A's and STAT5B's individual functions. Recent evidence highlights the privileged role for STAT5B over STAT5A in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Here, we provide an overview on their individual functions within the hematopoietic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Maurer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Sebastian Kollmann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Pickem
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Hoelbl-Kovacic
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Sexl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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Scarno G, Pietropaolo G, Di Censo C, Gadina M, Santoni A, Sciumè G. Transcriptional, Epigenetic and Pharmacological Control of JAK/STAT Pathway in NK Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2456. [PMID: 31681330 PMCID: PMC6811606 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of Natural Killer (NK) cells is a stepwise process having its origin in the bone marrow and proceeding in the periphery, where these cells follow organ specific trajectories. Several soluble factors and cytokines regulate the distinct stages of NK cell differentiation, and ultimately, their functional properties. Cytokines activating the Janus kinases (JAKs) and members of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway control distinct aspects of NK cell biology, ranging from development, terminal differentiation, activation, and generation of cells with adaptive properties. Here, we discuss how the recent advances of next generation sequencing (NGS) technology have led to unravel novel molecular aspects of gene regulation, with the aim to provide genomic views of how STATs regulate transcriptional and epigenetic features of NK cells during the different functional stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Scarno
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pietropaolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Di Censo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Gadina
- Translational Immunology Section, Office of Science Technology (OST), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sciumè
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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45
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Logotheti S, Pützer BM. STAT3 and STAT5 Targeting for Simultaneous Management of Melanoma and Autoimmune Diseases. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101448. [PMID: 31569642 PMCID: PMC6826843 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a skin cancer which can become metastatic, drug-refractory, and lethal if managed late or inappropriately. An increasing number of melanoma patients exhibits autoimmune diseases, either as pre-existing conditions or as sequelae of immune-based anti-melanoma therapies, which complicate patient management and raise the need for more personalized treatments. STAT3 and/or STAT5 cascades are commonly activated during melanoma progression and mediate the metastatic effects of key oncogenic factors. Deactivation of these cascades enhances antitumor-immune responses, is efficient against metastatic melanoma in the preclinical setting and emerges as a promising targeting strategy, especially for patients resistant to immunotherapies. In the light of the recent realization that cancer and autoimmune diseases share common mechanisms of immune dysregulation, we suggest that the systemic delivery of STAT3 or STAT5 inhibitors could simultaneously target both, melanoma and associated autoimmune diseases, thereby decreasing the overall disease burden and improving quality of life of this patient subpopulation. Herein, we review the recent advances of STAT3 and STAT5 targeting in melanoma, explore which autoimmune diseases are causatively linked to STAT3 and/or STAT5 signaling, and propose that these patients may particularly benefit from treatment with STAT3/STAT5 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Logotheti
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Brigitte M Pützer
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
- Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
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46
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Wu J, Gao FX, Wang C, Qin M, Han F, Xu T, Hu Z, Long Y, He XM, Deng X, Ren DL, Dai TY. IL-6 and IL-8 secreted by tumour cells impair the function of NK cells via the STAT3 pathway in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:321. [PMID: 31324197 PMCID: PMC6642486 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1310-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Recurrence and metastasis are the leading causes of tumour-related death in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Tumour-infiltrating natural killer cells (NK cells) display powerful cytotoxicity to tumour cells and play a pivotal role in tumour therapy. However, the phenotype and functional regulation of NK cells in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains largely unknown. Methods Single cell suspensions from blood and tissue samples were isolated by physical dissociation and filtering through a 70 μm cell strainer. Flow cytometry was applied to profile the activity and function of NK cells, and an antibody chip experiment was used to identify and quantitate cytokine levels. We studied IL-6 and IL-8 function in primary oesophageal squamous carcinoma and NK cell co-cultures in vitro and by a xenograft tumour model in vivo. Western blotting was used to quantitate STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) and p-STAT3 levels. Finally, we performed an IHC array to analyse IL-6/IL-8 (interleukin 6/interleukin 8) expression in 103 pairs of tumours and matched adjacent tissues of patients with ESCC to elucidate the correlation between IL-6 or IL-8 and clinical characteristics. Results The percentages of NK cells in both peripheral blood and tumour tissues from patients with ESCC were significantly increased in comparison with those in the controls and correlated with the clinical characteristics. Furthermore, the decrease in activating receptors and increase in inhibitory receptors on the surface of tumour-infiltrating NK cells was confirmed by flow cytometry. The level of granzyme B, the effector molecule of tumour-infiltrating NK cells, was also decreased. Mechanistically, primary ESCC cells activated the STAT3 signalling pathway on NK cells through IL-6 and IL-8 secretion, leading to the downregulation of activating receptors (NKp30 and NKG2D) on the surface of NK cells. An ex vivo study showed that blockade of STAT3 attenuated the IL-6/IL-8-mediated impairment of NK cell function. Moreover, the expression of IL-6 or IL-8 in tumour tissues was validated by immunohistochemistry to be positively correlated with tumour progression and poor survival, respectively. Conclusions Tumour cell-secreted IL-6 and IL-8 impair the activity and function of NK cells via STAT3 signalling and contribute to oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma malignancy. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1310-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of South West Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Feng-Xia Gao
- Department of Immunology, Basic Medicine College, South West Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of South West Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Mei Qin
- Department of Immunology, Basic Medicine College, South West Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Fei Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of South West Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of South West Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhi Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of South West Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Long
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of South West Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Xue-Mei He
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of South West Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.,Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology of Department of Pharmacology, The School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - De-Lian Ren
- Department of Immunology, Basic Medicine College, South West Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
| | - Tian-Yang Dai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of South West Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
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47
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Stabile H, Scarno G, Fionda C, Gismondi A, Santoni A, Gadina M, Sciumè G. JAK/STAT signaling in regulation of innate lymphoid cells: The gods before the guardians. Immunol Rev 2019; 286:148-159. [PMID: 30294965 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Immunity to pathogens is ensured through integration of early responses mediated by innate cells and late effector functions taking place after terminal differentiation of adaptive lymphocytes. In this context, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and adaptive T cells represent a clear example of how prototypical effector functions, including polarized expression of cytokines and/or cytotoxic activity, can occur with overlapping modalities but different timing. The ability of ILCs to provide early protection relies on their poised epigenetic state, which determines their propensity to quickly respond to cytokines and to activate specific patterns of signal-dependent transcription factors. Cytokines activating the Janus kinases (JAKs) and members of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway are key regulators of lymphoid development and sustain the processes underlying T-cell activation and differentiation. The role of the JAK/STAT pathway has been recently extended to several aspects of ILC biology. Here, we discuss how JAK/STAT signals affect ILC development and effector functions in the context of immune responses, highlighting the molecular mechanisms involved in regulation of gene expression as well as the potential of targeting the JAK/STAT pathway in inflammatory pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Stabile
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Scarno
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Fionda
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Gismondi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Massimo Gadina
- Translational Immunology Section, Office of Science Technology (OST), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Giuseppe Sciumè
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
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Park A, Yang Y, Lee Y, Kim MS, Park YJ, Jung H, Kim TD, Lee HG, Choi I, Yoon SR. Indoleamine-2,3-Dioxygenase in Thyroid Cancer Cells Suppresses Natural Killer Cell Function by Inhibiting NKG2D and NKp46 Expression via STAT Signaling Pathways. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8060842. [PMID: 31212870 PMCID: PMC6617210 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8060842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are key players in the immune system. They use receptors on their cell surface to identify target cells. However, to escape being killed by the immune system, cancer cells such as thyroid cancer cells, use various methods to suppress the function of NK cells. Thus, this study aims to elucidate how thyroid cancer cells downregulate NK cell function in a co-culture system. We found that thyroid cancer cells suppress NK cell cytotoxicity and inhibit the expression of activating receptors, such as NKG2D and NKp46, by regulating indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Also, thyroid cancer cells produce kynurenine using IDO, which causes NK cell dysfunction. Kynurenine enters NK cells via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) on the surfaces of the NK cells, which decreases NK cell function and NK receptor expression via the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 and STAT3 pathways. In addition, STAT1 and STAT3 directly regulated the expression of NKG2D and NKp46 receptors by binding to the promoter region. Conclusively, NK cell function may be impaired in thyroid cancer patients by IDO-induced kynurenine production. This implies that IDO can be used as a target for thyroid cancer therapeutics aiming at improving NK cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arum Park
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
- Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea.
| | - Yunjeong Yang
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea.
| | - Yunhee Lee
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea.
| | - Mi Sun Kim
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Young-Jun Park
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
- Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea.
| | - Haiyoung Jung
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
- Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea.
| | - Tae-Don Kim
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
- Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea.
| | - Hee Gu Lee
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
- Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea.
| | - Inpyo Choi
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
- Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea.
| | - Suk Ran Yoon
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
- Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea.
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Bruno A, Mortara L, Baci D, Noonan DM, Albini A. Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells Interactions With Natural Killer Cells and Pro-angiogenic Activities: Roles in Tumor Progression. Front Immunol 2019; 10:771. [PMID: 31057536 PMCID: PMC6482162 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) contribute to the induction of an immune suppressive/anergic, tumor permissive environment. MDSCs act as immunosuppression orchestrators also by interacting with several components of both innate and adaptive immunity. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells functioning as primary effector of immunity, against tumors and virus-infected cells. Apart from the previously described anergy and hypo-functionality of NK cells in different tumors, NK cells in cancer patients show pro-angiogenic phenotype and functions, similar to decidual NK cells. We termed the pro-angiogenic NK cells in the tumor microenvironment "tumor infiltrating NK" (TINKs), and peripheral blood NK cells in cancer patients "tumor associated NK" (TANKs). The contribution of MDSCs in regulating NK cell functions in tumor-bearing host, still represent a poorly explored topic, and even less is known on NK cell regulation of MDSCs. Here, we review whether the crosstalk between MDSCs and NK cells can impact on tumor onset, angiogenesis and progression, focusing on key cellular and molecular interactions. We also propose that the similarity of the properties of tumor associated/tumor infiltrating NK and MDSC with those of decidual NK and decidual MDSCs during pregnancy could hint to a possible onco-fetal origin of these pro-angiogenic leukocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Bruno
- Scientific and Technology Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Mortara
- Laboratory of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Denisa Baci
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Douglas M Noonan
- Scientific and Technology Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy.,Laboratory of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Adriana Albini
- Scientific and Technology Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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STAT5B N642H drives transformation of NKT cells: a novel mouse model for CD56 + T-LGL leukemia. Leukemia 2019; 33:2336-2340. [PMID: 30967617 PMCID: PMC6756040 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-019-0471-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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