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Alrubayyi A, Touizer E, Hameiri-Bowen D, Charlton B, Gea-Mallorquí E, Hussain N, da Costa KAS, Ford R, Rees-Spear C, Fox TA, Williams I, Waters L, Barber TJ, Burns F, Kinloch S, Morris E, Rowland-Jones S, McCoy LE, Peppa D. Natural killer cell responses during SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in people living with HIV-1. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18994. [PMID: 37923825 PMCID: PMC10624865 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45412-9] [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: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell subsets with adaptive properties are emerging as regulators of vaccine-induced T and B cell responses and are specialized towards antibody-dependent functions contributing to SARS-CoV-2 control. Although HIV-1 infection is known to affect the NK cell pool, the additional impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination on NK cell responses in people living with HIV (PLWH) has remained unexplored. Our data show that SARS-CoV-2 infection skews NK cells towards a more differentiated/adaptive CD57+FcεRIγ- phenotype in PLWH. A similar subset was induced following vaccination in SARS-CoV-2 naïve PLWH in addition to a CD56bright population with cytotoxic potential. Antibody-dependent NK cell function showed robust and durable responses to Spike up to 148 days post-infection, with responses enriched in adaptive NK cells. NK cell responses were further boosted by the first vaccine dose in SARS-CoV-2 exposed individuals and peaked after the second dose in SARS-CoV-2 naïve PLWH. The presence of adaptive NK cells associated with the magnitude of cellular and humoral responses. These data suggest that features of adaptive NK cells can be effectively engaged to complement and boost vaccine-induced adaptive immunity in potentially more vulnerable groups such as PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aljawharah Alrubayyi
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Emma Touizer
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Bethany Charlton
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Noshin Hussain
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kelly A S da Costa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rosemarie Ford
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Chloe Rees-Spear
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas A Fox
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ian Williams
- Department of HIV, Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Laura Waters
- Department of HIV, Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Tristan J Barber
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- The Ian Charleson Day Centre, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Fiona Burns
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- The Ian Charleson Day Centre, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sabine Kinloch
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
- The Ian Charleson Day Centre, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Emma Morris
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Laura E McCoy
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dimitra Peppa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK.
- Department of HIV, Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Trust, London, UK.
- The Ian Charleson Day Centre, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
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2
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van der Ploeg K, Sottile R, Kontopoulos T, Shaffer BC, Papanicolaou GA, Maloy MA, Cho C, Robinson KS, Perales MA, Le Luduec JB, Hsu KC. Emergence of human CMV-induced NKG2C+ NK cells is associated with CD8+ T-cell recovery after allogeneic HCT. Blood Adv 2023; 7:5784-5798. [PMID: 37196646 PMCID: PMC10561005 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with the expansion of a mature NKG2C+FcεR1γ- natural killer (NK) cell population. The exact mechanism underlying the emergence of NKG2C+ NK cells, however, remains unknown. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) provides an opportunity to longitudinally study lymphocyte recovery in the setting of CMV reactivation, particularly in patients receiving T-cell-depleted (TCD) allografts. We analyzed peripheral blood lymphocytes from 119 patients at serial time points after infusion of their TCD allograft and compared immune recovery with that in samples obtained from recipients of T-cell-replete (T-replete) (n = 96) or double umbilical cord blood (DUCB) (n = 52) allografts. NKG2C+ NK cells were detected in 92% (45 of 49) of recipients of TCD HCT who experienced CMV reactivation. Although NKG2A+ cells were routinely identifiable early after HCT, NKG2C+ NK cells were identified only after T cells could be detected. T-cell reconstitution occurred at variable times after HCT among patients and predominantly comprised CD8+ T cells. In patients with CMV reactivation, recipients of TCD HCT expressed significantly higher frequencies of NKG2C+ and CD56neg NK cells compared with patients who received T-replete HCT or DUCB transplantation. NKG2C+ NK cells after TCD HCT were CD57+FcεR1γ+ and degranulated significantly more in response to target cells compared with the adaptive the NKG2C+CD57+FcεR1γ- NK cell population. We conclude that the presence of circulating T cells is associated with the expansion of a CMV-induced NKG2C+ NK cell population, a potentially novel example of developmental cooperation between lymphocyte populations in response to viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kattria van der Ploeg
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Rosa Sottile
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Theodota Kontopoulos
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Brian C. Shaffer
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Genovefa A. Papanicolaou
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Molly A. Maloy
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Christina Cho
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Kevin S. Robinson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
- Adult BMT Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Miguel-Angel Perales
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Jean-Benoît Le Luduec
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Katharine C. Hsu
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
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3
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Lee J, Chang WLW, Scott JM, Hong S, Lee T, Deere JD, Park PH, Sparger EE, Dandekar S, Hartigan-O'Connor DJ, Barry PA, Kim S. FcRγ- NK Cell Induction by Specific Cytomegalovirus and Expansion by Subclinical Viral Infections in Rhesus Macaques. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:443-452. [PMID: 37314415 PMCID: PMC10932550 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
"Adaptive" NK cells, characterized by FcRγ deficiency and enhanced responsiveness to Ab-bound, virus-infected cells, have been found in certain hCMV-seropositive individuals. Because humans are exposed to numerous microbes and environmental agents, specific relationships between hCMV and FcRγ-deficient NK cells (also known as g-NK cells) have been challenging to define. Here, we show that a subgroup of rhesus CMV (RhCMV)-seropositive macaques possesses FcRγ-deficient NK cells that stably persist and display a phenotype resembling human FcRγ-deficient NK cells. Moreover, these macaque NK cells resembled human FcRγ-deficient NK cells with respect to functional characteristics, including enhanced responsiveness to RhCMV-infected target in an Ab-dependent manner and hyporesponsiveness to tumor and cytokine stimulation. These cells were not detected in specific pathogen-free (SPF) macaques free of RhCMV and six other viruses; however, experimental infection of SPF animals with RhCMV strain UCD59, but not RhCMV strain 68-1 or SIV, led to induction of FcRγ-deficient NK cells. In non-SPF macaques, coinfection by RhCMV with other common viruses was associated with higher frequencies of FcRγ-deficient NK cells. These results support a causal role for specific CMV strain(s) in the induction of FcRγ-deficient NK cells and suggest that coinfection by other viruses further expands this memory-like NK cell pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewon Lee
- Graduate Group of Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
- Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - W L William Chang
- Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA
| | - Jeannine M Scott
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - Suyeon Hong
- Immunobiology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
| | - Taehyung Lee
- Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Jesse D Deere
- Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Peter H Park
- Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Ellen E Sparger
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Satya Dandekar
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Dennis J Hartigan-O'Connor
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Peter A Barry
- Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Graduate Group of Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
- Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
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4
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Zhou Z, Liu X, Zhang X, Wen S, Hua H, Wang Z, Xu Z, Lu Y, Wang F. Impact of Early Natural Killer Cell Reconstitution on the Outcomes of T Cell-Replete Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:2993-3008. [PMID: 37489148 PMCID: PMC10363384 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s416708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Early immune reconstitution is crucial to successful outcomes after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). However, in T cell-replete HSCT, the impact of natural killer (NK) cells on transplantation outcome and the factors influencing early NK cell reconstitution remain unclear. Methods In this retrospective study, we analyzed 128 patients with hematological malignancies who received the first T cell-replete allo-HSCT between May 2019 and September 2021. After application of a conditioning regimen, prophylaxis for graft versus host disease (GVHD), and engraftment, the patients received prevention and treatment procedures for cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation. NK cells, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood were collected and analyzed at 30, 60, 90, 135 and 180 days after transplantation to observe immune cell reconstitution. Overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), minimal residual disease (MRD), relapse, and non-relapse mortality (NRM) were evaluated. SPSS 25.0 and R version 4.2.1 were used for statistical analysis. Results In patients with rapid NK recovery (NK cell count at 30 days post-HSCT [NK30] >165/μL and 60 days post-HSCT [NK60] >265/μL), we observed lower rates of NRM, CMV reactivation and acute GVHD (aGVHD). Multivariate analysis indicated that a lower NK30 (≤165/μL) was an independent factor associated with inferior OS and RFS. The NK30 and NK60 in patients with CMV reactivation and aGVHD after transplantation were significantly lower than those in patients without these complications. In addition, CD107a expression in NK cells was also significantly lower in patients who experienced aGVHD. Correlation analysis did not find an inhibitory effect of T-lymphocyte subset reconstitution on NK cells in the early stage after transplantation. Conclusion Rapid NK cell reconstitution early after allo-HSCT had protective effects on NRM and survival. Promoting early NK cell reconstitution represents a new approach to improving the outcomes of allo-HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Zhou
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Hematology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei050000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuan Liu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Hematology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei050000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuejun Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Hematology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei050000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shupeng Wen
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Hematology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei050000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huan Hua
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Hematology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei050000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenzhen Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Hematology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei050000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zheng Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Hematology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei050000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Lu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Hematology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei050000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fuxu Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Hematology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei050000, People’s Republic of China
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5
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Cocker ATH, Guethlein LA, Parham P. The CD56-CD16+ NK cell subset in chronic infections. Biochem Soc Trans 2023:233017. [PMID: 37140380 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Long-term human diseases can shape the immune system, and natural killer (NK) cells have been documented to differentiate into distinct subsets specifically associated with chronic virus infections. One of these subsets found in large frequencies in HIV-1 are the CD56-CD16+ NK cells, and this population's association with chronic virus infections is the subject of this review. Human NK cells are classically defined by CD56 expression, yet increasing evidence supports the NK cell status of the CD56-CD16+ subset which we discuss herein. We then discuss the evidence linking CD56-CD16+ NK cells to chronic virus infections, and the potential immunological pathways that are altered by long-term infection that could be inducing the population's differentiation. An important aspect of NK cell regulation is their interaction with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class-I molecules, and we highlight work that indicates both virus and genetic-mediated variations in HLA expression that have been linked to CD56-CD16+ NK cell frequencies. Finally, we offer a perspective on CD56-CD16+ NK cell function, taking into account recent work that implies the subset is comparable to CD56+CD16+ NK cell functionality in antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity response, and the definition of CD56-CD16+ NK cell subpopulations with varying degranulation capacity against target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander T H Cocker
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
| | - Lisbeth A Guethlein
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
| | - Peter Parham
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
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6
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Hassan N, Eldershaw S, Stephens C, Kinsella F, Craddock C, Malladi R, Zuo J, Moss P. CMV reactivation initiates long-term expansion and differentiation of the NK cell repertoire. Front Immunol 2022; 13:935949. [PMID: 36531994 PMCID: PMC9753568 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.935949] [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: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction NK cells play an important role in suppression of viral replication and are critical for effective control of persistent infections such as herpesviruses. Cytomegalovirus infection is associated with expansion of 'adaptive-memory' NK cells with a characteristic CD56dimCD16bright NKG2C+ phenotype but the mechanisms by which this population is maintained remain uncertain. Methods We studied NK cell reconstitution in patients undergoing haemopoietic stem cell transplantation and related this to CMV reactivation. Results NK cells expanded in the early post-transplant period but then remained stable in the absence of viral reactivation. However, CMV reactivation led to a rapid and sustained 10-fold increase in NK cell number. The proportion of NKG2C-expressing cells increases on all NK subsets although the kinetics of expansion peaked at 6 months on immature CD56bright cells whilst continuing to rise on the mature CD56dim pool. Phenotypic maturation was observed by acquisition of CD57 expression. Effective control of viral reactivation was seen when the peripheral NK cell count reached 20,000/ml. Discussion These data show that short term CMV reactivation acts to reprogramme hemopoiesis to drive a sustained modulation and expansion of the NK cell pool and reveal further insight into long term regulation of the innate immune repertoire by infectious challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norfarazieda Hassan
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Suzy Eldershaw
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Christine Stephens
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Kinsella
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Craddock
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ram Malladi
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jianmin Zuo
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Moss
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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7
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Shemesh A, Su Y, Calabrese DR, Chen D, Arakawa-Hoyt J, Roybal KT, Heath JR, Greenland JR, Lanier LL. Diminished cell proliferation promotes natural killer cell adaptive-like phenotype by limiting FcεRIγ expression. J Exp Med 2022; 219:e20220551. [PMID: 36066491 PMCID: PMC9448639 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human adaptive-like natural killer (NK) cells express low levels of FcεRIγ (FcRγ-/low) and are reported to accumulate during COVID-19 infection; however, the mechanism underlying and regulating FcRγ expression in NK cells has yet to be fully defined. We observed lower FcRγ protein expression in NK cell subsets from lung transplant patients during rapamycin treatment, suggesting a link with reduced mTOR activity. Further, FcRγ-/low NK cell subsets from healthy donors displayed reduced mTOR activity. We discovered that FcRγ upregulation is dependent on cell proliferation progression mediated by IL-2, IL-15, or IL-12, is sensitive to mTOR suppression, and is inhibited by TGFβ or IFNα. Accordingly, the accumulation of adaptive-like FcRγ-/low NK cells in COVID-19 patients corresponded to increased TGFβ and IFNα levels and disease severity. Our results show that an adaptive-like NK cell phenotype is induced by diminished cell proliferation and has an early prognostic value for increased TGFβ and IFNα levels in COVID-19 infection associated with disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avishai Shemesh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Yapeng Su
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
| | - Daniel R. Calabrese
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Medical Service, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
| | - Daniel Chen
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Informatics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Janice Arakawa-Hoyt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Kole T. Roybal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA
- Gladstone University of California, San Francisco Institute for Genetic Immunology, San Francisco, CA
- University of California, San Francisco Cell Design Institute, San Francisco, CA
| | - James R. Heath
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - John R. Greenland
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Medical Service, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
| | - Lewis L. Lanier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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8
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Jaiswal SR, Arunachalam J, Saifullah A, Lakhchaura R, Tailor D, Mehta A, Bhagawati G, Aiyer H, Khamar B, Malhotra SV, Chakrabarti S. Impact of an Immune Modulator Mycobacterium-w on Adaptive Natural Killer Cells and Protection Against COVID-19. Front Immunol 2022; 13:887230. [PMID: 35603154 PMCID: PMC9115578 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.887230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The kinetics of NKG2C+ adaptive natural killer (ANK) cells and NKG2A+inhibitory NK (iNK) cells with respect to the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection were studied for 6 months in a cohort of healthcare workers following the administration of the heat-killed Mycobacterium w (Mw group) in comparison to a control group. In both groups, corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) correlated with lower NKG2C+ANK cells at baseline. There was a significant upregulation of NKG2C expression and IFN-γ release in the Mw group (p=0.0009), particularly in those with a lower baseline NKG2C expression, along with the downregulation of iNK cells (p<0.0001). This translated to a significant reduction in the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in the Mw group (incidence risk ratio-0.15, p=0.0004). RNA-seq analysis at 6 months showed an upregulation of the ANK pathway genes and an enhanced ANK-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) signature. Thus, Mw was observed to have a salutary impact on the ANK cell profile and a long-term upregulation of ANK-ADCC pathways, which could have provided protection against COVID-19 in a non-immune high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarita Rani Jaiswal
- Cellular Therapy and Immunology, Manashi Chakrabarti Foundation, New Delhi, India
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Dharamshila Narayana Super-Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, India
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida, India
| | - Jaganath Arunachalam
- Cellular Therapy and Immunology, Manashi Chakrabarti Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashraf Saifullah
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Dharamshila Narayana Super-Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Rohit Lakhchaura
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Dharamshila Narayana Super-Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Dhanir Tailor
- Department of Cell, Development & Cancer Biology and Center for Experimental Therapeutics, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Anupama Mehta
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Dharamshila Narayana Super-Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Gitali Bhagawati
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Dharamshila Narayana Super-speciality Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Hemamalini Aiyer
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Dharamshila Narayana Super-speciality Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Bakulesh Khamar
- Research & Development, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Sanjay V. Malhotra
- Department of Cell, Development & Cancer Biology and Center for Experimental Therapeutics, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Suparno Chakrabarti
- Cellular Therapy and Immunology, Manashi Chakrabarti Foundation, New Delhi, India
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Dharamshila Narayana Super-Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, India
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9
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Gao F, Zhou Z, Lin Y, Shu G, Yin G, Zhang T. Biology and Clinical Relevance of HCMV-Associated Adaptive NK Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:830396. [PMID: 35464486 PMCID: PMC9022632 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.830396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are an important component of the innate immune system due to their strong ability to kill virally infected or transformed cells without prior exposure to the antigen (Ag). However, the biology of human NK (hNK) cells has largely remained elusive. Recent advances have characterized several novel hNK subsets. Among them, adaptive NK cells demonstrate an intriguing specialized antibody (Ab)-dependent response and several adaptive immune features. Most adaptive NK cells express a higher level of NKG2C but lack an intracellular signaling adaptor, FcϵRIγ (hereafter abbreviated as FcRγ). The specific expression pattern of these genes, with other signature genes, is the result of a specific epigenetic modification. The expansion of adaptive NK cells in vivo has been documented in various viral infections, while the frequency of adaptive NK cells among peripheral blood mononuclear cells correlates with improved prognosis of monoclonal Ab treatment against leukemia. This review summarizes the discovery and signature phenotype of adaptive NK cells. We also discuss the reported association between adaptive NK cells and pathological conditions. Finally, we briefly highlight the application of adaptive NK cells in adoptive cell therapy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Gao
- Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhengwei Zhou
- Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Lin
- Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guang Shu
- Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Gang Yin
- Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tianxiang Zhang
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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10
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Zaghi E, Calvi M, Puccio S, Spata G, Terzoli S, Peano C, Roberto A, De Paoli F, van Beek JJ, Mariotti J, De Philippis C, Sarina B, Mineri R, Bramanti S, Santoro A, Le-Trilling VTK, Trilling M, Marcenaro E, Castagna L, Di Vito C, Lugli E, Mavilio D. Single-cell profiling identifies impaired adaptive NK cells expanded after HCMV reactivation in haploidentical HSCT. JCI Insight 2021; 6:146973. [PMID: 34003794 PMCID: PMC8262468 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.146973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (h-HSCT) represents an efficient curative approach for patients affected by hematologic malignancies in which the reduced intensity conditioning induces a state of immunologic tolerance between donor and recipient. However, opportunistic viral infections greatly affect h-HSCT clinical outcomes. NK cells are the first lymphocytes that recover after transplant and provide a prompt defense against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection/reactivation. By undertaking a longitudinal single-cell computational profiling of multiparametric flow cytometry, we show that HCMV accelerates NK cell immune reconstitution together with the expansion of CD158b1b2jpos/NKG2Aneg/NKG2Cpos/NKp30lo NK cells. The frequency of this subset correlates with HCMV viremia, further increases in recipients experiencing multiple episodes of viral reactivations, and persists for months after the infection. The transcriptional profile of FACS-sorted CD158b1b2jpos NK cells confirmed the ability of HCMV to deregulate NKG2C, NKG2A, and NKp30 gene expression, thus inducing the expansion of NK cells with adaptive traits. These NK cells are characterized by the downmodulation of several gene pathways associated with cell migration, the cell cycle, and effector-functions, as well as by a state of metabolic/cellular exhaustion. This profile reflects the functional impairments of adaptive NK cells to produce IFN-γ, a phenomenon also due to the viral-induced expression of lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Zaghi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Calvi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,BIOMETRA, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Gianmarco Spata
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Terzoli
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Clelia Peano
- Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research, UoS Milan, National Research Council, and Genomic Unit
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rossana Mineri
- Molecular Biology Section, Clinical Investigation Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Mirko Trilling
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | | | - Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,BIOMETRA, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Lugli
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology.,Flow Cytometry Core, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,BIOMETRA, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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11
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Tomescu C, Kroll K, Colon K, Papasavvas E, Frank I, Tebas P, Mounzer K, Reeves RK, Montaner LJ. Identification of the predominant human NK cell effector subset mediating ADCC against HIV-infected targets coated with BNAbs or plasma from PLWH. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:2051-2061. [PMID: 34086344 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The potential of immunotherapy strategies utilizing broadly neutralizing antibodies (BNAbs), such as 3BNC117 and 10-1074, to limit viral replication while also facilitating clearance of HIV infected cells has heightened interest in identifying the predominant NK effector subset(s) capable of mediating antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Utilizing advanced polychromatic flow cytometry, we identified that CD57 positive NK cells from ART-suppressed in People Living With HIV (PLWH) expressed significantly higher levels of the CD16 FcγR receptor, 2B4 ADCC coreceptor, and HLA-DR activation marker while NKG2C positive NK cells expressed significantly higher levels of the CD2 ADCC coreceptor (p < 0.001, n = 32). Functionally, CD57 positive NK cells from ART-suppressed PLWH with either high or low NKG2C expansion exhibited significantly enhanced degranulation and IFN-γ production against heterologous gp120-coated ADCC targets coated with HIV reference plasma compared to CD57 negative NK cells (p = 0.0029, n = 11). CD57 positive NK cells from control donors lacking NKG2C expansion also exhibited significantly more degranulation and IFN-γ production at every timepoint tested against both heterologous ADCC targets (p = 0.019, n = 9) and HIV-1 infected autologous CD4+ primary T cells coated with BNAbs. Together, our data support CD57 positive and NKG2C positive NK cells as the predominant ADCC effector subsets capable of targeting HIV-infected CD4+ cells in the presence of 3BNC117 and 10-1074 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costin Tomescu
- HIV Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kyle Kroll
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Krystal Colon
- HIV Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Ian Frank
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pablo Tebas
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karam Mounzer
- Jonathan Lax Center, Philadelphia FIGHT, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Roger Keith Reeves
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Luis J Montaner
- HIV Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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12
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HCMV-controlling NKG2C+ NK cells originate from novel circulating inflammatory precursors. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 147:2343-2357. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.12.648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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13
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Quatrini L, Della Chiesa M, Sivori S, Mingari MC, Pende D, Moretta L. Human NK cells, their receptors and function. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:1566-1579. [PMID: 33899224 PMCID: PMC9292411 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202049028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
NK cells are cytotoxic components of innate lymphoid cells (ILC) that provide a first line of defense against viral infections and contribute to control tumor growth and metastasis. Their function is finely regulated by an array of HLA-specific and non-HLA-specific inhibitory and activating receptors which allow to discriminate between healthy and altered cells. Human NK cells gained a major attention in recent years because of the important progresses in understanding their biology and of some promising data in tumor therapy. In this review, we will outline well-established issues of human NK cells and discuss some of the open questions, debates, and recent advances regarding their origin, differentiation, and tissue distribution. Newly defined NK cell specializations, including the impact of inhibitory checkpoints on their function, their crosstalk with other cell types, and the remarkable adaptive features acquired in response to certain virus infections will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Quatrini
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Immunology Laboratory, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Pende
- Immunology Laboratory, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
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14
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Anderko RR, Rinaldo CR, Mailliard RB. IL-18 Responsiveness Defines Limitations in Immune Help for Specialized FcRγ - NK Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 205:3429-3442. [PMID: 33188073 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite being prolific innate killers, NK cells are also key helper cells in antiviral defense, influencing adaptive immune responses via interactions with dendritic cells (DCs). In addition to causing NK cell dysfunction, HIV-1 infection contributes to the expansion of a rare population of NK cells deficient in FcRγ (FcRγ-), an intracellular adaptor protein that associates with CD16. The implications of this inflated NK cell subset in treated HIV-1 infection remain unclear. In this study, we explored the helper function of human NK cells in chronic HIV-1 infection, with a particular focus on characterizing FcRγ- NK cells. Exposure of NK cells to innate DC-derived costimulatory factors triggered their helper activity, defined by their ability to produce IFN-γ and to drive the maturation of high IL-12-producing DCs. In this setting, however, FcRγ- NK cells were defective at producing the dominant DC-polarizing agent IFN-γ. The reduced responsiveness of FcRγ- NK cells to IL-18 in particular, which was attributable to impaired inducible expression of IL-18Rα, extended beyond an inability to produce IFN-γ, as FcRγ- NK cells showed limited potential to differentiate into CD16-/CD25+/CD83+ helper cells. Notwithstanding their deficiencies in responsiveness to innate environmental cues, FcRγ- NK cells responded robustly to adaptive Ab-mediated signaling through CD16. The presence of an expanded population of FcRγ- NK cells with a diminished capacity to respond to IL-18 and to effectively modulate DC function may contribute to disturbances in proper immune homeostasis associated with HIV-1 infection and to defects in the initiation of optimal adaptive antiviral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee R Anderko
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261; and
| | - Charles R Rinaldo
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261; and.,Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - Robbie B Mailliard
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261; and
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15
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Liu W, Scott JM, Langguth E, Chang H, Park PH, Kim S. FcRγ Gene Editing Reprograms Conventional NK Cells to Display Key Features of Adaptive Human NK Cells. iScience 2020; 23:101709. [PMID: 33205022 PMCID: PMC7649287 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive human natural killer (NK) cells display significantly enhanced responsiveness to a broad-range of antibody-bound targets through the engagement of CD16 compared to conventional NK cells, yet direct reactivity against tumor targets is generally reduced. Adaptive NK cells also display a distinct phenotype and differential expression of numerous genes, including reduced expression of signaling adapter FcRγ and transcription factor PLZF. However, it is unclear whether differential expression of specific genes is responsible for the characteristics of adaptive NK cells. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we show deletion of FcRγ in conventional NK cells led to enhanced CD16 responsiveness, abolished cell surface expression of natural cytotoxicity receptors, NKp46 and NKp30, and dramatically reduced responsiveness to K562 and Raji tumor cells. However, deletion of PLZF had no notable effects. These results suggest multiple roles for FcRγ and identify its deficiency as an important factor responsible for the functional and phenotypic characteristics exhibited by adaptive NK cells. FcRγ deletion leads to increased cytokine production in response to CD16 stimulation FcRγ deletion abolishes cell surface expression of NKp46 and NKp30 FcRγ deletion results in reduced responsiveness to K562 and Raji cells PLZF deletion does not change responsiveness to CD16 and cytokine stimulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiru Liu
- Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Jeannine M Scott
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Emma Langguth
- Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Helena Chang
- Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Peter H Park
- Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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16
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Kobyzeva PA, Streltsova MA, Erokhina SA, Kanevskiy LM, Telford WG, Sapozhnikov AM, Kovalenko EI. CD56 dim CD57 - NKG2C + NK cells retaining proliferative potential are possible precursors of CD57 + NKG2C + memory-like NK cells. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:1379-1395. [PMID: 32930385 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.1ma0720-654rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Formation of the adaptive-like NK cell subset in response to HCMV infection is associated with epigenetic rearrangements, accompanied by multiple changes in the protein expression. This includes a decrease in the expression level of the adapter chain FcεRIγ, NKp30, and NKG2A receptors and an increase in the expression of NKG2C receptor, some KIR family receptors, and co-stimulating molecule CD2. Besides, adaptive-like NK cells are characterized by surface expression of CD57, a marker of highly differentiated cells. Here, it is shown that CD57-negative CD56dim NKG2C+ NK cells may undergo the same changes, as established by the similarity of the phenotypic expression pattern with that of the adaptive-like CD57+ NKG2C+ NK cells. Regardless of their differentiation stage, NKG2C-positive NK cells had increased HLA-DR expression indicating an activated state, both ex vivo and after cultivation in stimulating conditions. Additionally, CD57- NKG2C+ NK cells exhibited better proliferative activity compared to CD57+ NKG2C+ and NKG2C- NK cells, while retaining high level of natural cytotoxicity. Thus, CD57- NKG2C+ NK cells may represent a less differentiated, but readily expanding stage of the adaptive-like CD57+ NKG2C+ NK cells. Moreover, it is shown that NK cells have certain phenotypic plasticity and may both lose NKG2C expression and acquire it de novo during proliferation, induced by IL-2 and K562-mbIL21 feeder cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina A Kobyzeva
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria A Streltsova
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sofya A Erokhina
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Leonid M Kanevskiy
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - William G Telford
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexander M Sapozhnikov
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena I Kovalenko
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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17
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Sivori S, Della Chiesa M, Carlomagno S, Quatrini L, Munari E, Vacca P, Tumino N, Mariotti FR, Mingari MC, Pende D, Moretta L. Inhibitory Receptors and Checkpoints in Human NK Cells, Implications for the Immunotherapy of Cancer. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2156. [PMID: 33013909 PMCID: PMC7494755 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly destructive mechanisms by which the immune system faces microbial infections is under the control of a series of inhibitory receptors. While most of these receptors prevent unwanted/excessive responses of individual effector cells, others play a more general role in immunity, acting as true inhibitory checkpoints controlling both innate and adaptive immunity. Regarding human NK cells, their function is finely regulated by HLA-class I-specific inhibitory receptors which allow discrimination between HLA-I+, healthy cells and tumor or virus-infected cells displaying loss or substantial alterations of HLA-I molecules, including allelic losses that are sensed by KIRs. A number of non-HLA-specific receptors have been identified which recognize cell surface or extracellular matrix ligands and may contribute to the physiologic control of immune responses and tolerance. Among these receptors, Siglec 7 (p75/AIRM-1), LAIR-1 and IRp60, recognize ligands including sialic acids, extracellular matrix/collagen or aminophospholipids, respectively. These ligands may be expressed at the surface of tumor cells, thus inhibiting NK cell function. Expression of the PD-1 checkpoint by NK cells requires particular cytokines (IL-15, IL-12, IL-18) together with cortisol, a combination that may occur in the microenvironment of different tumors. Blocking of single or combinations of inhibitory receptors unleashes NK cells and restore their anti-tumor activity, with obvious implications for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mariella Della Chiesa
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Linda Quatrini
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,UOC Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Pende
- UOC Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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18
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Sivori S, Pende D, Quatrini L, Pietra G, Della Chiesa M, Vacca P, Tumino N, Moretta F, Mingari MC, Locatelli F, Moretta L. NK cells and ILCs in tumor immunotherapy. Mol Aspects Med 2020; 80:100870. [PMID: 32800530 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2020.100870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cells of the innate immunity play an important role in tumor immunotherapy. Thus, NK cells can control tumor growth and metastatic spread. Thanks to their strong cytolytic activity against tumors, different approaches have been developed for exploiting/harnessing their function in patients with leukemia or solid tumors. Pioneering trials were based on the adoptive transfer of autologous NK cell-enriched cell populations that were expanded in vitro and co-infused with IL-2. Although relevant results were obtained in patients with advanced melanoma, the effect was mostly limited to certain metastatic localizations, particularly to the lung. In addition, the severe IL-2-related toxicity and the preferential IL-2-induced expansion of Treg limited this type of approach. This limitation may be overcome by the use of IL-15, particularly of modified IL-15 molecules to improve its half-life and optimize the biological effects. Other approaches to harness NK cell function include stimulation via TLR, the use of bi- and tri-specific NK cell engagers (BiKE and TriKE) linking activating NK receptors (e.g. CD16) to tumor-associated antigens and even incorporating an IL-15 moiety (TriKE). As recently shown, in tumor patients, NK cells may also express inhibitory checkpoints, primarily PD-1. Accordingly, the therapeutic use of checkpoint inhibitors may unleash NK cells against PD-L1+ tumors. This effect may be predominant and crucial in tumors that have lost HLA cl-I expression, thus resulting "invisible" to T lymphocytes. Additional approaches in which NK cells may represent an important tool for cancer therapy, are to exploit the unique properties of the "adaptive" NK cells. These CD57+ NKG2C+ cells, despite their mature stage and a potent cytolytic activity, maintain a strong proliferating capacity. This property revealed to be crucial in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly in the haplo-HSCT setting, to cure high-risk leukemias. T depleted haplo-HSCT (e.g. from one of the parents) allowed to save the life of thousands of patients lacking a HLA-compatible donor. In this setting, NK cells have been shown to play an essential role against leukemia cells and infections. Another major advance is represented by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered NK cells. CAR-NK, different from CAR-T cells, may be obtained from allogeneic donors since they do not cause GvHD. Accordingly, they may represent "off-the-shelf" products to promptly treat tumor patients, with affordable costs. Different from NK cells, helper ILC (ILC1, ILC2 and ILC3), the innate counterpart of T helper cell subsets, remain rather ambiguous with respect to their anti-tumor activity. A possible exception is represented by a subset of ILC3: their frequency in peri-tumoral tissues in patients with NSCLC directly correlates with a better prognosis, possibly reflecting their ability to contribute to the organization of tertiary lymphoid structures, an important site of T cell-mediated anti-tumor responses. It is conceivable that innate immunity may significantly contribute to the major advances that immunotherapy has ensured and will continue to ensure to the cure of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Pende
- UO Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Linda Quatrini
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; UO Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mariella Della Chiesa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Moretta
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; UO Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy; Department of Gynecology/Obstetrics and Pediatrics, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy.
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19
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Yang Y, Badeti S, Tseng HC, Ma MT, Liu T, Jiang JG, Liu C, Liu D. Superior Expansion and Cytotoxicity of Human Primary NK and CAR-NK Cells from Various Sources via Enriched Metabolic Pathways. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 18:428-445. [PMID: 32695845 PMCID: PMC7364029 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Clinical success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy requires the engineering of autologous T cells, which limits the broader implementation of CAR cell therapy. The development of allogeneic and universal cell products will significantly broaden their application and reduce costs. Allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells can be used for universal CAR immunotherapy. Here, we develop an alternative approach for the rapid expansion of primary NK and CAR-NK cells with superior expansion capability and in vivo cytotoxicity from various sources (including peripheral blood, cord blood, and tumor tissue). We apply a human B-lymphoblastoid cell-line 721.221 (hereinafter, 221)-based artificial feeder cell system with membrane-bound interleukin 21 (mIL-21) to propagate NK and CAR-NK cells. The expansion capability, purity, and cytotoxicity of NK cells expanded with 221-mIL-21 feeder cells are superior to that of conventional K562-mIL-21 feeder cells. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data show that 221-mIL-21 feeder cell-expanded NK cells display a less differentiated, non-exhausted, limited fratricidal, memory-like phenotype correlated with enriched metabolic pathways, which explains underlying mechanisms. Thus, “off-the-shelf” NK and CAR-NK cells with superior functionalities and expansion using a genetically modified 221-mIL-21 feeder cell expansion system will greatly support clinical use of NK immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Saiaditya Badeti
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Hsiang-Chi Tseng
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Minh Tuyet Ma
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Jie-Gen Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.,Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, 205 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
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20
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Delayed NK Cell Reconstitution and Reduced NK Activity Increased the Risks of CMV Disease in Allogeneic-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103663. [PMID: 32455959 PMCID: PMC7279475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103663] [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] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has a significant impact in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We investigated natural killer (NK) cell reconstitution and cytotoxic/cytokine production in controlling CMV infection, especially severe CMV disease in HSCT patients. Fifty-eight patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who received allo-HSCT were included. We monitored NK reconstitution and NK function at baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days after HSCT, and compared the results in recipients stratified on post-HSCT CMV reactivation (n = 23), non-reactivation (n = 24) versus CMV disease (n = 11) groups. The CMV disease group had a significantly delayed recovery of CD56dim NK cells and expansion of FcRγ-CD3ζ+NK cells started post-HSCT 150 days. Sequential results of NK cytotoxicity, NK cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (NK-ADCC), and NK-Interferon-gamma (NK-IFNγ) production for 180 days demonstrated delayed recovery and decreased levels in the CMV disease group compared with the other groups. The results within 1 month after CMV viremia also showed a significant decrease in NK function in the CMV disease group compared to the CMV reactivation group. It suggests that NK cells' maturation and cytotoxic/IFNγ production contributes to CMV protection, thereby revealing the NK phenotype and functional NK monitoring as a biomarker for CMV risk prediction, especially CMV disease.
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21
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Falco M, Sivori S, Meazza R, Pende D. Report from the Eleventh Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) Workshop: Novel insights on KIR polymorphism, ligand recognition, expression and function. HLA 2020; 94:100-110. [PMID: 31177639 DOI: 10.1111/tan.13608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Eleventh Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) Workshop was held in Camogli (Genoa, Italy) in October 2018. This congress brought together 113 participants working on KIR field. Fifty-eight studies have been presented, the majority of which included unpublished data. Thus, KIR workshop, allowing the meeting of people sharing their knowledge and experience in a friendly atmosphere, still represents a special event of fruitful discussion and exchange of novel breakthrough, results, and ideas. In this report, we summarize all the scientific contributions highlighting the most recent advances in KIR field. Forty abstracts presented at the KIR Workshop are published in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Falco
- Laboratorio di Immunologia Clinica e Sperimentale, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Sivori
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES) e Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Raffaella Meazza
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Pende
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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22
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Falco M, Pende D, Munari E, Vacca P, Mingari MC, Moretta L. Natural killer cells: From surface receptors to the cure of high-risk leukemia (Ceppellini Lecture). HLA 2020; 93:185-194. [PMID: 30828978 PMCID: PMC6767140 DOI: 10.1111/tan.13509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune effector cells involved in the first line of defense against viral infections and malignancies. In the last three decades, the identification of HLA class I‐specific inhibitory killer immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIR) and of the main activating receptors has strongly improved our understanding of the mechanisms regulating NK cell functions. The increased knowledge on how NK cells discriminate healthy cells from damaged cells has made it possible to transfer basic research notions to clinical applications. Of particular relevance is the strong NK‐mediated anti‐leukemia effect in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to cure high‐risk leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Falco
- Laboratorio di Immunologia Clinica e Sperimentale, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Pende
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria C Mingari
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and CEBR, Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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23
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Ataya M, Redondo-Pachón D, Llinàs-Mallol L, Yélamos J, Heredia G, Pérez-Sáez MJ, Vila J, Costa-García M, Raïch-Regué D, Vilches C, Pascual J, Crespo M, López-Botet M. Pretransplant adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells protect against cytomegalovirus infection in kidney transplant recipients. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:663-676. [PMID: 31612635 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection constitutes a complication for kidney transplant recipients (KTR) and CMV-specific T cells reduce the risk of viral replication in seropositive patients. CMV promotes the adaptive differentiation and expansion of an NK cell subset, hallmarked by expression of the CD94/NKG2C receptor with additional characteristic features. We previously reported an association of pretransplant NKG2C+ NK cells with a reduced incidence of CMV infection. We have strengthened the analysis in cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells from an enlarged KTR cohort (n = 145) with homogeneous immunosuppression, excluding cases at low risk of infection (ie, CMV D-R-) or receiving antiviral prophylaxis. Moreover, adaptive NKG2C+ NK cell-associated markers (ie, NKG2A, CD57, Immunoglobulin-like transcript 2 [LIR1 or LILRB1], FcεRI γ chain, and Prolymphocytic Leukemia Zinc Finger transcription factor) as well as T lymphocyte subsets were assessed by multicolor flow cytometry. The relation of NKG2C+ NK cells with T cells specific for CMV antigens was analyzed in pretransplant patients (n = 29) and healthy controls (n = 28). Multivariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses supported that NKG2C+ NK cells bearing adaptive markers were specifically associated with a reduced incidence of posttransplant symptomatic CMV infection; no correlation between NKG2C+ NK cells and CMV-specific T cells was observed. These results support that adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells contribute to control CMV infection in KTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Ataya
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolores Redondo-Pachón
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - José Yélamos
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Immunology Service, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - María J Pérez-Sáez
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Vila
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Dàlia Raïch-Regué
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Vilches
- Immunogenetics-HLA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio Pascual
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Crespo
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel López-Botet
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Immunology Service, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.,University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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24
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Vacca P, Pietra G, Tumino N, Munari E, Mingari MC, Moretta L. Exploiting Human NK Cells in Tumor Therapy. Front Immunol 2020; 10:3013. [PMID: 32010130 PMCID: PMC6978749 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells play an important role in the innate defenses against tumor growth and metastases. Human NK cell activation and function are regulated by an array of HLA class I-specific inhibitory receptors and activating receptors recognizing ligands expressed de novo on tumor or virus-infected cells. NK cells have been exploited in immunotherapy of cancer, including: (1) the in vivo infusion of IL-2 or IL-15, cytokines inducing activation and proliferation of NK cells that are frequently impaired in cancer patients. Nonetheless, the significant toxicity experienced, primarily with IL-2, limited their use except for combination therapies, e.g., IL-15 with checkpoint inhibitors; (2) the adoptive immunotherapy with cytokine-induced NK cells had effect on some melanoma metastases (lung), while other localizations were not affected; (3) a remarkable evolution of adoptive cell therapy is represented by NK cells engineered with CAR-targeting tumor antigens (CAR-NK). CAR-NK cells complement CAR-T cells as they do not cause GvHD and may be obtained from unrelated donors. Accordingly, CAR-NK cells may represent an “off-the-shelf” tool, readily available for effective tumor therapy; (4) the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy in cancer is also witnessed by the αβT cell- and B cell-depleted haploidentical HSC transplantation in which the infusion of donor NK cells and γδT cells, together with HSC, sharply reduces leukemia relapses and infections; (5) a true revolution in tumor therapy is the use of mAbs targeting checkpoint inhibitors including PD-1, CTLA-4, the HLA class I-specific KIR, and NKG2A. Since PD-1 is expressed not only by tumor-associated T cells but also by NK cells, its blocking might unleash NK cells playing a crucial effector role against HLA class I-deficient tumors that are undetectable by T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Vacca
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- UOC Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- UOC Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Immunology Research Area, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy
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25
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Kim KH, Yu HT, Hwang I, Park S, Park SH, Kim S, Shin EC. Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Human NK Cell Subpopulations According to the Expression of FcεRIγ and NKG2C. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2865. [PMID: 31867015 PMCID: PMC6908468 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human memory-like NK cells are commonly defined by either a lack of FcεRIγ or gain of NKG2C expression. Here, we investigated the heterogeneity of human CD56dim NK cell subpopulations according to the expression of FcεRIγ and NKG2C in a large cohort (n = 127). Although the frequency of FcεRIγ− and NKG2C+ NK cells positively correlated, the FcεRIγ− and NKG2C+ NK cell populations did not exactly overlap. The FcεRIγ+NKG2C+, FcεRIγ−NKG2C+, and FcεRIγ−NKG2C− NK cell populations were only evident after HCMV infection, but each had distinct characteristics. Among the subpopulations, FcεRIγ−NKG2C+ NK cells exhibited the most restricted killer immunoglobulin-like receptor repertoire, suggesting clonal expansion. Moreover, FcεRIγ−NKG2C+ NK cells exhibited the lowest Ki-67 and highest Bcl-2 expression, indicating the long-lived quiescent memory-like property. Functionally, FcεRIγ−NKG2C+ NK cells had weak natural effector function against K562 but strong effector functions by CD16 engagement, whereas FcεRIγ+NKG2C+ NK cells had strong effector functions in both settings. Anatomically, the FcεRIγ+NKG2C+, FcεRIγ−NKG2C+, and FcεRIγ−NKG2C− NK cell populations were present in multiple human peripheral organs. In conclusion, we demonstrate the heterogeneity of memory-like NK cells stratified by FcεRIγ and NKG2C and suggest both markers be utilized to better define these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Hwan Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hee Tae Yu
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ilwoong Hwang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Sungha Park
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Su-Hyung Park
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Eui-Cheol Shin
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
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26
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Zaghi E, Calvi M, Di Vito C, Mavilio D. Innate Immune Responses in the Outcome of Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation to Cure Hematologic Malignancies. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2794. [PMID: 31849972 PMCID: PMC6892976 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In the context of allogeneic transplant platforms, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) represents one of the latest and most promising curative strategies for patients affected by high-risk hematologic malignancies. Indeed, this platform ensures a suitable stem cell source immediately available for virtually any patents in need. Moreover, the establishment in recipients of a state of immunologic tolerance toward grafted hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) remarkably improves the clinical outcome of this transplant procedure in terms of overall and disease free survival. However, the HLA-mismatch between donors and recipients has not been yet fully exploited in order to optimize the Graft vs. Leukemia effect. Furthermore, the efficacy of haplo-HSCT is currently hampered by several life-threatening side effects including the onset of Graft vs. Host Disease (GvHD) and the occurrence of opportunistic viral infections. In this context, the quality and the kinetic of the immune cell reconstitution (IR) certainly play a major role and several experimental efforts have been greatly endorsed to better understand and accelerate the post-transplant recovery of a fully competent immune system in haplo-HSCT. In particular, the IR of innate immune system is receiving a growing interest, as it recovers much earlier than T and B cells and it is able to rapidly exert protective effects against both tumor relapses, GvHD and the onset of life-threatening opportunistic infections. Herein, we review our current knowledge in regard to the kinetic and clinical impact of Natural Killer (NK), γδ and Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) IRs in both allogeneic and haplo-HSCT. The present paper also provides an overview of those new therapeutic strategies currently being implemented to boost the alloreactivity of the above-mentioned innate immune effectors in order to ameliorate the prognosis of patients affected by hematologic malignancies and undergone transplant procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Zaghi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Calvi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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27
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Moreira A, Alari-Pahissa E, Munteis E, Vera A, Zabalza A, Llop M, Villarrubia N, Costa-García M, Álvarez-Lafuente R, Villar LM, López-Botet M, Martínez-Rodríguez JE. Adaptive Features of Natural Killer Cells in Multiple Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2403. [PMID: 31681293 PMCID: PMC6803486 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been recently related with a lower susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS). HCMV promotes an adaptive development of NK cells bearing the CD94/NKG2C receptor with a characteristic phenotypic and functional profile. NK cells are proposed to play an immunoregulatory role in MS, and expansion of the NKG2C(+) subset was recently associated with reduced disability progression. To further explore this issue, additional adaptive NK cell markers, i.e., downregulation of FcεRIγ chain (FcRγ) and PLZF transcription factor, as well as antibody-dependent NK cell activation were assessed in controls and MS patients considering HCMV serology and clinical features. In line with previous reports, increased proportions of NKG2C(+), FcRγ(-), and PLZF(-) CD56dim NK cells were found in HCMV(+) cases. However, PLZF(-) NK cells were detected uncoupled from other adaptive markers within the CD56bright subset from HCMV(+) cases and among CD56dim NK cells from HCMV(-) MS patients, suggesting an additional effect of HCMV-independent factors in PLZF downregulation. Interferon-β therapy was associated with lower proportions of FcRγ(-) CD56dim NK cells in HCMV(+) and increased PLZF(-) CD56bright NK cells in HCMV(-) patients, pointing out to an influence of the cytokine on the expression of adaptive NK cell-associated markers. In addition, proportions of NKG2C(+) and FcRγ(-) NK cells differed in progressive MS patients as compared to controls and other clinical forms. Remarkably, an adaptive NK cell phenotype did not directly correlate with enhanced antibody-triggered degranulation and TNFα production in MS in contrast to controls. Altogether, our results provide novel insights into the putative influence of HCMV and adaptive NK cells in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antía Moreira
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Neurology Department, Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial i Universitària de Manresa, Manresa, Spain.,Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Elvira Munteis
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Vera
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Zabalza
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Llop
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noelia Villarrubia
- Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Roberto Álvarez-Lafuente
- Neurology Service, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico de San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luisa María Villar
- Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel López-Botet
- University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
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28
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Della Chiesa M, De Maria A, Muccio L, Bozzano F, Sivori S, Moretta L. Human NK Cells and Herpesviruses: Mechanisms of Recognition, Response and Adaptation. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2297. [PMID: 31636622 PMCID: PMC6788305 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells contribute to early defenses against viruses through their inborn abilities that include sensing of PAMPs and inflammatory signals such as cytokines or chemokines, recognition, and killing of infected cells through activating surface receptors engagement. Moreover, they support adaptive responses via Ab-dependent mechanisms, triggered by CD16, and DC editing. Their fundamental role in anti-viral responses has been unveiled in patients with NK cell deficiencies suffering from severe Herpesvirus infections. Notably, these infections, often occurring as primary infections early in life, can be efficiently cleared by NK, T, and B cells in healthy hosts. Herpesviruses however, generate a complicated balance with the host immune system through their latency cycle moving between immune control and viral reactivation. This lifelong challenge has contributed to the development of numerous evasion mechanisms by Herpesviruses, many of which devoted to elude NK cell surveillance from viral reactivations rather than primary infections. This delicate equilibrium can be altered in proportions of healthy individuals promoting virus reactivation and, more often, in immunocompromised subjects. However, the constant stimulus provided by virus-host interplay has also favored NK-cell adaptation to Herpesviruses. During anti-HCMV responses, NK cells can reshape their receptor repertoire and function, through epigenetic remodeling, and acquire adaptive traits such as longevity and clonal expansion abilities. The major mechanisms of recognition and effector responses employed by NK cells against Herpesviruses, related to their genomic organization will be addressed, including those allowing NK cells to generate memory-like responses. In addition, the mechanisms underlying virus reactivation or control will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Della Chiesa
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea De Maria
- Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Clinica Malattie Infettive, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS, Genoa, Italy
| | - Letizia Muccio
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federica Bozzano
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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29
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Vitale M, Cantoni C, Della Chiesa M, Ferlazzo G, Carlomagno S, Pende D, Falco M, Pessino A, Muccio L, De Maria A, Marcenaro E, Moretta L, Sivori S. An Historical Overview: The Discovery of How NK Cells Can Kill Enemies, Recruit Defense Troops, and More. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1415. [PMID: 31316503 PMCID: PMC6611392 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells were originally defined as effector lymphocytes of innate immunity characterized by the unique ability of killing tumor and virally infected cells without any prior priming and expansion of specific clones. The "missing-self" theory, proposed by Klas Karre, the seminal discovery of the first prototypic HLA class I-specific inhibitory receptors, and, later, of the Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors (NCRs) by Alessandro Moretta, provided the bases to understand the puzzling behavior of NK cells. Actually, those discoveries proved crucial also for many of the achievements that, along the years, have contributed to the modern view of these cells. Indeed, NK cells, besides killing susceptible targets, are now known to functionally interact with different immune cells, sense pathogens using TLR, adapt their responses to the local environment, and, even, mount a sort of immunological memory. In this review, we will specifically focus on the main activating NK receptors and on their crucial role in the ever-increasing number of functions assigned to NK cells and other innate lymphoid cells (ILCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Vitale
- U.O.C. Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Claudia Cantoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Integrated Department of Services and Laboratories, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mariella Della Chiesa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Guido Ferlazzo
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biotherapy, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Pende
- U.O.C. Immunologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michela Falco
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Integrated Department of Services and Laboratories, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Annamaria Pessino
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Letizia Muccio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea De Maria
- Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Clinica Malattie Infettive, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Pende D, Falco M, Vitale M, Cantoni C, Vitale C, Munari E, Bertaina A, Moretta F, Del Zotto G, Pietra G, Mingari MC, Locatelli F, Moretta L. Killer Ig-Like Receptors (KIRs): Their Role in NK Cell Modulation and Developments Leading to Their Clinical Exploitation. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1179. [PMID: 31231370 PMCID: PMC6558367 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells contribute to the first line of defense against viruses and to the control of tumor growth and metastasis spread. The discovery of HLA class I specific inhibitory receptors, primarily of killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs), and of activating receptors has been fundamental to unravel NK cell function and the molecular mechanisms of tumor cell killing. Stemmed from the seminal discoveries in early '90s, in which Alessandro Moretta was the major actor, an extraordinary amount of research on KIR specificity, genetics, polymorphism, and repertoire has followed. These basic notions on NK cells and their receptors have been successfully translated to clinical applications, primarily to the haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to cure otherwise fatal leukemia in patients with no HLA compatible donors. The finding that NK cells may express the PD-1 inhibitory checkpoint, particularly in cancer patients, may allow understanding how anti-PD-1 therapy could function also in case of HLA class Ineg tumors, usually susceptible to NK-mediated killing. This, together with the synergy of therapeutic anti-checkpoint monoclonal antibodies, including those directed against NKG2A or KIRs, emerging in recent or ongoing studies, opened new solid perspectives in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Pende
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Integrated Oncological Therapies, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michela Falco
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Integrated Department of Services and Laboratories, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Massimo Vitale
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Integrated Oncological Therapies, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Claudia Cantoni
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Integrated Department of Services and Laboratories, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Vitale
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Integrated Oncological Therapies, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Alice Bertaina
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Francesca Moretta
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Genny Del Zotto
- Core Facilities, Integrated Department of Services and Laboratories, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Integrated Oncological Therapies, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Integrated Oncological Therapies, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Oncohematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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31
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Human NK cells: surface receptors, inhibitory checkpoints, and translational applications. Cell Mol Immunol 2019; 16:430-441. [PMID: 30778167 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-019-0206-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 294] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells play important roles in innate defenses against viruses and in the control of tumor growth and metastasis. The regulation/induction of NK cell function is mediated by an array of activating or inhibitory surface receptors. In humans, major activating receptors involved in target cell killing are the natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) and NKG2D. Activating receptors recognize ligands that are overexpressed or expressed de novo upon cell stress, viral infection, or tumor transformation. The HLA-class I-specific inhibitory receptors, including KIRs recognizing HLA-class I allotypic determinants and CD94/NKG2A recognizing the class-Ib HLA-E, constitute a fail-safe mechanism to avoid unwanted NK-mediated damage to healthy cells. Other receptors such as PD-1, primarily expressed by activated T lymphocytes, are important inhibitory checkpoints of immune responses that ensure T-cell tolerance. PD-1 also may be expressed by NK cells in cancer patients. Since PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) may be expressed by different tumors, PD-1/PD-L1 interactions inactivate both T and NK cells. Thus, the reliable evaluation of PD-L1 expression in tumors has become a major issue to select patients who may benefit from therapy with mAbs disrupting PD-1/PD-L1 interactions. Recently, NKG2A was revealed to be an important checkpoint controlling both NK and T-cell activation. Since most tumors express HLA-E, mAbs targeting NKG2A has been used alone or in combination with other therapeutic mAbs targeting PD-1 or tumor antigens (e.g., EGFR), with encouraging results. The translational value of NK cells and their receptors is evidenced by the extraordinary therapeutic success of haploidentical HSCT to cure otherwise fatal high-risk leukemias.
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