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Abadie V, Han AS, Jabri B, Sollid LM. New Insights on Genes, Gluten, and Immunopathogenesis of Celiac Disease. Gastroenterology 2024; 167:4-22. [PMID: 38670280 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Celiac disease (CeD) is a gluten-induced enteropathy that develops in genetically susceptible individuals upon consumption of cereal gluten proteins. It is a unique and complex immune disorder to study as the driving antigen is known and the tissue targeted by the immune reaction can be interrogated. This review integrates findings gained from genetic, biochemical, and immunologic studies, which together have revealed mechanisms of gluten peptide modification and HLA binding, thereby enabling a maladapted anti-gluten immune response. Observations in human samples combined with experimental mouse models have revealed that the gluten-induced immune response involves CD4+ T cells, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, and B cells; their cross-talks are critical for the tissue-damaging response. The emergence of high-throughput technologies is increasing our understanding of the phenotype, location, and presumably function of the gluten-specific cells, which are all required to identify novel therapeutic targets and strategies for CeD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Abadie
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Section of Gastroenterology, Nutrition and Hepatology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Committee on Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Arnold S Han
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Bana Jabri
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Section of Gastroenterology, Nutrition and Hepatology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Committee on Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ludvig M Sollid
- Norwegian Coeliac Disease Research Centre, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
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2
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Rallón N, Jiménez-Carretero D, Restrepo C, Ligos JM, Valentín-Quiroga J, Mahillo I, Cabello A, López-Collazo E, Sánchez-Cabo F, Górgolas M, Estrada V, Benito JM. A specific natural killer cells phenotypic signature associated to long term elite control of HIV infection. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29646. [PMID: 38699988 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Elite controllers (ECs) are an exceptional group of people living with HIV (PLWH) that control HIV replication without therapy. Among the mechanisms involved in this ability, natural killer (NK)-cells have recently gained much attention. We performed an in-deep phenotypic analysis of NK-cells to search for surrogate markers associated with the long term spontaneous control of HIV. Forty-seven PLWH (22 long-term EC [PLWH-long-term elite controllers (LTECs)], 15 noncontrollers receiving antiretroviral treatment [ART] [PLWH-onART], and 10 noncontrollers cART-naïve [PLWH-offART]), and 20 uninfected controls were included. NK-cells homeostasis was analyzed by spectral flow cytometry using a panel of 15 different markers. Data were analyzed using FCSExpress and R software for unsupervised multidimensional analysis. Six different subsets of NK-cells were defined on the basis of CD16 and CD56 expression, and the multidimensional analysis revealed the existence of 68 different NK-cells clusters based on the expression levels of the 15 different markers. PLWH-offART presented the highest disturbance of NK-cells homeostasis and this was not completely restored by long-term ART. Interestingly, long term spontaneous control of HIV (PLWH-LTEC group) was associated with a specific profile of NK-cells homeostasis disturbance, characterized by an increase of CD16dimCD56dim subset when compared to uninfected controls (UC) group and also to offART and onART groups (p < 0.0001 for the global comparison), an increase of clusters C16 and C26 when compared to UC and onART groups (adjusted p-value < 0.05 for both comparisons), and a decrease of clusters C10 and C20 when compared to all the other groups (adjusted p-value < 0.05 for all comparisons). These findings may provide clues to elucidate markers of innate immunity with a relevant role in the long-term control of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma Rallón
- HIV and Viral Hepatitis Research Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Daniel Jiménez-Carretero
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Restrepo
- HIV and Viral Hepatitis Research Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | | | | | - Ignacio Mahillo
- Department of Statistics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Cabello
- Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo López-Collazo
- Grupo de respuesta inmune innata, IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fátima Sánchez-Cabo
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Górgolas
- Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - José M Benito
- HIV and Viral Hepatitis Research Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
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3
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Aguilar OA, Fong LK, Lanier LL. ITAM-based receptors in natural killer cells. Immunol Rev 2024; 323:40-53. [PMID: 38411263 PMCID: PMC11102329 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13313] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The ability of cells of the immune system to acquire features such as increased longevity and enhanced secondary responses was long thought to be restricted to cells of the adaptive immune system. Natural killer (NK) cells have challenged this notion by demonstrating that they can also gain adaptive features. This has been observed in both humans and mice during infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV). The generation of adaptive NK cells requires antigen-specific recognition of virally infected cells through stimulatory NK receptors. These receptors lack the ability to signal on their own and rather rely on adaptor molecules that contain ITAMs for driving signals. Here, we highlight our understanding of how these receptors influence the production of adaptive NK cells and propose areas in the field that merit further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar A. Aguilar
- Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lam-Kiu Fong
- Dept. of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California – San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Lewis L. Lanier
- Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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4
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Matsumura K, Mori T, Dohi T, Kawamura YI, Takaki S. Composition of fatty acids in a high-fat diet affects adipose tissue inflammation by inducing calreticulin on adipocytes and activating group 1 innate lymphoid cells. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2350800. [PMID: 38282083 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350800] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Obesity-induced adipose tissue inflammation plays a critical role in the development of metabolic diseases. For example, NK1.1+ group 1 innate lymphoid cells (G1-ILCs) in adipose tissues are activated in the early stages of inflammation in response to a high-fat diet (HFD). In this study, we examined whether the composition of fatty acids affected adipose inflammatory responses induced by an HFD. Mice were fed a stearic acid (C18:0)-rich HFD (HFD-S) or a linoleic acid (C18:2)-rich HFD (HFD-L). HFD-L-fed mice showed significant obesity compared with HFD-S-fed mice. Visceral and subcutaneous fat pads were enlarged and contained more NK1.1+KLRG1+ cells, indicating that G1-ILCs were activated in HFD-L-fed mice. We examined early changes in adipose tissues during the first week of HFD intake, and found that mice fed HFD-L showed increased levels of NK1.1+CD11b+KLRG1+ cells in adipose tissues. In adipose tissue culture, addition of 4-hydroxynonenal, the most frequent product of lipid peroxidation derived from unsaturated fatty acids, induced NK1.1+CD11b+CD27- cells. We found that calreticulin, a ligand for the NK activating receptor, was induced on the surface of adipocytes after exposure to 4-hydroxynonenal or a 1-week feeding with HFD-L. Thus, excess fatty acid intake and the activation of G1-ILCs initiate and/or modify adipose inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Matsumura
- Department of Immune Regulation, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Taizo Mori
- Department of Immune Regulation, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Liver Disease, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Taeko Dohi
- Clinical Research Advancement Section, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki I Kawamura
- Clinical Research Advancement Section, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Takaki
- Department of Immune Regulation, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
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Wang ZT, Deng ZM, Dai FF, Yuan MQ, Liu SY, Li BS, Cheng YX. Tumor immunity: A brief overview of tumor‑infiltrating immune cells and research advances into tumor‑infiltrating lymphocytes in gynecological malignancies (Review). Exp Ther Med 2024; 27:166. [PMID: 38476909 PMCID: PMC10928974 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2024.12453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor immunity is a promising topic in the area of cancer therapy. The 'soil' function of the tumor microenvironment (TME) for tumor growth has attracted wide attention from scientists. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the TME, especially the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), serve a key role in cancer. Firstly, relevant literature was searched in the PubMed and Web of Science databases with the following key words: 'Tumor microenvironment'; 'TME'; 'tumor-infiltrating immunity cells'; 'gynecologic malignancies'; 'the adoptive cell therapy (ACT) of TILs'; and 'TIL-ACT' (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). According to the title and abstract of the articles, relevant items were screened out in the preliminary screening. The most relevant selected items were of two types: All kinds of tumor-infiltrating immune cells; and advanced research on TILs in gynecological malignancies. The results showed that the subsets of TILs were various and complex, while each subpopulation influenced each other and their effects on tumor prognosis were diverse. Moreover, the related research and clinical trials on TILs were mostly concentrated in melanoma and breast cancer, but relatively few focused on gynecological tumors. In conclusion, the present review summarized the biological classification of TILs and the mechanisms of their involvement in the regulation of the immune microenvironment, and subsequently analyzed the development of tumor immunotherapy for TILs. Collectively, the present review provides ideas for the current treatment dilemma of gynecological tumor immune checkpoints, such as adverse reactions, safety, personal specificity and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Tao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Min Deng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Fang-Fang Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Meng-Qin Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Yi Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Bing-Shu Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Xiang Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
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6
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Melton HJ, Zhang Z, Wu C. SUMMIT-FA: a new resource for improved transcriptome imputation using functional annotations. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:624-635. [PMID: 38129112 PMCID: PMC10954367 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad205] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) integrate gene expression prediction models and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify gene-trait associations. The power of TWAS is determined by the sample size of GWAS and the accuracy of the expression prediction model. Here, we present a new method, the Summary-level Unified Method for Modeling Integrated Transcriptome using Functional Annotations (SUMMIT-FA), which improves gene expression prediction accuracy by leveraging functional annotation resources and a large expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) summary-level dataset. We build gene expression prediction models in whole blood using SUMMIT-FA with the comprehensive functional database MACIE and eQTL summary-level data from the eQTLGen consortium. We apply these models to GWAS for 24 complex traits and show that SUMMIT-FA identifies significantly more gene-trait associations and improves predictive power for identifying "silver standard" genes compared to several benchmark methods. We further conduct a simulation study to demonstrate the effectiveness of SUMMIT-FA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter J Melton
- Department of Statistics, Florida State University, 214 Rogers Building, 117 N. Woodward Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32306, United States
| | - Zichen Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 7007 Bertner Avenue, Unit 1689, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Chong Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 7007 Bertner Avenue, Unit 1689, Houston, TX 77030, United States
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7
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Maia A, Tarannum M, Lérias JR, Piccinelli S, Borrego LM, Maeurer M, Romee R, Castillo-Martin M. Building a Better Defense: Expanding and Improving Natural Killer Cells for Adoptive Cell Therapy. Cells 2024; 13:451. [PMID: 38474415 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have gained attention as a promising adoptive cell therapy platform for their potential to improve cancer treatments. NK cells offer distinct advantages over T-cells, including major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-independent tumor recognition and low risk of toxicity, even in an allogeneic setting. Despite this tremendous potential, challenges persist, such as limited in vivo persistence, reduced tumor infiltration, and low absolute NK cell numbers. This review outlines several strategies aiming to overcome these challenges. The developed strategies include optimizing NK cell expansion methods and improving NK cell antitumor responses by cytokine stimulation and genetic manipulations. Using K562 cells expressing membrane IL-15 or IL-21 with or without additional activating ligands like 4-1BBL allows "massive" NK cell expansion and makes multiple cell dosing and "off-the-shelf" efforts feasible. Further improvements in NK cell function can be reached by inducing memory-like NK cells, developing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells, or isolating NK-cell-based tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Memory-like NK cells demonstrate higher in vivo persistence and cytotoxicity, with early clinical trials demonstrating safety and promising efficacy. Recent trials using CAR-NK cells have also demonstrated a lack of any major toxicity, including cytokine release syndrome, and, yet, promising clinical activity. Recent data support that the presence of TIL-NK cells is associated with improved overall patient survival in different types of solid tumors such as head and neck, colorectal, breast, and gastric carcinomas, among the most significant. In conclusion, this review presents insights into the diverse strategies available for NK cell expansion, including the roles played by various cytokines, feeder cells, and culture material in influencing the activation phenotype, telomere length, and cytotoxic potential of expanded NK cells. Notably, genetically modified K562 cells have demonstrated significant efficacy in promoting NK cell expansion. Furthermore, culturing NK cells with IL-2 and IL-15 has been shown to improve expansion rates, while the presence of IL-12 and IL-21 has been linked to enhanced cytotoxic function. Overall, this review provides an overview of NK cell expansion methodologies, highlighting the current landscape of clinical trials and the key advancements to enhance NK-cell-based adoptive cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Maia
- Molecular and Experimental Pathology Laboratory, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
- NK Cell Gene Manipulation and Therapy Laboratory, Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- NOVA Medical School, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mubin Tarannum
- NK Cell Gene Manipulation and Therapy Laboratory, Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joana R Lérias
- ImmunoTherapy/ImmunoSurgery, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Piccinelli
- NK Cell Gene Manipulation and Therapy Laboratory, Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Luis Miguel Borrego
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), NOVA University of Lisbon, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
- Immunoallergy Department, Hospital da Luz, 1600-209 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Markus Maeurer
- ImmunoTherapy/ImmunoSurgery, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
- I Medical Clinic, University of Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Rizwan Romee
- NK Cell Gene Manipulation and Therapy Laboratory, Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mireia Castillo-Martin
- Molecular and Experimental Pathology Laboratory, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
- Pathology Service, Champalimaud Clinical Center, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
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8
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Ravi K, Manoharan TJM, Wang KC, Pockaj B, Nikkhah M. Engineered 3D ex vivo models to recapitulate the complex stromal and immune interactions within the tumor microenvironment. Biomaterials 2024; 305:122428. [PMID: 38147743 PMCID: PMC11098715 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Cancer thrives in a complex environment where interactions between cellular and acellular components, surrounding the tumor, play a crucial role in disease development and progression. Despite significant progress in cancer research, the mechanism driving tumor growth and therapeutic outcomes remains elusive. Two-dimensional (2D) cell culture assays and in vivo animal models are commonly used in cancer research and therapeutic testing. However, these models suffer from numerous shortcomings including lack of key features of the tumor microenvironment (TME) & cellular composition, cost, and ethical clearance. To that end, there is an increased interest in incorporating and elucidating the influence of TME on cancer progression. Advancements in 3D-engineered ex vivo models, leveraging biomaterials and microengineering technologies, have provided an unprecedented ability to reconstruct native-like bioengineered cancer models to study the heterotypic interactions of TME with a spatiotemporal organization. These bioengineered cancer models have shown excellent capabilities to bridge the gap between oversimplified 2D systems and animal models. In this review article, we primarily provide an overview of the immune and stromal cellular components of the TME and then discuss the latest state-of-the-art 3D-engineered ex vivo platforms aiming to recapitulate the complex TME features. The engineered TME model, discussed herein, are categorized into three main sections according to the cellular interactions within TME: (i) Tumor-Stromal interactions, (ii) Tumor-Immune interactions, and (iii) Complex TME interactions. Finally, we will conclude the article with a perspective on how these models can be instrumental for cancer translational studies and therapeutic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalpana Ravi
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering (SBHSE), Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | | | - Kuei-Chun Wang
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering (SBHSE), Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | | | - Mehdi Nikkhah
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering (SBHSE), Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA; Biodesign Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA.
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Zorko NA, Makovec A, Elliott A, Kellen S, Lozada JR, Arafa AT, Felices M, Shackelford M, Barata P, Zakharia Y, Narayan V, Stein MN, Zarrabi KK, Patniak A, Bilen MA, Radovich M, Sledge G, El-Deiry WS, Heath EI, Hoon DSB, Nabhan C, Miller JS, Hwang JH, Antonarakis ES. Natural Killer Cell Infiltration in Prostate Cancers Predict Improved Patient Outcomes. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2024:10.1038/s41391-024-00797-0. [PMID: 38418892 DOI: 10.1038/s41391-024-00797-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells are non-antigen specific innate immune cells that can be redirected to targets of interest using multiple strategies, although none are currently FDA-approved. We sought to evaluate NK cell infiltration into tumors to develop an improved understanding of which histologies may be most amenable to NK cell-based therapies currently in the developmental pipeline. METHODS DNA (targeted/whole-exome) and RNA (whole-transcriptome) sequencing was performed from tumors from 45 cancer types (N = 90,916 for all cancers and N = 3365 for prostate cancer) submitted to Caris Life Sciences. NK cell fractions and immune deconvolution were inferred from RNA-seq data using quanTIseq. Real-world overall survival (OS) and treatment status was determined and Kaplan-Meier estimates were calculated. Statistical significance was determined using X2 and Mann-Whitney U tests, with corrections for multiple comparisons where appropriate. RESULTS In both a pan-tumor and prostate cancer (PCa) -specific setting, we demonstrated that NK cells represent a substantial proportion of the total cellular infiltrate (median range 2-9% for all tumors). Higher NK cell infiltration was associated with improved OS in 28 of 45 cancer types, including (PCa). NK cell infiltration was negatively correlated with common driver mutations and androgen receptor variants (AR-V7) in primary prostate biopsies, while positively correlated with negative immune regulators. Higher levels of NK cell infiltration were associated with patterns consistent with a compensatory anti-inflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS Using the largest available dataset to date, we demonstrated that NK cells infiltrate a broad range of tumors, including both primary and metastatic PCa. NK cell infiltration is associated with improved PCa patient outcomes. This study demonstrates that NK cells are capable of trafficking to both primary and metastatic PCa and are a viable option for immunotherapy approaches moving forward. Future development of strategies to enhance tumor-infiltrating NK cell-mediated cytolytic activity and activation while limiting inhibitory pathways will be key.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A Zorko
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Allison Makovec
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Samuel Kellen
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - John R Lozada
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ali T Arafa
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Martin Felices
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Madison Shackelford
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Pedro Barata
- University Hospital Seidman Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Vivek Narayan
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mark N Stein
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin K Zarrabi
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Akash Patniak
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mehmet A Bilen
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Dave S B Hoon
- Saint John's Cancer Institute, Saint John's Health Center PHS, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Justin H Hwang
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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10
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Rodriguez-Mogeda C, van Ansenwoude CMJ, van der Molen L, Strijbis EMM, Mebius RE, de Vries HE. The role of CD56 bright NK cells in neurodegenerative disorders. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:48. [PMID: 38350967 PMCID: PMC10865604 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03040-8] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests a potential role for natural killer (NK) cells in neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, the precise function of NK cells in these diseases remains ambiguous. The existence of two NK cell subsets, CD56bright and CD56dim NK cells, complicates the understanding of the contribution of NK cells in neurodegeneration as their functions within the context of neurodegenerative diseases may differ significantly. CD56bright NK cells are potent cytokine secretors and are considered more immunoregulatory and less terminally differentiated than their mostly cytotoxic CD56dim counterparts. Hence, this review focusses on NK cells, specifically on CD56bright NK cells, and their role in neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, it explores the mechanisms underlying their ability to enter the central nervous system. By consolidating current knowledge, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview on the role of CD56bright NK cells in neurodegenerative diseases. Elucidating their impact on neurodegeneration may have implications for future therapeutic interventions, potentially ameliorating disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Rodriguez-Mogeda
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chaja M J van Ansenwoude
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lennart van der Molen
- IQ Health Science Department, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eva M M Strijbis
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Reina E Mebius
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Helga E de Vries
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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11
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Türk L, Filippov I, Arnold C, Zaugg J, Tserel L, Kisand K, Peterson P. Cytotoxic CD8 + Temra cells show loss of chromatin accessibility at genes associated with T cell activation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1285798. [PMID: 38370415 PMCID: PMC10870784 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1285798] [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: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
As humans age, their memory T cell compartment expands due to the lifelong exposure to antigens. This expansion is characterized by terminally differentiated CD8+ T cells (Temra), which possess NK cell-like phenotype and are associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. Temra cells are predominantly driven by the sporadic reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV), yet their epigenomic patterns and cellular heterogeneity remain understudied. To address this gap, we correlated their gene expression profiles with chromatin openness and conducted single-cell transcriptome analysis, comparing them to other CD8+ subsets and CMV-responses. We confirmed that Temra cells exhibit high expression of genes associated with cytotoxicity and lower expression of costimulatory and chemokine genes. The data revealed that CMV-responsive CD8+ T cells (Tcmv) were predominantly derived from a mixed population of Temra and memory cells (Tcm/em) and shared their transcriptomic profiles. Using ATAC-seq analysis, we identified 1449 differentially accessible chromatin regions between CD8+ Temra and Tcm/em cells, of which only 127 sites gained chromatin accessibility in Temra cells. We further identified 51 gene loci, including costimulatory CD27, CD28, and ICOS genes, whose chromatin accessibility correlated with their gene expression. The differential chromatin regions Tcm/em cells were enriched in motifs that bind multiple transcriptional activators, such as Jun/Fos, NFkappaB, and STAT, whereas the open regions in Temra cells mainly contained binding sites of T-box transcription factors. Our single-cell analysis of CD8+CCR7loCD45RAhi sorted Temra population showed several subsets of Temra and NKT-like cells and CMC1+ Temra populations in older individuals that were shifted towards decreased cytotoxicity. Among CD8+CCR7loCD45RAhi sorted cells, we found a decreased proportion of IL7R+ Tcm/em-like and MAIT cells in individuals with high levels of CMV antibodies (CMVhi). These results shed new light on the molecular and cellular heterogeneity of CD8+ Temra cells and their relationship to aging and CMV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lehte Türk
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Igor Filippov
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Qiagen Aarhus A/S, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christian Arnold
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Structural and Computational Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Judith Zaugg
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Structural and Computational Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Liina Tserel
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kai Kisand
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pärt Peterson
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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12
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Ali U, Vungarala S, Tiriveedhi V. Genomic Features of Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Breast Cancer: Impact on Testing and Immunotherapy. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:162. [PMID: 38397152 PMCID: PMC10887603 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020162] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability is one of the well-established hallmarks of cancer. The homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway plays a critical role in correcting the double-stranded breaks (DSB) due to DNA damage in human cells. Traditionally, the BRCA1/2 genes in the HRR pathway have been tested for their association with breast cancer. However, defects in the HRR pathway (HRD, also termed 'BRCAness'), which has up to 50 genes, have been shown to be involved in tumorigenesis and treatment susceptibility to poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPis), platinum-based chemotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). A reliable consensus on HRD scores is yet to be established. Emerging evidence suggests that only a subset of breast cancer patients benefit from ICI-based immunotherapy. Currently, albeit with limitations, the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PDL1) and tumor mutational burden (TMB) are utilized as biomarkers to predict the favorable outcomes of ICI therapy in breast cancer patients. Preclinical studies demonstrate an interplay between the HRR pathway and PDL1 expression. In this review, we outline the current understanding of the role of HRD in genomic instability leading to breast tumorigenesis and delineate outcomes from various clinical trials. Furthermore, we discuss potential strategies for combining HRD-targeted therapy with immunotherapy to achieve the best healthcare outcomes in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umer Ali
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA;
| | - Sunitha Vungarala
- Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37209, USA;
| | - Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA
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13
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Vojdani A, Koksoy S, Vojdani E, Engelman M, Benzvi C, Lerner A. Natural Killer Cells and Cytotoxic T Cells: Complementary Partners against Microorganisms and Cancer. Microorganisms 2024; 12:230. [PMID: 38276215 PMCID: PMC10818828 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010230] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T (CD8+) cells are two of the most important types of immune cells in our body, protecting it from deadly invaders. While the NK cell is part of the innate immune system, the CD8+ cell is one of the major components of adaptive immunity. Still, these two very different types of cells share the most important function of destroying pathogen-infected and tumorous cells by releasing cytotoxic granules that promote proteolytic cleavage of harmful cells, leading to apoptosis. In this review, we look not only at NK and CD8+ T cells but also pay particular attention to their different subpopulations, the immune defenders that include the CD56+CD16dim, CD56dimCD16+, CD57+, and CD57+CD16+ NK cells, the NKT, CD57+CD8+, and KIR+CD8+ T cells, and ILCs. We examine all these cells in relation to their role in the protection of the body against different microorganisms and cancer, with an emphasis on their mechanisms and their clinical importance. Overall, close collaboration between NK cells and CD8+ T cells may play an important role in immune function and disease pathogenesis. The knowledge of how these immune cells interact in defending the body against pathogens and cancers may help us find ways to optimize their defensive and healing capabilities with methods that can be clinically applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristo Vojdani
- Immunosciences Laboratory, Inc., Los Angeles, CA 90035, USA
| | - Sadi Koksoy
- Cyrex Laboratories, LLC, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA; (S.K.); (M.E.)
| | | | - Mark Engelman
- Cyrex Laboratories, LLC, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA; (S.K.); (M.E.)
| | - Carina Benzvi
- Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; (C.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Aaron Lerner
- Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; (C.B.); (A.L.)
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14
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Karmakar S, Mishra A, Pal P, Lal G. Effector and cytolytic function of natural killer cells in anticancer immunity. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:235-252. [PMID: 37818891 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptive immune cells play an important role in mounting antigen-specific antitumor immunity. The contribution of innate immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, and gamma-delta T cells is well studied in cancer immunology. NK cells are innate lymphoid cells that show effector and regulatory function in a contact-dependent and contact-independent manner. The cytotoxic function of NK cells plays an important role in killing the infected and transformed host cells and controlling infection and tumor growth. However, several studies have also ascribed the role of NK cells in inducing pathophysiology in autoimmune diseases, promoting immune tolerance in the uterus, and antitumor function in the tumor microenvironment. We discuss the fundamentals of NK cell biology, its distribution in different organs, cellular and molecular interactions, and its cytotoxic and noncytotoxic functions in cancer biology. We also highlight the use of NK cell-based adoptive cellular therapy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surojit Karmakar
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Tolerance, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India
| | - Amrita Mishra
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Tolerance, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India
| | - Pradipta Pal
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Tolerance, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India
| | - Girdhari Lal
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Tolerance, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India
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15
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Zhang B, Yang M, Zhang W, Liu N, Wang D, Jing L, Xu N, Yang N, Ren T. Chimeric antigen receptor-based natural killer cell immunotherapy in cancer: from bench to bedside. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:50. [PMID: 38221520 PMCID: PMC10788349 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06438-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has rapidly evolved in the past decades in the battle against cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells have demonstrated significant success in certain hematologic malignancies, although they still face certain limitations, including high costs and toxic effects. Natural killer cells (NK cells), as a vital component of the immune system, serve as the "first responders" in the context of cancer development. In this literature review, we provide an updated understanding of NK cell development, functions, and their applications in disease therapy. Furthermore, we explore the rationale for utilizing engineered NK cell therapies, such as CAR-NK cells, and discuss the differences between CAR-T and CAR-NK cells. We also provide insights into the key elements and strategies involved in CAR design for engineered NK cells. In addition, we highlight the challenges currently encountered and discuss the future directions in NK cell research and utilization, including pre-clinical investigations and ongoing clinical trials. Based on the outstanding antitumor potential of NK cells, it is highly likely that they will lead to groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
| | - Mengzhe Yang
- Graduate School of Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Weiming Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530199, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518052, China
| | - Daogang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Liangfang Jing
- Department of Neonatology, Women and Children's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530005, China
| | - Ning Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Na Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan, 650101, China.
| | - Tao Ren
- Department of Oncology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000, China.
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16
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He S, Su L, Hu H, Liu H, Xiong J, Gong X, Chi H, Wu Q, Yang G. Immunoregulatory functions and therapeutic potential of natural killer cell-derived extracellular vesicles in chronic diseases. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1328094. [PMID: 38239346 PMCID: PMC10795180 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1328094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been proven to play a significant immunoregulatory role in many chronic diseases, such as cancer and immune disorders. Among them, EVs derived from NK cells are an essential component of the immune cell functions. These EVs have been demonstrated to carry a variety of toxic proteins and nucleic acids derived from NK cells and play a therapeutic role in diseases like malignancies, liver fibrosis, and lung injury. However, natural NK-derived EVs (NKEVs) have certain limitations in disease treatment, such as low yield and poor targeting. Concurrently, NK cells exhibit characteristics of memory-like NK cells, which have stronger proliferative capacity, increased IFN-γ production, and enhanced cytotoxicity, making them more advantageous for disease treatment. Recent research has shifted its focus towards engineered extracellular vesicles and their potential to improve the efficiency, specificity, and safety of disease treatments. In this review, we will discuss the characteristics of NK-derived EVs and the latest advancements in disease therapy. Specifically, we will compare different cellular sources of NKEVs and explore the current status and prospects of memory-like NK cell-derived EVs and engineered NKEVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang He
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lanqian Su
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Haiyang Hu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Haiqi Liu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jingwen Xiong
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiangjin Gong
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qibiao Wu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Guanhu Yang
- Department of Specialty Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
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17
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Zhang H, Yang L, Wang T, Li Z. NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy. Bioact Mater 2024; 31:63-86. [PMID: 37601277 PMCID: PMC10432724 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells display a unique inherent ability to identify and eliminate virus-infected cells and tumor cells. They are particularly powerful for elimination of hematological cancers, and have attracted considerable interests for therapy of solid tumors. However, the treatment of solid tumors with NK cells are less effective, which can be attributed to the very complicated immunosuppressive microenvironment that may lead to the inactivation, insufficient expansion, short life, and the poor tumor infiltration of NK cells. Fortunately, the development of advanced nanotechnology has provided potential solutions to these issues, and could improve the immunotherapy efficacy of NK cells. In this review, we summarize the activation and inhibition mechanisms of NK cells in solid tumors, and the recent advances in NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy boosted by diverse nanomaterials. We also propose the challenges and opportunities for the clinical application of NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Li Yang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
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18
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Boje AS, Pekar L, Koep K, Lipinski B, Rabinovich B, Evers A, Gehlert CL, Krohn S, Xiao Y, Krah S, Zaynagetdinov R, Toleikis L, Poetzsch S, Peipp M, Zielonka S, Klausz K. Impact of antibody architecture and paratope valency on effector functions of bispecific NKp30 x EGFR natural killer cell engagers. MAbs 2024; 16:2315640. [PMID: 38372053 PMCID: PMC10877975 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2024.2315640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells emerged as a promising effector population that can be harnessed for anti-tumor therapy. In this work, we constructed NK cell engagers (NKCEs) based on NKp30-targeting single domain antibodies (sdAbs) that redirect the cytotoxic potential of NK cells toward epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing tumor cells. We investigated the impact of crucial parameters such as sdAb location, binding valencies, the targeted epitope on NKp30, and the overall antibody architecture on the redirection capacity. Our study exploited two NKp30-specific sdAbs, one of which binds a similar epitope on NKp30 as its natural ligand B7-H6, while the other sdAb addresses a non-competing epitope. For EGFR-positive tumor targeting, humanized antigen-binding domains of therapeutic antibody cetuximab were used. We demonstrate that NKCEs bivalently targeting EGFR and bivalently engaging NKp30 are superior to monovalent NKCEs in promoting NK cell-mediated tumor cell lysis and that the architecture of the NKCE can substantially influence killing capacities depending on the NKp30-targeting sdAb utilized. While having a pronounced impact on NK cell killing efficacy, the capabilities of triggering antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis or complement-dependent cytotoxicity were not significantly affected comparing the bivalent IgG-like NKCEs with cetuximab. However, the fusion of sdAbs can have a slight impact on the NK cell release of immunomodulatory cytokines, as well as on the pharmacokinetic profile of the NKCE due to unfavorable spatial orientation within the molecule architecture. Ultimately, our findings reveal novel insights for the engineering of potent NKCEs triggering the NKp30 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammelie Svea Boje
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein and University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lukas Pekar
- Antibody Discovery & Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Katharina Koep
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Britta Lipinski
- Antibody Discovery & Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Brian Rabinovich
- Department of Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute Inc, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Andreas Evers
- Antibody Discovery & Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Carina Lynn Gehlert
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein and University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Steffen Krohn
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein and University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Yanping Xiao
- Department of Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute Inc, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Simon Krah
- Antibody Discovery & Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Rinat Zaynagetdinov
- Department of Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute Inc, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Lars Toleikis
- Early Protein Supply & Characterization, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Sven Poetzsch
- Strategic Innovation, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Matthias Peipp
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein and University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- Antibody Discovery & Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Katja Klausz
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein and University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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19
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Wang X, Huang L, Wen X, Li D, Yang G, Zheng J. Altered NCR3 Splice Variants May Result in Deficient NK Cell Function in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients. In Vivo 2024; 38:174-183. [PMID: 38148073 PMCID: PMC10756430 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM The natural killer (NK) cell function of patients with malignant tumours may be suppressed by deficiency, and the poor prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients may be due to escape from NK cell cytotoxicity, especially with respect to natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) on the NK cell surface. However, the specific mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we sought to explore the role of NCR, especially NCR3 splice variants, in the process of NK cell deficiency in RCC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used flow cytometry to analyse the phenotype of NK cells from the peripheral blood and kidney tumour tissue of RCC patients. The NKp30-mediated NK cell killing function was measured by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in NK and RCC cell coincubation. We extracted RNA from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of RCC patients and renal carcinoma tissue and carried out real-time quantitative PCR to detect the mRNA levels of NKp30a, NKp30b and NKp30c. mRNA expression levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18 and TGF-β) based on RNA extracted from renal carcinoma tissue and adjacent normal kidney tissues were also measured by real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS Regarding the phenotype of NK cells in RCC patients, the proportion of NK cells in tumour tissue was significantly reduced, with changes in the NK cell proportion being most obvious in NKp30+ NK cells. Furthermore, the results of the ADCC function assay showed limited NKp30+ NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in RCC patients. Through real-time quantitative PCR, we found lower expression of NKp30a and NKp30b, the immunostimulatory splice variants of NCR3 encoding NKp30, in RCC patients. Moreover, expression of activating cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in renal cancer tissue was decreased, though inhibitory cytokine (TGF-β) expression remained unchanged, which may result in an immunosuppressive cytokine microenvironment. CONCLUSION Decreased expression of immunostimulatory NCR3 splice variants and the inhibitory cytokine microenvironment in RCC patients may contribute to deficient NK cell cytotoxicity and renal carcinoma cell immune escape from NK cell killing, which may provide a theoretical basis for finding new immunotherapeutic targets for RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelei Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Liqun Huang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofei Wen
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Dongyang Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Guosheng Yang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Junhua Zheng
- Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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20
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Creegan M, Degler J, Paquin-Proulx D, Eller MA, Machmach K. OMIP-098: A 26 parameter, 24 color flow cytometry panel for human memory NK cell phenotyping. Cytometry A 2023; 103:941-946. [PMID: 37807668 PMCID: PMC10872854 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.24802] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
This 26-parameter flow cytometry panel has been developed and optimized to analyze NK cell phenotype, using cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from people living with and without human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH, PWOH). Our panel is designed for the analysis of several parameters of total NK cells and memory NK cell subsets including markers of maturation, activation, and proliferation, as well as activating and inhibitory receptors. Other tissues have not been tested (Table 1 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Creegan
- The US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, MD, USA
| | - Justin Degler
- The US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, MD, USA
| | - Dominic Paquin-Proulx
- The US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, MD, USA
| | - Michael A. Eller
- The US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, MD, USA
- Present address: Vaccine Research Program, Division of AIDS (DAIDS), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), MD, USA
| | - Kawthar Machmach
- The US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, MD, USA
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21
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Nersesian S, Carter EB, Lee SN, Westhaver LP, Boudreau JE. Killer instincts: natural killer cells as multifactorial cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1269614. [PMID: 38090565 PMCID: PMC10715270 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1269614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells integrate heterogeneous signals for activation and inhibition using germline-encoded receptors. These receptors are stochastically co-expressed, and their concurrent engagement and signaling can adjust the sensitivity of individual cells to putative targets. Against cancers, which mutate and evolve under therapeutic and immunologic pressure, the diversity for recognition provided by NK cells may be key to comprehensive cancer control. NK cells are already being trialled as adoptive cell therapy and targets for immunotherapeutic agents. However, strategies to leverage their naturally occurring diversity and agility have not yet been developed. In this review, we discuss the receptors and signaling pathways through which signals for activation or inhibition are generated in NK cells, focusing on their roles in cancer and potential as targets for immunotherapies. Finally, we consider the impacts of receptor co-expression and the potential to engage multiple pathways of NK cell reactivity to maximize the scope and strength of antitumor activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nersesian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Emily B. Carter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stacey N. Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Jeanette E. Boudreau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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22
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Calvillo-Rodríguez KM, Lorenzo-Anota HY, Rodríguez-Padilla C, Martínez-Torres AC, Scott-Algara D. Immunotherapies inducing immunogenic cell death in cancer: insight of the innate immune system. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1294434. [PMID: 38077402 PMCID: PMC10701401 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1294434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies include monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, oncolytic viruses, cellular therapies, and other biological and synthetic immunomodulators. These are traditionally studied for their effect on the immune system's role in eliminating cancer cells. However, some of these therapies have the unique ability to directly induce cytotoxicity in cancer cells by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD). Unlike general immune stimulation, ICD triggers specific therapy-induced cell death pathways, based on the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from dying tumour cells. These activate innate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and subsequent adaptive immune responses, offering the promise of sustained anticancer drug efficacy and durable antitumour immune memory. Exploring how onco-immunotherapies can trigger ICD, enhances our understanding of their mechanisms and potential for combination strategies. This review explores the complexities of these immunotherapeutic approaches that induce ICD, highlighting their implications for the innate immune system, addressing challenges in cancer treatment, and emphasising the pivotal role of ICD in contemporary cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenny Misael Calvillo-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, Mexico
| | - Helen Yarimet Lorenzo-Anota
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, Mexico
- The Institute for Obesity Research, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
| | - Cristina Rodríguez-Padilla
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, Mexico
| | - Ana Carolina Martínez-Torres
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, Mexico
| | - Daniel Scott-Algara
- Département d'Immunologie, Unité de Biologie Cellulaire des Lymphocytes, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France
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23
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Esperante D, Gutiérrez MIM, Issa ME, Schcolnik-Cabrera A, Mendlovic F. Similarities and divergences in the metabolism of immune cells in cancer and helminthic infections. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1251355. [PMID: 38044996 PMCID: PMC10690632 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1251355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Energetic and nutritional requirements play a crucial role in shaping the immune cells that infiltrate tumor and parasite infection sites. The dynamic interaction between immune cells and the microenvironment, whether in the context of tumor or helminth infection, is essential for understanding the mechanisms of immunological polarization and developing strategies to manipulate them in order to promote a functional and efficient immune response that could aid in the treatment of these conditions. In this review, we present an overview of the immune response triggered during tumorigenesis and establishment of helminth infections, highlighting the transition to chronicity in both cases. We discuss the energetic demands of immune cells under normal conditions and in the presence of tumors and helminths. Additionally, we compare the metabolic changes that occur in the tumor microenvironment and the infection site, emphasizing the alterations that are induced to redirect the immune response, thereby promoting the survival of cancer cells or helminths. This emerging discipline provides valuable insights into disease pathogenesis. We also provide examples of novel strategies to enhance immune activity by targeting metabolic pathways that shape immune phenotypes, with the aim of achieving positive outcomes in cancer and helminth infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Esperante
- Plan de Estudios Combinados en Medicina (PECEM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mónica Itzel Martínez Gutiérrez
- Plan de Estudios Combinados en Medicina (PECEM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mark E. Issa
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Alejandro Schcolnik-Cabrera
- Département de Biochimie et Médicine Moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Immunology-Oncology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Fela Mendlovic
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac México Norte, Huixquilucan, Mexico
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24
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Mohammadian Gol T, Kim M, Sinn R, Ureña-Bailén G, Stegmeyer S, Gratz PG, Zahedipour F, Roig-Merino A, Antony JS, Mezger M. CRISPR-Cas9-Based Gene Knockout of Immune Checkpoints in Expanded NK Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16065. [PMID: 38003255 PMCID: PMC10671270 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy has emerged as a novel treatment modality for various cancer types, including leukemia. The modulation of inhibitory signaling pathways in T cells and NK cells has been the subject of extensive investigation in both preclinical and clinical settings in recent years. Nonetheless, further research is imperative to optimize antileukemic activities, especially regarding NK-cell-based immunotherapies. The central scientific question of this study pertains to the potential for boosting cytotoxicity in expanded and activated NK cells through the inhibition of inhibitory receptors. To address this question, we employed the CRISPR-Cas9 system to target three distinct inhibitory signaling pathways in NK cells. Specifically, we examined the roles of A2AR within the metabolic purinergic signaling pathway, CBLB as an intracellular regulator in NK cells, and the surface receptors NKG2A and CD96 in enhancing the antileukemic efficacy of NK cells. Following the successful expansion of NK cells, they were transfected with Cas9+sgRNA RNP to knockout A2AR, CBLB, NKG2A, and CD96. The analysis of indel frequencies for all four targets revealed good knockout efficiencies in expanded NK cells, resulting in diminished protein expression as confirmed by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. Our in vitro killing assays demonstrated that NKG2A and CBLB knockout led to only a marginal improvement in the cytotoxicity of NK cells against AML and B-ALL cells. Furthermore, the antileukemic activity of CD96 knockout NK cells did not yield significant enhancements, and the blockade of A2AR did not result in significant improvement in killing efficiency. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CRISPR-Cas9-based knockout strategies for immune checkpoints might not be sufficient to efficiently boost the antileukemic functions of expanded (and activated) NK cells and, at the same time, point to the need for strong cellular activating signals, as this can be achieved, for example, via transgenic chimeric antigen receptor expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Mohammadian Gol
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Miso Kim
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Ralph Sinn
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Guillermo Ureña-Bailén
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Sarah Stegmeyer
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Paul Gerhard Gratz
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Fatemeh Zahedipour
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | | | - Justin S. Antony
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Markus Mezger
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.K.); (P.G.G.); (F.Z.)
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25
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Anoshko Y, Dons'koi B, Sudoma I, Khazhylenko K, Zabara D, Goncharova Y. Changes in the immunophenotype of endometrium during implantation window receptivity formation in healthy fertile women. Placenta 2023; 143:62-68. [PMID: 37862735 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Endometrial receptivity is largely determined by the immunophenotype of endometrium, especially uterine NK-cells (uNK). Immune component is directly involved in the formation of favourable microenvironment for the blastocyst implantation and placenta formation, but the way it changes during the maturation of endometrial tissue in healthy fertile women is still underexplored. METHODS The endometrium was collected from 47 healthy oocyte donors after controlled ovarian stimulation: 23 women on the day of oocytes retrieval (OR) and 24 women on the term of implantation window (IW). The OR group was analysed, published previously and used as a comparison group to show the dynamic of changes. Isolated endometrial lymphocytes and peripheral blood samples were stained with monoclonal antibodies and analysed according to the three-color flow cytometry protocol. RESULTS The proportion of NK-cells (CD3-CD56+) in endometrium grew significantly in the implantation window compared to the oocytes retrieval day. NK-cells acquired a more differentiated phenotype from the day of OR until IW: the expression of CD8 and CD158a significantly increased, while the expression of HLA-DR significantly decreased. Significant correlations between peripheral blood and endometrial NK-cells were found in CD8 expression during OR and IW, CD335(p46)neg and CD335(p46)++ subsets during IW term. DISCUSSION Immunophenotype of receptive endometrium forms due to the accumulation of uNK-cells, which actively proliferate, become mature, differentiative, and ready to meet the embryo. Endometrial immunophenotype is peculiar and specific but not autonomic and isolated. Differentiation (CD8 on NK-cells), and activity (p46 on NK-cells) of peripheral blood lymphocytes is reflected in endometrial lymphocytes profile, and therefore the research of peripheral blood immunophenotype is relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaroslava Anoshko
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Named After Academician O. Lukyanova of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Mayborody St, 8, 04050, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Boris Dons'koi
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Named After Academician O. Lukyanova of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Mayborody St, 8, 04050, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Iryna Sudoma
- "NADIYA" Clinic, Maksyma Kryvonosa St, 19a, 03037, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Ksenia Khazhylenko
- Gryschenko Clinic "RID" Fertility Centre, Povitroflotskyi Ave, 38, 03186, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Dariia Zabara
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Named After Academician O. Lukyanova of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Mayborody St, 8, 04050, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Yana Goncharova
- "LELEKA" Maternity Hospital, Kvitky Tsisyk St, 56, 04075, Kyiv, Ukraine.
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26
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Yanakieva D, Vollmer L, Evers A, Siegmund V, Arras P, Pekar L, Doerner A, Valldorf B, Kolmar H, Zielonka S, Krah S. Cattle-derived knob paratopes grafted onto peripheral loops of the IgG1 Fc region enable the generation of a novel symmetric bispecific antibody format. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1238313. [PMID: 37942319 PMCID: PMC10628450 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1238313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work we present a novel symmetric bispecific antibody format based on engraftments of cattle-derived knob paratopes onto peripheral loops of the IgG1 Fc region. For this, knob architectures obtained from bovine ultralong CDR-H3 antibodies were inserted into the AB loop or EF loop of the CH3 domain, enabling the introduction of an artificial binding specificity into an IgG molecule. We demonstrate that inserted knob domains largely retain their binding affinities, resulting into bispecific antibody derivatives versatile for effector cell redirection. Essentially, generated bispecifics demonstrated adequate biophysical properties and were not compromised in their Fc mediated functionalities such as FcRn or FcγRIIIa binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desislava Yanakieva
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lena Vollmer
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Evers
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Vanessa Siegmund
- Early Protein Supply and Characterization, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Paul Arras
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lukas Pekar
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Achim Doerner
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Harald Kolmar
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Simon Krah
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
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27
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Motallebnejad P, Kantardjieff A, Cichocki F, Azarin SM, Hu WS. Process engineering of natural killer cell-based immunotherapy. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1314-1326. [PMID: 37142447 PMCID: PMC10523923 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Cell therapy offers the potential for curative treatment of cancers. Although T cells have been the predominantly used cell type, natural killer (NK) cells have attracted great attention owing to their ability to kill cancer cells and because they are naturally suitable for allogeneic applications. Upon stimulation by cytokines or activation by a target cell, NK cells proliferate and expand their population. These cytotoxic NK cells can be cryopreserved and used as an off-the-shelf medicine. The production process for NK cells thus differs from that of autologous cell therapies. We briefly outline key biological features of NK cells, review the manufacturing technologies for protein biologics, and discuss their adaptation for developing robust NK cell biomanufacturing processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedram Motallebnejad
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | | - Frank Cichocki
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Samira M Azarin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Wei-Shou Hu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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28
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Baumdick ME, Niehrs A, Degenhardt F, Schwerk M, Hinrichs O, Jordan-Paiz A, Padoan B, Wegner LHM, Schloer S, Zecher BF, Malsy J, Joshi VR, Illig C, Schröder-Schwarz J, Möller KJ, Martin MP, Yuki Y, Ozawa M, Sauter J, Schmidt AH, Perez D, Giannou AD, Carrington M, Davis RS, Schumacher U, Sauter G, Huber S, Puelles VG, Melling N, Franke A, Altfeld M, Bunders MJ. HLA-DP on Epithelial Cells Enables Tissue Damage by NKp44 + Natural Killer Cells in Ulcerative Colitis. Gastroenterology 2023; 165:946-962.e13. [PMID: 37454979 PMCID: PMC10529779 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by severe inflammation and destruction of the intestinal epithelium, and is associated with specific risk single nucleotide polymorphisms in HLA class II. Given the recently discovered interactions between subsets of HLA-DP molecules and the activating natural killer (NK) cell receptor NKp44, genetic associations of UC and HLA-DP haplotypes and their functional implications were investigated. METHODS HLA-DP haplotype and UC risk association analyses were performed (UC: n = 13,927; control: n = 26,764). Expression levels of HLA-DP on intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) in individuals with and without UC were quantified. Human intestinal 3-dimensional (3D) organoid cocultures with human NK cells were used to determine functional consequences of interactions between HLA-DP and NKp44. RESULTS These studies identified HLA-DPA1∗01:03-DPB1∗04:01 (HLA-DP401) as a risk haplotype and HLA-DPA1∗01:03-DPB1∗03:01 (HLA-DP301) as a protective haplotype for UC in European populations. HLA-DP expression was significantly higher on IECs of individuals with UC compared with controls. IECs in human intestinal 3D organoids derived from HLA-DP401pos individuals showed significantly stronger binding of NKp44 compared with HLA-DP301pos IECs. HLA-DP401pos IECs in organoids triggered increased degranulation and tumor necrosis factor production by NKp44+ NK cells in cocultures, resulting in enhanced epithelial cell death compared with HLA-DP301pos organoids. Blocking of HLA-DP401-NKp44 interactions (anti-NKp44) abrogated NK cell activity in cocultures. CONCLUSIONS We identified an UC risk HLA-DP haplotype that engages NKp44 and activates NKp44+ NK cells, mediating damage to intestinal epithelial cells in an HLA-DP haplotype-dependent manner. The molecular interaction between NKp44 and HLA-DP401 in UC can be targeted by therapeutic interventions to reduce NKp44+ NK cell-mediated destruction of the intestinal epithelium in UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin E Baumdick
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Annika Niehrs
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frauke Degenhardt
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Maria Schwerk
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Hamburg Center for Kidney Health, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ole Hinrichs
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ana Jordan-Paiz
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Benedetta Padoan
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lucy H M Wegner
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Schloer
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany; Research Group Regulatory Mechanisms of Inflammation, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, and Cells in Motion Interfaculty Center, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Britta F Zecher
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany; I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jakob Malsy
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany; I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Vinita R Joshi
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christin Illig
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Schröder-Schwarz
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kimberly J Möller
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maureen P Martin
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland; Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yuko Yuki
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland; Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | | | | | - Daniel Perez
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anastasios D Giannou
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Section of Molecular Immunology and Gastroenterology, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mary Carrington
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland; Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Randall S Davis
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Udo Schumacher
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Guido Sauter
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Samuel Huber
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Section of Molecular Immunology and Gastroenterology, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Victor G Puelles
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Hamburg Center for Kidney Health, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nathaniel Melling
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andre Franke
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Marcus Altfeld
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Madeleine J Bunders
- Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany; III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Section of Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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29
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Lopez-Montaño M, Jimenez-Ortega L, Cruz-Hernandez TR, Hernandez-Chavez VG, Montiel-Cervantes LA, Reyes-Maldonado E, Vela-Ojeda J. Significant increase in MIC-A and MIC-B and soluble MIC-A and MIC-B in canine lymphomas. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2023; 264:110647. [PMID: 37672843 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2023.110647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Non-Hodkin's lymphoma (NHL) is the most frequent hematologic malignancy in humans and dogs. NKG2D is one of the most critical receptors on NK cells, recognizing their natural ligands on malignant cells such as A and B major histocompatibility complex-related proteins (MIC-A and MIC-B). Soluble molecules (sMIC-A and sMIC-B) can interfere with immune synapsis between NK cells and tumor cells, impeding NK cytotoxicity. The main objectives of this study were to analyze, in dogs with diffuse large B cell lymphoma, NK cell lymphoma, and reactive lymphadenopathies, the role of NK cells, their activating receptors NKG2D and NKp46, and their ligands MIC-A and MIC-B, as well as soluble molecules sMIC-A and sMIC-B. Thirty-six dogs with a possible diagnosis of NHL and eight healthy dogs were studied. NHL was diagnosed in 28 (78 %) dogs; in the other 8 (22 %), reactive lymphadenopathies were present. Most of the lymphomas corresponded to B cell NHL (82 %). The most predominant subtype was diffuse large B cell lymphoma (21, 71.5 %), followed by five cases (18 %) that were Non-B Non-T lymphomas (presumably NK cell lymphomas) and other B cell lymphomas (3, 10.5%). There were no cases of T cell NHL. MIC-A was positive in 7 of 27 (26 %) cases of NHL, and MIC-B in 20 of 27 (74 %) NHL. In non-malignant lymphadenopathies, three (37.5 %) dogs were positive for MIC-A, and five (62.5 %) expressed MIC-B. Dogs with lymphoma had higher numbers of NK cells than eight healthy dogs. In 15 dogs (12 cases with NHL and three cases with reactive adenopathies) and eight controls, there were no differences in the number of NK cells expressing NKP46 and NKG2D. NHL dogs had higher values of sMIC-A and sMIC-B. B-cell and NK cell lymphomas correspond to 86 % and 14 % of all canine lymphomas. MIC-A, MIC-B, and sMIC-A and sMIC-B were increased in canine lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maresa Lopez-Montaño
- Departamento de Morfología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Manuel Carpio y Plan de Ayala, Del. Miguel Hidalgo, 11340 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Jimenez-Ortega
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Salvador Díaz Mirón S/N, Col. Casco de Santo Tomás, CP 11340 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Teresa Rocio Cruz-Hernandez
- Centro de diagnóstico veterinario especializado (cedivete), Área de histopatología Calle Iztapalapa 9, San Antonio, Iztapalapa, CP 09900 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Victor Gabriel Hernandez-Chavez
- Departamento de Morfología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Manuel Carpio y Plan de Ayala, Del. Miguel Hidalgo, 11340 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Arcelia Montiel-Cervantes
- Departamento de Morfología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Manuel Carpio y Plan de Ayala, Del. Miguel Hidalgo, 11340 Mexico City, Mexico; Departamento de Hematología, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Seris y Zaachila S/N Colonia La Raza, Azcapotzalco, 02990 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elba Reyes-Maldonado
- Departamento de Morfología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Manuel Carpio y Plan de Ayala, Del. Miguel Hidalgo, 11340 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jorge Vela-Ojeda
- Departamento de Morfología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Manuel Carpio y Plan de Ayala, Del. Miguel Hidalgo, 11340 Mexico City, Mexico.
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Elanany MM, Mostafa D, Hamdy NM. Remodeled tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) parade via natural killer cells reprogramming in breast cancer. Life Sci 2023; 330:121997. [PMID: 37536617 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the main cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally. Despite substantial advances in the identification and management of primary tumors, traditional therapies including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation cannot completely eliminate the danger of relapse and metastatic illness. Metastasis is controlled by microenvironmental and systemic mechanisms, including immunosurveillance. This led to the evolvement of immunotherapies that has gained much attention in the recent years for cancer treatment directed to the innate immune system. The long forgotten innate immune cells known as natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as novel targets for more effective therapeutics for BC. Normally, NK cells has the capacity to identify and eradicate tumor cells either directly or by releasing cytotoxic granules, chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines. Yet, NK cells are exposed to inhibitory signals by cancer cells, which causes them to become dysfunctional in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in BC, supporting tumor escape and spread. Potential mechanisms of NK cell dysfunction in BC metastasis have been recently identified. Understanding these immunologic pathways driving BC metastasis will lead to improvements in the current immunotherapeutic strategies. In the current review, we highlight how BC evades immunosurveillance by rendering NK cells dysfunctional and we shed the light on novel NK cell- directed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M Elanany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dina Mostafa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Nadia M Hamdy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.
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Lepretre F, Gras D, Chanez P, Duez C. Natural killer cells in the lung: potential role in asthma and virus-induced exacerbation? Eur Respir Rev 2023; 32:230036. [PMID: 37437915 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0036-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disorder whose pathophysiological and immunological mechanisms are not completely understood. Asthma exacerbations are mostly driven by respiratory viral infections and characterised by worsening of symptoms. Despite current therapies, asthma exacerbations can still be life-threatening. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells well known for their antiviral activity and are present in the lung as circulating and resident cells. However, their functions in asthma and its exacerbations are still unclear. In this review, we will address NK cell activation and functions, which are particularly relevant for asthma and virus-induced asthma exacerbations. Then, the role of NK cells in the lungs at homeostasis in healthy individuals will be described, as well as their functions during pulmonary viral infections, with an emphasis on those associated with asthma exacerbations. Finally, we will discuss the involvement of NK cells in asthma and virus-induced exacerbations and examine the effect of asthma treatments on NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Lepretre
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
| | - Delphine Gras
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
| | - Pascal Chanez
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
- APHM, Hôpital Nord, Clinique des Bronches, de l'allergie et du sommeil, Marseille, France
| | - Catherine Duez
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
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Arras P, Yoo HB, Pekar L, Clarke T, Friedrich L, Schröter C, Schanz J, Tonillo J, Siegmund V, Doerner A, Krah S, Guarnera E, Zielonka S, Evers A. AI/ML combined with next-generation sequencing of VHH immune repertoires enables the rapid identification of de novo humanized and sequence-optimized single domain antibodies: a prospective case study. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1249247. [PMID: 37842638 PMCID: PMC10575757 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1249247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of yeast surface display (YSD) and nextgeneration sequencing (NGS) in combination with artificial intelligence and machine learning methods (AI/ML) for the identification of de novo humanized single domain antibodies (sdAbs) with favorable early developability profiles. Methods: The display library was derived from a novel approach, in which VHH-based CDR3 regions obtained from a llama (Lama glama), immunized against NKp46, were grafted onto a humanized VHH backbone library that was diversified in CDR1 and CDR2. Following NGS analysis of sequence pools from two rounds of fluorescence-activated cell sorting we focused on four sequence clusters based on NGS frequency and enrichment analysis as well as in silico developability assessment. For each cluster, long short-term memory (LSTM) based deep generative models were trained and used for the in silico sampling of new sequences. Sequences were subjected to sequence- and structure-based in silico developability assessment to select a set of less than 10 sequences per cluster for production. Results: As demonstrated by binding kinetics and early developability assessment, this procedure represents a general strategy for the rapid and efficient design of potent and automatically humanized sdAb hits from screening selections with favorable early developability profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Arras
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Han Byul Yoo
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lukas Pekar
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Thomas Clarke
- Bioinformatics, EMD Serono, Billerica, MA, United States
| | - Lukas Friedrich
- Computational Chemistry and Biologics, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Jennifer Schanz
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jason Tonillo
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Vanessa Siegmund
- Early Protein Supply and Characterization, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Achim Doerner
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Simon Krah
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Enrico Guarnera
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Evers
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
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Sanchez MB, Vasconcelos Cordoba B, Pavlovsky C, Moiraghi B, Varela A, Custidiano R, Fernandez I, Freitas MJ, Ventriglia MV, Bendek G, Mariano R, Mela Osorio MJ, Pavlovsky MA, García de Labanca A, Foncuberta C, Giere I, Vera M, Juni M, Mordoh J, Sanchez Avalos JC, Levy EM, Bianchini M. In-depth characterization of NK cell markers from CML patients who discontinued tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1241600. [PMID: 37818372 PMCID: PMC10561287 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1241600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Treatment-free remission (TFR) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase is considered a safe option if suitable molecular monitoring is available. However, the question arises as to which factors can contribute to the maintenance of TFR, and immunologic surveillance of the remaining leukemic cells is believed to be one of them. Argentina Stop Trial is an open-label, single-arm, multicenter trial assessing TFR after tyrosine kinase inhibitors interruption, that after more than 4 years showed a successful TFR rate of 63%. Methods In this context, we set up an immunological study by flow cytometry in order to analyze specific NK cell subsets from peripheral blood patient samples both at the time of discontinuation as well as during the subsequent months. Results At the time of discontinuation, patients show a mature NK cell phenotype, probably associated to TKI treatment. However, 3 months after discontinuation, significant changes in several NK cell receptors occurred. Patients with a higher proportion of CD56dim NK and PD-1+ NK cells showed better chances of survival. More interestingly, non-relapsing patients also presented a subpopulation of NK cells with features associated with the expansion after cytomegalovirus infection (expression of CD57+NKG2C+), and higher proportion of NKp30 and NKp46 natural cytotoxicity receptors, which resulted in greater degranulation and associated with better survival (p<0.0001). Discussion This NK cell subset could have a protective role in patients who do not relapse, thus further characterization could be useful for patients in sustained deep molecular response.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Sanchez
- Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Fundación Cáncer (CIO-FUCA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bianca Vasconcelos Cordoba
- Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Fundación Cáncer (CIO-FUCA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Pavlovsky
- Hematology Department, Fundación para combatir la leucemia (FUNDALEU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Beatriz Moiraghi
- Hematology Department, Hospital José María Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Varela
- Hematology Department, Hospital José María Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rosario Custidiano
- Hematology Department, Instituto Alexander Fleming, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Isolda Fernandez
- Hematology Department, Fundación para combatir la leucemia (FUNDALEU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Georgina Bendek
- Hematology Department, Hospital Italiano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Romina Mariano
- Hematology Department, Hospital San Martín, Paraná, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - María José Mela Osorio
- Hematology Department, Fundación para combatir la leucemia (FUNDALEU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Miguel Arturo Pavlovsky
- Hematology Department, Fundación para combatir la leucemia (FUNDALEU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Cecilia Foncuberta
- Hematology Department, Instituto Alexander Fleming, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Isabel Giere
- Hematology Department, Fundación para combatir la leucemia (FUNDALEU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Masiel Vera
- Hematology Department, Instituto Alexander Fleming, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Juni
- Hematology Department, Fundación para combatir la leucemia (FUNDALEU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José Mordoh
- Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Fundación Cáncer (CIO-FUCA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Estrella Mariel Levy
- Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Fundación Cáncer (CIO-FUCA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Michele Bianchini
- Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Fundación Cáncer (CIO-FUCA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Paolini R, Molfetta R. Dysregulation of DNAM-1-Mediated NK Cell Anti-Cancer Responses in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4616. [PMID: 37760586 PMCID: PMC10527063 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells play a pivotal role in anti-cancer immune responses, thanks to the expression of a wide array of inhibitory and activating receptors that regulate their cytotoxicity against transformed cells while preserving healthy cells from lysis. However, NK cells exhibit severe dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment, mainly due to the reduction of activating receptors and the induction or increased expression of inhibitory checkpoint receptors. An activating receptor that plays a central role in tumor recognition is the DNAM-1 receptor. It recognizes PVR and Nectin2 adhesion molecules, which are frequently overexpressed on the surface of cancerous cells. These ligands are also able to trigger inhibitory signals via immune checkpoint receptors that are upregulated in the tumor microenvironment and can counteract DNAM-1 activation. Among them, TIGIT has recently gained significant attention, since its targeting results in improved anti-tumor immune responses. This review aims to summarize how the recognition of PVR and Nectin2 by paired co-stimulatory/inhibitory receptors regulates NK cell-mediated clearance of transformed cells. Therapeutic approaches with the potential to reverse DNAM-1 dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment will be also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosa Molfetta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
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Corvino D, Rommel D, Schneppenheim F, Bald T. Stressed out: NKp46 binds ecto-calreticulin. Immunol Cell Biol 2023; 101:684-686. [PMID: 37226854 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
In a recent article, Sen Santara et al. demonstrated that the activating natural killer (NK) cell receptor NKp46 binds to externalized calreticulin (ecto-CRT), leading to NK cell degranulation and target cell killing. They show that endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced ecto-CRT serves as a danger-associated molecular pattern, helping NK cells identify and eliminate infected, malignant, stressed or senescent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillon Corvino
- Institute for Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Denise Rommel
- Institute for Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Tobias Bald
- Institute for Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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36
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Abstract
Triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells (TREMs) encompass a family of cell-surface receptors chiefly expressed by granulocytes, monocytes and tissue macrophages. These receptors have been implicated in inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, bone remodelling, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis and cancer. Here, I review the structure, ligands, signalling modes and functions of TREMs in humans and mice and discuss the challenges that remain in understanding TREM biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
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37
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Lin X, Sun Y, Dong X, Liu Z, Sugimura R, Xie G. IPSC-derived CAR-NK cells for cancer immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115123. [PMID: 37406511 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapies (ACT) based on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified immune cells have made great progress with six CAR-T cell products approved by the U.S. FDA for hematological malignancies. Compared with CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells have attracted increasing attention owing to their multiple killing mechanisms, higher safety profile, and broad sources. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells possess a mature phenotype and potent cytolytic activity, and can provide a homogeneous population of CAR-NK cells that can be expanded to clinical scale. Thus, iPSC-derived CAR-NK (CAR-iNK) cells could be used as a standardized and "off-the-shelf" product for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize the current status of the manufacturing techniques, genetic modification strategies, preclinical and clinical evidence of CAR-iNK cells, and discuss the challenges and future prospects of CAR-iNK cell therapy as a novel cellular immunotherapy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yao Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xin Dong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zishen Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ryohichi Sugimura
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
| | - Guozhu Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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Prakash S, Kumbhojkar N, Lu A, Kapate N, Suja VC, Park KS, Wang LLW, Mitragotri S. Polymer Micropatches as Natural Killer Cell Engagers for Tumor Therapy. ACS NANO 2023; 17:15918-15930. [PMID: 37565806 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell therapies have emerged as a potential therapeutic approach to various cancers. Their efficacy, however, is limited by their low persistence and anergy. Current approaches to sustain NK cell persistence in vivo include genetic modification, activation via pretreatment, or coadministration of supporting cytokines or antibodies. Such supporting therapies exhibit limited efficacy in vivo, in part due to the reversal of their effect within the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and off-target toxicity. Here, we report a material-based approach to address this challenge. Specifically, we describe the use of polymeric micropatches as a platform for sustained, targeted activation of NK cells, an approach referred to as microparticles as cell engagers (MACE). Poly(lactide-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) micropatches, 4-8 μm in diameter and surface-modified with NK cell receptor targeting antibodies, exhibited strong adhesion to NK cells and induced their activation without the need of coadministered cytokines. The activation induced by MACE was greater than that induced by nanoparticles, attesting to the crucial role of MACE geometry in the activation of NK cells. MACE-bound NK cells remained viable and exhibited trans-endothelial migration and antitumor activity in vitro. MACE-bound NK cells activated T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells in vitro. Adoptive transfer of NK-MACE also demonstrated superior antitumor efficacy in a mouse melanoma lung metastasis model compared to unmodified NK cells. Overall, MACE offers a simple, scalable, and effective way of activating NK cells and represents an attractive platform to improve the efficacy of NK cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Prakash
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Allston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Ninad Kumbhojkar
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Allston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Andrew Lu
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Allston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
| | - Neha Kapate
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Allston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Harvard-MIT Program in Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Vineeth Chandran Suja
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Allston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Kyung Soo Park
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Allston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Lily Li-Wen Wang
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Allston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Harvard-MIT Program in Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Samir Mitragotri
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Allston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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Zhang M, Lam KP, Xu S. Natural Killer Cell Engagers (NKCEs): a new frontier in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1207276. [PMID: 37638058 PMCID: PMC10450036 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1207276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are a type of innate lymphoid cells that play a crucial role in immunity by killing virally infected or tumor cells and secreting cytokines and chemokines. NK cell-mediated immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment due to its safety and effectiveness. NK cell engagers (NKCEs), such as BiKE (bispecific killer cell engager) or TriKE (trispecific killer cell engager), are a novel class of antibody-based therapeutics that exhibit several advantages over other cancer immunotherapies harnessing NK cells. By bridging NK and tumor cells, NKCEs activate NK cells and lead to tumor cell lysis. A growing number of NKCEs are currently undergoing development, with some already in clinical trials. However, there is a need for more comprehensive studies to determine how the molecular design of NKCEs affects their functionality and manufacturability, which are crucial for their development as off-the-shelf drugs for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on NKCE development and discuss critical factors required for the production of effective NKCEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minchuan Zhang
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kong-Peng Lam
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shengli Xu
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Ahmadvand M, Barough MS, Hashemi ZS, Sanati H, Abbasvandi F, Yunesian M, Majidzadeh-A K, Makarem J, Aghayan HR, Abedini A, Ghavamzadeh A, Forooshani RS. Safety and feasibility study of ex vivo expanded allogeneic-NK cells infusion in patients with acute pneumonia caused by COVID-19. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2023; 9:137. [PMID: 37542307 PMCID: PMC10401743 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-023-01355-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND NK cells are the most active innate immune cells in antiviral immunity, which are impaired by SARS-COV2 infection. Infusion of allogeneic NK cells might be a complementary treatment to boost immune system function in COVID-19 patients. In this project, we focused on COVID-19 patients with low inspiratory capacity (LIC). This project aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of allogeneic NK cell infusion as an intervention for respiratory viral disease. METHODS A non-blind two arms pilot study was designed and conducted after signing the consent form. Ten matched patients, in terms of vital signs and clinical features, were enrolled in the control and intervention groups. Approximately 2 × 10^6 cells/kg of NK cells were prepared under GCP (good clinical practice) conditions for each patient in the intervention group. The control group was under the same conditions and drug regimen except for the treatment with the prepared cells. Then, infused intravenously during 20 min in the ICU ward of Masih Daneshvari Hospital. The clinical signs, serological parameters, and CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) were recorded for safety evaluation and the feasibility of project management were evaluated via designed checklist based on CONSORT. RESULTS There were no symptoms of anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity, significant changes in blood pressure, cardiovascular complications, and fever from injection time up to 48 h after cell infusion. The mean hospitalization period in the control and intervention groups was 10 and 8 days, respectively. The blood O2 saturation level was raised after cell infusion, and a significantly lower mean level of inflammatory enzymes was observed in the intervention group following discharge compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The inflammatory parameters differences at the discharge date in cell therapy group were highly negative. CONCLUSION Intravenous infusion of ex vivo-expanded allogeneic NK cells was safe and feasible. However, the efficacy of this approach to reducing the severity of disease in COVID-19 patients with LIC could not be determined. TRIAL REGISTRATION Name of the registry: NKCTC. IRCT20200621047859N2. December 29, 2020. URL of trial registry record: https://www.irct.ir/trial/49382.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ahmadvand
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Sadat Hashemi
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Sanati
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Abbasvandi
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masud Yunesian
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Keivan Majidzadeh-A
- Genetics Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jalil Makarem
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Aghayan
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atefeh Abedini
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ardeshir Ghavamzadeh
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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Khawar MB, Gao G, Rafiq M, Shehzadi A, Afzal A, Abbasi MH, Sheikh N, Afzal N, Ashraf MA, Hamid SE, Shahzaman S, Kawish N, Sun H. Breaking down barriers: The potential of smarter CAR-engineered NK cells against solid tumors. J Cell Biochem 2023; 124:1082-1104. [PMID: 37566723 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are considered to be the foremost fighters of our innate immune system against foreign invaders and thus tend to promptly latch onto the virus-infected and tumor/cancerous cells, killing them through phagocytosis. At present, the application of genetically engineered Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) receptors ensures a guaranteed optimistic response with NK cells and would not allow the affected cells to dodge or escape unchecked. Hence the specificity and uniqueness of CAR-NK cells over CAR-T therapy make them a better immunotherapeutic choice to reduce the load of trafficking of numerous tumor cells near the healthy cell populations in a more intact way than offered by CAR-T immunotherapy. Our review mainly focuses on the preclinical, clinical, and recent advances in clinical research trials and further strategies to achieve an augmented and efficient cure against solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad B Khawar
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Noncoding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
- Department of Zoology, Applied Molecular Biology and Biomedicine Lab, University of Narowal, Narowal, Pakistan
| | - Guangzhong Gao
- Department of Physiatry, Haian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mussarat Rafiq
- Cell & Molecular Biology Lab, Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Anila Shehzadi
- Department of Zoology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ali Afzal
- Department of Zoology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Nadeem Sheikh
- Cell & Molecular Biology Lab, Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Nimra Afzal
- Department of Zoology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Syeda E Hamid
- Department of Zoology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sara Shahzaman
- Department of Zoology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Naseer Kawish
- Cell & Molecular Biology Lab, Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Haibo Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Noncoding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
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Song S, Zhi Y, Tian G, Sun X, Chen Y, Qiu W, Jiao W, Huang H, Yu Y, Li M, Lv G. Immature and activated phenotype of blood NK cells is associated with acute rejection in adult liver transplant. Liver Transpl 2023; 29:836-848. [PMID: 37002601 DOI: 10.1097/lvt.0000000000000139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells contribute to liver transplant (LTx) rejection. However, the blood-circulating NK-cell dynamics of patients who experience acute rejection (AR) are unclear. Herein, we longitudinally profiled the total NK cells and their subsets, along with the expression of activating and inhibitory receptors in sequential peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples, spanning from before LTx to the first year after LTx of 32 patients with AR and 30 patients under a steady immune status. Before transplantation, patients with AR (rejectors) contained a significantly higher proportion of the immature CD56 bright CD16 - subset and a lower cytolytic CD56 dim CD16 + in the total blood-circulating NK cells than patients with steady immunity. Both subsets contained a high NKp30-positive population, and CD56 dim CD16 + additionally exhibited a high NKp46-positive ratio. The NKp30-positive ratio in CD56 dim CD16 + subset showed the most prominent AR predictive ability before LTx and was an independent risk factor of LTx AR. After transplantation, the blood-circulating NK cells in rejectors maintained a higher CD56 bright CD16 - and lower CD56 dim CD16 + composition than the controls throughout the first year after LTx. Moreover, both subsets maintained a high NKp30-positive ratio, and CD56 dim CD16 + retained a high NKp46-positive ratio. The blood-circulating NK cell subset composition was consistent during AR, while the expressions of NKp30 and NKp46 were augmented. Collectively, a more immature CD56 bright CD16 - subset composition and an activated phenotype of high NKp30 expression were the general properties of blood-circulating NK cells in rejected LTx recipients, and the NKp30-positive ratio in CD56 dim CD16 + NK subset before LTx possessed AR predictive potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifei Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Zlatareva I, Wu Y. Local γδ T cells: translating promise to practice in cancer immunotherapy. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:393-405. [PMID: 37311978 PMCID: PMC10403623 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02303-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid bench-to-bedside translation of basic immunology to cancer immunotherapy has revolutionised the clinical practice of oncology over the last decade. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting αβ T cells now offer durable remissions and even cures for some patients with hitherto treatment-refractory metastatic cancers. Unfortunately, these treatments only benefit a minority of patients and efforts to improve efficacy through combination therapies utilising αβ T cells have seen diminishing returns. Alongside αβ T cells and B cells, γδ T cells are a third lineage of adaptive lymphocytes. Less is known about these cells, and they remain relatively untested in cancer immunotherapy. Whilst preclinical evidence supports their utility, the few early-phase trials involving γδ T cells have failed to demonstrate convincing efficacy in solid cancers. Here we review recent progress in our understanding of how these cells are regulated, especially locally within tissues, and the potential for translation. In particular, we focus on the latest advances in the field of butyrophilin (BTN) and BTN-like (BTNL) regulation of γδ T cells and speculate on how these advances may address the limitations of historical approaches in utilising these cells, as well as how they may inform novel approaches in deploying these cells for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Zlatareva
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Yin Wu
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
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Cruz SM, Sholevar CJ, Judge SJ, Darrow MA, Iranpur KR, Farley LE, Lammers M, Razmara AM, Dunai C, Gingrich AA, Persky J, Mori H, Thorpe SW, Monjazeb AM, Murphy WJ, Canter RJ. Intratumoral NKp46 + natural killer cells are spatially distanced from T and MHC-I + cells with prognostic implications in soft tissue sarcoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1230534. [PMID: 37545516 PMCID: PMC10401426 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1230534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare, heterogenous malignancies with an unmet need for novel immunotherapies. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been linked with favorable outcomes in STS patients, though the contribution of natural killer (NK) cells and spatial relationships of TILs with MHC-I expressing cells lacks detailed characterization. Experimental design Using archived and prospectively collected specimens, we evaluated intratumoral NK cells by immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence (IF). We assessed spatial localization of NK and T cells by multiplex IF, analyzing the effects of MHC-I expression status on NK and T cell clustering. Results Both intratumoral NKp46 and CD56dim expression were associated with significantly improved overall survival (P=0.05), while higher infiltrates of CD56bright NK cells predicted a worse prognosis (P=0.05). The presence of intratumoral NK cells was inversely proportional to CD3+ T cells. Spatial analyses showed NK cells preferentially clustering close to other NK cells with sparse CD3+ T and CD8+ T cells in range (P<0.0001). Additionally, CD3+ T and CD8+ T cells showed significantly greater co-localization with MHC-I+ cells, compared to NK cells (P<0.0001). After neoadjuvant radiotherapy, there was greater CD8 clustering, while after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, there was overall lower TIL clustering. Conclusion Intratumoral NK cells are prognostic in STS and localize closer to MHC-I- cells than T cells. Although both NK and T cells are associated with improved survival in STS, their differential distribution in the TME based on MHC-I expression status may serve as a biomarker for improved immunotherapy treatment selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia M. Cruz
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Cyrus J. Sholevar
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Sean J. Judge
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Morgan A. Darrow
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Khurshid R. Iranpur
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Lauren E. Farley
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Marshall Lammers
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Aryana M. Razmara
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Cordelia Dunai
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Alicia A. Gingrich
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Julia Persky
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Hidetoshi Mori
- Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Steven W. Thorpe
- Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Arta M. Monjazeb
- Radiation Oncology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - William J. Murphy
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Robert J. Canter
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
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Zeber-Lubecka N, Suchta K, Kulecka M, Kluska A, Piątkowska M, Dabrowski MJ, Jankowska K, Grymowicz M, Smolarczyk R, Hennig EE. Exome sequencing to explore the possibility of predicting genetic susceptibility to the joint occurrence of polycystic ovary syndrome and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1193293. [PMID: 37545519 PMCID: PMC10397507 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1193293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A large body of evidence indicates that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a higher risk of developing Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) than healthy individuals. Given the strong genetic impact on both diseases, common predisposing genetic factors are possibly involved but are not fully understood. Here, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) for 250 women with sporadic PCOS, HT, combined PCOS and HT (PCOS+HT), and healthy controls to explore the genetic background of the joint occurrence of PCOS and HT. Based on relevant comparative analyses, multivariate logistic regression prediction modeling, and the most informative feature selection using the Monte Carlo feature selection and interdependency discovery algorithm, 77 variants were selected for further validation by TaqMan genotyping in a group of 533 patients. In the allele frequency test, variants in RAB6A, GBP3, and FNDC7 genes were found to significantly (padjusted < 0.05) differentiated the PCOS+HT and PCOS groups, variant in HIF3A differentiated the PCOS+HT and HT groups, whereas variants in CDK20 and CCDC71 differentiated the PCOS+HT and both single disorder groups. TaqMan genotyping data were used to create final prediction models, which differentiated between PCOS+HT and PCOS or HT with a prediction accuracy of AUC = 0.78. Using a 70% cutoff of the prediction score improved the model parameters, increasing the AUC value to 0.87. In summary, we demonstrated the polygenic burden of both PCOS and HT, and many common and intersecting signaling pathways and biological processes whose disorders mutually predispose patients to the development of both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Zeber-Lubecka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Oncology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Suchta
- Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Kulecka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Oncology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Kluska
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Piątkowska
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Katarzyna Jankowska
- Department of Endocrinology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Grymowicz
- Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Roman Smolarczyk
- Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa E. Hennig
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Oncology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
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Sun F, Lv H, Feng B, Sun J, Zhang L, Dong B. Identification of natural killer cell-related characteristics to predict the clinical prognosis and immune microenvironment of patients with low-grade glioma. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:6264-6291. [PMID: 37405952 PMCID: PMC10373982 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with low-grade glioma (LGG) have a dismal prognosis, and most patients will eventually progress to high-grade disease. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately determine their prognoses. METHODS Seventy-nine NK cell genes were downloaded from the LM22 database and univariate Cox regression analysis was utilized to detect NK cell-related genes affecting prognosis. Molecular types were established for LGG using the "ConsensusClusterPlus" R package. The results from a functional enrichment analysis and the immune microenvironment were intensively explored to determine molecular heterogeneity and immune characteristics across distinct subtypes. Furthermore, a RiskScore model was developed and verified using expression profiles of NK cells, and a nomogram consisting of the RiskScore model and clinical traits was constructed. Moreover, pan-cancer traits of NK cells were also investigated. RESULTS The C1 subtype included the greatest amount of immune infiltration and the poorest prognosis among well-established subtypes. The majority of enriched pathways were those involved in tumor progression, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cell cycle pathways. Differentially expressed genes among distinct subtypes were determined and used to develop a novel RiskScore model. This model was able to distinguish low-risk patients with LGG from those with high-risk disease. An accurate nomogram including the RiskScore, disease grade and patient's age was constructed to predict clinical outcomes of LGG patients. Finally, a pan-cancer analysis further highlighted the crucial roles of NK cell-related genes in the tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS An NK cell-related RiskScore model can accurately predict the prognoses of patients with LGG and provide valuable insights into personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Hongtao Lv
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Baozhi Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Jiaao Sun
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Linyun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Bin Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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Merino A, Maakaron J, Bachanova V. Advances in NK cell therapy for hematologic malignancies: NK source, persistence and tumor targeting. Blood Rev 2023; 60:101073. [PMID: 36959057 PMCID: PMC10979648 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells yield promise in therapy of hematologic malignancies. The clinical experience with adoptively transferred allogeneic NK cells over past two decades has revealed safety and minimal risk of CRS or ICANS. Unlike T cells which have to be genetically altered to avoid graft vs host disease (GVHD), HLA mismatched NK cells can be infused without GVHD risk. This makes them ideal for the development of off-the-shelf products. In this review we focus on NK biology relevant to the cancer therapy, the trajectory of NK therapeutics for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma; and advantages of the NK cell platform. We will also discuss novel methods to enhance NK cell targeting, persistence, and function in the tumor microenvironment. The future of NK cell therapy depends on novel strategies to realize these qualities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Merino
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Joseph Maakaron
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Veronika Bachanova
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America.
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Liu K, Sadeghipour N, Hoover AR, Valero TI, Furrer C, Adams J, Naqash AR, Zhao M, Papin JF, Chen WR. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals that tumor-infiltrating natural killer cells are activated by localized ablative immunotherapy and share anti-tumor signatures induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.02.539163. [PMID: 37205468 PMCID: PMC10187236 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.02.539163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Rationale Natural killer (NK) cells provide protective anti-cancer immunity. However, the cancer therapy induced activation gene signatures and pathways in NK cells remain unclear. Methods We applied a novel localized ablative immunotherapy (LAIT) by synergizing photothermal therapy (PTT) with intra-tumor delivering of the immunostimulant N-dihydrogalactochitosan (GC), to treat breast cancer using a mammary tumor virus-polyoma middle tumor-antigen (MMTV-PyMT) mouse model. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) analysis to unveil the cellular heterogeneity and compare the transcriptional alterations induced by PTT, GC, and LAIT in NK cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Results ScRNAseq showed that NK subtypes, including cycling, activated, interferon-stimulated, and cytotoxic NK cells. Trajectory analysis revealed a route toward activation and cytotoxicity following pseudotime progression. Both GC and LAIT elevated gene expression associated with NK cell activation, cytolytic effectors, activating receptors, IFN pathway components, and cytokines/chemokines in NK subtypes. Single-cell transcriptomics analysis using immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-treated animal and human samples revealed that ICI-induced NK activation and cytotoxicity across several cancer types. Furthermore, ICI-induced NK gene signatures were also induced by LAIT treatment. We also discovered that several types of cancer patients had significantly longer overall survival when they had higher expression of genes in NK cells that were also specifically upregulated by LAIT. Conclusion Our findings show for the first time that LAIT activates cytotoxicity in NK cells and the upregulated genes positively correlate with beneficial clinical outcomes for cancer patients. More importantly, our results further establish the correlation between the effects of LAIT and ICI on NK cells, hence expanding our understanding of mechanism of LAIT in remodeling TME and shedding light on the potentials of NK cell activation and anti-tumor cytotoxic functions in clinical applications.
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Wong DP, Fritz CE, Feinberg D, Huang AY, Parameswaran R. p35 is a Crucial Player in NK-cell Cytotoxicity and TGFβ-mediated NK-cell Dysfunction. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:793-806. [PMID: 37377891 PMCID: PMC10162136 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes with cytotoxic activity. Understanding the factors regulating cytotoxicity is crucial for improving NK-cell adoptive therapies. Here, we studied a previously unknown role of p35 (CDK5R1), a coactivator of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) in NK-cell function. p35 expression was thought to be neuronal-specific and the majority of studies are still focused on neuronal cells. Here, we show that CDK5 and p35 are expressed in NK cells and are kinase-active. NK cells from p35 knockout mice were analyzed and showed significantly increased cytotoxicity against murine cancer cells, while they did not show any differences in cell numbers or maturation stages. We confirmed this using human NK cells transduced with p35 short hairpin RNA (shRNA), showing similar increase in cytotoxicity against human cancer cells. Overexpression of p35 in NK cells resulted in moderate decrease in cytotoxicity, while expressing a kinase-dead mutant of CDK5 displayed increased cytotoxicity. Together, these data suggest that p35 negatively regulates NK-cell cytotoxicity. Surprisingly, we found that TGFβ, a known negative regulator of NK-cell cytotoxicity, induces p35 expression in NK cells. NK cells cultured with TGFβ exhibit reduced cytotoxicity, while NK cells transduced with p35 shRNA or mutant CDK5 expression exhibited partial reversal of this inhibitory effect pointing to an interesting hypothesis that p35 plays an important role in TGFβ-mediated NK-cell exhaustion. Significance This study reports a role for p35 in NK-cell cytotoxicity and this might help to improve NK-cell adoptive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek P. Wong
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Claire E. Fritz
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Daniel Feinberg
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Alex Y. Huang
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, The Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
- The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Reshmi Parameswaran
- The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
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Yu Y. The Function of NK Cells in Tumor Metastasis and NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082323. [PMID: 37190251 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic tumors cause the most deaths in cancer patients. Treating metastasis remains the primary goal of current cancer research. Although the immune system prevents and kills the tumor cells, the function of the immune system in metastatic cancer has been unappreciated for decades because tumors are able to develop complex signaling pathways to suppress immune responses, leading them to escape detection and elimination. Studies showed NK cell-based therapies have many advantages and promise for fighting metastatic cancers. We here review the function of the immune system in tumor progression, specifically focusing on the ability of NK cells in antimetastasis, how metastatic tumors escape the NK cell attack, as well as the recent development of effective antimetastatic immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlin Yu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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