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Vahidi S, Zabeti Touchaei A, Samadani AA. IL-15 as a key regulator in NK cell-mediated immunotherapy for cancer: From bench to bedside. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 133:112156. [PMID: 38669950 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112156] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Interleukin 15 (IL-15) has emerged as a crucial factor in the relationship between natural killer (NK) cells and immunotherapy for cancer. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of IL-15 in NK cell-mediated immunotherapy. First, the key role of IL-15 signaling in NK cell immunity is discussed, highlighting its regulation of NK cell functions and antitumor properties. Furthermore, the use of IL-15 or its analogs in clinical trials as a therapeutic strategy for various cancers, including the genetic modification of NK cells to produce IL-15, has been explored. The potential of IL-15-based therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T and NK cell infusion along with IL-15 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and other treatments, has been examined. This review also addresses the challenges and advantages of incorporating IL-15 in cell-based immunotherapy. Additionally, unresolved questions regarding the detection and biological significance of the soluble IL-15/IL-15Rα complex, as well as the potential role of IL-15/IL-15Rα in human cancer and the immunological consequences of prolonged exposure to soluble IL-15 for NK cells, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sogand Vahidi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | | | - Ali Akbar Samadani
- Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Trauma Institute, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
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2
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Xu J, Zong S, Sheng T, Zheng J, Wu Q, Wang Q, Tang A, Song Y, Fei Y, Li Z. Rapamycin increases leukemia cell sensitivity to chemotherapy by regulating mTORC1 pathway-mediated apoptosis and autophagy. Int J Hematol 2024; 119:541-551. [PMID: 38530586 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-024-03732-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of rapamycin alone and in combination with chemotherapy (doxorubicin and cytarabine) on AML. Human acute monocytic leukemia cell line SHI-1 and NPG AML model mice created by intravenous injection of SHI-1 cell were treated with rapamycin, chemotherapy, or rapamycin plus chemotherapy. Analysis by cell counting kit-8, western blot, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry was performed, and results suggested that both rapamycin and chemotherapy inhibited proliferation of SHI-1 cells both in vitro and in vivo, suppressed neoplasm growth in vivo, and promoted survival of NPG AML mice. The antitumor effect of rapamycin plus chemotherapy was better than that of rapamycin alone and chemotherapy alone. In addition, western blot results demonstrated that rapamycin inhibited the phosphorylation of mTOR downstream targets 4EBP1 and S6K1 in SHI-1 cells, and increased the pro-apoptosis-related protein Bax and autophagy-associated proteins Beclin-1, LC3B-II, and ATG5 while reducing the anti-apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that rapamycin acts synergistically with doxorubicin and cytarabine in AML treatment, and its underlying mechanism might be associated with mTORC1 pathway-mediated apoptosis and autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Siwen Zong
- Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Tianle Sheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Jifu Zheng
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Qingming Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Aiping Tang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Yuan Song
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Yan Fei
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Zhenjiang Li
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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Barshidi A, Ardeshiri K, Ebrahimi F, Alian F, Shekarchi AA, Hojjat-Farsangi M, Jadidi-Niaragh F. The role of exhausted natural killer cells in the immunopathogenesis and treatment of leukemia. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:59. [PMID: 38254135 PMCID: PMC10802000 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01428-2] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The immune responses to cancer cells involve both innate and acquired immune cells. In the meantime, the most attention has been drawn to the adaptive immune cells, especially T cells, while, it is now well known that the innate immune cells, especially natural killer (NK) cells, play a vital role in defending against malignancies. While the immune cells are trying to eliminate malignant cells, cancer cells try to prevent the function of these cells and suppress immune responses. The suppression of NK cells in various cancers can lead to the induction of an exhausted phenotype in NK cells, which will impair their function. Recent studies have shown that the occurrence of this phenotype in various types of leukemic malignancies can affect the prognosis of the disease, and targeting these cells may be considered a new immunotherapy method in the treatment of leukemia. Therefore, a detailed study of exhausted NK cells in leukemic diseases can help both to understand the mechanisms of leukemia progression and to design new treatment methods by creating a deeper understanding of these cells. Here, we will comprehensively review the immunobiology of exhausted NK cells and their role in various leukemic malignancies. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asal Barshidi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Keivan Ardeshiri
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farbod Ebrahimi
- Nanoparticle Process Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Fatemeh Alian
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Shekarchi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Farhad Jadidi-Niaragh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Research Center for Integrative Medicine in Aging, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Li X, Xu L. Exploring prognostic markers for patients with acute myeloid leukemia based on cuproptosis related genes. Transl Cancer Res 2023; 12:2008-2022. [PMID: 37701119 PMCID: PMC10493802 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-23-85] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a common form of acute leukemia, is due to tumor changes and clonal proliferation caused by genetic variants. Cuproptosis is a novel form of regulated cell death. This study aimed to explore the role of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in AML. Methods Initially, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between AML samples and normal samples were obtained by differential analysis, which were further intersected with the cuproptosis score-related genes (CSRGs) acquired by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to obtain cuproptosis score-related differentially expressed genes (CS-DEGs). Then, a risk model was constructed by Cox analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis. Finally, immune infiltration analysis was performed and the functions and pathways of model genes were explored by single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Results Thirty-two CS-DEGs were obtained by overlapping 11,160 DEGs and 132 CSRGs. These 32 CS-DEGs were mainly enriched to cytoplasmic microtubule organization, RNA methylation, mTOR signaling pathway, and notch signaling pathway. Two model genes, PACS2 and NDUFV1, were finally screened for the construction of the risk model. In addition, PACS2 and NDUFV1 were significantly positively correlated with activated B cells, CD56dim natural killer (NK) cells, and negatively correlated with effector memory CD4 T cells and activated CD4 T cells. PACS2 gene was significantly enriched to inositol phosphate metabolism, histone modification, etc. NDUFV1 was mainly enriched to ncRNA metabolic process, 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism, and other pathways. Conclusions A cuproptosis-related risk model consisting of PACS2 and NDUFV1 was built, which provided a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Hematology, 2nd Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Lianrong Xu
- Department of Hematology, 2nd Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Wang Y, Tang X, Zhu Y, Yang XX, Liu B. Role of interleukins in acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 2023; 64:1400-1413. [PMID: 37259867 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2023.2218508] [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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy with strong heterogeneity. Immune disorders are a feature of various malignancies, including AML. Interleukins (ILs) and other cytokines participate in a series of biological processes of immune disorders in the microenvironment, and serve as a bridge for communication between various cellular components in the immune system. The role of ILs in AML is complex and pleiotropic. It can not only play an anti-AML role by enhancing anti-leukemia immunity and directly inducing AML cell apoptosis, but also promote the growth, proliferation and drug resistance of AML. These properties of ILs can be used to explore their potential efficacy in disease monitoring, prognosis assessment, and development of new treatment strategies for AML. This review aims to clarify some of the complex roles of ILs in AML and their clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiao Tang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Yang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Bei Liu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Pereira MSF, Sorathia K, Sezgin Y, Thakkar A, Maguire C, Collins PL, Mundy-Bosse BL, Lee DA, Naeimi Kararoudi M. Deletion of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Beta Reprograms NK Cell Metabolism. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:705. [PMID: 36765663 PMCID: PMC9913837 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030705] [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: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of cytotoxicity and defective metabolism are linked to glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) overexpression in natural killer (NK) cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia or from healthy donors after expansion ex vivo with IL-15. Drug inhibition of GSK3β in these NK cells improves their maturation and cytotoxic activity, but the mechanisms of GSK3β-mediated dysfunction have not been well studied. Here, we show that expansion of NK cells with feeder cells expressing membrane-bound IL-21 maintained normal GSK3β levels, allowing us to study GSK3β function using CRISPR gene editing. We deleted GSK3B and expanded paired-donor knockout and wild-type (WT) NK cells and then assessed transcriptional and functional alterations induced by loss of GSK3β. Surprisingly, our data showed that deletion of GSK3B did not alter cytotoxicity, cytokine production, or maturation (as determined by CD57 expression). However, GSK3B-KO cells demonstrated significant changes in expression of genes related to rRNA processing, cell proliferation, and metabolic function, suggesting possible metabolic reprogramming. Next, we found that key genes downregulated in GSK3B-KO NK cells were upregulated in GSK3β-overexpressing NK cells from AML patients, confirming this correlation in a clinical setting. Lastly, we measured cellular energetics and observed that GSK3B-KO NK cells exhibited 150% higher spare respiratory capacity, a marker of metabolic fitness. These findings suggest a role for GSK3β in regulating NK cell metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo S. F. Pereira
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disease, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Kinnari Sorathia
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disease, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Yasemin Sezgin
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disease, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Aarohi Thakkar
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disease, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Colin Maguire
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disease, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Patrick L. Collins
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Bethany L. Mundy-Bosse
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Dean A. Lee
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disease, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Meisam Naeimi Kararoudi
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disease, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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7
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Sindaco P, Pandey H, Isabelle C, Chakravarti N, Brammer JE, Porcu P, Mishra A. The role of interleukin-15 in the development and treatment of hematological malignancies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1141208. [PMID: 37153603 PMCID: PMC10157481 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1141208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are a vital component of the immune system that controls the activation and growth of blood cells. However, chronic overexpression of cytokines can trigger cellular events leading to malignant transformation. The cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) is of particular interest, which has been shown to contribute to the development and progression of various hematological malignancies. This review will provide an overview of the impact of the immunopathogenic function of IL-15 by studying its role in cell survival, proliferation, inflammation, and treatment resistance. We will also review therapeutic approaches for inhibiting IL-15 in blood cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Sindaco
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hritisha Pandey
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Colleen Isabelle
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nitin Chakravarti
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Pierluigi Porcu
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anjali Mishra
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Anjali Mishra,
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Chen Z, Tong L, Neo SY, Li S, Gao J, Schlisio S, Lundqvist A. CD25 bright NK cells display superior function and metabolic activity under regulatory T cell-mediated suppression. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2175517. [PMID: 36970070 PMCID: PMC10038043 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2175517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Infusion of natural killer (NK) cells is an attractive therapeutic modality in patients with cancer. However, the activity of NK cells is regulated by several mechanisms operating within solid tumors. Regulatory T (Treg) cells suppress NK cell activity through various mechanisms including deprivation of IL-2 via the IL-2 receptor alpha (CD25). Here, we investigate CD25 expression on NK cells to confer persistence in Treg cells containing solid tumor models of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Compared with IL-2, stimulation with IL-15 increases the expression of CD25 resulting in enhanced response to IL-2 as evidenced by increased phosphorylation of STAT5. Compared with CD25dim NK cells, CD25bright NK cells isolated from IL-15 primed NK cells display increased proliferative and metabolic activity as well as increased ability to persist in Treg cells containing RCC tumor spheroids. These results support strategies to enrich for or selectively expand CD25bright NK cells for adoptive cellular therapy of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Chen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Le Tong
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shi Yong Neo
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Republic of Singapore
| | - Shuijie Li
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jiwei Gao
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susanne Schlisio
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- CONTACT Andreas Lundqvist Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna17164, Sweden
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Diversity of Circulating NKT Cells in Defense against Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae Infection. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12122025. [PMID: 36556247 PMCID: PMC9783671 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12122025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosocomial infection caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia (CRKP) infection has become a global public health problem. Human NK and NKT cells in peripheral immune responses are recognized as occupying a critical role in anti-bacterial immunity. Through performed scRNA-seq on serial peripheral blood samples from 3 patients with CRKP undergoing colonization, infection, and recovery conditions, we were able to described the immune responses of NK and NKT cells during CRKP infection and identified a mechanism that could contribute to CRKP clearance. The central player of CRKP infection process appears to be the NKT subset and CD56hiNKT subset which maintained immune competence during CRKP colonization. With time, CRKP leads to the loss of NK and CD160hiNKT cells in peripheral blood, resulting in suppressed immune responses and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infection. In summary, our study identified a possible mechanism for the CRKP invasion and to decipher the clues behind the host immune response that influences CRKP infection pathogenesis.
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