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Hou Y, Zhao X, Nie X. Enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of NK cells in the treatment of ovarian cancer (Review). Oncol Rep 2024; 51:50. [PMID: 38299257 PMCID: PMC10851334 DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8709] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a prevalent gynecological malignancy associated with a high mortality rate and a low 5‑year survival rate. Typically, >70% of patients present with an advanced stage of the disease, resulting in a high number of ovarian cancer‑associated deaths worldwide. Over the past decade, adoptive cellular immunotherapy has been investigated in clinical trials, and the results have led to the increased use in cancer treatment. Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphoid cells that recognize and lyse transformed cells, thereby impeding tumor growth. Thus, NK cells exhibit potential as a form of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer. However, some patients with ovarian cancer treated with NK cells have experienced unsatisfactory outcomes. Therefore, further optimization of NK cells is required to increase the number of patients achieving long‑term remission. In the present review article, studies focusing on improving NK cell function were systematically summarized, and innovative strategies that augment the anticancer properties of NK cells were proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhu Hou
- Department of Gynecology, Qingdao Eighth People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong 266000, P.R. China
| | - Xiujun Zhao
- Department of Gynecology, Qingdao Eighth People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong 266000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqian Nie
- Department of Gynecology, Qingdao Eighth People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong 266000, P.R. China
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2
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Bahmanyar M, Vakil MK, Al-Awsi GRL, Kouhpayeh SA, Mansoori Y, Mansoori B, Moravej A, Mazarzaei A, Ghasemian A. Anticancer traits of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs)-Natural Killer (NK) cells as novel approaches for melanoma treatment. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1220. [PMID: 36434591 PMCID: PMC9701052 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10320-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to non-responsiveness of a high number of patients to the common melanoma therapies, seeking novel approaches seem as an unmet requirement. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells were initially employed against recurrent or refractory B cell malignancies. However, advanced stages or pretreated patients have insufficient T cells (lymphopenia) amount for collection and clinical application. Additionally, this process is time-consuming and logistically cumbersome. Another limitation of this approach is toxicity and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) progress and neurotoxicity syndrome (NS). Natural killer (NK) cells are a versatile component of the innate immunity and have several advantages over T cells in the application for therapies such as availability, unique biological features, safety profile, cost effectiveness and higher tissue residence. Additionally, CAR NK cells do not develop Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and are independent of host HLA genotype. Notably, the NK cells number and activity is affected in the tumor microenvironment (TME), paving the way for developing novel approaches by enhancing their maturation and functionality. The CAR NK cells short lifespan is a double edge sword declining toxicity and reducing their persistence. Bispecific and Trispecific Killer Cell Engagers (BiKE and Trike, respectively) are emerging and promising immunotherapies for efficient antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). CAR NK cells have some limitations in terms of expanding and transducing NK cells from donors to achieve clinical response. Clinical trials are in scarcity regarding the CAR NK cell-based cancer therapies. The CAR NK cells short life span following irradiation before infusion limits their efficiency inhibiting their in vivo expansion. The CAR NK cells efficacy enhancement in terms of lifespan TME preparation and stability is a goal for melanoma treatment. Combination therapies using CAR NK cells and chemotherapy can also overcome therapy limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Bahmanyar
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Mohammad Kazem Vakil
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | | | - Seyed Amin Kouhpayeh
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Yaser Mansoori
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Behnam Mansoori
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Ali Moravej
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Abdulbaset Mazarzaei
- grid.512728.b0000 0004 5907 6819Department of Immunology, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
| | - Abdolmajid Ghasemian
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
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3
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Lamers-Kok N, Panella D, Georgoudaki AM, Liu H, Özkazanc D, Kučerová L, Duru AD, Spanholtz J, Raimo M. Natural killer cells in clinical development as non-engineered, engineered, and combination therapies. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:164. [DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01382-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractNatural killer (NK) cells are unique immune effectors able to kill cancer cells by direct recognition of surface ligands, without prior sensitization. Allogeneic NK transfer is a highly valuable treatment option for cancer and has recently emerged with hundreds of clinical trials paving the way to finally achieve market authorization. Advantages of NK cell therapies include the use of allogenic cell sources, off-the-shelf availability, and no risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Allogeneic NK cell therapies have reached the clinical stage as ex vivo expanded and differentiated non-engineered cells, as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered or CD16-engineered products, or as combination therapies with antibodies, priming agents, and other drugs. This review summarizes the recent clinical status of allogeneic NK cell-based therapies for the treatment of hematological and solid tumors, discussing the main characteristics of the different cell sources used for NK product development, their use in cell manufacturing processes, the engineering methods and strategies adopted for genetically modified products, and the chosen approaches for combination therapies. A comparative analysis between NK-based non-engineered, engineered, and combination therapies is presented, examining the choices made by product developers regarding the NK cell source and the targeted tumor indications, for both solid and hematological cancers. Clinical trial outcomes are discussed and, when available, assessed in comparison with preclinical data. Regulatory challenges for product approval are reviewed, highlighting the lack of specificity of requirements and standardization between products. Additionally, the competitive landscape and business field is presented. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the effort driven by biotech and pharmaceutical companies and by academic centers to bring NK cell therapies to pivotal clinical trial stages and to market authorization.
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Rahnama R, Christodoulou I, Bonifant CL. Gene-Based Natural Killer Cell Therapies for the Treatment of Pediatric Hematologic Malignancies. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2022; 36:745-768. [PMID: 35773048 PMCID: PMC10158845 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric blood cancers are among the most common malignancies that afflict children. Intensive chemotherapy is not curative in many cases, and novel therapies are urgently needed. NK cells hold promise for use as immunotherapeutic effectors due to their favorable safety profile, intrinsic cytotoxic properties, and potential for genetic modification that can enhance specificity and killing potential. NK cells can be engineered to express CARs targeting tumor-specific antigens, to downregulate inhibitory and regulatory signals, to secrete cytokine, and to optimize interaction with small molecule engagers. Understanding NK cell biology is key to designing immunotherapy for clinical translation.
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Fang F, Xie S, Chen M, Li Y, Yue J, Ma J, Shu X, He Y, Xiao W, Tian Z. Advances in NK cell production. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:460-481. [PMID: 34983953 PMCID: PMC8975878 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00808-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy based on natural killer (NK) cells is a promising approach for treating a variety of cancers. Unlike T cells, NK cells recognize target cells via a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent mechanism and, without being sensitized, kill the cells directly. Several strategies for obtaining large quantities of NK cells with high purity and high cytotoxicity have been developed. These strategies include the use of cytokine-antibody fusions, feeder cells or membrane particles to stimulate the proliferation of NK cells and enhance their cytotoxicity. Various materials, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), umbilical cord blood (UCB), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and NK cell lines, have been used as sources to generate NK cells for immunotherapy. Moreover, genetic modification technologies to improve the proliferation of NK cells have also been developed to enhance the functions of NK cells. Here, we summarize the recent advances in expansion strategies with or without genetic manipulation of NK cells derived from various cellular sources. We also discuss the closed, automated and GMP-controlled large-scale expansion systems used for NK cells and possible future NK cell-based immunotherapy products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Siqi Xie
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Minhua Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Yutong Li
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Jingjing Yue
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Xun Shu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Yongge He
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Weihua Xiao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
| | - Zhigang Tian
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
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Li Y, Zhang Y, Cao G, Zheng X, Sun C, Wei H, Tian Z, Xiao W, Sun R, Sun H. Blockade of checkpoint receptor PVRIG unleashes anti-tumor immunity of NK cells in murine and human solid tumors. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:100. [PMID: 34174928 PMCID: PMC8236157 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01112-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although checkpoint-based immunotherapy has shown exciting results in the treatment of tumors, around 70% of patients have experienced unresponsiveness. PVRIG is a recently identified immune checkpoint receptor and blockade of which could reverse T cell exhaustion to treat murine tumor; however, its therapeutic potential via NK cells in mice and human remains seldom reported. METHODS In this study, we used patient paraffin-embedded colon adenocarcinoma sections, various murine tumor models (MC38 colon cancer, MCA205 fibrosarcoma and LLC lung cancer), and human NK cell- or PBMC-reconstituted xenograft models (SW620 colon cancer) to investigate the effect of PVRIG on tumor progression. RESULTS We found that PVRIG was highly expressed on tumor-infiltrating NK cells with exhausted phenotype. Furthermore, either PVRIG deficiency, early blockade or late blockade of PVRIG slowed tumor growth and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice by inhibiting exhaustion of NK cells as well as CD8+ T cells. Combined blockade of PVRIG and PD-L1 showed better effect in controlling tumor growth than using either one alone. Depletion of NK or/and CD8+ T cells in vivo showed that both cell types contributed to the anti-tumor efficacy of PVRIG blockade. By using Rag1-/- mice, we demonstrated that PVRIG blockade could provide therapeutic effect in the absence of adaptive immunity. Further, blockade of human PVRIG with monoclonal antibody enhanced human NK cell function and inhibited human tumor growth in NK cell- or PBMC-reconstituted xenograft mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal the importance of NK cells and provide novel knowledge for clinical application of PVRIG-targeted drugs in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Li
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 443 Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 443 Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Guoshuai Cao
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 443 Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaodong Zheng
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 443 Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Cheng Sun
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 443 Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 443 Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 443 Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Research Unit of NK Cell Study, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Weihua Xiao
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 443 Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Hefei TG ImmunoPharma Corporation Limited, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 443 Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027, China. .,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
| | - Haoyu Sun
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 443 Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027, China. .,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
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Overexpressed CXCR4 and CCR7 on the surface of NK92 cell have improved migration and anti-tumor activity in human colon tumor model. Anticancer Drugs 2021; 31:333-344. [PMID: 31815761 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Successive infusion of natural killer cells is increasingly being explored as a treatment for cancer patients. The inadequate homing of natural killer cells into the tumor site resulted in the poor efficacy of natural killer cells on solid tumors. For the adoptive transfer of tumor-directed natural killer cell has been proved effective, it is hypothesized that there must be more association between the tumor-produced chemokines and the natural killer cells-expressed chemokine receptors. Increased CXCL12 and CCL21 could ameliorated colorectal cancer via generating an anti-tumor environment by preferentially attracting natural killer cells which expressed the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and CCR7. This study demonstrated that overexpressed CXCR4 and CCR7 on the surface of NK92 cell enhanced their migration to human colon cells. Moreover, the administration of such natural killer cells resulted in tumor shrinkage and a significantly increased survival of experimental mice when compared to ones undergoing the treatment of xenografts with natural killer cells expressing only the mock control. These suggested that chemokine receptor engineered natural killer cells could be a promising tool to improve adoptive tumor immunotherapy.
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8
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Riggan L, Shah S, O’Sullivan TE. Arrested development: suppression of NK cell function in the tumor microenvironment. Clin Transl Immunology 2021; 10:e1238. [PMID: 33456775 PMCID: PMC7797224 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic innate lymphocytes that protect against viral infection and tumor metastasis. Despite their inherent ability to kill a broad range of virally infected, stressed and transformed cells, low numbers of dysfunctional NK cells are often observed in many advanced solid human cancers. Here, we review the potential mechanisms that influence suboptimal mature NK cell recruitment and function in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors. We further highlight current immunotherapy approaches aimed to circumvent NK cell dysfunction and discuss next-generation strategies to enhance adoptive NK cell therapy through targeting intrinsic and extrinsic checkpoints the regulate NK cell functionality in the TME. Understanding the mechanisms that drive NK cell dysfunction in the TME will lead to novel immunotherapeutic approaches in the fight against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Riggan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular GeneticsDavid Geffen School of Medicine at UCLALos AngelesCAUSA
- Molecular Biology InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Siya Shah
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular GeneticsDavid Geffen School of Medicine at UCLALos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Timothy E O’Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular GeneticsDavid Geffen School of Medicine at UCLALos AngelesCAUSA
- Molecular Biology InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
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Cao G, Cheng Y, Zheng X, Wei H, Tian Z, Sun R, Sun H. All-trans retinoic acid induces leukemia resistance to NK cell cytotoxicity by down-regulating B7-H6 expression via c-Myc signaling. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2021; 41:51-61. [PMID: 34236140 PMCID: PMC7819554 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interaction between activating receptor NKp30 and its major tumor ligand B7-H6 is important for NK cell-mediated tumor rejection. However, the regulation of B7-H6 by tumor therapeutics remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the regulation of B7-H6 by all-trans retinoic acid (atRA), a terminal differentiation inducer of tumor cells that is extensively used for clinical leukemia therapy. METHODS We investigated the role of NKp30:B7-H6 axis in NK cell-mediated tumor lysis against leukemia cells and the influence of atRA treatment on the cytotoxicity of NK cells using NK cell lines (NK92 and NKG) and leukemia cell lines (U-937 and THP-1). We evaluated the effect of atRA treatment on the expression of B7-H6 using real-time PCR, flow cytometry and western blotting. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to knockdown B7-H6 expression and siRNA to knockdown c-Myc in U-937 cells to evaluate the role of B7-H6 and c-Myc in atRA-induced tumor resistance against NK cells. RESULTS NK cell-mediated U-937 cell lysis was mainly dependent on NKp30/B7-H6 interaction. Blockade of B7-H6 by monoclonal antibody significantly impaired NK cytotoxicity. atRA treatment induced U-937 resistance to NK cell cytotoxicity by reducing B7-H6 expression, and showed no effect on NK cytotoxicity against B7-H6 knockdown U-937 cells. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone deacetylase (HDAC), were not responsible for atRA-mediated B7-H6 down-regulation as inhibitors of these pathways could not restore B7-H6 mRNA expression. On the other hand, atRA treatment reduced c-Myc expression, which in turn inhibited the transcription of B7-H6 on leukemia cells. CONCLUSION atRA treatment promotes tumor cell resistance against NK cell-mediated lysis by down-regulating B7-H6 expression via the c-Myc signaling pathway, suggesting that more attention needs to be paid to the immunological adverse effects in the clinical use of atRA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoshuai Cao
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscalethe CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic DiseaseSchool of Basic Medical SciencesDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
- Institute of ImmunologyUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
| | - Ying Cheng
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscalethe CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic DiseaseSchool of Basic Medical SciencesDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
- Institute of ImmunologyUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
| | - Xiaodong Zheng
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscalethe CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic DiseaseSchool of Basic Medical SciencesDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
- Institute of ImmunologyUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscalethe CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic DiseaseSchool of Basic Medical SciencesDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
- Institute of ImmunologyUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscalethe CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic DiseaseSchool of Basic Medical SciencesDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
- Institute of ImmunologyUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
- Research Unit of Natural Killer Cell StudyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijing100864P. R. China
| | - Rui Sun
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscalethe CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic DiseaseSchool of Basic Medical SciencesDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
- Institute of ImmunologyUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
| | - Haoyu Sun
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscalethe CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic DiseaseSchool of Basic Medical SciencesDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
- Institute of ImmunologyUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027P. R. China
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10
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NK Cell Adoptive Immunotherapy of Cancer: Evaluating Recognition Strategies and Overcoming Limitations. Transplant Cell Ther 2020; 27:21-35. [PMID: 33007496 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2020.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, the primary effector cells of the innate immune system, utilize multiple strategies to recognize tumor cells by (1) detecting the presence of activating receptor ligands, which are often upregulated in cancer; (2) targeting cells that have a loss of major histocompatibility complex (MHC); and (3) binding to antibodies that bind to tumor-specific antigens on the tumor cell surface. All these strategies have been successfully harnessed in adoptive NK cell immunotherapies targeting cancer. In this review, we review the applications of NK cell therapies across different tumor types. Similar to other forms of immunotherapy, tumor-induced immune escape and immune suppression can limit NK cell therapies' efficacy. Therefore, we also discuss how these limitations can be overcome by conferring NK cells with the ability to redirect their tumor-targeting capabilities and survive the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. Finally, we also discuss how future iterations can benefit from combination therapies with other immunotherapeutic agents.
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11
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Inflammatory Cells in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9082418. [PMID: 32731512 PMCID: PMC7463675 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9082418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), known as the most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtype, is characterized by high clinical and biological heterogeneity. The tumor microenvironment (TME), in which the tumor cells reside, is crucial in the regulation of tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis, but it also has profound effects on therapeutic efficacy. The role of immune cells during DLBCL development is complex and involves reciprocal interactions between tumor cells, adaptive and innate immune cells, their soluble mediators and structural components present in the tumor microenvironment. Different immune cells are recruited into the tumor microenvironment and exert distinct effects on tumor progression and therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we focused on the role of macrophages, Neutrophils, T cells, natural killer cells and dendritic cells in the DLBCL microenvironment and their implication as target for DLBCL treatment. These new therapies, carried out by the induction of adaptive immunity through vaccination or passive of immunologic effectors delivery, enhance the ability of the immune system to react against the tumor antigens inducing the destruction of tumor cells.
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Galon J, Bruni D. Tumor Immunology and Tumor Evolution: Intertwined Histories. Immunity 2020; 52:55-81. [PMID: 31940273 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2019.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 312] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease whose outcome depends largely on the cross-talk between the tumor and its microenvironment. Here, we review the evolution of the field of tumor immunology and the advances, in lockstep, of our understanding of cancer as a disease. We discuss the involvement of different immune cells at distinct stages of tumor progression and how immune contexture determinants shaping tumor development are being exploited therapeutically. Current clinical stratification schemes focus on the tumor histopathology and the molecular characteristics of the tumor cell. We argue for the importance of revising these stratification systems to include immune parameters so as to address the immediate need for improved prognostic and/or predictive information to guide clinical decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Galon
- INSERM, Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Sorbonne Université, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, Université de Paris; Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, F-75006 Paris, France.
| | - Daniela Bruni
- INSERM, Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Sorbonne Université, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, Université de Paris; Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, F-75006 Paris, France
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Natural Killer Cells as Allogeneic Effectors in Adoptive Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060769. [PMID: 31163679 PMCID: PMC6628161 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are attractive within adoptive transfer settings in cancer immunotherapy due to their potential for allogeneic use; their alloreactivity is enhanced under conditions of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) mismatch with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands on cancer cells. In addition to this, NK cells are platforms for genetic modification, and proliferate in vivo for a shorter time relative to T cells, limiting off-target activation. Current clinical studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of allogeneic NK cell adoptive transfer therapies as a means for treatment of hematologic malignancies and, to a lesser extent, solid tumors. However, challenges associated with sourcing allogeneic NK cells have given rise to controversy over the contribution of NK cells to graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Specifically, blood-derived NK cell infusions contain contaminating T cells, whose activation with NK-stimulating cytokines has been known to lead to heightened release of proinflammatory cytokines and trigger the onset of GvHD in vivo. NK cells sourced from cell lines and stem cells lack contaminating T cells, but can also lack many phenotypic characteristics of mature NK cells. Here, we discuss the available published evidence for the varying roles of NK cells in GvHD and, more broadly, their use in allogeneic adoptive transfer settings to treat various cancers.
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Yang HG, Kang MC, Kim TY, Hwang I, Jin HT, Sung YC, Eom KS, Kim SW. Discovery of a novel natural killer cell line with distinct immunostimulatory and proliferative potential as an alternative platform for cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:138. [PMID: 31126350 PMCID: PMC6534912 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0612-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human natural killer (NK) cell lines serve as an attractive source for adoptive immunotherapy, but NK-92 remains the only cell line being assessed in the clinic. Here, we established a novel NK cell line, NK101, from a patient with extra-nodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma and examined its phenotypic, genomic and functional characteristics. METHODS Single cell suspensions from lymphoma tissue were expanded with anti-NKp46/anti-CD2-coated beads in the presence of IL-2. A continuously growing CD56+ cell clone was selected and designated as NK101. Flow cytometry and RNA sequencing were used to characterize phenotypic and genomic features of NK101. In vitro cytotoxicity and IFN-γ/TNF-α secretion were measured by flow cytometry-based cytotoxicity assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively, after direct co-culture with tumor cells. Immunomodulatory potential of NK101 was assessed in an indirect co-culture system using conditioned medium. Finally, in vivo antitumor efficacy was evaluated in an immunocompetent, syngeneic 4T1 mammary tumor model. RESULTS NK101 displayed features of CD56dimCD62L+ intermediate stage NK subset with the potential to simultaneously act as a cytokine producer and a cytotoxic effector. Comparative analysis of NK101 and NK-92 revealed that NK101 expressed lower levels of perforin and granzyme B that correlated with weaker cytotoxicity, but produced higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IFN-γ and TNF-α. Contrarily, NK-92 produced greater amounts of anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1 receptor antagonist and IL-10. Genome-wide analysis revealed that genes associated with positive regulation of leukocyte proliferation were overexpressed in NK101, while those with opposite function were highly enriched in NK-92. The consequence of such expressional and functional discrepancies was well-represented in (i) indirect co-culture system where conditioned medium derived from NK101 induced greater proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and (ii) immunocompetent 4T1 tumor model where peritumoral injections of NK101 displayed stronger anti-tumor activities by inducing higher tumor-specific immune responses. In a manufacturing context, NK101 not only required shorter recovery time after thawing, but also exhibited faster growth profile than NK-92, yielding more than 200-fold higher cell numbers after 20-day culture. CONCLUSION NK101 is a unique NK cell line bearing strong immunostimulatory potential and substantial scalability, providing an attractive source for adoptive cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Gul Yang
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon Cheol Kang
- SL-BIGEN Inc., 700 Daewangpanyo-Ro, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Yoon Kim
- SL-BIGEN Inc., 700 Daewangpanyo-Ro, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Injung Hwang
- SL-BIGEN Inc., 700 Daewangpanyo-Ro, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Tak Jin
- SL-BIGEN Inc., 700 Daewangpanyo-Ro, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Chul Sung
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ki-Seong Eom
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Blood and Marrow Transplantation Center, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-Daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sae Won Kim
- SL-BIGEN Inc., 700 Daewangpanyo-Ro, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, 13488, Republic of Korea.
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Functional Assessment for Clinical Use of Serum-Free Adapted NK-92 Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11010069. [PMID: 30634595 PMCID: PMC6356567 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells stand out as promising candidates for cellular immunotherapy due to their capacity to kill malignant cells. However, the therapeutic use of NK cells is often dependent on cell expansion and activation with considerable amounts of serum and exogenous cytokines. We aimed to develop an expansion protocol for NK-92 cells in an effort to generate a cost-efficient, xeno-free, clinical grade manufactured master cell line for therapeutic applications. By making functional assays with NK-92 cells cultured under serum-free conditions (NK-92SF) and comparing to serum-supplemented NK-92 cells (NK-92S) we did not observe significant alterations in the viability, proliferation, receptor expression levels, or in perforin and granzyme levels. Interestingly, even though NK-92SF cells displayed decreased degranulation and cytotoxicity against tumor cells in vitro, the degranulation capacity was recovered after overnight incubation with 20% serum in the medium. Moreover, lentiviral vector-based genetic modification efficiency of NK-92SF cells was comparable with NK-92S cells. The application of similar strategies can be useful in reducing the costs of manufacturing cells for clinical use and can help us understand and implement strategies towards chemically defined expansion and genetic modification protocols.
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Abstract
A group of impressive immunotherapies for cancer treatment, including immune checkpoint-blocking antibodies, gene therapy and immune cell adoptive cellular immunotherapy, have been established, providing new weapons to fight cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells are a component of the first line of defense against tumors and virus infections. Studies have shown dysfunctional NK cells in patients with cancer. Thus, restoring NK cell antitumor functionality could be a promising therapeutic strategy. NK cells that are activated and expanded ex vivo can supplement malfunctional NK cells in tumor patients. Therapeutic antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), or bispecific proteins can all retarget NK cells precisely to tumor cells. Therapeutic antibody blockade of the immune checkpoints of NK cells has been suggested to overcome the immunosuppressive signals delivered to NK cells. Oncolytic virotherapy provokes antitumor activity of NK cells by triggering antiviral immune responses. Herein, we review the current immunotherapeutic approaches employed to restore NK cell antitumor functionality for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangxi Li
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
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17
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Engineering Hematopoietic Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy: Strategies to Address Safety and Toxicity Concerns. J Immunother 2017; 39:249-59. [PMID: 27488725 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Advances in cancer immunotherapies utilizing engineered hematopoietic cells have recently generated significant clinical successes. Of great promise are immunotherapies based on chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T (CAR-T) cells that are targeted toward malignant cells expressing defined tumor-associated antigens. CAR-T cells harness the effector function of the adaptive arm of the immune system and redirect it against cancer cells, overcoming the major challenges of immunotherapy, such as breaking tolerance to self-antigens and beating cancer immune system-evasion mechanisms. In early clinical trials, CAR-T cell-based therapies achieved complete and durable responses in a significant proportion of patients. Despite clinical successes and given the side effect profiles of immunotherapies based on engineered cells, potential concerns with the safety and toxicity of various therapeutic modalities remain. We discuss the concerns associated with the safety and stability of the gene delivery vehicles for cell engineering and with toxicities due to off-target and on-target, off-tumor effector functions of the engineered cells. We then overview the various strategies aimed at improving the safety of and resolving toxicities associated with cell-based immunotherapies. Integrating failsafe switches based on different suicide gene therapy systems into engineered cells engenders promising strategies toward ensuring the safety of cancer immunotherapies in the clinic.
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18
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Gangadaran P, Ahn BC. Molecular Imaging: A Useful Tool for the Development of Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1090. [PMID: 28955332 PMCID: PMC5600950 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging is a relatively new discipline that allows visualization, characterization, and measurement of the biological processes in living subjects, including humans, at a cellular and molecular level. The interaction between cancer cells and natural killer (NK) cells is complex and incompletely understood. Despite our limited knowledge, progress in the search for immune cell therapies against cancer could be significantly improved by dynamic and non-invasive visualization and tracking of immune cells and by visualization of the response of cancer cells to therapies in preclinical and clinical studies. Molecular imaging is an essential tool for these studies, and a multimodal molecular imaging approach can be applied to monitor immune cells in vivo, for instance, to visualize therapeutic effects. In this review, we discuss the usefulness of NK cells in cancer therapies and the preclinical and clinical usefulness of molecular imaging in NK cell-based therapies. Furthermore, we discuss different molecular imaging modalities for use with NK cell-based therapies, and their preclinical and clinical applications in animal and human subjects. Molecular imaging has contributed to the development of NK cell-based therapies against cancers in animal models and to the refinement of current cell-based cancer immunotherapies. Developing sensitive and reproducible non-invasive molecular imaging technologies for in vivo NK cell monitoring and for real-time assessment of therapeutic effects will accelerate the development of NK cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Gangadaran
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine and Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Byeong-Cheol Ahn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine and Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
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19
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Hoogstad-van Evert JS, Cany J, van den Brand D, Oudenampsen M, Brock R, Torensma R, Bekkers RL, Jansen JH, Massuger LF, Dolstra H. Umbilical cord blood CD34 + progenitor-derived NK cells efficiently kill ovarian cancer spheroids and intraperitoneal tumors in NOD/SCID/IL2Rg null mice. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1320630. [PMID: 28919991 PMCID: PMC5593716 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1320630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells is an attractive therapy approach against ovarian carcinoma. Here, we evaluated the potency of highly active NK cells derived from human CD34+ haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) to infiltrate and mediate killing of human ovarian cancer spheroids using an in vivo-like model system and mouse xenograft model. These CD56+Perforin+ HSPC-NK cells were generated under stroma-free conditions in the presence of StemRegenin-1, IL-15, and IL-12, and exerted efficient cytolytic activity and IFNγ production toward ovarian cancer monolayer cultures. Live-imaging confocal microscopy demonstrated that these HSPC-NK cells actively migrate, infiltrate, and mediate tumor cell killing in a three-dimensional multicellular ovarian cancer spheroid. Infiltration of up to 30% of total HSPC-NK cells within 8 h resulted in robust tumor spheroid destruction. Furthermore, intraperitoneal HSPC-NK cell infusions in NOD/SCID-IL2Rγnull (NSG) mice bearing ovarian carcinoma significantly reduced tumor progression. These findings demonstrate that highly functional HSPC-NK cells efficiently destruct ovarian carcinoma spheroids in vitro and kill intraperitoneal ovarian tumors in vivo, providing great promise for effective immunotherapy through intraperitoneal HSPC-NK cell adoptive transfer in ovarian carcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janneke S Hoogstad-van Evert
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jeannette Cany
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dirk van den Brand
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Manon Oudenampsen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Roland Brock
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ruurd Torensma
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ruud L Bekkers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Joop H Jansen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Leon F Massuger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Harry Dolstra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Klingemann H, Boissel L, Toneguzzo F. Natural Killer Cells for Immunotherapy - Advantages of the NK-92 Cell Line over Blood NK Cells. Front Immunol 2016; 7:91. [PMID: 27014270 PMCID: PMC4789404 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 291] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are potent cytotoxic effector cells for cancer therapy and potentially for severe viral infections. However, there are technical challenges to obtain sufficient numbers of functionally active NK cells from a patient’s blood since they represent only 10% of the lymphocytes and are often dysfunctional. The alternative is to obtain cells from a healthy donor, which requires depletion of the allogeneic T cells to prevent graft-versus-host reactions. Cytotoxic cell lines have been established from patients with clonal NK-cell lymphoma. Those cells can be expanded in culture in the presence of IL-2. Except for the NK-92 cell line, though, none of the other six known NK cell lines has consistently and reproducibly shown high antitumor cytotoxicity. Only NK-92 cells can easily be genetically manipulated to recognize specific tumor antigens or to augment monoclonal antibody activity through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. NK-92 is also the only cell line product that has been infused into patients with advanced cancer with clinical benefit and minimal side effects.
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Cao G, Wang J, Zheng X, Wei H, Tian Z, Sun R. Tumor Therapeutics Work as Stress Inducers to Enhance Tumor Sensitivity to Natural Killer (NK) Cell Cytolysis by Up-regulating NKp30 Ligand B7-H6. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:29964-73. [PMID: 26472927 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.674010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune cells are believed to participate in initiating anti-tumor effects during regular tumor therapy such as chemotherapy, radiation, hyperthermia, and cytokine injection. One of the mechanisms underlying this process is the expression of so-called stress-inducible immunostimulating ligands. Although the activating receptor NKG2D has been proven to play roles in tumor therapy through targeting its ligands, the role of NKp30, another key activating receptor, is seldom addressed. In this study, we found that the NKp30 ligand B7-H6 was widely expressed in tumor cells and closely correlated to their susceptibility to NK cell lysis. Further studies showed that treatment of tumor cells with almost all standard tumor therapeutics, including chemotherapy (cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil), radiation therapy, non-lethal heat shock, and cytokine therapy (TNF-α), could up-regulate the expression of B7-H6 in tumor cells and enhance tumor sensitivity to NK cell cytolysis. B7-H6 shRNA treatment effectively dampened sensitization of tumor cells to NK-mediated lysis. Our study not only reveals the possibility that tumor therapeutics work as stress inducers to enhance tumor sensitivity to NK cell cytolysis but also suggests that B7-H6 could be a potential target for tumor therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoshuai Cao
- From the Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease of Chinese Academy of Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Jian Wang
- From the Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease of Chinese Academy of Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China,
| | - Xiaodong Zheng
- From the Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease of Chinese Academy of Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- From the Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease of Chinese Academy of Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- From the Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease of Chinese Academy of Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Rui Sun
- From the Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease of Chinese Academy of Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China, and
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Sun C, Sun HY, Xiao WH, Zhang C, Tian ZG. Natural killer cell dysfunction in hepatocellular carcinoma and NK cell-based immunotherapy. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2015; 36:1191-9. [PMID: 26073325 PMCID: PMC4648180 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2015.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms linking hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unknown. Natural killer (NK) cells account for 25%–50% of the total number of liver lymphocytes, suggesting that NK cells play an important role in liver immunity. The number of NK cells in the blood and tumor tissues of HCC patients is positively correlated with their survival and prognosis. Furthermore, a group of NK cell-associated genes in HCC tissues is positively associated with the prolonged survival. These facts suggest that NK cells and HCC progression are strongly associated. In this review, we describe the abnormal NK cells and their functional impairment in patients with chronic HBV and HCV infection, which contribute to the progression of HCC. Then, we summarize the association of NK cells with HCC based on the abnormalities in the numbers and phenotypes of blood and liver NK cells in HCC patients. In particular, the exhaustion of NK cells that represents lower cytotoxicity and impaired cytokine production may serve as a predictor for the occurrence of HCC. Finally, we present the current achievements in NK cell immunotherapy conducted in mouse models of liver cancer and in clinical trials, highlighting how chemoimmunotherapy, NK cell transfer, gene therapy, cytokine therapy and mAb therapy improve NK cell function in HCC treatment. It is conceivable that NK cell-based anti-HCC therapeutic strategies alone or in combination with other therapies will be great promise for HCC treatment.
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Zhang Q, Liu XY, Zhang T, Zhang XF, Zhao L, Long F, Liu ZK, Wang EH. The dual-functional capability of cytokine-induced killer cells and application in tumor immunology. Hum Immunol 2015; 76:385-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2014.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Revised: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells constitute a subtype of lymphocytes that initiate innate immune responses against tumors and virus-infected cells. The ability of NK cells to kill target cells or to produce cytokines depends on the balance between signals from activating and inhibitory cell-surface receptors. Therapies with NK cells involve activation of endogenous NK cells and/or exogenous transfer by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation/adoptive cell therapy. To exploit the diverse functional abilities of NK cells for cancer immunotherapy, it is important to understand NK cell biology and the underlying regulatory mechanisms. The state of immune suppression prevalent in malignancies creates the need for innovative therapies. Oncolytic viruses are novel anticancer agents showing selective tropism for tumor cells and lacking pathogenicity in humans, but the use of oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) presents multiple challenges. An increasing body of evidence suggests that the host immune response may critically influence the outcome of OVT. Classically, the immune system is thought to limit the efficacy of therapy through virus clearance mediated by innate immune effectors or through adaptive antiviral immune responses eliminating infected cells. Effective strategies do need to be designed in OVT to circumvent the early antiviral activity of NK cells and to augment late NK-cell-mediated antitumor responses. The intrinsic immunostimulating capacity of oncolytic viruses and the possibility of engineering them to express heterologous immunostimulatory molecules (eg, cytokines) support the use of these agents to enhance antitumor immune responses besides inducing direct oncolytic effects. OVT has indeed shown promising therapeutic outcomes in various clinical trials. Here, we review the biology of NK cells, strategies involving NK cells for achieving cancer therapy, and, more particularly, the emerging role of NK cells in OVT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rauf Bhat
- Division of Tumor Virology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jean Rommelaere
- Division of Tumor Virology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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25
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Intraperitoneal delivery of human natural killer cells for treatment of ovarian cancer in a mouse xenograft model. Cytotherapy 2014; 15:1297-306. [PMID: 23993303 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2013.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Revised: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS There is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies for relapsed ovarian cancer. Dramatic clinical anti-tumor effects have been observed with interleukin (IL)-2 activated natural killer (NK) cells; however, intravenous delivery of NK cells in patients with ovarian cancer has not been successful in ameliorating disease. We investigated in vivo engraftment of intraperitoneally (IP) delivered NK cells in an ovarian cancer xenograft model to determine if delivery mode can affect tumor cell killing and circumvent lack of NK cell expansion. METHODS An ovarian cancer xenograft mouse model was established to evaluate efficacy of IP-delivered NK cells. Tumor burden was monitored by bioluminescent imaging of luciferase-expressing ovarian cancer cells. NK cell persistence, tumor burden and NK cell trafficking were evaluated. Transplanted NK cells were evaluated by flow cytometry and cytotoxicity assays. RESULTS IP delivery of human NK cells plus cytokines led to high levels of circulating NK and was effective in clearing intraperitoneal ovarian cancer burden in xenografted mice. NK cells remained within the peritoneal cavity 54 days after injection and had markers of maturation. Additionally, surviving NK cells were able to kill ovarian cancer cells at a rate similar to pre-infusion levels, supporting that in vivo functionality of human NK cells can be maintained after IP infusion. CONCLUSIONS IP delivery of NK cells leads to stable engraftment and antitumor response in an ovarian cancer xenograft model. These data support further pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of IP delivery of allogeneic NK cells in ovarian cancer.
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Wang X, Yu W, Li H, Yu J, Zhang X, Ren X, Cao S. Can the dual-functional capability of CIK cells be used to improve antitumor effects? Cell Immunol 2014; 287:18-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2013.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Advantages and clinical applications of natural killer cells in cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2013; 63:21-8. [PMID: 23989217 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-013-1469-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed a burgeoning of research and further insight into the biology and clinical applications of natural killer (NK) cells. Once thought to be simple innate cells important only as cytotoxic effector cells, our understanding of NK cells has grown to include memory-like responses, the guidance of adaptive responses, tissue repair, and a delicate paradigm for how NK cells become activated now termed "licensing" or "arming." Although these cells were initially discovered and named for their spontaneous ability to kill tumor cells, manipulating NK cells in therapeutic settings has proved difficult and complex in part due to our emerging understanding of their biology. Therapies involving NK cells may either activate endogenous NK cells or involve transfers of exogenous cells by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or adoptive cell therapy. Here, we review the basic biology of NK cells, highlighting characteristics which make NK cells particularly useful in cancer therapies. We also explore current treatment strategies that have been used for cancer as well as discuss potential future directions for the field.
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Cheng M, Chen Y, Xiao W, Sun R, Tian Z. NK cell-based immunotherapy for malignant diseases. Cell Mol Immunol 2013; 10:230-52. [PMID: 23604045 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2013.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 452] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play critical roles in host immunity against cancer. In response, cancers develop mechanisms to escape NK cell attack or induce defective NK cells. Current NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy aims to overcome NK cell paralysis using several approaches. One approach uses expanded allogeneic NK cells, which are not inhibited by self histocompatibility antigens like autologous NK cells, for adoptive cellular immunotherapy. Another adoptive transfer approach uses stable allogeneic NK cell lines, which is more practical for quality control and large-scale production. A third approach is genetic modification of fresh NK cells or NK cell lines to highly express cytokines, Fc receptors and/or chimeric tumor-antigen receptors. Therapeutic NK cells can be derived from various sources, including peripheral or cord blood cells, stem cells or even induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and a variety of stimulators can be used for large-scale production in laboratories or good manufacturing practice (GMP) facilities, including soluble growth factors, immobilized molecules or antibodies, and other cellular activators. A list of NK cell therapies to treat several types of cancer in clinical trials is reviewed here. Several different approaches to NK-based immunotherapy, such as tissue-specific NK cells, killer receptor-oriented NK cells and chemically treated NK cells, are discussed. A few new techniques or strategies to monitor NK cell therapy by non-invasive imaging, predetermine the efficiency of NK cell therapy by in vivo experiments and evaluate NK cell therapy approaches in clinical trials are also introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Cheng
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Huang M, Sun R, Wei H, Tian Z. Simultaneous knockdown of multiple ligands of innate receptor NKG2D prevents natural killer cell-mediated fulminant hepatitis in mice. Hepatology 2013; 57:277-88. [PMID: 22806577 DOI: 10.1002/hep.25959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/21/2012] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED NKG2D activation plays an important role in initiating and maintaining liver inflammation, and blockade of NKG2D recognition becomes a promising approach to alleviate liver inflammation. Treatment by silencing NKG2D ligands on hepatocytes, but not NKG2D on circulating immune cells, is more liver-specific, and simultaneous knockdown of multiple NKG2D ligands on hepatocytes will be more efficient in liver disease intervention. Here, we constructed a single vector that could simultaneously express multiple short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) against all murine NKG2D ligands including Rae1, Mult1, and H60. After hydrodynamic injection of plasmid containing the three shRNA sequences (shRae1-shMult1-shH60), also called pRNAT-shRMH, we found the expression of all three NKG2D ligands on hepatocytes was downregulated both on messenger RNA and protein levels. Moreover, natural killer (NK) cell-mediated NKG2D-dependent fulminant hepatitis of the mice was alleviated, along with inactivation of hepatic NK cells, by pRNAT-shRMH if compared with its counterpart RNA interference vectors against single or double ligands. The therapeutic efficacy of pRNAT-shRMH was equivalent to that of injecting three monoclonal antibodies against Rae1, Mult1, and H60. For better in vivo application, we constructed a recombinant adenovirus containing pRNAT-shRMH (called Ad-RMH) with efficient hepatotropic infection capacity and observed that Ad-RMH intravenous injection exerted a similar therapeutic efficiency as plasmid pRNAT-shRMH hydrodynamic injection. Noticeably, simultaneous knockdown of multiple human NKG2D ligands (MICA/B, ULBP2, and ULBP3) also significantly attenuated NK cell cytolysis against human NKG2D ligand-positive hepatocyte L-02 cells, suggesting a possible translation into human settings. CONCLUSION Simultaneous knockdown of multiple ligands of NKG2D prevents NK cell-mediated fulminant hepatitis and is a potential therapeutic approach to treat liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Huang
- Department of Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Langers I, Renoux VM, Thiry M, Delvenne P, Jacobs N. Natural killer cells: role in local tumor growth and metastasis. Biologics 2012; 6:73-82. [PMID: 22532775 PMCID: PMC3333822 DOI: 10.2147/btt.s23976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Historically, the name of natural killer (NK) cells came from their natural ability to kill tumor cells in vitro. From the 1970s to date, accumulating data highlighted the importance of NK cells in host immune response against cancer and in therapy-induced antitumor response. The recognition and the lysis of tumor cells by NK cells are regulated by a complex balance of inhibitory and activating signals. This review summarizes NK cell mechanisms to kill cancer cells, their role in host immune responses against tumor growth or metastasis, and their implications in antitumor immunotherapies via cytokines, antibodies, or in combination with other therapies. The regulatory role of NK cells in autoimmunity is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Langers
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, GIGA-I3/GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Cheng M, Zhang J, Jiang W, Chen Y, Tian Z. Natural killer cell lines in tumor immunotherapy. Front Med 2012; 6:56-66. [PMID: 22460449 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-012-0177-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2011] [Accepted: 11/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are considered to be critical players in anticancer immunity. However, cancers are able to develop mechanisms to escape NK cell attack or to induce defective NK cells. Current NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy is aimed at overcoming NK cell paralysis through several potential approaches, including activating autologous NK cells, expanding allogeneic NK cells, usage of stable allogeneic NK cell lines and genetically modifying fresh NK cells or NK cell lines. The stable allogeneic NK cell line approach is more practical for quality-control and large-scale production. Additionally, genetically modifying NK cell lines by increasing their expression of cytokines and engineering chimeric tumor antigen receptors could improve their specificity and cytotoxicity. In this review, NK cells in tumor immunotherapy are discussed, and a list of therapeutic NK cell lines currently undergoing preclinical and clinical trials of several kinds of tumors are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Cheng
- Institute of Immunology, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
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Mallett CL, McFadden C, Chen Y, Foster PJ. Migration of iron-labeled KHYG-1 natural killer cells to subcutaneous tumors in nude mice, as detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Cytotherapy 2012; 14:743-51. [PMID: 22443465 DOI: 10.3109/14653249.2012.667874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS A novel cell line of cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells, KHYG-1, was examined in vivo for immunotherapy against prostate cancer. The feasibility of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracking to monitor the fate of injected NK cells following intravenous (i.v.), intraperitoneal (i.p.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administration was assessed. METHODS PC-3M human prostate cancer cells were injected s.c. into the flank of nude mice (day 0). KHYG-1 NK cells were labeled with an iron oxide contrast agent and injected s.c., i.v. or i.p. on day 8. Mice were imaged by MRI on days 7, 9 and 12. Tumor sections were examined with fluorescence microscopy and immunohistologic staining for NK cells. RESULTS NK cells were detected in the tumors by histology after all three administration routes. NK cells and fluorescence from the iron label were co-localized. Signal loss was seen in the areas around the tumors and between the tumor lobes in the s.c. group. CONCLUSIONS We are the first to label this cell line of NK cells with an iron oxide contrast agent. Accumulation of NK cells was visualized by MRI after s.c. injection but not after i.v. and i.p. injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane L Mallett
- Imaging Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
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