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Taefehshokr N, Lac A, Vrieze AM, Dickson BH, Guo PN, Jung C, Blythe EN, Fink C, Aktar A, Dikeakos JD, Dekaban GA, Heit B. SARS-CoV-2 NSP5 antagonizes MHC II expression by subverting histone deacetylase 2. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs262172. [PMID: 38682259 PMCID: PMC11166459 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.262172] [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: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 interferes with antigen presentation by downregulating major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II on antigen-presenting cells, but the mechanism mediating this process is unelucidated. Herein, analysis of protein and gene expression in human antigen-presenting cells reveals that MHC II is downregulated by the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, NSP5. This suppression of MHC II expression occurs via decreased expression of the MHC II regulatory protein CIITA. CIITA downregulation is independent of the proteolytic activity of NSP5, and rather, NSP5 delivers HDAC2 to the transcription factor IRF3 at an IRF-binding site within the CIITA promoter. Here, HDAC2 deacetylates and inactivates the CIITA promoter. This loss of CIITA expression prevents further expression of MHC II, with this suppression alleviated by ectopic expression of CIITA or knockdown of HDAC2. These results identify a mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 limits MHC II expression, thereby delaying or weakening the subsequent adaptive immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Taefehshokr
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Western Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 5C1
| | - Alex Lac
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Western Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 5C1
| | - Angela M. Vrieze
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Western Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 5C1
| | - Brandon H. Dickson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Western Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 5C1
| | - Peter N. Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Western Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 5C1
| | - Catherine Jung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Western Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 5C1
| | - Eoin N. Blythe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Western Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 5C1
- Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 3K7
| | - Corby Fink
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Western Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 5C1
- Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 3K7
| | - Amena Aktar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Western Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 5C1
| | - Jimmy D. Dikeakos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Western Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 5C1
- Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 3K7
| | - Gregory A. Dekaban
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Western Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 5C1
- Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 3K7
| | - Bryan Heit
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Western Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 5C1
- Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A 3K7
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Zhou Y, Kuerman M, Zhou Q, Hou B, Li B, Li Y, Zhang L, Liu T. Lacticaseibacillus casei K11 exerts immunomodulatory effects by enhancing natural killer cell cytotoxicity via the extracellular regulated-protein kinase pathway. Eur J Nutr 2024:10.1007/s00394-024-03390-2. [PMID: 38592520 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-024-03390-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Probiotics can serve as immunomodulators that regulate the activation of immune cells. This study aimed to screen potential probiotic strains that can enhance NK cell toxicity to improve host immunity. METHODS In this investigation, we examined three potential probiotic strains, namely Lactiplantibacillus plantarum YZX21 (YZX21), Bifidobacterium bifidum FL-276.1 (FL-276.1) and Lacticaseibacillus casei K11 (K11), to assess their capacity in modulating NK cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo, while elucidating the underlying mechanisms involved. RESULTS The findings demonstrated that K11 exhibited superior efficacy in enhancing NK cytotoxicity. Subsequent analysis revealed that K11 significantly augmented the secretion of perforin and granzyme B by NK cells through activation of receptors NKp30 and NKp46 via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Furthermore, heat-inactivated K11 also enhanced NK cell activity to an extent comparable to live bacteria, with lipoteichoic acid from K11 identified as a crucial factor mediating the activation of NK cell cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that K11 may have potential applications as probiotics or postbiotics for regulating NK cell cytotoxicity to enhance immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, N-O-1299 Sansha Road, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Malina Kuerman
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, N-O-1299 Sansha Road, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, N-O-1299 Sansha Road, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Baochao Hou
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy, Hohhot, 010000, China
| | - Baolei Li
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy, Hohhot, 010000, China
| | - Yang Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Lanwei Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, N-O-1299 Sansha Road, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Tongjie Liu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, N-O-1299 Sansha Road, Qingdao, 266003, China.
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Xu Y, Sun F, Tian Y, Zeng G, Lei G, Bai Z, Wang Y, Ge X, Wang J, Xiao C, Wang Z, Hu M, Song J, Yang P, Liu R. Enhanced NK cell activation via eEF2K-mediated potentiation of the cGAS-STING pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 129:111628. [PMID: 38320351 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111628] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is characterized by a high mortality rate, attributed primarily to the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Within this context, we aimed to elucidate the pivotal role of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) in orchestrating the infiltration and activation of natural killer (NK) cells within the HCC tumor microenvironment. By shedding light on the immunomodulatory mechanisms at play, our findings should clarify HCC pathogenesis and help identify potential therapeutic intervention venues. METHODS We performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis to determine the functions of eEF2K in the context of HCC. We initially used paired tumor and adjacent normal tissue samples from patients with HCC to measure eEF2K expression and its correlation with prognosis. Subsequently, we enrolled a cohort of patients with HCC undergoing immunotherapy to examine the ability of eEF2K to predict treatment efficacy. To delve deeper into the mechanistic aspects, we established an eEF2K-knockout cell line using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. This step was crucial for verifying activation of the cGAS-STING pathway and the subsequent secretion of cytokines. To further elucidate the role of eEF2K in NK cell function, we applied siRNA-based techniques to effectively suppress eEF2K expression in vitro. For in vivo validation, we developed a tumor-bearing mouse model that enabled us to compare the infiltration and activation of NK cells within the tumor microenvironment following various treatment strategies. RESULTS We detected elevated eEF2K expression within HCC tissues, and this was correlated with an unfavorable prognosis (30.84 vs. 20.99 months, P = 0.033). In addition, co-culturing eEF2K-knockout HepG2 cells with dendritic cells led to activation of the cGAS-STING pathway and a subsequent increase in the secretion of IL-2 and CXCL9. Moreover, inhibiting eEF2K resulted in notable NK cell proliferation along with apoptosis reduction. Remarkably, after combining NH125 and PD-1 treatments, we found a significant increase in NK cell infiltration within HCC tumors in our murine model. Our flow cytometry analysis revealed reduced NKG2A expression and elevated NKG2D expression and secretion of granzyme B, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in NK cells. Immunohistochemical examination confirmed no evidence of damage to vital organs in the mice treated with the combination therapy. Additionally, we noted higher levels of glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxidation in the peripheral blood serum of the treated mice. CONCLUSION Targeted eEF2K blockade may result in cGAS-STING pathway activation, leading to enhanced infiltration and activity of NK cells within HCC tumors. The synergistic effect achieved by combining an eEF2K inhibitor with PD-1 antibody therapy represents a novel and promising approach for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China; Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Sun
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuying Tian
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Guineng Zeng
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Guanglin Lei
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhifang Bai
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yonggang Wang
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinlan Ge
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Chaohui Xiao
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaohai Wang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Minggen Hu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Penghui Yang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China.
| | - Rong Liu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China.
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Mo Y, Zou Z, Chen E. Targeting ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:32-49. [PMID: 37880567 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10593-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with complex survival mechanism and drug resistance, resulting in cancer-related high mortality in the world. Ferroptosis represents a form of regulated cell death, typically distinguished by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Cancer cells often employ antioxidant defenses to evade the harmful effects of excess iron. Recent research has proposed that directing interventions towards ferroptosis could serve as an effective strategy in curbing the proliferation and invasion of HCC. Immunotherapy has made some preliminary progress in the remodeling of immune microenvironment, but it has not completely inhibited HCC growth, invasion and drug resistance. Furthermore, ferroptosis is widely observed in the formation of immune microenvironment of HCC and mediates the response of many targeted drugs and immunotherapy. Clarifying the role of ferroptosis in these complex processes is expected to provide a new prospect for HCC treatment. In this review, we outline the mechanisms by which HCC develops invasiveness and drug resistance by evading iron-dependent death, and paint a comprehensive landscape of ferroptosis in different cell types in the HCC immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqian Mo
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhilin Zou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Erbao Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, Guangdong, China.
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Cuesta ÁM, Palao N, Bragado P, Gutierrez-Uzquiza A, Herrera B, Sánchez A, Porras A. New and Old Key Players in Liver Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17152. [PMID: 38138981 PMCID: PMC10742790 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer represents a major health problem worldwide with growing incidence and high mortality, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most frequent. Hepatocytes are likely the cellular origin of most HCCs through the accumulation of genetic alterations, although hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) might also be candidates in specific cases, as discussed here. HCC usually develops in a context of chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, although the role of fibrosis is controversial. The interplay between hepatocytes, immune cells and hepatic stellate cells is a key issue. This review summarizes critical aspects of the liver tumor microenvironment paying special attention to platelets as new key players, which exert both pro- and anti-tumor effects, determined by specific contexts and a tight regulation of platelet signaling. Additionally, the relevance of specific signaling pathways, mainly HGF/MET, EGFR and TGF-β is discussed. HGF and TGF-β are produced by different liver cells and platelets and regulate not only tumor cell fate but also HPCs, inflammation and fibrosis, these being key players in these processes. The role of C3G/RAPGEF1, required for the proper function of HGF/MET signaling in HCC and HPCs, is highlighted, due to its ability to promote HCC growth and, regulate HPC fate and platelet-mediated actions on liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel M. Cuesta
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Palao
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Bragado
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Gutierrez-Uzquiza
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Blanca Herrera
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD-ISCIII), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Sánchez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD-ISCIII), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Porras
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Wang B, Chen Z, Huang Y, Ding J, Lin Y, Wang M, Li X. Mitochondrial mass of circulating NK cells as a novel biomarker in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110839. [PMID: 37639852 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection results in lymphopenia and impaired function of T, B, and NK (TBNK-dominant) lymphocytes. Mitochondria are essential targets of SARS-CoV-2 and the efficacy of lymphocyte mitochondrial function for immunosurveillance in COVID-19 patients has not been evaluated. METHODS Multi-parametric flow cytometry was used to characterize mitochondrial function, including mitochondrial mass (MM) and low mitochondrial membrane potential (MMPlow), in TBNK-dominant lymphocytes from severe (n = 93) and moderate (n = 77) hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We compared the role of novel lymphocyte mitochondrial indicators and routine infection biomarkers as early predictors of severity and death in COVID-19 patients. We then developed a mortality decision tree prediction model based on immunosurveillance indicators through machine learning. RESULTS At admission, the MM of circulating NK cells (NK-MM) was the best discriminator of severe/moderate disease (AUC = 0.8067) compared with the routine infection biomarkers. The NK cell count and NK-MM displayed superior diagnostic effects to distinguish patients with non-fatal or fatal outcomes. Interestingly, NK-MM was significantly polarized in non-survivors, with some patients showing a decrease and others showing an abnormal increase. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that NK-MM had the optimal predictive efficacy (hazard ratio = 11.66). The decision tree model has the highest proportion of importance for NK-MM, which is superior to the single diagnostic effect of the above indicators (AUC = 0.8900). CONCLUSION NK-MM was not only associated with disease severity, its abnormal increases or decreases also predicted mortality risk. The resulting decision tree prediction model is the first to focus on immune monitoring indicators to provide decision-making clues for COVID-19 clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqi Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Zhenni Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yiran Huang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, China
| | - Jiayi Ding
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yingrui Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Xianping Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
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7
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Mak ML, Reid KT, Crome SQ. Protective and pathogenic functions of innate lymphoid cells in transplantation. Clin Exp Immunol 2023; 213:23-39. [PMID: 37119279 PMCID: PMC10324558 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a family of lymphocytes with essential roles in tissue homeostasis and immunity. Along with other tissue-resident immune populations, distinct subsets of ILCs have important roles in either promoting or inhibiting immune tolerance in a variety of contexts, including cancer and autoimmunity. In solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, both donor and recipient-derived ILCs could contribute to immune tolerance or rejection, yet understanding of protective or pathogenic functions are only beginning to emerge. In addition to roles in directing or regulating immune responses, ILCs interface with parenchymal cells to support tissue homeostasis and even regeneration. Whether specific ILCs are tissue-protective or enhance ischemia reperfusion injury or fibrosis is of particular interest to the field of transplantation, beyond any roles in limiting or promoting allograft rejection or graft-versus host disease. Within this review, we discuss the current understanding of ILCs functions in promoting immune tolerance and tissue repair at homeostasis and in the context of transplantation and highlight where targeting or harnessing ILCs could have applications in novel transplant therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin L Mak
- Department of Immunology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kyle T Reid
- Department of Immunology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sarah Q Crome
- Department of Immunology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
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8
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De Re V, Tornesello ML, Racanelli V, Prete M, Steffan A. Non-Classical HLA Class 1b and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1672. [PMID: 37371767 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A number of studies are underway to gain a better understanding of the role of immunity in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma and to identify subgroups of individuals who may benefit the most from systemic therapy according to the etiology of their tumor. Human leukocyte antigens play a key role in antigen presentation to T cells. This is fundamental to the host's defense against pathogens and tumor cells. In addition, HLA-specific interactions with innate lymphoid cell receptors, such those present on natural killer cells and innate lymphoid cell type 2, have been shown to be important activators of immune function in the context of several liver diseases. More recent studies have highlighted the key role of members of the non-classical HLA-Ib and the transcript adjacent to the HLA-F locus, FAT10, in hepatocarcinoma. The present review analyzes the major contribution of these molecules to hepatic viral infection and hepatocellular prognosis. Particular attention has been paid to the association of natural killer and Vδ2 T-cell activation, mediated by specific HLA class Ib molecules, with risk assessment and novel treatment strategies to improve immunotherapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valli De Re
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Maria Lina Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, School of Medicine, 'Aldo Moro' University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Marcella Prete
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, School of Medicine, 'Aldo Moro' University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 33081 Aviano, Italy
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Taggenbrock RLRE, van Gisbergen KPJM. ILC1: Development, maturation, and transcriptional regulation. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2149435. [PMID: 36408791 PMCID: PMC10099236 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149435] [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: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Type 1 Innate Lymphoid cells (ILC1s) are tissue-resident cells that partake in the regulation of inflammation and homeostasis. A major feature of ILC1s is their ability to rapidly respond after infections. The effector repertoire of ILC1s includes the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α and cytotoxic mediators such as granzymes, which enable ILC1s to establish immune responses and to directly kill target cells. Recent advances in the characterization of ILC1s have considerably furthered our understanding of ILC1 development and maintenance in tissues. In particular, it has become clear how ILC1s operate independently from conventional natural killer cells, with which they share many characteristics. In this review, we discuss recent developments with regards to the differentiation, polarization, and effector maturation of ILC1s. These processes may underlie the observed heterogeneity in ILC1 populations within and between different tissues. Next, we highlight transcriptional programs that control each of the separate steps in the differentiation of ILC1s. These transcriptional programs are shared with other tissue-resident type-1 lymphocytes, such as tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM ) and invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT), highlighting that ILC1s utilize networks of transcriptional regulation that are conserved between lymphocyte lineages to respond effectively to tissue-invading pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renske L R E Taggenbrock
- Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Klaas P J M van Gisbergen
- Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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10
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Zafarani A, Razizadeh MH, Pashangzadeh S, Amirzargar MR, Taghavi-Farahabadi M, Mahmoudi M. Natural killer cells in COVID-19: from infection, to vaccination and therapy. Future Virol 2023:10.2217/fvl-2022-0040. [PMID: 36936055 PMCID: PMC10013930 DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2022-0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are among the most important innate immunity members, which are the first cells that fight against infected cells. The function of these cells is impaired in patients with COVID-19 and they are not able to prevent the spread of the disease or destroy the infected cells. Few studies have evaluated the effects of COVID-19 vaccines on NK cells, though it has been demonstrated that DNA vaccines and BNT162b2 can affect NK cell response. In the present paper, the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the NK cells during infection, the effect of vaccination on NK cells, and the NK cell-based therapies were reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Zafarani
- 1Department of Hematology & Blood Banking, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Salar Pashangzadeh
- 3Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- 4Immunology Today, Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Amirzargar
- 1Department of Hematology & Blood Banking, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Taghavi-Farahabadi
- 5Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahmoudi
- 6Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran
- Author for correspondence: Tel.: +98 936 002 0731;
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11
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Jin X, Bi J. Prospects for NK-based immunotherapy of chronic HBV infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1084109. [PMID: 36591230 PMCID: PMC9797727 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1084109] [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: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective and long-term treatment is required for controlling chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. Natural killer (NK) cells are antiviral innate lymphocytes and represent an essential arm of current immunotherapy. In chronic HBV (CHB), NK cells display altered changes in phenotypes and functions, but preserve antiviral activity, especially for cytolytic activity. On the other hand, NK cells might also cause liver injury in the disease. NK -based immunotherapy, including adoptive NK cell therapy and NK -based checkpoint inhibition, could potentially exploit the antiviral aspect of NK cells for controlling CHB infection while preventing liver tissue damage. Here, we review recent progress in NK cell biology under the context of CHB infection, and discuss potential NK -based immunotherapy strategies for the disease.
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12
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Dizaji Asl K, Mazloumi Z, Majidi G, Kalarestaghi H, Sabetkam S, Rafat A. NK cell dysfunction is linked with disease severity in SARS-CoV-2 patients. Cell Biochem Funct 2022; 40:559-568. [PMID: 35833321 PMCID: PMC9350078 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
SARS‐CoV‐2 first raised from Wuhan City, Hubei Province in November 2019. The respiratory disorder, cough, weakness, fever are the main clinical symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients. Natural Killer (NK) cells as a first defense barrier of innate immune system have an essential role in early defense against pulmonary virus. They kill the infected cells by inducing apoptosis or the degranulation of perforin and granzymes. Collectively, NK cells function are coordinated by the transmitted signals from activating and inhibitory receptors. It is clear that the cytotoxic function of NK cells is disrupted in COVID‐19 patients due to the dysregulation of activating and inhibitory receptors. Therefore, better understanding of the activating and inhibitory receptors mechanism could facilitate the treatment strategy in clinic. To improve the efficacy of immunotherapy in COVID‐19 patients, the functional detail of NK cell and manipulation of their key checkpoints are gathered in current review. Natural Killer (NK) cells as a major innate immunity compartment have a substantial role in the control of infection in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients. Despite the important role of NK cells in viral diseases, the function of these cells is disrupted in COVID‐19 patients. Dysregulation of the activating and inhibitory receptors and cytokine storm in respiratory air‐way followed by accumulation of disarming NK cells, are major factors in disease severity in COVID‐19 patients. Therefore, it seems that the manipulating of immune checkpoints, the control of excessive secretion of cytokines (anticytokine therapy) and inhibitory receptors targeting by the monoclonal antibodies would be helpful to restore NK cell function
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijeh Dizaji Asl
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Histopathology and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zeinab Mazloumi
- Department of Medical Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ghazal Majidi
- Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Kalarestaghi
- Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cell, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Shahnaz Sabetkam
- Department of Histopathology and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Rafat
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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13
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Exhausted NK cells and cytokine storms in COVID-19: Whether NK cell therapy could be a therapeutic choice. Hum Immunol 2022; 83:86-98. [PMID: 34583856 PMCID: PMC8423992 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The global outbreak of coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) still claims more lives daily around the world due to the lack of a definitive treatment and the rapid tendency of virus to mutate, which even jeopardizes vaccination efficacy. At the forefront battle against SARS-CoV-2, an effective innate response to the infection has a pivotal role in the initial control and treatment of disease. However, SARS-CoV-2 subtly interrupts the equations of immune responses, disrupting the cytolytic antiviral effects of NK cells, while seriously activating infected macrophages and other immune cells to induce an unleashed "cytokine storm", a dangerous and uncontrollable inflammatory response causing life-threatening symptoms in patients. Notably, the NK cell exhaustion with ineffective cytolytic function against the sources of exaggerated cytokine release, acts as an Achilles' heel which exacerbates the severity of COVID-19. Given this, approaches that improve NK cell cytotoxicity may benefit treatment protocols. As a suggestion, adoptive transfer of NK or CAR-NK cells with proper cytotolytic potentials and the lowest capacity of cytokine-release (for example CD56dim NK cells brightly express activating receptors), to severe COVID-19 patients may provide an effective cure especially in cases suffering from cytokine storms. More intriguingly, the ongoing evidence for persistent clonal expansion of NK memory cells characterized by an activating phenotype in response to viral infections, can benefit the future studies on vaccine development and adoptive NK cell therapy in COVID-19. Whether vaccinated volunteers or recovered patients can also be considered as suitable candidates for cell donation could be the subject of future research.
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14
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Li X, Ramadori P, Pfister D, Seehawer M, Zender L, Heikenwalder M. The immunological and metabolic landscape in primary and metastatic liver cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:541-557. [PMID: 34326518 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00383-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The liver is the sixth most common site of primary cancer in humans, and generally arises in a background of cirrhosis and inflammation. Moreover, the liver is frequently colonized by metastases from cancers of other organs (particularly the colon) because of its anatomical location and organization, as well as its unique metabolic and immunosuppressive environment. In this Review, we discuss how the hepatic microenvironment adapts to pathologies characterized by chronic inflammation and metabolic alterations. We illustrate how these immunological or metabolic changes alter immunosurveillance and thus hinder or promote the development of primary liver cancer. In addition, we describe how inflammatory and metabolic niches affect the spreading of cancer metastases into or within the liver. Finally, we review the current therapeutic options in this context and the resulting challenges that must be surmounted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pierluigi Ramadori
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dominik Pfister
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marco Seehawer
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lars Zender
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Tübingen, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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15
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Natural Killer Cells and Type 1 Innate Lymphoid Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22169044. [PMID: 34445750 PMCID: PMC8396475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells and type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1) are specific innate lymphoid cell subsets that are key for the detection and elimination of pathogens and cancer cells. In liver, while they share a number of characteristics, they differ in many features. These include their developmental pathways, tissue distribution, phenotype and functions. NK cells and ILC1 contribute to organ homeostasis through the production of key cytokines and chemokines and the elimination of potential harmful bacteria and viruses. In addition, they are equipped with a wide range of receptors, allowing them to detect “stressed cells’ such as cancer cells. Our understanding of the role of innate lymphoid cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is growing owing to the development of mouse models, the progress in immunotherapeutic treatment and the recent use of scRNA sequencing analyses. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of NK cells and ILC1 in hepatocellular carcinoma and discuss future strategies to take advantage of these innate immune cells in anti-tumor immunity. Immunotherapies hold great promise in HCC, and a better understanding of the role and function of NK cells and ILC1 in liver cancer could pave the way for new NK cell and/or ILC1-targeted treatment.
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16
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Highton AJ, Schuster IS, Degli-Esposti MA, Altfeld M. The role of natural killer cells in liver inflammation. Semin Immunopathol 2021; 43:519-533. [PMID: 34230995 PMCID: PMC8260327 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-021-00877-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The liver is an important immunological site that can promote immune tolerance or activation. Natural killer (NK) cells are a major immune subset within the liver, and therefore understanding their role in liver homeostasis and inflammation is crucial. Due to their cytotoxic function, NK cells are important in the immune response against hepatotropic viral infections but are also involved in the inflammatory processes of autoimmune liver diseases and fatty liver disease. Whether NK cells primarily promote pro-inflammatory or tolerogenic responses is not known for many liver diseases. Understanding the involvement of NK cells in liver inflammation will be crucial in effective treatment and future immunotherapeutic targeting of NK cells in these disease settings. Here, we explore the role that NK cells play in inflammation of the liver in the context of viral infection, autoimmunity and fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Highton
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - I S Schuster
- Experimental and Viral Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Experimental Immunology, Lions Eye Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - M A Degli-Esposti
- Experimental and Viral Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Experimental Immunology, Lions Eye Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - M Altfeld
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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17
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Natural Killer-Dendritic Cell Interactions in Liver Cancer: Implications for Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092184. [PMID: 34062821 PMCID: PMC8124166 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The reciprocal crosstalk between dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells plays a pivotal role in regulating immune defense against viruses and tumors. The Th-cell polarizing ability, cytokine-producing capacity, chemokine expression, and migration of DCs are regulated by activated NK cells. Conversely, the effector functions including lysis and cytokine production, proliferation, and migration of NK cells are influenced by close interactions with activated DCs. In this review, we explore the impact of DC–NK cell crosstalk and its therapeutic potential in immune control of liver malignances. Abstract Natural killer (NK) and dendritic cells (DCs) are innate immune cells that play a crucial role in anti-tumor immunity. NK cells kill tumor cells through direct cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion. DCs are needed for the activation of adaptive immune responses against tumor cells. Both NK cells and DCs are subdivided in several subsets endowed with specialized effector functions. Crosstalk between NK cells and DCs leads to the reciprocal control of their activation and polarization of immune responses. In this review, we describe the role of NK cells and DCs in liver cancer, focusing on the mechanisms involved in their reciprocal control and activation. In this context, intrahepatic NK cells and DCs present unique immunological features, due to the constant exposure to non-self-circulating antigens. These interactions might play a fundamental role in the pathology of primary liver cancer, namely hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Additionally, the implications of these immune changes are relevant from the perspective of improving the cancer immunotherapy strategies in HCC and ICC patients.
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18
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Jameson G, Robinson MW. Insights Into Human Intrahepatic NK Cell Function From Single Cell RNA Sequencing Datasets. Front Immunol 2021; 12:649311. [PMID: 33828559 PMCID: PMC8019706 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.649311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse populations of natural killer (NK) cells have been identified in circulating peripheral blood and a wide variety of different tissues and organs. These tissue-resident NK cell populations are phenotypically distinct from circulating NK cells, however, functional descriptions of their roles within tissues are lacking. Recent advances in single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) have enabled detailed transcriptional profiling of tissues at the level of single cells and provide the opportunity to explore NK cell diversity within tissues. This review explores potential novel functions of human liver-resident (lr)NK cells identified in human liver scRNA-seq studies. By comparing these datasets we identified up-regulated and down-regulated genes associated with lrNK cells clusters. These genes encode a number of activating and inhibiting receptors, as well as signal transduction molecules, which highlight potential unique pathways that lrNK cells utilize to respond to stimuli within the human liver. This unique receptor repertoire of lrNK cells may confer the ability to regulate a number of immune cell populations, such as circulating monocytes and T cells, while avoiding activation by liver hepatocytes and Kupffer cells. Validating the expression of these receptors on lrNK cells and the proposed cellular interactions within the human liver will expand our understanding of the liver-specific homeostatic roles of this tissue-resident immune cell population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gráinne Jameson
- School of Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark W Robinson
- Department of Biology, Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
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19
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Doyle EH, Aloman C, El-Shamy A, Eng F, Rahman A, Klepper AL, Haydel B, Florman SS, Fiel MI, Schiano T, Branch AD. A subset of liver resident natural killer cells is expanded in hepatitis C-infected patients with better liver function. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1551. [PMID: 33452360 PMCID: PMC7810844 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80819-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis leads to immune-mediated liver injury. The rate of disease progression varies between individuals. We aimed to phenotype immune cells associated with preservation of normal liver function during hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Clinical data and specimens were obtained from 19 HCV-infected patients undergoing liver transplantation. Liver and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and eight subsets of innate immune cells were delineated by multiparameter flow cytometry. Cytokine assays and microarrays were performed. Intrahepatic CD56Bright/CD16- natural killer (NK) cells comprised the only subset correlating with better liver function, i.e., lower bilirubin (p = 0.0002) and lower model for end stage of liver disease scores (p = 0.03). The signature of liver NK cells from HCV-infected patients included genes expressed by NK cells in normal liver and by decidual NK cells. Portal vein blood had a higher concentration of interleukin (IL)-10 than peripheral blood (p = 0.03). LMCs were less responsive to toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation than PBMCs, with fewer pro-inflammatory gene-expression pathways up-regulated after in vitro exposure to lipopolysaccharide and a TLR-7/8 agonist. Hepatic CD56Bright/CD16- NK cells may be critical for maintaining liver homeostasis. Portal vein IL-10 may prime inhibitory pathways, attenuating TLR signaling and reducing responsiveness to pro-inflammatory stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin H Doyle
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai School, 1425 Madison Ave., Icahn 11-23, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | | | - Ahmed El-Shamy
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai School, 1425 Madison Ave., Icahn 11-23, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Francis Eng
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai School, 1425 Madison Ave., Icahn 11-23, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Adeeb Rahman
- Human Immune Monitoring Core, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arielle L Klepper
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai School, 1425 Madison Ave., Icahn 11-23, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Brandy Haydel
- Recanati Miller Transplantation Institute, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sander S Florman
- Recanati Miller Transplantation Institute, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - M Isabel Fiel
- Department of Pathology, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Schiano
- Recanati Miller Transplantation Institute, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrea D Branch
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai School, 1425 Madison Ave., Icahn 11-23, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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20
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Thomson AW, Vionnet J, Sanchez-Fueyo A. Understanding, predicting and achieving liver transplant tolerance: from bench to bedside. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 17:719-739. [PMID: 32759983 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-020-0334-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the past 40 years, liver transplantation has evolved from a high-risk procedure to one that offers high success rates for reversal of liver dysfunction and excellent patient and graft survival. The liver is the most tolerogenic of transplanted organs; indeed, immunosuppressive therapy can be completely withdrawn without rejection of the graft in carefully selected, stable long-term liver recipients. However, in other recipients, chronic allograft injury, late graft failure and the adverse effects of anti-rejection therapy remain important obstacles to improved success. The liver has a unique composition of parenchymal and immune cells that regulate innate and adaptive immunity and that can promote antigen-specific tolerance. Although the mechanisms underlying liver transplant tolerance are not well understood, important insights have been gained into how the local microenvironment, hepatic immune cells and specific molecular pathways can promote donor-specific tolerance. These insights provide a basis for the identification of potential clinical biomarkers that might correlate with tolerance or rejection and for the development of novel therapeutic targets. Innovative approaches aimed at promoting immunosuppressive drug minimization or withdrawal include the adoptive transfer of donor-derived or recipient-derived regulatory immune cells to promote liver transplant tolerance. In this Review, we summarize and discuss these developments and their implications for liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angus W Thomson
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Julien Vionnet
- Institute of Liver Studies, Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, King's College London University, King's College Hospital, London, UK.,Transplantation Center, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Service of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alberto Sanchez-Fueyo
- Institute of Liver Studies, Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, King's College London University, King's College Hospital, London, UK
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21
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Polidoro MA, Mikulak J, Cazzetta V, Lleo A, Mavilio D, Torzilli G, Donadon M. Tumor microenvironment in primary liver tumors: A challenging role of natural killer cells. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:4900-4918. [PMID: 32952338 PMCID: PMC7476172 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i33.4900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last years, several studies have been focused on elucidate the role of tumor microenvironment (TME) in cancer development and progression. Within TME, cells from adaptive and innate immune system are one of the main abundant components. The dynamic interactions between immune and cancer cells lead to the activation of complex molecular mechanisms that sustain tumor growth. This important cross-talk has been elucidate for several kind of tumors and occurs also in patients with liver cancer, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Liver is well-known to be an important immunological organ with unique microenvironment. Here, in normal conditions, the rich immune-infiltrating cells cooperate with non-parenchymal cells, such as liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells, favoring self-tolerance against gut antigens. The presence of underling liver immunosuppressive microenvironment highlights the importance to dissect the interaction between HCC and iCCA cells with immune infiltrating cells, in order to understand how this cross-talk promotes tumor growth. Deeper attention is, in fact, focused on immune-based therapy for these tumors, as promising approach to counteract the intrinsic anti-tumor activity of this microenvironment. In this review, we will examine the key pathways underlying TME cell-cell communications, with deeper focus on the role of natural killer cells in primary liver tumors, such as HCC and iCCA, as new opportunities for immune-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Anna Polidoro
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center – IRCCS, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Joanna Mikulak
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Cazzetta
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Ana Lleo
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center – IRCCS, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele 20090, Milan, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center – IRCCS, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Guido Torzilli
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele 20090, Milan, Italy
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Donadon
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele 20090, Milan, Italy
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
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22
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Lagos L, Bekkelund AK, Skugor A, Ånestad R, Åkesson CP, Press CM, Øverland M. Cyberlindnera jadinii Yeast as a Protein Source for Weaned Piglets-Impact on Immune Response and Gut Microbiota. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1924. [PMID: 33013844 PMCID: PMC7495143 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Supplying novel feed ingredients for pig production is crucial to enhance food security and decrease the environmental impact of meat production. Several studies have focused on evaluating the beneficial health effects of yeast in pigs. However, its use as a protein source has been partially addressed. Previously, we have shown that yeast at high inclusion levels maintains growth performance and digestibility, while nutrient digestibility, intestinal villi height and fecal consistency were improved. The present study combined microbiome, short-chain fatty acid, and immune parameter analysis to investigate the effect of high inclusion of yeast in diets for post-weaning piglets. Our results showed that yeast did not have a significant impact on the hematological or biochemical parameters in blood. The different immune cell subpopulations isolated from blood and distal jejunal lymph nodes (DJLN) were analyzed by flow cytometry and showed that yeast diet induced an increased number of the subtype of leukocytes CD45+/CD3-/CD8+, a special type of Natural Killer (NK) cells. Also, a very mild to moderate infiltration of neutrophilic granulocytes and lower IgA level were observed in the colon of yeast fed piglets. The microbiome profiling in different compartments of the gastrointestinal tract of piglets was performed using 16S rRNA metabarcoding. The results showed that 40% replacement of dietary protein had a statistically significant effect on the microbial communities in cecum and colon, while the microbial population in ileum and jejunum were not affected. Analysis of predicted microbial metabolic pathways analysis revealed significant upregulation of short-chain fatty acids, ether lipid metabolisms, secondary bile acids, and several other important biosynthesis pathways in cecum and colon of pigs fed yeast. In conclusion, the results showed that diet containing 40% of yeast protein positively shaped microbial community in the large intestine and increased the number of a specific subpopulation of NK cells in the DJLN. These results showed that yeast modulates the microbiome and decreases the secretion of IgA in the colon of post-weaning pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leidy Lagos
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
| | | | - Adrijana Skugor
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Ånestad
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
| | - Caroline P Åkesson
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Charles McL Press
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Margareth Øverland
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
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23
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van Eeden C, Khan L, Osman MS, Cohen Tervaert JW. Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction and Its Role in COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6351. [PMID: 32883007 PMCID: PMC7503862 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
When facing an acute viral infection, our immune systems need to function with finite precision to enable the elimination of the pathogen, whilst protecting our bodies from immune-related damage. In many instances however this "perfect balance" is not achieved, factors such as ageing, cancer, autoimmunity and cardiovascular disease all skew the immune response which is then further distorted by viral infection. In SARS-CoV-2, although the vast majority of COVID-19 cases are mild, as of 24 August 2020, over 800,000 people have died, many from the severe inflammatory cytokine release resulting in extreme clinical manifestations such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Severe complications are more common in elderly patients and patients with cardiovascular diseases. Natural killer (NK) cells play a critical role in modulating the immune response and in both of these patient groups, NK cell effector functions are blunted. Preliminary studies in COVID-19 patients with severe disease suggests a reduction in NK cell number and function, resulting in decreased clearance of infected and activated cells, and unchecked elevation of tissue-damaging inflammation markers. SARS-CoV-2 infection skews the immune response towards an overwhelmingly inflammatory phenotype. Restoration of NK cell effector functions has the potential to correct the delicate immune balance required to effectively overcome SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jan Willem Cohen Tervaert
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (C.v.E.); (L.K.); (M.S.O.)
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24
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Jiang Y, Que W, Zhu P, Li XK. The Role of Diverse Liver Cells in Liver Transplantation Tolerance. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1203. [PMID: 32595648 PMCID: PMC7304488 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation is the ideal treatment approach for a variety of end-stage liver diseases. However, life-long, systemic immunosuppressive treatment after transplantation is required to prevent rejection and graft loss, which is associated with severe side effects, although liver allograft is considered more tolerogenic. Therefore, understanding the mechanism underlying the unique immunologically privileged liver organ is valuable for transplantation management and autoimmune disease treatment. The unique hepatic acinus anatomy and a complex cellular network constitute the immunosuppressive hepatic microenvironment, which are responsible for the tolerogenic properties of the liver. The hepatic microenvironment contains a variety of hepatic-resident immobile non-professional antigen-presenting cells, including hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, and hepatic stellate cells, that are insufficient to optimally prime T cells locally and lead to the removal of alloreactive T cells due to the low expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory molecules and proinflammatory cytokines but a rather high expression of coinhibitory molecules and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Hepatic dendritic cells (DCs) are generally immature and less immunogenic than splenic DCs and are also ineffective in priming naïve allogeneic T cells via the direct recognition pathway in recipient secondary lymphoid organs. Although natural killer cells and natural killer T cells are reportedly associated with liver tolerance, their roles in liver transplantation are multifaceted and need to be further clarified. Under these circumstances, T cells are prone to clonal deletion, clonal anergy and exhaustion, eventually leading to tolerance. Other proposed liver tolerance mechanisms, such as soluble donor MHC class I molecules, passenger leukocytes theory and a high-load antigen effect, have also been addressed. We herein comprehensively review the current evidence implicating the tolerogenic properties of diverse liver cells in liver transplantation tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhi Jiang
- Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.,Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weitao Que
- Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ping Zhu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Kang Li
- Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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25
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Ma Q, Dong X, Liu S, Zhong T, Sun D, Zong L, Zhao C, Lu Q, Zhang M, Gao Y, Ye Y, Cheng J, Xu Y, Zheng M. Hepatitis B e Antigen Induces NKG2A + Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction via Regulatory T Cell-Derived Interleukin 10 in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:421. [PMID: 32582704 PMCID: PMC7283553 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with natural killer (NK) cell dysfunction, it remains obscure whether HBV viral antigens are responsible for NK cell dysfunction in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. In this study, we found that the percentage of NK cells expressing the inhibitory receptor, NKG2A, was increased in CHB patients, and NKG2A blockade restored NK cell function. Furthermore, in CHB patients, the frequency of NK cells expressing NKG2A positively correlated with the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in these Tregs. Moreover, exposure of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from healthy controls to sera from CHB patients resulted in increased proportion of NKG2A+ NK cells; IL-10 blockade reduced the frequency of NKG2A+ NK cells while increasing the percentage of IFN-γ+ NK cells. In addition, stimulation of NK cells and Tregs from healthy controls with CHB sera together with anti-IL-10 antibody increased IFN-γ production in the culture supernatant. The frequencies of NKG2A+ NK cells and IL-10+ Tregs, along with serum levels of alanine transferase and HBV DNA, were significantly increased in CHB patients positive for the Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg, a marker of viral replication) when compared to HBeAg-negative CHB patients. Importantly, exposure of PBMCs from healthy controls to HBeAg resulted in increased IL-10 production but reduced levels of TNF and IFN-γ, and IL-10 blockade rescued the generation of TNF and IFN-γ in this assay. The reduced production of TNF and IFN-γ was also observed in NK cells and Tregs from healthy controls that were stimulated with HBeAg, while IL-10 blockade increased the secretion of these two cytokines. We conclude that HBeAg induces IL-10 production in Tregs, thereby leading to increased expression of NKG2A on NK cells, which contributes to NK cell dysfunction during CHB infection. These data suggest that HBeAg is associated with NK cell dysfunction in CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoyu Dong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Chaohu, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Tao Zhong
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Dandan Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lu Zong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Changcheng Zhao
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qiong Lu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yufeng Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ying Ye
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jun Cheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanhong Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Meijuan Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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26
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Prevention of liver metastases through perioperative acute CpG-C immune stimulation. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:2021-2031. [PMID: 32405793 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02596-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Following excision of colorectal tumors, metastatic disease is prevalent, primarily occurs in the liver, and is highly predictive of poor prognosis. The perioperative period is now recognized as critical in determining the incidence of postoperative metastases and long-term cancer outcomes. Thus, various perioperative prophylactic interventions are currently studied during this time frame. However, immune stimulation during the perioperative period has rarely been attempted due to specific contraindications to surgery and various adverse effects. Here, to prevent liver metastases, we perioperatively employed a TLR-9 agonist, CpG-C, which exhibits minimal pyrogenic and other adverse effects in patients. We found that marginating-hepatic (MH) cells in BALB/c mice contained high percentage of NK cells, but exhibited negligible NK cytotoxicity, as previously reported in humans. However, a single CpG-C administration (25-100 µg/mouse) doubled MH-NK cell numbers, increased NK cell activation and maturation markers (NKp46, CD11b), decreased the inhibitory NKG2A ligand, and dramatically increased MH-NK-cell cytotoxicity against the syngeneic CT26 colon cancer line. Moreover, in operated mice, this innocuous intervention also markedly improved resistance to CT26 and MC38 hepatic metastases in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, respectively. Beneficial effects of CpG-C were mediated through activation of MH-NK cells, as indicated by an in vivo NK depletion study. Last, CpG-C protected against surgery-induced suppression of MH-NK cytotoxicity and improved their activation indices. Thus, we suggest that systemic perioperative CpG-C treatment should be considered and studied as a novel therapeutic approach to improve long-term cancer outcomes in colorectal cancer patients.
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27
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Osman MS, van Eeden C, Cohen Tervaert JW. Fatal COVID-19 infections: Is NK cell dysfunction a link with autoimmune HLH? Autoimmun Rev 2020; 19:102561. [PMID: 32376401 PMCID: PMC7252043 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed S Osman
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
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28
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Gotthardt D, Trifinopoulos J, Sexl V, Putz EM. JAK/STAT Cytokine Signaling at the Crossroad of NK Cell Development and Maturation. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2590. [PMID: 31781102 PMCID: PMC6861185 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes of the innate immune system and play a critical role in anti-viral and anti-tumor responses. NK cells develop in the bone marrow from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that differentiate through common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) to NK lineage-restricted progenitors (NKPs). The orchestrated action of multiple cytokines is crucial for NK cell development and maturation. Many of these cytokines such as IL-2, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-21, IL-27, and interferons (IFNs) signal via the Janus Kinase / Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway. We here review the current knowledge about these cytokines and the downstream signaling involved in the development and maturation of conventional NK cells and their close relatives, innate lymphoid cells type 1 (ILC1). We further discuss the role of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins in NK cells and highlight their potential for therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Gotthardt
- Department for Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jana Trifinopoulos
- Department for Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Sexl
- Department for Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Maria Putz
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
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29
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Key features and homing properties of NK cells in the liver are shaped by activated iNKT cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16362. [PMID: 31704965 PMCID: PMC6841958 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52666-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of natural killer (NK) cells to the clearance of hepatic viral infections is well recognized. The recently discovered heterogeneity of NK cell populations renders them interesting targets for immune interventions. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells represent a key interaction partner for hepatic NK cells. The present study addressed whether characteristics of NK cells in the liver can be shaped by targeting iNKT cells. For this, the CD1d-binding pegylated glycolipid αGalCerMPEG was assessed for its ability to modulate the features of NK cells permanently or transiently residing in the liver. In vivo administration resulted in enhanced functionality of educated and highly differentiated CD27+ Mac-1+ NK cells accompanied by an increased proliferation. Improved liver homing was supported by serum-derived and cellular factors. Reduced viral loads in a mCMV infection model confirmed the beneficial effect of NK cells located in the liver upon stimulation with αGalCerMPEG. Thus, targeting iNKT cell-mediated NK cell activation in the liver represents a promising approach for the establishment of liver-directed immune interventions.
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30
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Abstract
The liver is an immunologically tolerant organ that is uniquely equipped to limit hypersensitivity to food-derived antigens and bacterial products through the portal vein and can feasibly accept liver allografts. The adaptive immune response is a major branch of the immune system that induces organ/tissue-localized and systematic responses against pathogens and tumors while promoting self-tolerance. Persistent infection of the liver with a virus or other pathogen typically results in tolerance, which is a key feature of the liver. The liver's immunosuppressive microenvironment means that hepatic adaptive immune cells become readily tolerogenic, promoting the death of effector cells and the “education” of regulatory cells. The above mechanisms may result in the clonal deletion, exhaustion, or inhibition of peripheral T cells, which are key players in the adaptive immune response. These tolerance mechanisms are believed to be responsible for almost all liver diseases. However, optimal protective adaptive immune responses may be achieved through checkpoint immunotherapy and the modulation of hepatic innate immune cells in the host. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms involved in hepatic adaptive immune tolerance, the liver diseases caused thereby, and the therapeutic strategies needed to overcome this tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijuan Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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31
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Piñeiro Fernández J, Luddy KA, Harmon C, O'Farrelly C. Hepatic Tumor Microenvironments and Effects on NK Cell Phenotype and Function. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4131. [PMID: 31450598 PMCID: PMC6747260 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is a complex organ with critical physiological functions including metabolism, glucose storage, and drug detoxification. Its unique immune profile with large numbers of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and significant innate lymphoid population, including natural killer cells, γ δ T cells, MAIT cells, and iNKTcells, suggests an important anti-tumor surveillance role. Despite significant immune surveillance in the liver, in particular large NK cell populations, hepatic cell carcinoma (HCC) is a relatively common outcome of chronic liver infection or inflammation. The liver is also the second most common site of metastatic disease. This discordance suggests immune suppression by the environments of primary and secondary liver cancers. Classic tumor microenvironments (TME) are poorly perfused, leading to accumulation of tumor cell metabolites, diminished O2, and decreased nutrient levels, all of which impact immune cell phenotype and function. Here, we focus on changes in the liver microenvironment associated with tumor presence and how they affect NK function and phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimberly A Luddy
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland.
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33626, USA.
| | - Cathal Harmon
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02138, USA
| | - Cliona O'Farrelly
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland.
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland.
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32
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Natural killer cells involved in tumour immune escape of hepatocellular carcinomar. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 73:10-16. [PMID: 31078921 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.04.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer cells are the first line of host immune surveillance and play major roles in the defence against infection and tumours. Hepatic NK cells exhibit unique phenotypic and functional characteristics compared to circulating and spleen NK cells, such as higher levels of cytolytic activity and cytotoxicity mediators against tumour cells. However, the activities of NK cells may be reversed during tumour progression. Recent studies demonstrated that hepatic NK cells were exhausted in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and exhibited impaired cytolytic activity and decreased production of effector cytokines. The present review discusses current knowledge on the role of exhausted NK cells in promoting HCC development and the mechanisms contributing to tumour immune escape, including an imbalance of activating and inhibitory receptors on NK cells, abnormal receptor-ligand interaction, and cross-talk with immune cells and other stromal cells in the tumour environment. We provide a fundamental basis for further study of innate immunity in tumour progression and serve the purpose of exploring new HCC treatment strategies.
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33
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Mikulak J, Bruni E, Oriolo F, Di Vito C, Mavilio D. Hepatic Natural Killer Cells: Organ-Specific Sentinels of Liver Immune Homeostasis and Physiopathology. Front Immunol 2019; 10:946. [PMID: 31114585 PMCID: PMC6502999 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is considered a preferential tissue for NK cells residency. In humans, almost 50% of all intrahepatic lymphocytes are NK cells that are strongly imprinted in a liver-specific manner and show a broad spectrum of cellular heterogeneity. Hepatic NK (he-NK) cells play key roles in tuning liver immune response in both physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, there is a pressing need to comprehensively characterize human he-NK cells to better understand the related mechanisms regulating their effector-functions within the dynamic balance between immune-tolerance and immune-surveillance. This is of particular relevance in the liver that is the only solid organ whose parenchyma is constantly challenged on daily basis by millions of foreign antigens drained from the gut. Therefore, the present review summarizes our current knowledge on he-NK cells in the light of the latest discoveries in the field of NK cell biology and clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Mikulak
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Bruni
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Oriolo
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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34
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NK cells in liver homeostasis and viral hepatitis. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2018; 61:1477-1485. [PMID: 30421296 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-018-9407-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As an important member of the innate immune system, natural killer (NK) cells are well known for their rapid and efficient immune responses against infectious agents and tumors. NK cells are widely distributed throughout the body and are particularly enriched within the liver, where they display unique phenotypic and functional properties, playing important roles in various liver diseases. Herein, we present an overview of liver NK cell properties with regard to phenotype, function, and subset composition at steady state, and we also summarize the complex reciprocal interactions between liver NK cells and other cell types within the local environment of the liver. We also provide an overview of recent advances demonstrating the roles of NK cells in viral hepatitis, including a discussion of NK cell altered states and their beneficial versus harmful effects during hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection.
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35
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Zheng M, Sun H, Tian Z. Natural killer cells in liver diseases. Front Med 2018; 12:269-279. [PMID: 29675689 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-018-0621-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The liver has been characterized as a frontline lymphoid organ with complex immunological features such as liver immunity and liver tolerance. Liver tolerance plays an important role in liver diseases including acute inflammation, chronic infection, autoimmune disease, and tumors. The liver contains a large proportion of natural killer (NK) cells, which exhibit heterogeneity in phenotypic and functional characteristics. NK cell activation, well known for its role in the immune surveillance against tumor and pathogen-infected cells, depends on the balance between numerous activating and inhibitory signals. In addition to the innate direct "killer" functions, NK cell activity contributes to regulate innate and adaptive immunity (helper or regulator). Under the setting of liver diseases, NK cells are of great importance for stimulating or inhibiting immune responses, leading to either immune activation or immune tolerance. Here, we focus on the relationship between NK cell biology, such as their phenotypic features and functional diversity, and liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijuan Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Haoyu Sun
- Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease of Chinese Academy of Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Institute of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease of Chinese Academy of Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
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36
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Hydes T, Noll A, Salinas‐Riester G, Abuhilal M, Armstrong T, Hamady Z, Primrose J, Takhar A, Walter L, Khakoo SI. IL-12 and IL-15 induce the expression of CXCR6 and CD49a on peripheral natural killer cells. Immun Inflamm Dis 2018; 6:34-46. [PMID: 28952190 PMCID: PMC5818449 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Murine hepatic NK cells exhibit adaptive features, with liver-specific adhesion molecules CXCR6 and CD49a acting as surface markers. METHODS We investigated human liver-resident CXCR6+ and CD49a+ NK cells using RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, and functional analysis. We further assessed the role of cytokines in generating NK cells with these phenotypes from the peripheral blood. RESULTS Hepatic CD49a+ NK cells could be induced using cytokines and produce high quantities of IFNγ and TNFα, in contrast to hepatic CXCR6+ NK cells. RNA sequencing of liver-resident CXCR6+ NK cells confirmed a tolerant immature phenotype with reduced expression of markers associated with maturity and cytotoxicity. Liver-resident double-positive CXCR6 + CD49a+ hepatic NK cells are immature but maintain high expression of Th1 cytokines as observed for single-positive CD49a+ NK cells. We show that stimulation with activating cytokines can readily induce upregulation of both CD49a and CXCR6 on NK cells in the peripheral blood. In particular, IL-12 and IL-15 can generate CXCR6 + CD49a+ NK cells in vitro from NK cells isolated from the peripheral blood, with comparable phenotypic and functional features to liver-resident CD49a+ NK cells, including enhanced IFNγ and NKG2C expression. CONCLUSION IL-12 and IL-15 may be key for generating NK cells with a tissue-homing phenotype and strong Th1 cytokine profile in the blood, and links peripheral activation of NK cells with tissue-homing. These findings may have important therapeutic implications for immunotherapy of chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Hydes
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Angela Noll
- Primate Genetics LaboratoryGerman Primate CentreGöttingenGermany
| | - Gabriela Salinas‐Riester
- Transcriptome and Genome Analysis Laboratory GöttingenUniversity Medical Centre GöttingenGermany
| | - Mohammed Abuhilal
- Hepatobiliary SurgeryUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation TrustSouthamptonUK
| | - Thomas Armstrong
- Hepatobiliary SurgeryUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation TrustSouthamptonUK
| | - Zaed Hamady
- Hepatobiliary SurgeryUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation TrustSouthamptonUK
| | - John Primrose
- Hepatobiliary SurgeryUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation TrustSouthamptonUK
| | - Arjun Takhar
- Hepatobiliary SurgeryUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation TrustSouthamptonUK
| | - Lutz Walter
- Primate Genetics LaboratoryGerman Primate CentreGöttingenGermany
| | - Salim I. Khakoo
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
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37
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Wu Y, Tian Z, Wei H. Developmental and Functional Control of Natural Killer Cells by Cytokines. Front Immunol 2017; 8:930. [PMID: 28824650 PMCID: PMC5543290 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are effective in combating infections and tumors and as such are tempting for adoptive transfer therapy. However, they are not homogeneous but can be divided into three main subsets, including cytotoxic, tolerant, and regulatory NK cells, with disparate phenotypes and functions in diverse tissues. The development and functions of such NK cells are controlled by various cytokines, such as fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FL), kit ligand (KL), interleukin (IL)-3, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, transforming growth factor-β, and common-γ chain family cytokines, which operate at different stages by regulating distinct signaling pathways. Nevertheless, the specific roles of each cytokine that regulates NK cell development or that shapes different NK cell functions remain unclear. In this review, we attempt to describe the characteristics of each cytokine and the existing protocols to expand NK cells using different combinations of cytokines and feeder cells. A comprehensive understanding of the role of cytokines in NK cell development and function will aid the generation of better efficacy for adoptive NK cell treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wu
- 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, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- 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, China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- 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, China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Meyer CE, Key PN, Zhu T, Shabsovich M, Ni A, Tripathy SK. Expression of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A correlates with increased liver and splenic NK cell response to activating receptor engagement. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2017; 5:177-189. [PMID: 28474506 PMCID: PMC5418142 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Natural killer (NK) cells play a critical role in the innate immune response to viruses and tumors, and comprise a large proportion of the hepatic lymphocyte population. They must remain tolerant to non‐pathogenic antigens while protecting the host from harmful agents. Herein, we investigate how the NK cell response to activation receptor engagement is altered in the liver. Methods In this study, we assess IFN‐γ production and degranulation of splenic NK cells and selected subsets of liver NK cells. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to asses IFN‐γ production and degranulation following stimulation of the NK cells with plate bound antibodies to activating receptors. Results We show that smaller percentages of hepatic NK cells produce interferon (IFN)–γ and/or degranulate than do splenic NK cells upon stimulation through activating receptors. We also found that smaller percentages of the circulating NK (cNK) cells in the liver produce IFN‐γ and/or degranulate, compared to the liver tissue resident NK (trNK) cells. In addition, IFN‐γ production by liver cNK cells is not increased in IL‐10 deficient mice, suggesting that their hyporesponsiveness is not mediated by the presence of this anti‐inflammatory cytokine in the hepatic microenvironment. On the other hand, liver trNK cells express higher levels of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A than do cNK cells, correlating with their increased IFN‐γ production and degranulation. Conclusions Liver cNK cells’ hyporesponsiveness to stimulation through activating receptors is independent of IL‐10, but correlates with decreased NKG2A expression compared to trNK cells. In addition, we demonstrate that liver NK cells become further hyporesponsive upon continuous engagement of an activating receptor on their cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Meyer
- Gastroenterology Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Phillip N Key
- Gastroenterology Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Toby Zhu
- Gastroenterology Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Mark Shabsovich
- Gastroenterology Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ann Ni
- Gastroenterology Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sandeep K Tripathy
- Gastroenterology Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Tosello-Trampont A, Surette FA, Ewald SE, Hahn YS. Immunoregulatory Role of NK Cells in Tissue Inflammation and Regeneration. Front Immunol 2017; 8:301. [PMID: 28373874 PMCID: PMC5357635 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells represent an important first line of defense against viral infection and cancer and are also involved in tissue homeostasis. Studies of NK cell activation in the last decade have revealed that they are able to respond to the inflammatory stimuli evoked by tissue damage and contribute to both progression and resolution of diseases. Exacerbation of the inflammatory response through interactions between immune effector cells facilitates the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) into steatosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). When hepatic damage is incurred, macrophage activation is crucial for initiating cross talk with neighboring cells present in the liver, including hepatocytes and NK cells, and the importance of this interaction in shaping the immune response in liver disease is increasingly recognized. Inflicted structural damage can be in part regenerated via the process of self-limiting fibrosis, though persistent hepatic damage will lead to chronic fibrosis and loss of tissue organization and function. The cytotoxic activity of NK cells plays an important role in inducing hepatic stellate cell apoptosis and thus curtailing the progression of fibrosis. Alternatively, in some diseases, such as HCC, NK cells may become dysregulated, promoting an immunosuppressive state where tumors are able to escape immune surveillance. This review describes the current understanding of the contributions of NK cells to tissue inflammation and metabolic liver diseases and the ongoing effort to develop therapeutics that target the immunoregulatory function of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fionna A Surette
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research , Charlottesville, VA , USA
| | - Sarah E Ewald
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Young S Hahn
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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40
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Krueger PD, Narayanan S, Surette FA, Brown MG, Sung SSJ, Hahn YS. Murine liver-resident group 1 innate lymphoid cells regulate optimal priming of anti-viral CD8+ T cells. J Leukoc Biol 2017; 101:329-338. [PMID: 27493244 PMCID: PMC6608037 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.3a0516-225r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver contains 2 transcriptionally distinct group 1 ILC subsets: CD49a+ ILC1s and CD49b+ NK cells. However, little is known about how group 1 ILCs contribute to hepatic immune responses. Therefore, we characterized murine liver-resident group 1 ILCs and found that CD49a+ ILC1s express high levels of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A and localize near DCs in perivascular spaces surrounding the portal triads. Upon hepatic viral infection, NKG2A signaling in group 1 ILCs, especially in CD49a+ ILC1s, inhibits CXCL9 expression required for robust accumulation of IFN-γ+CD49b+ NK cells. As a consequence, NKG2A-/- mice showed increased numbers of IFN-γ-producing NK cells that preferentially activate liver CD103+ DCs, leading to the sustained proliferation of adoptively transferred, virus-specific CD8+ T cells. Collectively, these data suggest that group 1 ILCs play a role in maintaining the liver as a tolerogenic site by limiting the recruitment of peripheral NK cells during the early phase of viral infection. Furthermore, our findings implicate that the inhibition of NKG2A signaling on group 1 ILCs may be a novel vaccine strategy to induce robust CD8+ T cell responses against persistent liver pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Krueger
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Sowmya Narayanan
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Fionna A Surette
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Michael G Brown
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; and
| | - Sun-Sang J Sung
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; and
- Center for Immunity, Inflammation and Regenerative Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Young S Hahn
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA;
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Tripathi D, Venkatasubramanian S, Cheekatla SS, Paidipally P, Welch E, Tvinnereim AR, Vankayalapati R. A TLR9 agonist promotes IL-22-dependent pancreatic islet allograft survival in type 1 diabetic mice. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13896. [PMID: 27982034 PMCID: PMC5171644 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic islet transplantation is a promising potential cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Islet allografts can survive long term in the liver parenchyma. Here we show that liver NK1.1+ cells induce allograft tolerance in a T1D mouse model. The tolerogenic effects of NK1.1+ cells are mediated through IL-22 production, which enhances allograft survival and increases insulin secretion. Increased expression of NKG2A by liver NK1.1+ cells in islet allograft-transplanted mice is involved in the production of IL-22 and in the reduced inflammatory response to allografts. Vaccination of T1D mice with a CpG oligonucleotide TLR9 agonist (ODN 1585) enhances expansion of IL-22-producing CD3-NK1.1+ cells in the liver and prolongs allograft survival. Our study identifies a role for liver NK1.1+ cells, IL-22 and CpG oligonucleotides in the induction of tolerance to islet allografts in the liver parenchyma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Tripathi
- Department of Pulmonary Immunology, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas 75708, USA
| | - Sambasivan Venkatasubramanian
- Department of Pulmonary Immunology, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas 75708, USA
| | - Satyanarayana S. Cheekatla
- Department of Pulmonary Immunology, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas 75708, USA
| | - Padmaja Paidipally
- Department of Pulmonary Immunology, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas 75708, USA
| | - Elwyn Welch
- Department of Pulmonary Immunology, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas 75708, USA
| | - Amy R. Tvinnereim
- Department of Pulmonary Immunology, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas 75708, USA
| | - Ramakrishna Vankayalapati
- Department of Pulmonary Immunology, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas 75708, USA
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Inflammation-induced CD69 + Kupffer cell feedback inhibits T cell proliferation via membrane-bound TGF-β1. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2016; 59:1259-1269. [PMID: 27933593 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-016-0357-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Kupffer cells, tissue-resident macrophage lineage cell, are enriched in vertebrate liver. The mouse F4/80+ Kupffer cells have been subclassified into two subpopulations according to their phenotype and function: CD68+ subpopulation with potent reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and phagocytic capacities, and CD11b+ subpopulation with a potent capacity to produce T helper 1 cytokines. In addition, CD11b+ Kupffer cells/macrophages may be migrated from the bone marrow or spleen, especially in inflammatory conditions of the liver. For analyzing diverse Kupffer cell subsets, we infected mice with Listeria monocytogenes and analyzed the phenotype variations of hepatic Kupffer cells. During L. monocytogenes infection, hepatic CD69+ Kupffer cells were significantly induced and expanded, and CD69+ Kupffer cells expressed higher level of CD11b, and particularly high level of membrane-bound TGF-β1 (mTGF-β1) but lower level of F4/80. We also found that clodronate liposome administration did not eliminate hepatic CD69+ Kupffer cell subset. We consider the hepatic CD69+ Kupffer cell population corresponds to CD11b+ Kupffer cells, the bone marrow-derived population. Hepatic CD69+ Kupffer cells suppressed Ag-nonspecific and OVA-specific CD4 T cell proliferation through mTGF-β1 both in vitro and in vivo, meanwhile, they did not interfere with activation of CD4 T cells. Thus, we have identified a new subset of inflammation-induced CD69+ Kupffer cells which can feedback inhibit CD4 T cell response via cell surface TGF-β1 at the late stage of immune response against infection. CD69+ Kupffer cells may contribute to protect host from pathological injure by preventing overactivation of immune response.
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Natural killer cells in inflammatory heart disease. Clin Immunol 2016; 175:26-33. [PMID: 27894980 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2016.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite of a multitude of excellent studies, the regulatory role of natural killer (NK) cells in the pathogenesis of inflammatory cardiac disease is greatly underappreciated. Clinical abnormalities in the numbers and functions of NK cells are observed in myocarditis and inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMi) as well as in cardiac transplant rejection [1-6]. Because treatment of these disorders remains largely symptomatic in nature, patients have little options for targeted therapies [7,8]. However, blockade of NK cells and their receptors can protect against inflammation and damage in animal models of cardiac injury and inflammation. In these models, NK cells suppress the maturation and trafficking of inflammatory cells, alter the local cytokine and chemokine environments, and induce apoptosis in nearby resident and hematopoietic cells [1,9,10]. This review will dissect each protective mechanism employed by NK cells and explore how their properties might be exploited for their therapeutic potential.
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Hartling HJ, Ballegaard VC, Nielsen NS, Gaardbo JC, Nielsen SD. Immune regulation in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Scand J Gastroenterol 2016; 51:1387-97. [PMID: 27436030 DOI: 10.3109/00365521.2016.1170875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The immunological result of infection with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) depends on the delicate balance between a vigorous immune response that may clear the infection, but with a risk of unspecific inflammation and, or a less inflammatory response that leads to chronic infection. In general, exhaustion and impairment of cytotoxic function of HCV-specific T cells and NK cells are found in patients with chronic HCV infection. In contrast, an increase in immune regulatory functions is found primarily in form of increased IL-10 production possibly due to increased level and function of anti-inflammatory Tregs. Thus, the major immune players during chronic HCV infection are characterized by a decrease of cytotoxic function and increase of inhibitory functions. This may be an approach to diminish intrahepatic and systemic inflammation. Finally, there has been increasing awareness of regulatory functions of epigenetic changes in chronic HCV infection. A vast amount of studies have revealed the complexity of immune regulation in chronic HCV infection, but the interplay between immune regulation in virus and host remains incompletely understood. This review provides an overview of regulatory functions of HCV-specific T cells, NK cells, Tregs, IL-10, and TGF-β, as well as epigenetic changes in the setting of chronic HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Jakob Hartling
- a Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases , University of Copenhagen , Rigshospitalet , Denmark
| | - Vibe Cecilie Ballegaard
- a Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases , University of Copenhagen , Rigshospitalet , Denmark
| | - Nick Schou Nielsen
- a Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases , University of Copenhagen , Rigshospitalet , Denmark
| | - Julie Christine Gaardbo
- a Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases , University of Copenhagen , Rigshospitalet , Denmark
| | - Susanne Dam Nielsen
- a Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases , University of Copenhagen , Rigshospitalet , Denmark
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45
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Fahrner R, Dondorf F, Ardelt M, Settmacher U, Rauchfuss F. Role of NK, NKT cells and macrophages in liver transplantation. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:6135-6144. [PMID: 27468206 PMCID: PMC4945975 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i27.6135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation has become the treatment of choice for acute or chronic liver disease. Because the liver acts as an innate immunity-dominant organ, there are immunological differences between the liver and other organs. The specific features of hepatic natural killer (NK), NKT and Kupffer cells and their role in the mechanism of liver transplant rejection, tolerance and hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury are discussed in this review.
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46
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NK Cell Subtypes as Regulators of Autoimmune Liver Disease. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2016; 2016:6903496. [PMID: 27462349 PMCID: PMC4947642 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6903496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As major components of innate immunity, NK cells not only exert cell-mediated cytotoxicity to destroy tumors or infected cells, but also act to regulate the functions of other cells in the immune system by secreting cytokines and chemokines. Thus, NK cells provide surveillance in the early defense against viruses, intracellular bacteria, and cancer cells. However, the effecter function of NK cells must be exquisitely controlled to prevent inadvertent attack against normal “self” cells. In an organ such as the liver, where the distinction between immunotolerance and immune defense against routinely processed pathogens is critical, the plethora of NK cells has a unique role in the maintenance of homeostasis. Once self-tolerance is broken, autoimmune liver disease resulted. NK cells act as a “two-edged weapon” and even play opposite roles with both regulatory and inducer activities in the hepatic environment. That is, NK cells act not only to produce inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, but also to alter the proliferation and activation of associated lymphocytes. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms at work in autoimmune liver diseases remain to be identified. In this review, we focus on recent research with NK cells and their potential role in the development of autoimmune liver disease.
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47
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de Vries NL, Swets M, Vahrmeijer AL, Hokland M, Kuppen PJK. The Immunogenicity of Colorectal Cancer in Relation to Tumor Development and Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17071030. [PMID: 27367680 PMCID: PMC4964406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17071030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although most cancer types have been viewed as immunologically silent until recently, it has become increasingly clear that the immune system plays key roles in the course of tumor development. Remarkable progress towards understanding cancer immunogenicity and tumor-immune system interactions has revealed important implications for the design of novel immune-based therapies. Natural immune responses, but also therapeutic interventions, can modulate the tumor phenotype due to selective outgrowth of resistant subtypes. This is the result of heterogeneity of tumors, with genetic instability as a driving force, and obviously changes the immunogenicity of tumors. In this review, we discuss the immunogenicity of colorectal cancer (CRC) in relation to tumor development and treatment. As most tumors, CRC activates the immune system in various ways, and is also capable of escaping recognition and elimination by the immune system. Tumor-immune system interactions underlie the balance between immune control and immune escape, and may differ in primary tumors, in the circulation, and in liver metastases of CRC. Since CRC immunogenicity varies between tumors and individuals, novel immune-based therapeutic strategies should not only anticipate the molecular profile, but also the immunological profile of a specific tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasja L de Vries
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 6, Build. 1242, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Marloes Swets
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Alexander L Vahrmeijer
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Marianne Hokland
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 6, Build. 1242, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Peter J K Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Narayanan S, Surette FA, Hahn YS. The Immune Landscape in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Immune Netw 2016; 16:147-58. [PMID: 27340383 PMCID: PMC4917398 DOI: 10.4110/in.2016.16.3.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver lies at the intersection of multiple metabolic pathways and consequently plays a central role in lipid metabolism. Pathological disturbances in hepatic lipid metabolism are characteristic of chronic metabolic diseases, such as obesity-mediated insulin resistance, which can result in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Tissue damage induced in NAFLD activates and recruits liver-resident and non-resident immune cells, resulting in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Importantly, NASH is associated with an increased risk of significant clinical sequelae such as cirrhosis, cardiovascular diseases, and malignancies. In this review, we describe the immunopathogenesis of NASH by defining the known functions of immune cells in the progression and resolution of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sowmya Narayanan
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA.; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
| | - Fionna A Surette
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
| | - Young S Hahn
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA.; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
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Horst AK, Neumann K, Diehl L, Tiegs G. Modulation of liver tolerance by conventional and nonconventional antigen-presenting cells and regulatory immune cells. Cell Mol Immunol 2016; 13:277-92. [PMID: 27041638 PMCID: PMC4856800 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2015.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is a tolerogenic organ with exquisite mechanisms of immune regulation that ensure upkeep of local and systemic immune tolerance to self and foreign antigens, but that is also able to mount effective immune responses against pathogens. The immune privilege of liver allografts was recognized first in pigs in spite of major histo-compatibility complex mismatch, and termed the "liver tolerance effect". Furthermore, liver transplants are spontaneously accepted with only low-dose immunosuppression, and induce tolerance for non-hepatic co-transplanted allografts of the same donor. Although this immunotolerogenic environment is favorable in the setting of organ transplantation, it is detrimental in chronic infectious liver diseases like hepatitis B or C, malaria, schistosomiasis or tumorigenesis, leading to pathogen persistence and weak anti-tumor effects. The liver is a primary site of T-cell activation, but it elicits poor or incomplete activation of T cells, leading to their abortive activation, exhaustion, suppression of their effector function and early death. This is exploited by pathogens and can impair pathogen control and clearance or allow tumor growth. Hepatic priming of T cells is mediated by a number of local conventional and nonconventional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which promote tolerance by immune deviation, induction of T-cell anergy or apoptosis, and generating and expanding regulatory T cells. This review will focus on the communication between classical and nonclassical APCs and lymphocytes in the liver in tolerance induction and will discuss recent insights into the role of innate lymphocytes in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kristina Horst
- Institute of Experimental Immunology and Hepatology Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Katrin Neumann
- Institute of Experimental Immunology and Hepatology Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Linda Diehl
- Institute of Experimental Immunology and Hepatology Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Gisa Tiegs
- Institute of Experimental Immunology and Hepatology Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
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Peng H, Wisse E, Tian Z. Liver natural killer cells: subsets and roles in liver immunity. Cell Mol Immunol 2016; 13:328-36. [PMID: 26639736 PMCID: PMC4856807 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2015.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver represents a frontline immune organ that is constantly exposed to a variety of gut-derived antigens as a result of its unique location and blood supply. With a predominant role in innate immunity, the liver is enriched with various innate immune cells, among which natural killer (NK) cells play important roles in host defense and in maintaining immune balance. Hepatic NK cells were first described as 'pit cells' in the rat liver in the 1970s. Recent studies of NK cells in mouse and human livers have shown that two distinct NK cell subsets, liver-resident NK cells and conventional NK (cNK) cells, are present in this organ. Here, we review liver NK cell subsets in different species, revisiting rat hepatic pit cells and highlighting recent progress related to resident NK cells in mouse and human livers, and also discuss the dual roles of NK cells in liver immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Peng
- 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, Anhui, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Eddie Wisse
- Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute, Division of Nanoscopy, Universiteitssingel 50, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Zhigang Tian
- 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, Anhui, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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