1
|
Varbanova V, Naumova E, Mihaylova A. Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes and ligands and their role in hematologic malignancies. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65:427-40. [PMID: 26874942 PMCID: PMC11029164 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-016-1806-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are considered crucial for the elimination of emerging tumor cells. Effector NK-cell functions are controlled by interactions of inhibitory and activating killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) on NK cells with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I ligands on target cells. KIR and HLA are highly polymorphic genetic systems segregating independently, creating a great diversity in KIR/HLA gene profiles in different individuals. There is an increasing evidence supporting the relevance of KIR and HLA ligand gene background for the occurrence and outcome of certain cancers. However, the data are still controversial and the mechanisms of receptor-ligand mediated NK-cell action remain unclear. Here, the main characteristics and functions of KIRs and their HLA class I ligands are reviewed. In addition, we review the HLA and KIR correlations with different hematological malignancies and discuss our current understanding of the biological significance and mechanisms underlying these associations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Varbanova
- National Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Haematological Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Elissaveta Naumova
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Stem Cell Bank, University Hospital "Alexandrovska", Medical University, 1, Georgi Sofiiski Str., 1431, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Anastasiya Mihaylova
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Stem Cell Bank, University Hospital "Alexandrovska", Medical University, 1, Georgi Sofiiski Str., 1431, Sofia, Bulgaria.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Leong JW, Wagner JA, Ireland AR, Fehniger TA. Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of NK cell development and function. Clin Immunol 2016; 177:60-69. [PMID: 26948928 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are specialized innate lymphoid cells that survey against viral infections and malignancy. Numerous advances have improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that control NK cell development and function over the past decade. These include both studies on the regulatory effects of transcription factors and translational repression via microRNAs. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of DNA-binding transcription factors that regulate gene expression and thereby orchestrate NK cell development and activation, with an emphasis on recent discoveries. Additionally, we highlight our understanding of how RNA-binding microRNAs fine tune the NK cell molecular program. We also underscore the large number of open questions in the field that are now being addressed using new technological approaches and genetically engineered model organisms. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of the basic molecular biology of NK cells will facilitate new strategies to manipulate NK cells for the treatment of human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W Leong
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Julia A Wagner
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Aaron R Ireland
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Todd A Fehniger
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Presnell SR, Al-Attar A, Cichocki F, Miller JS, Lutz CT. Human natural killer cell microRNA: differential expression of MIR181A1B1 and MIR181A2B2 genes encoding identical mature microRNAs. Genes Immun 2014; 16:89-98. [PMID: 25410655 PMCID: PMC4304976 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2014.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Revised: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) and T lymphocytes share many properties, yet only NK cells respond rapidly to infection and cancer without pre-activation. We found that few microRNAs (miRNAs) differed significantly between human NK and T cells. Among those miRNAs, miR-181a, and miR-181b levels rose during NK cell differentiation. Prior studies indicate that miR-181a and miR-181b are critical for human NK cell development and are co-transcribed from genes on chromosome 1 (MIR181A1B1) and on chromosome 9 (MIR181A2B2). We mapped human MIR181A1B1 and MIR181A2B2 transcription start sites (TSS) to 78.3 kb and 34.0 kb upstream of the mature miRNAs, generating predominantly unspliced transcripts of 80-127 kb and ~60 kb, respectively. Unlike mouse thymocytes, human T cells expressed both MIR181A1B1 and MIR181A2B2. We tested the hypothesis that NK cells differentially transcribe the two genes during development and in response to immune regulatory cytokines. During NK cell differentiation, MIR181A2B2 expression rose dramatically and exceeded that of MIR181A1B1. TGF-β treatment increased NK cell MIR181A2B2 transcription, while IL-2, IL-15, and IL-12/IL-18 treatments upregulated MIR181A1B1. The MIR181A2B2 promoter was strongly transactivated by SMAD3 and SMAD4 transcription factors, suggesting that TGF-β signaling upregulates MIR181A2B2 expression, at least in part, through SMAD-dependent promoter activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven R Presnell
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Ahmad Al-Attar
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Frank Cichocki
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Charles T Lutz
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky, USA.,Departments of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Transcription factor Runx3 regulates interleukin-15-dependent natural killer cell activation. Mol Cell Biol 2014; 34:1158-69. [PMID: 24421391 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01202-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells belong to the family of innate lymphoid cells comprising the frontline defense against infected and transformed cells. Development and activation of natural killer cells is highly dependent on interleukin-15 signaling. However, very little is known about the transcription program driving this process. The transcription factor Runx3 is highly expressed in natural killer cells, but its function in these cells is largely unknown. We show that loss of Runx3 impaired interleukin-15-dependent accumulation of mature natural killer cells in vivo and under culture conditions and pregnant Runx3(-/-) mice completely lack the unique population of interleukin-15-dependent uterine natural killer cells. Combined chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and differential gene expression analysis of wild-type versus Runx3-deficient in vivo activated splenic natural killer cells revealed that Runx3 cooperates with ETS and T-box transcription factors to drive the interleukin-15-mediated transcription program during activation of these cells. Runx3 functions as a nuclear regulator during interleukin-15-dependent activation of natural killer cells by regulating the expression of genes involved in proliferation, maturation, and migration. Similar studies with additional transcription factors will allow the construction of a more detailed transcriptional network that controls natural killer cell development and function.
Collapse
|
5
|
Lotem J, Levanon D, Negreanu V, Leshkowitz D, Friedlander G, Groner Y. Runx3-mediated transcriptional program in cytotoxic lymphocytes. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80467. [PMID: 24236182 PMCID: PMC3827420 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Runx3 is highly expressed in CD8+ T and NK cytotoxic lymphocytes and is required for their effective activation and proliferation but molecular insights into the transcription program regulated by Runx3 in these cells are still missing. Using Runx3-ChIP-seq and transcriptome analysis of wild type vs. Runx3-/- primary cells we have now identified Runx3-regulated genes in the two cell types at both resting and IL-2-activated states. Runx3-bound genomic regions in both cell types were distantly located relative to gene transcription start sites and were enriched for RUNX and ETS motifs. Bound genomic regions significantly overlapped T-bet and p300-bound enhancer regions in Runx3-expressing Th1 helper cells. Compared to resting cells, IL-2-activated CD8+ T and NK cells contain three times more Runx3-regulated genes that are common to both cell types. Functional annotation of shared CD8+ T and NK Runx3-regulated genes revealed enrichment for immune-associated terms including lymphocyte activation, proliferation, cytotoxicity, migration and cytokine production, highlighting the role of Runx3 in CD8+ T and NK activated cells.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit/genetics
- Enhancer Elements, Genetic
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
- Histones/metabolism
- Interleukin-2/metabolism
- Interleukin-2/pharmacology
- Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Lymphocyte Activation/genetics
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Nucleotide Motifs
- Position-Specific Scoring Matrices
- Protein Binding
- Resting Phase, Cell Cycle/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/metabolism
- Transcription Factor AP-1/metabolism
- Transcription Initiation Site
- Transcription, Genetic
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lotem
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ditsa Levanon
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Varda Negreanu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dena Leshkowitz
- Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine Bioinformatics Unit, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gilgi Friedlander
- Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine Bioinformatics Unit, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yoram Groner
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
IL-2/IL-15 activate the human clonally restricted KIR3DL1 reverse promoter. Genes Immun 2013; 14:107-14. [PMID: 23328843 PMCID: PMC5742563 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2012.62] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are expressed in a clonally-restricted fashion by human natural killer (NK) cells and allow detection of aberrant cells with low MHC class I levels. Clonally-restricted KIR transcription is maintained by demethylation of the proximal promoter. Antisense transcripts also arise from this promoter and may enforce silencing of nonexpressed methylated alleles in NK cells. Here we show that IL-2 and IL-15, cytokines critical for NK cell development and maintenance, greatly stimulated KIR3DL1 reverse promoter activity, but not forward promoter activity. Activated STAT5 was both necessary and sufficient for this effect and bound to the promoter in NK cells that expressed KIR3DL1 or were poised for expression. A systematic investigation of the KIR3DL1 reverse promoter showed significant differences from the forward promoter, with STAT and YY1 sites playing relatively greater roles in regulating reverse proximal promoter activity. Based on our data, we propose a new role for antisense transcripts in the initiation of KIR gene expression during NK cell development.
Collapse
|
7
|
Cisneros E, Moraru M, Gómez-Lozano N, López-Botet M, Vilches C. KIR2DL5: An Orphan Inhibitory Receptor Displaying Complex Patterns of Polymorphism and Expression. Front Immunol 2012; 3:289. [PMID: 23060877 PMCID: PMC3443818 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A recently developed anti-KIR2DL5 (CD158f) antibody has demonstrated KIR2DL5 expression on the surface of NK and T lymphocytes, making it the last functional KIR identified in the human genome. KIR2DL5 belongs to an ancestral lineage of KIR with Ig-like domains of the D0-D2 type, of which KIR2DL4, an HLA-G receptor, is the only other human member. Despite KIR2DL4 and KIR2DL5 being encoded by genes with similar domain usage, several KIR2DL5 functions resemble more closely those of KIR recognizing classical HLA class I molecules - surface-expressed KIR2DL5 inhibits NK cells through the SHP-2 phosphatase and displays a clonal distribution on NK and T lymphocytes. No activating homolog of KIR2DL5 has been described in any species. The genetics of KIR2DL5 is complicated by duplication of its gene in an ancestor of modern humans living ∼1.7 million years ago. Both KIR2DL5 paralogs have undergone allelic diversification; the centromeric gene is most often represented by alleles whose expression is silenced epigenetically through DNA methylation, thus providing a natural system to investigate the regulation of KIR transcription. The role of KIR2DL5 in immunity is not completely understood, in spite of different attempts to define its ligand. Here we revisit the most relevant characteristics of KIR2DL5, an NK-cell receptor possessing a unique combination of genetic, structural, and functional features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Cisneros
- Immunogenetics-HLA, Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|