1
|
Fu X, Qin P, Li F, Zhu H, You H, Zhang Y, Xu B, Li T, Zhang F, Han L, Zhao L, Ma B, Wang Z, Gao Q. The inter-link of ageing, cancer and immunity: findings from real-world retrospective study. Immun Ageing 2023; 20:75. [PMID: 38102684 PMCID: PMC10722682 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-023-00399-9] [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: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the concept of declined immune function associated with cancer has been accepted extensively, real-world clinical studies focusing on analysis of the peripheral blood immune changes underlying ageing, immunity and cancer are scarce. METHODS In this case-control study, we retrospectively analysed 1375 cancer patients and enrolled 275 age and gender matched healthy individuals. Flow cytometry was conducted to assess the immune changes. Further analysis was examined by SPSS 17.0 and GraphPad Prism 9 software. RESULTS Cancer patients showed obviously decreased CD3+ T, CD3+CD4+ Th, CD3+CD8+ CTL, CD19+ B, CD16+CD56+ NK cell counts and lower percentage of PD-1 (programmed cell death protein-1, PD-1) positive cells than healthy control (P < 0.0001). For cancer patients, the reference range of circulating percentage of PD-1+CD45+ cells, PD-1+CD3+ T cells, PD-1+CD3+CD4+ Th cells and PD-1+CD3+CD8+ CTL (Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte, CTL) were 11.2% (95% CI 10.8%-11.6%), 15.5% (95% CI 14.7%-16.0%), 15.4% (95% CI 14.9%-16.0%) and 14.5% (95% CI 14.0%-15.5%), respectively. Moreover, the reduction of CD3+ T, CD3+CD4+ Th, CD3+CD8+ CTL, CD19+ B cell counts accompanied with age and stage advancing (P < 0.05). CD16+CD56+ NK cells decreased with stage, but elevated in aged and male cancer patients (P < 0.05). Additionally, the percentage of PD-1 positive cells varied across cancer types, raised with age and stage. Head and neck, pancreatic, gynaecological and lung demonstrated a higher level of the percentage of PD-1 positive cells than melanoma, prostate, and breast cancer (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study provides the reference range of the percentage of PD-1 positive cells on peripheral blood, confirms the decreased immune cells and a series of immune changes accompanying with cancer, expands our real world evidence to better understand the interactions of ageing, cancer and immunity. Moreover, the circulating percentage of PD-1 positive cells shows similar tumor type distribution with tumor mutational burden (TMB), supports that it maybe a potential predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Fu
- Department of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Peng Qin
- GMP Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Fanghui Li
- Department of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Huifang Zhu
- GMP Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Hongqin You
- GMP Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Benling Xu
- GMP Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Tiepeng Li
- GMP Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Lu Han
- GMP Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Lingdi Zhao
- Department of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Baozhen Ma
- Department of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Zibing Wang
- Department of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.
| | - Quanli Gao
- Department of Immunotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wong P, Foltz JA, Chang L, Neal CC, Yao T, Cubitt CC, Tran J, Kersting-Schadek S, Palakurty S, Jaeger N, Russler-Germain DA, Marin ND, Gang M, Wagner JA, Zhou AY, Jacobs MT, Foster M, Schappe T, Marsala L, McClain E, Pence P, Becker-Hapak M, Fisk B, Petti AA, Griffith OL, Griffith M, Berrien-Elliott MM, Fehniger TA. T-BET and EOMES sustain mature human NK cell identity and antitumor function. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e162530. [PMID: 37279078 PMCID: PMC10313375 DOI: 10.1172/jci162530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the T-box transcription factors (TFs) T-BET and EOMES are necessary for initiation of NK cell development, their ongoing requirement for mature NK cell homeostasis, function, and molecular programming remains unclear. To address this, T-BET and EOMES were deleted in unexpanded primary human NK cells using CRISPR/Cas9. Deleting these TFs compromised in vivo antitumor response of human NK cells. Mechanistically, T-BET and EOMES were required for normal NK cell proliferation and persistence in vivo. NK cells lacking T-BET and EOMES also exhibited defective responses to cytokine stimulation. Single-cell RNA-Seq revealed a specific T-box transcriptional program in human NK cells, which was rapidly lost following T-BET and EOMES deletion. Further, T-BET- and EOMES-deleted CD56bright NK cells acquired an innate lymphoid cell precursor-like (ILCP-like) profile with increased expression of the ILC-3-associated TFs RORC and AHR, revealing a role for T-box TFs in maintaining mature NK cell phenotypes and an unexpected role of suppressing alternative ILC lineages. Our study reveals the critical importance of sustained EOMES and T-BET expression to orchestrate mature NK cell function and identity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Wong
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology
| | | | - Lily Chang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology
| | | | - Tony Yao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mark Foster
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Bryan Fisk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology
| | | | | | | | | | - Todd A. Fehniger
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Silla L. Peripheral blood persistence and expansion of transferred non-genetically modified Natural Killer cells might not be necessary for clinical activity. IMMUNOTHERAPY ADVANCES 2023; 3:ltac024. [PMID: 36726770 PMCID: PMC9885937 DOI: 10.1093/immadv/ltac024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that react without previous exposition to virus infected or malignant cells and stimulate adaptive immune response to build a long-lasting immunity against it. To that end, tissue resident NK cells are predominantly regulatory as opposed to cytotoxic. In the hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) setting, which curative potential relies on the graft versus leukemia effect, NK cells are known to play a significant role. This knowledge has paved the way to the active investigation on its anti-tumor effect outside the stem cell transplant scenario. Based on the relevant literature on the adoptive transfer of non-genetically modified NK cells for the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute leukemia and on our own experience, we discuss the role of donor cell peripheral blood persistence and expansion and its lack of correlation with anti-leukemia activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Silla
- Correspondence: Rua Ramiro, Barcelos #2350, Universidade Federal do Rio, Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sparano C, Solís-Sayago D, Vijaykumar A, Rickenbach C, Vermeer M, Ingelfinger F, Litscher G, Fonseca A, Mussak C, Mayoux M, Friedrich C, Nombela-Arrieta C, Gasteiger G, Becher B, Tugues S. Embryonic and neonatal waves generate distinct populations of hepatic ILC1s. Sci Immunol 2022; 7:eabo6641. [PMID: 36054340 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abo6641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Group 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) comprising circulating natural killer (cNK) cells and tissue-resident ILC1s are critical for host defense against pathogens and tumors. Despite a growing understanding of their role in homeostasis and disease, the ontogeny of group 1 ILCs remains largely unknown. Here, we used fate mapping and single-cell transcriptomics to comprehensively investigate the origin and turnover of murine group 1 ILCs. Whereas cNK cells are continuously replaced throughout life, we uncovered tissue-dependent development and turnover of ILC1s. A first wave of ILC1s emerges during embryogenesis in the liver and transiently colonizes fetal tissues. After birth, a second wave quickly replaces ILC1s in most tissues apart from the liver, where they layer with embryonic ILC1s, persist until adulthood, and undergo a specific developmental program. Whereas embryonically derived ILC1s give rise to a cytotoxic subset, the neonatal wave establishes the full spectrum of ILC1s. Our findings uncover key ontogenic features of murine group 1 ILCs and their association with cellular identities and functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colin Sparano
- Innate Lymphoid Cells and Cancer, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Darío Solís-Sayago
- Innate Lymphoid Cells and Cancer, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anjali Vijaykumar
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Rickenbach
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marijne Vermeer
- Innate Lymphoid Cells and Cancer, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Florian Ingelfinger
- Inflammation Research, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gioana Litscher
- Innate Lymphoid Cells and Cancer, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - André Fonseca
- Innate Lymphoid Cells and Cancer, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Mussak
- Innate Lymphoid Cells and Cancer, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maud Mayoux
- Innate Lymphoid Cells and Cancer, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christin Friedrich
- Würzburg Institute of Systems Immunology, Max Planck Research Group, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - César Nombela-Arrieta
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Georg Gasteiger
- Würzburg Institute of Systems Immunology, Max Planck Research Group, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Burkhard Becher
- Inflammation Research, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sonia Tugues
- Innate Lymphoid Cells and Cancer, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Single-cell transcriptomics reveal a unique memory-like NK cell subset that accumulates with ageing and correlates with disease severity in COVID-19. Genome Med 2022; 14:46. [PMID: 35501841 PMCID: PMC9060844 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-022-01049-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that mediate antitumour and antiviral responses. However, very little is known about how ageing influences human NK cells, especially at the single-cell level. Methods We applied single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) to human lymphocytes and NK cells from 4 young and 4 elderly individuals and then analysed the transcriptome data using Seurat. We detected the proportion and phenotype of NK cell subsets in peripheral blood samples from a total of 62 young and 52 elderly healthy donors by flow cytometry. We also used flow cytometry to examine the effector functions of NK cell subsets upon IFN-α/IL-12+IL-15/K562/IL-2 stimulation in vitro in peripheral blood samples from a total of 64 young and 63 elderly healthy donors. We finally studied and integrated single-cell transcriptomes of NK cells from 15 young and 41 elderly COVID-19 patients with those from 12 young and 6 elderly healthy control individuals to investigate the impacts of ageing on NK cell subsets in COVID-19 disease. Results We discovered a memory-like NK subpopulation (NK2) exhibiting the largest distribution change between elderly and young individuals among lymphocytes. Notably, we discovered a unique NK subset that was predominantly CD52+ NK2 cells (NK2.1). These memory-like NK2.1 cells accumulated with age, exhibited proinflammatory characteristics, and displayed a type I interferon response state. Integrative analyses of a large-cohort COVID-19 dataset and our datasets revealed that NK2.1 cells from elderly COVID-19 patients are enriched for type I interferon signalling, which is positively correlated with disease severity in COVID-19. Conclusions We identified a unique memory-like NK cell subset that accumulates with ageing and correlates with disease severity in COVID-19. Our results identify memory-like NK2.1 cells as a potential target for developing immunotherapies for infectious diseases and for addressing age-related dysfunctions of the immune system. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13073-022-01049-3.
Collapse
|
6
|
Riggan L, Ma F, Li JH, Fernandez E, Nathanson DA, Pellegrini M, O’Sullivan TE. The transcription factor Fli1 restricts the formation of memory precursor NK cells during viral infection. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:556-567. [PMID: 35288713 PMCID: PMC8989647 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01150-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that possess traits of adaptive immunity, such as memory formation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which NK cells persist to form memory cells are not well understood. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified two distinct effector NK cell (NKeff) populations following mouse cytomegalovirus infection. Ly6C- memory precursor (MP) NK cells showed enhanced survival during the contraction phase in a Bcl2-dependent manner, and differentiated into Ly6C+ memory NK cells. MP NK cells exhibited distinct transcriptional and epigenetic signatures compared with Ly6C+ NKeff cells, with a core epigenetic signature shared with MP CD8+ T cells enriched in ETS1 and Fli1 DNA-binding motifs. Fli1 was induced by STAT5 signaling ex vivo, and increased levels of the pro-apoptotic factor Bim in early effector NK cells following viral infection. These results suggest that a NK cell-intrinsic checkpoint controlled by the transcription factor Fli1 limits MP NK formation by regulating early effector NK cell fitness during viral infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luke Riggan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Feiyang Ma
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Joey H. Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Elizabeth Fernandez
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - David A. Nathanson
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Matteo Pellegrini
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Timothy E. O’Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,Corresponding Author: Timothy E. O’Sullivan, PhD, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 615 Charles E. Young Drive South, BSRB 245F, Los Angeles, CA 90095, Phone: 310-825-4454,
| |
Collapse
|