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Kaito Y, Sugimoto E, Nakamura F, Tsukune Y, Sasaki M, Yui S, Yamaguchi H, Goyama S, Nannya Y, Mitani K, Tamura H, Imai Y. Immune checkpoint molecule DNAM-1/CD112 axis is a novel target for natural killer-cell therapy in acute myeloid leukemia. Haematologica 2024; 109:1107-1120. [PMID: 37731380 PMCID: PMC10985452 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2023.282915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic malignancy that frequently relapses, even if remission can be achieved with intensive chemotherapy. One known relapse mechanism is the escape of leukemic cells from immune surveillance. Currently, there is no effective immunotherapy for AML because of the lack of specific antigens. Here, we aimed to elucidate the association between CD155 and CD112 in AML cell lines and primary AML samples and determine the therapeutic response. Briefly, we generated NK-92 cell lines (NK-92) with modified DNAX-associated molecule 1 (DNAM-1) and T-cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT), which are receptors of CD155 and CD112, respectively. Analysis of 200 cases of AML indicated that the survival of patients with high expression of CD112 was shorter than that of patients with low expression. NK-92 DNAM-1 exhibited enhanced cytotoxic activity against AML cell lines and primary cells derived from patients with AML. DNAM-1 induction in NK-92 cells enhanced the expression of cytotoxicity-related genes, thus overcoming the inhibitory activity of TIGIT. Between CD155 and CD112, CD112 is an especially important target for natural killer (NK)-cell therapy of AML. Using a xenograft model, we confirmed the enhanced antitumor effect of NK-92 DNAM-1 compared with that of NK-92 alone. We also discovered that CD112 (Nectin-2), an immune checkpoint molecule belonging to the Nectin/Nectin-like family, functions as a novel target of immunotherapy. In conclusion, modification of the DNAM-1/CD112 axis in NK cells may be an effective novel immunotherapy for AML. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the levels of expression of these molecules are potential prognostic markers in AML.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Nectins
- Immune Checkpoint Proteins/metabolism
- Killer Cells, Natural
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Receptors, Immunologic
- Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
- Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Kaito
- Division of Hematopoietic Disease Control, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo
| | - Emi Sugimoto
- Division of Cellular Therapy, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo
| | - Fumi Nakamura
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi
| | - Yutaka Tsukune
- Department of Hematology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo
| | - Makoto Sasaki
- Department of Hematology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo
| | - Shunsuke Yui
- Department of Hematology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo
| | | | - Susumu Goyama
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo
| | - Yasuhito Nannya
- Division of Hematopoietic Disease Control, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo
| | - Kinuko Mitani
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi
| | - Hideto Tamura
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama
| | - Yoichi Imai
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi.
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Choi S, Valente D, Virone‐Oddos A, Mauriac C. Developing a mechanistic translational PK/PD model for a trifunctional NK cell engager to predict the first-in-human dose for acute myeloid leukemia. Clin Transl Sci 2024; 17:e13689. [PMID: 37990450 PMCID: PMC10772472 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cell engagers (NKCEs), a treatment that stimulates innate immunity, have lately gained attention owing to their favorable safety profile, and their efficacy. Natural killer (NK) cell activation is driven by immune synapse formation between drugs, NK cells, and tumor cells. However, no clear translational modeling approach has been reported for first-in-human (FIH) dose estimation of humanized NKCEs. We developed the first translational mechanistic synapse-driven pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model for a trifunctional NKp46/CD16a-CD123 (CD123-NKCE) by integrating (i) in vitro target cell cytotoxicity in MOLM-13 tumor cell lines at varying effector-to-tumor cell ratios and incubation intervals; (ii) nonhuman primate PK and profiles of CD123+ cells and NKP46+ NK cells; and (iii) healthy human or patients with acute myeloid leukemia system-specific parameters. To depict direct tumor cell killing by the innate immunity, no transit compartment was included in PK/PD model structures. Model predictions suggested an intrapatient dose escalation of 10/30/100 μg/kg twice weekly to be selected as the starting dose in the FIH trial. However, sensitivity analyses revealed that CD123+ cell growth rate constant and maximal tumor killing rate constant were the key uncertainties to the recommended active dose. This novel translational model structure can be used as the basis to predict clinical PK/PD data for CD123-NKCE, and the translational strategy may serve as a foundation for future advancements of NKCEs.
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Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi M, Yazdanparast S, Mikanik F, Izadpanah A, Parkhideh S, Shahbaz Ghasabeh A, Roshandel E, Hajifathali A, Gharehbaghian A. Cytokine-Induced Memory-Like NK Cells: Emerging strategy for AML immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115718. [PMID: 37857247 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease developed from the malignant expansion of myeloid precursor cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. The implementation of intensive chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has improved outcomes associated with AML, but relapse, along with suboptimal outcomes, is still a common scenario. In the past few years, exploring new therapeutic strategies to optimize treatment outcomes has occurred rapidly. In this regard, natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy has attracted clinical interest due to its critical role in immunosurveillance and their capabilities to target AML blasts. NK cells are cytotoxic innate lymphoid cells that mediate anti-viral and anti-tumor responses by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and directly inducing cytotoxicity. Although NK cells are well known as short-lived innate immune cells with non-specific responses that have limited their clinical applications, the discovery of cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) NK cells could overcome these challenges. NK cells pre-activated with the cytokine combination IL-12/15/18 achieved a long-term life span with adaptive immunity characteristics, termed CIML-NK cells. Previous studies documented that using CIML-NK cells in cancer treatment is safe and results in promising outcomes. This review highlights the current application, challenges, and opportunities of CIML-NK cell-based therapy in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Yazdanparast
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mikanik
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Izadpanah
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Parkhideh
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Shahbaz Ghasabeh
- Department of Hematology and Blood Bank, School of Allied Medical Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Roshandel
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Hajifathali
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ahmad Gharehbaghian
- Department of Hematology and Blood Bank, School of Allied Medical Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; Pediatric Congenital Hematologic Disorders Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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4
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Cerella C, Dicato M, Diederich M. Enhancing personalized immune checkpoint therapy by immune archetyping and pharmacological targeting. Pharmacol Res 2023; 196:106914. [PMID: 37714393 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an expanding class of immunotherapeutic agents with the potential to cure cancer. Despite the outstanding clinical response in patient subsets, most individuals become refractory or develop resistance. Patient stratification and personalized immunotherapies are limited by the absence of predictive response markers. Recent findings show that dominant patterns of immune cell composition, T-cell status and heterogeneity, and spatiotemporal distribution of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are becoming essential determinants of prognosis and therapeutic response. In this context, ICIs also function as investigational tools and proof of concept, allowing the validation of the identified mechanisms. After reviewing the current state of ICIs, this article will explore new comprehensive predictive markers for ICIs based on recent discoveries. We will discuss the recent establishment of a classification of TMEs into immune archetypes as a tool for personalized immune profiling, allowing patient stratification before ICI treatment. We will discuss the developing comprehension of T-cell diversity and its role in shaping the immune profile of patients. We describe the potential of strategies that score the mutual spatiotemporal modulation between T-cells and other cellular components of the TME. Additionally, we will provide an overview of a range of synthetic and naturally occurring or derived small molecules. We will compare compounds that were recently identified by in silico prediction to wet lab-validated drug candidates with the potential to function as ICIs and/or modulators of the cellular components of the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Cerella
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du Cancer (LBMCC), Fondation Recherche sur le Cancer et les Maladies du Sang, Pavillon 2, 6A rue Barblé, L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Mario Dicato
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du Cancer (LBMCC), Fondation Recherche sur le Cancer et les Maladies du Sang, Pavillon 2, 6A rue Barblé, L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Marc Diederich
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea.
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Zhou R, Chen S, Wu Q, Liu L, Wang Y, Mo Y, Zeng Z, Zu X, Xiong W, Wang F. CD155 and its receptors in cancer immune escape and immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2023; 573:216381. [PMID: 37660884 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there have been multiple breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy, with immune checkpoint inhibitors becoming the most promising treatment strategy. However, available drugs are not always effective. As an emerging immune checkpoint molecule, CD155 has become an important target for immunotherapy. This review describes the structure and function of CD155, its receptors TIGIT, CD96, and CD226, and summarizes that CD155 expressed by tumor cells can upregulate its expression through the DNA damage response pathway and Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. This review also elaborates the mechanism of immune escape after binding CD155 to its receptors TIGIT, CD96, and CD226, and summarizes the current progress of immunotherapy research regarding CD155 and its receptors. Besides, it also discusses the future direction of checkpoint immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijia Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shiyin Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qiwen Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lingyun Liu
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Yian Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongzhen Mo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xuyu Zu
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Fuyan Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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6
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Haroun-Izquierdo A, Lanuza PM, Pfefferle A, Netskar H, Ask EH, Törlén J, Björklund A, Sohlberg E, Malmberg KJ. Effect of mTOR Inhibition with Sirolimus on Natural Killer Cell Reconstitution in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. Transplant Cell Ther 2023:S2666-6367(23)01201-0. [PMID: 36966873 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2023.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Sirolimus is an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and is emerging as a promising component of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimens in the context of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Multiple studies have explored the clinical benefits of adding sirolimus to GVHD prophylaxis; however, detailed immunologic studies have not yet been carried out in this context. Mechanistically, mTOR is at the center of metabolic regulation in T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and is critical for their differentiation to mature effector cells. Therefore, close evaluation of the inhibition of mTOR in the context of immune reconstitution post-HSCT is warranted. In this work, we studied the effect of sirolimus on immune reconstitution using a biobank of longitudinal samples from patients receiving either tacrolimus/sirolimus (TAC/SIR) or cyclosporin A/methotrexate (CSA/MTX) as conventional GVHD prophylaxis. Healthy donor controls, donor graft material, and samples from 28 patients (14 with TAC/SIR, 14 with CSA/MTX) at 3 to 4 weeks and 34 to 39 weeks post- HSCT were collected. Multicolor flow cytometry was used to perform broad immune cell mapping, with a focus on NK cells. NK cell proliferation was evaluated over a 6-day in vitro homeostatic proliferation protocol. Furthermore, in vitro NK cell responses to cytokine stimulation or tumor cells were evaluated. Systems-level assessment of the immune repertoire revealed a deep and prolonged suppression (weeks 34 to 39 post-HSCT) of the naïve CD4 T cell compartment with relative sparing of regulatory T cells and enrichment of CD69+Ki-67+HLA-DR+ CD8 T cells, independent of the type of GVHD prophylaxis. Early after transplantation (weeks 3 to 4), while patients were still on TAC/SIR or CSA/MTX, we found a relative increase in less-differentiated CD56bright NK cells and NKG2A+CD57-KIR- CD56dim NK cells and a distinct loss of CD16 and DNAM-1 expression. Both regimens led to suppressed proliferative responses ex vivo and functional impairment with preferential loss of cytokine responsiveness and IFN-γ production. Patients who received TAC/SIR as GVHD prophylaxis showed delayed NK cell reconstitution with lower overall NK cell counts and fewer CD56bright and NKG2A+ CD56dim NK cells. Treatment with sirolimus- containing regimens generated similar immune cell profiles as conventional prophylaxis; however, the NK cell compartment seemed to be composed of slightly more mature NK cells. These effects were also present after the completion of GVHD prophylaxis, suggesting that mTOR inhibition with sirolimus leaves a lasting imprint on homeostatic proliferation and NK cell reconstitution following HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Haroun-Izquierdo
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pilar M Lanuza
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aline Pfefferle
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Herman Netskar
- Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Cancer Immunology, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Eivind H Ask
- Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Cancer Immunology, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Johan Törlén
- Department of Cellular Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Björklund
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Cellular Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ebba Sohlberg
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karl-Johan Malmberg
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Cancer Immunology, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Norway.
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Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a member of the Janus kinase (JAK)-STAT pathway, which is one of the key pathways contributing to cancer. STAT3 regulates transcription downstream of many cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. In cancer, STAT3 is mainly described as a tumor promoter driving tumor cell proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis and aberrant activation of STAT3 is associated with poor prognosis. STAT3 is also an important driver of immune evasion. Among many other immunosuppressive mechanisms, STAT3 aids tumor cells to escape natural killer (NK) cell-mediated immune surveillance. NK cells are innate lymphocytes, which can directly kill malignant cells but also regulate adaptive immune responses and contribute to the composition of the tumor microenvironment. The inborn ability to lyse transformed cells renders NK cells an attractive tool for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we provide an overview of the role of STAT3 in the dynamic interplay between NK cells and tumor cells. On the one hand, we summarize the current knowledge on how tumor cell-intrinsic STAT3 drives the evasion from NK cells. On the other hand, we describe the multiple functions of STAT3 in regulating NK-cell cytotoxicity, cytokine production and their anti-tumor responses in vivo. In light of the ongoing research on STAT3 inhibitors, we also discuss how targeting STAT3 would affect the two arms of STAT3-dependent regulation of NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Understanding the complexity of this interplay in the tumor microenvironment is crucial for future implementation of NK cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Witalisz-Siepracka
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Division Pharmacology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Klara Klein
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Zdársky
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Division Pharmacology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Dagmar Stoiber
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Division Pharmacology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
- *Correspondence: Dagmar Stoiber,
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8
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Rahmani S, Yazdanpanah N, Rezaei N. Natural killer cells and acute myeloid leukemia: promises and challenges. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:2849-2867. [PMID: 35639116 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03217-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is considered as one of the most malignant conditions of the bone marrow. Over the past few decades, despite substantial progresses in the management of AML, relapse remission remains a major problem. Natural killer cells (NK cells) are known as a unique component of the innate immune system. Due to swift tumor detection, distinct cytotoxic action, and extensive immune interaction, NK cells have been used in various cancer settings for decades. It has been a growing knowledge of therapeutic magnitudes ranging from adoptive NK cell transfer to chimeric antigen receptor NK cells, aiming to achieve better therapeutic responses in patients with AML. In this article, the potentials of NK cells for treatment of AML are highlighted, and challenges for such therapeutic methods are discussed. In addition, the clinical application of NK cells, mainly in patients with AML, is pictured according to the existing evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayan Rahmani
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloufar Yazdanpanah
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, 14194, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, 14194, Iran. .,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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9
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Soldierer M, Bister A, Haist C, Thivakaran A, Cengiz SC, Sendker S, Bartels N, Thomitzek A, Smorra D, Hejazi M, Uhrberg M, Scheckenbach K, Monzel C, Wiek C, Reinhardt D, Niktoreh N, Hanenberg H. Genetic Engineering and Enrichment of Human NK Cells for CAR-Enhanced Immunotherapy of Hematological Malignancies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:847008. [PMID: 35464442 PMCID: PMC9022481 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.847008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The great clinical success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has unlocked new levels of immunotherapy for hematological malignancies. Genetically modifying natural killer (NK) cells as alternative CAR immune effector cells is also highly promising, as NK cells can be transplanted across HLA barriers without causing graft-versus-host disease. Therefore, off-the-shelf usage of CAR NK cell products might allow to widely expand the clinical indications and to limit the costs of treatment per patient. However, in contrast to T cells, manufacturing suitable CAR NK cell products is challenging, as standard techniques for genetically engineering NK cells are still being defined. In this study, we have established optimal lentiviral transduction of primary human NK cells by systematically testing different internal promoters for lentiviral CAR vectors and comparing lentiviral pseudotypes and viral entry enhancers. We have additionally modified CAR constructs recognizing standard target antigens for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy—CD19, CD33, and CD123—to harbor a CD34-derived hinge region that allows efficient detection of transduced NK cells in vitro and in vivo and also facilitates CD34 microbead-assisted selection of CAR NK cell products to >95% purity for potential clinical usage. Importantly, as most leukemic blasts are a priori immunogenic for activated primary human NK cells, we developed an in vitro system that blocks the activating receptors NKG2D, DNAM-1, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, and NKp80 on these cells and therefore allows systematic testing of the specific killing of CAR NK cells against ALL and AML cell lines and primary AML blasts. Finally, we evaluated in an ALL xenotransplantation model in NOD/SCID-gamma (NSG) mice whether human CD19 CAR NK cells directed against the CD19+ blasts are relying on soluble or membrane-bound IL15 production for NK cell persistence and also in vivo leukemia control. Hence, our study provides important insights into the generation of pure and highly active allogeneic CAR NK cells, thereby advancing adoptive cellular immunotherapy with CAR NK cells for human malignancies further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Soldierer
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Arthur Bister
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Corinna Haist
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Aniththa Thivakaran
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sevgi Can Cengiz
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Sendker
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Nina Bartels
- Department of Experimental Medical Physics, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Antonia Thomitzek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Denise Smorra
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Maryam Hejazi
- Institute for Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Markus Uhrberg
- Institute for Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kathrin Scheckenbach
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Cornelia Monzel
- Department of Experimental Medical Physics, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Constanze Wiek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dirk Reinhardt
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Naghmeh Niktoreh
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Helmut Hanenberg
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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10
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Enomoto Y, Li P, Jenkins LM, Anastasakis D, Lyons GC, Hafner M, Leonard WJ. Cytokine-enhanced cytolytic activity of exosomes from NK Cells. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:734-49. [PMID: 34316033 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00352-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play key roles in immune surveillance against tumors and viral infection. NK cells distinguish abnormal cells from healthy cells by cell-cell interaction with cell surface proteins and then attack target cells via multiple mechanisms. In addition, extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from NK cells (NK-EVs), including exosomes, possess cytotoxic capacity against tumor cells, but their characteristics and regulation by cytokines remain unknown. Here, we report that EVs derived from human NK-92 cells stimulated with IL-15 + IL-21 show enhanced cytotoxic capacity against tumor cells. Major cytolytic granules, granzyme B and granzyme H, are enriched by IL-15 + IL-21 stimulation in NK-EVs; however, knockout experiments reveal those cytolytic granules are independent of enhanced cytotoxic capacity. To find out the key molecules, mass spectrometry analyses were performed with different cytokine conditions, no cytokine, IL-15, IL-21, or IL-15 + IL-21. We then found that CD226 (DNAM-1) on NK-EVs is enriched by IL-15 + IL-21 stimulation and that blocking antibodies against CD226 reduced the cytolytic activity of NK-EVs. We also show NK-EVs are taken up by target cells via macropinocytosis. Collectively, our findings elucidate the novel properties of NK-EVs and the mechanism of their incorporation into target cells.
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11
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Gunduz M, Ataca Atilla P, Atilla E. New Orders to an Old Soldier: Optimizing NK Cells for Adoptive Immunotherapy in Hematology. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091201. [PMID: 34572387 PMCID: PMC8466804 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
NK (Natural Killer) cell-mediated adoptive immunotherapy has gained attention in hematology due to the progressing knowledge of NK cell receptor structure, biology and function. Today, challenges related to NK cell expansion and persistence in vivo as well as low cytotoxicity have been mostly overcome by pioneering trials that focused on harnessing NK cell functions. Recent technological advancements in gene delivery, gene editing and chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have made it possible to generate genetically modified NK cells that enhance the anti-tumor efficacy and represent suitable “off-the-shelf” products with fewer side effects. In this review, we highlight recent advances in NK cell biology along with current approaches for potentiating NK cell proliferation and activity, redirecting NK cells using CARs and optimizing the procedure to manufacture clinical-grade NK and CAR NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Gunduz
- Department of Hematology, Biruni University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey;
| | - Pinar Ataca Atilla
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Ph.D Program, Stem Cell Institute, Ankara University, Ankara 06520, Turkey;
| | - Erden Atilla
- Department of Hematology, Mersin State Hospital, Korukent District, 96015 St., Toroslar 33240, Turkey
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +9-05-058-213-131
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12
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Chashchina A, Märklin M, Hinterleitner C, Salih HR, Heitmann JS, Klimovich B. DNAM-1/CD226 is functionally expressed on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and is associated with favorable prognosis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18012. [PMID: 34504191 PMCID: PMC8429762 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97400-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
DNAM-1 is reportedly expressed on cytotoxic T and NK cells and, upon interaction with its ligands CD112 and CD155, plays an important role in tumor immunosurveillance. It has also been reported to be functionally expressed by myeloid cells, but expression and function on malignant cells of the myeloid lineage have not been studied so far. Here we analyzed expression of DNAM-1 in leukemic cells of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. We found substantial levels of DNAM-1 to be expressed on leukemic blasts in 48 of 62 (> 75%) patients. Interaction of DNAM-1 with its ligands CD112 and CD155 induced release of the immunomodulatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 IL-10 and TNF-α by AML cells and DNAM-1 expression correlated with a more differentiated phenotype. Multivariate analysis did not show any association of DNAM-1 positivity with established risk factors, but expression was significantly associated with clinical disease course: patients with high DNAM-1 surface levels had significantly longer progression-free and overall survival compared to DNAM-1low patients, independently whether patients had undergone allogenic stem cell transplantation or not. Together, our findings unravel a functional role of DNAM-1 in AML pathophysiology and identify DNAM-1 as a potential novel prognostic maker in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Chashchina
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 "Image-Guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy (iFIT)", 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Märklin
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 "Image-Guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy (iFIT)", 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Clemens Hinterleitner
- DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 "Image-Guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy (iFIT)", 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Medical Oncology and Pulmonology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Helmut R Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 "Image-Guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy (iFIT)", 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas S Heitmann
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany. .,DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 "Image-Guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy (iFIT)", 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Boris Klimovich
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 "Image-Guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy (iFIT)", 72076, Tübingen, Germany
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13
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Kaweme NM, Zhou F. Optimizing NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Myeloid Leukemia: Abrogating an Immunosuppressive Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:683381. [PMID: 34220833 PMCID: PMC8247591 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.683381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are prominent cytotoxic and cytokine-producing components of the innate immune system representing crucial effector cells in cancer immunotherapy. Presently, various NK cell-based immunotherapies have contributed to the substantial improvement in the reconstitution of NK cells against advanced-staged and high-risk AML. Various NK cell sources, including haploidentical NK cells, adaptive NK cells, umbilical cord blood NK cells, stem cell-derived NK cells, chimeric antigen receptor NK cells, cytokine-induced memory-like NK cells, and NK cell lines have been identified. Devising innovative approaches to improve the generation of therapeutic NK cells from the aforementioned sources is likely to enhance NK cell expansion and activation, stimulate ex vivo and in vivo persistence of NK cells and improve conventional treatment response of myeloid leukemia. The tumor-promoting properties of the tumor microenvironment and downmodulation of NK cellular metabolic activity in solid tumors and hematological malignancies constitute a significant impediment in enhancing the anti-tumor effects of NK cells. In this review, we discuss the current NK cell sources, highlight ongoing interventions in enhancing NK cell function, and outline novel strategies to circumvent immunosuppressive factors in the tumor microenvironment to improve the efficacy of NK cell-based immunotherapy and expand their future success in treating myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fuling Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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14
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Tomaipitinca L, Russo E, Bernardini G. NK cell surveillance of hematological malignancies. Therapeutic implications and regulation by chemokine receptors. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 80:100968. [PMID: 34045078 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.100968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
NK cells are circulating innate lymphoid cells that constantly move from bloodstream into tissues, exerting several functions including tumor surveillance. For this reason, NK cells are considered attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Several strategies are employed to harness NK cell efficacy especially in hematological tumors, including adoptive transfer, genetic manipulation to overexpress chimeric antigen receptors and cytokine or immunomodulatory drug treatments of ex-vivo cultivated and expanded NK cells. Several chemokine receptors support NK cell tissue homing and are required for efficient tumor infiltration. Nevertheless, chemokine receptor expression is often insufficient, or their respective ligands may not be expressed in the tumor microenvironment, thus limiting NK cell localization at the tumor site. Therefore, strategies to implement expression or promote the function of the correct chemokine receptor/ligand axes have been employed in the last years with promising results in preclinical models. In this review, we discuss how chemokine receptors and their ligands regulate the trafficking and localization of NK cells in hematological tumors and how the chemokine function can be manipulated to improve current therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Tomaipitinca
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Institute Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Russo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Institute Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Institute Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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15
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Gurney M, O’Dwyer M. Realizing Innate Potential: CAR-NK Cell Therapies for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1568. [PMID: 33805422 PMCID: PMC8036691 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Next-generation cellular immunotherapies seek to improve the safety and efficacy of approved CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell products or apply their principles across a growing list of targets and diseases. Supported by promising early clinical experiences, CAR modified natural killer (CAR-NK) cell therapies represent a complementary and potentially off-the-shelf, allogeneic solution. While acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents an intuitive disease in which to investigate CAR based immunotherapies, key biological differences to B-cell malignancies have complicated progress to date. As CAR-T cell trials treating AML are growing in number, several CAR-NK cell approaches are also in development. In this review we explore why CAR-NK cell therapies may be particularly suited to the treatment of AML. First, we examine the established role NK cells play in AML biology and the existing anti-leukemic activity of NK cell adoptive transfer. Next, we appraise potential AML target antigens and consider common and unique challenges posed relative to treating B-cell malignancies. We summarize the current landscape of CAR-NK development in AML, and potential targets to augment CAR-NK cell therapies pharmacologically and through genetic engineering. Finally, we consider the broader landscape of competing immunotherapeutic approaches to AML treatment. In doing so we evaluate the innate potential, status and remaining barriers for CAR-NK based AML immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Gurney
- Apoptosis Research Center, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland;
| | - Michael O’Dwyer
- Apoptosis Research Center, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland;
- ONK Therapeutics Ltd., H91 V6KV Galway, Ireland
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16
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Lamb MG, Rangarajan HG, Tullius BP, Lee DA. Natural killer cell therapy for hematologic malignancies: successes, challenges, and the future. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:211. [PMID: 33766099 PMCID: PMC7992329 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02277-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The adoptive transfer of natural killer (NK) cells is an emerging therapy in the field of immuno-oncology. In the last 3 decades, NK cells have been utilized to harness the anti-tumor immune response in a wide range of malignancies, most notably with early evidence of efficacy in hematologic malignancies. NK cells are dysfunctional in patients with hematologic malignancies, and their number and function are further impaired by chemotherapy, radiation, and immunosuppressants used in initial therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Restoring this innate immune deficit may lead to improved therapeutic outcomes. NK cell adoptive transfer has proven to be a safe in these settings, even in the setting of HLA mismatch, and a deeper understanding of NK cell biology and optimized expansion techniques have improved scalability and therapeutic efficacy. Here, we review the use of NK cell therapy in hematologic malignancies and discuss strategies to further improve the efficacy of NK cells against these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret G Lamb
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Suite 5A.1, Columbus, OH, 43205-2664, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Hemalatha G Rangarajan
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Suite 5A.1, Columbus, OH, 43205-2664, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Brian P Tullius
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Suite 5A.1, Columbus, OH, 43205-2664, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Dean A Lee
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Suite 5A.1, Columbus, OH, 43205-2664, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
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17
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Swatler J, Turos-Korgul L, Kozlowska E, Piwocka K. Immunosuppressive Cell Subsets and Factors in Myeloid Leukemias. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061203. [PMID: 33801964 PMCID: PMC7998753 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Effector immune system cells have the ability to kill tumor cells. However, as a cancer (such as leukemia) develops, it inhibits and evades the effector immune response. Such a state of immunosuppression can be driven by several factors – receptors, soluble cytokines, as well as by suppressive immune cells. In this review, we describe factors and cells that constitute immunosuppressive microenvironment of myeloid leukemias. We characterize factors of direct leukemic origin, such as inhibitory receptors, enzymes and extracellular vesicles. Furthermore, we describe suppressive immune cells, such as myeloid derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells. Finally, we sum up changes in these drivers of immune evasion in myeloid leukemias during therapy. Abstract Both chronic myeloid leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia evade the immune response during their development and disease progression. As myeloid leukemia cells modify their bone marrow microenvironment, they lead to dysfunction of cytotoxic cells, such as CD8+ T cells or NK cells, simultaneously promoting development of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and suppressive myeloid cells. This facilitates disease progression, spreading of leukemic blasts outside the bone marrow niche and therapy resistance. The following review focuses on main immunosuppressive features of myeloid leukemias. Firstly, factors derived directly from leukemic cells – inhibitory receptors, soluble factors and extracellular vesicles, are described. Further, we outline function, properties and origin of main immunosuppressive cells - regulatory T cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells and macrophages. Finally, we analyze interplay between recovery of effector immunity and therapeutic modalities, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Swatler
- Laboratory of Cytometry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (J.S.); (L.T.-K.)
| | - Laura Turos-Korgul
- Laboratory of Cytometry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (J.S.); (L.T.-K.)
| | - Ewa Kozlowska
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Functional Biology and Ecology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Piwocka
- Laboratory of Cytometry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (J.S.); (L.T.-K.)
- Correspondence:
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18
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Abstract
It is increasingly clear that the nectin family and its immunoreceptors shape the immune response to cancer through several pathways. Yet, even as antibodies against TIGIT, CD96, and CD112R advance into clinical development, biological and therapeutic questions remain unanswered. Here, we review recent progress, prospects, and challenges to understanding and tapping this family in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Johnston
- Oncology Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, USA
| | - Peter S. Lee
- Discovery Biotherapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, USA;,
| | - Pavel Strop
- Discovery Biotherapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, USA;,
| | - Mark J. Smyth
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia
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19
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Guo R, Lü M, Cao F, Wu G, Gao F, Pang H, Li Y, Zhang Y, Xing H, Liang C, Lyu T, Du C, Li Y, Guo R, Xie X, Li W, Liu D, Song Y, Jiang Z. Single-cell map of diverse immune phenotypes in the acute myeloid leukemia microenvironment. Biomark Res 2021; 9:15. [PMID: 33648605 PMCID: PMC7919996 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-021-00265-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge of immune cell phenotypes, function, and developmental trajectory in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) microenvironment is essential for understanding mechanisms of evading immune surveillance and immunotherapy response of targeting special microenvironment components. METHODS Using a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset, we analyzed the immune cell phenotypes, function, and developmental trajectory of bone marrow (BM) samples from 16 AML patients and 4 healthy donors, but not AML blasts. RESULTS We observed a significant difference between normal and AML BM immune cells. Here, we defined the diversity of dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages in different AML patients. We also identified several unique immune cell types including T helper cell 17 (TH17)-like intermediate population, cytotoxic CD4+ T subset, T cell: erythrocyte complexes, activated regulatory T cells (Treg), and CD8+ memory-like subset. Emerging AML cells remodels the BM immune microenvironment powerfully, leads to immunosuppression by accumulating exhausted/dysfunctional immune effectors, expending immune-activated types, and promoting the formation of suppressive subsets. CONCLUSION Our results provide a comprehensive AML BM immune cell census, which can help to select pinpoint targeted drug and predict efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongqun Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Mengdie Lü
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology of Henan Province, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Fujiao Cao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Guanghua Wu
- The Academy of Medical Science, College of Medical, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Fengcai Gao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Haili Pang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yadan Li
- The Academy of Medical Science, College of Medical, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yinyin Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Haizhou Xing
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chunyan Liang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Tianxin Lyu
- The Academy of Medical Science, College of Medical, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chunyan Du
- Laboratory Animal Center, School of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yingmei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Rong Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xinsheng Xie
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Delong Liu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Yongping Song
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Zhongxing Jiang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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20
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Yeo J, Ko M, Lee DH, Park Y, Jin HS. TIGIT/CD226 Axis Regulates Anti-Tumor Immunity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:200. [PMID: 33670993 DOI: 10.3390/ph14030200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors escape immune surveillance by inducing various immunosuppressive pathways, including the activation of inhibitory receptors on tumor-infiltrating T cells. While monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) blocking programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) have been approved for multiple cancer indications, only a subset of patients benefit from immune checkpoint blockade therapies, highlighting the need for additional approaches. Therefore, the identification of new target molecules acting in distinct or complementary pathways in monotherapy or combination therapy with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade is gaining immense interest. T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) domains (TIGIT) has received considerable attention in cancer immunotherapy. Recently, anti-TIGIT mAb (tiragolumab) has demonstrated promising clinical efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer treatment when combined with an anti-PD-L1 drug (Tecentriq), leading to phase III trial initiation. TIGIT is expressed mainly on T and natural killer cells; it functions as an inhibitory checkpoint receptor, thereby limiting adaptive and innate immunity. CD226 competes for binding with the same ligands with TIGIT but delivers a positive stimulatory signal to the immune cells. This review discusses the recent discoveries regarding the roles of TIGIT and CD226 in immune cell function and their potential application in cancer immunotherapy.
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21
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Abstract
Despite considerable progress has been achieved in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia over the past decades, relapse remains a major problem. Novel therapeutic options aimed at attaining minimal residual disease-negative complete remission are expected to reduce the incidence of relapse and prolong survival. Natural killer cell-based immunotherapy is put forward as an option to tackle the unmet clinical needs. There have been an increasing number of therapeutic dimensions ranging from adoptive NK cell transfer, chimeric antigen receptor-modified NK cells, antibodies, cytokines to immunomodulatory drugs. In this review, we will summarize different forms of NK cell-based immunotherapy for AML based on preclinical investigations and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ting Niu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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22
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Ghasemimehr N, Moazed V, Fatemi A. Gene expression analysis of activating and inhibitory receptors of natural killer cells in patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia. Adv Med Sci 2020; 65:354-60. [PMID: 32592956 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes, which have long been known to play an essential role in immune surveillance of tumor cells. The results of several clinical studies imply evidence of impaired activity of NK cells in acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). The aim of this study was to investigate the gene expression of activating and inhibitory receptors of NK cells in patients with newly diagnosed AML before and after induction therapy using 7 + 3 regimen in comparison to healthy donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixteen AML patients aged 16-64 years as well as 16 matched healthy individuals were studied. Peripheral blood samples from patients were obtained in two steps, namely, in newly diagnosed patients and 28 days after receiving induction therapy. Real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the expression levels of activating receptors, including DNAM-1 and NKp46 as well as inhibitory receptors of KIR2DL1 and NKG2A. RESULTS Our results demonstrated that the newly diagnosed patients showed over 50% decrease in NKp46 expression and a 6-fold increase in KIR2DL1 expression compared to healthy controls. The mRNA expression analysis in patients after induction therapy suggested a significant decrease in mRNA expressions of KIR2DL1 and NKG2A in comparison to newly diagnosed patients. CONCLUSION Herewith, we show a statistical difference in mRNA expression levels of activating (NKp46) and inhibitory receptors from NK cells in newly diagnosed AML patients when compared with healthy controls or patients who received induction therapy, supporting the findings of researchers who reported the impaired NK cells cytotoxicity in AML patients.
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23
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Jin Z, Lan T, Zhao Y, Du J, Chen J, Lai J, Xu L, Chen S, Zhong X, Wu X, Li Y. Higher TIGIT +CD226 - γδ T cells in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Immunol Invest 2020; 51:40-50. [PMID: 32819181 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2020.1806868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The diverse structural and functional heterogeneity of γδ T cells is related to their distinct role in cancer immunity. The different phenotypes of γδ T cells in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is far from clear. In particular, the expression pattern of co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory receptors on γδ T cells remains unknown. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of γδ T cell subsets by expression of the immune checkpoint co-inhibitor TIGIT (T cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domain) and its competing co-stimulatory receptor CD226 in AML patients of different clinical statuses (including de novo AML, AML in non-remission (NR), and AML in complete remission (CR)). Our data demonstrated an imbalanced distribution of TIGIT and CD226 on γδ T cells with a decrease in CD226+ γδ T cells and an increase in TIGIT+ γδ T cells in de novo AML patients, while TIGIT-CD226+ γδ T cells were restored in AML patients who achieved CR after chemotherapy. Moreover, the patients who had higher TIGIT+CD226- γδ T cells showed lower overall survival rate for non-M3 AML, which may be considered a novel prognostic immune biomarker. In conclusion, our study reveals for the first time that imbalance in the TIGIT/CD226 axis might be related to different clinical outcomes for AML patients. ABBREVIATIONS AML: acute myeloid leukemia; CR: complete remission; ICs: immune checkpoints; PD-1: programmed death-1; γδ T cells: gamma delta T cells; TCR: T cell receptor; MHC: major histocompatibility complex; TIGIT: T cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domain; NK: natural killer; PB: Peripheral blood; NR: non-remission; FAB: French-American-British; WHO: World Health Organization; HIs: healthy individuals; OS: overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyi Jin
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianbi Lan
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yun Zhao
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinxia Du
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Lai
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Xu
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueyun Zhong
- Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiuli Wu
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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24
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Abstract
Immunotherapy with checkpoint blockade induces rapid and durable immune control of cancer in some patients and has driven a monumental shift in cancer treatment. Neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells are at the forefront of current immunotherapy strategies, and the majority of drug discovery and clinical trials revolve around further harnessing these immune effectors. Yet the immune system contains a diverse range of antitumour effector cells, and these must function in a coordinated and synergistic manner to overcome the immune-evasion mechanisms used by tumours and achieve complete control with tumour eradication. A key antitumour effector is the natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic innate lymphocytes present at high frequency in the circulatory system and identified by their exquisite ability to spontaneously detect and lyse transformed or stressed cells. Emerging data show a role for intratumoural NK cells in driving immunotherapy response and, accordingly, there have been renewed efforts to further elucidate and target the pathways controlling NK cell antitumour function. In this Review, we discuss recent clinical evidence that NK cells are a key immune constituent in the protective antitumour immune response and highlight the major stages of the cancer-NK cell immunity cycle. We also perform a new analysis of publicly available transcriptomic data to provide an overview of the prognostic value of NK cell gene expression in 25 tumour types. Furthermore, we discuss how the role of NK cells evolves with tumour progression, presenting new opportunities to target NK cell function to enhance cancer immunotherapy response rates across a more diverse range of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas D Huntington
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- oNKo-Innate Pty Ltd, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Joseph Cursons
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- oNKo-Innate Pty Ltd, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Jai Rautela
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- oNKo-Innate Pty Ltd, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia
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25
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Chauhan SKS, Koehl U, Kloess S. Harnessing NK Cell Checkpoint-Modulating Immunotherapies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1807. [PMID: 32640575 PMCID: PMC7408278 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During the host immune response, the precise balance of the immune system, regulated by immune checkpoint, is required to avoid infection and cancer. These immune checkpoints are the mainstream regulator of the immune response and are crucial for self-tolerance. During the last decade, various new immune checkpoint molecules have been studied, providing an attractive path to evaluate their potential role as targets for effective therapeutic interventions. Checkpoint inhibitors have mainly been explored in T cells until now, but natural killer (NK) cells are a newly emerging target for the determination of checkpoint molecules. Simultaneously, an increasing number of therapeutic dimensions have been explored, including modulatory and inhibitory checkpoint molecules, either causing dysfunction or promoting effector functions. Furthermore, the combination of the immune checkpoint with other NK cell-based therapeutic strategies could also strengthen its efficacy as an antitumor therapy. In this review, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of the literature to date regarding underlying mechanisms of modulatory and inhibitory checkpoint molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Institute of cellular therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (U.K.); (S.K.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Kloess
- Institute of cellular therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (U.K.); (S.K.)
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26
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Leung EY, Ennis DP, Kennedy PR, Hansell C, Dowson S, Farquharson M, Spiliopoulou P, Nautiyal J, McNamara S, Carlin LM, Fisher K, Davis DM, Graham G, McNeish IA. NK Cells Augment Oncolytic Adenovirus Cytotoxicity in Ovarian Cancer. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2020; 16:289-301. [PMID: 32195317 PMCID: PMC7068056 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) can trigger profound innate and adaptive immune responses, which have the potential both to potentiate and reduce the activity of OVs. Natural killer (NK) cells can mediate potent anti-viral and anti-tumoral responses, but there are no data on the role of NK cells in oncolytic adenovirus activity. Here, we have used two different oncolytic adenoviruses-the Ad5 E1A CR2-deletion mutant dl922-947 (group C) and the chimeric Ad3/Ad11p mutant enadenotucirev (group B)-to investigate the effect of NK cells on overall anti-cancer efficacy in ovarian cancer. Because human adenoviruses do not replicate in murine cells, we utilized primary human NK cells from peripheral blood and ovarian cancer ascites. Our results show that dl922-947 and enadenotucirev do not infect NK cells, but induce contact-dependent activation and anti-cancer cytotoxicity against adenovirus-infected ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, manipulation of NK receptors DNAM-1 (DNAX accessory molecule-1) and TIGIT (T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains) significantly influences NK cytotoxicity against adenovirus-infected cells. Together, these results indicate that NK cells act to increase the activity of oncolytic adenovirus in ovarian cancer and suggest that strategies to augment NK activity further via the blockade of inhibitory NK receptor TIGIT could enhance therapeutic potential of OVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Y.L. Leung
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Darren P. Ennis
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre and Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Philippa R. Kennedy
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Christopher Hansell
- Institute of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Suzanne Dowson
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Pavlina Spiliopoulou
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre and Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Jaya Nautiyal
- Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre and Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Sophie McNamara
- Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre and Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | | | | | - Daniel M. Davis
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Gerard Graham
- Institute of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Iain A. McNeish
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre and Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
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27
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Sayitoglu EC, Georgoudaki AM, Chrobok M, Ozkazanc D, Josey BJ, Arif M, Kusser K, Hartman M, Chinn TM, Potens R, Pamukcu C, Krueger R, Zhang C, Mardinoglu A, Alici E, Temple HT, Sutlu T, Duru AD. Boosting Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Targeting of Sarcoma Through DNAM-1 and NKG2D. Front Immunol 2020; 11:40. [PMID: 32082316 PMCID: PMC7001093 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are malignancies of mesenchymal origin that occur in bone and soft tissues. Many are chemo- and radiotherapy resistant, thus conventional treatments fail to increase overall survival. Natural Killer (NK) cells exert anti-tumor activity upon detection of a complex array of tumor ligands, but this has not been thoroughly explored in the context of sarcoma immunotherapy. In this study, we investigated the NK cell receptor/ligand immune profile of primary human sarcoma explants. Analysis of tumors from 32 sarcoma patients identified the proliferative marker PCNA and DNAM-1 ligands CD112 and/or CD155 as commonly expressed antigens that could be efficiently targeted by genetically modified (GM) NK cells. Despite the strong expression of CD112 and CD155 on sarcoma cells, characterization of freshly dissociated sarcomas revealed a general decrease in tumor-infiltrating NK cells compared to the periphery, suggesting a defect in the endogenous NK cell response. We also applied a functional screening approach to identify relevant NK cell receptor/ligand interactions that induce efficient anti-tumor responses using a panel NK-92 cell lines GM to over-express 12 different activating receptors. Using GM NK-92 cells against primary sarcoma explants (n = 12) revealed that DNAM-1 over-expression on NK-92 cells led to efficient degranulation against all tested explants (n = 12). Additionally, NKG2D over-expression showed enhanced responses against 10 out of 12 explants. These results show that DNAM-1+ or NKG2D+ GM NK-92 cells may be an efficient approach in targeting sarcomas. The degranulation capacity of GM NK-92 cell lines was also tested against various established tumor cell lines, including neuroblastoma, Schwannoma, melanoma, myeloma, leukemia, prostate, pancreatic, colon, and lung cancer. Enhanced degranulation of DNAM-1+ or NKG2D+ GM NK-92 cells was observed against the majority of tumor cell lines tested. In conclusion, DNAM-1 or NKG2D over-expression elicited a dynamic increase in NK cell degranulation against all sarcoma explants and cancer cell lines tested, including those that failed to induce a notable response in WT NK-92 cells. These results support the broad therapeutic potential of DNAM-1+ or NKG2D+ GM NK-92 cells and GM human NK cells for the treatment of sarcomas and other malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Canan Sayitoglu
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States.,NSU Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Anna-Maria Georgoudaki
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States.,NSU Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States.,Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Chrobok
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Didem Ozkazanc
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Benjamin J Josey
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States.,NSU Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Muhammad Arif
- Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kim Kusser
- Translational Research and Economic Development, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Michelle Hartman
- Translational Research and Economic Development, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Tamara M Chinn
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Renee Potens
- NSU Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Cevriye Pamukcu
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Robin Krueger
- Translational Research and Economic Development, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adil Mardinoglu
- Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Evren Alici
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Harry Thomas Temple
- Department of Surgery, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Tolga Sutlu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bogaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Adil Doganay Duru
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States.,NSU Cell Therapy Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States.,Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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28
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Fisicaro P, Rossi M, Vecchi A, Acerbi G, Barili V, Laccabue D, Montali I, Zecca A, Penna A, Missale G, Ferrari C, Boni C. The Good and the Bad of Natural Killer Cells in Virus Control: Perspective for Anti-HBV Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20205080. [PMID: 31614928 PMCID: PMC6834135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune modulatory therapies are widely believed to represent potential therapeutic strategies for chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB). Among the cellular targets for immune interventions, Natural Killer (NK) cells represent possible candidates because they have a key role in anti-viral control by producing cytokines and by exerting cytotoxic functions against virus-infected cells. However, in patients with chronic hepatitis B, NK cells have been described to be more pathogenic than protective with preserved cytolytic activity but with a poor capacity to produce anti-viral cytokines. In addition, NK cells can exert a regulatory activity and possibly suppress adaptive immune responses in the setting of persistent viral infections. Consequently, a potential drawback of NK-cell targeted modulatory interventions is that they can potentiate the suppressive NK cell effect on virus-specific T cells, which further causes impairment of exhausted anti-viral T cell functions. Thus, clinically useful NK-cell modulatory strategies should be not only suited to improve positive anti-viral NK cell functions but also to abrogate T cell suppression by NK cell-mediated T cell killing. This review outlines the main NK cell features with a particular focus on CHB infection. It describes different mechanisms involved in NK-T cell interplay as well as how NK cells can have positive anti-viral effector functions and negative suppressive effects on T cells activity. This review discusses how modulation of their balance can have potential therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Fisicaro
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Marzia Rossi
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Andrea Vecchi
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Greta Acerbi
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Valeria Barili
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Diletta Laccabue
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Montali
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Zecca
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Amalia Penna
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Missale
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Carlo Ferrari
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Carolina Boni
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda-Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
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29
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Carlsten M, Järås M. Natural Killer Cells in Myeloid Malignancies: Immune Surveillance, NK Cell Dysfunction, and Pharmacological Opportunities to Bolster the Endogenous NK Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2357. [PMID: 31681270 PMCID: PMC6797594 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are large granular lymphocytes involved in our defense against certain virus-infected and malignant cells. In contrast to T cells, NK cells elicit rapid anti-tumor responses based on signals from activating and inhibitory cell surface receptors. They also lyse target cells via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, a critical mode of action of several therapeutic antibodies used to treat cancer. A body of evidence shows that NK cells can exhibit potent anti-tumor activity against chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, disease-associated mechanisms often restrain the proper functions of endogenous NK cells, leading to inadequate tumor control and risk for disease progression. Although allogeneic NK cells can prevent leukemia relapse in certain settings of stem cell transplantation, not all patients are eligible for this type of therapy. Moreover, remissions induced by adoptively infused NK cells are only transient and require subsequent therapy to maintain durable responses. Hence, new strategies are needed to trigger full and durable anti-leukemia responses by NK cells in patients with myeloid malignancies. To achieve this, we need to better understand the interplay between the malignant cells, their microenvironment, and the NK cells. This review focuses on mechanisms that are involved in suppressing NK cells in patients with myeloid leukemia and MDS, and means to restore their full anti-tumor potential. It also discusses novel molecular targets and approaches, such as bi- and tri-specific antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, to redirect and/or unleash the NK cells against the leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Carlsten
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcus Järås
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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30
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Holmes VM, Maluquer de Motes C, Richards PT, Roldan J, Bhargava AK, Orange JS, Krummenacher C. Interaction between nectin-1 and the human natural killer cell receptor CD96. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212443. [PMID: 30759143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of Natural Killer (NK) cell activity is achieved by the integration of both activating and inhibitory signals acquired at the immunological synapse with potential target cells. NK cells express paired receptors from the immunoglobulin family which share common ligands from the nectin family of adhesion molecules. The activating receptor CD226 (DNAM-1) binds to nectin-2 and CD155, which are also recognized by the inhibitory receptor TIGIT. The third receptor in this family is CD96, which is less well characterized and may have different functions in human and mouse models. Human CD96 interacts with CD155 and ligation of this receptor activates NK cells, while in mice the presence of CD96 correlates with decreased NK cell activation. Mouse CD96 also binds nectin-1, but the effect of this interaction has not yet been determined. Here we show that human nectin-1 directly interacts with CD96 in vitro. The binding site for CD96 is located on the nectin-1 V-domain, which comprises a canonical interface that is shared by nectins to promote cell adhesion. The affinity of nectin-1 for CD96 is lower than for other nectins such as nectin-3 and nectin-1 itself. However, the affinity of nectin-1 for CD96 is similar to its affinity for herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D (HSV gD), which binds the nectin-1 V-domain during virus entry. The affinity of human CD96 for nectin-1 is lower than for its known activating ligand CD155. We also found that human erythroleukemia K562 cells, which are commonly used as susceptible targets to assess NK cell cytotoxicity did not express nectin-1 on their surface and were resistant to HSV infection. When expressed in K562 cells, nectin-1-GFP accumulated at cell contacts and allowed HSV entry. Furthermore, overexpression of nectin-1-GFP led to an increased susceptibility of K562 cells to NK-92 cell cytotoxicity.
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31
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Vulpis E, Stabile H, Soriani A, Fionda C, Petrucci MT, Mariggio' E, Ricciardi MR, Cippitelli M, Gismondi A, Santoni A, Zingoni A. Key Role of the CD56 lowCD16 low Natural Killer Cell Subset in the Recognition and Killing of Multiple Myeloma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10120473. [PMID: 30501078 PMCID: PMC6317053 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10120473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in the immunosurveillance of Multiple Myeloma (MM), but it is still undefined whether the NK cell functional properties underlying their protective activity against MM are confined to distinct NK cell populations. Interestingly, herein we report that the CD56lowCD16low NK cell subset displayed higher cytolytic activity compared to the other NK cell subsets (i.e., CD56highCD16+/−, CD56lowCD16high) against MM cells and its activity was impaired in MM patients. Decreased DNAM-1 expression levels were observed on the CD56lowCD16low NK cells during MM progression. Evaluating NK cell subset frequency after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, we found that CD56lowCD16low NK cells recovered earlier after transplantation. Overall, our data denote a key role of CD56lowCD16low subpopulation in the killing of MM cells and suggest that the reconstitution of CD56lowCD16low subpopulation after HSCT could be a useful approach of adoptive immunotherapy in the treatment of relapsed/refractory MM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Vulpis
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Helena Stabile
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Soriani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Fionda
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Teresa Petrucci
- Division of Hematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Elena Mariggio'
- Division of Hematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Rosaria Ricciardi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Cippitelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Angela Gismondi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
- IRCCS, Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Zingoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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32
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Kumar N, Khakoo SI. Hepatocellular carcinoma: Prospects for natural killer cell immunotherapy. HLA 2018; 92:3-11. [PMID: 29667374 DOI: 10.1111/tan.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Liver disease is a growing cause of death in the United Kingdom and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rising (http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/). The combination of an immunosuppressive environment within the liver and suboptimal host anti-tumour immune responses may account for the poor survival outcome of HCC. Understanding how tumours evade immune recognition coupled with new insights into the unique immunological environment within the liver will be critical to developing liver-specific immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kumar
- Section of Hepatology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - S I Khakoo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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33
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Voutsadakis IA. Expression and function of immune ligand-receptor pairs in NK cells and cancer stem cells: therapeutic implications. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2018; 41:107-121. [PMID: 29470831 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-018-0373-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interplay between the immune system and cancer cells has come to the forefront of cancer therapeutics, with novel immune blockade inhibitors being approved for the treatment of an increasing list of cancers. However, the majority of cancer patients still display or develop resistance to these promising drugs. It is possible that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are contributing to this therapeutic resistance. Although CSCs usually represent a small percentage of the total number of cancer cells, they are endowed with the ability of self-renewal and to produce differentiated progeny. Additionally, they have shown the capacity to establish tumors after transplantation to animals, even in small numbers. CSCs have also been found to be resistant to various anti-cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and, more recently, immunotherapy. This is true despite the sensitivity of CSCs to lysis in vitro by natural killer (NK) cells, the main effector cells of the innate immune system. In this paper the expression of ligands specific for NK cells on CSCs, the intracellular network responsible for the expression of the NK cytotoxicity receptors, and the status of activation of NK cells in the tumor micro-environment are reviewed. The aim of this review is to highlight potential strategies for overcoming CSC immune resistance, thereby enhancing the efficacy of current and future anti-cancer therapies. THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS NK cell activation in the tumor micro-environment through drugs neutralizing inhibitory immune receptors, and combined with other drugs harnessing the potential of the adaptive immune system, could be the most effective approach for attacking both stem cell and non-stem cell cancer populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis A Voutsadakis
- Algoma District Cancer Program, Sault Area Hospital, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada. .,Division of Clinical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, ON, Canada. .,Division of Medical Oncology, Sault Area Hospital, 750 Great Northern Road, Sault Ste Marie, ON, P6B 0A8, Canada.
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Abstract
A group of impressive immunotherapies for cancer treatment, including immune checkpoint-blocking antibodies, gene therapy and immune cell adoptive cellular immunotherapy, have been established, providing new weapons to fight cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells are a component of the first line of defense against tumors and virus infections. Studies have shown dysfunctional NK cells in patients with cancer. Thus, restoring NK cell antitumor functionality could be a promising therapeutic strategy. NK cells that are activated and expanded ex vivo can supplement malfunctional NK cells in tumor patients. Therapeutic antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), or bispecific proteins can all retarget NK cells precisely to tumor cells. Therapeutic antibody blockade of the immune checkpoints of NK cells has been suggested to overcome the immunosuppressive signals delivered to NK cells. Oncolytic virotherapy provokes antitumor activity of NK cells by triggering antiviral immune responses. Herein, we review the current immunotherapeutic approaches employed to restore NK cell antitumor functionality for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangxi Li
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
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35
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Fang L, Jin J, Chen P, Wang N, Zeng H, Jin B, Li H, Chen L. CD226 deficiency improves cognitive functions and ameliorates anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Brain Behav 2017; 7:e00871. [PMID: 29299389 PMCID: PMC5745249 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD226 is a cell surface adhesion molecule expressed in the immune system and central nervous system. Although the role of CD226 in the function of immune cells has been well studied, there has been no report on the potential functional significance of CD226 in neural cells. METHODS We investigated the role of CD226 on the cognitive function and behaviors using CD226 knockout (CD226KO) and wild-type mice. The spatial learning and memory were characterized using Morris water maze test, and the behaviors were evaluated using open field and elevated plus maze tests. IL-10 expression in the hippocampus was measured using RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS The results showed that CD226KO mice displayed increased spatial learning and memory than the wild-type controls. We also found that genetic deletion of CD226 resulted in decreased anxiety-like behaviors. In addition, the hippocampal expression level of IL-10 was increased in the CD226KO mice compared with the WT mice. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that CD226 plays an important role in the modulation of cognition and anxiety in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Fang
- Department of Immunology The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
| | - Jingyi Jin
- Department of Immunology The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
| | - Ping Chen
- Department of Immunology The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Immunology The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
| | - Hanyu Zeng
- Department of Immunology The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
| | - Boquan Jin
- Department of Immunology The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Anatomy K.K. Leung Brain Research Centre The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
| | - Lihua Chen
- Department of Immunology The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
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36
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Vanpouille-Box C, Lhuillier C, Bezu L, Aranda F, Yamazaki T, Kepp O, Fucikova J, Spisek R, Demaria S, Formenti SC, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G, Galluzzi L. Trial watch: Immune checkpoint blockers for cancer therapy. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1373237. [PMID: 29147629 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1373237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) are literally revolutionizing the clinical management of an ever more diversified panel of oncological indications. Although considerable attention persists around the inhibition of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) and programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1, best known as PD-1) signaling, several other co-inhibitory T-cell receptors are being evaluated as potential targets for the development of novel ICBs. Moreover, substantial efforts are being devoted to the identification of biomarkers that reliably predict the likelihood of each patient to obtain clinical benefits from ICBs in the absence of severe toxicity. Tailoring the delivery of specific ICBs or combinations thereof to selected patient populations in the context of precision medicine programs constitutes indeed a major objective of the future of ICB-based immunotherapy. Here, we discuss recent preclinical and clinical advances on the development of ICBs for oncological indications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claire Lhuillier
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lucillia Bezu
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Paris, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France.,Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France.,INSERM, U1138, Paris, France.,Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France
| | - Fernando Aranda
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Takahiro Yamazaki
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Oliver Kepp
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Paris, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France.,Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France.,INSERM, U1138, Paris, France.,Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France
| | - Jitka Fucikova
- Sotio a.c., Prague, Czech Republic.,Dept. of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Spisek
- Sotio a.c., Prague, Czech Republic.,Dept. of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sandra Demaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Silvia C Formenti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France.,INSERM, U1015, Villejuif, France.,Center of Clinical Investigations in Biotherapies of Cancer (CICBT) 1428, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris Sud/Paris XI, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Paris, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France.,Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France.,INSERM, U1138, Paris, France.,Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Pôle de Biologie, Hopitâl Européen George Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Paris, France.,Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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37
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Maggs L, Kinsella F, Chan YLT, Eldershaw S, Murray D, Nunnick J, Bird J, Craddock C, Zuo J, Malladi R, Moss P. The number of CD56 dim NK cells in the graft has a major impact on risk of disease relapse following allo-HSCT. Blood Adv 2017; 1:1589-97. [PMID: 29296800 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017008631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect of allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is mediated by the donor immune system and acts to decrease the rate of disease relapse. Although studies of posttransplant immune reconstitution have identified correlates of clinical outcome, the number and profile of mature immune cells infused with the stem cell graft is also likely to be an important determinant and has been relatively poorly studied. We characterized immune cells within the stem cell graft of 107 patients who underwent T-cell-depleted allo-HSCT and related this to clinical outcome. The number of natural killer (NK) cells and T cells that were infused varied markedly between patients, but T-cell dose was not an important factor in subsequent outcome. In contrast, the number of NK cells was a powerful determinant of the risk of disease relapse. Patients who received an NK cell dose below the median level of 6.3 × 106 cells per kg had a relapse rate of 40% at 2 years posttransplant compared with only 6% for those whose stem cell graft contained a dose above this value. Analysis of NK subsets showed that this effect was mediated primarily by the CD56dim population of mature effector cells and that high-level expression of the activatory protein DNAM on donor NK cells was also strongly protective. These observations offer important insights into the mechanism of GVL and suggest that optimization studies of the number of NK cells within the stem cell graft should be considered as a means to reduce disease relapse.
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38
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Kearney CJ, Lalaoui N, Freeman AJ, Ramsbottom KM, Silke J, Oliaro J. PD-L1 and IAPs co-operate to protect tumors from cytotoxic lymphocyte-derived TNF. Cell Death Differ 2017; 24:1705-16. [PMID: 28665401 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2017.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Smac-mimetics are emerging as promising anti-cancer agents and are being evaluated in clinical trials for a variety of malignancies. Smac-mimetics can induce TNF production from a subset of tumor cells and simultaneously sensitize them to TNF-induced apoptosis. However, TNF derived from other cellular sources, such as cytotoxic lymphocytes (CLs) within the tumor, may also contribute to the anti-tumor activity of SMs. Here, we show that CD8+ T cells and NK cells potently kill tumor cells in the presence of the SM, birinapant. Enhanced CL killing occurred through TNF secretion upon tumor antigen recognition or NK-activating receptor ligation. Importantly, the perforin/granzyme route to CL-mediated tumor cell killing was dispensable for the efficacy of birinapant, emphasizing the importance of the TNF-mediated apoptosis pathway. Time-lapse microscopy revealed that birinapant sensitized tumor cells to apoptosis as bystanders and to membrane-bound TNF delivered to tumor cells within the immunological synapse. Furthermore, PD-L1 expression on tumor cells suppressed antigen-driven TNF production by CD8+ T cells, which could be antagonized through PD-1 blockade. Importantly, the elevated levels of TNF produced upon PD-1 blockade further enhanced tumor cell killing when combined with birinapant. The combined anti-tumor activity of IAP antagonism and PD-1 blockade occurred independently of perforin-mediated tumor cell death. Taken together, we identify CL-derived TNF as a potent effector of birinapant mediated anti-tumor immunity and opportunity for combination therapy through co-inhibition of immune checkpoints.
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Heidenreich S, Kröger N. Reduction of Relapse after Unrelated Donor Stem Cell Transplantation by KIR-Based Graft Selection. Front Immunol 2017; 8:41. [PMID: 28228753 PMCID: PMC5296332 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides donor T cells, natural killer (NK) cells are considered to have a major role in preventing relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). After T-cell-depleted haploidentical HSCT, a strong NK alloreactivity has been described. These effects have been attributed to killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). Abundant reports suggest a major role of KIR not only on outcome after haploidentical HSCT but also in the unrelated donor setting. In this review, we give a brief overview of the mechanism of NK cell activation, nomenclature of KIR haplotypes, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) groups, and distinct models for prediction of NK cell alloreactivity. It can be concluded that KIR-ligand mismatch seems to provoke adverse effects in unrelated donor HSCT with reduced overall survival and increased risk for high-grade acute graft-versus-host disease. The presence of activating KIR, as seen in KIR haplotype B, as well as the patient’s HLA C1/x haplotype might reduce relapse in myeloid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Heidenreich
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Nicolaus Kröger
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
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