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Kristenson L, Badami C, Ljungberg A, Islamagic E, Tian Y, Xie G, Hussein BA, Pesce S, Tang KW, Thorén FB. Deletion of the TMEM30A gene enables leukemic cell evasion of NK cell cytotoxicity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2316447121. [PMID: 38557174 PMCID: PMC11009675 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316447121] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy has gained attention as a promising strategy for treatment of various malignancies. In this study, we used a genome-wide CRISPR screen to identify genes that provide protection or susceptibility to NK cell cytotoxicity. The screen confirmed the role of several genes in NK cell regulation, such as genes involved in interferon-γ signaling and antigen presentation, as well as genes encoding the NK cell receptor ligands B7-H6 and CD58. Notably, the gene TMEM30A, encoding CDC50A-beta-subunit of the flippase shuttling phospholipids in the plasma membrane, emerged as crucial for NK cell killing. Accordingly, a broad range of TMEM30A knock-out (KO) leukemia and lymphoma cells displayed increased surface levels of phosphatidylserine (PtdSer). TMEM30A KO cells triggered less NK cell degranulation, cytokine production and displayed lower susceptibility to NK cell cytotoxicity. Blockade of PtdSer or the inhibitory receptor TIM-3, restored the NK cell ability to eliminate TMEM30A-mutated cells. The key role of the TIM-3 - PtdSer interaction for NK cell regulation was further substantiated by disruption of the receptor gene in primary NK cells, which significantly reduced the impact of elevated PtdSer in TMEM30A KO leukemic cells. Our study underscores the potential significance of agents targeting the interaction between PtdSer and TIM-3 in the realm of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea Kristenson
- Tumor Immunology (TIMM) Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
| | - Chiara Badami
- Tumor Immunology (TIMM) Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
| | - Angelica Ljungberg
- Tumor Immunology (TIMM) Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
| | - Erna Islamagic
- Tumor Immunology (TIMM) Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
| | - Yarong Tian
- Tumor Immunology (TIMM) Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 46, Sweden
| | - Guojiang Xie
- Tumor Immunology (TIMM) Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 46, Sweden
| | - Brwa Ali Hussein
- Tumor Immunology (TIMM) Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Tumor Immunology (TIMM) Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, Genoa16132, Italy
| | - Ka-Wei Tang
- Tumor Immunology (TIMM) Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 46, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg413 46, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
| | - Fredrik B. Thorén
- Tumor Immunology (TIMM) Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg413 90, Sweden
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Riva C, Vernarecci C, Minetto P, Goda R, Greppi M, Pesce S, Chies M, Zecchetti G, Ferro B, Maio E, Cea M, Lemoli RM, Marcenaro E, Guolo F. Harnessing Immune Response in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5824. [PMID: 37762763 PMCID: PMC10532363 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12185824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the results achieved with the evolution of conventional chemotherapy and the inclusion of targeted therapies in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), survival is still not satisfying, in particular in the setting of relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease or elderly/unfit patients. Among the most innovative therapeutic options, cellular therapy has shown great results in different hematological malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphomas, with several products already approved for clinical use. However, despite the great interest in also expanding the application of these new treatments to R/R AML, no product has been approved yet for clinical application. Furthermore, cellular therapy could indeed represent a powerful tool and an appealing alternative to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for ineligible patients. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the most recent clinical research exploring the effectiveness of cellular therapy in AML, moving from consolidated approaches such as post- transplant donor's lymphocytes infusion, to modern adoptive immunotherapies such as alloreactive NK cell infusions, engineered T and NK cells (CAR-T, CAR-NK) and novel platforms of T and NK cells engaging (i.e., BiTEs, DARTs and ANKETTM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Riva
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (C.R.); (C.V.); (M.C.); (G.Z.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (M.C.); (R.M.L.); (F.G.)
| | - Chiara Vernarecci
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (C.R.); (C.V.); (M.C.); (G.Z.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (M.C.); (R.M.L.); (F.G.)
| | - Paola Minetto
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Rayan Goda
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (R.G.); (M.G.); (S.P.)
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (R.G.); (M.G.); (S.P.)
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (R.G.); (M.G.); (S.P.)
| | - Maria Chies
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (C.R.); (C.V.); (M.C.); (G.Z.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (M.C.); (R.M.L.); (F.G.)
| | - Giada Zecchetti
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (C.R.); (C.V.); (M.C.); (G.Z.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (M.C.); (R.M.L.); (F.G.)
| | - Beatrice Ferro
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (C.R.); (C.V.); (M.C.); (G.Z.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (M.C.); (R.M.L.); (F.G.)
| | - Elena Maio
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (C.R.); (C.V.); (M.C.); (G.Z.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (M.C.); (R.M.L.); (F.G.)
| | - Michele Cea
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (C.R.); (C.V.); (M.C.); (G.Z.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (M.C.); (R.M.L.); (F.G.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Roberto Massimo Lemoli
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (C.R.); (C.V.); (M.C.); (G.Z.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (M.C.); (R.M.L.); (F.G.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy;
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (R.G.); (M.G.); (S.P.)
| | - Fabio Guolo
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (C.R.); (C.V.); (M.C.); (G.Z.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (M.C.); (R.M.L.); (F.G.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy;
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Biatta CM, Paudice M, Greppi M, Parrella V, Parodi A, De Luca G, Cerruti GM, Mammoliti S, Caroti C, Menichini P, Fronza G, Pesce S, Marcenaro E, Vellone VG. The fading guardian: clinical relevance of TP53 null mutation in high-grade serous ovarian cancers. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1221605. [PMID: 37680633 PMCID: PMC10480567 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1221605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background we evaluated the concordance between immunohistochemical p53 staining and TP53 mutations in a series of HGSOC. Moreover, we searched for prognostic differences between p53 overexpression and null expression groups. Methods patients affected by HGSOC were included. For each case p53 immunohistochemical staining and molecular assay (Sanger sequencing) were performed. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were undertaken to determine whether the type of TP53 mutation, or p53 staining pattern influenced overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Results 34 HGSOC were considered. All cases with a null immunohistochemical p53 expression (n=16) showed TP53 mutations (n=9 nonsense, n=4 in-frame deletion, n=2 splice, n=1 in-frame insertion). 16 out of 18 cases with p53 overexpression showed TP53 missense mutation. Follow up data were available for 33 out of 34 cases (median follow up time 15 month). We observed a significant reduction of OS in p53 null group [HR = 3.64, 95% CI 1.01-13.16]. Conclusion immunohistochemical assay is a reliable surrogate for TP53 mutations in most cases. Despite the small cohort and the limited median follow up, we can infer that HGSOC harboring p53 null mutations are a more aggressive subgroup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara M. Biatta
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Paudice
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Pathology University Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico S. Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Veronica Parrella
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessia Parodi
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuseppa De Luca
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico S. Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | - Cinzia Caroti
- Oncology University Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Menichini
- Mutagenesis and Cancer Prevention Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico S.Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gilberto Fronza
- Mutagenesis and Cancer Prevention Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico S.Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Valerio G. Vellone
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Hussein BA, Kristenson L, Pesce S, Wöhr A, Tian Y, Hallner A, Brune M, Hellstrand K, Tang KW, Bernson E, Thorén FB. NKG2A gene variant predicts outcome of immunotherapy in AML and modulates the repertoire and function of NK cells. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007202. [PMID: 37648262 PMCID: PMC10471874 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The natural killer (NK) complex (NKC) harbors multiple genes such as KLRC1 (encoding NKG2A) and KLRK1 (encoding NKG2D) that are central to regulation of NK cell function. We aimed at determining to what extent NKC haplotypes impact on NK cell repertoire and function, and whether such gene variants impact on outcome of IL-2-based immunotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS Genotype status of NKG2D rs1049174 and NKG2A rs1983526 was determined using the TaqMan-Allelic discrimination approach. To dissect the impact of single nucloetide polymorphim (SNP) on NK cell function, we engineered the K562 cell line with CRISPR to be killed in a highly NKG2D-dependent fashion. NK cells were assayed for degranulation, intracellular cytokine production and cytotoxicity using flow cytometry. RESULTS In AML patients receiving immunotherapy, the NKG2A gene variant, rs1983526, was associated with superior leukemia-free survival and overall survival. We observed that superior NK degranulation from individuals with the high-cytotoxicity NKG2D variant was explained by presence of a larger, highly responsive NKG2A+ subset. Notably, NK cells from donors homozygous for a favorable allele encoding NKG2A mounted stronger cytokine responses when challenged with leukemic cells, and NK cells from AML patients with this genotype displayed higher accumulation of granzyme B during histamine dihydrochloride/IL-2 immunotherapy. Additionally, among AML patients, the NKG2A SNP defined a subset of patients with HLA-B-21 TT with a strikingly favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS The study results imply that a dimorphism in the NKG2A gene is associated with enhanced NK cell effector function and improved outcome of IL-2-based immunotherapy in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brwa Ali Hussein
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linnea Kristenson
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Silvia Pesce
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anne Wöhr
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yarong Tian
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alexander Hallner
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mats Brune
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kristoffer Hellstrand
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ka-Wei Tang
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elin Bernson
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg,Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Fredrik B Thorén
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Rebaudi F, De Rosa A, Greppi M, Pistilli R, Pucci R, Govoni FA, Iacoviello P, Broccolo F, Tomasello G, Pesce S, Laganà F, Bianchi B, Di Gaudio F, Rebaudi A, Marcenaro E. A new method for oral cancer biomarkers detection with a non-invasive cyto-salivary sampling and rapid-highly sensitive ELISA immunoassay: a pilot study in humans. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1216107. [PMID: 37483588 PMCID: PMC10358763 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1216107] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for approximately 90% of oral malignancies and has a 5-year mortality rate close to 50%. A consistent part (70%) of all oral cancers is diagnosed at an advanced stage since available screening techniques are ineffective. Therefore, it would be urgent to improve them. The diagnostic gold standard is tissue biopsy with histological and immunohistochemical assessment. This method presents some limitations. Biopsy is invasive and the histopathological evaluation is semi-quantitative, and the absolute abundance of the target cannot be reliably determined. In addition, tissue is highly processed and may lead to loss of information of the natural state. The search for classical and new clinical biomarkers on fragments of tissue/cells collected with a cytobrush is a highly hopeful technique for early detection and diagnosis of OSCC, because of its non-invasive sampling and easy collection method. Methods Here we analyzed cytobrush biopsies samples collected from the oral cavity of 15 patients with already diagnosed OSCC by applying an innovative high-sensitivity ELISA technique, in order to verify if this approach may provide useful information for detection, diagnosis, and prognosis of OSCC. To this end, we selected six biomarkers, already used in clinical practice for the diagnosis of OSCC (EGFR, Ki67, p53) or selected based on recent scientific and clinical data which indicate their presence or over-expression in cells undergoing transformation and their role as possible molecular targets in immunecheckpoints blockade therapies (PD-L1, HLA-E, B7-H6). Results The selected tumor biomarkers were highly expressed in the tumor core, while were virtually negative in healthy tissue collected from the same patients. These differences were highly statistically significant and consistent with those obtained using the gold standard test clearly indicating that the proposed approach, i.e. analysis of biomarkers by a custom ELISA technique, is strongly reliable. Discussion These preliminary data suggest that this non-invasive rapid phenotyping technique could be useful as a screening tool for phenotyping oral lesions and support clinical practice by precise indications on the characteristics of the lesion, also with a view to the application of new anti-tumor treatments, such as immunotherapy, aimed at OSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Rebaudi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Alfredo De Rosa
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Pistilli
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - Resi Pucci
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Iacoviello
- Department of Maxillofacial and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Broccolo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Laganà
- IRCCS Ospedale San Martino, Unità Operativa Complessa di Chirurgia Maxillofacciale e Odontoiatra, Genova, Italy
| | - Bernardo Bianchi
- IRCCS Ospedale San Martino, Unità Operativa Complessa di Chirurgia Maxillofacciale e Odontoiatra, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Gaudio
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, CQRC (Quality Control and Chemical Risk) Hospital Company, Hospitals Reunited Villa Sofia Cervello, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alberto Rebaudi
- Private Practice, President of Bio.C.R.A. (Biomaterials Clinical-Histological Research Association), Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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Pesce S, Melaiu O. Editorial: Cell network in antitumor immunity of pediatric and adult solid tumors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1246695. [PMID: 37483600 PMCID: PMC10359700 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1246695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ombretta Melaiu
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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7
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Greppi M, Obino V, Goda R, Rebaudi F, Carlomagno S, Della Chiesa M, Sivori S, Ubezio G, Agostini V, Bo A, Pesce S, Marcenaro E. Identification of a novel cord blood NK cell subpopulation expressing functional programmed death receptor-1. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1183215. [PMID: 37441071 PMCID: PMC10335745 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1183215] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Natural Killer cells (NKs) represent the innate counterpart of TCRαβ lymphocytes and are characterized by a high anti-tumor and an anti-viral cytotoxic activity. Recently, it has been demonstrated that NKs can express PD-1 as an additional inhibitory receptor. Specifically, PD-1 was identified on a subpopulation of terminally differentiated NKs from healthy adults with previous HCMV infection. So far it is unknown whether PD-1 appears during NK-cell development and whether this process is directly or indirectly related to HCMV infection. Methods In this study, we analyzed the expression and function of PD-1 on Cord Blood derived NKs (CB-NKs) on a large cohort of newborns through multiparametric cytofluorimetric analysis. Results We identified PD-1 on CB-NKs in more than of half the newborns analyzed. PD-1 was present on CD56dim NKs, and particularly abundant on CD56neg NKs, but only rarely present on CD56bright NKs. Importantly, unlike in adult healthy donors, in CB-NKs PD-1 is co-expressed not only with KIR, but also with NKG2A. PD-1 expression was independent of HCMV mother seropositivity and occurs in the absence of HCMV infection/reactivation during pregnancy. Notably, PD-1 expressed on CB-NKs was functional and mediated negative signals when triggered. Conclusion To our understanding, this study is the first to report PD-1 expression on CB derived NKs and its features in perinatal conditions. These data may prove important in selecting the most suitable CB derived NK cell population for the development of different immunotherapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valentina Obino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Rayan Goda
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Rebaudi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | | | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandra Bo
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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8
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Provinciali N, Greppi M, Pesce S, Rutigliani M, Briata IM, Buttiron Webber T, Fava M, DeCensi A, Marcenaro E. Case report: Variable response to immunotherapy in ovarian cancer: Our experience within the current state of the art. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1094017. [PMID: 36601114 PMCID: PMC9806340 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1094017] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in ovarian cancer (OC) treatment, including the introduction of bevacizumab and PARP-inhibitors, OC remains a lethal disease. Other therapeutic options are being explored, such as immunotherapy (IT), which has been proved effective in many solid tumors. Findings about tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic and regulatory T cells, together with the expression of PD-1 on immune cells and of PD-L1 on tumor cells, gave the rationale for an attempt to the use of IT also in OC. We treated two patients with avelumab, an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, after the first line of chemotherapy: Patient A underwent 19 cycles of maintenance therapy with avelumab with a disease-free interval of 12 months, whereas patient B showed a slight progression of disease after only eight cycles. A higher PD-L1 expression in tumor cells of patient A was detected. She also underwent a genomic assessment that described the presence of a high Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) and a status of Loss of Heterozygosity (LoH). This different response to the same treatment puts in evidence that some genomic and immune features might be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Provinciali
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.), Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy,*Correspondence: Emanuela Marcenaro, ; Silvia Pesce,
| | | | - Irene Maria Briata
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.), Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tania Buttiron Webber
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.), Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marianna Fava
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.), Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea DeCensi
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.), Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy,Centre for Cancer Prevention, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy,*Correspondence: Emanuela Marcenaro, ; Silvia Pesce,
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9
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Della Chiesa M, Setti C, Giordano C, Obino V, Greppi M, Pesce S, Marcenaro E, Rutigliani M, Provinciali N, Paleari L, DeCensi A, Sivori S, Carlomagno S. NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1033. [PMID: 35891197 PMCID: PMC9323201 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071033] [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: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Natural Killer (NK) cells are all round players in immunity thanks to their powerful and immediate response against transformed cells and the ability to modulate the subsequent adaptive immune response. The potential of immunotherapies based on NK cell involvement has been initially revealed in the hematological setting but has inspired the design of different immune tools to also be applied against solid tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Indeed, despite cancer prevention screening plans, surgery, and chemotherapy strategies, CRC is one of the most widespread cancers and with the highest mortality rate. Therefore, further efficient and complementary immune-based therapies are in urgent need. In this review, we gathered the most recent advances in NK cell-based immunotherapies aimed at fighting CRC, in particular, the use of monoclonal antibodies targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), immune checkpoint blockade, and adoptive NK cell therapy, including NK cells modified with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-NK).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Della Chiesa
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Chiara Setti
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Chiara Giordano
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Valentina Obino
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | | | | | - Laura Paleari
- A.Li.Sa., Liguria Region Health Authority, 16121 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Andrea DeCensi
- Medical Oncology, Galliera Hospital, 16128 Genoa, Italy; (N.P.); (A.D.)
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
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10
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Rutigliani M, Bozzo M, Barberis A, Greppi M, Anelli E, Castellaro L, Bonsignore A, Azzinnaro A, Pesce S, Filauro M, Rollandi GA, Castagnola P, Candiani S, Marcenaro E. Case Report: A Peculiar Case of Inflammatory Colitis After SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:849140. [PMID: 35222440 PMCID: PMC8863600 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.849140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a case of inflammatory colitis after SARS-CoV-2 infection in a patient with no additional co-morbidity who died within three weeks of hospitalization. As it is becoming increasingly clear that SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause immunological alterations, we investigated the expression of the inhibitory checkpoint PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1 to explore the potential role of this axis in the break of self-tolerance. The presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in colon tissue was demonstrated by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical localization of the nucleocapsid protein. Expression of lymphocyte markers, PD-1, and PD-L1 in colon tissue was investigated by IHC. SARS-CoV-2-immunoreactive cells were detected both in the ulcerated and non-ulcerated mucosal areas. Compared to healthy tissue, where PD-1 is weakly expressed and PD-L1 is absent, PD-1 and PD-L1 expression appears in the inflamed mucosal tissue, as expected, but was mainly confined to non-ulcerative areas. At the same time, these markers were virtually undetectable in areas of mucosal ulceration. Our data show an alteration of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis and suggest a link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and an aberrant autoinflammatory response due to concomitant breakdown of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction leading to early death of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Rutigliani
- Department of Laboratory and Service - Histological and Anatomical Pathology Unit, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.) Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Matteo Bozzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Barberis
- Department of Abdominal Surgery - General and Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Unit, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.) Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Anelli
- Department of Laboratory and Service - Histological and Anatomical Pathology Unit, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.) Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Castellaro
- Department of Laboratory and Service - Histological and Anatomical Pathology Unit, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.) Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bonsignore
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.,Section of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio Azzinnaro
- Department of Abdominal Surgery - General and Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Unit, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.) Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Marco Filauro
- Department of Abdominal Surgery - General and Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Unit, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.) Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Gian Andrea Rollandi
- Department of Abdominal Surgery - General and Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Unit, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.) Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
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11
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Guolo F, Minetto P, Pesce S, Ballerini F, Clavio M, Cea M, Frello M, Garibotto M, Greppi M, Bozzo M, Miglino M, Passannante M, Marcolin R, Tedone E, Colombo N, Mangerini R, Bo A, Ruzzenenti MR, Carlier P, Serio A, Luchetti S, Dominietto A, Varaldo R, Candiani S, Agostini V, Ravetti JL, Del Zotto G, Marcenaro E, Lemoli RM. Post-Transplant Nivolumab Plus Unselected Autologous Lymphocytes in Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Feasible and Promising Salvage Therapy Associated With Expansion and Maturation of NK Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:753890. [PMID: 34804039 PMCID: PMC8603402 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.753890] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CI) have demonstrated clinical activity in Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) patients relapsing after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), although only 20% complete response (CR) rate was observed. The efficacy of CI is strictly related to the host immune competence, which is impaired in heavily pre-treated HL patients. Here, we aimed to enhance the activity of early post-ASCT CI (nivolumab) administration with the infusion of autologous lymphocytes (ALI). Twelve patients with relapse/refractory (R/R) HL (median age 28.5 years; range 18-65), underwent lymphocyte apheresis after first line chemotherapy and then proceeded to salvage therapy. Subsequently, 9 patients with progressive disease at ASCT received early post-transplant CI supported with four ALI, whereas 3 responding patients received ALI alone, as a control cohort. No severe adverse events were recorded. HL-treated patients achieved negative PET scan CR and 8 are alive and disease-free after a median follow-up of 28 months. Four patients underwent subsequent allogeneic SCT. Phenotypic analysis of circulating cells showed a faster expansion of highly differentiated NK cells in ALI plus nivolumab-treated patients as compared to control patients. Our data show anti-tumor activity with good tolerability of ALI + CI for R/R HL and suggest that this setting may accelerate NK cell development/maturation and favor the expansion of the “adaptive” NK cell compartment in patients with HCMV seropositivity, in the absence of HCMV reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Guolo
- Department of Oncology and Hematology (DIPOE), IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Minetto
- Department of Oncology and Hematology (DIPOE), IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Filippo Ballerini
- Department of Oncology and Hematology (DIPOE), IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marino Clavio
- Department of Oncology and Hematology (DIPOE), IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Cea
- Department of Oncology and Hematology (DIPOE), IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michela Frello
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo Garibotto
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo Bozzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Miglino
- Department of Oncology and Hematology (DIPOE), IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Monica Passannante
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Riccardo Marcolin
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Tedone
- PathologIcal Anatomy and Histology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Colombo
- PathologIcal Anatomy and Histology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Rosa Mangerini
- PathologIcal Anatomy and Histology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bo
- Stem Cell Processing Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Carlier
- Blood Transfusion Service and Hematology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Serio
- Stem Cell Processing Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Luchetti
- Stem Cell Processing Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alida Dominietto
- Department of Oncology and Hematology (DIPOE), IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Riccardo Varaldo
- Department of Oncology and Hematology (DIPOE), IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Agostini
- Blood Transfusion Service and Hematology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Jean Louis Ravetti
- PathologIcal Anatomy and Histology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Genny Del Zotto
- Core Facilities, Area Aggregazione Sevizi e Laboratori Diagnostici, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Massimo Lemoli
- Department of Oncology and Hematology (DIPOE), IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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12
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Ferretti E, Carlomagno S, Pesce S, Muccio L, Obino V, Greppi M, Solari A, Setti C, Marcenaro E, Della Chiesa M, Sivori S. Role of the Main Non HLA-Specific Activating NK Receptors in Pancreatic, Colorectal and Gastric Tumors Surveillance. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3705. [PMID: 33321719 PMCID: PMC7763095 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human NK cells can control tumor growth and metastatic spread thanks to their powerful cytolytic activity which relies on the expression of an array of activating receptors. Natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) NKG2D and DNAM-1 are those non-HLA-specific activating NK receptors that are mainly involved in sensing tumor transformation by the recognition of different ligands, often stress-induced molecules, on the surface of cancer cells. Tumors display several mechanisms aimed at dampening/evading NK-mediated responses, a relevant fraction of which is based on the downregulation of the expression of activating receptors and/or their ligands. In this review, we summarize the role of the main non-HLA-specific activating NK receptors, NCRs, NKG2D and DNAM-1, in controlling tumor growth and metastatic spread in solid malignancies affecting the gastrointestinal tract with high incidence in the world population, i.e., pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and gastric cancer (GC), also describing the phenotypic and functional alterations induced on NK cells by their tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ferretti
- Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Letizia Muccio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Valentina Obino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Marco Greppi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Agnese Solari
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Chiara Setti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.P.); (L.M.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (A.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES) and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Mariella Della Chiesa
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES) and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Simona Sivori
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES) and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
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13
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Pesce S, Trabanelli S, Di Vito C, Greppi M, Obino V, Guolo F, Minetto P, Bozzo M, Calvi M, Zaghi E, Candiani S, Lemoli RM, Jandus C, Mavilio D, Marcenaro E. Cancer Immunotherapy by Blocking Immune Checkpoints on Innate Lymphocytes. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123504. [PMID: 33255582 PMCID: PMC7760325 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [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: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoints refer to a plethora of inhibitory pathways of the immune system that play a crucial role in maintaining self-tolerance and in tuning the duration and amplitude of physiological immune responses to minimize collateral tissue damages. The breakdown of this delicate balance leads to pathological conditions, including cancer. Indeed, tumor cells can develop multiple mechanisms to escape from immune system defense, including the activation of immune checkpoint pathways. The development of monoclonal antibodies, targeting inhibitory immune checkpoints, has provided an immense breakthrough in cancer therapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), initially developed to reverse functional exhaustion in T cells, recently emerged as important actors in natural killer (NK)-cell-based immunotherapy. Moreover, the discovery that also helper innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) express inhibitory immune checkpoints, suggests that these molecules might be targeted on ILCs, to modulate their functions in the tumor microenvironment. Recently, other strategies to achieve immune checkpoint blockade have been developed, including miRNA exploiting systems. Herein, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on inhibitory immune checkpoints on NK cells and ILCs and we discuss how to target these innate lymphocytes by ICI in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.P.); (M.G.); (V.O.)
| | - Sara Trabanelli
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland; (S.T.); (C.J.)
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy; (C.D.V.); (M.C.); (E.Z.); (D.M.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.P.); (M.G.); (V.O.)
| | - Valentina Obino
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.P.); (M.G.); (V.O.)
| | - Fabio Guolo
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DIMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.G.); (P.M.); (R.M.L.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Minetto
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DIMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.G.); (P.M.); (R.M.L.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Matteo Bozzo
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Michela Calvi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy; (C.D.V.); (M.C.); (E.Z.); (D.M.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Zaghi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy; (C.D.V.); (M.C.); (E.Z.); (D.M.)
| | - Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Roberto Massimo Lemoli
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DIMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.G.); (P.M.); (R.M.L.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Camilla Jandus
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland; (S.T.); (C.J.)
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy; (C.D.V.); (M.C.); (E.Z.); (D.M.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.P.); (M.G.); (V.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0103357888
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14
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Patrizi O, Rampinelli F, Coltrini D, Pesce S, Carlomagno S, Sivori S, Pascale A, Marcenaro E, Parolini S, Tabellini G. Natural killer cell impairment in ovarian clear cell carcinoma. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:1425-1434. [PMID: 32794325 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5ma0720-295r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we report the analysis of NK cells derived from patients suffering from a rare ovarian cancer histotype of clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) resistant to conventional chemotherapies. We analyzed the phenotype of NK cells derived from peripheral blood (PB) and peritoneal fluid (PF) and evaluated cytotoxic interactions between NK cells and autologous tumor cells (ATC) derived from patients. We provided evidence of impaired degranulation capacity of NK cells derived from patients' PF in the presence of ATC. Analyzing tumor cell ligands recognized by NK cell receptors, we found that ATC are characterized by an HLA class I+ phenotype (although the level of HLA-I expression varies among all patients) and by a heterogeneous expression of ligands for activating NK receptors (from normal to decreased expression of some markers). Furthermore, we observed a down-regulation of crucial NK cell activating receptors, primarily DNAX Accessory Molecule-1 (DNAM-1), on tumor-associated NK cells. Based on these results, we propose that this severe lysis defect may be due to both negative interactions between HLA-I-specific inhibitory NK cell receptors/HLA-I molecules and to defective interactions between activating NK receptors and cognate ligands. In conclusion, for the first time, the phenotypic and functional properties of tumor-associated NK cells and their ATC derived from PF of patients with advanced stage of OCCC were characterized. Taken together results indicate altered interactions between NK cells and ATC and shed light on the aggressive mechanisms of this cancer histotype. Further studies on this rare tumor will be helpful to improve and define more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornella Patrizi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Fabio Rampinelli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Coltrini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Parolini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanna Tabellini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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15
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Del Zotto G, Antonini F, Pesce S, Moretta F, Moretta L, Marcenaro E. Comprehensive Phenotyping of Human PB NK Cells by Flow Cytometry. Cytometry A 2020; 97:891-899. [PMID: 32198974 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.24001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The NK cell compartment provides powerful innate defenses against virus-infected and tumor cells. Specific NK cell receptors control this process and maintain the immune system homeostasis and prevent autoimmunity. A wide variety of NK cell subsets with different functional capabilities exist and this reflects not only the different maturation stages of NK cells but also different microenvironments in which they can operate. In this review, we will give an overview on the various NK cell subsets present in peripheral blood of healthy donors in order to clearly and univocally identify them on the basis of their phenotypic traits using flow cytometry. © 2020 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genny Del Zotto
- Core Facilities, Area Aggregazione Servizi e Laboratori Diagnostici, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Antonini
- Core Facilities, Area Aggregazione Servizi e Laboratori Diagnostici, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Moretta
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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16
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Pesce S, Greppi M, Ferretti E, Obino V, Carlomagno S, Rutigliani M, Thoren FB, Sivori S, Castagnola P, Candiani S, Marcenaro E. miRNAs in NK Cell-Based Immune Responses and Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:119. [PMID: 32161759 PMCID: PMC7053181 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of certain forms of tumors has increased progressively in recent years and is expected to continue growing as life expectancy continues to increase. Tumor-infiltrating NK cells may contribute to develop an anti-tumor response. Optimized combinations of different cancer therapies, including NK cell-based approaches for targeting tumor cells, have the potential to open new avenues in cancer immunotherapy. Functional inhibitory receptors on NK cells are needed to prevent their attack on healthy cells. Nevertheless, disruption of inhibitory receptors function on NK cells increases the cytotoxic capacity of NK cells against cancer cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that target mRNA and thus regulate the expression of genes involved in the development, maturation, and effector functions of NK cells. Therapeutic strategies that target the regulatory effects of miRNAs have the potential to improve the efficiency of cancer immunotherapy. Interestingly, emerging evidence points out that some miRNAs can, directly and indirectly, control the surface expression of immune checkpoints on NK cells or that of their ligands on tumor cells. This suggests a possible use of miRNAs in the context of anti-tumor therapy. This review provides the current overview of the connections between miRNAs and regulation of NK cell functions and discusses the potential of these miRNAs as innovative biomarkers/targets for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisa Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valentina Obino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mariangela Rutigliani
- Histological and Anatomical Pathology Unit, Department of Laboratory and Service, E.O. Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Fredrik B Thoren
- Tumor Immunology Laboratory (TIMM) Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth Science, Environment and Life (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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17
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Minetto P, Guolo F, Pesce S, Greppi M, Obino V, Ferretti E, Sivori S, Genova C, Lemoli RM, Marcenaro E. Harnessing NK Cells for Cancer Treatment. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2836. [PMID: 31867006 PMCID: PMC6908847 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [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: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last years, natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for solid tumors and hematological malignancies. NK cells are innate lymphocytes with an array of functional competences, including anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-graft-vs.-host disease potential. The intriguing idea of harnessing such potent innate immune system effectors for cancer treatment led to the development of clinical trials based on the adoptive therapy of NK cells or on the use of monoclonal antibodies targeting the main NK cell immune checkpoints. Indeed, checkpoint immunotherapy that targets inhibitory receptors of T cells, reversing their functional blocking, marked a breakthrough in anticancer therapy, opening new approaches for cancer immunotherapy and resulted in extensive research on immune checkpoints. However, the clinical efficacy of T cell-based immunotherapy presents a series of limitations, including the inability of T cells to recognize and kill HLA-Ineg tumor cells. For these reasons, new strategies for cancer immunotherapy are now focusing on NK cells. Blockade with NK cell checkpoint inhibitors that reverse their functional block may overcome the limitations of T cell-based immunotherapy, mainly against HLA-Ineg tumor targets. Here, we discuss recent anti-tumor approaches based on mAb-mediated blocking of immune checkpoints (either restricted to NK cells or shared with T cells), used either as a single agent or in combination with other compounds, that have demonstrated promising clinical responses in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Minetto
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.,Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS, Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Guolo
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.,Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Valentina Obino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Elisa Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Carlo Genova
- Lung Cancer Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Massimo Lemoli
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.,Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
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18
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Bernson E, Christenson K, Pesce S, Pasanen M, Marcenaro E, Sivori S, Thorén FB. Downregulation of HLA Class I Renders Inflammatory Neutrophils More Susceptible to NK Cell-Induced Apoptosis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2444. [PMID: 31681321 PMCID: PMC6803460 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils are potent effector cells and contain a battery of harmful substances and degrading enzymes. A silent neutrophil death, i.e., apoptosis, is therefore of importance to avoid damage to the surrounding tissue and to enable termination of the acute inflammatory process. There is a pile of evidence supporting the role for pro-inflammatory cytokines in extending the life-span of neutrophils, but relatively few studies have been devoted to mechanisms actively driving apoptosis induction in neutrophils. We have previously demonstrated that natural killer (NK) cells can promote apoptosis in healthy neutrophils. In this study, we set out to investigate how neutrophil sensitivity to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity is regulated under inflammatory conditions. Using in vitro-activated neutrophils and a human skin chamber model that allowed collection of in vivo-transmigrated neutrophils, we performed a comprehensive characterization of neutrophil expression of ligands to NK cell receptors. These studies revealed a dramatic downregulation of HLA class I molecules in inflammatory neutrophils, which was associated with an enhanced susceptibility to NK cell cytotoxicity. Collectively, our data shed light on the complex regulation of interactions between NK cells and neutrophils during an inflammatory response and provide further support for a role of NK cells in the resolution phase of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Bernson
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin Christenson
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Silvia Pesce
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Malin Pasanen
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fredrik B Thorén
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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19
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Pesce S, Belgrano V, Greppi M, Carlomagno S, Squillario M, Barla A, Della Chiesa M, Di Domenico S, Mavilio D, Moretta L, Candiani S, Sivori S, De Cian F, Marcenaro E. Different Features of Tumor-Associated NK Cells in Patients With Low-Grade or High-Grade Peritoneal Carcinomatosis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1963. [PMID: 31497016 PMCID: PMC6712073 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a rare disease defined as diffused implantation of neoplastic cells in the peritoneal cavity. This clinical picture occurs during the evolution of peritoneal tumors, and it is the main cause of morbidity and mortality of patients affected by these pathologies, though cytoreductive surgery with heated intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is yielding promising results. In the present study, we evaluated whether the tumor microenvironment of low-grade and high-grade PC could affect the phenotypic and functional features and thus the anti-tumor potential of NK cells. We show that while in the peritoneal fluid (PF) of low-grade PC most CD56dim NK cells show a relatively immature phenotype (NKG2A+KIR-CD57-CD16dim), in the PF of high-grade PC NK cells are, in large majority, mature (CD56dimKIR+CD57+CD16bright). Furthermore, in low-grade PC, PF-NK cells are characterized by a sharp down-regulation of some activating receptors, primarily NKp30 and DNAM-1, while, in high-grade PC, PF-NK cells display a higher expression of the PD-1 inhibitory checkpoint. The compromised phenotype observed in low-grade PC patients corresponds to a functional impairment. On the other hand, in the high-grade PC patients PF-NK cells show much more important defects that only partially reflect the compromised phenotype detected. These data suggest that the PC microenvironment may contribute to tumor escape from immune surveillance by inducing different NK cell impaired features leading to altered anti-tumor activity. Notably, after CRS/HIPEC treatment, the altered NK cell phenotype of a patient with a low-grade disease and favorable prognosis was reverted to a normal one. Our present data offer a clue for the development of new immunotherapeutic strategies capable of restoring the NK-mediated anti-tumor responses in association with the CRS/HIPEC treatment to increase the effectiveness of the current therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valerio Belgrano
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, University General Hospital, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Margherita Squillario
- Department of Informatic Bioengineering, Robotic and System Engineering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Barla
- Department of Informatic Bioengineering, Robotic and System Engineering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mariella Della Chiesa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Domenico
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, University General Hospital, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth Science, Environment and Life, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Franco De Cian
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, University General Hospital, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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20
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Pesce S, Greppi M, Grossi F, Del Zotto G, Moretta L, Sivori S, Genova C, Marcenaro E. PD/1-PD-Ls Checkpoint: Insight on the Potential Role of NK Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1242. [PMID: 31214193 PMCID: PMC6557993 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [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: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of inhibitory NK cell receptors specific for HLA-I molecules (KIRs and NKG2A) provided the molecular basis for clarifying the mechanism by which NK cells kill transformed cells while sparing normal cells. The direct interactions between inhibitory NK cell receptors and their HLA-I ligands enable NK cells to distinguish healthy from transformed cells, which frequently show an altered expression of HLA-I molecules. Indeed, NK cells can kill cancer cells that have lost, or under express, HLA-I molecules, but not cells maintaining their expression. In this last case, it is possible to use anti-KIR or anti-NKG2A monoclonal antibodies to block the inhibitory signals generated by these receptors and to restore the anti-tumor NK cell activity. These treatments fall within the context of the new immunotherapeutic strategies known as “immune checkpoint blockade.” These antibodies are currently used in clinical trials in the treatment of both hematological and solid tumors. However, a more complex scenario has recently emerged. For example, NK cells can also express additional immune checkpoints, including PD-1, that was originally described on T lymphocytes, and whose ligands (PD-Ls) are usually overexpressed on tumor cells. Thus, it appears that the activation of NK cells and their potentially harmful effector functions are under the control of different immune checkpoints and their simultaneous expression could provide additional levels of suppression to anti-tumor NK cell responses. This review is focused on PD-1 immune checkpoint in NK cells, its potential role in immunosuppression, and the therapeutic strategies to recover NK cell cytotoxicity and anti-tumor effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Grossi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Genova
- Lung Cancer Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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21
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Di Vito C, Mikulak J, Zaghi E, Pesce S, Marcenaro E, Mavilio D. NK cells to cure cancer. Semin Immunol 2019; 41:101272. [PMID: 31085114 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes able to mediate immune-surveillance and clearance of viral infected and tumor-transformed cells. Growing experimental and clinical evidence highlighted a dual role of NK cells either in the control of cancer development/progression or in promoting the onset of immune-suppressant tumor microenvironments. Indeed, several mechanisms of NK cell-mediated tumor escape have been described and these includes cancer-induced aberrant expression of activating and inhibitory receptors (i.e. NK cell immune checkpoints), impairments of NK cell migration to tumor sites and altered NK cell effector-functions. These phenomena highly contribute to tumor progression and metastasis formation. In this review, we discuss the latest insights on those NK cell receptors and related molecules that are currently being implemented in clinics either as possible prognostic factors or therapeutic targets to unleash NK cell anti-tumor effector-functions in vivo. Moreover, we address here the major recent advances in regard to the genetic modification and ex vivo expansion of anti-tumor specific NK cells used in innovative adoptive cellular transfer approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Joanna Mikulak
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Zaghi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Italy.
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22
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Cristiani CM, Turdo A, Ventura V, Apuzzo T, Capone M, Madonna G, Mallardo D, Garofalo C, Giovannone ED, Grimaldi AM, Tallerico R, Marcenaro E, Pesce S, Del Zotto G, Agosti V, Costanzo FS, Gulletta E, Rizzo A, Moretta A, Karre K, Ascierto PA, Todaro M, Carbone E. Accumulation of Circulating CCR7 + Natural Killer Cells Marks Melanoma Evolution and Reveals a CCL19-Dependent Metastatic Pathway. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:841-852. [PMID: 30940644 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [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: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade therapy has changed prognoses for many melanoma patients. However, immune responses that correlate with clinical progression of the disease are still poorly understood. To identify immune responses correlating with melanoma clinical evolution, we analyzed serum cytokines as well as circulating NK and T-cell subpopulations from melanoma patients. The patients' immune profiles suggested that melanoma progression leads to changes in peripheral blood NK and T-cell subsets. Stage IV melanoma was characterized by an increased frequency of CCR7+CD56bright NK cells as well as high serum concentrations of the CCR7 ligand CCL19. CCR7 expression and CCL19 secretion were also observed in melanoma cell lines. The CCR7+ melanoma cell subpopulation coexpressed PD-L1 and Galectin-9 and had stemness properties. Analysis of melanoma-derived cancer stem cells (CSC) showed high CCR7 expression; these CSCs were efficiently recognized and killed by NK cells. An accumulation of CCR7+, PD-L1+, and Galectin-9+ melanoma cells in melanoma metastases was demonstrated ex vivo Altogether, our data identify biomarkers that may mark a CCR7-driven metastatic melanoma pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Maria Cristiani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alice Turdo
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (Di.Chir.On.S), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria Ventura
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Tiziana Apuzzo
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (Di.Chir.On.S), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mariaelena Capone
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - Fondazione "G. Pascale," Dipartimento di Melanoma, Immunoterapia Oncologica e Terapie Innovative, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriele Madonna
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - Fondazione "G. Pascale," Dipartimento di Melanoma, Immunoterapia Oncologica e Terapie Innovative, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Mallardo
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - Fondazione "G. Pascale," Dipartimento di Melanoma, Immunoterapia Oncologica e Terapie Innovative, Naples, Italy
| | - Cinzia Garofalo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emilia Dora Giovannone
- Services and Research Interdepartmental Center, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio M Grimaldi
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - Fondazione "G. Pascale," Dipartimento di Melanoma, Immunoterapia Oncologica e Terapie Innovative, Naples, Italy
| | - Rossana Tallerico
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Genny Del Zotto
- Core Facilities Laboratory, Department of Translational Research, Laboratory Medicine, Diagnosis and Services, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valter Agosti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Services and Research Interdepartmental Center, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Costanzo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Services and Research Interdepartmental Center, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Elio Gulletta
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Aroldo Rizzo
- Unit of Pathology, Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia-Cervello, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretta
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Klas Karre
- Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor biology, Karolinska Intitutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paolo A Ascierto
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - Fondazione "G. Pascale," Dipartimento di Melanoma, Immunoterapia Oncologica e Terapie Innovative, Naples, Italy
| | - Matilde Todaro
- Department of PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Ennio Carbone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
- Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor biology, Karolinska Intitutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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23
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Mariotti FR, Petrini S, Ingegnere T, Tumino N, Besi F, Scordamaglia F, Munari E, Pesce S, Marcenaro E, Moretta A, Vacca P, Moretta L. PD-1 in human NK cells: evidence of cytoplasmic mRNA and protein expression. Oncoimmunology 2018; 8:1557030. [PMID: 30723590 PMCID: PMC6350684 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1557030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [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: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Under physiological conditions, PD-1/PD-L1 interactions regulate unwanted over-reactions of immune cells and contribute to maintain peripheral tolerance. However, in tumor microenvironment, this interaction may greatly compromise the immune-mediated anti-tumor activity. PD-1+ NK cells have been detected in high percentage in peripheral blood and ascitic fluid of ovarian carcinoma patients. To acquire information on PD-1 expression and physiology in human NK cells, we analyzed whether PD-1 mRNA and protein are present in resting, surface PD-1−, NK cells from healthy donors. Both different splicing isoforms of PD-1 mRNA and a cytoplasmic pool of PD-1 protein were detected. Similar results were obtained also from both in vitro-activated and tumor-associated NK cells. PD-1 mRNA and protein were higher in CD56dim than in CD56bright NK cells. Confocal microscopy analyses revealed that PD-1 protein is present in virtually all NK cells analyzed. The present findings are compatible with a rapid surface expression of PD-1 in NK cells in response to appropriate, still undefined, stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefania Petrini
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Research Center, IRCSS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziano Ingegnere
- Department of Immunology, IRCSS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Department of Immunology, IRCSS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Besi
- Department of Immunology, IRCSS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Munari
- Department of Pathology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy.,Department of Pathology AOUI, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretta
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Immunology, IRCSS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCSS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
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24
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Pesce S, Squillario M, Greppi M, Loiacono F, Moretta L, Moretta A, Sivori S, Castagnola P, Barla A, Candiani S, Marcenaro E. New miRNA Signature Heralds Human NK Cell Subsets at Different Maturation Steps: Involvement of miR-146a-5p in the Regulation of KIR Expression. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2360. [PMID: 30374356 PMCID: PMC6196268 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [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: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells are cytotoxic innate lymphoid cells that play an important role for early host defenses against infectious pathogens and surveillance against tumor. In humans, NK cells may be divided in various subsets on the basis of the relative CD56 expression and of the low-affinity FcγRIIIA CD16. In particular, the two main NK cell subsets are represented by the CD56bright/CD16−/dim and the CD56dim/CD16bright NK cells. Experimental evidences indicate that CD56bright and CD56dim NK cells represent different maturative stages of the NK cell developmental pathway. We identified multiple miRNAs differentially expressed in CD56bright/CD16− and CD56dim/CD16bright NK cells using both univariate and multivariate analyses. Among these, we found a few miRNAs with a consistent differential expression in the two NK cell subsets, and with an intermediate expression in the CD56bright/CD16dim NK cell subset, representing a transitional step of maturation of NK cells. These analyses allowed us to establish the existence of a miRNA signature able to efficiently discriminate the two main NK cell subsets regardless of their surface phenotype. In addition, by analyzing the putative targets of representative miRNAs we show that hsa-miR-146a-5p, may be involved in the regulation of killer Ig-like receptor (KIR) expression. These results contribute to a better understanding of the physiologic significance of miRNAs in the regulation of the development/function of human NK cells. Moreover, our results suggest that hsa-miR-146a-5p targeting, resulting in KIR down-regulation, may be exploited to generate/increment the effect of NK KIR-mismatching against HLA-class I+ tumor cells and thus improve the NK-mediated anti-tumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Margherita Squillario
- Department of Informatic Bioengeneering, Robotic and System Engeneering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Loiacono
- Immunology Operative Unit, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinical Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretta
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizio Castagnola
- Department of Integrated Oncological Therapies, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinical Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Barla
- Department of Informatic Bioengeneering, Robotic and System Engeneering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth Science, Environment and Life (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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25
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Pesce S, Thoren FB, Cantoni C, Prato C, Moretta L, Moretta A, Marcenaro E. The Innate Immune Cross Talk between NK Cells and Eosinophils Is Regulated by the Interaction of Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors with Eosinophil Surface Ligands. Front Immunol 2017; 8:510. [PMID: 28503177 PMCID: PMC5408020 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [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: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies suggested that the cross talk between NK cells and other cell types is crucial for the regulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. In the present study, we analyzed the phenotypic and functional outcome of the interaction between resting or cytokine-activated NK cells and eosinophils derived from non-atopic donors. Our results provide the first evidence that a natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR)/NCR ligand-dependent cross talk between NK cells and eosinophils may be important to upregulate the activation state and the effector function of cytokine-primed NK cells. This interaction also promotes the NK-mediated editing process of dendritic cells that influence the process of Th1 polarization. In turn, this cross talk also resulted in eosinophil activation and acquisition of the characteristic features of antigen-presenting cells. At higher NK/eosinophil ratios, cytokine-primed NK cells were found to kill eosinophils via NKp46 and NKp30, thus suggesting a potential immunoregulatory role for NK cells in dampening inflammatory responses involving eosinophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pesce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Fredrik B Thoren
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Claudia Cantoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy.,Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy.,Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Carola Prato
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy.,Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy.,Department of Immunology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy.,Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
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26
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Pesce S, Moretta L, Moretta A, Marcenaro E. Human NK Cell Subsets Redistribution in Pathological Conditions: A Role for CCR7 Receptor. Front Immunol 2016; 7:414. [PMID: 27774094 PMCID: PMC5053980 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate and adaptive immunity has evolved complex molecular mechanisms regulating immune cell migration to facilitate the dynamic cellular interactions required for its function involving the chemokines and their receptors. One important chemokine receptor in the immune system is represented by CCR7. Together with its ligands CCL19 and CCL21, this chemokine receptor controls different arrays of migratory events, both in innate and adaptive immunity, including homing of CD56bright NK cells, T cells, and DCs to lymphoid compartments, where T cell priming occurs. Only recently, a key role for CCR7 in promoting CD56dim NK cell migration toward lymphoid tissues has been described. Remarkably, this event can influence the shaping and polarization of adaptive T cell responses. In this review, we describe recent progress in understanding the mechanisms and the site where CD56dim KIR+ NK cells can acquire the capability to migrate toward lymph nodes. The emerging significance of this event in clinical transplantation is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pesce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Dipartimento di Immunologia, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Ospedale Pediatrico , Rome , Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy; CEBR, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy; CEBR, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
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27
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Della Chiesa M, Pesce S, Muccio L, Carlomagno S, Sivori S, Moretta A, Marcenaro E. Features of Memory-Like and PD-1(+) Human NK Cell Subsets. Front Immunol 2016; 7:351. [PMID: 27683578 PMCID: PMC5021715 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [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: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human NK cells are distinguished into CD56brightCD16− cells and CD56dimCD16+ cells. These two subsets are conventionally associated with differential functional outcomes and are heterogeneous with respect to the expression of KIR and CD94/NKG2 heterodimers that represent the two major types of HLA-class I-specific receptors. Recent studies indicated that immature CD56bright NK cells, homogeneously expressing the inhibitory CD94/NKG2A receptor, are precursors of CD56dim NK cells that, in turn, during their process of differentiation, lose expression of CD94/NKG2A and subsequentially acquire inhibitory KIRs and LIR-1. The terminally differentiated phenotype of CD56dim cells is marked by the expression of the CD57 molecule that is associated with poor responsiveness to cytokine stimulation, but retained cytolytic capacity. Remarkably, this NKG2A−KIR+LIR-1+CD57+CD56dim NK cell subset when derived from individuals previously exposed to pathogens, such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), may contain “memory-like” NK cells. These cells are generally characterized by an upregulation of the activating receptor CD94/NKG2C and a downregulation of the inhibitory receptor Siglec-7. The “memory-like” NK cells are persistent over time and display some hallmarks of adaptive immunity, i.e., clonal expansion, more effective antitumor and antiviral immune responses, longevity, as well as given epigenetic modifications. Interestingly, unknown cofactors associated with HCMV infection may induce the onset of a recently identified fully mature NK cell subset, characterized by marked downregulation of the activating receptors NKp30 and NKp46 and by the unexpected expression of the inhibitory PD-1 receptor. This phenotype correlates with an impaired antitumor NK cell activity that can be partially restored by antibody-mediated disruption of PD-1/PD-L interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Della Chiesa
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Letizia Muccio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Simona Sivori
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy; CEBR, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy; CEBR, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy; CEBR, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
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28
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Pesce S, Greppi M, Tabellini G, Rampinelli F, Parolini S, Olive D, Moretta L, Moretta A, Marcenaro E. Identification of a subset of human natural killer cells expressing high levels of programmed death 1: A phenotypic and functional characterization. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016; 139:335-346.e3. [PMID: 27372564 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 340] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmed death 1 (PD-1) is an immunologic checkpoint that limits immune responses by delivering potent inhibitory signals to T cells on interaction with specific ligands expressed on tumor/virus-infected cells, thus contributing to immune escape mechanisms. Therapeutic PD-1 blockade has been shown to mediate tumor eradication with impressive clinical results. Little is known about the expression/function of PD-1 on human natural killer (NK) cells. OBJECTIVE We sought to clarify whether human NK cells can express PD-1 and analyze their phenotypic/functional features. METHODS We performed multiparametric cytofluorimetric analysis of PD-1+ NK cells and their functional characterization using degranulation, cytokine production, and proliferation assays. RESULTS We provide unequivocal evidence that PD-1 is highly expressed (PD-1bright) on an NK cell subset detectable in the peripheral blood of approximately one fourth of healthy subjects. These donors are always serologically positive for human cytomegalovirus. PD-1 is expressed by CD56dim but not CD56bright NK cells and is confined to fully mature NK cells characterized by the NKG2A-KIR+CD57+ phenotype. Proportions of PD-1bright NK cells were higher in the ascites of a cohort of patients with ovarian carcinoma, suggesting their possible induction/expansion in tumor environments. Functional analysis revealed a reduced proliferative capability in response to cytokines, low degranulation, and impaired cytokine production on interaction with tumor targets. CONCLUSIONS We have identified and characterized a novel subpopulation of human NK cells expressing high levels of PD-1. These cells have the phenotypic characteristics of fully mature NK cells and are increased in patients with ovarian carcinoma. They display low proliferative responses and impaired antitumor activity that can be partially restored by antibody-mediated disruption of PD-1/programmed death ligand interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Rampinelli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Parolini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniel Olive
- CRCM, Equipe Immunité et Cancer, Inserm, U1068, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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29
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Riise RE, Bernson E, Aurelius J, Martner A, Pesce S, Della Chiesa M, Marcenaro E, Bylund J, Hellstrand K, Moretta L, Moretta A, Thorén FB. TLR-Stimulated Neutrophils Instruct NK Cells To Trigger Dendritic Cell Maturation and Promote Adaptive T Cell Responses. J Immunol 2015; 195:1121-8. [PMID: 26085684 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1500709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are innate effector cells with pivotal roles in pathogen recognition, phagocytosis, and eradication. However, their role in the development of subsequent immune responses is incompletely understood. This study aimed to identify mechanisms of relevance to the cross talk between human neutrophils and NK cells and its potential role in promoting adaptive immunity. TLR-stimulated PMNs were found to release soluble mediators to attract and activate NK cells in vitro. PMN-conditioned NK cells displayed enhanced cytotoxicity and cytokine production, and responded vigorously to ensuing stimulation with exogenous and endogenous IL-12. The neutrophil-induced activation of NK cells was prevented by caspase-1 inhibitors and by natural antagonists to IL-1 and IL-18, suggesting a role for the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing-3 inflammasome. In addition, PMN-conditioned NK cells triggered the maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells, which promoted T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production. These data imply that neutrophils attract NK cells to sites of infection to convert these cells into an active state, which drives adaptive immune responses via maturation of dendritic cells. Our results add to a growing body of evidence that suggests a sophisticated role for neutrophils in orchestrating the immune response to pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Riise
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elin Bernson
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johan Aurelius
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Martner
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy; Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Johan Bylund
- Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; and
| | | | | | - Alessandro Moretta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy; Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Fredrik B Thorén
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden;
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30
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Pesce S, Tabellini G, Cantoni C, Patrizi O, Coltrini D, Rampinelli F, Matta J, Vivier E, Moretta A, Parolini S, Marcenaro E. B7-H6-mediated downregulation of NKp30 in NK cells contributes to ovarian carcinoma immune escape. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e1001224. [PMID: 26137398 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2014.1001224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Revised: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study the phenotype and function of tumor-associated NK cells from peritoneal fluids of a selected cohort of patients with seropapillary ovarian carcinoma were analyzed. In > 50% of these patients, the expression of the activating receptor NKp30 in tumor-associated NK cells was substantially reduced as compared to autologous peripheral blood (PB) NK cells. The impaired expression of this receptor was associated with the presence of one of its cellular ligands (B7-H6), which was detectable as a surface/cytosolic molecule in tumor cells and as a soluble molecule in the peritoneal fluid. NK cells from patients expressing this NKp30low phenotype displayed an impaired interferon-gamma (IFNγ) production and cytolytic function when tested against target cells expressing surface B7-H6. Our data also suggest that in these patients, the defective expression and function of NKp30 may be induced by the chronic engagement of this receptor by soluble B7-H6 or by tumor cells expressing this ligand. The impairment of NK cell functions described herein could represent a novel mechanism by which the tumor microenvironment may contribute to the escape from immune surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pesce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche; Università degli Studi di Genova ; Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Ornella Patrizi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Traslazionale ; Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Coltrini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Traslazionale ; Brescia, Italy
| | - Fabio Rampinelli
- Dipartimento di Ostetricia e Ginecologia; Spedali Civili di Brescia ; Brescia, Italy
| | - Jessica Matta
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy; UM2 Aix-Marseille Université; INSERM, CNRS ; Marseille, France ; Service d'Immunologie; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille; Hôpital de la Conception ; Marseille, France
| | - Eric Vivier
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy; UM2 Aix-Marseille Université; INSERM, CNRS ; Marseille, France ; Service d'Immunologie; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille; Hôpital de la Conception ; Marseille, France
| | - Alessandro Moretta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche; Università degli Studi di Genova ; Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Parolini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Traslazionale ; Brescia, Italy ; Service d'Immunologie; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille; Hôpital de la Conception ; Marseille, France
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche; Università degli Studi di Genova ; Genova, Italy ; Service d'Immunologie; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille; Hôpital de la Conception ; Marseille, France
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31
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Abstract
By means of a complex receptor array, Natural killer (NK) cells can recognize variable patterns of ligands and regulate or amplify accordingly their effector functions. Such NK receptors include old, rather conserved, molecules, such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), which enable NK cells to respond both to viral and bacterial products, and newer and evolving molecules, such as killer Ig-like receptors and natural cytotoxicity receptors, which control NK cytotoxicity and are responsible for the elimination of virus-infected or tumor cells without damaging self-unaltered cells. In addition, to rapidly gain new functions NK cells also can acquire new receptors by trogocytosis. Thus, NK cells may have adapted their receptors to different functional needs making them able to play a key role in the modulation of critical events occurring in several compartments of human body (primarily in SLCs but also in decidua during pregnancy). In this review, we will discuss on how the various types of receptors can be used to address specific functions in different immunological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Sivori
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Massimo Vitale
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro , Genova , Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
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32
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Abstract
NK cells represent important effectors of the innate immunity in the protection of an individual from microbes. During an NK-mediated anti-microbial response, the final fate (survival or death) of a potential infected target cell depends primarily on the type and the number of receptor/ligand interactions occurring at the effector/target immune synapse. The identification of an array of receptors involved in NK cell triggering has been crucial for a better understanding of the NK cell biology. In this context, NCR play a predominant role in NK cell activation during the process of natural cytotoxicity. Regarding the NK-mediated pathogen recognition and NK cell activation, an emerging concept is represented by the involvement of TLRs and activating KIRs. NK cells express certain TLRs in common with other innate cell types. This would mean that specific TLR ligands are able to promote the simultaneous and synergistic stimulation of these innate cells, providing a coordinated mechanism for regulating the initiation and amplification of immune responses. Evidences have been accumulated indicating that viral infections may have a significant impact on NK cell maturation, promoting the expansion of phenotypically and functionally aberrant NK cell subpopulations. For example, during chronic HIV-infection, an abnormal expansion of a dysfunctional CD56neg NK cell subset has been detected that may explain, at least in part, the defective NK cell-mediated antiviral activity. An analogous imbalance of NK cell subsets has been detected in patients receiving HSCT to cure high risk leukemias and experiencing HCMV infection/reactivation. Remarkably, NK cells developing after CMV reactivation may contain "memory-like" or "long-lived" NK cells that could exert a potent anti-leukemia effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Della Chiesa
- DI.ME.S. Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- DI.ME.S. Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Simona Sivori
- DI.ME.S. Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- DI.ME.S. Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- DI.ME.S. Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretta
- DI.ME.S. Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy.
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Artigas J, Pascault N, Bouchez A, Chastain J, Debroas D, Humbert JF, Leloup J, Tadonleke RD, ter Halle A, Pesce S. Comparative sensitivity to the fungicide tebuconazole of biofilm and plankton microbial communities in freshwater ecosystems. Sci Total Environ 2014; 468-469:326-336. [PMID: 24048021 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 08/23/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Stream and lake ecosystems in agricultural watersheds are exposed to fungicide inputs that can threaten the structure and functioning of aquatic microbial communities. This research analyzes the impact of the triazole fungicide tebuconazole (TBZ) on natural biofilm and plankton microbial communities from sites presenting different degrees of agricultural contamination. Biofilm and plankton communities from less-polluted (LP) and polluted (P) sites were exposed to nominal concentrations of 0 (control), 2 and 20 μg TBZ L(-1) in 3-week microcosm experiments. Descriptors of microbial community structure (bacterial density and chlorophyll-a concentration) and function (bacterial respiration and production and photosynthesis) were analyzed to chart the effects of TBZ and the kinetics of TBZ attenuation in water during the experiments. The results showed TBZ-induced effects on biofilm function (inhibition of substrate-induced respiration and photosynthetic activity), especially in LP-site communities, whereas plankton communities experienced a transitory stimulation of bacterial densities in communities from both LP and P sites. TBZ attenuation was stronger in biofilm (60-75%) than plankton (15-18%) experiments, probably due to greater adsorption on biofilms. The differences between biofilm and plankton responses to TBZ were likely explained by differences in community structure (presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) matrix) and microbial composition. Biofilm communities also exhibited different sensitivity levels according to their in-field pre-exposure to fungicide, with P-site communities demonstrating adaptation capacities to TBZ. This study indicates that TBZ toxicity to non-targeted aquatic microbial communities essentially composed by microalgae and bacteria was moderate, and that its effects varied between stream and lake microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Artigas
- Irstea, UR MALY, 3 bis quai Chauveau, CP 220, 69336 Lyon, France; Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, Laboratoire "Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement", BP 10448, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; CNRS, UMR 6023, LMGE, 63177 Aubière, France.
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Thorén FB, Riise RE, Ousbäck J, Della Chiesa M, Alsterholm M, Marcenaro E, Pesce S, Prato C, Cantoni C, Bylund J, Moretta L, Moretta A. Human NK Cells Induce Neutrophil Apoptosis via an NKp46- and Fas-Dependent Mechanism. J I 2012; 188:1668-74. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1102002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Marcenaro E, Carlomagno S, Pesce S, Chiesa MD, Parolini S, Moretta A, Sivori S. NK cells and their receptors during viral infections. Immunotherapy 2011; 3:1075-86. [DOI: 10.2217/imt.11.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates the importance of human natural killer (NK) cells in the immune response against certain viral infections. In the present article, we summarize information on NK cell responses against several viruses and on the nature of NK cell receptor–ligand interactions involved in these responses. Recent studies indicate that NK cells display functional features that are normally attributed exclusively to cells of the adaptive immune system. In this context, experiments both in mice and humans suggest the existence of long-lived NK cells that expand during viral infections and retain a ‘memory’ of previous exposure to a specific antigen. However, further studies are necessary to better define the characteristics of these long-lived NK cell populations and their role in viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Via LB Alberti 2, 16132, Italy
- Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova, V. le Benedetto XV, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Via LB Alberti 2, 16132, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Via LB Alberti 2, 16132, Italy
| | - Mariella Della Chiesa
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Via LB Alberti 2, 16132, Italy
| | - Silvia Parolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Biotecnologie, Università di Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Simona Sivori
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Via LB Alberti 2, 16132, Italy
- Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova, V. le Benedetto XV, 16132 Genova, Italy
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Marcenaro E, Carlomagno S, Pesce S, Della Chiesa M, Moretta A, Sivori S. Role of alloreactive KIR2DS1+
NK cells in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. J Leukoc Biol 2011; 90:661-7. [DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0311137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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Marcenaro E, Carlomagno S, Pesce S, Moretta A, Sivori S. Bridging innate NK cell functions with adaptive immunity. Adv Exp Med Biol 2011; 780:45-55. [PMID: 21842364 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-5632-3_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs) are major human NK receptors displaying either inhibitory or activating functions which recognize allotypic determinants of HLA-class I molecules. Surprisingly, NK cell treatment with CpG-ODN (TLR9 ligands) results in selective down-modulation of KIR3DL2, its co-internalization with CpG-ODN and its translocation to TLR9-rich early endosomes. This novel KIR-associated function may offer clues to better understand the possible role of certain KIRs and also emphasizes the involvement of NK cells in the course of microbial infections. NK cells are involved not only in innate immune responses against viruses and tumors but also participate in the complex network of cell-to cell interaction that leads to the development of adaptive immune responses. In this context the interaction of NK cells with DC appears to play a crucial role in the acquisition of CCR7, a chemokine receptor that enables NK cells to migrate towards lymph nodes in response to CCL19 and/or CCL21. Analysis of NK cell clones revealed that KIR-mismatched but not KIR-matched NK cells acquire CCR7. These data have important implications in haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), in which KIR-mismatched NK cells may acquire the ability to migrate to secondary lymphoid compartments (SLCs), where they can kill recipient's antigen presenting cells (APCs) and T cells thus preventing graft versus host (and host vs. graft) reactions.
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Pecori Giraldi F, Pesce S, Maroni P, Pagliardini L, Lasio G, Losa M, Cavagnini F. Inhibitory effect of prepro-thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (178-199) on adrenocorticotrophic hormone secretion by human corticotroph tumours. J Neuroendocrinol 2010; 22:294-300. [PMID: 20136686 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2010.01959.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Prepro-thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) (178-199), a 22-amino acid cleavage product of the TRH prohormone, has been postulated to act as an adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH)-release inhibitor. Indeed, although in vitro evidence indicates that this peptide may inhibit basal and stimulated ACTH secretion in rodent anterior pituitary primary cultures and cell lines, not all studies concur and no study has as yet evaluated the effect of this peptide in Cushing's disease. The present study aimed to test the effect of preproTRH(178-199) in human tumoural corticotrophs. Twenty-four human ACTH-secreting pituitary tumours (13 macroadenomas, 11 microadenomas) were collected during surgery and incubated with 10 or 100 nm preproTRH(178-199). ACTH secretion was assessed after 4 and 24 h of incubation by immunometric assay and expressed relative to levels observed in control, unchallenged wells (= 100%). Parallel experiments were performed in rat anterior pituitary primary cultures. A clear inhibition of ACTH secretion at 4 and 24 h was observed in 12 specimens (for 10 nm ppTRH: 70 +/- 4% control at 4 h and 83 +/- 5% control at 24 h; for 100 nm ppTRH: 70 +/- 4% control at 4 h and 85 +/- 5% control at 24 h), whereas a mild and short-lasting stimulatory effect was observed in three tumours and no changes in ACTH secretion in the remaining nine tumoural specimens. The inhibitory effect of preproTRH(178-199) was more evident in macroadenomas and significantly correlated with sensitivity to dexamethasone inhibition. Significant inhibition of ACTH secretion by preproTRH(178-199) in rat pituitary cultures was observed after 24 h of incubation. The present study conducted in a large series of human corticotroph tumours shows that preproTRH(178-199) inhibits tumoural ACTH secretion in a sizable proportion of specimens, in close relation to the size of the tumour and its sensitivity to glucocorticoid negative feedback. This appears a promising avenue of research and further studies are warranted to explore the full scope of preproTRH(178-199) as a regulator of ACTH secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Pecori Giraldi
- Chair of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Ospedale San Luca IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
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Marcenaro E, Chiesa MD, Pesce S, Agaugué S, Moretta A. THE NK/DC COMPLOT. Crossroads between Innate and Adaptive Immunity II 2009; 633:7-16. [DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-79311-5_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Pecori Giraldi F, Bucciarelli LG, Saccani A, Scacchi M, Pesce S, Losa M, Cavagnini F. Ghrelin stimulates adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) secretion by human ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas in vitro. J Neuroendocrinol 2007; 19:208-12. [PMID: 17280594 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2006.01521.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin is a brain-gut peptide with wide-ranging endocrine, metabolic, cardiovascular and neural effects. Ghrelin, like its synthetic counterparts, the growth hormone (GH) secretagogues, has been shown to markedly stimulate adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol secretion in humans and the ACTH-releasing effect of GH secretagogues is even greater in patients with pituitary ACTH-secreting tumours. Furthermore, these tumours synthesize ghrelin itself, suggesting an intrapituitary ghrelin circuit. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ghrelin on ACTH secretion by human pituitary corticotroph tumours in vitro to test the functionality of this circuit. Nine ACTH-secreting pituitary tumours (four microadenomas, five macroadenomas) were collected during surgery and incubated with 10-100 nM human ghrelin or with 10 nM human corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH). Control experiments were performed in rat anterior pituitary primary cultures. ACTH secretion was assessed after 4 h and 24 h incubation by immunometric assay. After 4 h of incubation with ghrelin, medium ACTH concentrations were two- to ten-fold higher compared to ACTH concentrations in unstimulated wells. The ACTH-releasing effect of ghrelin was significantly less than the response elicited by 10 nM CRH (up to 40-fold) Similar results were obtained after 24 h of incubation and a superimposable response pattern was observed in rat anterior pituitary primary cultures. The present study demonstrates that the endogenous GH secretagogue, ghrelin, stimulates ACTH secretion directly from human tumoural corticotrophs, as well as from normal rat pituitary, and indicates that the marked ACTH release elicited by ghrelin in patients with Cushing's disease in vivo is due, at least in part, to its action on the pituitary tumour. However, the reversal of the response pattern reported in vivo, with ghrelin proving a lesser stimulant than CRH in vitro, suggests that additional, suprapituitary mechanisms are involved in the in vivo response. Moreover, these data uphold the concept of a functional intratumoural ghrelin paracrine circuit in human corticotroph adenomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Pecori Giraldi
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Ospedale San Luca, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
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Bonizzi G, Cicalese A, Giulini B, Pesce S, Gobbi A, Pece S, Di Fiore PP, Pelicci PG. Ex vivo isolation of adult stem cells from normal and tumour mouse mammary parenchyma. Breast Cancer Res 2005. [PMCID: PMC4233548 DOI: 10.1186/bcr1127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Gitto E, Romeo C, Reiter RJ, Impellizzeri P, Pesce S, Basile M, Antonuccio P, Trimarchi G, Gentile C, Barberi I, Zuccarello B. Melatonin reduces oxidative stress in surgical neonates. J Pediatr Surg 2004; 39:184-9; discussion 184-9. [PMID: 14966737 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2003.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Cytokines are inflammatory mediators found in the circulation after surgery. Newborns have less protection against oxidation and are very susceptible to free radical oxidative damage. Melatonin has been reported recently to reduce oxidative stress in neonates with sepsis, asphyxia, and respiratory distress. The aim of this study has been to determine if melatonin would lower interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels and modify serum inflammation parameters, improving the clinical course of surgical neonates. METHODS Ten newborns (group 1), 5 with surgical malformations and respiratory distress (group 1a) and 5 with isolated abdominal surgical malformations (group 1b) received a total of 10 doses of melatonin (10 mg/kg) at defined times interval for 72 hours. The treatment was started within 3 hours after the end of surgery. Ten surgical neonates (group 2), did not receive melatonin. Twenty healthy neonates (group 3) served as control. Blood samples were collected at the end of operation; before treatment with the antioxidant; and 24 hours 72 hours, and 7 days after start of treatment with melatonin or placebo, respectively. RESULTS Postoperative value of cytokines and NOx levels of groups 1 and 2 were significantly higher than group 3. Compared with group 1b, group 2 displayed significantly higher cytokines and NOx levels at 24 hours, 72 hours, and at 7 days. In group 1a the immediate postoperative values of cytokines were significantly higher than group 1b and group 2, but a significant improvement was observed after administration of melatonin with significantly lower levels of IL-6 and IL-8 with respect to group 2. An improvement of clinical outcome was observed by progressive reduction of clinical parameters of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Melatonin reduces cytokines and NOx levels showing potent antioxidant properties with improvement in clinical outcome. Further studies are warranted to define, on larger numbers, the role of melatonin in surgical patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Gitto
- Department of Medical and Surgical Pediatric Sciences, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Abstract
Id1, a helix-loop-helix (HLH) protein which lacks a DNA binding domain, has been shown to negatively regulate other members of the HLH family by direct protein-protein interactions, both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we report the results of site-directed mutagenesis experiments aimed at defining the regions of Id1 which are important for its activity. We have found that the HLH domain of Id1 is necessary and nearly sufficient for its activity. In addition, we show that two amino acid residues at the amino terminus of the Id1 loop are critical for its activity, perhaps by specifying the correct dimerization partners. In this regard, replacing the first four amino acids of the loops of the basic HLH proteins E12 and E47 with the corresponding amino acids of Id1 confers Id1 dimerization specificity. These studies point to the loop region as an important structural and functional element of the Id subfamily of HLH proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pesce
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021
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Dammacco F, Dammacco A, Acquafredda A, Pesce S, Cavallo T. [Measurement of the spontaneous growth hormone increase in short children. Diagnostic significance and neuroendocrine implications]. MINERVA ENDOCRINOL 1993; 18:43-7. [PMID: 8190046] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children with growth retardation is frequently difficult. The diagnostic reliability of standard pharmacological GH provocative tests has been questioned and several investigators have focussed on measurement of spontaneous GH secretion at frequent intervals over periods of 12-24 hours, with mathematical analysis of resulting secretory patterns. The aim of our study was to assess GH secretion in children with growth retardation, either in prepuberal and puberal ages, in order 1) to evaluate the diagnostic relevance of spontaneous GH secretion in comparison to tests, and 2) to gain neuroendocrine interpretations of GH secretion. We investigated 58 short children (height < 5th centile), 35 males, aged 6.4-15 years, without chronic diseases or dysmorphic syndromes. All subjects were divided into 3 groups, either in prepubertal and pubertal ages: normal (normal growth rate, within -0.80 HVSDS; normal GH peak after standard clonidine test > 7 ng/ml; 15 prepubertal, 8 pubertal); slow-growing (growth rate lower than -0.80 SDS; normal GH peak to test; 13 prepubertal, 13 pubertal); GH deficit (growth rate lower than -0.80 SDS; GH peak to test < 7 ng/ml; 6 prepubertal, 3 pubertal). In all children spontaneous GH secretion was evaluated for 24-hrs, 12-hrs daily and 12-hrs overnight, sampling every 30 minutes. The results were analyzed by the PULSAR computer program to determine number, height, area and amplitude of pulses and the baseline and GH secretory areas under and over baseline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- F Dammacco
- Divisione Malattie Endocrine e Diabete, Ospedale Regionale Pediatrico Giovanni XXIII, Bari
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Malcangi A, Pesce S, Vitale M, Martinetto P. [Aztreonam: monocenter microbiological study with prevention experience in surgery]. G Batteriol Virol Immunol 1987; 80:237-51. [PMID: 3509031] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Aztreonam is a monobactam antibiotic active against aerobic gram-negative bacteria. The susceptibility of 127 urinary tract isolates to aztreonam, cefotaxime, cefonicid and ceftazidime was determined. Aztreonam showed good antibacterial activity even against Pseudomonas spp. Only 7 bacterial strains were resistant to aztreonam. The clinical efficacy and pharmacokinetics of aztreonam were assessed in two patients treated for urinary tract infections. The concentrations of aztreonam in serum and urine are reported. Aztreonam safety was evaluated on 20 patients given aztreonam immediately prior to an elective abdominal, urinary or gynecological operation. The results provide support for the use of aztreonam for prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Malcangi
- Istituto di Microbiologia e I Clinica Chirurgica Generale e Terapia Chirurgica, Università di Torino
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Caruso U, D'Iddio S, Cravotto E, Pesce S, Betti I, Ruscitto G, Ecari U, Sabrie AM. [Domperidone as an anti-emetic in antineoplastic chemotherapy]. MINERVA CHIR 1981; 36:787-91. [PMID: 7019761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The antiemetic effects of domperidone in patients undergoing post-surgical cytostatic treatment for stomach and colorectal carcinoma have been evaluated. The study has been performed on 3 groups of patients treated with domperidone, metoclopramide and placebo respectively. The antiemetic activity of domperidone proved to be better than that of metoclopramide. No side effects were observed in patients treated with domperidone.
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Oggioni R, Pesce S. Radiation protection in angiography by use of rare earth screens. Ann Radiol (Paris) 1979; 22:344. [PMID: 496278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Vaghi MA, Pesce S, Ciancia C. [Cesium 137 in the therapy of tumors of the central nervous system. Plans for therapy]. Radiobiol Radioter Fis Med 1969; 24:177-204. [PMID: 5375710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Vaghi MA, Pesce S, Ciancia C. [Cesium 137 in the therapy of tumors of the central nervous system. Accessories for conformation of the beam]. Radiobiol Radioter Fis Med 1968; 23:27-42. [PMID: 5745143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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