Enhanced adaptive immune responses in lung adenocarcinoma through natural killer cell stimulation

Natural killer (NK) cells inhibit tumor development in mouse models and their presence in tumors correlates with patient survival. However, tumor-associated NK cells become dysfunctional; thus, stimulation of NK cells in cancer is emerging as an attractive immunotherapeutic strategy. In a mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma, NK cells localized to tumor stroma with immature phenotypes and low functional capacity. To test their responsiveness within established disease, we engineered a system for inducible expression of activating ligands in tumors. After stimulation, NK cells localized inside tumors, with increased cytokine production capacity. Strikingly, T cells were also recruited to tumors in an NK cell-dependent manner, and exhibited higher functionality. In neoantigen-expressing tumors, NK cell stimulation enhanced the number and function of tumor-specific T cells and, in long-term settings, reduced tumor growth. Thus, even in established disease NK cells can be activated to contribute to antitumor immunity, supporting their potential as an important target in cancer immunotherapy.

Download Full-text

Prognostic significance of natural killer cell-associated markers in gastric cancer: quantitative analysis using multiplex immunohistochemistry

Journal of Translational Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12967-021-03203-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hee Young Na ◽

Yujun Park ◽

Soo Kyung Nam ◽

Jiwon Koh ◽

Yoonjin Kwak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

T Cells ◽

B Cells ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Natural Killer ◽

Immune Cells ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Critical Role ◽

Killer Cell ◽

Prognostic Significance

Abstract Background Natural killer (NK) cells mediate the anti-tumoral immune response as an important component of innate immunity. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance and functional implication of NK cell-associated surface receptors in gastric cancer (GC) by using multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC). Methods We performed an mIHC on tissue microarray slides, including 55 GC tissue samples. A total of 11 antibodies including CD57, NKG2A, CD16, HLA-E, CD3, CD20, CD45, CD68, CK, SMA, and ki-67 were used. CD45 + CD3-CD57 + cells were considered as CD57 + NK cells. Results Among CD45 + immune cells, the proportion of CD57 + NK cell was the lowest (3.8%), whereas that of CD57 + and CD57- T cells (65.5%) was the highest, followed by macrophages (25.4%), and B cells (5.3%). CD57 + NK cells constituted 20% of CD45 + CD57 + immune cells while the remaining 80% were CD57 + T cells. The expression of HLA-E in tumor cells correlated with that in tumoral T cells, B cells, and macrophages, but not CD57 + NK cells. The higher density of tumoral CD57 + NK cells and tumoral CD57 + NKG2A + NK cells was associated with inferior survival. Conclusions Although the number of CD57 + NK cells was lower than that of other immune cells, CD57 + NK cells and CD57 + NKG2A + NK cells were significantly associated with poor outcomes, suggesting that NK cell subsets play a critical role in GC progression. NK cells and their inhibitory receptor, NKG2A, may be potential targets in GC.

Download Full-text

Inhibition of Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) induces natural killer cell-mediated eradication of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1802691115 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 115 (15) ◽

pp. E3509-E3518 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Suresh Bugide ◽

Michael R. Green ◽

Narendra Wajapeyee

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Natural Killer ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Killer Cell ◽

Transcriptional Level ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Down Regulation ◽

Nkg2d Ligands ◽

Enhancer Of Zeste

Natural killer (NK) cell-mediated tumor cell eradication could inhibit tumor initiation and progression. However, the factors that regulate NK cell-mediated cancer cell eradication remain unclear. We determined that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells exhibit transcriptional down-regulation of NK group 2D (NKG2D) ligands and are largely resistant to NK cell-mediated eradication. Because the down-regulation of NKG2D ligands occurred at the transcriptional level, we tested 32 chemical inhibitors of epigenetic regulators for their ability to re-express NKG2D ligands and enhance HCC cell eradication by NK cells and found that Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) was a transcriptional repressor of NKG2D ligands. The inhibition of EZH2 by small-molecule inhibitors or genetic means enhanced HCC cell eradication by NK cells in a NKG2D ligand-dependent manner. Collectively, these results demonstrate that EZH2 inhibition enhances HCC eradication by NK cells and that EZH2 functions, in part, as an oncogene by inhibiting immune response.

Download Full-text

HBV vaccination and HBV infection induces HBV-specific natural killer cell memory

Gut ◽

10.1136/gutjnl-2019-319252 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. gutjnl-2019-319252 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ratna S Wijaya ◽

Scott A Read ◽

Naomi R Truong ◽

Shuanglin Han ◽

Dishen Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis B ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Natural Killer ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Killer Cell ◽

Hbv Infection ◽

Core Antigen ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Antigen Specificity ◽

Chronic Hbv

ObjectiveVaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) confers protection from subsequent infection through immunological memory that is traditionally considered the domain of the adaptive immune system. This view has been challenged following the identification of antigen-specific memory natural killer cells (mNKs) in mice and non-human primates. While the presence of mNKs has been suggested in humans based on the expansion of NK cells following pathogen exposure, evidence regarding antigen-specificity is lacking. Here, we demonstrate the existence of HBV-specific mNKs in humans after vaccination and in chronic HBV infection.DesignNK cell responses were evaluated by flow cytometry and ELISA following challenge with HBV antigens in HBV vaccinated, non-vaccinated and chronic HBV-infected individuals.ResultsNK cells from vaccinated subjects demonstrated higher cytotoxic and proliferative responses against autologous hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-pulsed monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) compared with unvaccinated subjects. Moreover, NK cell lysis of HBsAg-pulsed moDCs was significantly higher than that of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg)-pulsed moDCs (non-vaccine antigen) or tumour necrosis factor α-activated moDCs in a NKG2D-dependent manner. The mNKs response was mediated by CD56dim NK cells coexpressing CD57, CD69 and KLRG1. Further, mNKs from chronic hepatitis B patients exhibited greater degranulation against HBcAg-pulsed moDCs compared with unvaccinated or vaccinated patients. Notably, mNK activity was negatively correlated with HBV DNA levels.ConclusionsOur data support the presence of a mature mNKs following HBV antigen exposure either through vaccination or infection. Harnessing these antigen specific, functionally active mNKs provides an opportunity to develop novel treatments targeting HBV in chronic infection.

Download Full-text

Slaying the Trojan Horse: Natural Killer Cells Exhibit Robust Anti-HIV-1 Antibody-Dependent Activation and Cytolysis against Allogeneic T Cells

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.02461-14 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 89 (1) ◽

pp. 97-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Shayarana L. Gooneratne ◽

Jonathan Richard ◽

Wen Shi Lee ◽

Andrés Finzi ◽

Stephen J. Kent ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Natural Killer ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Target Cells ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Inhibitory Receptors ◽

Cell Responses ◽

Anti Hiv ◽

Hiv 1

ABSTRACTMany attempts to design prophylactic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccines have focused on the induction of neutralizing antibodies (Abs) that block infection by free virions. Despite the focus on viral particles, virus-infected cells, which can be found within mucosal secretions, are more infectious than free virus bothin vitroandin vivo. Furthermore, assessment of human transmission couples suggests infected seminal lymphocytes might be responsible for a proportion of HIV-1 transmissions. Although vaccines that induce neutralizing Abs are sought, only some broadly neutralizing Abs efficiently block cell-to-cell transmission of HIV-1. As HIV-1 vaccines need to elicit immune responses capable of controlling both free and cell-associated virus, we evaluated the potential of natural killer (NK) cells to respond in an Ab-dependent manner to allogeneic T cells bearing HIV-1 antigens. This study presents data measuring Ab-dependent anti-HIV-1 NK cell responses to primary and transformed allogeneic T-cell targets. We found that NK cells are robustly activated in an anti-HIV-1 Ab-dependent manner against allogeneic targets and that tested target cells are subject to Ab-dependent cytolysis. Furthermore, the educated KIR3DL1+NK cell subset from HLA-Bw4+individuals exhibits an activation advantage over the KIR3DL1−subset that contains both NK cells educated through other receptor/ligand combinations and uneducated NK cells. These results are intriguing and important for understanding the regulation of Ab-dependent NK cell responses and are potentially valuable for designing Ab-dependent therapies and/or vaccines.IMPORTANCENK cell-mediated anti-HIV-1 antibody-dependent functions have been associated with protection from infection and disease progression; however, their role in protecting from infection with allogeneic cells infected with HIV-1 is unknown. We found that HIV-1-specific ADCC antibodies bound to allogeneic cells infected with HIV-1 or coated with HIV-1 gp120 were capable of activating NK cells and/or trigging cytolysis of the allogeneic target cells. This suggests ADCC may be able to assist in preventing infection with cell-associated HIV-1. In order to fully utilize NK cell-mediated Ab-dependent effector functions, it might also be important that educated NK cells, which hold the highest activation potential, can become activated against targets bearing HIV-1 antigens and expressing the ligands for self-inhibitory receptors. Here, we show that with Ab-dependent stimulation, NK cells expressing inhibitory receptors can mediate robust activation against targets expressing the ligands for those receptors.

Download Full-text

IL-17 constrains natural killer cell activity by restraining IL-15–driven cell maturation via SOCS3

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1904125116 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 116 (35) ◽

pp. 17409-17418 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Xuefu Wang ◽

Rui Sun ◽

Xiaolei Hao ◽

Zhe-Xiong Lian ◽

Haiming Wei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antiviral Activity ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Natural Killer ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Natural Killer Cell Activity ◽

Killer Cell ◽

Cell Activity ◽

Cell Maturation ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Deficient Mice

Increasing evidence demonstrates that IL-17A promotes tumorigenesis, metastasis, and viral infection. Natural killer (NK) cells are critical for defending against tumors and infections. However, the roles and mechanisms of IL-17A in regulating NK cell activity remain elusive. Herein, our study demonstrated that IL-17A constrained NK cell antitumor and antiviral activity by restraining NK cell maturation. It was observed that the development and metastasis of tumors were suppressed in IL-17A–deficient mice in the NK cell-dependent manner. In addition, the antiviral activity of NK cells was also improved in IL-17A–deficient mice. Mechanistically, ablation of IL-17A signaling promoted generation of terminally mature CD27−CD11b+ NK cells, whereas constitutive IL-17A signaling reduced terminally mature NK cells. Parabiosis or mixed bone marrow chimeras from Il17a−/−and wild-type (WT) mice could inhibit excessive generation of terminally mature NK cells induced by IL-17A deficiency. Furthermore, IL-17A desensitized NK cell responses to IL-15 and suppressed IL-15–induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) via up-regulation of SOCS3, leading to down-regulation of Blimp-1. Therefore, IL-17A acts as the checkpoint during NK cell terminal maturation, which highlights potential interventions to defend against tumors and viral infections.

Download Full-text

Natural Killer Cell Responses in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications for Novel Immunotherapeutic Approaches

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers12040926 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 926 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Stefania Mantovani ◽

Barbara Oliviero ◽

Stefania Varchetta ◽

Dalila Mele ◽

Mario U. Mondelli

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

T Cells ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Natural Killer ◽

Immune Escape ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Killer Cell ◽

Current Status ◽

Tumor Immune Escape

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still represents a significant complication of chronic liver disease, particularly when cirrhosis ensues. Current treatment options include surgery, loco-regional procedures and chemotherapy, according to specific clinical practice guidelines. Immunotherapy with check-point inhibitors, aimed at rescuing T-cells from exhaustion, has been applied as second-line therapy with limited and variable success. Natural killer (NK) cells are an essential component of innate immunity against cancer and changes in phenotype and function have been described in patients with HCC, who also show perturbations of NK activating receptor/ligand axes. Here we discuss the current status of NK cell treatment of HCC on the basis of existing evidence and ongoing clinical trials on adoptive transfer of autologous or allogeneic NK cells ex vivo or after activation with cytokines such as IL-15 and use of antibodies to target cell-expressed molecules to promote antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). To this end, bi-, tri- and tetra-specific killer cell engagers are being devised to improve NK cell recognition of tumor cells, circumventing tumor immune escape and efficiently targeting NK cells to tumors. Moreover, the exciting technique of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered NK cells offers unique opportunities to create CAR-NK with multiple specificities along the experience gained with CAR-T cells with potentially less adverse effects.

Download Full-text

Elevated CD54 Expression Renders CD4+ T Cells Susceptible to Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Killing

The Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/infdis/jiz413 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 220 (12) ◽

pp. 1892-1903 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xi Chen ◽

Huihui Chen ◽

Zining Zhang ◽

Yajing Fu ◽

Xiaoxu Han ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

T Cells ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Natural Killer ◽

Cd4 T Cells ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Killer Cell ◽

Adaptive Immune Response ◽

Phenotypic Analysis

Abstract Background Natural killer (NK) cells are an important type of effector cell in the innate immune response, and also have a role in regulation of the adaptive immune response. Several studies have indicated that NK cells may influence CD4+ T cells during HIV infection. Methods In total, 51 HIV-infected individuals and 15 healthy controls participated in this study. We performed the flow cytometry assays and real-time PCR for the phenotypic analysis and the functional assays of NK cell-mediated deletion of CD4+ T cells, phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB/p65) and the intervention of metformin. Results Here we detected high CD54 expression on CD4+ T cells in HIV-infected individuals, and demonstrate that upregulated CD54 is associated with disease progression in individuals infected with HIV. We also show that CD54 expression leads to the deletion of CD4+ T cells by NK cells in vitro, and that this is modulated by NF-κB/p65 signaling. Further, we demonstrate that metformin can suppress CD54 expression on CD4+ T cells by inhibiting NF-κB/p65 phosphorylation. Conclusions Our data suggest that further studies to evaluate the potential role of metformin as adjunctive therapy to reconstitute immune function in HIV-infected individuals are warranted.

Download Full-text

Monocytes control natural killer cell differentiation to effector phenotypes

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2010-10-312264 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 117 (17) ◽

pp. 4511-4518 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

Katrina Soderquest ◽

Nick Powell ◽

Carmelo Luci ◽

Nico van Rooijen ◽

Andrés Hidalgo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Differentiation ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Natural Killer ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Killer Cell ◽

In Vivo Model ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Nk Cell Differentiation

Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells play a major role in immunologic surveillance of cancer. Whether NK-cell subsets have specific roles during antitumor responses and what the signals are that drive their terminal maturation remain unclear. Using an in vivo model of tumor immunity, we show here that CD11bhiCD27low NK cells migrate to the tumor site to reject major histocompatibility complex class I negative tumors, a response that is severely impaired in Txb21−/− mice. The phenotypical analysis of Txb21-deficient mice shows that, in the absence of Txb21, NK-cell differentiation is arrested specifically at the CD11bhiCD27hi stage, resulting in the complete absence of terminally differentiated CD11bhiCD27low NK cells. Adoptive transfer experiments and radiation bone marrow chimera reveal that a Txb21+/+ environment rescues the CD11bhiCD27hi to CD11bhiCD27low transition of Txb21−/− NK cells. Furthermore, in vivo depletion of myeloid cells and in vitro coculture experiments demonstrate that spleen monocytes mediate the terminal differentiation of peripheral NK cells in a Txb21- and IL-15Rα–dependent manner. Together, these data reveal a novel, unrecognized role for Txb21 expression in monocytes in promoting NK-cell development and help appreciate how various NK-cell subsets are generated and participate in antitumor immunity.

Download Full-text

CD94 1A transcripts characterize lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia of immature natural killer cell origin with distinct clinical features

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2005-02-0519 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 106 (10) ◽

pp. 3567-3574 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Chung-Wu Lin ◽

Ting-Yun Liu ◽

Shee-Uan Chen ◽

Kun-Teng Wang ◽

L. Jeffrey Medeiros ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Natural Killer ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Killer Cell ◽

Cell Lineage ◽

Lymphoid Cells ◽

Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽

Gene Rearrangements

AbstractMost lymphoblastic lymphomas (LBLs) are regarded as neoplasms of immature T cells because they express cytoplasmic CD3 and frequently carry T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements. Immature natural killer (NK) and T cells, however, have a common bipotent T/NK-cell precursor in the thymus, and NK cells also express cytoplasmic CD3. Thus, some LBLs could arise from immature NK cells. Mature NK cells express 2 CD94 transcripts: 1A, induced by interleukin 15 (IL-15), and 1B constitutively. Because immature NK cells require IL-15 for development, CD94 1A transcripts could be a marker of NK-LBL. To test this hypothesis, we used laser capture microdissection to isolate IL-15 receptor α+ lymphoid cells from the thymus and showed that these cells contained CD94 1A transcripts. We then assessed for CD94 transcripts in 21 cases of LBL that were cytoplasmic CD3+, nuclear terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase positive (TdT+), and CD56-, consistent with either the T-cell or NK-cell lineage. We found that 7 LBLs expressed CD94 1A transcripts without TCR gene rearrangements, suggesting NK-cell lineage. Patients with NK-LBL were younger than patients with T-LBL (15 years versus 33 years; P = .11) and had a better 2-year survival (100% versus 27%; P < .01). These results improve the current classification of LBL and contribute to our understanding of NK-cell differentiation.

Download Full-text

A role for Blimp1 in the transcriptional network controlling natural killer cell maturation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2010-08-303123 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 117 (6) ◽

pp. 1869-1879 ◽

Cited By ~ 92

Author(s):

Axel Kallies ◽

Sebastian Carotta ◽

Nicholas D. Huntington ◽

Nicholas J. Bernard ◽

David M. Tarlinton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Natural Killer ◽

Cytokine Production ◽

Plasma Cells ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Killer Cell ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Cell Maturation ◽

Proliferative Potential

Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes capable of immediate effector functions including cytokine production and cytotoxicity. Compared with B and T cells, the factors that control the peripheral maturation of NK cells are poorly understood. We show that Blimp1, a transcriptional repressor required for the differentiation of plasma cells and short-lived effector T cells, is expressed by NK cells throughout their development. Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is required for the early induction of Blimp1 in NK cells, with expression increasing in the most mature subsets of mouse and human NK cells. We show that Blimp1 is required for NK-cell maturation and homeostasis and for regulating their proliferative potential. It is also essential for high granzyme B expression, but not for most cytokine production and cytotoxicity. Surprisingly, interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) and B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl6), 2 transcription factors crucial for the regulation of Blimp1 in B and T cells, are largely dispensable for Blimp1 expression in NK cells. T-bet deficiency, however, leads to attenuated Blimp1 expression. We have identified NK cells as the first hematopoietic cell type in which the IRF4-Blimp1-Bcl6 regulatory axis is not in operation, highlighting the distinct nature of the NK-cell gene-regulatory network.

Download Full-text