Effect of medical castration on CD4+CD25+ T cells, CD8+ T cell IFN-γ expression, and NK cells: a physiological role for testosterone and/or its metabolites

The higher prevalence of autoimmune disease among women compared with men suggests that steroids impact immune regulation. To investigate how sex steroids modulate cellular immune function, we conducted a randomized trial in 12 healthy men aged 35–55 yr treated for 28 days with placebo, a GnRH antagonist, acyline to induce medical castration, or acyline plus daily testosterone (T) gel to replace serum T, followed by a 28-day recovery period. Serum hormones were measured weekly and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were collected biweekly for analyses of thymus-derived lymphocyte (T cell) subtypes and natural killer (NK) cells. Compared with the other groups and to baseline throughout the drug exposure period, men receiving acyline alone had significant reductions in serum T (near or below castrate levels), dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol ( P < 0.05). Medical castration significantly reduced the percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells ( P < 0.05), decreased mitogen-induced CD8+ T cell IFN-γ expression, and increased the percentage of NK cells without affecting the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T cells and the expression of NK cell-activating receptor NKG2D or homing receptor CXCR1. No changes in immune composition were observed in subjects receiving placebo or acyline with replacement T. These data suggest that T and/or its metabolites may help maintain the physiological balance of autoimmunity and protective immunity by preserving the number of regulatory T cells and the activation of CD8+ T cells. In addition, sex steroids suppress NK cell proliferation. This study supports a complex physiological role for T and/or its metabolites in immune regulation.

Download Full-text

Ifosfamide impairs the allostimulatory capacity of human dendritic cells by intracellular glutathione depletion

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2003-05-1408 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 102 (10) ◽

pp. 3668-3674 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Maria C. Kuppner ◽

Anabel Scharner ◽

Valeria Milani ◽

Christoph von Hesler ◽

Katharina E. Tschöp ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Dendritic Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Cell Function ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Human Monocyte ◽

Glutathione Depletion ◽

Intracellular Glutathione ◽

Ifn Γ

AbstractIfosfamide, a clinically potent chemotherapeutic agent, causes the depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels in various cell types. GSH is the major intracellular reductant against oxidative stress. 4-Hydroxyifosfamide (4-OH-IF), the activated form of ifosfamide, depletes GSH levels in T cells and natural killer (NK) cells; this is accompanied by a decrease in T-cell and NK-cell function. Here we demonstrate for the first time that human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) express higher constitutive levels of GSH and are less sensitive to 4-OH-IF-induced GSH depletion than T cells and NK cells. Treatment of DCs with 4-OH-IF significantly reduced their ability to stimulate allogeneic T-cell proliferation and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production. Ifosfamide also decreased DC interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70) production after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and IFN-γ. The decrease in allostimulatory capacity and in IFN-γ and IL-12 production correlated with a decrease in intracellular GSH in the DCs. The responses could be restored by reconstituting DC GSH levels with glutathione monoethyl ester (GSH-OEt). 4-OH-IF had no inhibitory effect on the ability of DCs to present exogenously added tyrosinase peptide to tyrosinase-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). These studies suggest that in cancer patients treated with ifosfamide, protection strategies based on glutathione reconstitution may enhance DC function. (Blood. 2003;102: 3668-3674)

Download Full-text

CMV-Specific Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells Comprise Concomitant Cytotoxicity Against Leukemia and Cytomegalovirus

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v124.21.5814.5814 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 124 (21) ◽

pp. 5814-5814

Author(s):

Verena Pfirrmann ◽

Sarah Oelsner ◽

Eva Rettinger ◽

Sabine Huenecke ◽

Jindrich Cinatl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Effector Memory ◽

Cd8 Cells ◽

Cik Cells ◽

Leukemic Relapse ◽

Ifn Γ

Abstract Introduction Infection is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity after allogeneic stem cell transplantation, especially in patients who received T cell depleted haploidentical stem cells. Reactivation or de novo infection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) is amongst the most frequent complications and occur due to a lack of virus-specific T cells post-transplant. Pre-emptive immunotherapy may support both reconstitution of viral specific responses on one hand and may prevent impending leukemic relapse on the other hand. Therefore we established a protocol to generate CMV-specific cytokine-induced killer cells (CIKpp65) with dual cytolytic function against CMV and AML. Protocol CIK cells were generated in vitro from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of CMV-seropositive healthy donors using IFN-γ, activating monoclonal anti-CD3 antibody (MAb), interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-15. An additional single stimulation with human CMVpp65 protein was adequate to increase the amount of cytotoxic CMV-specificcells within CIK cells up to 23%. In total the CMVpp65 stimulation resulted in up to 11.0-fold increased frequency of CMV-dextramer+CD8+cells after 15 days of expansion (n=12). Results Cytotoxicity Next we investigated cell-mediated cytotoxicity against leukemic cell lines THP-1 and K562, pp65 loaded cell line T2 and CMV-infected primary fibroblasts. CIK cell cytotoxicity is described as mediated by activating NK-cell receptor NKG2D. This receptor was blocked in order to determine the specific MHC-mediated cytotoxicity in experiments targeting pp65 loaded cells. The lysis of pp65 loaded cells by CIKpp65 cells was significant higher as compared to conventional CIK cells (effector to target cell ratio of 5:1, 39.9±21.6% to 13.6±10.6%, P<0.01). CIKpp65 cells also induced high cytotoxicity in infected fibroblasts (up to 55%, 10:1 E:T ratio). The anti-leukemic effect was retained in CIKpp65 cells. CIKpp65 cells revealed a mean cytotoxicity of 71.5%, 60.7% and 37.8% against THP-1 and 55.0%, 50.0%, 20.5% against K562 in 40:1, 20:1 and 5:1 E:T ratio, respectively. In contrast, the reactivity against allogeneic PBMC remained low (18% lysis, 40:1 E:T ratio) and allogeneic mock-infected fibroblasts were not lysed at all. This clearly indicates towards the low alloreactive potential of CIKpp65 cells. Phenotype Furthermore we characterized subpopulation and memory phenotype of CIKpp65 cells in detailed flow cytometric analyses and examined the cytokine secretion pattern by cytometric bead array. After expansion the population mainly consisted of a CD3+CD56- T cell (77.6±4.5%) and CD3+CD56+ T-NK cell phenotype (20.0±12.6%). The T-NK cells additionally co-expressed high amounts of CD8 cytotoxic antigen (63.8±16.8%). Interestingly, the T-NK cell compartment contained higher amounts CMV-specific CD8+ cells (mean 5.5%) than the T cell compartment (mean 1.3%). Expression of activating NKG2D and CD25 receptor was strongly positive in both cell fractions. Remarkably, almost 30% of T-NK cells expressed γδ+ T cell receptor, whereas T cells only expressed 4.5% of this receptor type. The cytotoxic T cells within the CIKpp65 cells consisted of a mixed naïve (CD45RA+CD62L+), central memory (CD45RO+CD62L+) and effector memory (CD45RO+CD62L-) phenotype, the cytotoxic T-NK cells mainly of effector memory and EMRA (CD45RA+CD62L-) phenotype. Cytokine secretion (granzyme B, IFN-γ, MIP-1α, TNF-α, Fas-L, IP-10, IL-10, IL-6 and IL-4) were measured during the expansion period and cytotoxic assays and resulting data confirmed the cytotoxic nature of the cells and indicated towards a mainly TH1 cell type character. Conclusion In conclusion CIKpp65 cells can easily be generated from donor PBMC and might represent advantage to conventional CIK cells. Our pre-clinical data demonstrate the concomitant cytotoxicity of generated cells against leukemia cells and CMV, as well as low alloreactivity and limited risk to induce GvHD. Therefore CIKpp65 cells may represent an effective tool for pre-emptive immunotherapy in patients which have both an apparent risk of CMV reactivation and leukemic relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text

NK-cell activation by LIGHT triggers tumor-specific CD8+ T-cell immunity to reject established tumors

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2005-08-3485 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 107 (4) ◽

pp. 1342-1351 ◽

Cited By ~ 107

Author(s):

Zusen Fan ◽

Ping Yu ◽

Yang Wang ◽

Yugang Wang ◽

May Lynne Fu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Cell Activation ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Tumor Rejection ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Cd8 Cells ◽

Ifn Γ

Natural killer (NK) cells are generally reported as innate effector cells for killing virally infected and transformed cells. It is unclear how NK cells evoke adaptive immunity to eradicate tumors. We now demonstrate that the TNF superfamily member, LIGHT, known as TNFSF14 and a T-cell costimulatory molecule, is a critical ligand for the activation of NK cells. Herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) is expressed on NK cells, and its engagement with LIGHT mediates NK-cell activation. The expression of LIGHT inside tumors leads to rapid rejection in a NK-dependent manner. Both NK and CD8+ cells are essential but not sufficient for the rejection of tumors because mice lacking either population fail to reject the tumor. Interestingly, activated NK cells do not kill tumors directly but can facilitate the priming of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in an IFN-γ–dependent manner. Conversely, intratumor depletion of either NK cells or IFN-γ during tumor progression disrupts CD8+ cell–mediated tumor rejection, suggesting that the tumor is the essential site for the crosstalk between NK and CD8+ cells. Furthermore, IFNG-deficient NK cells fail to effectively activate CD8+ T cells, suggesting IFN-γ plays an important role in NK-mediated activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Our findings establish a direct role for LIGHT in NK activation/expansion and a critical helper role of activated NK cells in priming CD8+ T cells and breaking T-cell tolerance at the tumor site.

Download Full-text

γδ T Cells but Not NK Cells Are Essential for Cell-Mediated Immunity against Plasmodium chabaudi Malaria

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00539-10 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 78 (10) ◽

pp. 4331-4340 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

William P. Weidanz ◽

GayeLyn LaFleur ◽

Andrew Brown ◽

James M. Burns ◽

Irene Gramaglia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Γδ T Cells ◽

Cell Mediated Immunity ◽

Γδ T Cell ◽

Plasmodium Chabaudi ◽

Ifn Γ ◽

Time Courses

ABSTRACT Blood-stage Plasmodium chabaudi infections are suppressed by antibody-mediated immunity and/or cell-mediated immunity (CMI). To determine the contributions of NK cells and γδ T cells to protective immunity, C57BL/6 (wild-type [WT]) mice and B-cell-deficient (JH−/− ) mice were infected with P. chabaudi and depleted of NK cells or γδ T cells with monoclonal antibody. The time courses of parasitemia in NK-cell-depleted WT mice and JH−/− mice were similar to those of control mice, indicating that deficiencies in NK cells, NKT cells, or CD8+ T cells had little effect on parasitemia. In contrast, high levels of noncuring parasitemia occurred in JH−/− mice depleted of γδ T cells. Depletion of γδ T cells during chronic parasitemia in B-cell-deficient JH−/− mice resulted in an immediate and marked exacerbation of parasitemia, suggesting that γδ T cells have a direct killing effect in vivo on blood-stage parasites. Cytokine analyses revealed that levels of interleukin-10, gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in the sera of γδ T-cell-depleted mice were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased compared to hamster immunoglobulin-injected controls, but these cytokine levels were similar in NK-cell-depleted mice and their controls. The time courses of parasitemia in CCR2−/− and JH−/− × CCR2−/− mice and in their controls were nearly identical, indicating that MCP-1 is not required for the control of parasitemia. Collectively, these data indicate that the suppression of acute P. chabaudi infection by CMI is γδ T cell dependent, is independent of NK cells, and may be attributed to the deficient IFN-γ response seen early in γδ T-cell-depleted mice.

Download Full-text

Mucosal Vaccination Primes NK Cell-Dependent Development of CD8+ T Cells Against Pulmonary Brucella Infection

Frontiers in Immunology ◽

10.3389/fimmu.2021.697953 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Ella Bhagyaraj ◽

Hongbin Wang ◽

Xinghong Yang ◽

Carol Hoffman ◽

Ali Akgul ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Cell Response ◽

Nk Cell ◽

T Cell Response ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Cell Depletion ◽

Ifn Γ ◽

And Migration

Past studies with the live, double-mutant B. abortus (znBAZ) strain resulted in nearly complete protection of mice against pulmonary challenge with wild-type (wt) Brucella via a dominant CD8+ T cell response. To understand the contribution innate immune cells in priming CD8+ T cell responses, mice were nasally dosed with wt B. abortus, smooth vaccine strain 19 (S19), or znBAZ, and examined for innate immune cell activation. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that znBAZ, but not wt B. abortus nor S19 infection, induces up to a 5-fold increase in the frequency of IFN-γ-producing NK cells in mouse lungs. These NK cells express increased CXCR3 and Ki67, indicating their recruitment and proliferation subsequent to znBAZ infection. Their activation status was augmented noted by the increased NKp46 and granzyme B, but decreased NKG2A expression. Further analysis demonstrated that both lung caspase-1+ inflammatory monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages secrete chemokines and cytokines responsible for NK cell recruitment and activation. Moreover, neutralizing IL-18, an NK cell-activating cytokine, reduced the znBAZ-induced early NK cell response. NK cell depletion also significantly impaired lung dendritic cell (DC) activation and migration to the lower respiratory lymph nodes (LRLNs). Both lung DC activation and migration to LRLNs were significantly impaired in NK cell-depleted or IFN-γ-/- mice, particularly the CD11b+ and monocytic DC subsets. Furthermore, znBAZ vaccination significantly induced CD8+ T cells, and upon in vivo NK cell depletion, CD8+ T cells were reduced 3-fold compared to isotype-treated mice. In summary, these data show that znBAZ induces lung IFN-γ+ NK cells, which plays a critical role in influencing lung DC activation, migration, and promoting protective CD8+ T cell development.

Download Full-text

Impaired NK-mediated regulation of T-cell activity in multiple sclerosis is reconstituted by IL-2 receptor modulation

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1524924113 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 113 (21) ◽

pp. E2973-E2982 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

Catharina C. Gross ◽

Andreas Schulte-Mecklenbeck ◽

Anna Rünzi ◽

Tanja Kuhlmann ◽

Anita Posevitz-Fejfár ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Immune Regulation ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Cytolytic Activity ◽

Regulatory Function ◽

Receptor Modulation ◽

Migratory Capacity

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) resulting from a breakdown in peripheral immune tolerance. Although a beneficial role of natural killer (NK)-cell immune-regulatory function has been proposed, it still needs to be elucidated whether NK cells are functionally impaired as part of the disease. We observed NK cells in active MS lesions in close proximity to T cells. In accordance with a higher migratory capacity across the blood–brain barrier, CD56bright NK cells represent the major intrathecal NK-cell subset in both MS patients and healthy individuals. Investigating the peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients treated with natalizumab revealed that transmigration of this subset depends on the α4β1 integrin very late antigen (VLA)-4. Although no MS-related changes in the migratory capacity of NK cells were observed, NK cells derived from patients with MS exhibit a reduced cytolytic activity in response to antigen-activated CD4+ T cells. Defective NK-mediated immune regulation in MS is mainly attributable to a CD4+ T-cell evasion caused by an impaired DNAX accessory molecule (DNAM)-1/CD155 interaction. Both the expression of the activating NK-cell receptor DNAM-1, a genetic alteration consistently found in MS-association studies, and up-regulation of the receptor’s ligand CD155 on CD4+ T cells are reduced in MS. Therapeutic immune modulation of IL-2 receptor restores impaired immune regulation in MS by increasing the proportion of CD155-expressing CD4+ T cells and the cytolytic activity of NK cells.

Download Full-text

Anti-tumor effects of RTX-240: an engineered red blood cell expressing 4-1BB ligand and interleukin-15

Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy ◽

10.1007/s00262-021-03001-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shannon L. McArdel ◽

Anne-Sophie Dugast ◽

Maegan E. Hoover ◽

Arjun Bollampalli ◽

Enping Hong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Blood Cell ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Red Blood Cell ◽

Safety Profile ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Cell Activity ◽

In Vivo Studies

AbstractRecombinant agonists that activate co-stimulatory and cytokine receptors have shown limited clinical anticancer utility, potentially due to narrow therapeutic windows, the need for coordinated activation of co-stimulatory and cytokine pathways and the failure of agonistic antibodies to recapitulate signaling by endogenous ligands. RTX-240 is a genetically engineered red blood cell expressing 4-1BBL and IL-15/IL-15Rα fusion (IL-15TP). RTX-240 is designed to potently and simultaneously stimulate the 4-1BB and IL-15 pathways, thereby activating and expanding T cells and NK cells, while potentially offering an improved safety profile through restricted biodistribution. We assessed the ability of RTX-240 to expand and activate T cells and NK cells and evaluated the in vivo efficacy, pharmacodynamics and tolerability using murine models. Treatment of PBMCs with RTX-240 induced T cell and NK cell activation and proliferation. In vivo studies using mRBC-240, a mouse surrogate for RTX-240, revealed biodistribution predominantly to the red pulp of the spleen, leading to CD8 + T cell and NK cell expansion. mRBC-240 was efficacious in a B16-F10 melanoma model and led to increased NK cell infiltration into the lungs. mRBC-240 significantly inhibited CT26 tumor growth, in association with an increase in tumor-infiltrating proliferating and cytotoxic CD8 + T cells. mRBC-240 was tolerated and showed no evidence of hepatic injury at the highest feasible dose, compared with a 4-1BB agonistic antibody. RTX-240 promotes T cell and NK cell activity in preclinical models and shows efficacy and an improved safety profile. Based on these data, RTX-240 is now being evaluated in a clinical trial.

Download Full-text

DNAM-1 promotes activation of cytotoxic lymphocytes by nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells and tumors

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.20081752 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 205 (13) ◽

pp. 2965-2973 ◽

Cited By ~ 195

Author(s):

Susan Gilfillan ◽

Christopher J. Chan ◽

Marina Cella ◽

Nicole M. Haynes ◽

Aaron S. Rapaport ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Adhesion Molecules ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Cd8 T Cell ◽

Antigen Presenting

Natural killer (NK) cells and CD8 T cells require adhesion molecules for migration, activation, expansion, differentiation, and effector functions. DNAX accessory molecule 1 (DNAM-1), an adhesion molecule belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, promotes many of these functions in vitro. However, because NK cells and CD8 T cells express multiple adhesion molecules, it is unclear whether DNAM-1 has a unique function or is effectively redundant in vivo. To address this question, we generated mice lacking DNAM-1 and evaluated DNAM-1–deficient CD8 T cell and NK cell function in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that CD8 T cells require DNAM-1 for co-stimulation when recognizing antigen presented by nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells; in contrast, DNAM-1 is dispensable when dendritic cells present the antigen. Similarly, NK cells require DNAM-1 for the elimination of tumor cells that are comparatively resistant to NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity caused by the paucity of other NK cell–activating ligands. We conclude that DNAM-1 serves to extend the range of target cells that can activate CD8 T cell and NK cells and, hence, may be essential for immunosurveillance against tumors and/or viruses that evade recognition by other activating or accessory molecules.

Download Full-text

Interferon Alpha Enhances NK Cell Function and the Suppressive Capacity of HIV-Specific CD8+T Cells

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.01541-18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 93 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Abena K. R. Kwaa ◽

Chloe A. G. Talana ◽

Joel N. Blankson

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Effector Cell ◽

Cell Function ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Suppressive Capacity ◽

Short Course ◽

Shock And Kill ◽

Hiv 1

ABSTRACTCurrent shock-and-kill strategies for the eradication of the HIV-1 reservoir have resulted in blips of viremia but not in a decrease in the size of the latent reservoir in patients on suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). This discrepancy could potentially be explained by an inability of the immune system to kill HIV-1-infected cells following the reversal of latency. Furthermore, some studies have suggested that certain latency-reversing agents (LRAs) may inhibit CD8+T cell and natural killer (NK) cell responses. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that alpha interferon (IFN-α) could improve the function of NK cells from chronic progressors (CP) on ART. We show here that IFN-α treatment enhanced cytokine secretion, polyfunctionality, degranulation, and the cytotoxic potential of NK cells from healthy donors (HD) and CP. We also show that this cytokine enhanced the viral suppressive capacity of NK cells from HD and elite controllers or suppressors. Furthermore, IFN-α enhanced global CP CD8+T cell cytokine responses and the suppressive capacity of ES CD8+T cells. Our data suggest that IFN-α treatment may potentially be used as an immunomodulatory agent in HIV-1 cure strategies.IMPORTANCEData suggest that HIV+individuals unable to control infection fail to do so due to impaired cytokine production and/cytotoxic effector cell function. Consequently, the success of cure agendas such as the shock-and-kill strategy will probably depend on enhancing patient effector cell function. In this regard, NK cells are of particular interest since they complement the function of CD8+T cells. Here, we demonstrate the ability of short-course alpha interferon (IFN-α) treatments to effectively enhance such effector functions in chronic progressor NK cells without inhibiting their general CD8+T cell function. These results point to the possibility of exploring such short-course IFN-α treatments for the enhancement of effector cell function in HIV+patients in future cure strategies.

Download Full-text

Characterization of the DNAM-1, TIGIT and TACTILE Axis on Circulating NK, NKT-Like and T Cell Subsets in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers12082171 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 2171

Author(s):

Isabel Valhondo ◽

Fakhri Hassouneh ◽

Nelson Lopez-Sejas ◽

Alejandra Pera ◽

Beatriz Sanchez-Correa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽

T Cell ◽

Healthy Volunteers ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Cell Activation ◽

Nk Cell ◽

T Cell Subsets ◽

Acute Myeloid

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a major clinical challenge due to poor overall survival, which is even more dramatic in elderly patients. TIGIT, an inhibitory receptor that interacts with CD155 and CD112 molecules, is considered as a checkpoint in T and NK cell activation. This receptor shares ligands with the co-stimulatory receptor DNAM-1 and with TACTILE. The aim of this work was to analyze the expression of DNAM-1, TIGIT and TACTILE in NK cells and T cell subsets in AML patients. Methods: We have studied 36 patients at the time of diagnosis of AML and 20 healthy volunteers. The expression of DNAM-1, TIGIT and TACTILE in NK cells and T cells, according to the expression of CD3 and CD56, was performed by flow cytometry. Results: NK cells, CD56− T cells and CD56+ T (NKT-like) cells from AML patients presented a reduced expression of DNAM-1 compared with healthy volunteers. An increased expression of TIGIT was observed in mainstream CD56− T cells. No differences were observed in the expression of TACTILE. Simplified presentation of incredibly complex evaluations (SPICE) analysis of the co-expression of DNAM-1, TIGIT and TACTILE showed an increase in NK and T cells lacking DNAM-1 and co-expressing TIGIT and TACTILE. Low percentages of DNAM-1−TIGIT+TACTILE+ NK cells and DNAM-1− TIGIT+TACTILE+ CD56− T cells were associated with a better survival of AML patients. Conclusions: The expression of DNAM-1 is reduced in NK cells and in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from AML patients compared with those from healthy volunteers. An increased percentage of NK and T cells lacking DNAM-1 and co-expressing TIGIT and TACTILE is associated with patient survival, supporting the role of TIGIT as a novel candidate for checkpoint blockade.

Download Full-text