NKG2D Receptor Expression Research Articles

Differential expression of ligands for NKG2D and DNAM-1 receptors by epithelial ovarian cancer-derived exosomes and its influence on NK cell cytotoxicity.

Cancers constitutively produce and secrete into the blood and other biofluids 30-150nm-sized endosomal vehicles called exosomes. Cancer-derived exosomes exhibit powerful influence on a variety of biological mechanisms to the benefit of the tumors that produce them. We studied the immunosuppressive ability of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) exosomes on two cytotoxic pathways of importance for anticancer immunity-the NKG2D receptor-ligand pathway and the DNAM-1-PVR/nectin-2 pathway. Using exosomes, isolated from EOC tumor explant and EOC cell-line culture supernatants, and ascitic fluid from EOC patients, we studied the expression of NKG2D and DNAM-1 ligands on EOC exosomes and their ability to downregulate the cognate receptors. Our results show that EOC exosomes differentially and constitutively express NKG2D ligands from both MICA/B and ULBP families on their surface, while DNAM-1 ligands are more seldom expressed and not associated with the exosomal membrane surface. Consequently, the NKG2D ligand-bearing EOC exosomes significantly downregulated the NKG2D receptor expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) while the DNAM-1 receptor was unaffected. The downregulation of NKG2D receptor expression was coupled to inhibition of NKG2D receptor-ligand-mediated degranulation and cytotoxicity measured in vitro with OVCAR-3 and K562 cells as targets. The EOC exosomes acted as a decoy impairing the NKG2D mediated cytotoxicity while the DNAM-1 receptor-ligand system remained unchanged. Taken together, our results support and explain the mechanism behind the recently reported finding that in EOC, NK-cell recognition and killing of tumor cells was mainly dependent on DNAM-1 signaling while the contribution of the NKG2D receptor-ligand pathway was complementary and uncertain.

TLR4 plays a crucial role in MSC-induced inhibition of NK cell function

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a kind of stromal cell within the tumor microenvironment. In our research, MSC derived from acute myeloid leukemia patients' bone marrow (AML-MSC) and lung cancer tissues (LC-MSC) as well as normal bone marrow-derived MSC (BM-MSC) cultured in conditioned medium of HeLa cells were found to have higher expressions of Toll-like receptor (TLR4) mRNA compared with BM-MSC. The sorted TLR4-positive MSC (TLR4+ MSC) differed in cytokine (interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) secretion from those of unsorted MSC. MSC was reported to inhibit natural killer (NK) cell proliferation and function. In this research, we confirmed that TLR4+ MSC aggravate this suppression. Furthermore, when TLR4 in the sorted cells were stimulated by LPS or following blocked by antibody, the suppression on NK cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were more intensive or recovered respectively. Compared to unsorted MSC, NKG2D receptor expression on NK cells were also inhibited by TLR4+ MSC. These findings suggest that activation of TLR4 pathway is important for TLR4+ MSC and MSC to obstruct anti-tumor immunity by inhibiting NK cell function, which may provide a potential stroma-targeted tumor therapy.

Favorable in vitro effects of combined IL-12 and IL-18 treatment on NK cell cytotoxicity and CD25 receptor expression in metastatic melanoma patients.

BackgroundAs IL-12 and IL-18 have important immunostimulatory role the aim of this study was to investigate their in vitro effects on functional and receptor characteristics of NK cells and their subsets in healthy controls (HC) and metastatic melanoma patients (MM).MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of HC and MM were stimulated with culture medium alone, medium supplemented with IL-12 (10 ng/ml), IL-18 (100 ng/ml) and their combination. NK cell activity was determined using radioactive cytotoxicity assay, while perforin, CD107a and pSTAT-4 expression, IFN-γ production and the expression of NKG2D, DNAM-1, CD161, CD158a/b, CD25, IL-12R beta 1/2 receptors on CD3−CD56+ NK cells and their CD3−CD56dim+ and CD3−CD56bright+ subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytokine induced level of DAP10 in PBMC was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.ResultsIL-12 alone or in combination with IL-18 significantly induced NK cell activity and CD107a degranulation marker expression in MM and HC, while IL-18 alone did not have any effect in patients. The combination of IL-12 and IL-18 significantly increased mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of IFN-γ in all NK cell subsets in HC and only in the bright subset in MM. MM that belong to M1c group with metastasis in liver and increased LDH serum values had significantly lower increase in NK cell cytotoxicity after combined IL-12 and IL-18 treatment compared to the patients in M1a and M1b categories. These results could be explained by decreased IL-12R expression and lower increase in pSTAT-4 and perforin expression in NK cells of M1c patients after IL-12 and combined IL-12 and IL-18 treatment. IL-18 alone significantly decreased NKG2D receptor expression and level of DAP10 signaling molecule in MM, while combined IL-12 and IL-18 increased the expression of CD25 on all NK cell subsets in HC and MM. Additionally, MM that belong to M1a + M1b group had significantly higher increase in CD25 receptor expression compared to the patients in M1c group.ConclusionsThe novel data obtained in this study support the use of IL-12 and IL-18 in combination for developing new therapeutic strategies for metastatic melanoma especially for patients with better survival rate and prognosis.

Mitogenic effect of MICA/MICB-NKG2D system on HELA, CALO and INBL cervical cancer cells induce tyrosin phosphorylation pattern that activates proteins with low molecular weight

Event Abstract Back to Event Mitogenic effect of MICA/MICB-NKG2D system on HELA, CALO and INBL cervical cancer cells induce tyrosin phosphorylation pattern that activates proteins with low molecular weight J F. Mendoza1* 1 National University of Mexico, Research Building, Mexico Background: NKG2D is a member of the NKG2 family of HLA-class I C-type lectin receptors and is expressed as a homodimer by NK cells, γδ T cells and T cytotoxic lymphocytes. The ligands for NKG2D include the human class-I molecules MICA and MICB which are stress induced molecules that have been found to be expressed by tumors cells of ephitelial origen, leukemic cells as well as by virus infected cells. The secretion of MICA and MICB by cancer cells has been suggested as a mechanism for tumor immune escape though the saturation of NKG2D receptors on cytotoxic cells. We have reported that MICA/MICB are strong cell proliferation inducers on cervical cancer cell lines through the presence of NKG2D receptor on cancer cells themselves. However, the intracellular signals that mediate this event are not known. Aim: The aim of this study was undertaken to determine the intracellular proteins that are activated in response to the mitogenic effects provoked for MICA/MICB on positive NKG2D cervical cancer derived cell lines. Methods: Cervical cancer cells HELA, CALO and INBL were cultured by standard techniques and proliferation evaluated by MTT assay after cultures were incubated with different MICA and MIB concentrations. The expression of NKG2D receptor was analized by Western Blot, FACS and immunocytochemestry. Results: Our results showed that stimulation of MICA and MICB on cell proliferation of positive NKG2D HELA, CALO and INBL cervical cancer cells induces a strong phosphorylation pattern with low molecular weight proteins that are expressed at various time points after addition of stress ligands MICA and MICB. Our understanding the results presented here are the first evidence of the proteins that are phosphorylated by the mitogenic effect of stress inducible ligands on NKG2D positive epithelial cervical cancer cells. Conclusion: Our novel results that tumor cells can simultaneously secrete MICA and MICB and express their receptor, and to be induced for proliferation by these stress molecules, and that tumor epithelial cells can also express NKG2D receptor that was thought to be exclusive of NK and cytotoxic lymphocytes is discussed as a possible mechanism of immunological escape and of tumor growth induction as wells as the pattern of phosphorylated proteins induced by MICA/MICB-NKG2D system. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. This work was supported by grant of PAPIIT of National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)-IN-217213 Acknowledgements This work was supported by grant of PAPIIT of National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)-IN-217213 Keywords: tumor immunology, MICA, MICB, NKG2D, Cervix cancer Conference: IMMUNOCOLOMBIA2015 - 11th Congress of the Latin American Association of Immunology - 10o. Congreso de la Asociación Colombiana de Alergia, Asma e Inmunología, Medellin, Colombia, 13 Oct - 16 Oct, 2015. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Tumor immunology Citation: Mendoza JF (2015). Mitogenic effect of MICA/MICB-NKG2D system on HELA, CALO and INBL cervical cancer cells induce tyrosin phosphorylation pattern that activates proteins with low molecular weight. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: IMMUNOCOLOMBIA2015 - 11th Congress of the Latin American Association of Immunology - 10o. Congreso de la Asociación Colombiana de Alergia, Asma e Inmunología. doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2015.05.00065 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 14 May 2015; Published Online: 14 Sep 2015. * Correspondence: Dr. J F Mendoza, National University of Mexico, Research Building, Mexico City, DF, 09230, Mexico, jflavio.m@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. 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Expansion of NK cells and reduction of NKG2D expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Correlation with progressive disease.

The immune system may mediate anti-tumor responses in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) which may affect disease progression and survival. In this study, we analyzed the immune characteristics of 99 consecutive previously diagnosed CLL patients and 50 healthy controls. The distribution of lymphocyte subsets at diagnosis was retrospectively analyzed. Compared with controls, leukemia patients showed an expansion of NK and CD8 T cells at diagnosis. The relative number of CD8 T cells at diagnosis was associated with time to treatment, suggesting that CD8 T cells may modify disease progression. The distribution of lymphocyte subsets was analyzed again when patients were enrolled in this study. The median time since these patients were diagnosed was 277 weeks. Compared with diagnosis, the absolute number of CD8 T cells significantly decreased in these patients, reaching similar values to healthy controls; however NK cells kept significantly elevated overtime. Nevertheless, NK cells showed an impaired expression of NKG2D receptor and a defective cytotoxic activity. This down-regulation of NKG2D expression was further enhanced in patients with advanced and progressive disease. Additionally, membrane NKG2D levels significantly decreased on CD8 T cells, but a significant increase of NKG2D+CD4+ T cells was observed in CLL patients. The cytotoxic activity of NK cells was diminished in CLL patients; however the treatments with IL-2, IL-15, IL-21 and lenalidomide were able to restore their activity. The effect of IL-2 and IL-15 was associated with the increase of NKG2D expression on immune cells, but the effect of IL-21 and lenalidomide was not due to NKG2D up-regulation. The expansion of NK cells and the reversibility of NK cell defects provide new opportunities for the immunotherapeutic intervention in CLL.

High CD56++CD16- natural killer (NK) cells among suboptimal immune responders after four years of suppressive antiretroviral therapy in an African adult HIV treatment cohort

BackgroundUp to 40% of HIV-infected individuals receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) have poor CD4+ T-cell recovery. The role of natural killer (NK) cells in immune recovery during HAART is not well understood. We described the profiles of NK cell subsets and their expression of activating receptor, NKG2D and cytotoxicity receptor NKp46 among suboptimal immune responders to despite four years of suppressive HAART.MethodsA case control study utilized frozen peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from a cohort of HIV-infected adults that initiated HAART in 2004/5, at CD4 < 200 cells/μl. Cases were ‘suboptimal’ responders; patients within the lowest quartile of CD4+ T-cell reconstitution, with a median CD4 count increase of 129 (-43-199) cells/μl (difference between CD4 count at baseline and after 4 years of HAART) and controls were ‘super-optimal’ responders; patients within the highest quartile of CD4 T-cell reconstitution with a median CD4 count increase of 528 (416-878) cells/μl). Expression of NK cell lineage markers (CD56+/-CD16+/-) and receptors NKG2D and NKp46, was measured among PBMC from 29 cases of ‘suboptimal’ responders’ and 23 controls of ‘super-optimal responders’, and compared among ‘suboptimal’ and ‘super-optimal’ responders. NK cell populations were compared using the Holm Sidak multiple comparison test and p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Data was analyzed using FLOWJO and GraphPad Prism 6.Results‘Suboptimal responders’ had a higher proportion of cytokine producing CD56++CD16+/- (CD56bri) NK cells than the ‘super-optimal responders’ p = 0.017, and CD56neg NK cells were lower among suboptimal than super-optimal responders (p = 0.007). The largest NK cell subset, CD56dim, was comparable among suboptimal responders and ‘super-optimal immune responders’. Expression of NKG2D and NKp46 receptors on NK cell subsets (CD56bri, CD56neg and CD56dim), was comparable among ‘suboptimal’ and ‘super-optimal’ immune responders.ConclusionsThe pro-inflammatory CD56++CD16-- NK cells were higher among ‘suboptimal’ responders relative to ‘super-optimal’ responders, despite four years of suppressive HAART. Alteration of NK cell populations could inhibit host immune responses to infections among suboptimal responders. We recommend further analysis of NK cell function among suboptimal immune responders in order to inform targeted interventions to optimize immune recovery among HAART-treated adults.

The marginating-pulmonary immune compartment in mice exhibits increased NK cytotoxicity and unique cellular characteristics

To test whether marginating-pulmonary (MP) leukocytes in mice have a unique potential to identify and destroy aberrant circulating cells, we compared MP to circulating leukocytes with respect to natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity, proinflammatory characteristics, molecular determinants of activation, and response to IL-12 immunostimulation. Cytotoxicity was assessed employing the YAC-1, B16F10, and 3LL target lines. C57BL/6 mice were injected with either saline or murine IL-12 (0.1 or 0.5 µg/mouse), either once or three times 48-h apart. Twenty-four hours after last injection, cardiac blood was withdrawn and MP leukocytes were collected by forced lung perfusion. NK cytotoxicity, cellular composition, and surface molecular markers were studied. MP leukocytes exhibited greater NK cytotoxicity than circulating leukocytes against the syngeneic B16F10 and 3LL tumor lines, but not against the allogeneic YAC-1 line. NKG2D and IL-12 receptor expression predicted NK cytotoxicity in circulating leukocytes, but not in MP leukocytes. IFNγ-receptor, IL-12-receptor, CD69, CD11a, and CD11b showed different patterns of expression in the two leukocyte populations, suggesting pro-inflammatory characteristics of the MP compartment. IL-12 stimulation caused differential effects on these markers and also elevated cytotoxicity in both compartments, but in different effector: target ratio-dependent patterns. MP leukocytes may play a critical role in eliminating aberrant circulating cells due to their enhanced NK cytotoxicity and given their strategic location in the lungs vasculature, which forces physical interactions with all circulating aberrant cells. MP-NK cells are unique in their cytotoxic mechanisms against syngeneic targets and in their activation profile and response to immunostimulatory agents.

Ganoderma lucidum stimulates NK cell cytotoxicity by inducing NKG2D/NCR activation and secretion of perforin and granulysin

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) is a medicinal mushroom long used in Asia as a folk remedy to promote health and longevity. Recent studies indicate that G. lucidum activates NK cells, but the molecular mechanism underlying this effect has not been studied so far. To address this question, we prepared a water extract of G. lucidum and examined its effect on NK cells. We observed that G. lucidum treatment increases NK cell cytotoxicity by stimulating secretion of perforin and granulysin. The mechanism of activation involves an increased expression of NKG2D and natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs), as well as increased phosphorylation of intracellular MAPKs. Our results indicate that G. lucidum induces NK cell cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines by activating NKG2D/NCR receptors and MAPK signaling pathways, which together culminate in exocytosis of perforin and granulysin. These observations provide a cellular and molecular mechanism to account for the reported anticancer effects of G. lucidum extracts in humans.

Ataxia–telangiectasia mutated kinase‐mediated upregulation of NKG2D ligands on leukemia cells by resveratrol results in enhanced natural killer cell susceptibility

The powerful activating receptor NKG2D is expressed by natural killer (NK) cells and promotes cytotoxic lysis of cancer cells expressing NKG2D ligands (NKG2D-Ls). We report the effective induction of NKG2D-Ls, achieved with the naturally occurring polyphenol resveratrol, in a broad range of leukemia cells. In this study, resveratrol upregulated the NKG2D-Ls MHC class I chain-related proteins MICA and MICB, and UL16-binding proteins ULBP1, ULBP2, and ULBP3 in most of the leukemia cells analyzed. Ligand upregulation induced by resveratrol was impaired by pharmacological and genetic disruption of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated kinase, the main regulator of NKG2D-L expression. Leukemia cells treated with resveratrol were more susceptible to killing by NK cells than untreated cells, and the enhanced cytotoxicity of NK cells was blocked by treatment of NK cells with anti-NKG2D mAbs. Interestingly, resveratrol consistently upregulated the NKG2D receptor expression and enhanced NKG2D-mediated functions in resting NK cells obtained from healthy individuals. Therefore, resveratrol has attractive immunotherapeutic potential.

NKG2D ligands expression patterns in gut mucosa from patients with coeliac disease

IntroductionThe activating MICA/NKG2D interaction is involved in the response of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in coeliac disease (CD). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of NKG2D ligands (MICA, MICB), IL-15 and NKG2D receptor in gut mucosa of CD patients, and the correlation with the severity of histological damage. Patients and methodsIntestinal biopsies from 20 CD patients and five healthy controls were selected. All patients were positive for anti-transglutaminase 2 antibodies and for DQ2 or DQ8. Patients were divided into two groups according to their grade of mucosal impairment: ten each with mild and severe mucosal damage (MMD and SMD, respectively). The expression of proposed genes was determined at mRNA level. MICA expression was also determined by immunohistochemistry. ResultsOverexpression of MICA and MICB was observed in biopsies from coeliac patients compared to healthy controls (P<0.001). Nevertheless, the expression was considerably higher in the group of patients with MMD (P<0.0001) than in those with SMD. The levels of NKG2D receptor and IL-15 were also higher in patients than in controls, but no relationship with the severity of the mucosal lesion was found. ConclusionsOur results suggest that NKG2D ligands may play an important role during the onset of the inflammatory process in the early stages of the development of coeliac disease.

Immune modulation of T-cell and NK (natural killer) cell activities by TEXs (tumour-derived exosomes)

Body fluids of cancer patients contain TEXs (tumour-derived exosomes). Tumours release large quantities of TEXs, and the protein content of exosome or MV (microvesicle) fractions isolated from patients' sera is high. TEXs down-regulate functions of immune cells, thus promoting tumour progression. We isolated TEXs from tumour cell supernatants and sera of patients with solid tumours or AML (acute myelogenous leukaemia). The molecular profile of TEXs was distinct from that of circulating exosomes derived from normal cells. TEXs were co-incubated with activated T-cells, conventional CD4(+) CD25(neg) T-cells or CD56(+) CD16(+) NK (natural killer) cells respectively. TEXs down-regulated CD3ζ and JAK3 (Janus kinase 3) expression in primary activated T-cells and mediated Fas/FasL (Fas ligand)-driven apoptosis of CD8(+) T-cells. TEXs promoted CD4(+) CD25(neg) T-cell proliferation and their conversion into CD4(+) CD25(hi)FOXP3+ (FOXP3 is forkhead box P3) Treg cells (regulatory T-cells), which also expressed IL-10 (interleukin 10), TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1), CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4), GrB (granzyme B)/perforin and effectively mediated suppression. Neutralizing antibodies specific for TGFβ1 and/or IL-10 inhibited the ability of TEXs to expand Treg cells. TEXs obtained at diagnosis from AML patients' sera were positive for blast-associated markers CD33, CD34, CD117 and TGFβ1, and they decreased cytotoxic activity of NK cells isolated from NC (normal control) donors, induced Smad phosphorylation and down-regulated NKG2D receptor expression. Correlations between the TEX molecular profile or TEX protein levels and clinical data in cancer patients suggest that TEX-mediated effects on immune cells are prognostically important. In contrast with exosomes released by normal cells, TEXs have immunosuppressive properties and are involved in regulating peripheral tolerance in patients with cancer.

COPD treatment: Real life and experimental effects on peripheral NK cells, their receptors expression and their IFN-γ secretion

A role in pulmonary immunity has been ascribed to Natural Killer (NK) cells and several in vitro studies have shown a corticosteroid-induced inhibition of NK cells mediated cytotoxicity. Several clinical trials on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have suggested a relationship between COPD treatment and occurrence of respiratory infections. Aims of our study were to investigate if real life COPD treatment affects peripheral blood NK cells total count and their receptors expression and to assess if different doses of formoterol and budesonide, administered alone or in combination, are able to modulate the surface expression of activating (NKp30, NKp44, NKp46 and NKG2D) and inhibitory (KIR2DL2/L3, KIR3DL1 and NKG2A) receptors on peripheral blood NK cells of COPD patients. Moreover, we evaluated the potential effect of treatment with budesonide and/or formoterol on IFN-γ secretion in vitro. NK cells were isolated from peripheral blood of 7 healthy volunteers, 9 chronic bronchitis (CB) and 11 COPD patients. Total NK cells count and activating and inhibitory receptors expression were evaluated. NK cells were cultured for 20h in 96-well plates with IL-2 (100IU/ml)+IL-12 (2.5ng/ml), with or without budesonide (Bud; 1 and 0.01μM) and formoterol (For; 30 and 0.3nM) alone or in combination. Cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and IFN-γ was measured in cell supernatants by ELISA test. No difference between real life treated COPD, CB and healthy subjects was found concerning NK total count and NK cell receptors expression. When cells were stimulated over night with cytokines and treated with drugs, only NKG2D receptor was modulated. Its expression was significantly downregulated by budesonide alone and in combination with formoterol in COPD patients. IFN-γ production induced by stimulation with IL-2+IL-12 was decreased in a highly significant way (p<0.01) by all treatments in all groups. Even if in vitro experiments with budesonide, alone or in combination with formoterol, showed a modulation of NKG2D receptor expression and IFN-γ production, our ex vivo results show that real life LABA and ICS treatment does not influence peripheral NK cells count and their receptors phenotype.

Abstract 404: Regulation of NKG2D expression and NKG2D-positive T cell tumor-specific trafficking by doxorubicin and IL-12 in vivo

Abstract IL-12 and doxorubicin treatment are known to polarize anti-tumor immune response and induce tumor cell death, respectively, when each is administered alone. IL-12 treatment can boost NKG2D receptor expression on immune cells, enhancing NK cell cytotoxicity against different tumor cell lines. However, IL-12 treatment alone can only modestly increase expression of NKG2D receptor. In tumor immuno-surveillance, it is important to create an environment in which spleen cells constitutively express the NKG2D receptor thereby triggering NKG2D-dependent tumor cell death. In an earlier study, we found that coadministration of the anti-neoplastic drug doxorubicin and IL-12 greatly boosted anti-tumor efficacy. This increased anti-tumor efficacy was associated with a substantial increase in immune cell infiltration at tumor sites, but the underlying mechanism by which the increased number of immune cells was trafficked into the tumors remains largely unknown. This report demonstrates that doxorubicin plus IL-12 treatment induces the higher expression of NKG2D receptor in CD8 T cells than IL-12 treatment alone, resulting in an increased infiltration of NKG2D-positive CD8 T cells, and leading to an NKG2D-dependent tumor growth inhibition in vivo. These in vivo observations are in agreement with our in vitro result, in which the encounter between NKG2D receptor-positive effector cells and NKG2D ligand-positive tumor cells yields an NKG2D-dependent tumor cell death as determined by cytolytic activity assay. Blocking the NKG2D receptor by using neutralization antibody impaired doxorubicin plus IL-12 treatment-mediated tumor eradication in vivo and effector cell-mediated tumor cell death in vitro. Together, the evidence links the higher IL-12 plus doxorubicin treatment-induced NKG2D expression to greater CD8 T cell infiltration into tumors, tumor cell death, and anti-tumor efficacy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 404. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-404

Abstract 528: Preventing perioperative cancer metastases formation by enhancing Natural Killer cell activity

Abstract Background: Surgical resection is the mainstay of therapy for patients with localized solid malignancies. Even with complete resection, many patients develop metastatic recurrence and ultimately die of their disease. The perioperative period is a uniquely susceptible time for the formation of metastases. A number of changes that occur following surgery promote the formation of metastases, including dissemination of tumour cells, a pro-mitotic and pro-angiogenic milieu and suppression of the immune system. Natural Killer (NK) cells are a key component of the innate immune response against cancer, in particular the elimination of micrometastases. NK cell suppression and dysfunction have been linked to the development of metastatic disease in animal models and in cancer patients. Objective: We hypothesized that surgical stress enhances the development of postoperative metastases by impairing NK clearance of tumor cells. Specifically, we aim to 1) define the mechanisms involved in NK cell suppression following surgery and 2) explore novel anti-cancer therapies to modulate postoperative NK cell suppression and inhibit metastases. Methods: A mouse model of surgical stress and tumor metastases was used to address these questions. In this model, NK cell functions were assessed using immunological functional assays following tumor challenge, surgical stress and novel perioperative anti-cancer therapy. Results and Conclusions: We observed enhanced lung metastases in tumor-bearing NK-deficient mice that received adoptively transferred NK cells from surgically stressed mice compared to NK cells from untreated mice. This establishes that NK cells play a crucial role in mediating the prometastatic effect of surgery. Accordingly, in vivo CFSE labeled MHC-I-deficient splenocyte and RMA-S tumor cell rejection and ex vivo chromium labeled YAC-1 and B16 tumor target cell killing by NK cells were significantly reduced in surgically stressed mice compared to untreated mice. A significant reduction in spleen NK cell surface expression of NKG2D and KLRG1 receptors were also observed in surgically stressed mice. These data suggest that surgical stress impairs global NK cell function. For the therapeutic arm of our project, we have demonstrated that using the perioperative administration of the non-specific NK cell activator poly I:C can reverse NK cell suppression following surgery and that this correlates with a reduction in the postoperative formation of metastases. We have also evaluated oncolytic vaccinia virus and observed a similar attenuation of metastases and recovery of NK cytotoxicity following perioperative administration. Significance of Research: Cancer therapies aimed at targeting the mechanisms responsible for the prometastatic effects of surgery will reduce recurrences and improve survival in surgical cancer patients when used in the perioperative period. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 528. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-528

Human microRNA-1245 down-regulates the NKG2D receptor in natural killer cells and impairs NKG2D-mediated functions

NKG2D is an activating receptor expressed by natural killer and T cells, which have crucial functions in tumor and microbial immunosurveillance. Several cytokines have been identified as modulators of NKG2D receptor expression. However, little is known about NKG2D gene regulation. In this study, we found that microRNA 1245 attenuated the expression of NKG2D in natural killer cells. We investigated the potential interactions between the 3'-untranslated region of the NKG2D gene and microRNA as well as their functional roles in the regulation of NKG2D expression and cytotoxicity in natural killer cells. Transforming growth factor-β1, a major negative regulator of NKG2D expression, post-transcriptionally up-regulated mature microRNA-1245 expression, thus down-regulating NKG2D expression and impairing NKG2D-mediated immune responses in natural killer cells. Conversely, microRNA-1245 down-regulation significantly increased the expression of NKG2D expression in natural killer cells, resulting in more efficient NKG2D-mediated cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS These results reveal a novel NKG2D regulatory pathway mediated by microRNA-1245, which may represent one of the mechanisms used by transforming growth factor-β1 to attenuate NKG2D expression in natural killer cells.

IRX-2, a novel immunotherapeutic, enhances and protects NK-cell functions in cancer patients

IRX-2 is a primary biologic which has been used for the therapy of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) with promising clinical results. Since NK-cell function is compromised in HNSCC patients, we tested the effects of IRX-2 on the restoration of human NK-cell functions in vitro. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from 23 HNSCC patients and 10 normal controls (NC). The NK-cell phenotype and functions were compared before and after culture ± IRX-2 or ± 50 IU/ml rhIL-2. Flow cytometry was used to study the NK-cell phenotype, cytotoxic activity and cytokine expression. Impaired NK-cell cytotoxicity in HNSCC patients was related to lower expression of NKG2D, NKp30 and NKp46 receptors (P < 0.05) and not to a decreased frequency of NK cells. Incubation of patients' NK cells with IRX-2 up-regulated the percentage of receptor-positive NK cells (P < 0.05). It also up-regulated cytotoxicity of patients' NK cells (P < 0.01) more effectively than rhIL-2 (P < 0.01). IRX-2, but not rhIL-2, protected NK cells from suppression mediated by TGF-β, and it restored (P < 0.05) expression of activating NK-cell receptors and NK-cell cytotoxicity suppressed by TGF-β. Expression of pSMAD was decreased in NK cells treated with IRX-2 but not in those treated with rhIL-2. IRX-2 was more effective than IL-2 in enhancing NK-cell cytotoxicity and protecting NK-cell function of HNSCC patients in vitro, emphasizing the potential advantage of IRX-2 as a component of future therapies for HNSCC.

Role of NKG2D in Cytokine-Induced Killer (CIK) Cells Against Multiple Myeloma Cells

Abstract 5119Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are T lymphocytes enriched in CD3+CD56+ cells, which can be easily and rapidly expanded in vitro from human peripheral blood, bone marrow or cord blood mononuclear cells with the sequential addition of interferon (IFN)-{gamma}, OKT-3 and high doses of interleukin (IL)-2. The cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells have been reported to have potent cytotoxicity against a variety of tumor cells including multiple myleoma (MM) cells. The mechanism of CIK cell recognizing MM cells remains unknow. Recent studies indicated that ligation of NKG2D on immunological cells directiy induce cytotoxicity. We suspect whether NKG2D receptor induction on CIK cells by cytokines is responsible for the killing of MM cells by CIK. We expended CIK cells from healthy controlswith interferon (IFN)-γ, CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and IL-2, and checked expression of NK cell receptors on CIK cells by flow cytometry. We found higher expression of NKG2D receptor and lower other NK receptors, such as CD158a,CD158b and NCRs on expanded CIK. These CIK cells showed higer cytotoxicity to multiple myleoma cell line U266 expressing NKG2D ligands. Interestingly, when cocultured with U266 cells, only NKG2D expressing CIK cells released IFN-γ detected by flow cytometry. We next analyzed NKG2D ligands expression on primary plasma cells in 22 MM patients by flow cytometry, the primary plasma cells in 16/22 (72.7%) MM patients expressed different levels of ULBPs or MICA/B on the cell surface. CIK cells showed higher cytotoxicity (12.5%) to NKG2D ligands expressing primary plasma cells compared to those did not express NKG2D ligands. The killing of CIK against MM cells were partially blocked by treatment of CIK with anti-NKG2D antibody. We conclude that NKG2D-NKG2D ligangd interaction may be one of the mechanisms by which CIK cells kill MM cells. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Resveratrol Enhances NKG2D-Mediated Cytotoxicity Against Leukemia Cells by Upregulating Both NKG2D Receptor on NK Cells As Well As NKG2D Ligands on Target Cells,

Abstract 3236▪▪This icon denotes a clinically relevant abstractNKG2D is a powerful activating receptor expressed by natural killer (NK) cells that promotes cytotoxic lysis of cancer cells expressing NKG2D ligands (NKG2D-Ls). Pharmacological induction of NKG2D-Ls in malignant cells has been an attractive therapeutic approach but has gained poor clinical utility because currently available NKG2D-Ls inducers have been hampered either by their limited efficacy or by their associated toxicity. Resveratrol (RVT), a compound derived from several natural sources, has proved in vivo and in vitro potent anti-tumor effects against various cancers. Extensive research in the last decade has shown that such effects are mediated by targeting various molecules involved in the regulation of proliferation and cell survival and those include, NFκB, STAT3, ATM/ATR and ERK1/2. To date, it is unknown whether RVT has any effect on NKG2D-Ls expression. We report here NKG2D-Ls induction by RVT in a broad range of leukemia cells. RVT upregulated the NKG2D-Ls MICA/B, ULBP1, ULBP2 and ULBP3 in the myeloid leukemia cells OUN-1, NB4, THP-1 and KG1 and upregulated MICA/B, ULBP-1 and ULBP3 ligands in the lymphoid leukemia cells Jurkat and Molt-4. The upregulation of NKG2D-Ls by RVT was associated with increased transcription of each NKG2D-L gene. Ligand upregulation induced by RVT was prevented by cell pretreatment with caffeine, and inhibitor of ATM/ATR, which is the main signal regulator of NKG2D-Ls expression. Leukemia cells treated with RVT were more susceptible to killing by NK cells than untreated cells and the enhanced cytotoxicity of NK cells was blocked by the treatment of NK cells with anti-NKG2D monoclonal antibodies. Interestingly, the same concentration of RVT that effectively induced NKG2D-Ls in tumor cells, consistently upregulated NKG2D receptor expression in primary NK cells from healthy individuals and in the NK cell lines NKL and NK-92 and this effect was also associated with enhanced NKG2D-mediated NK cells cytotoxicity. RVT-induced NKG2D receptor enhancement in NK cells associated with the activation of the MAP kinase ERK1/2 and was prevented by the ERK1/2 specific inhibitor PD98059. Thus, RVT represents the first identified agent capable of activating both arms of the NKG2D axis. Since several clinical trials on RVT are ongoing, these previously unrecognized properties of this non toxic compound have an attractive immunotherapeutic potential. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Interleukin-15 enhances rituximab-dependent cytotoxicity against chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells and overcomes transforming growth factor beta-mediated immunosuppression

Chemoimmunotherapy with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab is increasingly used for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) is one of the most important mechanisms of action of rituximab against B-cell malignancies. We studied ways to increase the cytotoxic effect of rituximab on CLL cells by enhancing ADCC. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) or purified natural killer (NK) cells from healthy donors were activated with interleukin-15 (IL-15) and cultured with rituximab-coated CLL cells, and ADCC was evaluated using a (51)chromium release assay. The IL-15 significantly enhanced invitro ADCC against CLL cells, and this effect was mainly mediated by NK cells. The IL-15 treated effector cells with the low affinity FcγRIIIA receptor (158FF) had an ADCC comparable to those with the high affinity FcγRIIIA form (158VF). Inaddition, IL-15 enhanced rituximab-mediated ADCC of CLL cells in the presence of transforming growth factor-beta. The IL-15 increases rituximab-mediated ADCC against CLL, and supports the use of such agents with the goal of improving clinical response to chemoimmunotherapy in patients with CLL.

In-vitro IL-2 or IFN-α-induced NKG2D and CD161 NK cell receptor expression indicates novel aspects of NK cell activation in metastatic melanoma patients

In metastatic melanoma (MM) immunomodulating agents, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-α (IFN-α), have shown therapeutic benefit as they enhance antitumor immune response. Considering tumor-induced suppression of natural killer (NK) cell activity, it is of interest to study the affect of these cytokines on the functional and receptor characteristics of CD16-defined NK cells and their dim and bright subsets. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of MM patients in clinical stage IV were treated in vitro for 18 h with IFN-α (250 U/ml) and rhIL-2 (200 U/ml) at 37°C. Both the cytokines induced significant in-vitro enhancement of NK cell activity. NKG2D receptor was induced by IL-2, whereas both the NKG2D and CD161 receptor expression was induced by IFN-α on NK cells and CD16(bright) NK cell subset. However, only IL-2 mediated induction of NKG2D on CD3⁻CD16(+) NK cells correlates with enhanced NK cytotoxicity by this cytokine, whereas, on the cytotoxic CD16(bright) subset NKG2D induction by both cytokines correlates with their induction of NK cell activity. In contrast, the observed induction of these receptors on the regulatory CD16(dim) subset shows no correlation with the obtained augmentation of cytotoxicity. We found substantial specific inducibility of pSTAT1 and pSTAT5, as well as induction of interferon-regulatory transcription factor-1 transcription by investigated cytokines in peripheral blood lymphocytes of MM patients. As NK cell-mediated killing of tumor cells depends on the balance between stimulatory and inhibitory signaling, induction of activating NKG2D receptor by IL-2 and IFN-α, especially in CD16(bright) NK cell subset, gives insight to novel aspects of NK cell activation by these cytokines that are applied in immunotherapy.