Novel Association of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor Genes with EBV-infectious Diseases in Children

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors （KIRs） which are mainly expressed on natural killer （NK） cells are implicated in many virus infections. However, it is unclear whether or not KIRs are associated with susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus （EBV） infection related diseases. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to investigate possible correlation between polymorphisms of KIR genes and infectious mononucleosis （IM）/EBV-associated hemophagocytic Iymphohistiocytosis （EBV-HLH）. The polymorphisms of KIR genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers （PCR-SSP）. The results would contribute to clarify the association of KIRs with EBV induced diseases, and provide new insights into the role of NK cells and innate immune response against viral infections and/or subsequent progression.

Advancement of chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer cells targeting hepatocellular carcinoma

With the advance of genome engineering technology,chimeric antigen receptors(CARs)-based immunotherapy has become an emerging therapeutic strategy for tumors.Although initially designed for T cells in tumor immunotherapy,CARs have been exploited to modify the function of natural killer(NK)cells against a variety of tumors,including hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).CAR-NK cells have the potential to sufficiently kill tumor antigen-expressing HCC cells,independent of major histocompatibility complex matching or prior priming.In this review,we summarize the recent advances in genetic engineering of CAR-NK cells against HCC and discuss the current challenges and prospects of CAR-NK cells as a revolutionary cellular immunotherapy against HCC.

Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 and Intracellular Calcium in Natural Killer Cells in Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Natural killer (NK) cell phenotypes have reported to be implicated in the pathomechanism of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Several investigators have observed reduced peripheral numbers, reduced cytotoxic activity, and altered CD56Dim and CD56Bright NK cell phenotypes. This current project, for the first time, investigates the NK cell cytotoxicity, calcium mobilisation and transient receptor potential melastatin 3 (TRPM3) surface expression. Methods: NK cell cytotoxic activity and calcium signaling were examined in CD56Dim and CD56Bright NK cells before and after stimulation using Ionomycin, Pregnenolone sulphate, 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate and Thapsigargin. Purified NK cells were labelled with antibodies to determine TRPM3, CD69 and CD107a surface expression using flow cytometry. Results: Twenty-two MS patients and 22 healthy controls were recruited for this project. Twelve of the 22 previously received Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada®) and the remaining ten reported nil medication. We report TRPM3 was significantly increased in untreated MS patients compared with healthy controls and treated MS patients (p-value 0.034). There was a significant decrease in CD69 surface expression on CD56Dim NK cell phenotype for untreated MS patients (p-value 0.031) and treated MS patients (p-value 0.036). We report altered calcium mobilisation in CD56Bright NK cells and to a lesser extent CD56Dim NK cells between healthy controls, treated and untreated MS patients. Conclusion: This investigation suggests variations in TRPM3 expression and calcium mobilisation of NK cells may be implicated in the pathogenesis of MS. Further investigation is required to determine the mechanism by which alemtuzumab alters calcium signaling in NK cells.

Targeted Therapy of CEA-CAR-NK Cells Against Colorectal Cancer Cells

Objective:Investigate the cytotoxic effect of CAR-NK cells targeting CEA on colorectal cancer cells with positive CEA expression.Methods:The mRNA and protein levels of CEA in different CRC cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis.Lentiviral transduction was used to construct CAR-NK cells and empty vector CON-NK cells targeting CEA.Fluorescence microscopy and WB were used to determine whether the cells successfully constructed and expressed CAR structures.The effector NK cells were co-cultured with target cells,and the levels of LDH,IFN-γ,and GM-CSF were detected.The killing rate of effector cells was calculated,and the release of cytokines during the killing of target cells by different effector cells was compared.Results:The expression level of CEA in colorectal cancer patients was significantly higher than that in normal samples and other tumor samples,and the prognosis survival time of patients with high CEA expression was lower than that of CRC patients with low or no CEA expression(P<0.05).The CEA expression of the HT29 cell line was significantly higher than that of the SW1116 cell line at both the mRNA and protein levels.CEA-CAR-NK92 cells and CON-NK92 cells expressed green fluorescence under a microscope,and WB results showed that CEA-CAR-NK92 cells successfully expressed the CAR structure.Compared with CON-NK92 cells and NK92 cells,CEA-CAR-NK92 cells effectively killed HT29 cells(P<0.05).CEA-CAR-NK92 cells secreted a large amount of IFN-γand GM-CSF during the killing of HT29 cells,while the cytokine secretion of CON-NK92 cells and NK92 cells was not significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:CAR-NK92 cells targeting CEA can effectively kill CEA-positive colorectal cancer cells.

Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy for Cancer: Advances and Prospects

Natural killer (NK) cells are key innate immune cells that provide the first line of defense against viral infection and cancer. Although NK cells can discriminate between "self" and "non-self," recognize abnormal cells, and eliminate transformed cells and malignancies in real time, tumors develop several strategies to escape from NK cell attack. These strategies include upregulating ligands for the inhibitory receptors of NK cells and producing soluble molecules or immunosuppressive factors. Various types of NK cells are currently being applied in clinical trials, including autologous or allogeneic NK cells, umbilical cord blood (UCB) or induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NK cells, memory-like NK cells, and NK cell line NK-92 cells, for the treatment of different types of tumors. Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs)-NK cells have recently shown great potential due to their redirect specificity and effective antitumor activity. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of tumor escape from NK cell recognition, the current status and advanced progress of NK cell-based immunotherapy, ways of enhancing the antitumor capacity of NK cells in vivo, and major challenges for clinical practice in this field.

Potential role of killer immunoglobulin receptor genes among individuals vaccinated against hepatitis B virus in Lebanon

AIMTo explore the role of killer immunoglobulin receptor (KIR) genes in responsiveness or non-responsiveness to vaccination against hepatitis B virus. METHODSWe recruited 101 voluntary participants between March 2010 and December 2011. Sera samples from vaccinated and non-vaccinated participants were tested for the presence of anti-HBs antibodies as a measure of protection against hepatitis B, hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core antibody as indicators of infection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. KIR gene frequencies were determined by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTSSera samples from 99 participants were tested for the levels of anti-HBs as an indicator of protection (&ge; 10 mIU/mL) following vaccination as defined by the World Health Organization international reference standard. Among the vaccinated participants, 47% (35/74) had anti-HBs titers above 100 mIU/mL, 22% (16/74) had anti-HBs ranging between 10-100 mIU/mL, and 20% (15/74) had values of less than 10 mIU/mL. We report the lack of significant association between the number of vaccine dosages and the titer of antibodies among our vaccinated participants. The inhibitory KIR2DL1, KIR2DL4, KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, and KIR3DL were detected in more than 95%, whereas KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3, KIR2DL5 (KR2DL5A and KIR2DL5B) were expressed in 56%, 84% and 42% (25% and 29%) of participants, respectively. The observed frequency of the activating KIR genes ranged between 35% and 55% except for KIR2DS4, detected in 95% of the study participants (40.6% 2DS4*001/002; 82.2% 2DS4*003/007). KIR2DP1 pseudogene was detected in 99% of our participants, whereas KIR3DP*001/02/04 and KIR3DP1*003 had frequencies of 17% and 100%, respectively. No association between the frequency of KIR genes and anti-HBs antibodies was detected. When we compared the frequency of KIR genes between vaccinated individuals with protective antibodies titers and those who lost their protective antibody levels, we did not detect a significant difference. KIR2DL5B was significantly different among different groups of vaccinated participants (group I > 100 mIU/mL, group II 10-100 mIU/mL, group III CONCLUSIONTo our knowledge, this is the first study screening for the possible role of KIR genes among individuals vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV). Our results can be used to design larger studies to better understand the role of KIR genes in protection against or susceptibility to HBV post vaccination.

莫诺苯宗对肺腺癌细胞自噬和凋亡的分子机制研究

目的:探究莫诺苯宗和自然杀伤细胞激活受体基因(KLRC3)对肺腺癌(LUAD)细胞凋亡和自噬的影响,为LUAD的治疗提供理论基础。方法:分别使用不同浓度莫诺苯宗处理LUAD细胞,并采用CCK-8法检测莫诺苯宗对LUAD细胞活力的影响;随后,使用80μmol/L的莫诺苯宗、50 nmol/L的KLRC3干扰质粒(si-KLRC3)、和100 nmol/L自噬抑制剂3-甲基腺嘌呤(3-MA)1.5μg/ml KLRC3过表达载体(pcDNA-KLRC3)处理细胞后采用流式细胞术和Western blotting检测细胞凋亡以及凋亡相关蛋白和自噬相关蛋白的表达量。结果:莫诺苯宗浓度大于20μmol/L时可有效减弱LUAD细胞活力,且以剂量依赖性地促进了LUAD细胞的凋亡和自噬(均P<0.05)。KLRC3在LUAD细胞中低表达,干扰KLRC3减弱了莫诺苯宗对LUAD细胞自噬和凋亡的促进作用,比较差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。此外,过表达KLRC3也促进了LUAD细胞的凋亡和自噬,而KLRC3和莫诺苯宗对LUAD细胞凋亡和自噬的促进作用均可被3-MA所抵消,比较差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。结论:莫诺苯宗可能通过促进KLRC3的表达诱导自噬进而促进LUAD细胞的凋亡。

肝细胞癌过继细胞疗法研究进展

肝细胞癌是严重威胁人类生存的一类疾病,中国肝细胞癌死亡率居世界第三。由于肝细胞癌发病早期无特异性症状,晚期的治疗方案又存在复发率高等的种种弊端,因此寻找行之有效的治疗新方法迫在眉睫。过继细胞疗法是一种细胞免疫疗法,在肝脏多样化和复杂的免疫微环境中,通过结合肿瘤特异性抗原或是非特异性的调节免疫平衡,过继细胞疗法在肝细胞癌的治疗中逐渐发挥出优势。在这篇综述中我们阐述了肝细胞癌靶向治疗常用生物标志物的形态结构及信号通路,探讨总结了近年来过继细胞疗法治疗肝细胞癌的研究手段及取得的临床效果,并对接下来的研究方向进行了展望。

Revolutionizing gastric cancer treatment:The potential of immunotherapy

Gastric cancer,a prevalent malignancy worldwide,ranks sixth in terms of frequency and third in fatality,causing over a million new cases and 769000 annual deaths.Predominant in Eastern Europe and Eastern Asia,risk factors include family medical history,dietary habits,tobacco use,Helicobacter pylori,and Epstein-Barr virus infections.Unfortunately,gastric cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage,leading to a grim prognosis,with a 5-year overall survival rate below 5%.Surgical intervention,particularly with D2 Lymphadenectomy,is the mainstay for early-stage cases but offers limited success.For advanced cases,the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends chemotherapy,radiation,and targeted therapy.Emerging immunotherapy presents promise,especially for unresectable or metastatic cases,with strategies like immune checkpoint inhibitors,tumor vaccines,adoptive immunotherapy,and nonspecific immunomodulators.In this Editorial,with regards to the article“Advances and key focus areas in gastric cancer immunotherapy:A comprehensive scientometric and clinical trial review”,we address the advances in the field of immunotherapy in gastric cancer and its future prospects.

黄芪含药血清对NK细胞活性、NKG2A、NKG2D及细胞因子IFN-γ表达的影响

目的探讨黄芪含药血清对自然杀伤(NK)细胞的杀伤活性和NKG2D、NKG2A、细胞因子干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)表达水平的影响。方法20只SPF级SD大鼠,随机分成黄芪低、中、高剂量组(3.1、6.2、12.4 g/kg体重)和正常对照组,灌胃后制备含药血清。用NK细胞专用培养基培养NK-92MI细胞,用1640培养基培养YAC-1细胞。将NK-92MI细胞与20%不同剂量黄芪含药血清及正常对照血清孵育48 h,即分别为正常对照组、黄芪低剂量组、黄芪中剂量组以及黄芪高剂量组。通过乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放测定方法检测NK细胞对靶细胞YAC-1的杀伤活性,ELISA法检测IFN-γ的水平,Western blot检测NKG2D以及NKG2A蛋白表达水平。结果与正常对照组和黄芪低剂量组相比,黄芪中、高剂量组的NK细胞活性显著升高(P<0.01)。IFN-γ的表达在黄芪低、中、高剂量组中均升高,但不随浓度升高而增强。与正常对照组相比,黄芪低、中剂量组NKG2D蛋白表达水平明显升高(P<0.01),而NKG2A蛋白表达水平在各组间无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论黄芪含药血清可增强NK细胞杀伤活性、上调IFN-γ表达水平、上调NK细胞活化型受体的表达,通过调控NK细胞实现对机体的保护作用。

自然杀伤细胞家族2成员D受体-配体轴在血液瘤中的作用研究进展

自然杀伤细胞家族2成员D(NKG2D)受体通过表达在自然杀伤(NK)细胞和细胞毒性T淋巴(CTLs)细胞上激活这些免疫细胞对抗肿瘤。肿瘤细胞通过降低自然杀伤细胞家族2成员D配体(NKG2DLs)的表达来逃避免疫系统的监视,从而促进肿瘤的免疫逃逸。最新的研究揭示了NKG2D受体-配体轴在血液瘤的发展、免疫监视和治疗中的关键作用,尤其是在阐明免疫逃逸机制和开发新的治疗策略方面显示出巨大潜力。现从NKG2D受体-配体轴在血液瘤发病机制、免疫监测及治疗中的作用进行阐述,在加深对血液瘤病理机制理解的同时,为提升治疗效果开辟了新的策略。

应用Q-PCR定性检测KIR基因有无方法的建立

目的建立定性检测KIR基因有无的Q-PCR方法。方法根据高分辨水平中国人群KIR等位基因的多态性,并参考国际IPD-KIR数据库,针对16种KIR基因及2DS4-Normal、2DS4-Deleted两种亚型,设计KIR基因特异性引物用于Q-PCR扩增反应;同时设置一孔阴性对照、一孔阳性对照(特异性扩增人体生长激素HGH基因片段),以监控假阳性、假阴性的结果。为验证Q-PCR方法的可靠性,随机选择302份已采用KIR PCR-SSP商品化试剂盒检测的标本,采用Q-PCR方法盲检和对比。结果300人份的Q-PCR检测结果与已知的PCR-SSP检测结果相符,有2份标本结果不一致,其中1例标本的2DS5基因Q-PCR检测结果为阴性,而PCR-SSP检测结果为阳性;另一例标本2DS1基因Q-PCR检测结果为阳性,而PCR-SSP检测结果为阴性。对2份标本分别进行2DS5、2DS1基因测序分型,证实Q-PCR定性检测结果正确。结论本文建立的KIR Q-PCR方法结果准确、可靠,可用于KIR基因有无的定性检测。

嵌合抗原受体自然杀伤细胞疗法研究进展及展望

自然杀伤(NK)细胞是先天免疫系统的主要组成部分。基于其对肿瘤细胞的有效杀伤能力和对健康细胞的良好耐受性,NK细胞已成功地用于过继细胞疗法以治疗肿瘤患者。近年来,嵌合抗原受体(CAR)-T细胞的临床成功,证明了基因修饰的免疫细胞在抗肿瘤领域的巨大潜力。NK细胞凭借优越的低免疫原性也迅速成为基于CAR修饰疗法的新型免疫工具细胞。目前已经开展的多项临床试验中,多种来源的CAR-NK细胞均展现出较为优越的治疗效果和安全性,但靶向实体瘤CAR-NK细胞治疗仍处于初始阶段。本文系统梳理了CAR-NK细胞在临床上取得阶段性进展,同时也指出CAR-NK细胞疗法的局限性,旨在为进一步优化和升级CAR-NK细胞疗法提供参考。

汉坦病毒感染诱导的固有免疫研究进展

汉坦病毒(现称正汉坦病毒)是一类人畜共患病的分节段的单股负链RNA病毒。对于自然宿主动物,汉坦病毒呈持续无症状感染。当病毒由自然宿主传播给人时,引起两种临床综合征,即肾综合征出血热(HFRS)和汉坦病毒心肺综合征(HCPS)。迄今,它们的发病机制尚未完全阐明,也无特效的治疗药物。汉坦病毒体外感染不引起明显的细胞病变,但患者却出现严重的血管渗漏,故认为免疫介导(包括适应性免疫和固有免疫)的病理反应可能是致病的主要原因。其中,固有免疫(也称天然免疫)是防御病原体感染的第一道防线,它由固有免疫细胞和固有免疫分子执行,前者如NK细胞、中性粒细胞等,后者如模式识别受体、干扰素和抗病毒蛋白等,它们在汉坦病毒免疫致病及抗感染等过程中发挥重要作用。此外,宿主固有免疫系统在抵抗病毒侵袭的同时,病毒也在逃避或妨碍免疫系统的功能,如干扰素产生减少或延迟、形成应激颗粒、诱导凋亡或自噬、破坏抗病毒信号转导等。因此,探讨汉坦病毒与宿主固有免疫系统之间的相互作用是汉坦病毒及其相关疾病领域研究的重要课题,这必将为阐明汉坦病毒的致病机制及研发特效治疗药物提供新的参考。

不同血液系统恶性肿瘤NK细胞水平及其受体表达

目的探讨自然杀伤细胞(NK)细胞水平及其受体在不同血液系统恶性肿瘤患者中的表达。方法选取2021年1月至2022年6月河南科技大学第一附属医院收治的血液系统恶性肿瘤患者共计68例,按照疾病类型的不同分成淋巴瘤组(22例)、白血病组(26例)与骨髓增生异常综合征(MDS)组(20例),另选取同期接受体检的健康体检者(30例)作为对照组,比较各组NK细胞水平、活化性受体(NKG2D)表达、抑制性受体(NKG2A)表达、胞质穿孔素表达及颗粒酶-β表达。结果治疗前,淋巴瘤组、白血病组NK细胞水平、胞质穿孔素表达、颗粒酶-β表达较MDS组、对照组更低(P>0.05),淋巴瘤组NKG2D表达、颗粒酶-β表达较白血病组更低(P<0.05),淋巴瘤组、白血病组NK细胞水平、胞质穿孔素表达比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),MDS组NK细胞水平、胞质穿孔素表达、颗粒酶-β表达与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),MDS组NKG2D表达较对照组更低(P<0.05),MDS组NKG2D表达与淋巴瘤组、白血病组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后,淋巴瘤组、白血病组NK细胞水平、NKG2D表达、胞质穿孔素表达、颗粒酶-β表达上调(P<0.05),MDS组NKG2D表达上调(P<0.05),治疗后淋巴瘤组、白血病组、MDS组NK细胞水平、NKG2D表达、胞质穿孔素表达、颗粒酶-β表达与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗前后淋巴瘤组、白血病组、MDS组NKG2A表达与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论淋巴瘤、白血病患者的NK细胞水平、NKG2D表达、胞质穿孔素表达及颗粒酶-β表达与健康人群存在差异,经治疗后可升高至正常范围,而MDS患者仅有NKG2D表达低于健康人群,同样可在治疗后升高。

Emergence of immunotherapy as a novel way to treat hepatocellular carcinoma

Tumor immunity proceeds through multiple processes, which consist of antigen presentation by antigen presenting cells(APCs) to educate effector cells and destruction by the effector cytotoxic cells. However, tumor immunity is frequently repressed at tumor sites. Malignantly transformed cells rarely survive the attack by the immune system, but cells that do survive change their phenotypes to reduce their immunogenicity. The resultant cells evade the attack by the immune system and form clinically discernible tumors. Tumor microenvironments simultaneously contain a wide variety of immune suppressive molecules and cells to dampen tumor immunity. Moreover, the liver microenvironment exhibits immune tolerance to reduce aberrant immune responses to massively-exposed antigens via the portal vein, and immune dysfunction is frequently associated with liver cirrhosis, which is widespread in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients. Immune therapy aims to reduce tumor burden, but it is also expected to prevent non-cancerous liver lesions from progressing to HCC, because HCC develops or recurs from noncancerous liver lesions with chronic inflammatory states and/or cirrhosis and these lesions cannot be cured and/or eradicated by local and/or systemic therapies. Nevertheless, cancer immune therapy should augment specific tumor immunity by using two distinct measures: enhancing the effector cell functions such as antigen presentation capacity of APCs and tumor cell killing capacity of cytotoxic cells, and reactivating the immune system in immune-suppressive tumor microenvironments. Here, we will summarize the current status and discuss the future perspective on immune therapy for HCC.

Hepatitis B virus-persistent infection and innate immunity defect: Cell-related or virus-related?

The outcomes of hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection are closely related to the age at which infection was acquired. Infection acquired in adult life tends to be selflimited, in contrast to perinatal acquirement, for which chronic persistence of the HBV is a general outcome. Innate immunity plays an indispensable role in early virus infection, facilitating virus clearance. However, it has been reported that HBV is under-recognized and poorly eliminated by the innate immune system in the early stages of infection, possibly explaining the long-lasting persistence of viremia afterwards. Furthermore, due to the existence of covalently closed circular DNA, chronic HBV clearance is very difficult, even when patients are given interferon-α and nucleotide/nucleoside analogs for antiviral therapy. The mechanism by which HBV evades innate immune recognition and establishes persistent infection remains a subject of debate. Besides, some researchers are becoming more interested in how to eradicate chronic HBV infection by restoring or boosting innate immunity. This review aimed to summarize the current knowledge on how intrahepatocyte signaling pathways and innate immune cells act after the onset of HBV infection and how these actions are related to the persistence of HBV. We anticipate the insights presented herein to be helpful for future development of novel immune therapeutic strategies to fight HBV infection.

Ly49 receptors activate angiogenic mouse DBA＋ uterine natural killer cells

In humans, specific patterns of killer immunoglobulin-like receptors （KIRs） expressed by uterine natural killer （uNK） cells are linked through HLA-C with pregnancy complications （infertility, recurrent spontaneous abortion, intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia）. To identify mechanisms underpinning the associations between NK cell activation and pregnancy success, pregnancies were studied in mice with genetic knockdown （KD） of the MHC-activated Ly49 receptor gene family. B6.Ly49KD pregnancies were compared to normal control B6.Ly49z29 and C57BL/6 （B6） pregnancies. At mid-pregnancy （gestation day （gd9.5））, overall uNK cell （TCRI^-CD122＋DBA＋DX5- （DBA＋DX5-）） and TCRIβ-CD122＋DBA-DX5＋ （DBA-DX5＋）） frequencies in pregnant uterus were similar between genotypes. Ly49KD lowered the normal frequencies of Ly49＋ uNK cells from 90.3% to 47.8% in DBA-DX5＋ and 78.8% to 6.3% in DBA＋DX5- uNK cell subtypes. B6.Ly49KD matings frequently resulted in expanded blastocysts that did not implant （subfertility）. B6.Ly49KD mice that established pregnancy had gestational lengths and litter sizes similar to controls. B6.Ly49KD neonates, however, were heavier than controls. B6.Ly49KD implantation sites lagged in early （gd6.5） decidual angiogenesis and were deficient in mid-pregnancy （gd 10.5） spiral arterial remodelling. Ultrastructural analyses revealed that B6.Ly49KD uNK cells had impaired granulogenesis, while immunocytochemistry revealed deficient vascular endothelial cell growth factor （VEGFA） production. Perforin and IFNG expression were normal in B6.Ly49KD uNK cells. Thus, in normal mouse pregnancies, Ly49 receptor signaling must promote implantation, early decidual angiogenesis and mid-pregnancy vascular remodelling. Disturbances in these functions may underlie the reported genetic associations between human pregnancy complications and the inability of specific conceptus MHCs to engage activating KIR on uNK cells.

Evaluation of antibody-dependent cell-mediatedcy totoxicity activity and cetuximab response in KRAS wildtype metastatic colorectal cancer patients

AIM:To investigate the prognostic role of invariant natural killer T(iNKT) cells and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity(ADCC) in wild type KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer(mC RC) patients treated with cetuximab.METHODS: Forty-one KRAS wt mC RC patients,treated with cetuximab and irinotecan-based chemotherapy in Ⅱ and Ⅲ lines were analyzed. Genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)s in the FCGR2A,FCGR3A and in the 3' untranslated regions of KRAS and mutational analysis for KRAS,BRAF and NRAS genes was determined either by sequencing or allelic discrimination assays. Enriched NK cells were obtained from lymphoprepperipheral blood mononuclear cell and iN KT cells were defined by co-expression of CD3,TCRVα24,TCRVβ11. ADCC was evaluated as ex vivo NK-dependent activity,measuring lactate dehydrogenase release.RESULTS: At basal,mCRC patients performing ADCC activity above the median level(71%) showed an improved overall survival(OS) compared to patients with ADCC below(median 16 vs 8 mo;P=0.026). We did not find any significant correlation of iN KT cells with OS(P=0.19),albeit we observed a trend to a longer survival after 10 mo in patients with iN KT above median basal level(0.382 cells/microliter). Correlation of OS and progression-free survival(PFS) with interesting SNPs involved in ADCC ability revealed not to be significant. Patients carrying alleles both with A in FCGR2 A and TT in FCGR3A presented a trend of longer PFS(median 9 vs 5 mo;P=0.064). Chemotherapy impacted both iN KT cells and ADCC activity. Their prognostic values get lost when we analysed them after 2 and 4 mo of treatment.CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a link between iN KT cells,basal ADCC activity,genotypes in FCGR2A and FCGR3A,and efficacy of cetuximab in KRAS wt mC RC patients.

Multiple sclerosis and the role of immune cells

Multiple sclerosis(MS) is a complex disease with many different immune cells involved in its pathogenesis, and in particular T cells as the most recognized cell type. Recently, the innate immune system has also been researched for its effect on the disease. Hence, cells of the immune system play vital roles in either ameliorating or exacerbating the disease. The genetic and environmental factors, as well as the etiology and pathogenesis are of utmost importance for the development of MS. An insight into the roles play by T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells in MS and the animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, will be presented. Understanding the mechanisms of action for current therapeutic modalities should help developing new therapeutic tools to treat this disease and other autoimmune diseases.