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.

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 (≥ 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.

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.

Chimeric antigen receptor- and natural killer cell receptor-engineered innate killer cells in cancer immunotherapy

Chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)-engineered T-cell(CAR-T)therapy has demonstrated impressive therapeutic efficacy against hematological malignancies,but multiple challenges have hindered its application,particularly for the eradication of solid tumors.Innate killer cells(IKCs),particularly NK cells,NKT cells,andγδT cells,employ specific antigen-independent innate tumor recognition and cytotoxic mechanisms that simultaneously display high antitumor efficacy and prevent tumor escape caused by antigen loss or modulation.IKCs are associated with a low risk of developing GVHD,thus offering new opportunities for allogeneic“off-the-shelf”cellular therapeutic products.The unique innate features,wide tumor recognition range,and potent antitumor functions of IKCs make them potentially excellent candidates for cancer immunotherapy,particularly serving as platforms for CAR development.In this review,we first provide a brief summary of the challenges hampering CAR-T-cell therapy applications and then discuss the latest CAR-NK-cell research,covering the advantages,applications,and clinical translation of CAR-and NK-cell receptor(NKR)-engineered IKCs.Advances in synthetic biology and the development of novel genetic engineering techniques,such as gene-editing and cellular reprogramming,will enable the further optimization of IKC-based anticancer therapies.

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.

Role of natural killer T cells in Graves' disease

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of natural killer T (NK T) cells in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease. METHODS: NK T cell deficient mice and wild BALB/c mice were immunized with cells expressing TSH receptor once every two weeks 6 times. Two weeks after the final immunization, the mice were killed and serum thyroxine levels, anti-TSH receptor antibodies and thyroid pathological changes were examined. RESULTS: The mean levels of TT(4) and TRAb in the immunized NK T cell deficient group were slightly elevated but significantly different from those of the non-immunized control group, while comparable to those in the immunized wild group. There were no significant changes of the activity levels of TSAb or TSBAb in the immunized NK T cell deficient mice compared to those in immunized wild control mice. Thyroids from immunized NK T cell deficient mice showed mild hypertrophy of some follicles as compared with non-immunized control mice. This change was comparable to immunized wild control mice. CONCLUSION: NK T cells may not be involved in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease.

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.

Engineered human pluripotent stem cell-derived natural killer cells with PD-L1 responsive immunological memory for enhanced immunotherapeutic efficacy

Adoptive chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)-engineered natural killer(NK)cells have shown promise in treating various cancers.However,limited immunological memory and access to sufficient numbers of allogenic donor cells have hindered their broader preclinical and clinical applications.Here,we first assess eight different CAR constructs that use an anti-PD-L1 nanobody and/or universal anti-fluorescein(FITC)single-chain variable fragment(scFv)to enhance antigen-specific proliferation and anti-tumor cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells against heterogenous solid tumors.We next genetically engineer human pluripotent stem cells(hPSCs)with optimized CARs and differentiate them into functional dual CAR-NK cells.The tumor microenvironment responsive anti-PD-L1 CAR effectively promoted hPSC-NK cell proliferation and cytotoxicity through antigen-dependent activation of phosphorylated STAT3(pSTAT3)and pSTAT5 signaling pathways via an intracellular truncated IL-2 receptorβ-chain(ΔIL-2Rβ)and STAT3-binding tyrosine-X-X-glutamine(YXXQ)motif.Anti-tumor activities of PD-L1-induced memory-like hPSC-NK cells were further boosted by administering a FITC-folate bi-specific adapter that bridges between a programmable anti-FITC CAR and folate receptor alpha-expressing breast tumor cells.Collectively,our hPSC CAR-NK engineering platform is modular and could constitute a realistic strategy to manufacture off-the-shelf CAR-NK cells with immunological memory-like phenotype for targeted immunotherapy.

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.

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.

Peripheral blood NKT cell number and function in patients with Graves disease and their correlation with hyperthyroidism

Objective:To assess the peripheral blood NKT cell number and function in patients with Graves disease and study their correlation with hyperthyroidism.Methods: The patients who were diagnosed with Graves disease in our hospital between May 2014 and September 2016 were selected as GD group, and 55 healthy volunteers who received physical examination in our hospital during the same period were selected as control group. Peripheral blood was collected to determine the number of CD3+CD56+NKT cells, and serum was collected to detect the contents of cytokines and thyroid function indexes.Results: Peripheral blood CD3+CD56+NKT cell number in Graves disease group was significantly lower than that in control group;serum IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10 and TGF-β contents in GD group were significantly lower than those in control group and positively correlated with peripheral blood CD3+CD56+NKT cell number while IL-4, IL-5, IL-17, FT3, FT4, TPOAb, TgAb and TRAb contents were significantly higher than those in control group and negatively correlated with peripheral blood CD3+CD56+NKT cell number.Conclusion:The abnormal reduction of peripheral blood NKT cell number in patients with Graves disease can affect the balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg and increase the TRAb secretion to cause hyperthyroidism.

Harnessing natural killer cells to develop next-generation cellular immunotherapy

Cellular immunotherapy harnesses the body’’s own immune system to fight cancer by using engineered T cells,macrophages,or natural killer(NK)cells.Compared to chimeric antigen receptor T(CAR-T)cells that are commonly used to treat hematological malignancies,CAR-NK cells have shown remarkable therapeutic effectiveness while exhibiting enhanced safety,reduced risk of graft-versus-host disease,fewer side effects,and amplified antitumor efficacy.Preclinical trials have unveiled the high potential of adoptive CAR-NK cell therapy to curtail or even eliminate both hematological malignancies and solid tumors in animal models.We brought forth herein the design principle of CAR-NK cells,highlighted the latest progress in the preclinical testing and clinical trials of CAR-NK cells,briefly delved into discussed major roadblocks in CAR-NK therapy,and discussed potential solutions to surmount these challenges.Given the accelerated progress in both basic and translational studies on immune cell engineering,CAR-NK cell therapy promises to become a serious contender and important addition to the next-generation cell-based immunotherapy.

Engineered human pluripotent stem cell-derived natural killer cells: the next frontier for cancer immunotherapy

Adoptive immunotherapy using immune effector cells has revolutionized cancer treatments with approval of two autologous chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)T cell therapies by the US FDA.Clinical trials using natural killer(NK)cell-based adoptive immunotherapy have been shown to be safe and effective for treatment of multiple malignancies,especially acute myelogenous leukemia.However,most of these trails use primary NK cells isolated from peripheral or cord blood which can have donor-dependent variability and can be challenging to genetic engineer to improve antitumor functions,limiting the widespread use of this promising new therapy.NK cells can now be routinely produced from human pluripotent stem cells,both human embryonic stem cells(hESCs)and induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs).These pluripotent stem cells are homogenous,easy to genetically modify on a clonal level and can be used as unlimited source of NK cells,making them ideal population to develop standardized,off-the-shelf adoptive NK cell therapy products.In this review,we discuss recent advances of obtaining and expanding hESC and iPSC-derived NK cells and novel genetic engineering strategies that are being applied to improve their antitumor functions.

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。

吉林地区朝、满、汉3个民族KIR基因的分布频率研究

目的通过分析吉林地区汉族、满族及朝鲜族的杀伤细胞免疫球蛋白样受体(KIR)基因的频率与多态性,为探究KIR基因与疾病关联提供基础数据支持。方法采用聚合酶链反应-序列特异性引物(PCR-SSP)技术对吉林地区129名满族、198名朝鲜族及201名汉族人群的KIR基因进行分型。结果KIR3DL2、KIR3DL3、KIR3DP1及KIR2DL4在所有检测对象中均为100%检出。KIR2DL1、KIR2DL3、KIR2DS4、KIR3DL1及KIR2DP1等基因在这3个民族中的检出频率较高,介于93%~98%之间。相比之下,KIR2DL2、KIR2DL5、KIR3DS1、KIR2DS1、KIR2DS2、KIR2DS3及KIR2DS5的检出率较低,分布在13%~45%。特别是满族KIR2DL5(17.83%)与KIR2DS1(17.83%)的基因检出频率显著低于吉林地区朝鲜族(42.93%、47.47%)和汉族(33.83%、33.33%);吉林地区朝鲜族KIR2DL5(42.93%)与KIR2DS1(47.47%)的检出频率显著高于汉族(33.83%、33.33%)和满族(17.83%、17.83%);吉林地区汉族单体型KIRAA的频率在吉林3个受检民族中是最高的为61.19%,显著高于朝鲜族(42.93%),以上各组差异比较P<0.05,经Bonferroni校正后,Pc<0.05。结论吉林地区的朝鲜族、满族与汉族在KIR基因分布方面既体现了中国人群KIR基因多态性,又各自展示了独特的民族遗传特性和地域性。

嵌合抗原受体T细胞免疫疗法在晚期胃癌中的应用进展

胃癌是最常见的恶性肿瘤之一,当前我国胃癌就诊患者仍以进展期为主,晚期患者就诊时多已失去手术治疗的机会,而传统的放疗、化疗和靶向治疗效果并不理想。嵌合抗原受体(CAR)-T细胞(CAR-T)免疫疗法作为一种新的治疗手段,在血液系统恶性肿瘤中疗效显著,也为胃癌的免疫治疗开辟了新途径。然而,由于胃癌的异质性、肿瘤微环境免疫抑制、肿瘤靶抗原逃逸及脱靶毒性等问题,使得CAR-T免疫疗法在胃癌治疗中的应用存在挑战。本文综述了CAR的结构及CAR-T治疗原理、CAR-T治疗晚期胃癌的主要靶点及治疗现状,并探讨了CAR-T治疗胃癌面临的挑战,旨在为晚期胃癌的临床免疫治疗提供新思路。

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。