Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2:A promising biomarker for colorectal cancer

According to the latest global cancer statistics,colorectal cancer(CRC)has emerged as the third most prevalent malignant tumor across the globe.In recent decades,the medical field has implemented several levels of CRC screening tests,encompassing fecal tests,endoscopic examinations,radiological examinations and blood tests.Previous studies have shown that leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2(LILRB2)is involved in inhibiting immune cell function,immune evasion,and promoting tumor progression in acute myeloid leukemia and nonsmall cell lung cancer.However,its interaction with CRC has not been reported yet.Recently,a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology revealed that LILRB2 and its ligand,angiopoietin-like protein 2,are markedly overexpressed in CRC.This overexpression is closely linked to tumor progression and is indicative of a poor prognosis.The study highlights the potential of utilizing the concentration of LILRB2 in serum as a promising biomarker for tumors.However,there is still room for discussion regarding the data processing and analysis in this research.

Importance of human leukocyte antigen antibodies and leukocyte antigen/killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes in liver transplantation

Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain the hypothetical state of hepatic tolerance,which is described by eventual imbalances or deregulation in the balance of cytokines,mediators,effectors,and regulatory cells in the complex milieu of the liver.In this section,we will comment on the importance of donorspecific anti-human leukocyte antigen(HLA)antibodies(DSA)as well as the compatibility and pairings of HLA and killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor(KIR)genotypes in the evolution of liver transplantation.Thus,HLA compatibility,viral infections,and HLA-C/KIR combinations have all been linked to liver transplant rejection and survival.There have been reports of increased risk of acute and chronic rejection with ductopenia,faster graft fibrosis,biliary problems,poorer survival,and even de novo autoimmune hepatitis when DSAs are present in the recipient.Higher mean fluorescence intensity(MFI)values of the DSAs and smaller graft size were associated with poorer patient outcomes,implying that high-risk patients with preformed DSAs should be considered for selecting the graft placed and desensitization methods,according to the investigators.Similarly,in a combined kidney-liver transplant,a pretransplant with a visible expression of several DSAs revealed that these antibodies were resistant to treatment.The renal graft was lost owing to antibody-mediated rejection(AMR).The HLA antigens expressed by the transplanted liver graft influenced antibody elimination.Pathologists are increasingly diagnosing AMR in liver transplants,and desensitization therapy has even been employed in situations of AMR,particularly in patients with DSAs in kidney-hepatic transplants and high-class II MFI due to Luminex.In conclusion,after revealing the negative impacts of DSAs with high MFI,pretransplant virtual crossmatch techniques may be appropriate to improve evolution;however,they may extend cold ischemia periods by requiring the donor to be typed.

Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2 overexpression as a promising therapeutic target and noninvasive screening biomarker for colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)has become the second most deadly malignancy in the world,and the exploration of screening markers and precise therapeutic targets is urgent.Our previous research identified leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2(LILRB2)protein as a characteristic protein of CRC,but the association between LILRB2 expression and clinicopathological features,the internal mechanism related to CRC progression,and screening diagnostic efficacy are not clear.Therefore,we hypothesized that LILRB2 is significantly highly expressed in CRC tissues,correlated with advanced stage and a poor prognosis,and could be used as a therapeutic target and potential screening biomarker for CRC.AIM To explore whether LILRB2 can be used as a potential therapeutic target and noninvasive screening biomarker for CRC.METHODS Patients who underwent radical surgery for CRC at China-Japan Friendship Hospital between February 2021 and October 2022 were included.Cancer and paracancerous tissues were collected to verify LILRB2 expression,and the association between LILRB2 expression and clinicopathological features was analysed.Serum was collected from CRC patients,adenoma patients and healthy controls during the same period to assess the diagnostic value of LILRB2 as a noninvasive screening biomarker,and its diagnostic value was further compared with that of the traditional markers carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)and carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9).RESULTS A total of 58 CRC patients were included,and LILRB2 protein was significantly overexpressed in cancer tissues compared with paracancerous tissues(P<0.001).Angiopoietin-like protein 2(ANGPTL2)protein,as the ligand of LILRB2,was synergistically overexpressed in CRC tissues(P<0.001),and overexpression of LILRB2 and ANGPTL2 protein was significantly correlated with poor to moderate differentiation,vascular involvement,lymph node metastasis,distant metastasis,advanced tumor-node-metastasis stage and a poor prognosis(P<0.05),which suggested that LILRB2 and ANGPTL2 are closely associated with CRC progression.In addition,serum LILRB2 concentrations increased stepwise in healthy individuals,adenoma patients and CRC patients with statistically significant differences.The sensitivity of serum LILRB2 for the diagnosis of CRC was 89.74%,the specificity was 88.89%,the area under the curve was 0.95,and the diagnostic efficacy was better than that of conventional CEA and CA19-9.CONCLUSION LILRB2 protein can be used as a potential novel therapeutic target and noninvasive screening biomarker for CRC,which is beneficial for early screening and precise treatment.

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.

Axon regeneration impediment: the role of paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B

Regenerative capacity is weak after central nervous system injury because of the absence of an enhancing microenvironment and presence of an inhibitory microenvironment for neuronal and axonal repair. In addition to the Nogo receptor（Ng R）, the paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B（Pir B） is a recently discovered coreceptor of Nogo, myelin-associated glycoprotein, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Concurrent blocking of Ng R and Pir B almost completely eliminates the inhibitory effect of myelin-associated inhibitory molecules on axonal regeneration. Pir B participates in a key pathological process of the nervous system, specifically axonal regeneration inhibition. Pir B is an inhibitory receptor similar to Ng R, but their effects are not identical. This study summarizes the structure, distribution, relationship with common nervous system diseases, and known mechanisms of Pir B, and concludes that Pir B is also distributed in cells of the immune and hematopoietic systems. Further investigations are needed to determine if immunomodulation and blood cell migration involve inhibition of axonal regeneration.

Distribution of paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B in the nervous system related to regeneration difficulties after unilateral lumbar spinal cord injury

Paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B（Pir B） is a functional receptor of myelin-associated inhibitors for axonal regeneration and synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system, and thus suppresses nerve regeneration. The regulatory effect of Pir B on injured nerves has received a lot of attention. To better understand nerve regeneration inability after spinal cord injury, this study aimed to investigate the distribution of Pir B（via immunofluorescence） in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system 10 days after injury. Immunoreactivity for Pir B increased in the dorsal root ganglia, sciatic nerves, and spinal cord segments. In the dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerves, Pir B was mainly distributed along neuronal and axonal membranes. Pir B was found to exhibit a diffuse, intricate distribution in the dorsal and ventral regions. Immunoreactivity for Pir B was enhanced in some cortical neurons located in the bilateral precentral gyri. Overall, the findings suggest a pattern of Pir B immunoreactivity in the nervous system after unilateral spinal transection injury, and also indicate that Pir B may suppress repair after injury.

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.

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

AIM To explore the role of killer immunoglobulin receptor(KIR) genes in responsiveness or non-responsiveness to vaccination against hepatitis B virus.METHODS We 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 ofinfection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. KIR gene frequencies were determined by polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS Sera samples from 99 participants were tested for the levels of anti-HBs as an indicator of protection(≥ 10 mI U/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 mI U/ml, 22%(16/74) had antiHBs ranging between 10-100 mI U/ml, and 20%(15/74) had values of less than 10 mI U/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 KIR3 Dl 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. KIR2Dl5 B was significantly different among different groups of vaccinated participants(group Ⅰ > 100 mI U/ml, group Ⅱ 10-100 mI U/ml, group Ⅲ < 10 mI U/ml and group Ⅳ with undetectable levels of protective antibodies). CONCLUSION To 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.

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&reg;) 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.

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。

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。

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.

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。

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.

Variations in killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor and human leukocyte antigen genes and immunity to malaria

Malaria is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world. Immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum malaria vary among individuals and between populations. Human genetic variation in immune system genes is likely to play a role in this heterogeneity. Natural killer (NK) cells produce inflammatory cytokines in response to malaria infection, kill intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum parasites by cytolysis, and participate in the initiation and development of adaptive immune responses to plasmodial infection. These functions are modulated by interactions between killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). Therefore, variations in KIR and HLA genes can have a direct impact on NK cell functions. Understanding the role of KIRs and HLAs in immunity to malaria can help to better characterize antimalarial immune responses. In this review, we summarize the different KIRs and HLAs associated with immunity to malaria thus far.

重度子痫前期患者外周血miR⁃221、miR⁃651⁃3p及杀伤细胞抑制性受体的表达意义

目的探究重度子痫前期(PE)患者外周血miR⁃221、miR⁃651⁃3p及杀伤细胞抑制性受体(KIR)表达水平及临床意义。方法回顾性分析2019年3月—2022年8月于合肥市第一人民医院南区就诊143例PE患者临床资料。根据PE严重程度将患者分为重度PE组(n=85)和轻度PE组(n=58),另选取同期正常妊娠孕妇65例为对照组。比较3组及PE患者中不同妊娠结局患者的外周血miR⁃221、miR⁃651⁃3p、KIR表达水平;受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)评估miR⁃221、miR⁃651⁃3p、KIR对重度PE的诊断效能;Logistic回归分析miR⁃221、miR⁃651⁃3p、KIR与PE患者妊娠结局的关系。结果与对照组比较,轻度PE组、重度PE组外周血miR⁃221、miR⁃651⁃3p、KIR表达水平升高,且重度PE组高于轻度PE组(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,miR⁃221、miR⁃651⁃3p、KIR诊断重度PE的AUC值分别为0.836、0.835和0.879(P<0.05),最佳阈值分别为1.43、1.70和52.13μg/L。各组不良妊娠结局发生率比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且重度PE组最高,轻度PE组高于对照组(P<0.05)。轻度及重度PE患者中,结局不良患者外周血miR⁃221、miR⁃651⁃3p、KIR水平均高于结局良好者(P<0.05)。Logistic回归分析结果显示,重度PE、miR⁃221、miR⁃651⁃3p、KIR与PE患者不良妊娠结局呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论PE患者外周血miR⁃221、miR⁃651⁃3p、KIR表达水平偏高,并与病情严重程度相关,可能会增加PE患者不良妊娠结局风险。检测外周血miR⁃221、miR⁃651⁃3p、KIR水平或可为临床重度PE的诊断提供参考。