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LAG3 marks activated but hyporesponsive NK cells

ABSTRACT: Natural Killer (NK) cells are critical for immunosurveillance. However, NK cells can become dysfunctional in contexts such as chronic stimulation by viral infections or cancer. NK cells often display an increased expression of immune checkpoint proteins (ICP) following chronic stimulation, and ICP blockade therapies are currently being explored for several cancer types, which have remarkable patient benefits. Nevertheless, the nature of ICP expression in NK cells is still poorly documented. In this study, we aimed to identify the phenotype of immune checkpoint LAG3 (Lymphocyte-activation gene 3) expressing NK cells. Using various experimental models (inflammation triggered by poly (I:C), cytokine treatment, Eµ-myc spontaneous lymphoma model and MCMV infection), we found that LAG3 is expressed by murine NK cells upon activation in different contexts, including in response to cancer and acute viral infections. We then sought to define the molecules features of NK cells expressing LAG3. LAG3 marks a subset of immature, proliferating and activated cells, which, despite activation, have a reduced capacity to respond to a broad range of stimuli. Further characterization also revealed that LAG3+ NK cells exhibit a transcriptional signature similar to that of exhausted CD8+ T cells. Taken together, our results support the use of LAG3 as a marker of dysfunctional NK cells across diverse chronic and acute inflammatory conditions.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE284572 | GEO | 2025/06/27

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background: T cell-based immunotherapies including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells can induce durable responses in cancer patients. However, clinical efficacy is limited due to the ability of cancer cells to evade immune surveillance. While T cells have been the primary focus of immunotherapy, recent research has highlighted the importance of Natural Killer (NK) cells in directly recognizing and eliminating tumor cells and playing a key role in the set-up of an effective adaptive immune response. The remarkable potential of NK cells for cancer immunotherapy is demonstrated by their ability to broadly identify stressed cells, irrespective of the presence of neoantigens, and their ability to fight tumors that have lost their Major Histocompatibility Complex class I (MHC I) expression due to acquired resistance mechanisms. However, like T cells, NK cells can become dysfunctional within the tumor microenvironment. Strategies to enhance and reinvigorate NK cell activity hold potential for bolstering cancer immunotherapy. Method: In this study, we conducted a high-throughput screen to identify molecules that could enhance primary human NK cell function. After compound validation, we investigated the effect of the top performing compound on dysfunctional NK cells that were generated by a newly developed in vitro platform. Functional activity of NK cells was investigated utilizing compounds alone and in combination with checkpoint inhibitor blockade. The findings were validated on patient-derived intratumoral dysfunctional NK cells from different cancer types. Results: The screening approach led to the identification of a Cbl-b inhibitor enhancing the activity of primary human NK cells. Furthermore, the Cbl-b inhibitor was able to reinvigorate the activity of in vitro generated and patient-derived dysfunctional NK cells. Finally, Cbl-b inhibition combined with TIGIT blockade further increased the cytotoxic potential and reinvigoration of both in vitro generated and patient-derived intratumoral dysfunctional NK cells. Conclusion: These findings underscore the relevance of Cbl-b inhibition in overcoming NK cells dysfunctionality with the potential to complement existing immunotherapies and improve outcomes for cancer patients.

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LAG3 marks activated but hyporesponsive NK cells

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