Project description:Cancer-induced tolerance mostly involves myeloid suppressor cells, regulatory T cells and immunosuppressive cytokines, which all subvert adaptive immune responses against tumor cells. Here, we show that a subset of innate effectors, c-kit expressing NK cells (Kit+ NK), can participate in tumor-induced tolerance by compromising the NK cell arm of tumor immunosurveillance. IL-18 produced by tumor cells can convert Kit- into Kit+ NK cells that overexpress B7-H1/PD-L1 molecules. Upon tumor inoculation, Kit+ NK cells rapidly develop in lymphoid organs in a IL-18R/MyD88 dependent manner and directly kill Kit- NK cells in a B7-H1/PD-1-dependent manner, thereby promoting the progression of NK-controlled cancers. Our data suggest that, in a tumoral context, IL-18 subverts antitumor NK cell functions. Systemic neutralization of IL-18 by IL-18-binding protein may improve the NK-mediated immunosurveillance. Keywords: cell type comparison
Project description:In this study we have compared the proteomic profile of extracellular vesicles (EVs) prepared from primary, human NK cells or the human NK cell lines NK-92 and KHYG-1 cultured for 48hrs in serum-free conditions. EVs were harvested from cells either under resting conditions (culture in IL-15) or upon activation (combination of IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18). In addition, primary NK cells were activated in the presence of anti-CD16-coated beads, and EVs harvested after 48hrs. The aim was to compare their ability to target and kill a variety of tumor cell line-derived spheroids
Project description:PURPOSE: To provide a detailed gene expression profile of the normal postnatal mouse cornea. METHODS: Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was performed on postnatal day (PN)9 and adult mouse (6 week) total corneas. The expression of selected genes was analyzed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: A total of 64,272 PN9 and 62,206 adult tags were sequenced. Mouse corneal transcriptomes are composed of at least 19,544 and 18,509 unique mRNAs, respectively. One third of the unique tags were expressed at both stages, whereas a third was identified exclusively in PN9 or adult corneas. Three hundred thirty-four PN9 and 339 adult tags were enriched more than fivefold over other published nonocular libraries. Abundant transcripts were associated with metabolic functions, redox activities, and barrier integrity. Three members of the Ly-6/uPAR family whose functions are unknown in the cornea constitute more than 1% of the total mRNA. Aquaporin 5, epithelial membrane protein and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) omega-1, and GST alpha-4 mRNAs were preferentially expressed in distinct corneal epithelial layers, providing new markers for stratification. More than 200 tags were differentially expressed, of which 25 mediate transcription. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to providing a detailed profile of expressed genes in the PN9 and mature mouse cornea, the present SAGE data demonstrate dynamic changes in gene expression after eye opening and provide new probes for exploring corneal epithelial cell stratification, development, and function and for exploring the intricate relationship between programmed and environmentally induced gene expression in the cornea. Keywords: other
Project description:NK cells are an emerging cancer cellular therapy and potent mediators of anti-tumor immunity. Cytokine-induced memory-like (ML) NK cellular therapy is safe and induces remissions in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. However, the dynamic molecular changes that occur after memory-like differentiation in vitro are unclear. Here, control or ML NK cells purified from normal donor PBMC were generated in vitro. Briefly, RosetteSep-purified NK cells were incubated in IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18, or low-dose IL-15 as a control for 16-18 hours. Control or cytokine-activated NK cells were washed three times and cultured for 6 days in low-dose IL-15, which is required for NK cell survival. After 6 days, RNA was isolated from control and memory-like (ML) NK cells (IL12/15/18 activation) and RNA-sequencing performed. Because the transcription factor GATA-3 was increased specifically in ML NK cells, we hypothesized ML NK cells would exhibit a GATA-3 gene signature compared to control NK cells. Indeed, using GSEA, a significant gene signature was associated with ML NK cell differentiation. These data support the role for GATA-3 in regulating the ML NK cell molecular program.