Project description: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.
Project description:Natural Killer (NK) cells present natural cytotoxicity against tumor cells, although their activity is increased after activation. NK cell activation depends on a complex intracellular signaling process mediated by activating and inhibitory receptors and the functional outcome depends on the integration of the activating and inhibitory signals received. Soluble cytokines and/or ligands on target cells bind the NK cell receptors, and hence, influence the final NK cell response: attack versus ignorance. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying NK cell activation by IL-2, a MHC-I-deficient target cell (K562)+IL-2 and an EBV-target cell (R69). PBLs from 4 different donors were activated by 100 U/ml IL-2; K562+IL-2 or R69 cells. After 5 days we obtained RNA and miRNA from naïve NK cells or from NK cells activated with the above mentioned stimuli, with more than 90% of purity. The 16 RNA samples were used to generate cDNA libraries that were hybridized on Human Gene 1.1ST arrays (Affymetrix) and analyzed with the Affymetrix Gene Chip Command Console Software v3.0 (AGCC 3.0, Affymetrix®) and the Expression Console Software v1.1 (Affymetrix®).
Project description:Natural Killer (NK) cells present natural cytotoxicity against tumor cells, although their activity is increased after activation.NK cell activation depends on a complex intracellular signaling process mediated by activating and inhibitory receptors and the functional outcome depends on the integration of the activating and inhibitory signals received. Soluble cytokines and/or ligands on target cells bind the NK cell receptors, and hence, influence the final NK cell response: attack versus ignorance. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying NK cell activation by IL-2, a MHC-I-deficient target cell (K562)+IL-2 and an EBV-target cell (R69). PBLs from 4 different donors were activated by 100 U/ml IL-2; K562+IL-2 or R69 cells. After 5 days we obtained RNA and miRNA from naïve NK cells or from NK cells activated with the above mentioned stimuli, with more than 90% of purity. The 16 RNA samples were used to generate cDNA libraries that were hybridized on Human Gene 1.1ST arrays (Affymetrix) and analyzed with the Affymetrix Gene Chip Command Console Software v3.0 (AGCC 3.0, Affymetrix®) and the Expression Console Software v1.1 (Affymetrix®).
Project description:Human Immune Gene Expression Profile in activated and expanded NK cells, TIGITKO NK cells, GD2.CAR NK cells and TIGITKOGD2.CAR NK cells
Project description:Comparison of gene expression profile of CD4+ CD25+, CD4+ CD25- CD45RBlow LAG3+ and CD4+ CD25- CD45RBlow LAG3- T cells. Naive CD4+CD25-CD45RBhigh T cells were used as a reference for pair comparison with values from the three other subsets.
Project description:we compare NK cells in presence of activated CD8 T cells or not. Although both natural killer (NK) cells and CD8 T cells are capable of anti-tumor responses, Recombinase Activating Gene (RAG)-deficient mice, which have a normal component of NK cells, are incapable of rejecting the P815 mastocytoma tumor. We established a model where monoclonal CD8 T cell reactivity was restricted to the tumor antigen (Ag) P1A expressed on the P815 mastocytoma. Reconstitution of the RAG-deficient mice with these (TCRP1A) T cells conferred resistance to tumor growth selectively for the P1A-expressing, but not for a P1A-negative variant of P815. Nevertheless, TCRP1A CD8 T cells were efficient and necessary to promote the NK cell dependent rejection of P1A-negative tumors when both P1A-positive and -negative tumors were present at the same site. Gene expression profiling in NK cells infiltrating the P1A-positive, as compared to the P1A-negative tumor, in mice transferred with TCRP1A CD8 T cells established their acquisition of an activated effector phenotype. Help from CD8 T cells was provided locally, as it did not induce activation of NK cells present in a P1A-negative variant at a distant site, nor the rejection of this variant. These results illustrate a mechanism by which, in the face of immunoselection / editing, the synergy between specific anti-tumor Ag T cells and NK cells can contribute to the elimination of tumor cells whether or not they express the tumor Ag. This mechanism appears ineffective, however, once tumor variants lacking the tumor Ag are separated from the wild-type tumor, as would be the case in tumor metastasis.
Project description:Resting NK cells are notoriously difficult to transduce, especially using the VSVG lentivirus pseudotype. When NK cells are expanded and activated using the NKAES system, there is a modest improvement of transduction rates compared to their resting NK counterparts. Still, the transduction efficiency remains poor for robust development of NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy. We envisaged to have a genome-wide expression profile of resting and activated NK (NKAES) cells in order to improve currrent transduction protocols .
Project description:The purpose of this experiment to examine how the gene expression profile and differential gene expression in NK cells, TIGITKO NK cells, TIGITKOGD2.CAR NK cells or GD2.CAR NK cells changes after 72 hours of neuroblastoma tumor exposure.
Project description:To investigate miRNA expressions of miRNA upon activation. In vitro-differentiated human NK cells were freshly incubated in the presence of IL15 after 24h deprivation of IL-15. The cells were harvested at the times (0h, resting-Sample 1 and 2; 6h, activated-Sample 3 and 4) and analyzed by microarray.
Project description:Natural Killer (NK) cells present natural cytotoxicity against tumor cells, although their activity is increased after activation. NK cell activation depends on a complex intracellular signaling process mediated by activating and inhibitory receptors and the functional outcome depends on the integration of the activating and inhibitory signals received. Soluble cytokines and/or ligands on target cells bind the NK cell receptors, and hence, influence the final NK cell response: attack versus ignorance. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying NK cell activation by IL-2, a MHC-I-deficient target cell (K562)+IL-2 and an EBV-target cell (R69).