miR-183靶向CX3CL1基因调控肝癌细胞MICA/B表达和增加NK细胞对肝癌细胞杀伤作用

目的探讨miR-183对肝癌细胞MHC-Ⅰ类相关蛋白A/B(MICA/B)表达和自然杀伤(NK)细胞杀伤作用影响及其分子机制。方法实验设置miR-con组、miR-183组、anti-miR-con组、anti-miR-183组、pcDNA组、pcDNA-CX3CL1组、antimiR-183+si-con组、anti-miR-183+CX3CL1组、对照(NC)组。实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)检测miR-183和CX3CL1 m RNA表达水平;蛋白质印迹(Western blot)法检测CX3CL1、MICA和MICB蛋白表达;流式细胞术检测肝癌细胞表面MICA/B的表达;NK细胞与肝癌细胞共培养后,细胞计数试剂盒8(CCK-8)法检测NK细胞对肝癌细胞的杀伤作用;酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)法检测肝癌细胞与NK细胞共培养后培养液中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和干扰素γ(IFN-γ)水平;荧光素酶报告实验检测miR-183和CX3CL1的靶向关系。结果肝癌组织和肝癌细胞中miR-183高表达,CX3CL1、MICA和MICB低表达。干扰miR-183表达和过表达CX3CL1,肝癌细胞中MICA、MICB阳性表达率显著升高,与NK细胞共培养后TNF-α和IFN-γ水平显著升高,NK细胞对肝癌细胞的杀伤率显著升高(P<0.05)。miR-183靶向调控CX3CL1,沉默CX3CL1逆转了干扰miR-183对肝癌细胞MICA/B表达和NK细胞杀伤作用的影响。结论抑制表达miR-183可增加肝癌细胞MICA/B表达,增加NK细胞对肝癌细胞的杀伤作用,其机制可能与CX3CL1有关。     

MICA在NK细胞杀伤胰腺癌PANC-1细胞中的作用

探讨MHC I类链相关分子A(MHC class I chain-related A,MICA)在NK细胞杀伤胰腺癌PANC-1细胞中的作用。应用NK细胞分选试剂盒从外周血中分选高纯度NK细胞用于实验,体外培养PANC-1细胞和NK细胞,应用抗体封闭法,观察NKG2D与膜型MICA识别在NK细胞杀伤PANC-1细胞中的作用。将健康志愿者NK细胞在含有sMICA阳性胰腺癌患者血清的培基液中培养,观察NK细胞对PANC-1细胞的杀伤作用。经MICA或NKG2D抗体封闭后,NK细胞的杀瘤活性较封闭前显著减弱(P0.01)。胰腺癌患者血清sMICA水平显著高于健康志愿者和慢性胰腺炎患者(P0.01),胰腺癌患者血清中的sMICA可以显著降低NK细胞对PANC-1细胞的杀伤活性。NKG2D与膜型MICA识别在NK细胞杀伤人胰腺癌PANC-1细胞中起重要作用;sMICA是造成胰腺癌免疫逃逸的重要分子机制之一。     

Decreased natural killer (NK) cell function in chronic NK cell lymphocytosis associated with decreased surface expression of CD11b

Chronic natural killer cell lymphocytosis (CNKL) is characterized by greatly increased numbers of natural killer (NK) cells and patients with this disease may survive for long periods. This is in contrast to patients with leukemic proliferations of NK cells who can have a rapidly progressive clinical course. We identified a pediatric patient who was largely healthy who had CNKL and we sought to determine if the expanded CD16(+)CD3(-) population in this patient functions differently than classical NK cells. Cytotoxic activity against NK cell-sensitive K562 target cells was present, but lower than that in control donors when calculated as lytic units per CD16(+)CD3(-) cell. This cytolytic activity was inducible in patient samples by IL-2/IL-12 stimulation proportionately to that induced in samples from control donors. Intracellular perforin was also present and induced in patient CD16(+)CD3(-) cells similarly to controls. Other presumed NK cell activities, such as IL-2/IL-12 induced IFN-gamma expression and initiation of apoptosis evidenced by annexin V binding after CD16 crosslinking were present in patient samples. Patient CD16(+)CD3(-) cells, however, differed from classical NK cells, as the majority did not express CD56, CD57, CD8, or CD11b. Most convincingly, there was a 5 log decrease in CD11b expression in patient CD16(+)CD3(-) cells compared to control as determined by mean channel fluorescence. These observed differences may explain the relatively benign phenotype of this disorder.     

结肠癌患者单核或树突状细胞MICA的表达及其与NK细胞活性的关联

目的:观察结肠癌患者单核或树突状细胞是否表达MHCⅠ类相关抗原A(MICA),并分析MICA+单核细胞的频率是否与患者体内NK细胞的活性相关联。方法:首先利用流式细胞仪检测MICA在外周血单核细胞和由单核细胞诱导而来树突状细胞(DCs)上的表达;并用IL-15和IFNα-刺激树突状细胞,观察MICA表达的变化;然后检测患者外周血NKG2D+、CD16+、CD69+NK细胞的频率及NK细胞的杀伤活性;最后分析MICA+单核细胞的频率是否与NK细胞表达NKG2D及其杀伤活性关联。结果:与健康个体相比,结肠癌患者MICA+单核细胞的频率无显著变化。未成熟DCs表达MICA,但受IL-15和IFNα-刺激后,结肠癌来源的DCs表面MICA的表达无显著上调。结肠癌患者外周血NKG2D+、CD69+NK细胞的频率显著降低,NK细胞的杀伤活性显著降低,而CD16+NK细胞的频率无明显变化。结肠癌患者MICA+单核细胞的频率与NK细胞表达NKG2D无明显关联,但与NK细胞杀伤靶细胞时CD107a的表达正相关。结论:结肠癌患者体内单核细胞表达MICA与NK细胞表达NKG2D无关,但高频率MICA阳性的单核细胞与NK细胞的抗肿瘤活性正相关。     

Increased killing activity and decreased cytokine production in NK cells in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

Although the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) remains enigmatic, the immune system plays a key role in the initiation and subsequent development of pathology. Previous studies have indicated a critical role of the innate immune system. Importantly, natural killer (NK) cells are abundant in liver where they serve as sentinels of the immune system. In addition, NK cells have significant biologic activity based on their production of immunoregulatory cytokines. To address this issue, we have investigated several qualitative and quantitative activities of NK cells in patients with PBC as well as normal and liver diseased controls. We report herein a marked increase in the frequency and absolute number of blood and liver NK cells in PBC patients. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity and perforin expression by isolated NK cells were significantly increased in PBC patients associated with increased levels of plasma IL-8 and the expression of CD128a (IL-8 receptor) on NK cells. In contrast, the levels of IFN-gamma, IL-6 and IL-8 synthesized by NK cells were significantly decreased in PBC patients as compared to controls. In conclusion, data from this study provide compelling evidence supporting a biologic role of NK cells in the immunopathogenesis of PBC.     

KIR downregulation by IL‐12/15/18 unleashes human NK cells from KIR/HLA‐I inhibition and enhances killing of tumor cells

To exploit autologous NK cells for cancer immunotherapy, it is highly relevant to circumvent killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR)‐mediated self‐inhibition of human NK cells by HLA‐I–expressing tumor cells. Here, we show that stimulation of NK cells with IL‐12/15/18 for two days led to downregulation of surface expression of the inhibitory KIR2DL2/L3, KIR2DL1 and KIR3DL1 receptors on peripheral blood NK cells. Downregulation of KIR expression was attributed to decreased KIR mRNA levels which could be re‐induced already 3 days after re‐culture in IL‐2. Reduced KIR2DL2/L3 expression on IL‐12/15/18–activated NK cells resulted in less inhibition upon antibody‐mediated KIR engagement and increased CD16‐dependent cytotoxicity in redirected lysis assays. Most importantly, downregulated KIR2DL2/L3 expression enabled enhanced cytotoxicity of IL‐12/15/18–stimulated NK cells against tumor cells expressing cognate HLA‐I molecules. NK cells pre‐activated with IL‐12/15/18 were previously shown to exert potent anti‐tumor activity and memory‐like long‐lived functionality, mediating remission in a subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in a clinical trial. Our study reveals a novel mechanism of IL‐12/15/18 in improving the cytotoxicity of NK cells by reducing their sensitivity to inhibition by self–HLA‐I due to decreased KIR expression, highlighting the potency of IL‐12/15/18–activated NK cells for anti‐tumor immunotherapy protocols.     

不同肿瘤细胞表面MICA的表达及NK细胞杀伤活性的研究

目的：观察不同肿瘤细胞表面MICA的表达及其对NK细胞杀伤活性的影响。方法：以体外培养的K562（人慢性髓原白血病细胞株）、MCF-7（乳腺癌细胞株）、HR-8348（直肠腺癌细胞株）、CNE-2（人鼻咽癌细胞株）、Hela（人宫颈癌细胞株）为靶细胞，流式细胞仪检测细胞表面MICA的表达，以K562细胞作为对照，应用LDH释放法检测不同效靶比情况下体外培养的NK细胞对靶细胞的杀伤活性。结果：K562、MCF-7、HR-8348、CNE-2、Hela细胞表面均表达MICA，体外杀伤试验表明NK细胞对上述肿瘤细胞均有杀伤活性，anti-MICA单抗可部分封闭NK细胞对靶细胞的杀伤活性。结论：NK细胞对K562、MCF-7、HR-8348、CNE-2、Hela细胞具有较高的杀伤活性，可作为一种生物治疗手段。     

Arousal and inhibition of human NK cells

Summary: NK cells express receptors for polymorphic MHC class I molecules that inhibit killing of potential target cells bearing appropriate class I allotypes. Here we review the membrane receptors on human NK cells that are known to initiate cell-mediated cytotoxicity and demonstrate regulation of these responses by the killer cell inhibitory (KIR) receptors.     

Estradiol regulates MICA expression in human endometrial cells

The human endometrium undergoes cyclical changes regulated by sex hormones. Evidence suggests that sex hormones regulate NK cell recruitment into the uterus in large numbers. NKG2D is an activating receptor expressed on human NK cells, gammadelta and CD8 T cells. NKG2D ligands are known to be sensors of cellular "stress". In this study, we investigated whether sex hormones directly regulate expression of NKG2D ligands in the human uterus. Estradiol increased MICA expression on uterine epithelial cells; regulation was estrogen receptor-dependent. Real-time PCR analysis showed that NKG2D ligands MICA and MICB were expressed in the human endometrium. MICA protein was detected primarily on epithelial cells, and greater expression was observed in immunohistochemical analysis of tissues from patients in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Thus, estrogens regulate expression of MICA. These data suggest hormonal regulation of innate immunity and NKG2D-mediated recognition in other tissues and diseases where estrogen may be involved.     

NK cell-mediated lysis of autologous HCMV-infected skin fibroblasts is highly variable among NK cell clones and polyclonal NK cell lines

Lysis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-infected fibroblasts by autologous natural killer (NK) cells was examined in vitro. For NK cell clones, receptor expression was determined at the level of mRNA and cell-surface protein and compared to the lysis of HCMV AD169 strain-infected fibroblasts in which HLA class I was >70% downregulated. The clones ranged broadly in their ability to lyse AD169-infected fibroblasts, correlating neither with the expression of inhibitory KIR, leukocyte inhibitory receptor-1, or CD94:NKG2A receptors nor with the number of different inhibitory KIR expressed per clone. Some lines of polyclonal NK cells preferentially lysed AD169-infected cells and similarly lysed fibroblasts infected with mutant virus RV798, which lacks the genes for downregulating HLA class I. These results demonstrate that NK cell lysis of HCMV-infected autologous fibroblasts is more complex than a simple missing-self mechanism involving downregulation of HLA class I and failure to engage inhibitory self-specific KIR.     

Interleukin-10 promotes NK cell killing of autologous macrophages by stimulating expression of NKG2D ligands

Under inflammatory conditions, the pleiotropic cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) is released in many tissues. It mediates anti-inflammatory effects in particular by inhibiting the release of T helper type 1 (Th1) cytokines. In contrast, we show here that NK cell cytotoxicity against autologous macrophages is elevated if both cell types are cultured with IL-10. The expression of most activatory NK receptors is increased after culture in the presence of IL-10. On the other hand, macrophages cultured in the presence of IL-10 show elevated expression of the NKG2D ligands major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class 1-like molecules (MIC) - A and - B, as well as UL-16 binding proteins (ULBP) - ULBP-1, ULBP-2 and ULBP-3. By masking the interaction of NK cells with macrophages through interruption of the NKG2D receptor with its ligands, we could reverse the IL-10-induced lysis of macrophages. Our data therefore reveal that IL-10 may exert a novel immunomodulatory role by stimulating NKG2D ligand expression on macrophages, thereby rendering them susceptible to NK cell elimination. This suggests that NK cells would delete macrophages and potentially other immature antigen-presenting cells (APC) or their precursors under inflammatory conditions as a feedback mechanism to shut off uncontrolled immune responses.     

In vitro effects of human lipoproteins on the immune system in healthy donors: inhibition of plaque forming cell generation and decreased frequency of NK cells.

The effects of human high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins and very low density lipoproteins on spontaneous plaque forming cell (PFC) generation have been evaluated in healthy donors. Additionally, natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity using either 51Cr release assay or agarose single cell system has been studied under identical experimental conditions. A significant inhibition of spontaneous PFC capacity was observed. Furthermore, lipoprotein (LP) pre-treatment led to a reduced frequency of cells mediating NK cytotoxic activity as shown by the decreased binding capacity, even if the killing function was per se not affected. Taken together, these results suggest an inhibitory role for human LP on certain immune functions, likely related to the imbalance of lymphocyte metabolic pathway.     

Intracellular expression of MICA in activated CD4 T lymphocytes and protection from NK cell-mediated MICA-dependent cytotoxicity

MICA is a stress-regulated molecule recognized by the NK cell-activating receptor NKG2D. Previously, we demonstrated that MICA is induced on activated T cells but regulation by mitogenic cytokines and its biological consequences remain unexplored. Here, we show that IL-2, IL-4, and IL-15 but not TNF-alpha or IFN-alpha induced MICA expression in T lymphocytes present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as assessed by Western blot. IL-2 effect involved Jak3/STAT5, p38 MAPK, p70(56) kinase, Lck/fyn kinases, and NF-kappaB. MICA expression was also observed in Th1 and Th2 cells. However, surface expression was not detected. T lymphocytes present in PBMCs and isolated CD4+ T lymphocytes stimulated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate and ionomycin also induced MICA expression as assessed by Western blot, but only low levels were expressed at the cell surface. Activated but not resting CD4+ T lymphocytes were lysed by IL-15- or IL-2-stimulated NK cells, and susceptibility was increased when HLA class I molecules were blocked. Also, cytokine-stimulated NK cells produced more IFN-gamma after culture with activated CD4+ T lymphocytes. However, the participation of MICA in these responses, if any, was marginal. Confocal microscopy revealed that MICA is retained mostly inside activated CD4+ T cells. Our results suggest that low surface expression of MICA on activated CD4+ T lymphocytes might be a safeguard mechanism to protect them from NK cells in an inflammatory, virus-infected, or tumor microenvironment, where NK and activated CD4+ T cells are recruited.     

Internalization of beta-amyloid causes downregulation of apolipoprotein E mRNA expression in neuroblastoma cells

Apolipoprotein (apo) E, like beta-amyloid (Abeta), is a key component of the senile plaques that characterize Alzheimer's disease (AD). Understanding how apoE participates in the formation of senile plaques is necessary to clarify the pathogenesis of AD; however, the mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the changes of cellular apoE and its mRNA level induced by addition of extracellular Abeta to neuroblastoma cells. The presence of > or = 1.0 micromol/L of Abeta induced a decrease of apoE mRNA expression and an increase in the immunofluorescence reactivity for intracellular apoE. Both Abeta and apoE were observed by electron-microscopy to be localized within lysosomes. The levels of intracellular apoE and its mRNA returned to the steady state time-dependently. These changes were attenuated by treatments with heparinase I or receptor-associated protein. These findings suggest that the internalized Abeta, along with cellular apoE, induces downregulation of apoE mRNA via a pathway possibly mediated by apoE receptors and heparin sulfate proteoglycans. A disorder of this physiological response could be linked to the development of AD.     

Natural killing of cytomegalovirus-infected fibroblasts by human mononuclear leucocytes.

The ability of human peripheral blood mononuclear (MN) cells to lyse uninfected and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infected human fibroblasts was determined in a 51Cr-release assay. Maximal release was obtained with 6-day infected fibroblasts incubated with MN cells for 24 hr. A linear relationship existed between E/T ratios of 12.5:1 to 100:1 and lysis of CMV-infected targets. Donor immune status had no effect on the magnitude of killing of infected or uninfected targets. Killing was mediated by non-B, predominantly non-T, Fc receptor-bearing cells. Preincubation of effector cells with interferon enhanced killing of both CMV-infected and uninfected fibroblasts, but infected targets were more effectively killed. These results indicated a possible role for natural killer cells in recovery from CMV infection.     

Density-dependent inhibition of cell growth by transforming growth factor-beta 1 in normal human fibroblasts

We report here that transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) inhibits platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced DNA synthesis in normal human fibroblasts in a cell density-dependent manner; no inhibition was seen in sparse cultures, approximately 50% inhibition in confluent cell cultures, and an almost total inhibition in dense cultures. The PDGF-inducible genes c-myc and c-fos were induced also by TGF-beta 1. Simultaneous addition of TGF-beta 1 and PDGF resulted in sustained, rather than transient, expression of c-fos mRNA; c-fos mRNA was detected as long as 24 hr after addition of PDGF and TFG-beta 1. TGF-beta 1 also induced mRNA for the A chain, but not the B chain, of PDGF. Conversely, PDGF induced TGF-beta 1 mRNA in sparse but not in dense cultures. These data indicate the existence of a complex interdependent regulation of PDGF and TGF-beta mRNA expression which is influenced by the cell density.     

Regulation of human natural killer (NK) cell function: Induction of killing of an NK-resistant renal carcinoma cell line

Natural killer (NK)-like activity against a renal carcinoma cell line, Cur, was assessed. There was no spontaneous killing of Cur cells by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 4-hr assays. Cur killing was observed in 18-hr assays, but the magnitude of killing was variable and always markedly less than that against K562. Cur killing was mediated by a nonadherent, nonphagocytic lymphocyte, the activity of which could be modulated both positively and negatively by monocytes or their products. Preincubation of effectors with monocyte supernatant, interleukin 1 (IL-1), -interferon (IFN), or interleukin 2 (IL-2) greatly increased the magnitude of Cur killing and accelerated the kinetics of lysis. The addition of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) duringin vitro activation of NK by IL-2 profoundly inhibited subsequent Cur lysis, whereas only minimal inhibition of K562 lysis was noted. However, following activation with IL-2, lysis of Cur targets was less sensitive to the inhibitory effects of PGE₂. Removal of Leu 11b(+), OKM1(+), orl-leucylleucine methyl ester-sensitive cells markedly decreased both Cur and K562 lysis. Moreover, CD16(+) cells purified with the fluorescence-activated cell sorter were found to mediate Cur killing. Whereas Cur and K562 lysis is mediated by phenotypically similar effector cells, the present studies demonstrate that the cytotoxic functions defined by the ability to lyse these two targets differ in response to a variety of immunoregulatory stimuli.     

Histone deacetylase inhibitors impair NK cell viability and effector functions through inhibition of activation and receptor expression

HDACi are being used as a novel, therapeutic approach for leukemias and other hematological malignancies. However, their effect on immune cells remains ill-defined, as HDACi may impair immune surveillance. In this work, we demonstrate that TSA, VPA, and NaB inhibited IFN-γ production by CD56(dim) and CD56(bright) NK cells and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against K562 target cells. HDACi promoted minor NK cell apoptosis but inhibited nuclear mobilization of NF-κB p50, which was accompanied by a robust down-regulation of NKG2D and NKp46 on resting NK cells and of NKG2D, NKp44, NKp46, and CD25 on cytokine-activated NK cells. Decreased CD25 expression promoted a weakened IFN-γ secretion upon restimulation of NK cells with IL-2, whereas reduced expression of NKG2D and NKp46 was accompanied by an impaired NKG2D- and NKp46-dependent cytotoxicity. Moreover, NK cells from normal mice treated in vivo with TSA displayed a diminished expression of NK1.1, NKG2D, and NKp46 and secreted reduced amounts of IFN-γ upon ex vivo stimulation with cytokines. Thus, our preclinical results indicate that HDACi exert deleterious effects on NK cell function, which may weaken immune surveillance and facilitate relapse of the malignant disease in HDACi-treated patients.