γ干扰素对人NK细胞识别功能的负调节作用

目的 探讨γ干扰素(IFN-γ)对人NK细胞识别功能的负调节作用。方法 用MTT法测定人NK细胞系(NK92,NKL)的细胞毒活性及细胞增殖能力;用RT-PCR检测NK细胞受体(NKG2D、NKG2A／B、KIR2DLI、KIR2DSI)及NKG2D的识别配体主要组织相容性复合体Ⅰ类链相关分子A(MICA)的表达。结果 NK细胞系(NK92、NKL)对MICA表达阳性的肿瘤细胞杀伤活性明显高于对MICA表达阴性者;IFN-γ 1000U／ml以上可明显抑制NK细胞对MICA表达阳性肿瘤细胞的细胞毒活性,并轻度抑制NK细胞的增殖,而对MICA表达阴性肿瘤细胞的杀伤活性无明显抑制作用;IFN-γ可抑制NK细胞系活化受体NKG2D的表达,增强抑制性受体NKG2A／B和KIR2DLI的表达。结论 IFN-γ可能通过下调NK细胞活化受体的表达,上调抑制性受体的表达,使NK识别的信号平衡向抑制性方向倾斜,从而对NK细胞功能发挥负调节作用,这种作用可能是NK细胞自我调节功能的表现。     

An Fc‐optimized NKG2D‐immunoglobulin G fusion protein for induction of natural killer cell reactivity against leukemia

Recruitment of Fc‐receptor‐bearing effector cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells, is a feature critical for the therapeutic success of antitumor antibodies and can be improved by the modifications of an antibody's Fc part. The various ligands of the activating immunoreceptor NKG2D, NKG2DL) are selectively expressed on malignant cells including leukemia. We here took advantage of the tumor‐associated expression of NKG2DL for targeting leukemic cells by NKG2D–immunoglobulin G (IgG)1 fusion proteins containing modified Fc parts. Compared to NKG2D–Fc containing a wild‐type Fc part (NKG2D–Fc–WT), our mutants (S239D/I332E and E233P/L234V/L235A/ΔG236/A327G/A330S) displayed highly enhanced (NKG2D–Fc–ADCC) and abrogated (NKG2D–Fc–KO) affinity to the NK cell Fc receptor, respectively. Functional analyses with allogenic as well as autologous NK cells and primary malignant cells of leukemia patients revealed that NKG2D–Fc–KO significantly reduced NK reactivity by blocking immunostimulatory NKG2D–NKG2DL interaction. NKG2D–Fc–WT already enhanced antileukemia reactivity by inducing antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) with NKG2D–Fc–ADCC mediating significantly stronger effects. Parallel application of NKG2D–Fc–ADCC with Rituximab caused additive effects in lymphoid leukemia. In line with the tumor‐associated expression of NKG2DL, no NK cell ADCC against resting healthy blood cells was induced. Thus, NKG2D–Fc–ADCC potently enhances NK antileukemia reactivity despite the inevitable reduction of activating signals upon binding to NKG2DL and may constitute an attractive means for immunotherapy of leukemia.     

Interferon‐γ down‐regulates NKG2D ligand expression and impairs the NKG2D‐mediated cytolysis of MHC class I‐deficient melanoma by natural killer cells

NKG2D operates as an activating receptor on natural killer (NK) cells and costimulates the effector function of αβ CD8⁺ T cells. Ligands of NKG2D, the MHC class I chain‐related (MIC) and UL16 binding protein (ULBP) molecules, are expressed on a variety of human tumors, including melanoma. Recent studies in mice demonstrated that NKG2D mediates tumor immune surveillance, suggesting that antitumor immunity in humans could be enhanced by therapeutic manipulation of NKG2D ligand (NKG2DL) expression. However, signals and mechanisms regulating NKG2DL expression still need to be elucidated. Here, we asked whether the proinflammatory cytokine Interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) affects NKG2DL expression in melanoma. Cell lines, established from MHC class I‐negative and ‐positive melanoma metastases, predominantly expressed MICA and ULBP2 molecules on their surface. Upon IFN‐γ treatment, expression of MICA, in some cases, also of ULBP2 decreased. Besides melanoma, this observation was made also for glioma cells. Down‐regulation of NKG2DL surface expression was dependent on the cytokine dose and the duration of treatment, but was neither due to an intracellular retention of the molecules nor to an increased shedding of ligands from the tumor cell surface. Instead, quantitative RT‐PCR revealed a decrease of MICA‐specific mRNA levels upon IFN‐γ treatment and siRNA experiments pointed to an involvement of STAT‐1 in this process. Importantly, IFN‐γ‐treated MHC class I‐negative melanoma cells were less susceptible to NKG2D‐mediated NK cell cytotoxicity. Our study suggests that IFN‐γ, by down‐regulating ligand expression, might facilitate escape of MHC class I‐negative melanoma cells from NKG2D‐mediated killing by NK cells. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

NKG2D配体在13种肿瘤细胞系中的表达及意义

背景与目的:NKG2D及其配体的相互作用在肿瘤免疫监视中起着非常重要的作用。本研究探讨NKG2D配体在13种肿瘤细胞系中的表达及其意义。方法:采用半定量RT-PCR法检测肿瘤细胞系中NKG2D配体的mRNA表达。应用MTT法检测人NK细胞对肿瘤细胞的杀伤活性,免疫组织化学技术和Western blot法检测肿瘤细胞中MHCⅠ类相关蛋白A(MHC classⅠchain-related A)蛋白表达情况。结果:13种肿瘤细胞系表达不同水平的NKG2D配体mRNA。其中Hep2细胞中MICA强阳性表达,HeLa、HepG2、MDA231、HT29、SGC7901、M21、K562、Jurkat细胞MICA表达阳性,而Caski、PG、HL-60和Raji细胞中MICA mRNA阴性。MICA和MICB的表达水平与NK细胞杀伤活性具有高度相关性(r=0.851,P<0.001;r=0.652,P<0.05)。除ULBP3外,其余ULBP成员的表达水平与NK细胞杀伤均无相关性。结论:在6种人NKG2D配体中,MICA的表达水平与肿瘤细胞对NK细胞杀伤的敏感性关系最为密切,肿瘤细胞MICA的表达水平可能决定着机体NK细胞抗肿瘤免疫应答的强弱。     

沉默HIG2促进NK细胞对喉癌细胞杀伤敏感性的机制探讨

目的:探讨缺氧诱导基因2（HIG2）在喉癌细胞逃逸NK细胞免疫杀伤中的作用机制。方法:免疫组织化学法检测喉癌组织和癌旁组织中HIG2的表达;Western blot检测HIG2、NKG2D配体（MICA、MICB、ULBP1、ULBP2和ULBP3）的蛋白表达;Transwell实验检测Hep-2细胞的侵袭;流式细胞术检测Hep-2细胞的凋亡、CD3-CD56+的NK细胞纯度、NKG2D受体表达及Hep-2细胞NKG2D配体的表达;乳酸脱氢酶释放法检测不同效靶比时,NK细胞对Hep-2细胞的杀伤活性。结果:HIG2在喉癌组织中高表达。CD3-CD56+的NK细胞纯度大于90%。沉默HIG2抑制Hep-2细胞侵袭,促进细胞凋亡,提高NKG2D配体的表达,增强NK细胞对Hep-2细胞的杀伤敏感性。NKG2D抗体抑制NK细胞NKG2D受体表达,减弱NK细胞对沉默HIG2 的Hep-2细胞的杀伤活性。结论:沉默HIG2可抑制喉癌细胞侵袭,促进细胞凋亡,上调NKG2D配体表达,增强NK细胞对喉癌细胞的杀伤敏感性。     

Regulation of the expression of MHC class I-related chain A, B (MICA, MICB) via chromatin remodeling and its impact on the susceptibility of leukemic cells to the cytotoxicity of NKG2D-expressing cells.

Innate immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in antitumor immune responses. NKG2D is a major activating immunoreceptor expressed in not only NK cells but also CD8+ T cells and shows cytotoxicity against tumors by recognizing its ligands major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A and B (MICA and MICB) on tumor cells. Recently, it has been suggested that NKG2D-mediated cytotoxicity correlates with the expression levels of NKG2D ligands on target cells. In this study, we were able to increase the expression levels of MICA and MICB on leukemic cell lines and patients' leukemic cells by treatment with trichostatin A (TsA), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed that treatment with TsA resulted in increased acetylation of histone H3 and decreased association with HDAC1 at the promoters of MICA and MICB. Intriguingly, upregulation of MICA and MICB by treatment with TsA led to enhancement of the susceptibility of leukemic cells to the cytotoxicity of NKG2D-expressing cells. Our results suggest that regulation of the expression of NKG2D ligands by treatment with chromatin-remodeling drugs may be an attractive strategy for immunotherapy.     

MicroRNA-mediated down-regulation of NKG2D ligands contributes to glioma immune escape

Malignant gliomas are intrinsic brain tumors with a dismal prognosis. They are well-adapted to hypoxic conditions and poorly immunogenic. NKG2D is one of the major activating receptors of natural killer (NK) cells and binds to several ligands (NKG2DL).Here we evaluated the impact of miRNA on the expression of NKG2DL in glioma cells including stem-like glioma cells. Three of the candidate miRNA predicted to target NKG2DL were expressed in various glioma cell lines as well as in glioblastomas in vivo: miR-20a, miR-93 and miR-106b. LNA inhibitor-mediated miRNA silencing up-regulated cell surface NKG2DL expression, which translated into increased susceptibility to NK cell-mediated lysis. This effect was reversed by neutralizing NKG2D antibodies, confirming that enhanced lysis upon miRNA silencing was mediated through the NKG2D system. Hypoxia, a hallmark of glioblastomas in vivo, down-regulated the expression of NKG2DL on glioma cells, associated with reduced susceptibility to NK cell-mediated lysis. This process, however, was not mediated through any of the examined miRNA. Accordingly, both hypoxia and the expression of miRNA targeting NKG2DL may contribute to the immune evasion of glioma cells at the level of the NKG2D recognition pathway. Targeting miRNA may therefore represent a novel approach to increase the immunogenicity of glioblastoma.     

Therapeutic potential of highly cytotoxic natural killer cells for gastric cancer

To develop more effective therapies for patients with advanced gastric cancer, we examined the potential of ex vivo expanded natural killer (NK) cells. We assessed the expression of ligands for NK Group 2 Member D (NKG2D, an important NK activation molecule) in primary tumors from 102 patients with gastric cancer by immunohistochemistry and determined their prognostic value. We then examined the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity of NK cells from healthy donors and patients with gastric cancer. The cytotoxicity of resting and of interleukin (IL)‐2‐activated NK cells was compared to that of NK cells expanded for 7 days by coculture with the K562‐mb15‐4.1BBL cell line. As a result, the expression of NKG2D ligands in primary tumors was correlated with favorable presenting features and outcomes, suggesting that gastric cancer may be sensitive to NK cell cytotoxicity. Although resting NK cells showed minimal cytotoxicity against gastric cancer cells, K562‐mb15‐4.1BBL‐expanded NK cells were highly cytotoxic and significantly more powerful than IL‐2‐activated NK cells. Cytotoxicity was correlated with NKG2D ligand expression and could be modulated by mitogen‐activated protein kinase and AKT‐PI3 kinase inhibitors. The cytotoxicity of expanded NK cells against HER2‐positive gastric cancer cells could be increased by Herceptin and further augmented by Lapatinib. Finally, expanded NK cells exhibited strong antitumor activity in immunodeficient mice engrafted with a gastric cancer cell line. In conclusion, gastric cancer tumors express NKG2D ligands and are highly susceptible to killing by NK cells stimulated by K562‐mb15‐4.1BBL. These results provide a strong rationale for clinical testing of these NK cells in patients and suggest their use to augment the effects of antibody therapy.     

Role of NKG2D in cytokine-induced killer cells against multiple myeloma cells

The cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) have been reported to have potent cytotoxicity against a variety of tumor cells including multiple myleoma (MM) cells. The mechanisms that CIK cell recognizing MM cells remain unknown. Recent studies indicated that the interaction between NKG2D receptor and NKG2D ligands plays an important role in inducing cytotoxicity against various target cells by natural killer cells (NK). We suspect whether NKG2D receptor and NKG2D ligands interaction is also responsible for the killing of MM cells by CIK as the same way did NK cells. We expanded CIK cells from healthy controls with interferon (IFN)-γ, CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and interleukin-2 (IL-2), and checked expression of NK cell receptors on CIK cells by flow cytometry. About 86% bulk CIK cells expressed NKG2D receptor but not other NK receptors, such as CD158a, CD158b and NCRs. We analyzed NKG2D ligands expression in MM patients by flow cytometry, primary plasma cells from 8 out of 13 (62%) MM patients expressed different levels of ULBPs or MICA/B on the cell surface. Interestingly, when stimulated with MM cell line U266 that expressed some levels of MICA/B, only NKG2D expressing CIK cells released IFN-γ. CIK cells showed cytotoxicity against NKG2D ligands expressing U266 and primary MM cells, and the cytotoxicity was partially blocked by treating CIK with anti-NKG2D antibody. We conclude that NKG2D-NKG2D ligand interaction may be one of the mechanisms by which CIK cells kill MM cells.     

The Putative Role of Natural Killer Cells in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Natural Killer (NK) cells have crucial roles in immune responses against malignant transformation including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The NKG2D receptor has a critical role in the NK recognition of target cells. Aim: We assessed NKG2D receptor expression as a diagnostic biomarker for HCC detection and progression in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC. Methods: We classified 81 patients into three groups: chronic hepatitis (21), cirrhotic (30) and HCC (30) patients, with 36 individuals enrolled to the control group. We analyzed NK levels in peripheral blood and NKG2D receptor expression in NK cells using flow cytometry. Results: We observed a significant decrease in NKG2D (CD314) expression on circulating NK cells and frequency of NK cells expressing NKG2D (CD314) in HCC patients. Also, in patients, larger foci lesions significantly correlated with decreased NK cell numbers. Multiple foci numbers and patients with a Child score C significantly correlated with decreased circulating NK cells expressing NKG2D and decreased NKG2D expression. Conclusion: The percentage of NK cells in peripheral blood and NKG2D receptor expression could function as potential biomarkers for HCC detection and progression.     

苦参碱提高白血病KG1a细胞对NK细胞杀伤敏感性及其机制

目的研究苦参碱（Matrine）作用前后白血病KG1a细胞对NK细胞杀伤细胞敏感性的变化,并初步探讨其机制。方法应用CCK-8法检测苦参碱对KG1a细胞50%抑制量IC₅₀值,以此量的苦参碱作用于KG1a细胞,LDH释放法检测作用前后对NK细胞的杀伤敏感性。RT-PCR检测KG1a细胞NKG2D配体(MICA、MICB、ULBP1、ULBP2、ULBP3)五种基因的表达,流式细胞仪检测作用前后KG1a细胞表面NKG2D配体和HLA-Ⅰ类分子表达变化。结果苦参碱作用前后在效靶比为5∶1、10∶1、20∶1时对NK细胞杀伤敏感性差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。KG1a细胞在mRNA水平五种基因均表达,苦参碱作用前KG1a细胞表面NKG2D各配体几乎不表达,作用后各配体显著升高,与作用前相比差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),HLA-Ⅰ类分子无明显变化(P＞0.05)。结论苦参碱能提高KG1a细胞对NK细胞的杀伤敏感性,其机制可能与苦参碱提高KG1a细胞表面NKG2D配体的表达有关。     

Human breast tumor cells induce self-tolerance mechanisms to avoid NKG2D-mediated and DNAM-mediated NK cell recognition

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women between the ages of 35 to 65. This is mostly due to intertumor heterogeneity and the lack of specific therapies for all subtypes. However, some breast cancers with an unexpected good prognosis are associated with enhanced antitumor immunity in situ. We studied whether breast cancer subtypes might have different susceptibilities to natural killer (NK) cells' antitumor immunity. We collected a large public set of microarray data for primary breast tumors and determined NK cell ligand expression. We found that despite heterogeneous levels of inhibitory HLA members, NKG2D ligands and DNAM ligands are expressed in virtually all breast tumor subtypes. Functional experiments in breast cancer subtypes expressing various levels of NK cell ligands showed that NK-mediated cytotoxicity is mainly HLA, NKG2D, and DNAM dependent. In parallel, we showed that cell lines and primary breast tumor cells secrete soluble inhibitory factors that alter NK cell functions. Finally, we showed that these mechanisms of escape occur in vivo in the MMTV-Neu model of spontaneous murine breast cancer. Our study shows that breast cancer cells, independent of the subtype, have developed different mechanisms to escape from NK cells' antitumor immunity. These results emphasize the role of NK cells in breast tumor clearance and underlie the importance of devising future therapy aiming at enhancing NK cell-mediated recognition in parallel with the prevention of the tumor-editing process.     

Valproic Acid Upregulates NKG2D Ligand Expression through an ERK-dependent Mechanism and Potentially Enhances NK Cell-mediated Lysis of Myeloma

Modulation of the antitumor immune response through the engagement of NKG2D receptors with their ligands (L) on targets represents a promising therapeutic approach against cancer. In this study, we tested the effect of valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, on the expression of NKG2D ligands in myeloma cells. We demonstrated that VPA was able to upregulate both protein and mRNA expression of major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain (MIC) A/B and UL16-binding protein (ULBP) 2 without any significant effect on the expression of ULBP1, ULBP3, and ULBP4 or induction of other natural killer (NK) cell ligands, such as NKp30-L, NKp44-L, and NKp46-L in myeloma cells. A ⁵¹Cr release assay and degranulation assay indicated that the induction of MICA/B and ULBP2 augmented NK cell-mediated lysis of myeloma cells, which was abolished by the addition of a blocking NKG2D antibody. Activation of constitutively phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) by VPA is essential for the up-regulation of MICA/B and ULBP2 expressions. Inhibition of ERK using ERK inhibitor PD98059 decreased both MICA/B and ULBP2 expressions and NK cell cytotoxicity. Furthermore, overexpression of constitutively active ERK in ARK resulted in increased MICA/B and ULBP2 expressions and enhanced NK cell lysis. These data indicate that increased sensitivity of VPA-treated myeloma cells to NK cell lysis is caused by higher NKG2D ligand expression, resulting from more active ERK signaling pathway. Our results provide evidence that targeting ERK signaling pathway may be an additional mechanism supporting the antimyeloma activity of HDAC inhibitors and suggest its possible immunotherapeutic value for myeloma treatment.     

NKG2D介导NK 细胞对鼻咽癌细胞杀伤作用的体外研究

 目的 探讨鼻咽癌CNE2细胞表面HLA-Ⅰ类分子表型和NKG2D配体的表达情况，进一步了解其对同种异体NK细胞杀伤活性的影响。方法 流式细胞仪检测NKG2D的配体MICA、MICB、ULBP1、ULBP2、ULBP3在K562、CNE2细胞的表达情况。PCR-SSP法分析CNE2细胞HLA-A、B、Cw分型和NK细胞KIR分型。LDH释放法测定5例健康者NK细胞在不同效靶比时对K562、CNE2细胞的杀伤活性，效靶比20：1时观察抗NKG2D配体的单抗对NK细胞杀伤K562、CNE2细胞活性的影响。结果 CNE2细胞表达MICA、MICB、ULBP2，不表达ULBP1、ULBP3。K562细胞表面表达MICA、MICB、ULBP1、ULBP2、ULBP3。5例健康者NK细胞抑制性KIR与CNE2细胞表面的HLA-Ⅰ类分子之间存在错配。效靶比5：1、10：1、20：1、30：1时NK细胞对K562、CNE2细胞的杀伤活性分别为（29．02±0．45）％、（10．50±2．17）％；（44．43±1．36）％、（27．68±1．47）％；（57．82±1．35）％、（36．99±3．13）％：（71．24±2．36）％、（55．00±2．20）％，在各效靶比时NK细胞对K562细胞的杀伤活性较CNE2细胞明显增强（P=0．000）；在效靶比20：1时anti-MICA、anti-MICB、anti-ULBP1、anti—ULBP2、anti-ULBP3可明显抑制NK细胞对K562细胞的杀伤活性，与阻断前相比有显著性差异（P=0．000）；anti—MICA、anti—MICB、anti—ULBP2可明显抑制NK细胞对CNE2细胞的杀伤活性，与阻断前相比有显著性差异（P〈0．01），但anti—ULBP1、anti—ULBP3不能阻断NK细胞对CNE2细胞的杀伤活性。结论 NKG2D配体影响NK细胞对靶细胞的杀伤活性，提高NKG2D配体的表达有可能提高NK细胞的抗肿瘤活性。     

Proteolytic release of soluble UL16-binding protein 2 from tumor cells

The MHC class I-related ligands of the immunoreceptor NKG2D are frequently expressed by tumor cells and stimulate tumor immunity mediated by CD8 T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. In humans, NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) are encoded by the MHC-encoded MIC and non-MHC-encoded UL16-binding protein (ULBP) families of proteins. Recently, we and others showed that tumor cells release soluble MICA (sMICA), thereby counteracting NKG2D-mediated tumor immunosurveillance. Here, we now report that ULBP2 molecules are likewise released from tumor cells in a processed soluble form, and that soluble ULBP2 (sULBP2) can be detected in sera of some patients with hematopoietic malignancies. Tumor cell-derived sULBP2 as opposed to cell-bound ULBP2 does not down-regulate NKG2D on NK cells. Unexpectedly, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored ULBP2 molecules are not released by phospholipases but by the action of metalloproteases. Proteolytic shedding of both NKG2D ligands MICA and ULBP2 by tumor cells was strongly enhanced after phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment and paralleled by a markedly reduced susceptibility to NKG2D-mediated cytotoxicity. Shedding of MICA and ULBP2 can be blocked by the same inhibitors, suggesting the involvement of related metalloproteases. Thus, our data suggest that reducing NKG2DL surface densities is due to a common cleavage process executed by metalloproteases that promotes escape of tumors from NKG2D-mediated immunosurveillance.     

The requirement for DNAM-1, NKG2D, and NKp46 in the natural killer cell-mediated killing of myeloma cells

Recent evidence suggests a role for natural killer (NK) cells in the control of multiple myeloma. We show that expression of the NK cell receptor DNAM-1 (CD226) is reduced on CD56(dim) NK cells from myeloma patients with active disease compared with patients in remission and healthy controls. This suggested that this receptor might play a role in NK-myeloma interactions. The DNAM-1 ligands Nectin-2 (CD112) and the poliovirus receptor (PVR; CD155) were expressed by most patient myeloma samples analyzed. NK killing of patient-derived myelomas expressing PVR and/or Nectin-2 was DNAM-1 dependent, revealing a functional role for DNAM-1 in myeloma cell killing. In myeloma cell lines, cell surface expression of PVR was associated with low levels of NKG2D ligands, whereas cells expressing high levels of NKG2D ligands did not express PVR protein or mRNA. Furthermore, NK cell-mediated killing of myeloma cell lines was dependent on either DNAM-1 or NKG2D but not both molecules. In contrast, the natural cytotoxicity receptor NKp46 was required for the killing of all myeloma cell lines analyzed. Thus, DNAM-1 is important in the NK cell-mediated killing of myeloma cells expressing the cognate ligands. The importance of NKp46, NKG2D, and DNAM-1 in myeloma killing mirrors the differential expression of NK cell ligands by myeloma cells, reflecting immune selection during myeloma disease progression.     

The BCR/ABL‐inhibitors imatinib,nilotinib and dasatinib differentially affect NK cell reactivity

In chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), BCR/ABL‐mediated oncogenic signaling can be targeted with the BCR/ABL‐inhibitors Imatinib, Nilotinib and Dasatinib. However, these agents may also affect anti‐tumor immunity. Here, we analyzed the effects of the 3 BCR/ABL‐inhibitors on natural killer (NK) cell reactivity. Exposure of CML cells (K562, Meg‐01) to pharmacological concentrations of Imatinib, Nilotinib and Dasatinib diminished expression of ligands for the activating immunoreceptor NKG2D to a similar extent. This resulted in comparably reduced NK cell cytotoxicity and IFN‐γ production. When direct effects on NK cell responses to K562 and primary CML cells as well as activating cytokines were studied, Dasatinib was found to abrogate NK cytotoxicity and cytokine production. Nilotinib did not alter cytotoxicity but, at high levels, impaired NK cytokine production, while Imatinib had no direct influence on NK cell reactivity. Of note, Nilotinib, but not the other BCR/ABL‐inhibitors increased cell death within the preferentially cytokine‐secreting CD56^brightCD16^? NK cell subset, which may, at least in part, serve to explain the effect of Nilotinib on NK cytokine production. Analysis of NK cell signaling revealed that Dasatinib inhibited proximal signaling events leading to decreased phosphorylation of PI3K and ERK that are crucial for NK cell reactivity. Imatinib and Nilotinib, in contrast, showed no relevant effect on NK cell PI3K or ERK activity. In light of the potential role of NK cells in the immunesurveillance of residual leukemia and for future combinatory immunotherapeutic approaches, our data indicate that choice and dosing of the most suitable BCR/ABL‐inhibitor for a given patient require careful consideration.