Natural killer cell-based therapies

Allotransplantation of natural killer (NK) cells has been shown to be a key factor in the control and cure of at least some hematologic diseases, such as acute myeloid leukemia or pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia. These results support the idea that stimulation of NK cells could be an important therapeutic tool in many diseases, and several such approaches are now in clinical trials, sometimes with conflicting results. In parallel, recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing NK-cell maturation and activity show that NK-cell effector functions are controlled by complex mechanisms that must be taken into account for optimal design of therapeutic protocols. We review here innovative protocols based on allotransplantation, use of NK-cell therapies, and use of newly available drug candidates targeting NK-cell receptors, in the light of fundamental new data on NK-cell biology

Delivering Three Punches to Knockout Intracellular Bacteria

Cytotoxic lymphocytes kill bacteria-infected cells, but the mechanisms at work remain unclear. Walch et al. show that these lymphocytes deliver a toxic molecular trio in a two-step process, penetrating first the infected cells and then delivering bactericidal granzymes into the intracytoplasmic bacteria

A novel mucosal RORγt+NKp46+ cell subset is a source of interleukin-22

Lymphoid tissue-inducer cells are hematopoietic cells essential for the organogenesis of several lymphoid structures during both fetal and adult life, whereas natural killer cells are key effector lymphocytes of the innate immune system. A series of recent reports has identified RORγt+NKp46+ interleukin-22-producing cells in gut and tonsils that share features with both lymphoid tissue-inducer cells and natural killer cells and that may be involved in mucosal immunity and homeostasis

Crystal Structure of the Human Natural Killer Cell Activating Receptor KIR2DS2 (CD158j)

Killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs) regulate the function of human natural killer and T cell subsets. A feature of the KIR locus is the clustering of homologous genes encoding for inhibitory and activating KIR. Inhibitory and activating KIR differ for ligand specificities and/or affinities. In particular, we show here with KIR tetramers that activating KIR2DS2 does not bind HLA-Cw3 molecules recognized by inhibitory KIR2DL2, despite 99% extracellular amino acid identity. We also report the 2.3-Å structure of KIR2DS2, which reveals subtle displacements of two residues (Tyr45 and Gln71) involved in the interaction of KIR2DL2 with HLA-Cw3. These results show that KIR molecules cannot tolerate any variability in their three-dimensional structure without altering their MHC class I recognition capacities. Therefore, the mode of recognition used by KIR largely differs from the conformational changes that characterize T cell receptor or NKG2D interaction with their respective ligands

B7-H6 : un nouveau signal d’alarme pour les cellules natural killer

International audienc

The discontinuity theory of immunity

Similar to many other biological systems, the immune system can be seen as a change-detection system. According to the discontinuity theory of immunity, the immune system responds to sudden changes in antigenic stimulation and is rendered tolerant by slow or continuous stimulation. This basic principle, which is supported by recent data on immune checkpoints in viral infections, cancers, and allergies, can be seen as a unifying framework for diverse immune responses

Pivotal Role of KARAP/DAP12 Adaptor Molecule in the Natural Killer Cell–mediated Resistance to Murine Cytomegalovirus Infection

Natural killer (NK) cells are major contributors to early defense against infections. Their effector functions are controlled by a balance between activating and inhibiting signals. To date, however, the involvement of NK cell activating receptors and signaling pathways in the defense against pathogens has not been extensively investigated. In mice, several NK cell activating receptors are coexpressed with and function through the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-bearing molecule KARAP/DAP12. Here, we have analyzed the role of KARAP/DAP12 in the early antiviral response to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). In KARAP/DAP12 mutant mice bearing a nonfunctional ITAM, we found a considerable increase in viral titers in the spleen (30–40-fold) and in the liver (2–5-fold). These effects were attributed to NK cells. The formation of hepatic inflammatory foci appeared similar in wild-type and mutant mice, but the latter more frequently developed severe hepatitis with large areas of focal necrosis. Moreover, the percentage of hepatic NK cells producing interferon γ was reduced by 56 ± 22% in the absence of a functional KARAP/DAP12. This is the first study that shows a crucial role for a particular activating signaling pathway, in this case the one induced through KARAP/DAP12, in the NK cell–mediated resistance to an infection. Our results are discussed in relation to recent reports demonstrating that innate resistance to MCMV requires the presence of NK cells expressing the KARAP/DAP12-associated receptor Ly49H

Education of Murine NK Cells Requires Both cis and trans Recognition of MHC Class I Molecules.

Although NK cells use invariant receptors to identify diseased cells, they nevertheless adapt to their environment, including the presence of certain MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules. This NK cell education, which is mediated by inhibitory receptors specific for MHC-I molecules, changes the responsiveness of activating NK cell receptors (licensing) and modifies the repertoire of MHC-I receptors used by NK cells. The fact that certain MHC-I receptors have the unusual capacity to recognize MHC-I molecules expressed by other cells (trans) and by the NK cell itself (cis) has raised the question regarding possible contributions of the two types of interactions to NK cell education. Although the analysis of an MHC-I receptor variant suggested a role for cis interaction for NK cell licensing, adoptive NK cell transfer experiments supported a key role for trans recognition. To reconcile some of these findings, we have analyzed the impact of cell type-specific deletion of an MHC-I molecule and of a novel MHC-I receptor variant on the education of murine NK cells when these mature under steady-state conditions in vivo. We find that MHC-I expression by NK cells (cis) and by T cells (trans), and MHC-I recognition in cis and in trans, are both needed for NK cell licensing. Unexpectedly, modifications of the MHC-I receptor repertoire are chiefly dependent on cis binding, which provides additional support for an essential role for this unconventional type of interaction for NK cell education. These data suggest that two separate functions of MHC-I receptors are needed to adapt NK cells to self-MHC-I

The Role of Natural Killer Cells in Sepsis

Severe sepsis and septic shock are still deadly conditions urging to develop novel therapies. A better understanding of the complex modifications of the immune system of septic patients is needed for the development of innovative immunointerventions. Natural killer (NK) cells are characterized as CD3−NKp46+CD56+ cells that can be cytotoxic and/or produce high amounts of cytokines such as IFN-γ. NK cells are also engaged in crosstalks with other immune cells, such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. During the early stage of septic shock, NK cells may play a key role in the promotion of the systemic inflammation, as suggested in mice models. Alternatively, at a later stage, NK cells-acquired dysfunction could favor nosocomial infections and mortality. Standardized biological tools defining patients' NK cell status during the different stages of sepsis are mandatory to guide potential immuno-interventions. Herein, we review the potential role of NK cells during severe sepsis and septic shock