Article
Oncology
Raynier Devillier, Boris Calmels, Sophie Guia, Mohammed Taha, Cyril Fauriat, Bechara Mfarrej, Geoffroy Venton, Eric Vivier, Daniel Olive, Christian Chabannon, Didier Blaise, Sophie Ugolini
Summary: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an effective curative option for high-risk hematologic malignancies, but disease recurrence remains a critical issue. NK cell-based immunotherapies offer a promising approach to enhance anti-tumor effects without triggering graft-versus-host disease. This clinical trial demonstrates the safety and potential efficacy of prophylactic donor-derived IL-2 activated NK cell infusion after allo-HSCT for patients with hematologic malignancies.
Article
Immunology
Maite Alvarez, Antonio Pierini, Federico Simonetta, Jeanette Baker, Kristina Maas-Bauer, Toshihito Hirai, Robert S. Negrin
Summary: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is an effective treatment option for hematological malignancies, but often results in severe toxicities. Less aggressive alternatives like NMAC and RIC have limitations including increased cancer relapse and limited persistence of donor chimerism. Strategies for accelerated and more durable donor engraftment are still needed.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Masahiro Ohira, Ryuichi Hotta, Yuka Tanaka, Toshiharu Matsuura, Akin Tekin, Gennaro Selvaggi, Rodrigo Vianna, Camillo Ricordi, Phillip Ruiz, Seigo Nishida, Andreas G. Tzakis, Hideki Ohdan
Summary: The study explored the use of deceased donor liver-derived NK cells to prevent HCC recurrence after LT, suggesting that this treatment could be beneficial in preventing HCC recurrence. All patients who received this immunotherapy completed a follow-up of at least 2 years without evidence of HCC recurrence.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY IMMUNOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Kaito Harada, Shohei Mizuno, Shingo Yano, Akiyoshi Takami, Hiroto Ishii, Kazuhiro Ikegame, Yuho Najima, Shinichi Kako, Takashi Ashida, Souichi Shiratori, Shuichi Ota, Makoto Onizuka, Kentaro Fukushima, Takahiro Fukuda, Tatsuo Ichinohe, Yoshiko Atsuta, Masamitsu Yanada
Summary: Although haploidentical donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) is a valid treatment option for relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the incidence and risk factors for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and the efficacy of haploidentical DLI have not been fully evaluated. Our retrospective analysis showed that a higher CD3(+) cell count was associated with an increased risk of acute GVHD, and preemptive DLI resulted in better overall response.
ANNALS OF HEMATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Mark Gurney, Soumyadipta Kundu, Shubham Pandey, Michael O'Dwyer
Summary: Genome engineered natural killer (NK) cell therapies show promise in cancer immunotherapy. The use of feeder cells and genome editing technologies can enhance the anti-tumor activity of NK cells, but there are still uncertainties and complexities in the interactions between these components.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Katrin Teich, Michael Stadler, Razif Gabdoulline, Jyoti Kandarp, Clara Wienecke, Bennet Heida, Piroska Klement, Konstantin Buttner, Letizia Venturini, Martin Wichmann, Wolfram Puppe, Christian Schultze-Florey, Christian Koenecke, Gernot Beutel, Matthias Eder, Arnold Ganser, Michael Heuser, Felicitas Thol
Summary: Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) can be used to prevent or treat relapse in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). Measurable residual disease (MRD) is a valuable biomarker for predicting the response and outcome of DLI treatment. This retrospective study showed that MRD status before and after DLI treatment is prognostic for event-free survival, overall survival, cumulative incidence of relapse, and relapse-free survival.
Article
Immunology
Manojkumar Gunasekaran, Andrea Difiglia, John Fitzgerald, Robert Hariri, William van der Touw, Tanel Mahlakoiv
Summary: Researchers have found that NK cells derived from human placental hematopoietic stem cells (CYNK) have strong antiviral effects against Influenza A virus (IAV) infection and can enhance the expression of NK cell activating ligands on respiratory epithelial cells. Co-culture of CYNK cells with IAV-infected cells showed increased degranulation and cytotoxicity against the virus.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lillian M. Tran, Camila Macedo, Alan F. Zahorchak, Xinyan Gu, Beth Elinoff, Aatur D. Singhi, Brian Isett, Adriana Zeevi, Megan Sykes, Kevin Breen, Avantika Srivastava, Erin M. Ables, Douglas Landsittel, Mindi A. Styn, Abhinav Humar, Fadi G. Lakkis, Diana M. Metes, Angus W. Thomson
Summary: This study performed long-term monitoring of the use of donor-derived regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg) in live-donor liver transplant patients. The results showed that DCreg infusion could reduce adverse immune responses and help reduce dependence on immunosuppressive drugs.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Hiroki Kawano, Yuko Kawano, Chen Yu, Mark W. LaMere, Matthew J. McArthur, Michael W. Becker, Scott W. Ballinger, Satoshi Gojo, Roman A. Eliseev, Laura M. Calvi
Summary: Mitochondrial dysfunction is common in various conditions, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) transfer may be a promising strategy for treatment. In this study, we successfully expanded mouse hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) ex vivo and observed high engraftment of the donor cells in the host. We also found that HSCs from donor mice could transfer mtDNA to host cells, highlighting the utility of ex vivo expanded HSCs for mitochondrial transfer.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jiaxing Li, Xiao Wang, Jiayu Ding, Yasheng Zhu, Wenjian Min, Wenbing Kuang, Kai Yuan, Chengliang Sun, Peng Yang
Summary: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curative therapy for many diseases. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) source of HSCs has advantages over bone marrow, but has limited dose. Small molecule-mediated HSC expansion has shown promise in overcoming this limitation.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Maryam Hejazi, Congcong Zhang, Sabrina B. Bennstein, Vera Balz, Sarah B. Reusing, Melissa Quadflieg, Keven Hoerster, Stefan Heinrichs, Helmut Hanenberg, Sebastian Oberbeck, Marcus Nitsche, Sophie Cramer, Rita Pfeifer, Pranav Oberoi, Heiko Ruehl, Johannes Oldenburg, Peter Brossart, Peter A. Horn, Florian Babor, Winfried S. Wels, Johannes C. Fischer, Nina Moeker, Markus Uhrberg
Summary: This study reveals a novel functional divergence between NK cell subsets upon in vitro stimulation, marked by CD33 expression. By choosing suitable stimulation protocols, it is possible to preferentially generate CD33(+) NK cells combining efficient target cell killing and cytokine production, or alternatively CD33(-) NK cells, which produce less cytokines but are more efficient in antibody-dependent applications.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Xuefeng Li, Wen Wang, Xin Zhang, Yu Wu
Summary: The regimen of azacitidine and donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) can safely improve the outcomes of relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), especially in patients with signs of early relapse. The administration of targeted medicines in azacitidine-based therapies may further improve the outcomes of relapsed AML/MDS.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Mubin Tarannum, Rizwan Romee, Roman M. Shapiro
Summary: This article summarizes the key challenges and innovative strategies in the clinical application of natural killer cell research.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica Schneider, Leonie Kuhlmann, Yankai Xiao, Solaiman Raha, Gunter Bernhardt, Michael Stadler, Felicitas Thol, Michael Heuser, Matthias Eder, Arnold Ganser, Sarina Ravens, Reinhold Forster, Immo Prinz, Christian Koenecke, Christian R. Schultze-Florey
Summary: Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) can induce durable remission in relapsing patients after alloHSCT, but it carries the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This study analyzed T cells in patients receiving DLI after alloHSCT and found that GVHD was associated with changes in the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. The dynamics of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low) regulatory T cells (T-reg cells) and CD4(+) conventional T cells (T-con cells) TCR repertoire could be helpful in diagnosing and monitoring GVHD following DLI.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Peng Zhao, Ming Ni, Dan Ma, Qin Fang, Yan Zhang, Yanju Li, Yi Huang, Ying Chen, Xiao Chai, Yun Zhan, Yan Li, Qian Kang, Mei Zhao, Min Liu, Fengqi Zhang, Shisi Huang, Shuangshuang Wen, Bo Deng, Jishi Wang
Summary: Venetoclax plus azacitidine and DLI combination therapy showed significant efficacy in treating relapsed AML patients after allo-HSCT, with hematologic system adverse events being the most common, while other system adverse events were relatively fewer and milder, and no serious adverse events were observed.
ANNALS OF HEMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Lena Brandefors, Birgitta Sander, Kristina Lundqvist, Eva Kimby
Summary: The study revealed differences in clinical features between non-WM LPL and WM patients, such as age, prognostic factors, etc., but no significant difference in survival rate.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Quirin Hammer, Josefine Dunst, Wanda Christ, Francesca Picarazzi, Mareike Wendorff, Pouria Momayyezi, Oisin Huhn, Herman K. Netskar, Kimia T. Maleki, Marina Garcia, Takuya Sekine, Ebba Sohlberg, Valerio Azzimato, Myriam Aouadi, Frauke Degenhardt, Andre Franke, Francesco Spallotta, Mattia Mori, Jakob Michaelsson, Niklas K. Bjorkstrom, Timo Rueckert, Chiara Romagnani, Amir Horowitz, Jonas Klingstrom, Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren, Karl-Johan Malmberg
Summary: A viral peptide encoded by the Non-structural protein 13 of SARS-CoV-2 prevents the binding of HLA-E to the inhibitory receptor NKG2A, leading to the activation of NK cells and their ability to limit viral replication. This finding provides insights into the immune response of NK cells against SARS-CoV-2 and its mechanisms.
Review
Immunology
Maria Karvouni, Marcos Vidal-Manrique, Andreas Lundqvist, Evren Alici
Summary: Cell therapy is an innovative approach that involves implanting, infusing, or grafting viable cells into a patient's body to treat damaged or malignant tissues. CAR-T cell therapy, which involves genetically modifying patient T cells to target tumor-specific antigens, has shown high objective response rates in clinical trials. However, T cell toxicity and the challenges of personalized therapy manufacturing limit their widespread use. Recent research suggests that NK cells offer a potentially safer and off-the-shelf treatment alternative.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren, Eivind Heggernes Ask, Martin Cornillet Jeannin, Benedikt Strunz, Puran Chen, Jagadeeswara Rao Muvva, Mira Akber, Marcus Buggert, Benedict J. Chambers, Angelica Cuapio Gomez, Majda Dzidic, Iva Filipovic, Malin Flodstrom-Tullberg, Marina Garcia, Jean-Baptiste Gorin, Sara Gredmark-Russ, Laura Hertwig, Jonas Klingstrom, Efthymia Kokkinou, Egle Kvedaraite, Magda Lourda, Jenny Mjosberg, Christopher Maucourant, Anna Norrby-Teglund, Laura M. Palma Medina, Tiphaine Parrot, Andre Perez-Potti, Andrea Ponzetta, Emma Ringqvist, Olga Rivera-Ballesteros, Olav Rooyackers, Johan K. Sandberg, John Tyler Sandberg, Takuya Sekine, Mattias Svensson, Renata Varnaite, David Wullimann, Lars I. Eriksson, Soo Aleman, Karl-Johan Malmberg, Kristoffer Stralin, Niklas K. Bjorkstrom
Summary: The Karolinska KI/K COVID-19 Immune Atlas project aims to provide a curated dataset on the acute immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans, serving as an open resource for broad research and educational purposes.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Bonnie Bengtsson, Linnea Widman, Staffan Wahlin, Per Stal, Niklas K. Bjorkstrom, Hannes Hagstrom
Summary: The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis varies across subgroups based on etiology, gender, and age, suggesting the need for individually tailored surveillance.
UNITED EUROPEAN GASTROENTEROLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Behnam Sadeghi, Myrese Witkamp, Dominik Schefberger, Anna Arbman, Olle Ringden
Summary: Human placenta-derived decidua stromal cells (DSCs) have been used in clinical trials for the treatment of acute inflammatory diseases, but the mechanisms of action and interaction with other immune cells require further exploration.
Article
Immunology
Martha E. Haugstoyl, Martin Cornillet, Kristina Strand, Natalie Stiglund, Dan Sun, Laurence Lawrence-Archer, Iren D. Hjellestad, Ernesto Sparrelid, Christian Busch, Joran Hjelmesaeth, Jens K. Hertel, Andrea Ponzetta, Gunnar Mellgren, Johan Ferno, Niklas K. Bjorkstrom
Summary: Adipose tissue inflammation is a key factor in the development of obesity-related metabolic disorders, and there is emerging evidence suggesting the involvement of adipose tissue T cells in initiating pro-inflammatory signaling. However, there is limited data on human adipose tissue T cells in obesity, mainly due to the lack of specific markers to define tissue-resident T cell subsets. In this study, we used multicolor flow cytometry and RNA sequencing to thoroughly characterize T cells in both blood and adipose tissue, and identified distinct subsets of T cells associated with obesity, expressing activation markers CD26 and CCR5, as well as obesity-specific genes potentially involved in activating pro-inflammatory pathways such as ceramide signaling, autophagy, and IL-6 signaling. These findings enhance our understanding of the heterogeneity of T cells in adipose tissue and shed light on subsets that may contribute to obesity-related pathogenesis.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Hematology
Zeynep Sena Karahan, Mertkaya Aras, Tolga Sutlu
Summary: The specific retargeting of cytotoxic lymphocytes against tumor-associated antigens has primarily relied on CARs, but this approach is limited to surface antigens. Recent studies suggest that TCR-gene modified NK cells may be a promising alternative for targeting non-surface antigens in anti-tumor therapies.
TURKISH JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Martha E. Haugstoyl, Martin Cornillet, Kristina Strand, Natalie Stiglund, Dan Sun, Laurence Lawrence-Archer, Iren D. Hjellestad, Christian Busch, Gunnar Mellgren, Niklas K. Bjorkstrom, Johan Ferno
Summary: Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in obesity-related inflammation in adipose tissue. However, the phenotype of NK cell subsets in human adipose tissue and their role in metabolic disorders are poorly understood. This study used multicolor flow cytometry to characterize CD56(bright) and CD56(dim) NK cells in blood and adipose tissue of obese individuals, and identified surface proteins enriched on adipose tissue-resident CD56(bright) NK cells. The study provides valuable insights into the identity of NK cells in blood and adipose tissue in relation to obesity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Martin Cornillet, Helen Zemack, Hannes Jansson, Ernesto Sparrelid, Ewa Ellis, Niklas K. Bjorkstrom
Summary: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1ATD) is present in 10.8% of patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC), with no significant clinical differences compared to non-A1ATD BTC. The abundance of A1AT protein is increased in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and is influenced by genomic alterations. A1ATD may be associated with a less aggressive phenotype, while high A1AT expression may contribute to a more aggressive phenotype.
Review
Oncology
Kim M. Linton, Lena Specht, Astrid Pavlovsky, Carrie A. Thompson, Eva Kimby, Daphne de Jong, Loretta J. Nastoupil, Anne-Segolene Cottereau, Carla Casulo, Clementine Sarkozy, Jessica Okosun
Summary: Follicular lymphoma, the most common indolent lymphoma in western countries, has a favorable prognosis but includes high-risk groups with poor outcomes. This review discusses recent updates in risk stratification and treatment approaches, including upfront treatment for limited and advanced stage follicular lymphoma, as well as options for relapsed, refractory disease. It also highlights the need for precise and prospective selection of optimal treatment based on varying risks, which may be achieved through a better understanding of the biology of different phenotypes and improved imaging and biomarker-based tools.
HEMATOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Laura Palma M. Medina, Haris Babacic, Majda Dzidic, Asa Parke, Marina Garcia, Kimia T. Maleki, Christian Unge, Magda Lourda, Egle Kvedaraite, Puran Chen, Jagadeeswara Rao Muvva, Martin Cornillet, Johanna Emgard, Kirsten Moll, Jakob Michaelsson, Malin Flodstrom-Tullberg, Susanna Brighenti, Marcus Buggert, Jenny Mjosberg, Karl-Johan K. Malmberg, Johan Sandberg, Sara Gredmark-Russ, Olav Rooyackers, Mattias J. Svensson, Benedict I. Chambers, Lars Eriksson, Maria K. Pernemalm, Niklas Bjorkstrom, Soo Aleman, Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren, Jonas Klingstrom, Kristoffer Stralin, Anna Norrby-Teglund
Summary: This study explores the plasma proteome profiles in COVID-19 and sepsis patients, revealing similarities and specific differences. Machine learning identifies biomarkers that accurately differentiate COVID-19 from CAP-sepsis, which has significant implications for personalized management of these diseases.
RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Quirin Hammer, Angelica Cuapio, Jonna Bister, Niklas K. Bjoerkstroem, Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren
Summary: Natural killer cells play an important role in the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, with early activation and changes in numbers observed. They exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 through direct cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion. Hyperactivation and misdirected responses of natural killer cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Rima M. Salibaaw, Amin M. Alousia, Joseph Pidala, Mukta Arora, Stephen R. Spellman, Michael T. Hemmer, Tao Wang, Camille Abboudg, Sairah Ahmed, Joseph H. Antin, Amer Beitinjanehi, David K. Buchbinder, Michael Byrne, Jean-Yves Cahn, Hannah Choen, Rabi Hanna, Peiman HemattiP, Rammurti T. Kamble, Carrie L. Kitkor, Mary Laughlin, Lazaros Lekakis, Margaret L. MacMillan, Rodrigo Martino, Parinda A. Mehta, Taiga Nishihori, Sagar S. Patel, Miguel-Angel Perales, Hemalatha G. Rangarajan, Olov Ringden, Joseph Rosenthal, Bipin N. Savani, Kirk R. Schultz, Sachiko Seo, Takanori Teshimaag, Marjolein van der Poela, Leo F. Verdonck, Daniel Weisdorf, Baldeep Wirk, Jean A. Yared, Jeffrey Schriber, Richard E. Champlin, Stefan O. Ciurea
Summary: This retrospective registry study compared the distribution, severity, and outcomes of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in patients receiving haploidentical (Haplo) transplantation with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) prophylaxis and HLA-matched unrelated donor transplantation with conventional prophylaxis. The study found that Haplo/PTCy transplantation was associated with reduced rates of severe acute GvHD and chronic GvHD, particularly in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
TRANSPLANTATION AND CELLULAR THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fatma Betul Oktelik, Vuslat Yilmaz, Metin Yusuf Gelmez, Nilgun Akdeniz, Cevriye Pamukcu, Tolga Sutlu, Murat Kose, Erdem Tuzun, Gunnur Deniz
Summary: The study aimed to analyze the kinetics of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels after COVID-19 infection and evaluate the impact of vaccination on these antibody levels. The findings showed a decrease in antibody levels after 6 months of infection, but vaccination effectively increased the levels.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)