EZH1/2 Inhibitors Favor ILC3 Development from Human HSPC-CD34+ Cells

Simple Summary It has been well-demonstrated that EZH1/2 enzymes are involved not only in tumor development and progression, but also in the regulation of normal hematopoiesis from CD34(+)-HSPC. Given the crucial role of NK cells in tumor immune surveillance, in this study, we investigated whether EZH1/2 inhibitors can interfere with NK cell differentiation and functional maturation. Our results suggest that EZH1/2 inhibitors push CD56(+) precursor proliferation, skewing precursor cell lineage commitment towards ILC3. In recent years, several clinical trials on the use of EZH1/2 inhibitors against solid tumors have been carried out. Since these in vitro observations revealed possible epigenetic mechanisms involved in NK/ILC development, it is important to evaluate patient monitoring of competent NK cells repertoire in order to design appropriate therapeutic protocols. The dysregulation of epigenetic modifications has a well-established role in the development and progression of hematological malignancies and of solid tumors. In this context, EZH1/2 inhibitors have been designed to interfere with EZH1/2 enzymes involved in histone methylation (e.g., H3K27me3), leading to tumor growth arrest or the restoration of tumor suppressor gene transcription. However, these compounds also affect normal hematopoiesis, interfering with self-renewal and differentiation of CD34(+)-Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells (HSPC), and, in turn, could modulate the generation of potential anti-tumor effector lymphocytes. Given the important role of NK cells in the immune surveillance of tumors, it would be useful to understand whether epigenetic drugs can modulate NK cell differentiation and functional maturation. CD34(+)-HSPC were cultured in the absence or in the presence of the EZH1/2 inhibitor UNC1999 and EZH2 inhibitor GSK126. Our results show that UNC1999 and GSK126 increased CD56(+) cell proliferation compared to the control condition. However, UNC1999 and GSK 126 favored the proliferation of no-cytotoxic CD56(+)ILC3, according to the early expression of the AHR and ROR-gamma t transcription factors. Our results describe novel epigenetic mechanisms involved in the modulation of NK cell maturation that may provide new tools for designing NK cell-based immunotherapy.

Automated summary

EZH1/2 enzymes play a critical role in tumor development and hematopoiesis, with inhibitors potentially affecting NK cell differentiation and function. Clinical trials on EZH1/2 inhibitors against solid tumors are ongoing, but these inhibitors may also impact hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and the generation of anti-tumor lymphocytes.