Enhanced natural killer cell activity is found in exposed uninfected recipients of hepatitis C-contaminated blood.

A minority of injecting drug users, termed exposed uninfected, are resistant to hepatitis C (HCV) infection despite repeated low-dose exposures. We identify for the first time a cohort of blood recipients who remained uninfected despite large-dose exposure to HCV-contaminated blood and characterize immune factors that may confer protection. Of 1340 blood recipients from the English Look Back database who were transfused HCV-contaminated blood, we identified 8 who remained uninfected. In these 8 exposed uninfecteds, we characterized their natural killer (NK) cell populations and HCV-specific T-cell responses. Findings were compared with 10 spontaneous resolvers of HCV infection, 10 patients with chronic HCV infection and 10 healthy controls. Exposed uninfecteds had significantly greater numbers of NK cells with the activating receptor NKp30+ on CD56bright and CD56dim subsets compared with other groups (P < .05). Following interleukin-2 activation, NK cells of exposed uninfecteds had enhanced cytotoxicity that positively correlated with NKp30 expression (P = .02). Differences in NKp80 and KIR2DL3 expression were also observed. HCV-specific T-cell responses were observed in some exposed uninfecteds but of low amplitude. Exposure without infection following transfusion of HCV-contaminated blood is a very rare phenomenon and suggests a high level of resistance to infection. Enhanced NK cell activation and killing, with weak HCV-specific T-cell responses, were observed many years after exposure in uninfected recipients and may contribute to protection from HCV acquisition, although additional protective factors are being sought in this important cohort.

STAT4-associated natural killer cell tolerance following liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Natural killer (NK) cells are important mediators of liver inflammation in chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate why liver transplants (LTs) are not rejected by NK cells in the absence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching, and to identify a tolerogenic NK cell phenotype. DESIGN: Phenotypic and functional analyses on NK cells from 54 LT recipients were performed, and comparisons made with healthy controls. Further investigation was performed using gene expression analysis and donor:recipient HLA typing. RESULTS: NK cells from non-HCV LT recipients were hypofunctional, with reduced expression of NKp46 (p<0.05) and NKp30 (p<0.001), reduced cytotoxicity (p<0.001) and interferon (IFN)-γ secretion (p<0.025). There was no segregation of this effect with HLA-C, and these functional changes were not observed in individuals with HCV. Microarray and RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated downregulation of STAT4 in NK cells from LT recipients (p<0.0001). Changes in the expression levels of the transcription factors Helios (p=0.06) and Hobit (p=0.07), which control NKp46 and IFNγ expression, respectively, were also detected. Hypofunctionality of NK cells was associated with impaired STAT4 phosphorylation and downregulation of the STAT4 target microRNA-155. Conversely in HCV-LT NK cell tolerance was reversed, consistent with the more aggressive outcome of LT for HCV. CONCLUSIONS: LT is associated with transcriptional and functional changes in NK cells, resulting in reduced activation. NK cell tolerance occurs upstream of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I mediated education, and is associated with deficient STAT4 phosphorylation. STAT4 therefore represents a potential therapeutic target to induce NK cell tolerance in liver disease.

Increased expressions of NKp44, NKp46 on NK/NKT-like cells are associated with impaired cytolytic function in self-limiting hepatitis E infection.

We have characterized the NK/NKT-like cells in patients with self-limiting hepatitis E infection. The distribution of peripheral NK/NKT-like cells, expressions of activation receptors, cytotoxic potential and effector function of NK/NKT-like cells from fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 86 acute patients, 101 recovered and 54 control individuals were assessed. Activated NKT-like (CD16(+) CD56(+) CD3(+)) cells were high in the patient groups. On CD56(+) CD3(-) cells, NKp44 and NKp46 expressions were high in the acute patients, whereas NKp30, NKp44, NKp46 and NKG2D were high in the recovered individuals. On CD56(+) CD3(+) cells, NKp44, NKp46 and NKG2D expressions were high in the recovered but NKp30 was low in both the patient groups. Collectively, the current study elucidates the role of NK/NKT-like cells demonstrating phenotypic alterations of activated NKT-like cells and activation receptors, lack of CD107a expression and functional impairment of peripheral NK/NKT-like cells in self-limiting hepatitis E infection.

Flow cytometry in detection of abnormalities of natural killer cell.

The population of natural killer (NK) cells is very heterogeneous and plays a role in the immune system. Several NK cells subpopulations are recognized, differing in phenotype, cytokine release and cytotoxic ability. Different expression of biologically relevant molecules on the surface of NK cells may indicate their multiple functions. The activity of NK cells has mainly to do with their cytotoxic nature. A complete analysis of NK cells function requires application of many tests because a defect may be present at different stages of the cytotoxic process, from signal transduction through lysosome degranulation to target cells destruction. Flow cytometry is actually one of the best methods for the identification of NK cells and tracking their defects.

Altered functions of natural killer cells in response to L-Arginine availability.

L-Arginine (L-Arg) availability is crucial in the regulation of immune response. Indeed, L-Arg deficiency induces T-cell dysfunction and could modulate the properties of natural killer (NK) cells involved in the early host defense against infections and tumors. We explored the impact of L-Arg depletion on NK cell functions using two models - an NK-92 cell line and isolated human blood NK cells. Below 5mg/L of L-Arg, NK-92 cell proliferation was decreased and a total L-Arg depletion reduced NK-92 cell viability. NK cell cytotoxicity was significantly inhibited in presence of low L-Arg concentration (2.5 mg/L). L-Arg depletion reduced the expression of NK-92 activating receptors, NKp46 and NKp30, the expression of NK ζ chain and the NK-92 intracellular production of IFN-γ. Whatever the L-Arg concentrations tested, no significant variation in the gene expression of transporters and enzymes involved in L-Arg metabolism was found. Thus, L-Arg availability modulates the phenotypic and functional properties of NK cells.

Viral load reduction improves activation and function of natural killer cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Natural killer (NK) cells play a major role in anti-viral immunity as first line defense and regulation of virus-specific T cell responses. This study aimed to investigate phenotype and function of NK cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and to study the effect of anti-viral therapy. METHODS: Peripheral blood NK cells from 40 chronic HBV patients were compared to NK cells of 25 healthy controls. The effect of entecavir-induced viral load reduction on NK cell phenotype and function was investigated in 15 chronic HBV patients. RESULTS: NK cell numbers and subset distribution did not differ between HBV patients and normal subjects. In chronic HBV patients, the cytotoxic capacity was retained, but NK cell activation and subsequent IFNγ and TNFα production, especially of the CD56(dim) subset, were strongly hampered. This functional dichotomy was paralleled by an altered activation state, elevated expression of NKG2A, and downregulated expression of CD16 and NKp30, which correlated with serum HBV-DNA load. Anti-viral therapy partially restored NK cell phenotype, as shown by NKG2A downregulation. Moreover, viral replication inhibition improved IFNγ production as a result of an increased ability of CD56(dim) NK cells to become activated de novo. This improved NK cell activation and function which correlated with therapy-induced reduction in serum ALT levels, but not HBV-DNA load. CONCLUSIONS: The specific defect in CD56(dim) NK cell activation and the reduced capacity to produce anti-viral and Th1-skewing cytokines may play a role in HBV persistence. Restoration of this NK cell cytokine-producing capacity, as achieved by viral load reduction, could therefore contribute to definite clearance of the virus.

Effect of Combined HCV Therapy on Natural Killer Cell Activity.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major health problem all over the world with the highest prevalence reported in Egypt. Various treatment regimens have been developed over the last years. Interferon (IFN) based regimen was the standard of care regimen and then the IFN-free therapies were emerged. Host innate immunity through the activity of natural killer (NK) cell is one of the major players in competing infections and tumors, by producing perforin and granzymes that cause cytolysis of target cells, or by the production of various cytokines such as natural interferon gamma. Natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs), including Nkp30, Nkp44 and Nkp46, are a group of activating receptors that almost have restricted expression on the surface of NK cells and their density correlates with NK cytotoxicity. The role of these cells is not fully elucidated in patients with chronic HCV infection either treatment-naive or treatment experienced. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the change that occurs in NK cell activity and cytotoxicity in response to successful elimination of HCV from blood after triple therapy with PEG-IFN-α, ribavirin and sofosbuvir. A total of 56 (50 male: 6 female) HCV patients with mean age of 41.6± 12.1 years were included in this study. They were divided into two groups: treatment naive group (20 patients) and the sustained virologic response (SVR) group (36 patients). All patients were investigated for their NK cell profile, NCRs, perforin and granzyme B expression by flow cytometry. Data was expressed as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). Results revealed significant increase in MFI of granzyme B (P=0.001) and decrease in MFI of NKp30 (P=0.042) in the SVR group as compared to treatment naïve group. These findings indicated that triple therapy of HCV (IFN, Ribavirin and Sofosbuvir) effected NK activation and cytotoxicity.

Profile of natural killer cells after a previous natural Vaccinia virus infection in an in vitro viral re-exposure.

The present study compares the profile of NK cells in an in vitro re-exposure by Vaccinia virus (VACV), in groups that have had a previous vaccination or natural infection. Our data suggests that stimulation with VACV triggers a cytotoxic response by NK cells marked by an increase of NCRs: NKp30, NKp44, and NKp46 in infected (vaccinated and unvaccinated) subjects and in non-infected vaccinated patients, when compared with non-infected unvaccinated individuals. However, the degranulation and secretion processes are inhibited in infected (vaccinated and unvaccinated) subjects and in the non-infected vaccinated patients, when compared with non-infected unvaccinated individuals. We demonstrated that stimulation with VACV downregulates the percentage of expression of Perforin, Granzyme A, and CD107a, but upregulate CD94 in infected (vaccinated and unvaccinated) subjects and in non-infected vaccinated patients, when compared with non-infected unvaccinated individuals. Furthermore, the percentage of IFN-γ(+) NK cells was significantly lower in non-infected unvaccinated subjects, when compared with infected (vaccinated and unvaccinated) and non-infected vaccinated individuals. Our results also show that the percentage of TNF-α(+) NK cells was significantly higher in infected (vaccinated and unvaccinated) subjects and in non-infected vaccinated patients, when compared with non-infected unvaccinated individuals, after in vitro stimulation with UV-inactivated VACV. Our data suggest that the expression of NCRs NKp30, NKp44, NKp46 and cytokines by NK cells are important in the innate response against VACV.

B7-H6 expression in non-small cell lung cancers.

B7 family has been known to be a negative regulator of immunity response in patients with lung cancer. B7-H6 as a novel identified member of B7 family is found to trigger natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion by binding natural cytotoxicity receptor NKp30. Up until now, no investigations have been made about B7-H6 expression in lung cancer. We present the result of the B7-H6 prognostic value in 65 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and 65 matched adjacent non-tumor tissues by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Meanwhile, fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis was used to detect B7-H6 receptor NKp30 expression in 7 non-small cell lung cancer tissues and 7 adjacent non-tumor tissues. Here, the result showed B7-H6 immunoreactivity in 6/65 (9.23%) lung cancer patients and 4/65 (6.15%) in adjacent non-tumor tissues. No relationship was found between B7-H6 expression and clinic pathological features. Similarly, no relevance was found for NKp30 expression in lung cancer tissues and non-tumor tissues. However, B7-H6 positive carcinomas were significantly correlated with degree of differentiation (P = 0.044). Three year survival rate after operation did not show the prognostic value for B7-H6 expression. Our study suggests that B7-H6 has a limited value as a prognostic marker in the patients of lung cancer.

[Expression and significance of the NK cell receptors in primary hepatocellular carcinoma and paracancerous tissues].

AIM: To investigate the expression of the activating and inhibitory receptors on the surface of NK cells of primary hepatocellular carcinoma and its adjacent tissues, and the relationship between these two receptors and occurrence and development of primary liver cancer was analyzed. METHODS: The number and activity of the NK cells, the expression of the activating and the inhibitory receptors on the surface of those cells were detected flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, which were obtained from 52 cases of primary hepatocellular carcinoma and its adjacent tissues. The relative analysis was done between those results and clinical relative factors. RESULTS: In the tissues of primary hepacellular carcinoma, the number of NK cells is lower than that in the adjacent tissues obviously (P<0.01); the expression of activating receptors, NKG2D and NKP44, is also lower than that in the adjacent tissues obviously (P<0.05); the expression of inhibitory receptors, CD158b and CD159a, is significantly higher than that in the adjacent tissues (P<0.05). A negative correlation was found between the expression of NKG2D, NKP30 and NKP44 and the clinical stage of the liver cancer. The expression of NKG2D, NKP30 and NKP44 was higher in patients with early and middle stages (P<0.05). The content of the inhibitory receptors of NK cells, CD158b and CD159a, is higher in tissues from patients with advanced cancer stage (P<0.05). That's also correlated with the level of AFP and the HBsAg. There is no significant statistical difference between the expression of NK receptors and the distant metastasis, tumor differentiation as well as the tumor size (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The decrease of NK cell numbers and the activating NK cell receptors and the increase of the inhibitory receptors would be relevant to the incidence of primary hepacellular carcinoma.