Academic literature on the topic 'KIR3DL1 Receptors'

Purpose In patients with neuroblastoma (NB), treatment with anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) directs natural killer (NK) cell–mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against tumor cells. However, tumor cytotoxicity is attenuated by ligation of inhibitory killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) by HLA class I molecules. KIR3DL1 polymorphism influences its ability to engage HLA-Bw4 ligands. We tested the hypothesis that poorly interacting combinations of KIR3DL1 and HLA ligands are more permissive of mAb-mediated antitumor effect. Methods KIR3DL1 and HLA-B subtyping were performed with a multiplex intermediate-resolution polymerase chain reaction assay for a cohort of 245 patients who were treated with antibody 3F8 for high-risk NB. Patient outcomes were analyzed according to expected degree of interaction between KIR3DL1 and HLA-B subtypes and grouped as strong, weak, or noninteractors. A comparison of NK response to 3F8 mAb opsonized NB cells between strong- and noninteracting donors was performed by flow cytometry. Results KIR3DL1 and HLA-B subtype combinations associated with noninteraction as a result of lack of receptor expression [KIR3DL1(−)], failure of interaction with inhibitory ligands [KIR3DS1(+)], or absence of KIR ligands resulted in significantly improved overall and progression-free survival. Patients with KIR3DL1 and HLA-B subtype combinations that were predictive of weak interaction had superior outcomes compared with those that were predictive of strong interaction; however, both groups were inferior to those with noninteracting subtype combinations. In vitro analysis of 3F8-mediated ADCC showed that KIR3DL1(−) and 3DS1(+) NK cells were insensitive to inhibition by HLA-Bw4–expressing NB targets. Conclusion We conclude that KIR3LD1 and HLA-B allele combinations can have a prognostic impact on patient survival after treatment with anti-GD2 mAb that relies on NK-ADCC. The survival advantage seen in noninteracting combinations supports the therapeutic disinhibition of individuals with strongly interacting KIR and ligand pairs.

ABSTRACT NK cells are critical in the early containment of viral infections. Epidemiological and functional studies have shown an important role of NK cells expressing specific killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) in the control of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, but little is known about the mechanisms that determine the expansion of these antiviral NK cell populations during acute HIV-1 infection. Here we demonstrate that NK cells expressing the activating receptor KIR3DS1+ and, to a lesser extent, the inhibitory receptor KIR3DL1+ specifically expand in acute HIV-1 infection in the presence of HLA-B Bw480I, the putative HLA class I ligand for KIR3DL1/3DS1. These data demonstrate for the first time the HLA class I subtype-dependent expansion of specific KIR+ NK cells during an acute viral infection in humans.

ABSTRACTKiller cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) play an important role in the activation of natural killer (NK) cells, which in turn contribute to the effective immune control of many viral infections. In the context of HIV infection, the closely related KIR3DL1 and KIR3DS1 molecules, in particular, have been associated with disease outcome. Inhibitory signals via KIR3DL1 are disrupted by downregulation of HLA class I ligands on the infected cell surface and can also be impacted by changes in the presented peptide repertoire. In contrast, the activatory ligands for KIR3DS1 remain obscure. We used a structure-driven approach to define the characteristics of HLA class I-restricted peptides that interact with KIR3DL1 and KIR3DS1. In the case of HLA-B*57:01, we used this knowledge to identify bona fide HIV-derived peptide epitopes with similar properties. Two such peptides facilitated productive interactions between HLA-B*57:01 and KIR3DS1. These data reveal the presence of KIR3DS1 ligands within the HIV-specific peptide repertoire presented by a protective HLA class I allotype, thereby enhancing our mechanistic understanding of the processes that enable NK cells to impact disease outcome.IMPORTANCENatural killer (NK) cells are implicated as determinants of immune control in many viral infections, but the precise molecular mechanisms that initiate and control these responses are unclear. The activating receptor KIR3DS1 in combination with HLA-Bw4 has been associated with better outcomes in HIV infection. However, evidence of a direct interaction between these molecules is lacking. In this study, we demonstrate that KIR3DS1 recognition of HLA-Bw4 is peptide dependent. We also identify HIV-derived peptide epitopes presented by the protective HLA-B*57:01 allotype that facilitate productive interactions with KIR3DS1. Collectively, these findings suggest a mechanism whereby changes in the peptide repertoire associated with viral infection provide a trigger for KIR3DS1 engagement and NK cell activation.

Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIRs) form a group of regulatory molecules that modulate cytolytic activity of natural killer cells and T cells through interaction with specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules on target cells. KIRs are encoded by the family of 16 homologous genes that vary substantially between haplotypes and display sequence polymorphism with allelic variation that also contributes to diversity within the complex. The aim of the study is to estimate two locus linkage disequilibrium for 16 KIR loci. In this study, we report the evaluation of KIR gene content, allele, haplotype and genotype frequencies in 175 unrelated healthy individuals from Vojvodina who were KIR typed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers genotyping assay. The linkage disequilibrium (LD) was studied at the structural level (presence or absence of 16 KIR genes). Our results revealed that linkage disequilibrium is present between telomeric gene pairs KIR2DL1~KIR2DL4, KIR2DP1~KIR2DL4, KIR2DP1~KIR3DL1, KIR2DL1~KIR3DL2, KIR2DP1~KIR3DL2, KIR2DL4~KIR3DL1, KIR2DL4~KIR2DS4, KIR2DL4~KIR3DL2 where (r2=1), but positive association between KIR genes, with higher observed than expected haplotype frequencies were observed for KIR3DS1~KIR2DS1 and KIR2DL5~KIR2DS1 pair of genes (r2=0.646) and (r2=0.371), respectively. Thirty-eight different genotypes were identified, where 12% of the individuals have unique genotype, present in only one person. Our results will help to understand the genetic background of the Vojvodina population, in illustrating the population migration events in the northern part of Serbia, in explaining the extensive genetic admixture amongst the different ethnic groups of the region and also in KIR-related disease studies.

KIR3DL1 is among the most interesting receptors studied, within the killer immunoglobulin receptor (KIR) family. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I Bw4 epitope inhibits strongly Natural Killer (NK) cell’s activity through interaction with KIR3DL1 receptor, while Bw6 generally does not. This interaction has been indicated to play an important role in the immune control of different viral infectious diseases. However, the structural interaction between the KIR3DL1 receptor and different HLA-B alleles has been scarcely studied. To understand the complexity of KIR3DL1-HLA-B interaction, HLA-B alleles carrying Bw4/Bw6 epitope and KIR3DL1*001 allele in presence of different peptides has been evaluated by using a structural immunoinformatic approach. Different energy minimization force fields (ff) have been tested and NOVA ff enables the successful prediction of ligand-receptor interaction. HLA-B alleles carrying Bw4 epitope present the highest capability of interaction with KIR3DL1*001 compared to the HLA-B alleles presenting Bw6. The presence of the epitope Bw4 determines a conformational change which leads to a stronger interaction between nonpolymorphic arginine at position 79 of HLA-B and KIR3DL1*001 136–142 loop. The data shed new light on the modalities of KIR3DL1 interaction with HLA-B alleles essential for the modulation of NK immune-mediated response.

Background/Objective: The receptors of natural killer cells "Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor" (KIR) regulate the activity of Natural killer cells in the innate response against viral infections. To date there is no accurate method to identify high risk groups for cirrhosis and HCC in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this investigation was undertaken to assess the association between KIR genes frequencies and chronic infection HBV infection in Burkina Faso’s population. Methods: Chronic HBV carriers and healthy patients were selected for this study. The viral load for HBV were performed to confirm the serological status for HBV of the studied cohort. In addition, SSP-PCR was used to characterize the frequencies of KIR genes.Results: The study suggested that inhibitory genes KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3 and activator gene KIR2DS2 (p˂0.001 for all and OR = 2.82; 2.48 and 3.84 respectively) might be associated with chronic stages of HBV infection. While inhibitory genes KIR3DL1 (p = 0.0018 OR = 0.49), KIR3DL2 (p = 0.005 OR = 0.40), the activator gene KIR2DS1 (p = 0.014 OR = 0.47) and the pseudo gene KIR2DP1 (p = 0.011 OR = 0.49) could be associated with immunity against HBV infection. Patients who carried the KIR3DL2 gene had a high HBV viral load compared to the rest of the study population. Conclusion: Our data showed an evidence of correlation between the propensity of developing chronic HBV infection and certain KIR gene frequencies and that KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, KIR2DS1 and KIR2DP1 might confer a protective status against chronic HBV infection in Burkina Faso’s patients.

Abstract We have previously associated high natural killer (NK)–cell activity and protection against HIV-1 infection in Vietnamese exposed uninfected intravascular drug users (EUs). Considering that activating and inhibitory signals sensed by NK-cell receptors regulate NK-cell activation, we performed phenotypic and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) transcript analyses of the NK-cell receptor (NKR) repertoire in 25 EUs, 19 HIV+ intravenous drug users, and 26 uninfected blood donors. Although NK-cell activation was not linked to a unique NKR repertoire in EUs, various patterns consistent with NK-cell activation were detected in EUs: high KIR3DS1/KIR3DL1 ratio associated with down-regulated KIR3DL1 transcript levels, KIR2DL3+ low-affinity receptor expansion associated to group HLA-C1 ligand in 2DS2−/2DL2− EUs, enhanced NKG2C/NKG2A ratio, and increased CD69 expression. Remarkably, EUs exhibited high constitutive degranulation activity in the absence of exogenous stimulation, as shown by the CD107a assay. Furthermore, CD161 expression was increased within the CD107a+ NK-cell compartment. Our results suggest that in response to viral exposition, particular genetic or regulated features of the NKR repertoire of EUs contribute to their high constitutive NK-cell potential. This might allow NK cells to generate a more rapid and effective immune response to HIV-1, thereby contributing to prevention toward infection.

Abstract KIRs (Killer cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors) are expressed on NK (Natural Killer) cells and a subpopulation of T lymphocytes namely memory CD8+ T cells. The distribution of KIR genes varies among individuals and populations. These genes are encoded on chromosome 19 (19q13.4). Till now 17 KIR genes and pseudogenes have been identified. KIRs recognise groups of HLA class I alleles. NK activity is partially controlled through the interaction between KIRs and their HLA ligands. Several studies report that KIRs may affect the outcome of Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantations. We performed KIR typing of 17 genes and pseudogenes in 100 healthy Belgian unrelated individuals in “West-Vlaanderen” from Caucasoid origin using a PCR-SSP method. Three genes (KIR3DL3, 2DL4 and 3DL2), named frame-work genes, and the pseudogene 3DP1 were found in all individuals. KIR2DL1 and 2DP1 genes were present in a frequency of 99%. In addition, KIR3DL1 and 2DS4 genes represented a frequency of 97. The KIR2DL3 was found in 90% and the frequencies of other genes varied between 56% and 24%. The individual KIR gene content ranged from 8 to 17 genes. A total of 19 KIR locus profiles was observed. The most common KIR locus profile (32%) consisted of a combination of genes characterising A haplotypes (KIR2DL1 and 2DL3) without the presence of genes characteristic of B haplotypes (KIR2DL2 and 2DS2). The second most common KIR locus profile, accounting for 20% contained a combination of genes characteristics for both A and B haplotypes. The allele KIR2DS4*003 was found in 89% and KIR2DS4*00101/00102/002 only in 41%. KIR3DP1*00301/00302 was present in all individuals and KIR3DP1*001/002 only in 35%. Our results show that frequencies of most KIR loci in our Belgian population were comparable to literature data of other Caucasian populations. Only KIR2DS1 was lower (27% vs 47.7% with a p-value of 0.0002). In the future, KIR typing of donor and patient before a Hematopoietic Stem-cell Transplantation may be necessary, due to the diversity in KIR genotypes.

AbstractObjectivesA cluster of specialized KIR genes of specialized KIR genes has been shown to be associated with susceptibility or resistance to viral infections in humans. Therefore, this pilot study, this pilot investigation sought to determine the frequencies of KIR genes human immunodeficiency virus type 1( HIV-1) patients and establish their potential clinical involvement in disease progression and staging.MethodsHIV-1 infected and healthy individuals were selected for this study. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV antibodies and anti-HIV-1/2 antibody/ antigen were screened using a 4th generation ELISA assay (Cobas e 411 Analyzer, Roche Diagnostics GmbH Mannheim, Germany). SSP-PCR was used to evaluate the frequencies of KIR genes. CD4+ T counts and HIV-1 viral load were measured in patients using respectively BD FACSCount and Abbott m2000rt instruments.ResultsWe found a significant association between the frequencies of KIR2DL2 (OR=4.41; p < 0.001), KIR2DS2 (OR=4.76; p < 0.001), KIR2DS3 (OR=2.27; p=0.004), KIR2DS4 (OR=1.76; p=0.026), KIR3DS1 (OR=2.43; p=0.016) and HIV-1 infection; whilst the KIR3DL1 gene (OR= 0.39; p < 0.001) was associated with protection against HIV-1 infection. HIV-1 replication was found to be associated with the presence of KIR2DS2 (OR=6.08, p = 0.024). In contrary the pseudogene KIR2DP1 (OR=0.39; p=0.026) were linked to a protective status with the highest number of lymphocyte T CD4 counts.ConclusionOur data showed that KIR2DL2, KIR2DS2, KIR2DS3, KIR2DS4, and KIR3DS1 were significantly associated with HIV-1 infection whereas KIR3DL1 was associated with protection against HIV-1 infection. Further investigations are needed to fully comprehend the clinical significance of KIR genes in HIV disease progression.

Objectives:To assess the possible association of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes, specifically KIR3DL1, KIR3DS1 and KIR3DL2, with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Methods:14 KIR genes were genotyped in 200 UK patients with AS and 405 healthy controls using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes were used to subtype 368 cases with AS and 366 controls for 12 KIR3DL2 alleles. Differences in KIR genotypes and KIR3DL2 allele frequencies were assessed using the χ2 test.Results:KIR3DL1 and KIR3DS1 gene frequencies were very similar in cases with AS and controls (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval 0.8 to 3.0, and odds ratio = 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.2 to 5.3, respectively). KIR3DL2 allele frequencies were not significantly different between cases with AS and controls.Conclusions:Neither the KIR gene content of particular KIR haplotypes nor KIR3DL2 polymorphisms contribute to AS.

A evolução do conhecimento sobre o HIV e seus efeitos sobre as diferentes células do sistema imune possibilitaram a criação e o aperfeiçoamento de um grande arsenal terapêutico. Atualmente, a sobrevida de casos recém-­ diagnosticados é medida em décadas; entretanto, alguns pacientes não apresentam recuperação do sistema imune após a agressão inicial sofrida pelo vírus, a despeito de tratamento adequado. As células NK são identificadas como componentes da imunidade inata, responsáveis pelo combate a infecções virais e tumores. Elas são divididas em CD56dim e CD56hi, com diferentes capacidades citotóxicas e de produção de citocinas; uma terceira subpopulação composta por células CD56neg está presente em proporções mínimas em adultos saudáveis, porém tem maior importância em neonatos e está expandida em indivíduos cronicamente infectados pelo HIV, podendo ser identificada pelos marcadores CD7 e CD16. Dentre diversos outros, as células NK expressam receptores ativadores e inibitórios chamados KIR, que interagem com moléculas HLA, identificando células próprias e aquelas que reduzem sua expressão como mecanismo de escape imunológico; a interação entre KIR e HLA tem papel na evolução clínica da infecção por HIV/AIDS, particularmente envolvendo o receptor KIR3DL1. PD-­ 1 é um checkpoint do sistema imunológico que pode ter sua expressão aumentada em tumores e infecções virais crônicas. A expressão de PD-­1 em células T correlaciona-­se a marcadores prognósticos na infecção por HIV/AIDS; sua expressão em células NK já foi documentada, porém temos poucas informações a respeito. Este trabalho buscou detalhar a expressão de PD-­1 e seu ligante PD-­L1 em células NK e monócitos em participantes infectados pelo HIV e controles. Foram recrutados participantes diagnosticados e acompanhados desde a infecção aguda, participantes diagnosticados após um intervalo de tempo desconhecido desde a soroconversão e controles não infectados sob alto risco por exposição sexual. As amostras foram processadas a fresco no LIM-­60; PD-­1 e outros marcadores foram analisados por citometria de fluxo multicor. A expressão de PD-­1 em células NK correlacionou-­se a contagens de células T CD4+ e expressão de PD-­1 em células T nos participantes infectados; dentre estes, os participantes seguidos desde a infecção aguda tiveram menor expressão de PD-­1. Os participantes seguidos desde a infecção aguda tiveram ainda menor expressão de PD-­L1 em monócitos quando comparados aos participantes diagnosticados em fase desconhecida da doença, e também quando comparados aos controles não infectados. Houve aumento expressivo da proporção de células KIR3DL1+ entre as células CD56neg nos participantes infectados em comparação ao grupo não infectado. Concluímos que a expressão de PD-­1 em células NK está aumentada em pessoas infectadas pelo HIV e correlaciona-­se a outros parâmetros imunológicos, como contagem de células T CD4+ e expressão de PD-­1 em células T. A exaustão das células NK pode, portanto, contribuir para o dano imunológico causado pelo HIV e pode ser explorada como um alvo para novas modalidades terapêuticas
The expansion of our knowledge about the HIV and its effects on the entire immune system has led the development of a vast therapeutic arsenal. Survival for newly diagnosed cases is now measured in decades;? some patients, however, never recover full immune function following the initial aggression inflicted by HIV, despite adequate treatment. NK cells are identified as innate immunity components, responsible for fighting viral infections and tumors. They are separated in CD56dim and CD56hi cells, which present different cytotoxicity and cytokine production capacity. A third distinct subpopulation constituted by CD56neg cells can be found in minimal counts in healthy adults, but is present in newborns and is expanded in chronically HIV-­ infected subjects;? these cells can be identified as CD7+CD16+. Among others, NK cells express activating and inhibitory receptors called KIR, which interact with HLA molecules and identify \"self\" cells and cells that have downregulated its expression as an immunologic evasion strategy. Studies have documented the importance of KIR and HLA interaction in HIV/AIDS infection clinical course, particularly involving the receptor KIR3DL1. PD-­1 is an immune checkpoint that can be upregulated by tumors and chronic viral infections. PD-­ 1 expression on T cells is correlated to prognostic factors in HIV/AIDS infection; NK cells have been shown to express it, but further information is necessary. This study aimed at investigating PD-­1 and its ligand PD-­L1 expression on NK and monocytes in HIV-­infected participants and controls. We recruited a group of participants who were diagnosed during acute phase of HIV infection and have been followed ever since, a group of participants who were diagnosed after unknown interval since seroconversion, and a group of uninfected controls who have a high risk due to sexual exposure. Samples were freshly processed at LIM-­60; PD-­1 and other markers were analyzed by multicolor flow cytometry. We found PD-­1 expression on NK cells was correlated to T CD4+ cell counts and PD-­1 expression on T cells, in infected participants; among them, participants followed since acute infection expressed less PD-­1. They also expressed less PD-­L1 in monocytes, as compared to participants diagnosed after unknown interval since seroconversion, as well as compared to the uninfected group. We found significant increase in proportion of KIR3DL1-­expressing cells among CD56neg cells in infected participants compared to the uninfected group. We concluded that PD-­1 expression on NK cells is increased in people infected by HIV and correlated to other immunologic parameters such as T CD4+ counts and PD-­1 expression on T cells. NK cell exhaustion may, therefore, contribute to the immune damage induced by HIV-­1 infection and can be also explored as a target to find new ways to restore antiviral immunity

Variation in the sequence of T cell epitopes between dengue virus (DENV) serotypes is believed to alter memory T cell responses during second heterologous infections contributing to pathology following DENV infection. We identified a highly conserved, novel, HLA-B57-restricted epitope on the DENV NS1 protein, NS126-34. We predicted higher frequencies of NS126-34-specific CD8+ T cells in PBMC from individuals undergoing secondary, rather than primary, DENV infection due to the expansion of memory CD8+T cells. We generated a tetramer against this epitope (B57-NS126-34TET) and used it to assess the frequencies and phenotype of antigen-specific T cells in samples from a clinical cohort of children with acute DENV infection established in Bangkok, Thailand. High tetramer-positive T cell frequencies during acute infection were seen in only 1 of 9 subjects with secondary infection. B57-NS126-34-specific, other DENV epitope-specific CD8+ T cells, as well as total CD8+ T cells, expressed an activated phenotype (CD69+ and/or CD38+) during acute infection. In contrast, expression of CD71 was largely limited to DENV-specific CD8+ T cells. In vitro stimulation of CD8+ T cell lines, generated against three different DENV epitopes, indicated that CD71 expression was differentially sensitive to stimulation by homologous and heterologous variant peptides with substantial upregulation of CD71 detected to peptides which also elicited strong functional responses. CD71 may therefore represent a useful marker of antigenspecific T cell activation. During the course of our analysis we found substantial binding of B57-NS126-34 TET to CD8- cells. We demonstrated that the B57-NS126-34 TET bound KIR3DL1, an inhibitory receptor on natural killer (NK) cells. NK sensitive target cells presenting the NS126-34 peptide in the context of HLA-B57 were able to dampen functional responses of only KIR3DL1+ NK cells. Analysis of the activation of an NK enriched population in our Thai cohort revealed peak activation during the critical time phase in patients with severe dengue illness, dengue hemorrhagic fever, compared to people with mild illness. Our data identified CD71 as biologically useful marker to study DENV-specific CD8+ T cell responses and highlighted the role of viral peptides in modulating NK cell activation through KIR-MHC class I interactions during DENV infection.

Variation in the sequence of T cell epitopes between dengue virus (DENV) serotypes is believed to alter memory T cell responses during second heterologous infections contributing to pathology following DENV infection. We identified a highly conserved, novel, HLA-B57-restricted epitope on the DENV NS1 protein, NS126-34. We predicted higher frequencies of NS126-34-specific CD8+ T cells in PBMC from individuals undergoing secondary, rather than primary, DENV infection due to the expansion of memory CD8+T cells. We generated a tetramer against this epitope (B57-NS126-34TET) and used it to assess the frequencies and phenotype of antigen-specific T cells in samples from a clinical cohort of children with acute DENV infection established in Bangkok, Thailand. High tetramer-positive T cell frequencies during acute infection were seen in only 1 of 9 subjects with secondary infection. B57-NS126-34-specific, other DENV epitope-specific CD8+ T cells, as well as total CD8+ T cells, expressed an activated phenotype (CD69+ and/or CD38+) during acute infection. In contrast, expression of CD71 was largely limited to DENV-specific CD8+ T cells. In vitro stimulation of CD8+ T cell lines, generated against three different DENV epitopes, indicated that CD71 expression was differentially sensitive to stimulation by homologous and heterologous variant peptides with substantial upregulation of CD71 detected to peptides which also elicited strong functional responses. CD71 may therefore represent a useful marker of antigenspecific T cell activation. During the course of our analysis we found substantial binding of B57-NS126-34 TET to CD8- cells. We demonstrated that the B57-NS126-34 TET bound KIR3DL1, an inhibitory receptor on natural killer (NK) cells. NK sensitive target cells presenting the NS126-34 peptide in the context of HLA-B57 were able to dampen functional responses of only KIR3DL1+ NK cells. Analysis of the activation of an NK enriched population in our Thai cohort revealed peak activation during the critical time phase in patients with severe dengue illness, dengue hemorrhagic fever, compared to people with mild illness. Our data identified CD71 as biologically useful marker to study DENV-specific CD8+ T cell responses and highlighted the role of viral peptides in modulating NK cell activation through KIR-MHC class I interactions during DENV infection.

Orientadora : Profª. Drª. Karin Braun Prado
Coorientador : Prof. Dr. Danillo G. Augusto
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética. Defesa: Curitiba, 28/03/2017
Inclui referências : f. 92-102
Resumo: A familia de genes KIR (do ingles, killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors) desempenha um papel central na imunidade inata e adaptativa e seu polimorfismo tem sido associado a suscetibilidade diferencial a diversas doencas. Esses genes exibem extensa variabilidade, tanto em termos de ausencia e presenca de genes, quanto em nivel alelico. Os receptores codificados por esses genes sao expressos na superficie das celulas NK e de alguns subtipos de celulas T e podem transduzir sinais ativadores ou inibidores. Pouco se conhece a respeito dos seus niveis de expressao genica diferencial, tampouco dos mecanismos de regulacao. O gene KIR3DL2 codifica um receptor inibidor e e o segundo gene KIR mais polimorfico e polialelico do complexo, com mais de 80 alelos descritos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi analisar se o polimorfismo alelico de KIR3DL2 impacta na sua expressao genica diferencial. Para isso, caracterizamos a diversidade alelica de KIR3DL2 em uma populacao de euro-descendentes de Curitiba e regiao metropolitana (n = 235), atraves de sequenciamento de DNA. As frequencias genotipicas estavam de acordo com as esperadas pelo equilibrio de Hardy-Weinberg, sendo os genotipos mais comuns: 3DL2*001/007 (11,5%), 3DL2*001/002 (6,8%) e 3DL2*002/007 (6,8%). Os alelos mais frequentes encontrados nessa populacao foram 3DL2*007 (21,7%), 3DL2*001 (21,3%) e 3DL2*002 (20%). Um total de 40 individuos com genotipos especificos e comuns na populacao desse estudo foram selecionados para a analise de expressao diferencial por citometria de fluxo. A analise de expressao diferencial foi realizada com os individuos portadores dos alelos mais frequentes encontrados na populacao, sendo eles: 3DL2*001, 3DL2*002, 3DL2*003, 3DL2*005, 3DL2*007, 3DL2*009, 3DL2*010 e 3DL2*011. Verificamos que o polimorfismo alelico de KIR3DL2 esta associado nao somente com niveis de expressao diferencial, mas tambem com diferentes quantidades de celulas NK que exibem KIR3DL2 em sua superficie. O alelo KIR3DL2*002 foi associado ao maior nivel de expressao de KIR3DL2 e ao maior numero de celulas NK 3DL2 positivas. Ja 3DL2*010 foi associado ao menor nivel de expressao e a menor quantidade de celulas NK com KIR3DL2 presente na superficie celular. Alem disso, demonstramos que um polimorfismo na regiao 3' UTR, na posicao 16545A>G (rs1865095) marca os niveis de expressao de KIR3DL2. Sugerimos que esta expressao diferencial possa estar relacionada a ligacao de miRNAs nesta regiao, especificamente o miR-2114-3p. A presenca de ligantes especificos (HLA-A3, -A11 e -B27) nao esta associada a diferentes niveis de expressao de KIR3DL2 (p = 0,5739) nem a diferentes quantidades de celulas NK KIR3DL2 positivas (p = 0,7772). Alem disso, nenhuma correlacao foi encontrada entre a expressao diferencial dos alelos de KIR3DL2 e a expressao diferencial dos alelos de HLA-A. Como perspectivas futuras pretendemos analisar, atraves de co-cultivo celular, a atividade citotoxica das celulas NK de individuos com diferentes genotipos homozigotos, como KIR3DL2*001/KIR3DL2*001, KIR3DL2*002/KIR3DL2*002, KIR3DL2*007/KIR3DL2*007 e KIR3DL2*010/KIR3DL2*010 a fim de corroborar as hipoteses geradas. Palavras-chave: Celulas NK, KIR3DL2, variabilidade alelica, HLA-A3, HLA-A11, HLA-B27, expressao diferencial.
Abstract: The KIR (killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors) gene family plays a central role in innate and adaptive immunity and has been associated with differential susceptibility to diseases. Besides the uncommon presence and absence polymorphism that occurs in KIR, these genes also exhibit an extensive allelic variation. The receptors encoded by these genes are expressed on the surface of NK cells and on some subset of T cells. They can transduce either activating or inhibiting signals. The differential expression levels and the mechanisms of genetic regulation of these receptors are poorly known. The KIR3DL2 gene encodes an inhibitory receptor and it is one of the most polymorphic and polyallelic KIR, with more than 80 alleles described so far. This study aimed to analyze if there are a profound impact of KIR3DL2 allelic polymorphism on its differential gene expression. Allelic diversity of KIR3DL2 was characterized in an euro-descendant population from Curitiba and metropolitan region, state of PR (n = 235), by sequencing-based typing. Genotype frequencies were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and the most frequent genotype was 3DL2*001/007 (11.5%), followed by 3DL2*001/002 (6.8%) and 3DL2*002/007 (6.8%). The most frequent alleles in the population were 3DL2*007 (21.7%), 3DL2*001 (21.3%) and 3DL2*002 (20%). A total of 40 individuals with specific and commom genotypes were selected for differential expression analysis by flow citometry. The differential expression analysis was made for the most common alleles found in the population: 3DL2*001, 3DL2*002, 3DL2*003, 3DL2*005, 3DL2*007, 3DL2*009, 3DL2*010 and 3DL2*011. We verified that the allelic polymorphism of KIR3DL2 was associated not only with the differential expression but also with the different amount of NK cells that display KIR3DL2 on their surface. KIR3DL2*002 allele was associated with higher expression of KIR3DL2 and higher number of KIR3DL2 positive NK cells, while KIR3DL2*010 was related to the lowest expression and lowest level of KIR3DL2 positive NK cells. It has also been found that a polymorphism in the 3' UTR, 16545A>G (rs1865095), was associated with KIR3DL2 differential expression level. We suggest that it may be related to miRNAs binding, specifically miR-2114-3p. The presence of specific HLA class I ligands (HLA-A3, -A11 and -B27) was not associated with KIR3DL2 differential expression levels (p = 0.5739) nor with different amount of NK KIR3DL2+ cells (p = 0.7772). In addition, no correlation was found between the differential expression of the KIR3DL2 alleles and the differential expression of the HLA-A alleles. As future perspectives, it is intended to analyze the citotoxic activity of NK cells from individuals with different genotypes like KIR3DL2*001/KIR3DL2*001, KIR3DL2*002/KIR3DL2*002, KIR3DL2*007/KIR3DL2*007 and KIR3DL2*010/KIR3DL2*010 through co-culture to corroborate the hypotheses generated. Key-words: NK cells, KIR3DL2, allelic variability, HLA-A3, HLA-A11, HLA-B27, differential expression.

Natural killer (NK) cells express an array of activating and inhibitory receptors, which enable the detection of stress-induced markers and ‘self’ human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules on target cells. The distribution of these receptors at the cell surface is thought to be important for signal integration at the immune synapse. Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and HLA class I proteins are highly polymorphic. In particular, allelic variation affecting the expression and function of the inhibitory receptor KIR3DL1 and its HLA class I ligands, can influence HIV infection outcome. It is not known, however, if genetic variation can affect the organisation of KIR and HLA proteins at the cell surface and at the NK-cell immune synapse. Here, single-molecule localisation microscopy was used to investigate the spatial distribution of KIR3DL1 and HLA class I proteins within the plasma membrane. HLA class I proteins were relatively evenly distributed at the nanometre-scale, with fewer than 5% of molecules forming clusters in unstimulated primary B cells. In contrast, over half of KIR3DL1 receptors were constitutively arranged in clusters sized 4064 ± 384 nm2, at the surface of resting NK cells. Receptor ligation induced the reorganisation of KIR3DL1, resulting in the formation of larger and denser clusters. Interestingly, the extent of these changes varied for different alleles of KIR3DL1, suggesting that genetic variability may affect KIR3DL1 recruitment at the NK-cell synapse. Allelic variation did not influence the constitutive organisation of KIR and HLA proteins, when expressed at the same level. However, their nanoscale distribution was influenced by cell surface levels; at higher expression levels, HLA class I clustering decreased, whereas the number of KIR3DL1 clusters increased when expressed at higher levels. These results demonstrate the distinct nanoscale organisation of KIR3DL1 and HLA class I molecules. Moreover, factors that influence their expression, including genetic variation, may have an important impact on the distribution of KIR3DL1 and HLA class I proteins at the cell surface.

Le syndrome de Sézary (SS) est un variant leucémique et érythrodermique de lymphomes T cutanés épidermotropes. Son diagnostic repose à la fois sur des critères cliniques, la présence de lymphocytes T à noyau atypique cérébriforme sur un frottis sanguin et la mise en évidence dans la peau, les ganglions et le sang d’un clone lymphocytaire T CD4+. Notre laboratoire a identifié KIR3DL2 comme premier marqueur membranaire spécifique des cellules tumorales de Sézary. KIR3DL2 peut ainsi être utilisé pour le diagnostic et le suivi des patients atteints du SS. Toutefois, aucune étude n’a démontré de lien entre sa structure de récepteur inhibiteur et sa fonction dans les lymphocytes tumoraux de Sézary, et plus particulièrement son implication possible dans les mécanismes régulant la prolifération et/ou la résistance à l’apoptose des cellules tumorales.Au cours de ce travail deux axes ont été développés :- Un premier axe visant à mieux comprendre la fonction de KIR3DL2 et les mécanismes de signalisation intracellulaire initiés lors de son engagement par l’anticorps AZ158 dans les lymphocytes T tumoraux de Sézary. Nos résultats mettent en évidence un rôle de corécepteur inhibiteur pour KIR3DL2 dans les cellules tumorales de Sézary. En effet, l’engagement de KIR3DL2 inhibe la prolifération et l’AICD induites par la stimulation CD3, cette inhibition étant corrélée à une modulation négative des signaux médiés par le TCR. Ainsi, KIR3DL2 ne se comporte pas comme une unité de signalisation indépendante dans les cellules tumorales de Sézary, contrairement à ce qui est observé dans les cellules NK.- Un second axe portant sur l’évaluation d’une nouvelle fonction de KIR3DL2 comme récepteur pour les ODN CpG. Ainsi, nous rapportons pour la première fois un effet direct de l’ODN CpG sur les cellules tumorales T CD4+ de Sézary. En effet, nous avons observé un effet apoptotique de l’ODN CpG-C caspases-dépendant sur les lignées et les cellules tumorales circulantes. De plus, le traitement des cellules tumorales de patients Sézary avec l’ODN CpG-C conduit à une inhibition de l’activation constitutive du facteur de transcription STAT3.La réalisation de cette étude a permis de mieux comprendre la fonction et les mécanismes initiés à partir de KIR3DL2 dans les cellules tumorales T CD4+ de Sézary. De plus, ce travail ouvre de nouvelles perspectives thérapeutiques basées sur le ciblage direct et spécifique des cellules tumorales de Sézary pouvant être associé à une stimulation des acteurs immuns grâce à l’action des ODN CpG
Sézary syndrome (SS) is an aggressive leukemic and erythrodermic variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. It is characterized by the presence of a clonal CD4+ T lymphocyte population in the skin, lymph nodes and peripheral blood. Our laboratory has previously identified the NK cell receptor KIR3DL2 as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic marker for the detection of the tumoral T cell burden of Sézary syndrome patients. However, the function of this receptor on the malignant T lymphocyte population remained unexplored. The specific expression of KIR3DL2 by SS patients malignant cells prompted us to investigate its possible influence on mechanisms regulating the tumoral cells outgrowth and apoptosis process.To this aim, two axes were developed. The first axis aimed to highlight the function of KIR3DL2 on the malignant T lymphocyte population and to elucidate the intracellular signaling mechanisms initiated by engagement of the receptor with the monoclonal antibody AZ158. Our results show that KIR3DL2 can exert an inhibitory co-receptor function in malignant Sézary cells. Indeed, triggering of KIR3DL2 inhibits the CD3-mediated proliferation and cell death of the CD4+ KIR3DL2+ cells, this inhibition being correlated to a down-modulation of the TCR-mediated signals. Thus, KIR3DL2 does not behave as an independent signaling unit in Sézary cells, unlike NK cells.The second axis aimed to evaluate a new function of KIR3DL2 as CpG ODN receptor. We show for the first time a direct effect of CpG ODN on tumoral CD4+ T Sézary cells. Thus, we observed a caspase-dependent apoptotic effect of CpG ODN-C on Sézary cell lines and circulating malignant T cells. This process of cellular death is correlated to a dephosphorylation of the transcription factor STAT3, which is found constitutively phosphorylated and activated in Sézary cells.This study has provided new insights into the function and the intracellular signaling pathways initiated by KIR3DL2 in malignant Sézary T cells. Furthermore, this work opens new therapeutic perspectives based on the direct and specific targeting of tumor cells that could be associated to immune cell stimulation through the use of ODN CpG

Les lymphomes T périphériques (PTCLs) sont des entités hétérogènes dont la classification a récemment été révisée. Plus de 25 entités de lymphomes T ou NK matures sont ainsi classées selon leur présentation clinico-biologique et leur origine cellulaire présumée, justifiant l’étude approfondie de leur phénotype. Des récepteurs NK (NKRs) ont été mis en évidence dans certains lymphomes cutanés. En outre, un lymphome intra-épithélial intestinal, appelé maladie coeliaque réfractaire de type II (MCRII), dérive d’un lymphocyte caractérisé par des marqueurs T et NK. Ces constatations nous ont amenés à évaluer l’expression de NKRs sur un panel représentatif de PTCLs, constitué en particulier de PTCLs primitifs intestinaux et de leucémies/lymphomes T de l’adulte associés à l’HTLV-1 (ATL). Dans l’ATL, nous montrons que KIR3DL2 est exprimé par les cellules tumorales des formes aigües. Le virus HTLV-1 et la méthylation de son promoteur jouent un rôle dans l’expression de KIR3DL2. Enfin, un anticorps monoclonal dirigé contre KIR3DL2, IPH4102, est capable de tuer spécifiquement les cellules primaires d’ATL KIR3DL2 ex vivo par un mécanisme dépendant d’effecteurs NK autologues. Dans les lymphoproliférations T intestinales primitives, nous montrons que NKp46 est un nouveau biomarqueur pour leur diagnostic et leur stratification thérapeutique. En effet, NKp46 est exprimé sur les cellules anormales de la MCRII, et sur les lymphomes T primitifs intestinaux agressifs, mais pas sur les indolents et les MC non compliquées. Enfin, les cellules primaires exprimant NKp46 sont sensibles ex vivo à la cytotoxicité induite par un anticorps monoclonal dirigé contre NKp46 et couplé à une toxine.Ces résultats nous ont permis de discuter l’origine cellulaire de ces lymphomes et le rôle de ces NKRs dans la lymphomagénèse. Dans une optique translationnelle, l’expression des NKRs peut aider au diagnostic de ces entités parfois difficiles à individualiser, et enfin constituer une cible thérapeutique intéressante
Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCLs) are heterogeneous entities whose classification has recently been revised. More than 25 entities are thus classified according to their clinico-biological presentation and their presumed cellular origin, justifying the in-depth study of their phenotype. NK receptors (NKRs) have been demonstrated in some cutaneous lymphomas. In addition, a less known intestinal lymphoma, called type II refractory celiac disease (RCDII), arises from an intraepithelial lymphocyte characterized by T and NK markers. These findings led us to evaluate the expression of NKRs on a representative panel of PTCLs, focusing on primary gastrointestinal (GI) T-cell lymphoproliferative diseases (T-LPD) and HTLV-1 associated adult T leukemia/lymphoma (ATL).In ATL, we show that KIR3DL2 expression is mainly associated with acute-type ATL. HTLV-1 has a preferential tropism for KIR3DL2+ lymphocytes and may play a role in KIR3DL2 expression induction, combined with the hypomethylation status of KIR3DL2 promoter. The benefit of targeting KIR3DL2 by IPH4102 should be further investigating in acute ATL patients.In GI T-LPD, we show that NKp46 is a novel biomarker useful for diagnosis and therapeutic stratification, as NKp46 is a hallmark of RCDII tumor cells, shared by EATL. Strong preclinical rationale identifies anti-NKp46-PBD as a promising therapy for RCDII, EATL and MEITL.These results allowed us to discuss the cellular origin of these lymphomas and the role of NKRs in lymphomagenesis. From a translational point of view, NKRs could represent useful biomarkers in these entities that are sometimes difficult to individualize, and finally constitute an interesting therapeutic target

Dissertação de Mestrado em Investigação Biomédica apresentada à Faculdade de Medicina
Células natural killer (NK) são linfócitos capazes de matar células alvo infectadas ou transformadas por vírus. A ativação da lise de células alvo pelas células NK é mediada pelos receptores presentes nestas células. Um grupo importante de receptores são os receptores tipo imunoglobulina das células killer (KIR), sabe-se que estes ligam a membros da família polimórfica de moléculas MHC-classe-I. O macaco rhesus foi considerado um modelo animal primata não-humano de grande importância para doenças infeciosas nos humanos. Durante infecção experimental com o vírus da imunodeficiência símia (SIV), foi estabelecida uma conexão entre a presença de certos KIR e alelos MHC-classe-I com maiores ou mais baixos níveis virais, e consequentemente com uma mais rápida ou mais lenta progressão da doença. Curiosamente, foi demonstrado que a expressão de KIR3DL02 está associada com níveis virais mais baixos em animais em ensaios experimentais de infecção. Contudo, as especificações da interação entre KIR3DL02 e ligandos de MHC-classe-I são desconhecidas. O objetivo do presente trabalho, foi, por um lado, estudar a interação entre KIR3DL02 e certos alelos de Mamu, através do uso de proteínas recombinantes de KIR-Fc multimerizadas para marcar células que expressam Mamu. Para além disto, de modo a expandir o espectro de futuros estudos de interação, novos alelos de Mamu foram amplificados de cDNA de macaco rhesus e clonados em vectores de expressão de mamíferos. O trabalho aqui descrito permitiu a otimização dos estudos de ligação com o uso de proteínas KIR-Fc de fusão e células K-562 transfectadas com Mamu AcGFP. Identificação de potenciais ligandos para KIR3DL02 assim como construção de novos vectores de expressão de Mamu foram conseguidos com sucesso. Contudo, é necessária a realização de mais estudos para averiguar os resultados aqui descritos e para estudar a interação entre KIR3DL02 e os novos alelos de Mamu amplificados, com especial interesse no alelo Mamu B*008 por estar associado a um efeito protetivo.
Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes that are able to kill virus infected or transformed target cells. The activation of the NK cell mediated target cell lysis is achieved by the action of NK cell receptors. An important group of receptors are the killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR), which are known to bind members of the polymorphic family of MHC-class-I molecules. The rhesus macaque has been considered of great importance as a nonhuman primate model of human infectious diseases. During experimental simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, a connection has been established between the presence of certain KIR and MHC-class-I alleles with higher or lower viral load, and consequently to faster or slower progression of the disease. Interestingly, the expression of KIR3DL02 transcripts was shown to be associated with low viral loads and elite controller animals. However, the specificity of interaction between KIR3DL02 and MHC-class-I ligands is unknown. The aim of the present work was, for one, study the interaction between KIR3DL02 and certain Mamu alleles using multimerized KIR-Fc recombinant proteins to stain Mamu expressing cells. Additionally, in order to widen the spectrum of future interaction studies, new Mamu alleles were amplified from cDNA of rhesus macaque and cloned into a mammalian expression vector. The present work allowed the optimization of binding assays using KIR-Fc fusion proteins with K-562 Mamu AcGFP transfected cells. Identification of potential KIR3DL02 ligands as well as production of new Mamu mammalian expression constructs was accomplished. However, further studies need to be conducted to verify results here described and to study interaction between KIR3DL02 and new Mamu alleles amplified. Herein, in special, the known protective Mamu B*008 allele.