Submit to IJMS Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

NK Cells, Immune Response in Pathology and Cancer

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 12297

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Isabel Legaz Pérez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: forensic sciences; legal medicine; biochemistry; proteomics; genetics; biomedicine; human toxicology; bioethics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Manuel Muro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. Head of Immunology Service and Director of Regional Laboratory of Histocompatibility and Transplant Immunology, Clinical University Hospital “Virgen de la Arrixaca”, El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
2. Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), Murcia, Spain
Interests: transplant immunology; histocompatibility; Inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases; immune responses, fertility preservation; clinical trials; translational research
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Numerous studies relate the role of different immune system biomarkers related to susceptibility, prognostic and predictive factors in several human solid and liquid tumors in humans. However, little is known about innate immune mechanisms that allow a tumor cell to escape from immune control systems.

The innate immune system is a highly dynamic system where different types of cells, ligands, and receptors are involved, including the spatial and temporal components, which are critical because they are associated with age, sex, and life habits interaction with toxics. From the clinical point of view, NK cells are essential for their role in detecting cancer. Besides, these cells present different types of receptors that allow modulating their activity. Most of these receptors tend to be highly polymorphic and tend to present high allelic variability, revealing different omic scenarios (genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomics) at the individual level, which searches for cause and effect even more difficult in individuals with tumors.
Given the enormous potential presented by NK analysis, there is a need to characterize, analyze and interpret the receptor and ligand as well as the mechanisms of action in different types of tumors, as well as to create solid and complete databases for full implementation in the clinical context, thus allowing the user to clarify the causes of carcinogenesis, metastasis, recurrence or to estimate the recurrence time, among other uses. Several studies point to a promising future for NK analysis in the different fields of clinical medical science, opening up an important new area of research.

Apart from their indisputable role in cancer, these cells and their cell receptors are also very important in the immune response to transplants, both of solid organs and hematopoietic transplants. The individual variation of the omic relationships of the NK cell could be of great help in determining the cause of heath and sickness.

Dr. Isabel Legaz Pérez
Dr. Manuel Muro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

cancer
NK cells
biomarkers
innate immune system

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

5 pages, 207 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Natural Killer Cells and Their Implications in Immune Response Diversification in Clinical Pathology and Neoplastic Processes

by Isabel Legaz and Manuel Muro

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(9), 7743; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24097743 - 24 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1115

Abstract

Numerous studies have examined the function of human immune system biomarkers regarding susceptibility, and prognostic, therapeutic, and predictive factors, in various solid and liquid tumors [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue NK Cells, Immune Response in Pathology and Cancer)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

20 pages, 2366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) and Human Leucocyte Antigen C (HLA-C) Increase the Risk of Long-Term Chronic Liver Graft Rejection

by Isabel Legaz, Jose Miguel Bolarín, Jose Antonio Campillo, María R. Moya-Quiles, Manuel Miras, Manuel Muro, Alfredo Minguela and María R. Álvarez-López

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12155; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012155 - 12 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1734

Abstract

Chronic liver rejection (CR) represents a complex clinical situation because many patients do not respond to increased immunosuppression. Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors/Class I Human Leukocyte Antigens (KIR/HLA-I) interactions allow for predicting Natural Killer (NK) cell alloreactivity and influence the acute rejection of liver allograft. However, its meaning in CR liver graft remains controversial. KIR and HLA genotypes were studied in 513 liver transplants using sequence-specific oligonucleotides (PCR-SSO) methods. KIRs, human leucocyte antigen C (HLA-C) genotypes, KIR gene mismatches, and the KIR/HLA-ligand were analyzed and compared in overall transplants with CR (n = 35) and no-chronic rejection (NCR = 478). Activating KIR (aKIR) genes in recipients (rKIR2DS2⁺ and rKIR2DS3⁺) increased CR compared with NCR groups (p = 0.013 and p = 0.038). The inhibitory KIR (iKIR) genes in recipients rKIR2DL2⁺ significantly increased the CR rate compared with their absence (9.1% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.020). KIR2DL3 significantly increases CR (13.1% vs. 5.2%; p = 0.008). There was no influence on NCR. CR was observed in HLA-I mismatches (MM). The absence of donor (d) HLA-C2 ligand (dC2⁻) ligand increases CR concerning their presence (13.1% vs. 5.6%; p = 0.018). A significant increase of CR was observed in rKIR2DL3⁺/dC1⁻ (p = 0.015), rKIR2DS4/dC1⁻ (p = 0.014) and rKIR2DL3⁺/rKIR2DS4⁺/dC1⁻ (p = 0.006). Long-term patient survival was significantly lower in rKIR2DS1⁺rKIR2DS4⁺/dC1⁻ at 5–10 years post-transplant. This study shows the influence of rKIR/dHLA-C combinations and aKIR gene-gene mismatches in increasing CR and KIR2DS1⁺/C1-ligands and the influence of KIR2DS4⁺/C1-ligands in long-term graft survival. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue NK Cells, Immune Response in Pathology and Cancer)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 749 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CD3⁺/CD56⁺ NKT-like Cells Show Imbalanced Control Immediately after Exercise in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness

by Balázs Sonkodi, Éva Pállinger, Tamás Radovits, Emese Csulak, Kinga Shenker-Horváth, Bence Kopper, Edit I. Buzás, Nóra Sydó and Béla Merkely

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 11117; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911117 - 21 Sep 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1880

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to carry out an immunophenotypical characterization with a special focus on natural killer cells of junior swimmers from the Hungarian National Swim Team before and after an intensive acute exercise. Nineteen swimmers, ten females and nine males, completed the exercise protocol. Sixteen swimmers experienced delayed-onset muscle soreness. Most of our findings substantiated earlier results, such as the increase in the percentage of the CD3⁻/CD56⁺ natural killer cells and the CD3⁻/CD56^dim+ NK cells, and the decrease in the percentage of CD3⁺ T cells among lymphocytes after the exercise protocol. The drop of natural killer cell activity back to the pre-exercise level was in line with earlier findings. Interestingly, the percentage of CD3⁺/CD56⁺ NKT-like cells did not change significantly in those three swimmers who did not report delayed-onset muscle soreness. On the contrary, the percentage of CD3⁺/CD56⁺ NKT-like cells among lymphocytes increased in fourteen and decreased in two swimmers reporting delayed-onset muscle soreness. This study for the first time demonstrated a link between the delayed-onset muscle soreness and the imbalanced control of CD3⁺/CD56⁺ NKT-like cells among lymphocytes. However, validation of this association in a larger sample size study will be necessary. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue NK Cells, Immune Response in Pathology and Cancer)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2198 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Contribution of the Minimal Promoter Element to the Activity of Synthetic Promoters Mediating CAR Expression in the Tumor Microenvironment

by Yariv Greenshpan, Omri Sharabi, Ksenia M. Yegodayev, Ofra Novoplansky, Moshe Elkabets, Roi Gazit and Angel Porgador

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(13), 7431; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23137431 - 04 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2737

Abstract

Harnessing immune effector cells to benefit cancer patients is becoming more and more prevalent in recent years. However, the increasing number of different therapeutic approaches, such as chimeric antigen receptors and armored chimeric antigen receptors, requires constant adjustments of the transgene expression levels. We have previously demonstrated it is possible to achieve spatial and temporal control of transgene expression as well as tailoring the inducing agents using the Chimeric Antigen Receptor Tumor Induced Vector (CARTIV) platform. Here we describe the next level of customization in our promoter platform. We have tested the functionality of three different minimal promoters, representing three different promoters’ strengths, leading to varying levels of CAR expression and primary T cell function. This strategy shows yet another level of CARTIV gene regulation that can be easily integrated into existing CAR T systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue NK Cells, Immune Response in Pathology and Cancer)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1860 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blocking the PCNA/NKp44 Checkpoint to Stimulate NK Cell Responses to Multiple Myeloma

by Muhammed Iraqi, Avishay Edri, Yariv Greenshpan, Oron Goldstein, Noa Ofir, Priyanka Bolel, Muhammad Abu Ahmad, Miri Zektser, Kerry S. Campbell, Ory Rouvio, Roi Gazit and Angel Porgador

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(9), 4717; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23094717 - 25 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2056

Abstract

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a devastating malignancy that evades immune destruction using multiple mechanisms. The NKp44 receptor interacts with PCNA (Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen) and may inhibit NK cells’ functions. Here we studied in vitro the expression and function of PCNA on MM cells. First, we show that PCNA is present on the cell membrane of five out of six MM cell lines, using novel anti-PCNA mAb developed to recognize membrane-associated PCNA. Next, we stained primary bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells from MM patients and showed significant staining of membrane-associated PCNA in the fraction of CD38⁺CD138⁺ BM cells that contain the MM cells. Importantly, blocking of the membrane PCNA on MM cells enhanced the activity of NK cells, including IFN-γ-secretion and degranulation. Our results highlight the possible blocking of the NKp44-PCNA immune checkpoint by the mAb 14-25-9 antibody to enhance NK cell responses against MM, providing a novel treatment option. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue NK Cells, Immune Response in Pathology and Cancer)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

17 pages, 1237 KiB

Open AccessReview

Monitoring of Serological, Cellular and Genomic Biomarkers in Transplantation, Computational Prediction Models and Role of Cell-Free DNA in Transplant Outcome

by Víctor Jimenez-Coll, Santiago Llorente, Francisco Boix, Rafael Alfaro, José Antonio Galián, Helios Martinez-Banaclocha, Carmen Botella, María R. Moya-Quiles, Manuel Muro-Pérez, Alfredo Minguela, Isabel Legaz and Manuel Muro

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(4), 3908; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043908 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1963

Abstract

The process and evolution of an organ transplant procedure has evolved in terms of the prevention of immunological rejection with the improvement in the determination of immune response genes. These techniques include considering more important genes, more polymorphism detection, more refinement of the response motifs, as well as the analysis of epitopes and eplets, its capacity to fix complement, the PIRCHE algorithm and post-transplant monitoring with promising new biomarkers that surpass the classic serum markers such as creatine and other similar parameters of renal function. Among these new biomarkers, we analyze new serological, urine, cellular, genomic and transcriptomic biomarkers and computational prediction, with particular attention to the analysis of donor free circulating DNA as an optimal marker of kidney damage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue NK Cells, Immune Response in Pathology and Cancer)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

NK Cells, Immune Response in Pathology and Cancer

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (6 papers)

Editorial

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI