Hsp70, in Combination with IL-15 and PD-1 Blocker, Interferes with The Induction of Cytotoxic NK Cells in Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

3 Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Taleghani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Kurdistan, Iran

6 Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

7 Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Objective: Natural killer (NK) cells are critical immune cells for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) targeting. However,
little is known about the relationship between using checkpoint inhibitors and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) as NK cell
activators to control AML. Therefore, the study aims to find the best formulation of Hsp70, human PD-1 (Programmed
cell death protein 1) blocker, and interleukin 15 (IL-15) to activate NK cells against AML.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the NK cells were isolated from mononuclear cells (MNCs) by
using magnetic activation cell sorting (MACS) and were activated using the different combinations of Hsp70, PD-1
blocker, and IL-15 and then followed by immunophenotyping, functional assays to estimate their killing potential, and
evaluation of expression pattern of PRF1, PIK3CB, PD-1, AKT-1, FAS-L, TRAIL, and GER A and B.
Results: The expression of PD-1 was significantly (P<0.05) reduced after NK cell activation by the different formulas of
IL-15, Hsp70, and PD-1 blocker. The expression of NKG2A in the treated NK cells was reduced particularly in the IL-15
(P<0.01) and IL-15+PD-1 blocker (P<0.05) groups. The addition of Hsp70 increased its expression. The cytotoxic effect
of NK cells increased in all groups, especially in IL-15+PD-1 blocker besides increasing interferon-gamma (IFN-γ),
Granzymes, and perforin expression (P<0.05). All IL-15+PD-1 blocker group changes were associated with the upregulation
of PIK3CB and AKT-1 as key factors of NK cell activation. The presence of Hsp70 reduced IFN-γ releasing,
and down-regulation of PIK3CB, AKT-1, Granzymes, and Perforin (P<0.05).
Conclusion: We suggested the combination of IL-15 and PD-1 blocker could enhance the killing potential of AMLNK
cells. Moreover, Hsp70 in combination with IL-15 and PD-1 blocker interferes activation of AML-NK cells through
unknown mechanisms.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Cell Journal (Yakhteh)
Volume 25, Issue 2 - Serial Number 109
February 2023
Pages 92-101

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