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Updated: Jun 2, 2025
Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions
Published on: October 30, 2016
Progressive natural killer cell dysfunction in advanced-stage clear-cell renal cell carcinoma and association with
1Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
Background:
Natural killer (NK) cells are important contributors to antitumor immunity in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, their phenotype, function, and association with clinical outcomes in ccRCC remain poorly understood.
Materials And Methods:
We analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing data from 13 primary tumors, 1 localized tumor extension, and 1 metastasis from ccRCC patients at different clinical stages. For each primary tumor specimen, paired normal kidneys were also analyzed. Differential gene expression analysis was carried out to investigate NK cell phenotypes and to derive a gene expression signature. Gene signatures from NK cell subclusters of interest were used to interrogate bulk transcriptomic datasets and expression with clinical outcomes. Finally, tumor-infiltrating NK cell function (cytokine production and cytotoxicity) was assessed by isolation of live NK cells from ccRCC tissue, co-culture with K562 target cells, and measurement of cytokine production (interferon-γ) and cytotoxicity (CD107a) markers by flow cytometry.
Results:
Single-cell transcriptomic data were analyzed from 13 patients with ccRCC (tumor/normal kidney), resulting in 21 139 NK cells. Clustering analysis revealed six NK cell subsets. Bright-like NK cells were significantly enriched in advanced ccRCC compared with localized ccRCC and normal kidney, expressed markers of tissue residency (ZNF683/Hobit, ITGA1/CD49a, CD9, ITGAE/CD103), and had decreased expression of cytotoxicity genes (GZMB/Granzyme-B, PRF1/perforin). In independent cohorts (The Cancer Genome Atlas ccRCC cohort, CheckMate 025), a gene expression score representing this dysfunctional NK cell phenotype was enriched in advanced ccRCC and was associated with worse overall survival. Functional interrogation of tumor-infiltrating NK cells from ccRCC confirmed that tumor-resident CD49a+CD9+ NK cells had impaired cytotoxicity compared with CD49a-CD9- NK cells.
Conclusions:
A dysfunctional, tumor-resident NK cell phenotype was enriched among patients with metastatic disease and associated with worse survival in patients with advanced ccRCC across multiple patient cohorts. Restoration of NK cell function (via cytokine stimulation or NK cell engineering) could provide a novel avenue for therapeutic intervention against ccRCC.
Insights
Natural killer (NK) cells in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) show a dysfunctional, tumor-resident phenotype in advanced disease, correlating with poorer survival. Restoring NK cell function may offer new ccRCC therapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Genomics
Background:
- Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for anti-tumor immunity in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
- The specific phenotype, function, and clinical relevance of NK cells in ccRCC are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenotype and function of NK cells in ccRCC.
- To determine the association between NK cell subsets and clinical outcomes in ccRCC patients.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell RNA sequencing of 13 primary ccRCC tumors and paired normal kidneys.
- Differential gene expression analysis to identify NK cell phenotypes and derive gene signatures.
- Flow cytometry to assess tumor-infiltrating NK cell function (cytokine production, cytotoxicity).
Main Results:
- Six NK cell subsets were identified; a "bright-like" subset expressing tissue residency markers and reduced cytotoxicity genes was enriched in advanced ccRCC.
- This dysfunctional NK cell phenotype signature correlated with worse overall survival in independent ccRCC cohorts.
- Tumor-resident NK cells (CD49a+CD9+) exhibited impaired cytotoxicity compared to other NK cells.
Conclusions:
- A dysfunctional, tumor-resident NK cell phenotype is prevalent in advanced ccRCC and linked to poorer patient survival.
- Targeting NK cell function represents a potential therapeutic strategy for ccRCC.
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