Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
06:55
Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells
Published on: February 22, 2020
Regulatory Networks of Non-Coding RNAs Modulating Natural Killer Cell Antitumor Immunity in the Tumor
Zida Xu1,2, Can Jin2, Xuan Huang1,2,3
1The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, The Queen Mary School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
Cells
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) orchestrate complex networks within the tumor microenvironment (TME) to suppress natural killer (NK) cell activity. Targeting these ncRNA networks offers a promising strategy for enhancing immunotherapies against cancer.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Cancer Biology
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
Background:
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) contains intricate intercellular communication networks that drive cancer progression and treatment resistance.
- Natural killer (NK) cells, crucial innate immune sentinels, have their anti-tumor functions impaired by the TME's immunosuppressive mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the molecular mechanisms of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) networks in modulating NK cell biology within the TME.
- To explore the clinical translational potential of targeting these ncRNA networks for cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of literature on ncRNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs) and their roles in NK cell function and TME regulation.
- Dissection of three core regulatory axes: extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated communication, competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) crosstalk, and epigenetic remodeling.
- Assessment of ncRNAs as prognostic biomarkers and evaluation of targeted therapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- ncRNAs form complex networks that modulate NK cell functional states and TME immunosuppression, rather than dictating cell fate.
- Three key regulatory axes involving EV-mediated communication, ceRNA crosstalk, and epigenetic remodeling were identified.
- Specific ncRNAs show potential as non-invasive prognostic biomarkers, and targeted therapies (ASOs, siRNAs, nano-delivery) are summarized.
Conclusions:
- Modulating ncRNA networks can mitigate TME immunosuppression, offering a novel paradigm for precision oncology.
- Targeting these ncRNA nodes holds substantial promise for enhancing immune checkpoint blockade and NK cell-directed immunotherapies.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)...
01:28Cells of the Innate Immune Response
The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
01:25Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...