In vivo expansion of a CD9+ decidual-like NK cell subset following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Ane Orrantia,
Enrique Vázquez-De Luis,
Gabirel Astarloa-Pando,
Iñigo Terrén,
Ainhoa Amarilla-Irusta,
Diego Polanco-Alonso,
Carmen González,
Alasne Uranga,
Tomás Carrascosa,
Juan J. Mateos-Mazón,
Juan C. García-Ruiz,
Sergio Callejas,
Ana Quintas,
Ana Dopazo,
Olatz Zenarruzabeitia,
Francisco Borrego
Affiliations
Ane Orrantia
Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
Enrique Vázquez-De Luis
Genomics Unit, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
Gabirel Astarloa-Pando
Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
Iñigo Terrén
Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
Ainhoa Amarilla-Irusta
Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
Diego Polanco-Alonso
Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
Carmen González
Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Hematology and Hemotherapy Service, Donostia University Hospital, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
Alasne Uranga
Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Hematology and Hemotherapy Service, Donostia University Hospital, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
Tomás Carrascosa
Hematological Cancer Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Hematology and Hemotherapy Service, Galdakao-Usansolo University Hospital, 48960 Galdakao, Spain
Juan J. Mateos-Mazón
Hematological Cancer Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Hematology and Hemotherapy Service, Cruces University Hospital, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
Juan C. García-Ruiz
Hematological Cancer Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Hematology and Hemotherapy Service, Cruces University Hospital, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
Sergio Callejas
Genomics Unit, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
Ana Quintas
Genomics Unit, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
Ana Dopazo
Genomics Unit, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
Olatz Zenarruzabeitia
Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
Francisco Borrego
Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain; Corresponding author
Summary: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT) is a treatment option for hematological disorders and pediatric solid tumors. After an autoHSCT, natural killer (NK) cells are the first lymphocyte subset returning to normal levels. To uncover global changes during NK cell reconstitution after autoHSCT, we performed RNA-sequencing on NK cells before and after autoHSCT. Results showed profound changes in the gene expression profile of NK cells immediately after autoHSCT. Several biological processes including cell cycle, DNA replication and the mevalonate pathway were enriched. Significantly, we observed that following autoHSCT, NK cells acquired a decidual-like gene expression profile, including the expression of CD9. By using multiparametric flow cytometry, we confirmed the expansion of NK cells expressing CD9 immediately after autoHSCT, which exhibited higher granzyme B and perforin expression levels than CD9− NK cells. These results provide insights into the physiopathology of NK cells during their reconstitution after autoHSCT.
