Frontiers in Immunology (Dec 2018)

Tuning Natural Killer Cell Anti-multiple Myeloma Reactivity by Targeting Inhibitory Signaling via KIR and NKG2A

  • Niken M. Mahaweni,
  • Niken M. Mahaweni,
  • Niken M. Mahaweni,
  • Femke A. I. Ehlers,
  • Femke A. I. Ehlers,
  • Femke A. I. Ehlers,
  • Gerard M. J. Bos,
  • Gerard M. J. Bos,
  • Lotte Wieten,
  • Lotte Wieten

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2018.02848
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Natural killer (NK) cells are attractive candidates for allogeneic cell-based immunotherapy due to their potent antitumor effector function and good safety profile. NK cells express killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and the NKG2A receptor important for NK cells education as well as providing inhibitory signals upon encountering HLA-expressing target cells. Multiple myeloma (MM) is an example of a tumor expressing relatively high levels of HLA molecules. In this review, we discuss the functional relevance of inhibitory KIRs and NKG2A for NK cells anti-MM response and strategies to lower these inhibitory signaling to enhance clinical efficacy of allogeneic NK cells in MM.

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