title: Analysis of HLA-class-I specific natural killer cell receptors expressed on T lymphocytes infiltrating non-small-cell lung cancer.
abstract: HLA-class I-specific natural killer cell receptors (HNKR) have been described to significantly interfere with both specific and non-specific functional activities of T lymphocytes. Despite the clear evidences obtained in T cells derived from peripheral blood, little is known about the activity of HNKR expressed in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. For this reason, we have studied T lymphocytes derived from advanced non small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). The population of T cells expressing the HNKR(+) phenotype was rare both in NSCLC-associated lymphocytes and in the peripheral blood. The two populations were clearly oligoclonal, as shown by the analysis of T cell receptor repertoire. Interestingly, while HNKR(+) T cells derived from the peripheral blood belonged to the CD45R0 phenotype, the large majority of HNKR(+) T cells in TIL were CD45RA. Functionally, all HNKR(+) T cells displayed a cytolytic activity against allogeneic NSCLC. Autologous NSCLC, tested in a single patient, was lysed efficiently by HNKR(+) T cells, thus suggesting that at least in this model, the presence of HNKR did not significantly interfere with the functional capacity of effector cells.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio di Immunoterapia Cellulare, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Semino
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferlazzo
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Ratto
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melioli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell