Science Advances: Cancer cells are masters of hypnotism?

In our impression, cancer cells are like a vicious thug, but in fact, the life of cancer cells is not easy, and they are always facing the siege from the immune system

However, a new study from the University of Ottawa has discovered a new ability of cancer cells - "hypnotic" NK cells, blood cancer cells will transfer the cell membrane with PD-1 to NK cells, making them "dormant" ” state, thereby inhibiting their anticancer activity

The fight against cancer is a battlefield without gunpowder smoke.

PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade therapy is one of the most effective immunotherapies at present

PD-1/PD-L1

In this latest study, the research team found that a type of contact between cells, trogocytosis, can explain this doubt

Cytognathism leads to the transfer of PD-1 from tumor cells to NK cells

In a mouse model of leukemia, the research team found that cytotoxicity between lymphocytes and tumor cells is very frequent, which also causes NK cells and CD8+ T cells to acquire PD-1 from leukemia cells

Intratumoral lymphocytes acquire PD-1 from tumor cells in a leukocyte mouse model

From this point of view, the NK cell is not only a ruthless "killer" but also a "thief" - stealing the cell membranes carrying surface protein molecules from other blood cells

In patients with clonal plasma cell disease, the researchers confirmed by immunohistochemistry the cytotoxic effect of NK cells on blood cancer cells—not only PD-1 but also tumor cell markers

PD-1 and CD138 are also present in NK cells from patients with clonal plasmacytosis

Michele Ardolino, Ph.

Altogether, this study elucidates a novel mechanism for regulating NK cell function by acquiring PD-1 from tumor cells

MOHAMED S.