EGFR-targeted granzyme B expressed in NK cells enhances natural cytotoxicity and mediates specific killing of tumor cells

PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e61267. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061267. Epub 2013 Apr 3.

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells are highly specialized effectors of the innate immune system that hold promise for adoptive cancer immunotherapy. Their cell killing activity is primarily mediated by the pro-apoptotic serine protease granzyme B (GrB), which enters targets cells with the help of the pore-forming protein perforin. We investigated expression of a chimeric GrB fusion protein in NK cells as a means to augment their antitumoral activity. For selective targeting to tumor cells, we fused the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) peptide ligand transforming growth factor α (TGFα) to human pre-pro-GrB. Established human NKL natural killer cells transduced with a lentiviral vector expressed this GrB-TGFα (GrB-T) molecule in amounts comparable to endogenous wildtype GrB. Activation of the genetically modified NK cells by cognate target cells resulted in the release of GrB-T together with endogenous granzymes and perforin, which augmented the effector cells' natural cytotoxicity against NK-sensitive tumor cells. Likewise, GrB-T was released into the extracellular space upon induction of degranulation with PMA and ionomycin. Secreted GrB-T fusion protein displayed specific binding to EGFR-overexpressing tumor cells, enzymatic activity, and selective target cell killing in the presence of an endosomolytic activity. Our data demonstrate that ectopic expression of a targeted GrB fusion protein in NK cells is feasible and can enhance antitumoral activity of the effector cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Degranulation
  • Cell Survival
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic*
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression
  • Granzymes / biosynthesis*
  • Granzymes / genetics
  • Granzymes / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha / biosynthesis*
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Granzymes

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) grant WE 2589/2-1, DFG Graduiertenkolleg GRK1172, LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy Frankfurt, and institutional funds of the Georg-Speyer-Haus. The Georg-Speyer-Haus is funded jointly by the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and the Arts of the State of Hessen (HMWK). The LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy Frankfurt is funded by HMWK, reference number: III L 4- 518/17.004 (2010). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.