Reversal of NK-cell exhaustion in advanced melanoma by Tim-3 blockade

Cancer Immunol Res. 2014 May;2(5):410-22. doi: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-13-0171. Epub 2014 Feb 11.

Abstract

The immunoregulatory protein T-cell immunoglobulin- and mucin-domain-containing molecule-3 (Tim-3) mediates T-cell exhaustion and contributes to the suppression of immune responses in both viral infections and tumors. Tim-3 blockade reverses the exhausted phenotype of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in several chronic diseases, including melanoma. Interestingly, natural killer (NK) cells constitutively express Tim-3; however, the role of Tim-3 in modulating the function of these innate effector cells remains unclear, particularly in human diseases. In this study, we compared the function of Tim-3 in NK cells from healthy donors and patients with metastatic melanoma. NK cells from the latter were functionally impaired/exhausted, and Tim-3 blockade reversed this exhausted phenotype. Moreover, Tim-3 expression levels were correlated with the stage of the disease and poor prognostic factors. These data indicate that Tim-3 can function as an NK-cell exhaustion marker in advanced melanoma and support the development of Tim-3-targeted therapies to restore antitumor immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Blocking / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
  • Melanoma / immunology*
  • Melanoma / metabolism*
  • Melanoma / mortality
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Membrane Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Phenotype
  • Prognosis
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Antibodies, Blocking
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • HAVCR2 protein, human
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2