TIM-3/Gal-9 interaction induces IFNγ-dependent IDO1 expression in acute myeloid leukemia blast cells

J Hematol Oncol. 2015 Apr 16:8:36. doi: 10.1186/s13045-015-0134-4.

Abstract

NK cells expressing TIM-3 show a marked increase in IFNγ production in response to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blast cells that endogenously express Gal-9. Herein, we demonstrate that NK cell-mediated production of IFNγ, induced by TIM-3/Gal-9 interaction and released in bone marrow microenvironment, is responsible for IDO1 expression in AML blasts. IDO1-expressing AML blasts consequently down-regulate NK cell degranulation activity, by sustaining leukemia immune escape. Furthermore, the blocking of TIM-3/Gal-9 interaction strongly down-regulates IFNγ-dependent IDO1 activity. Thus, the inhibition of TIM-3/Gal-9 immune check point, which affects NK cell-dependent IFNγ production and the consequent IDO1 activation, could usefully integrate current chemotherapeutic approaches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Galectins / metabolism
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • Humans
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / biosynthesis*
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / immunology*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • Tumor Escape / immunology*

Substances

  • Galectins
  • HAVCR2 protein, human
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • IDO1 protein, human
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase
  • LGALS9 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Interferon-gamma