Enhanced IL-15-mediated NK cell activation and proliferation by an ADAM17 function-blocking antibody involves CD16A, CD137, and accessory cells
Authors: Matson Anders W. , Hullsiek Rob H. , Dixon Kate J. , Wang Sam , Lindstedt Anders J. , Friess Ryan R. , Phung Shee Kwan , Freedman Tanya S. , Felices Martin , Truckenbrod Emily N , Wu Jianming , Miller Jeffrey S , Walcheck Bruce 
Published: May 2024

Background

NK cells are being extensively studied as a cell therapy for cancer. Their effector functions are induced by the recognition of ligands on tumor cells and by various cytokines. IL-15 is broadly used to stimulate endogenous and adoptively transferred NK cells in cancer patients. These stimuli activate the membrane protease ADAM17, which then cleaves assorted receptors on the surface of NK cells as a negative feedback loop to limit their activation and function. We have shown that ADAM17 inhibition can enhance IL-15-mediated NK cell proliferationin vitroandin vivo. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanism of this process.

Methods

PBMCs or enriched NK cells from human peripheral blood, either unlabeled or labeled with a cell proliferation dye, were cultured for up to 7 days in the presence of rhIL-15 +/- an ADAM17 function-blocking antibody. Different versions of the antibody were generated; Medi-1 (IgG1), Medi-4 (IgG4), Medi-PGLALA, Medi-F(ab′)2, and TAB16 (anti-ADAM17 and anti-CD16 bispecific) to modulate CD16A engagement on NK cells. Flow cytometry was used to assess NK cell proliferation and phenotypic markers, immunoblotting to examine CD16A signaling, and IncuCyte-based live cell imaging to measure NK cell anti-tumor activity.

Results

The ADAM17 function-blocking mAb Medi-1 markedly increased initial NK cell activation by IL-15. Using different engineered versions of the antibody revealed that the activating Fcγ receptor CD16A, a well-described ADAM17 substrate, was critical for enhancing IL-15 stimulation. Hence, Medi-1 bound to ADAM17 on NK cells can be engaged by CD16A and block its shedding, inducing and prolonging its signaling. This process did not promote evident NK cell fratricide, phagocytosis, or dysfunction. Synergistic activity by Medi-1 and IL-15 enhanced the upregulation of CD137 on CD16A+NK cells and augmented their proliferation in the presence of PBMC accessory cells.

Conclusions

Our data reveal for the first time that CD16A and CD137 underpin Medi-1 enhancement of IL-15-driven NK cell activation and proliferation, respectively. The use of Medi-1 represents a novel strategy to enhance IL-15-driven NK cell proliferation, and it may be of therapeutic importance by increasing the anti-tumor activity of NK cells in cancer patients.

What is already known on this topic

NK cell therapies are being broadly investigated to treat cancer. NK cell stimulation by IL-15 prolongs their survival in cancer patients. Various stimuli including IL-15 activate ADAM17 in NK cells, a membrane protease that regulates the cell surface density of various receptors as a negative feedback mechanism.

What this study adds

Treating NK cells with the ADAM17 function-blocking mAb Medi-1 markedly enhanced their activation and proliferation. Our study reveals that the Fc and Fab regions of Medi-1 function synergistically with IL-15 in NK cell activation. Medi-1 treatment augments the upregulation of CD137 by NK cells, which enhances their proliferation in the presence of PBMC accessory cells.

How this study might affect research, practice, or policy

Our study is of translational importance as Medi-1 treatment in combination with IL-15 could potentially augment the proliferation and function of endogenous or adoptively transferred NK cells in cancer patients.

Graphical abstract