Ricerc@Sapienza

Natural Killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in the immunosurveillance of Multiple Myeloma
(MM), but it is still undefined whether the NK cell functional properties underlying their protective
activity against MM are confined to distinct NK cell populations. Interestingly, herein we report that
the CD56lowCD16low NK cell subset displayed higher cytolytic activity compared to the other NK cell
subsets (i.e., CD56highCD16+/, CD56lowCD16high) against MM cells and its activity was impaired in

Natural killer (NK) cells are immune innate effectors playing a pivotal role in the immunosurveillance
of multiple myeloma (MM) since they are able to directly recognize
and kill MM cells. In this regard, among activating receptors expressed by NK cells,
NKG2D represents an important receptor for the recognition of MM cells, being its
ligands expressed by tumor cells, and being able to trigger NK cell cytotoxicity. The
MHC class I-related molecule A (MICA) is one of the NKG2D ligands; it is encoded

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that play a major role in the immune surveillance against tumors and their activity is regulated through signals derived by a number of NK cell inhibitory and activating receptors as well as cytokines and other soluble factors released in the tumor microenvironment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed particles secreted by all cell types, both in healthy and diseased conditions, and are important mediators of intercellular communication.

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) strongly contribute to multiple myeloma (MM) progression, promoting the survival and growth of malignant plasma cells (PCs). However, the possible impact of these cells on the immune-mediated recognition of MM cells remains largely unknown. DNAM-1 activating receptor plays a prominent role in NK cell anti-MM response engaging the ligands poliovirus receptor (PVR) and nectin-2 on malignant PCs. Here, we analysed the role of MM patient-derived BMSCs in the regulation of PVR expression.