Ricerc@Sapienza

In this study, we explored whether Nutlin-3a, a well-known nontoxic small-molecule compound antagonizing the inhibitory interaction of MDM2 with the tumor suppressor p53, may restore ligands for natural killer (NK) cell-activating receptors (NK-ARs) on neuroblastoma (NB) cells to enhance the NK cell-mediated killing. NB cell lines were treated with Nutlin-3a, and the expression of ligands for NKG2D and DNAM-1 NK-ARs and the NB susceptibility to NK cells were evaluated. Adoptive transfer of human NK cells in a xenograft NB-bearing NSG murine model was assessed.

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.