Ricerc@Sapienza

Natural Killer cells (NK) are innate effector cells with a critical role in immunosurveillance against Multiple Myeloma (MM). However, during tumor progression, NK cell functions result significantly altered, and ultimately compromised in advanced disease. A better understanding of the mechanisms controlling NK cell versus MM effects could contribute to develop novel and combined therapeutic strategies in the treatment of this incurable hematologic malignancy.
Natural killer cell development and functional maturation are complex and multi-stage processes that occur predominantly in specialized niches of bone marrow (BM) through signals provided by particular cellular components, including bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Several recent studies have shown functional abnormalities of MM patient-derived BMSCs indicating that they are active players in the pathophysiology of this disease. However, the possible impact of phenotypic and functional changes of these cells on NK cell differentiation during MM progression has not been studied yet. In addition, little and conflicting information is available on the role of BMSCs in the regulation of NK cell functions both in physiologic and pathologic conditions. To gain insight into this issue, we will investigate the possible role of MM-patients derived BMSCs on both NK cell development and functional properties.