Effects of sSLAMF7 on NK cells in multiple myeloma patients

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08874
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54010:Hematology and medical oncology-related
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Arner Erik 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 生命医科学研究センター, チームリーダー (20571839)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 萩原 將太郎 東京女子医科大学, 医学部, 非常勤講師 (50306635)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: multiple myeloma

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Human primary natural killer cells (NK cells) were prepared from peripheral blood of Multiple Myeloma patients and healthy volunteers. The cohort consisted of 20 Multiple Myeloma patients and 10 healthy donors. The Multiple Myeloma patients were divided into two groups: 10 with high sSLAMF7 serum levels (fresh/relapsed cases) and 10 with low levels (remission or stable cases). RNA was extracted and gene expression was compared between the three groups using Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (CAGE) technology, which allows for base pair resolution detection and expression quantification of promoter regions. Differentially expressed genes were identified and subjected to Motif Activity Response Analysis (MARA) to identify putative regulators of observed changes in the transcriptional program of NK cells of Multiple Myeloma patients.

Free Research Field

transcriptional regulation

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

Poor outcome in Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients with high sSLAMF7 serum levels may be linked to changes in NK cell gene expression programs. We aimed to reconstruct the NK cell transcriptional regulatory network that governs MM and is modulated by sSLAMF7, paving the way for novel therapeutic targets