Heterotypic cell-in-cell structures between cancer and NK cells are associated with enhanced anticancer drug resistance

• Published in: iScience Vol. 25; no. 9; p. 105017
• Main Authors: Choe, Yun-Jeong, Min, Jin Young, Lee, Hyun-Seung, Lee, Sang-Yeop, Kwon, Joseph, Kim, Hye-Jin, Lee, Jangho, Kim, Hyun Min, Park, Hye Sun, Cho, Mi Young, Hyun, Ju-Yong, Kim, Hye Min, Chung, Yong-Ho, Ha, Sang Keun, Jeong, Hye Gwang, Choi, Inpyo, Kim, Tae-Don, Hong, Kwan Soo, Han, Eun Hee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 16.09.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biophysics; Cancer; Cell biology; Cell biology; Biophysics; Cancer
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105017

The heterotypic CIC structures formed of cancer and immune cells have been observed in tumor tissues. We aimed to assess the feasibility of using heterotypic CICs as a functional biomarker to predict NK susceptibility and drug resistance. The heterotypic CIC-forming cancer cells showed a lower response to NK cytotoxicity and higher proliferative ability than non-CIC cancer cells. After treatment with anticancer drugs, cancer cells that formed heterotypic CICs showed a higher resistance to anticancer drugs than non-CIC cancer cells. We also observed the formation of more CIC structures in cancer cells treated with anticancer drugs than in the non-treated group. Our results confirm the association between heterotypic CIC structures and anticancer drug resistance in CICs formed from NK and cancer cells. These results suggest a mechanism underlying immune evasion in heterotypic CIC cancer cells and provide insights into the anticancer drug resistance of cancer cells. [Display omitted] •Conformation of heterotypic CIC structures formed between cancer and NK cells•Heterotypic CICs exhibit a higher proliferative ability than non-CIC cells•Heterotypic CICs are associated with NK susceptibility•Heterotypic CICs are involved in anticancer drug resistance Cell biology; Biophysics; Cancer