Sufficiently activated mature natural killer cells derived from
peripheral blood mononuclear cells substantially enhance antitumor
activity
Abstract
Background: Peripheral blood-derived natural killer (NK) cells
spontaneously lyse tumor cells without prior sensitization. However, NK
cells in peripheral blood (PBNK cells) are in a resting state and
exhibit inhibitory phenotypes and impaired cytotoxicity. Thus,
strengthening the cytotoxic effector function of PBNK cells and
improving NK cell expansion in vitro for a convenient allogeneic therapy
are essential. Materials and Methods: Pure cytokine activation and
expansion of NK cells [super NK (SNK)] from peripheral blood
mononuclear cells were studied. Markers of activated and inhibited NK
cells and cytokine secretion by NK cells were examined using flow
cytometry. NK cell antitumor activity in vitro was assessed using
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay and an Incucyte real-time
imaging system. Additionally, the function of SNK cells against ascites
caused by ovarian cancer in NOD-Prkdc(em26Cd52)il2rg(em26Cd22)/Nju (NCG)
mice were determined. In a further investigation of the differences
between PBNK and SNK, the mRNA of both cells was sequenced and analyzed.
Results: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed selective NK
cell expansion upon cytokine activation and culture. Both SNK and PBNK
cells expressed activation markers, but at different levels, and SNK
cells secreted more cytokines related to cytotoxicity than PBNK cells
did. Accordingly, SNK cells exhibited strong antitumor activity ex vivo
and improved NCG mice survival after intraperitoneal ovarian cancer
transplantation. Mechanistically, SNK cells expressed more genes
associated with nucleotide metabolism, fatty acid, and ATP metabolism
than PBNK cells. Conclusion: SNK cells derived from peripheral blood
mononuclear cells have sufficiently activated mature characteristics and
high antitumor activity, rendering them a highly promising and essential
therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. KEYWORDS Natural killer cell;
Peripheral blood; Ovarian cancer; Ascites