Expansion of alpha-galactosylceramide-stimulated Valpha24+ NKT cells cultured in the absence of animal materials

J Immunother. 2005 Jul-Aug;28(4):314-21. doi: 10.1097/01.cji.0000163593.66910.ad.

Abstract

Valpha24+ NKT is an innate lymphocyte with potential antitumor activity. Clinical applications of Valpha24+ natural killer (NK) T cells, which are innate lymphocytes with potential antitumor activity, require their in vitro expansion. To avoid the potential dangers posed to patients by fetal bovine serum (FBS), the authors evaluated non-FBS culture conditions for the selective and efficient expansion of human Valpha24+ NKT cells. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) and plasma from the peripheral blood of normal healthy donors were used before and after G-CSF mobilization. MNCs and plasma separated from apheresis products were also used. MNCs were cultured for 12 days in AIM-V medium containing alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) (100 ng/mL) and IL-2 (100 U/mL) supplemented with FBS, autologous plasma, or autologous serum. The cultured cells were collected and their surface markers, intracellular cytokines, and cytotoxicity were evaluated. The highest expansion ratio for Valpha24+ NKT cells was obtained from G-CSF-mobilized MNCs cultured in medium containing 5% autologous plasma. Cultures containing MNCs and autologous plasma obtained before and after G-CSF mobilization had approximately 350-fold and 2,000-fold expansion ratios, respectively. These results suggest that G-CSF mobilization conferred a proliferative advantage to Valpha24+ NKT cells by modifying the biology of cells and plasma factors. Expanded Valpha24+ NKT cells retained their surface antigen expression and production of IFN-gamma and exhibited CD1d-independent cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Valpha24+ NKT cells can be efficiently expanded from G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood MNCs in non-FBS culture conditions with alpha-GalCer and IL-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Component Removal
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Culture Media / chemistry
  • Culture Media / pharmacology
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
  • Galactosylceramides / immunology*
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive
  • Killer Cells, Natural / cytology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / immunology*
  • Receptors, Cytokine / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Cytokines
  • Galactosylceramides
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Receptors, Cytokine
  • alpha-galactosylceramide
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor