Modified cell line and method for expansion of NK cell
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to novel methods for preferentially activating and expanding NK cells. The methods utilize the stimulatory effects of IL-15 and CD137 ligand to preferentially expand and activate NK cells in a mixed cell culture comprising NK cells.
1. A modified cell line comprising K562 myeloid leukemia cells that lack major histocompatibility complex I molecules wherein said K562 myeloid leukemia cells are genetically modified to express membrane bound interleukin-15 and co-stimulatory factor ligand CD137L, wherein said modified cell line activates natural killer (NK) cells and fails to activate T lymphocytes.
2. The modified cell line of claim 1 wherein said modified cells also lack major histocompatibility complex II molecules.
3. A method of preferentially expanding natural killer (NK) cells in a mixed cell culture comprising NK cells and T lymphocytes which comprises culturing said mixed cell culture with a modified cell line comprising K562 myeloid leukemia cell that lack major histocompatibility complex I molecules wherein said modified K562 myeloid leukemia cells are genetically modified to express membrane bound interleukin-15 and co-stimulatory factor ligand CD137L, wherein said modified cell line activates natural killer (NK) cells and fails to activate T lymphocytes.