Optimal genetic feeder cell-expanded and engineered NK cell products are composed of CD56^bright and CD56^dim NK cells.

ABSTRACT: Natural killer (NK) cells represent a promising source for off-the-shelf cellular therapies. Typically, NK cells are expanded with cytokines and K562 feeder cells expressing 4-1BBL and membrane-bound IL-21, which induce a uniform and activated CD56^superbright phenotype. However, the developmental origin of these cells remains unclear, arising either from CD56^dim NK cells through phenotypic plasticity or from functional maturation of the CD56^bright subset. In this study, we dissected the respective contributions of CD56^bright and CD56^dim NK cells to engineered NK cell products. NK cell populations were sorted, and their activation, expansion, phenotype, and functionality were assessed. We found that CD56^bright NK cells were i

SUBMITTER: van Hees EP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12847502 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature