Programmed differentiated natural killer cells kill leukemia cells by engaging SLAM family receptors.

ABSTRACT: Natural killer (NK) cells are important innate immune cells that can directly kill transformed or virus-infected cells. The adoptive transfer of NK cells has been used to treat hematological malignancies; however, the limited sources and quantities of NK cells have restricted their clinical application. Here, we acquired sufficient quantities of functional NK cells from CD34⁺ cells treated with a cytokine cocktail. Microarray analysis of the cultured cells revealed a two-stage pattern of programmed differentiation during NK cell development. Different transcription factors were enriched during these two stages, suggesting that preparation of progenitors committed to the NK cell lineage occurs in program 1, while NK cell transformation and maturation occur in program 2. Cultured

SUBMITTER: Wu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5593622 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature