X-ray as Irradiation Alternative for K562 Feeder Cell Inactivation in Human Natural Killer Cell Expansion

• Published in: Anticancer research 2018-10, Vol.38 (10), p.5767-5772
• Main Authors: Kim, Gwang Ho, Dang, Hoang-Nguyen, Phan, Minh-Trang Thi, Kweon, Soon Ho, Chun, Sejong, Cho, Duck
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cell Differentiation - radiation effects; Cell Proliferation - radiation effects; Coculture Techniques; Deactivation; Expansion; Feeder Cells - cytology; Feeder Cells - radiation effects; Flow cytometry; Humans; Inactivation; Interleukin 15; Interleukin 2; Irradiation; K562 Cells; Killer Cells, Natural - cytology; Killer Cells, Natural - radiation effects; Leukocytes (mononuclear); Natural killer cells; Peripheral blood mononuclear cells; X-Rays
• ISSN: 0250-7005; 1791-7530
• DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.12915

γ-Irradiation has been proven to be the most effective method to inactivate K562 cells, but γ-irradiators are not available in some institutes. This study was designed to compare the effects of X-ray and γ-irradiation on K562 cells in natural killer (NK) cell expansion. To expand NK cells, isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were co-cultured with γ-irradiated or X-ray-treated K562 cells plus IL-2 and IL-15. Characteristics of expanded NK cells were identified by flow cytometry. NK cell expansion rate tended be to lower in the X-ray-treated group (68.9±32.6) than the γ-irradiated group (78±28.7), but the difference was not significant (p=0.39). Furthermore, NK cell functions or receptor expression were similar in the two groups. Our results suggest that X-ray treatment can be used as an alternative to γ-irradiation for K562 cells inactivation in human NK cell expansion.