A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro

J Vis Exp. 2018 Jan 9:(131):56785. doi: 10.3791/56785.

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells belong to the innate immune system and are a first-line anti-cancer immune defense; however, they are suppressed in the tumor microenvironment and the underlying mechanism is still largely unknown. The lack of a consistent and reliable source of NK cells limits the research progress of NK cell immunity. Here, we report an in vitro system that can provide high quality and quantity of bone marrow-derived murine NK cells under a feeder-free condition. More importantly, we also demonstrate that siRNA-mediated gene silencing successfully inhibits the E4bp4-dependent NK cell maturation by using this system. Thus, this novel in vitro NK cell differentiating system is a biomaterial solution for immunity research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cell Line
  • Cytological Techniques / methods*
  • Gene Silencing
  • Killer Cells, Natural / cytology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / physiology
  • Mice
  • RNA, Small Interfering / administration & dosage
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics

Substances

  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Nfil3 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Small Interfering