ABSTRACT
@# Objective: To investigate the function of CIK (cytokine induced killer) cells cultured using ATG-F (anti-human T lymphocyte rabbit immunoglobulin-Fresenius) and IFN- γ, IL-2 system and its feasibility in clinical practice. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from healthy donors and were used to culture CIK cells by different activating antibodies; the total cell count was calculated on Day 7 and 14. The CIK cell composition, cell surface activation and proportion of inhibitory receptor molecular in ATG-F group, CD3 group and TG (Thymoglobulin) group were analyzed by Flow cytometry, and the cytotoxicity of CIK cells against K562 cells were also determined by flow cytometry at day 14 in ATG-F high-dose group, CD3 group and TG group. Results: CIK cells were successfully cultured by ATG-F, IFN-γ, IL-2 system. The proliferation rate of ATGF high-dose group was significantly higher than that in TG group (27.25±1.25 vs 16.60±1.72, P <0.01), but the proportion of CD3+ CD56+ cells showed no statistical difference compare with the CD3 group ( P >0.05). The percentage of CD3-CD56+ NK cells in ATG-F high-dose group was significantly higher than that in TG group and CD3 group [(11.19±2.60）% vs（5.66±1.00）%,（1.42± 0.51）% ， P <0.01], while the proportion of CD4+T cells was significantly lower than that in CD3, TG group [(4.35±1.47）% vs （26.88±5.01）%,（14.52±6.22）%, P <0.01]; the proportion of CD56+CD94+, CD56+CD158a+, CD56+CD158b cells was significantly higher than those in CD3 group (all P <0.01). The ATG-F high does group showed significantly higher cytotoxicity against K562 cells than that of CD3 group at the target/effect ratio of 1∶10. Conclusion: CIK cells cultured by ATG-F culture system has higher NK cell proportion than other ordinary culture system, and its activated receptor has more stronger cytotoxicity against K562 cells.