A simple method for in vitro preparation of natural killer cells from cord blood.

BACKGROUND: Cord Blood (CB) has been considered a promising source of natural killer (NK) cells for cellular immunotherapy. However, it is difficult to expand the large numbers of highly pure NK cells from CB without cell sorting and feeder cells/multiple cytokines. In this study, we try to develop a simple, safe and economical method for ex vivo expansion and purification of NK cells from CB without cell sorting and feeder cells/multiple cytokines. RESULTS: The large numbers (mean: 1.59 × 1010) of highly pure (≥90%) NK cells from CB could be obtained through interleukin-2, group A streptococcus and zoledronate stimulation of mononuclear cells using the 21-day culture approach. When compared to resting NK cells, expanded NK cells were a higher expression of activating receptors CD16, NKG2D, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46 and activating markers CD62L and CD69, while the inhibitory receptors, CD158a and CD158b remained largely unchanged. In addition, these cells showed a higher concentration of IFN-γ, TNF-α and GM-CSF secretion and cytotoxicity to K562 cells and acute myeloid leukemia targets than resting NK cells. CONCLUSION: We develop a simple, safe and economical method to obtain high yield, purity, and functionality NK cells from CB without cell sorting and feeder cells/multiple cytokines.

[Preliminary characterization of clay minerals from four typical soils of Northeast China].

The black soil, albic soil, brown soil and cinnamon soil in Northeast China were selected as research objects, and their mineral characteristics were evaluated with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The results showed that the mineral atlas of test soils were of montmorillonite type. Quartz was the main component of clay minerals in the four soils. Montmorillonite and high mountain stone had higher amounts in black soil and albic soil, and mica and high mountain stone were more in brown soil and cinnamon soil. Generally, the surface of mineral particles in black soil, brown soil and cinnamon soil seems to be of laminarization with significant un-uniformity, and compared with black soil, brown soil and cinnamon soil had more smooth surface. In contrast, the mineral particles in albic soil had distinct profile and smooth surface with some interstice. It was indicated that the components and characteristics of soil clay minerals could be analyzed by soil spectroscopy, and the related information to be obtained could be accurate and available.