Human fused NKG2D-IL-15 protein controls xenografted human gastric cancer through the recruitment and activation of NK cells.

Interleukin (IL)-15 plays an important role in natural killer (NK) and CD8+ T-cell proliferation and function and is more effective than IL-2 for tumor immunotherapy. The trans-presentation of IL-15 by neighboring cells is more effective for NK cell activation than its soluble IL-15. In this study, the fusion protein dsNKG2D-IL-15, which consisted of two identical extracellular domains of human NKG2D coupled to human IL-15 via a linker, was engineered in Escherichia coli. DsNKG2D-IL-15 could efficiently bind to major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related protein A (MICA) of human tumor cells with the two NKG2D domains and trans-present IL-15 to NK or CD8+ T cells. We transplanted human gastric cancer (SGC-7901) cells into nude mice and mouse melanoma cells with ectopic expression of MICA (B16BL6-MICA) into C57BL/6 mice. Then, we studied the anti-tumor effects mediated by dsNKG2D-IL-15 in the two xenografted tumor models. Human dsNKG2D-IL-15 exhibited higher efficiency than IL-15 in suppressing gastric cancer growth. Exogenous human dsNKG2D-IL-15 was centrally distributed in the mouse tumor tissues based on in vivo live imaging. The frequencies of human CD56+ cells infiltrated into the tumor tissues following the injection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells into nude mice bearing human gastric cancer were significantly increased by human dsNKG2D-IL-15 treatment. Human dsNKG2D-IL-15 also delayed the growth of transplanted melanoma (B16BL6-MICA) by activating and recruiting mouse NK and CD8+ T cells. The anti-melanoma effect of human dsNKG2D-IL-15 in C57BL/6 mice was mostly decreased by the in vivo depletion of mouse NK cells. These data highlight the potential use of human dsNKG2D-IL-15 for tumor therapy.Cellular & Molecular Immunology advance online publication, 14 September 2015; doi:10.1038/cmi.2015.81.

Immune complex negatively regulates Toll-like receptor 9-mediated immune responses in B cells through the inhibitory Fc-gamma receptor IIb.

Because inappropriate activation of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) may induce pathological damage, negative regulation of the TLR9-triggered immune response has attracted considerable attention. Nonpathogenic immune complex (IC) has been demonstrated to have beneficial therapeutic effects in some kinds of autoimmune diseases. However, the role of IC in the regulation of TLR9-triggered immune responses and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, it was demonstrated that IC stimulation of B cells not only suppresses CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN)-induced pro-inflammatory IL-6 and IgM κ production, but also attenuates CD40 and CD80 expression. Furthermore, our results suggest that the receptor for the Fc portion of IgG (FcγR) IIb is involved in the suppressive effect of IC on TLR9-mediated CD40, CD80 and IL-6 expression. Finally, it was found that IC down-regulates TLR9 expression in CpG-ODN activated B cells. Our results provide an outline of a new pathway for the negative regulation of TLR9-triggered immune responses in B cells via FcγRIIb. A new mechanistic explanation of the therapeutic effect of nonpathogenic IC on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases is also provided.

Construction and in vivo evaluation of a mammary gland-specific expression vector for human lysozyme.

A mammary gland-specific expression vector p205C3 was constructed with the 5'- and 3'-flanking regions of ß-lactoglobulin gene and the first intron of ß-casein gene of Chinese dairy goat as regulatory sequences. Human lysozyme (hLYZ) cDNA from mammary gland was cloned into p205C3 and the recombinant vector was used to generate transgenic mice by microinjection. Based on the lysoplate assay, four female offspring of one male founder were detected expressing recombinant hLYZ in their milk at the levels of 5-200 mg/l, and the expressed protein had the same molecular weight as that of normal hLYZ. Besides mammary glands, ectopic expressions were also found in the spleens and the small intestines of the transgenic mice. Among the offspring, the female transgenic mice maintained and expressed the transgene stably with a highest expression level of 750 mg/l. Therefore, p205C3 could be used to develop animal mammary gland bioreactors expressing hLYZ.

Treatment with a fusion protein of the extracellular domains of NKG2D to IL-15 retards colon cancer growth in mice.

Tumor-targeted cytokines are a new class of pharmaceutical anticancer agents often considered superior to the corresponding unconjugated cytokines for therapeutic purposes. We generated a new fusion protein, dsNKG2D-IL-15, in which double NKG2D extracellular domains were fused to IL-15, in Escherichia coli. This fusion protein promoted the activation, proliferation, and cytotoxicity of NK cells, and bound to NKG2D ligand-positive tumor cells. These tumor cells were also more susceptible to NK-cell attack when decorated with dsNKG2D-IL-15. The administration of mouse dsNKG2D-IL-15 protein in vivo significantly retarded the growth of transplanted colon cancers and prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice. Treatment with dsNKG2D-IL-15 increased the frequencies of NK and CD8 T cells in spleen and tumor tissues. The antitumor effect mediated by dsNKG2D-IL-15 was significantly decreased with in vivo depletion of NK cells or CD8 T cells. Recombinant dsNKG2D-IL-15 thus inhibited NKG2D ligand-positive tumor growth effectively by activating lymphocytes. This new biological fusion protein could potentially be used to elicit immunity in tumor-targeting treatments.

CD4(+) NKG2D(+) T cells induce NKG2D down-regulation in natural killer cells in CD86-RAE-1ε transgenic mice.

The binding of NKG2D to its ligands strengthens the cross-talk between natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells, particularly at early stages, before the initiation of the adaptive immune response. We found that retinoic acid early transcript-1ε (RAE-1ε), one of the ligands of NKG2D, was persistently expressed on antigen-presenting cells in a transgenic mouse model (pCD86-RAE-1ε). By contrast, NKG2D expression on NK cells, NKG2D-dependent cytotoxicity and tumour rejection, and dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis were all down-regulated in this mouse model. The down-regulation of NKG2D on NK cells was reversed by stimulation with poly (I:C). The ectopic expression of RAE-1ε on dendritic cells maintained NKG2D expression levels and stimulated the activity of NK cells ex vivo, but the higher frequency of CD4(+) NKG2D(+) T cells in transgenic mice led to the down-regulation of NKG2D on NK cells in vivo. Hence, high levels of RAE-1ε expression on antigen-presenting cells would be expected to induce the down-regulation of NK cell activation by a regulatory T-cell subset.

Antibodies with higher bactericidal activity induced by a Neisseria gonorrhoeae Rmp deletion mutant strain.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) outer membrane protein reduction modifiable protein (Rmp) has strong immunogenicity. However, anti-Rmp antibodies block rather than preserve the antibacterial effects of protective antibodies, which hampers the development of vaccines for gonococcal infections. We herein constructed an Rmp deletion mutant strain of N. gonorrhoeae by gene homologous recombination. The 261-460 nucleotide residues of Rmp gene amplified from N. gonorrhoeae WHO-A strain were replaced with a kanamycin-resistant Kan gene amplified from pET-28a. The resultant hybridized DNA was transformed into N. gonorrhoeae WHO-A strain. PCR was used to screen the colonies in which wild-type Rmp gene was replaced with a mutant gene fragment. Western blotting revealed that the Rmp deletion mutant strain did not express Rmp protein. Rmp deletion did not alter the morphological and Gram staining properties of the mutant strain that grew slightly more slowly than the wild-type one. Rmp gene mutated stably throughout 25 generations of passage. Antibody-mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay indicated that the antibodies induced by the mutant strain had evidently higher bactericidal activities than those induced by the wild-type strain. Further modification of the Rmp deletion mutant strain is still required in the development of novel live attenuated vaccines for gonorrhea by Opa genes deletion or screening of phenotypic variant strains that do not express Opa proteins.

IL-15, in synergy with RAE-1ɛ, stimulates TCR-independent proliferation and activation of CD8(+) T cells.

CD8(+) T cells play critical roles in immunosurveillance by killing malignant or virally infected cells. Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a critical cytokine for promoting proliferation and the effector capacity of CD8(+) T cells, and has been used to support the growth of CD8(+) T cells in cellular therapies of neoplastic diseases. Recent studies have shown that IL-15, in synergy with other cytokines, such as IL-6, enhances the T-cell receptor (TCR)-independent proliferation and function of CD8(+) T cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of BaF3-mb15-RAE cells in stimulating mouse CD8(+) T cells. BaF3 cells were cultured and B16F10 cells were grown in DMEM. MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation of CD8(+) T cells. Cells were analyzed using flow cytometry. The results showed that IL-15 synergistically acts with another T-cell stimulatory molecule, RAE1ɛ, to potently promote the proliferation of CD8(+) T cells, induce CD8(+) T-cell activation and enhance granzyme B and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production in the absence of signaling via the TCR. Moreover, IL-15 in combination with RAE1ɛ resulted in a cooperative effect on CD8(+) T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity against B16F10 tumor cells. Thus, results of the present study showed that IL-15, in synergy with RAE1ɛ, enhances the TCR-independent effector function of CD8(+) T cells in vitro, which may be useful in the cellular immunotherapy of cancer.

Application and expression of Toxoplasma gondii surface antigen 2 (SAG2) and rhoptry protein 2 (ROP2) from recombinant Escherichia coli strain.

The gene encoding surface antigen 2 (SAG2) or rhoptry protein 2 (ROP2) of Toxoplasma gondii was cloned into the plasmid pGEX-4T-1 and subsequently expressed in Escherichia coli as a glutathione-s-transferase (GST) fusion protein. The characteristics of purified GST-SAG2 or GST-ROP2 were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblot analysis. The specific IgG of a panel of serum samples provided by the National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products were tested with commercial ELISA and the lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) based on GST-SAG2, GST-ROP2 or GST-SAG2+ROP2. A total of 1096 sera and saliva samples from pregnant women were tested by GST-SAG2+ROP2-LFIA. In total, 20 T. gondii IgM positive sera (1.82%), 81 T. gondii IgG positive sera (7.4%) and 23 T. gondii IgA positive saliva (2.1%) were finally confirmed. The SAG2+ROP2 specific IgG and IFN-γ producing CD8+ T cells were induced in mice immunised with GST-SAG2+ROP2. The results indicate that GST-SAG2+ROP2 protein can be used as an antigen for diagnosing T. gondii infection and provide a strategy for development of subunit vaccines for protection against T. gondii infection.

Establishment of a human CEACAM1 transgenic mouse model for the study of gonococcal infections.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative microorganism for the sexually transmitted disease (STD) gonorrhea and humans are its only natural host. An animal model would be a useful tool for gonorrhea research, therefore we developed the hCEACAM1 transgenic mice, using an eukaryotic expression vector, pCDPCAM1-GI. This construct was microinjected into the zygotes of C57BL/6 mice and 22 F0 generation transgenic mice were obtained. Four (lines 50, 53, 54, and 59) of the F0 generation were found to carry the transgene by PCR and sequence analysis, respectively. Western blotting and Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting Analysis demonstrated that hCEACAM1 was expressed on the cell membrane of various tissues in the line 53 transgenic mouse. To initiate the disease in the animal model, the F2 or F3 transgenic mice were inoculated with N. gonorrhoeae intravaginally. Compared with normal mice, N. gonorrhoeae can successfully infect and cause inflammation in the transgenic mice. These data suggested the feasibility of using hCEACAM1 transgenic mice as an animal model for gonococcal infections.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae NspA induces specific bactericidal and opsonic antibodies in mice.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae surface protein A (NspA) is a highly conserved gonococcal antigen. To explore the potential of NspA in vaccine development against gonorrhea, BALB/c mice were immunized with pcNspA containing the NspA gene from N. gonorrhoeae strain WHO-A via intramuscular (i.m.) injection, intranasal (i.n.) immunization, or intravaginal (i.vag.) immunization. Following the last DNA immunization, mice were boosted with recombinant NspA (rNspA). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) indicated that all immunized mice generated measurable NspA-specific IgG and IgA in serum and secretory IgA (sIgA) in vaginal wash fluids. The antisera had bactericidal and opsonic activities. These data demonstrated that NspA induced antibodies with antigonococcal activity.

[Effects of natural killer cells stimulated with immobilized MHC class I chain-related antigen A on activities of dendritic cells].

AIM: To observe the effects of NK cells stimulated with immobilized MHC class I chain-related antigen A (iMICA) on activities of dendritic cells (DCs). METHODS: Firstly fresh allogeneic NK cells, or iMICA-stimulated allogeneic NK cells, and autologous NK cells stimulated with IL-2 or IL-2 and iMICA were co-cultured with immature DCs (iDCs) at the ratio of 5:1 for 24 hours. Frequencies of HLA-DR positive or CD86 positive DCs were detected by flow cytometry. Next autologous NK cells stimulated with iMICA were co-cultured with iDCs at the ratio of 1:5 for 24 hours. Variation of HLA-DR or CD86 expression on dendritic cells was measured. Lastly IFN-γ neutralizing antibody was added into the NK-DCs co-culture system to observe HLA-DR or CD86 expression on DCs. RESULTS: When NK:iDCs ratio was 5:1, both fresh allogeneic and activated autologous NK cells killed iDCs efficiently. iMICA did not synergize this cytotoxicity. However, when NK:iDCs ratio was 1:5, NK cells activated by iMICA promoted HLA-DR and CD86 expression on DCs. IFN-γ antibody down-regulated HLA-DR and CD86 expression on DCs which were co-cultured with iMICA-activated NK cells. CONCLUSION: iMICA is redundant as fresh allogeneic or activated autologous NK cells killed iDCs. However, if numbers of NK cell are less than those of DCs, iMICA can stimulate NK cells to produce IFN-γ for DCs maturation.

Construction of a plasmid for co-expression of mouse membrane-bound form of IL-15 and RAE-1ε and its biological activity.

Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a pivotal cytokine for the proliferation and activation of a specific group of immune cells such as natural killer (NK), IFN-producing killer dendritic cells (IKDC) and CD8 T cells. RAE-1ε, the ligand for the activating NKG2D receptor, which also play an important role in the proliferation and activation of NK cells and IKDCs. In this study, a membrane-bound form of IL-15 (termed mb15) encoding sequence and RAE-1ε gene were obtained by SOE-PCR or PCR amplification. The amplified mb15 and RAE-1ε gene were then digested and inserted into the multiple cloning site1 (MCS1) and MCS2 of pVITRO2-mcs vector, respectively. A recombinant eukaryotic expression vector for co-expression of mb15 and RAE-1ε was successfully constructed. After it was transfected to BaF3 cells, the expression of IL-15 and RAE-1ε in recombinant BaF3/mb15/RAE-1ε cells were verified by RT-PCR, western blot and FCM analysis. Furthermore, BaF3/mb15/RAE-1ε cells had the ability of promoting NK cells proliferation and IFN-γ secretion. In conclusion, BaF3/mb15/RAE-1ε cells were successfully constructed, which is very useful for further studies, especially for the expansion and activation of certain subsets of immune cells such as NK cells and IKDCs.

[The effect of up-regulation of MHC class I chain-related antigen A expression by dendritic cells on activity of NK cells].

AIM: To observe whether MHC class I chain-related antigen A (MICA) was expressed on monocytes, immature dendritic cells (iDCs), and mature dendritic cells (mDCs), and to study effect of up-regulation of MICA expression by DCs on biologic activity of NK cells. METHODS: MICA expression on monocytes, iDCs, or mDCs stimulated with LPS, TNF-α, CD40L, IL-15 or IFN-α was detected by flow cytometry. Next CD69 expression, degranuation, and IFN-γ production of NK cells stimulated with MICA-positive mDCs were analyzed. Lastly recombinant NKG2D/Fc fusion protein and anti-IL-12 monoclonal antibody was respectively added into culture systems to analyze whether these reagents affected the interaction between DCs and NK cells. RESULTS: MICA was not expressed on monocytes, and expressed on iDCs at low level. LPS, TNF-α, CD40L had no influences on MICA expression on mDCs, but IFN-α, IL-15 up-regulated MICA expression on mDCs. MICA-positive mDCs promoted CD69 expression, IFN-γ production, and killing K562 cells by NK cells. NKG2D/Fc inhibited both cytotcoxicity and IFN-γ secretion, whereas IL-12 antibody only inhibited IFN-γ secretion of NK cells. CONCLUSION: MICA expression on DCs is regulated by relevant factors in microenvironment. DCs with high level of MICA expression can up-regulate biologic activity of NK cells.

Immobilized MHC class I chain-related protein A synergizes with IL-15 and soluble 4-1BB ligand to expand NK cells with high cytotoxicity ex vivo.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain-related protein A (MICA), which is a ligand for human NKG2D, is expressed by a variety of epithelial tumor cells and promotes the activation of natural killer (NK), CD8(+) and γδ-T cells. Although ectopic expression of MICA on tumor cells elicits anti-tumor responses, soluble MICA downregulates the activities of lymphocytes. In this study, we showed that recombinant, immobilized MICA (iMICA) molecules coated on plastic wells weakly promote peripheral NK cell activation, secretion of interferon (IFN)-γ and degranulation without inducing apoptosis. In addition, iMICA synergized with IL-15 and soluble 4-1BB ligand (s4-1BBL) to expand NK cells 25- to 42-fold in a 13-day culture, whereas NK cells stimulated only with IL-15 and s4-1BBL expanded 10- to 16-fold. In contrast to NK cells expanded by IL-15 and s4-1BBL stimulation, NK cells expanded long term in the presence of iMICA exhibited increased cytotoxicity against leukemia cells. These results suggest that large numbers of NK cells with high cytotoxicity can be generated by stimulation with IL-15 and s4-1BBL in the presence of iMICA and that these cells can be used for adoptive cancer immunotherapy.

Application and expression of HSV gG1 protein from a recombinant strain.

According to the homologous sequence of glycoprotein G1 (gG1) genes from different strains of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), a pair of primers was designed to amplify the gG1 gene fragment by PCR. Both the PCR product and the pGEX-4T-1 vector were digested with EcoR I and Sal I. The gG1 gene fragment was subcloned into the digested pGEX-4T-1 vector to construct a recombinant plasmid (pGEX-4T-1-gG1). The resultant plasmid was identified by dual-enzyme digestion and sequence analysis, and then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 for expression under the induction of isopropyl ß-D-1-thiogalactoside (IPTG). The expressed GST-gG1 fragment was detected by SDS-PAGE and purified by affinity chromatography. The properties of GST-gG1 fragment were evaluated by immunoblot analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) based on the GST-gG1 fragment were used for determining IgG or IgM to HSV-1. The GST-gG1 fragment-specific ELISA was also compared with ELISA with whole-HSV-1 antigen and commercial ELISA kits. The gG1-specific IgG and IFN-γ producing CD8+ T cells were induced in mice immunized with the GST-gG1 fragment. These results indicated that the GST-gG1 fragment could be used for replacing whole-virus antigen to detect IgM and IgG to HSV-1 in human sera, which provided a strategy for developing vaccines to protect HSV-1 infection using gG1 fragment.

[Association of MICA gene polymorphism and serum soluble MICA level with colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A gene (MICA) polymorphism and serum soluble MICA level were associated with the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer. METHODS: DNA samples from 117 colorectal cancer patients and 113 healthy individuals from Yangzhou in Jiangsu province were genotyped by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence-specific primer (SSP) method and PCR based sequencing. In addition, polymorphism at position 129 was also analyzed by PCR-SSP. Serum levels of soluble MICA were measured by a sandwich ELISA method. RESULTS: Neither the extracellular nor the transmembrane region polymorphisms of MICA gene were associated with the occurrence and the different stages of colorectal cancer. In contrast, the frequency of the methionine residue at position 129 was significantly decreased in the patient group. Soluble MICA levels in sera were increased in the late stages of colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Although there was no genetic susceptibility attributed to MICA gene polymorphism with regard to development of colorectal cancer, serum levels of soluble MICA may be a diagnostic marker of advanced stages.

Expression of human cytomegalovirus pp150 gene in transgenic Vicia faba L. and immunogenicity of pp150 protein in mice.

The pp150 gene of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was transferred into Vicia faba plants by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Three of five hygromycin resistant V. faba plants were identified as positive by PCR and dot-blot hybridization. The ELISA results indicated that pp150 protein from three plants of transformed V. faba leaves and seeds made up 0.005-0.015% of the total soluble protein. The results of detection by immunoblot and inhibition of immunofluorescent assay (IFA) showed that pp150 soluble protein had immunity activity. HCMV pp150-specific antibody (IgG, IgA) and IFN-gamma producing T cells were detected in 100% of the mice immunized with pp150 transgenic V. faba seeds by ELISA and intracellular staining and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. The transgenic V. faba plants will provide new material for the development of edible vaccination against HCMV infection.

[Identification of T cell epitopes of p210(bcr-abl); antigen and detection of epitope-specific CTLs.].

AIM: To study the immunogenicity of p210(bcr-abl);, the epitopes of HLA-A2 restricted T cells and the distribution of epitope-specific CTLs in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients and in normal controls. METHODS: Two epitopes, BCR-ABL(642); and BCR-ABL(926m);, were selected using bioinfomatics software and further confirmed by T2 cell binding assay. The soluble HLA-A2 tetramers bound with each epitope were generated to detect the CD8(+); T cell frequencies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: The epitope-specific CD8(+); T cell frequencies of both BCR-ABL(642); and BCR-ABL(926m); were significantly higher in CML patients, compared with those in healthy individuals(P<0.01), but no significant difference was observed in influenza epitope-specific CTLs between the patients and healthy individuals (P>0.05). The frequency of BCR-ABL(642); peptide-specific CTLs at chronic phase was significantly higher than that at blast phase in CML patients (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The two candidate epitopes selected from p210(bcr-abl); are characterized by their immunogenicity and based on them, vaccines or adoptive CTL therapies can be developed.

[Effects of recombinant soluble MICA protein on the biologic activities of NK cells].

AIM: To study the effects of recombinant soluble MHC class I chain-related protein A (sMICA) on the cytotoxicity, secretion of IFN-gamma, proliferation and apoptosis of peripheral NK cells. METHODS: After NK cells were co-cultured with recombinant soluble MICA proteins overnight, the cytotoxicity of NK cell on target cells was detected by flow cytometry. The supernant was collected to determine the concentration of IFN-gamma by ELISA. The proliferation of NK cells to sMICA was detected by MTS/PMS. NK cells were labeled with annexin V and PI to analyze their apoptosis. RESULTS: Soluble MICA inhibited the cytotoxicity of NK cells and down-regulated the secretion of IFN-gamma, but it showed no effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of freshly isolated peripheral NK cells. CONCLUSION: The soluble MICA shedding from tumor cells could be a pathway of cancer immune evasion by down-regulating the biologic activities of NK cells.

Establishment and characterization of a cell based artificial antigen-presenting cell for expansion and activation of CD8+ T cells ex vivo.

Artificial antigen-presenting cells are expected to stimulate the expansion and acquisition of optimal therapeutic features of T cells before infusion. Here CD32 that binds to a crystallizable fragment of IgG monoclonal antibody was genetically expressed on human K562 leukemia cells to provide a ligand for T-cell receptor. CD86 and 4-1BBL, which are ligands of co-stimulating receptors of CD28 and 4-1BB, respectively, were also expressed on K562 cells. Then we accomplished the artificial antigen-presenting cells by coupling K32/CD86/4-1BBL cell with OKT3 monoclonal antibody against CD3, named K32/CD86/4-1BBL/OKT3 cells. These artificial modified cells had the abilities of inducing CD8+ T cell activation, promoting CD8+ T cell proliferation, division, and long-term growth, inhibiting CD8+ T cell apoptosis, and enhancing CD8+ T cell secretion of IFN-gamma and perforin. Furthermore, antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes could be retained in the culture stimulated with K32/CD86/4-1BBL/OKT3 cells at least within 28 days. This approach was robust, simple, reproducible and economical for expansion and activation of CD8+ T cells and may have important therapeutic implications for adoptive immunotherapy.