ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Kit

Kit for the culture and expansion of human NK cells

ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Kit

Kit for the culture and expansion of human NK cells

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Kit for the culture and expansion of human NK cells
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Product Advantages


  • Robust expansion of NK cells with high yield and frequency

  • Feeder- and serum-free culture conditions

  • Expanded NK cells are functional with cytotoxic potential

What's Included

  • ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Base Medium, 500 mL (Catalog #100-0712)
  • ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Supplement, 5 mL (Catalog #100-0715)
  • ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Coating Material, 1.5 mL (Catalog #100-0714)
Products for Your Protocol
To see all required products for your protocol, please consult the Protocols and Documentation.

Overview

Consistently expand natural killer (NK) cells in serum-free conditions without the use of problematic feeder cells.

Use ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Kit to provide optimized culture conditions for expanding NK cells with high yields. This kit comprises ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Base Medium, ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Supplement, and ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Coating Material, providing you with a complete, easy-to-use culture system. After just 14 days in culture, cells can be harvested and used directly in your downstream applications.

This kit is compatible with many of our other upstream and downstream products. For example, you can use EasySep™ cell separation kits to isolate NK cells that can then be immediately expanded using ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Kit.
Subtype
Specialized Media
Cell Type
NK Cells
Species
Human
Application
Cell Culture, Expansion
Brand
ImmunoCult
Area of Interest
Cancer, Immunology, Cell Therapy Development
Formulation Category
Animal Component-Free, Serum-Free, Xeno-Free

Data Figures

Protocol for the Expansion of Natural Killer (NK) Cells Using the ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Kit

Figure 1. ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Protocol

Human natural killer (NK) cells are isolated from blood or leukapheresis using EasySep™ selection. The NK cells are cultured in ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Medium, on plates coated with ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Coating Material. After 3 days, fresh medium is added to the culture. On day 7, and again on day 10 or 11, expanding NK cells are harvested and replated on freshly coated plates. Expanded NK cells were harvested on day 14 for use in downstream assays.

Cell Frequency, Fold Expansion, and Phenotyping of Natural Killer (NK) Cells Cultured Using the ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Kit

Figure 2. CD56+CD3− NK Cells Expand Over 14 Days in Feeder- and Serum-Free Culture Conditions

Isolated human CD56+CD3− NK cells were cultured using ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Kit for 14 days (Figure 1). Cells were harvested and analyzed for expression of characteristic NK cells markers, including CD56, CD3, CD16, CD94, KIR, NKG2D, NKp46, NKp30, and NKp44 by flow cytometry. Staining for killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) molecules was performed using two different antibody clones, HP-MA4 and 180704, which recognize distinct KIR molecules. Dead cells were excluded by light-scatter profile and DRAQ7™ staining. (A - H) Representative flow cytometry plots. (I) The average frequencies of viable CD56+CD3− and CD56+CD16+ NK cells on day 14 were 87 ± 1% and 75 ± 2%, respectively. The average fold expansion of CD56+CD3− cells was 89 ± 17. Results shown represent mean ± SEM (n = 34).

Cytotoxicity of Expanded Natural Killer (NK) Cells Co-Cultured with K562 Cells

Figure 3. Expanded NK Cells Are Functional, Killing K562 Cells in Co-Culture

Isolated CD56+CD3− NK cells were expanded as described in Figure 1. Expanded NK cells were co-cultured with Incucyte® Cytolight Rapid Dye-labeled K562 cells at 1:1 ratio of NK:K562 cells at 37°C for 4 hours. Incucyte® Caspase-3/7 Dye, a caspase-inducible dye, was added to the co-culture to detect caspase-induced apoptosis of the K562 cells. Images were obtained every hour using the Incucyte® imaging system and then analyzed to determine % killing (# apoptotic K562 cells ÷ # total labeled K562 cells). After 4 hours, an average of 48 ± 2.4% K562 cells were killed (n = 9). Data represent mean ± SEM.

Degranulation and Cytokine Production in Stimulated Natural Killer (NK) Cells Expanded Using the ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Expansion Kit

Figure 4. Expanded NK Cells Degranulate and Produce Cytokines After Stimulation

Isolated CD56+CD3− NK cells were expanded for 14 days (Figure 1). Expanded NK cells were left unstimulated (control) or were stimulated with either phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin or K562 cells at a ratio of 1:1 effector:target cells. CD107a antibody was added, and cultures were incubated at 37°C for 4 hours. After the first hour, Monensin and Brefeldin A were added. Cells were assessed for surface CD56, CD107a, and intracellular IFN-γ and TNF-α expression by flow cytometry. (A-C) Representative histograms of CD107a, IFN-γ, and TNF-α expression of unstimulated (grey filled), PMA and ionomycin-stimulated (orange), and K562-stimulated (purple) NK cell samples. (D) The average frequency of NK cells expressing surface CD107a, a marker of degranulation, was 23 ± 5% for the unstimulated control, 88 ± 5% after stimulation with PMA and ionomycin, and 74 ± 6% after stimulation with K562 cells. (E) The average frequency of NK cells expressing intracellular IFN-γ was 10 ± 2% for the unstimulated control, 75 ± 4% for cells stimulated with PMA and ionomycin, and 48 ± 4% for cells co-cultured with K562 cells. (F) The average frequency of NK cells expressing intracellular TNF-α was 6 ± 4% for the unstimulated control, 85 ± 1% cells stimulated with PMA and ionomycin, and 45 ± 4% for cells co-cultured with K562 cells. Data represent mean ± SEM (n = 6 - 13).

Protocols and Documentation

Find supporting information and directions for use in the Product Information Sheet or explore additional protocols below.

Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
Lot #
Language
Catalog #
100-0711
Lot #
All
Language
English
Catalog #
100-0715
Lot #
All
Language
English
Catalog #
100-0712
Lot #
All
Language
English
Catalog #
100-0714
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Safety Data Sheet 1
Catalog #
100-0711
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Safety Data Sheet 2
Catalog #
100-0711
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Safety Data Sheet 3
Catalog #
100-0711
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Safety Data Sheet
Catalog #
100-0715
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Safety Data Sheet
Catalog #
100-0712
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Safety Data Sheet
Catalog #
100-0714
Lot #
All
Language
English

Applications

This product is designed for use in the following research area(s) as part of the highlighted workflow stage(s). Explore these workflows to learn more about the other products we offer to support each research area.