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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Generation of Natural Killer Cells from Human Expanded Potential Stem Cells
Published on: January 13, 2023
YC-1 enhances natural killer cell differentiation from hematopoietic stem cells
Sohyun Yun1, Suk Hyung Lee, Yun Hee Kang
1Cell Therapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
NK cells play crucial roles in innate immunity and adaptive immunity. The detailed mechanisms, however, governing NK cell development remains unclear. In this study, we report that YC-1 significantly enhances NK cell populations differentiated from human umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). NK cells increased by YC-1 display both phenotypic and functional features of fully mature NK (mNK) cells, but YC-1 does not affect the activation of mNK cells. YC-1 did not affect cGMP production and phosphorylation of STAT-5 which is essential for IL-15R signaling. On the other hand, YC-1 increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation during NK cell differentiation. Furthermore, p38 inhibitor SB203580 inhibited the differentiation of NK cells enhanced by YC-1. Taken together, these data suggest that YC-1 enhances NK cell differentiation through the activation of p38 MAPK which is involved in NK cell differentiation.
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