Characterization of baboon NK cells and their xenogeneic activity

Baboons are commonly used as models for transplantation and preclinical testing of various types of therapeutic agents. For proper assessment of information gathered from these models, differences between the baboon and human immune systems need to be characterized. Natural killer (NK) cells are the first line of defense against many infectious agents and cancer and are important mediators of transplantation rejection reactions, particularly during xenotransplantation. In this study, we examined baboon NK cell function and developed methods for purifying and expanding these cells.

Baboon NK cells were analyzed using a combination of extracellular and intracellular cell staining, cell sorting, interleukin (IL)-2 mediated stimulation and expansion, and 4 h cytotoxicity assays with human and pig target cell lines.

Baboon peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) exert very low but detectable cytolytic activity against both human (K562) and pig (PAEC, J2) target cells, and this activity is enhanced within 4 h of treatment with IL-2. Like human NK cells, many baboon PBMC express the lytic enzymes granzyme A, granzyme B, and perforin. Based on these markers, we identified a subpopulation of CD3(-) baboon lymphocytes that are CD8(dim) and CD16(bright) that likely represents the baboon NK cells. These cells also are characterized by expression of the natural cytotoxicity receptor NKp46. Baboon CD3(-)NKp46(+) cells purified by flow cytometric cell sorting have high cytolytic capacity that can be further enhanced by IL-2 stimulation. These baboon NK cells can be expanded in vitro and retain extremely high cytolytic capacity. While fresh baboon lymphocytes express very little CD56, the expanded baboon NK cells are predominantly CD56(+); approximately 10% of the expanded NK cells are CD56(dim), and the remainder are CD56(bright).

Baboon NK cells that are IL-2 responsive can be identified on the basis of a CD3(-)NKp46(+)CD8(dim)CD16(+/-) or CD3(-)CD8(dim)CD16(bright) phenotype and can be isolated and expanded in culture. These results may allow for a more accurate representation of the human innate immune system in baboon models and more accurate analyses of the role of the baboon innate immune system cells in preclinical models.