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Updated: May 6, 2026
Isolation and Expansion of Cytotoxic Cytokine-induced Killer T Cells for Cancer Treatment
Published on: January 24, 2020
[IL-23 alone or with IL-2 induces the killing effect of hPBMNC on K562 cells]
1Department of Hematology, Hebei Provincial People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050051, Hebei Province China.
Abstract:
This study was aimed to explore the killing effect of PBMNC induced by IL-23 alone or combined with IL-2 on K562 cells and its mechanism. The PBMNC were induced in vitro by IL-23 (50 ng/ml) alone or IL-23 combined with IL-2 (100 U/ml) for 72 h, and then were co-cultured with leukemia cell line K562. The CCK-8 method was used to detect the effect of PBMNC induced at different times on K562 cells, the ELISA was performed for detecting IFN-γ level in culture supernatant, and the perforin and granzymes B were detected by RQ-PCR. The results showed that the killing effect of PBMNC induced by IL-23 alone or IL-23 combined with IL-2 on K562 cells was observed, and obviously enhanced with prolonging of time, moreover, there was statistical difference among different time points (P < 0.05). The IFN-γ level in supernatant of PBMNC cultured with cytokines significantly increased, and the IFN-γ levels in group of IL-23 combined with IL-2 were higher than that in other groups (P < 0.05). The mRNA expressions level of perforin and granzymes B of the expanded PBMNC in groups cultured with cytokines were higher than that in control group (P < 0.05), and the mRNA expressions of perforin and granzymes B in group of IL-23 combined with IL-2 were significantly higher than that in others (P < 0.05). It is concluded that IL-23 can promote the killing effect of PBMNC on K562 cells. The combination of IL-2 with IL-23 displays synergic effect and a time-dependent manner. IL-23 also enhances the expression of IFN-γ, perforin and granzyme B in PBMNC. Its combination with IL-2 displays synergistic effect, suggesting that the anti-leukemic activity of IL-23 may be realized through inducing PBMNC to express IFN-γ, perforin and granzyme B.
Insights
Interleukin-23 (IL-23) enhances the killing of K562 leukemia cells by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs). Combining IL-23 with IL-2 shows synergistic effects and increases key immune markers.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cancer Biology
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Context:
- Leukemia remains a significant health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Understanding the mechanisms of immune cell-mediated cancer killing is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a cytokine with known immunomodulatory functions.
Purpose:
- To investigate the cytotoxic effects of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) induced by IL-23, alone or in combination with IL-2, against the K562 leukemia cell line.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, including the expression of Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), perforin, and granzyme B.
Summary:
- PBMNCs were induced with IL-23 or IL-23 plus IL-2 and co-cultured with K562 cells.
- Cytotoxicity was assessed using CCK-8 assays, while IFN-γ levels were measured by ELISA, and perforin/granzyme B mRNA expression by RQ-PCR.
- Results demonstrated that IL-23 significantly enhanced PBMNC-mediated killing of K562 cells in a time-dependent manner, with a synergistic effect observed when combined with IL-2.
Impact:
- IL-23 promotes PBMNC anti-leukemic activity by upregulating IFN-γ, perforin, and granzyme B.
- The combination of IL-23 and IL-2 exhibits a synergistic anti-leukemic effect, suggesting a promising therapeutic avenue.
- This study provides insights into the immunotherapeutic potential of IL-23 in treating leukemia.
