Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Generation of Natural Killer Cells from Human Expanded Potential Stem Cells
Published on: January 13, 2023
Ascorbic acid promotes proliferation of natural killer cell populations in culture systems applicable for natural
Mirelle J A J Huijskens1, Mateusz Walczak1, Subhashis Sarkar1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Haematology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Background Aims:
Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy is a promising treatment for a variety of malignancies. However, generating sufficient cell numbers for therapy remains a challenge. To achieve this, optimization of protocols is required.
Methods:
Mature NK cells were expanded from peripheral blood mononuclear cells PBMCs in the presence of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and interleukin-2. Additionally, NK-cell progenitors were generated from CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells or different T/NK-cell progenitor populations. Generated NK cells were extensively phenotyped, and functionality was determined by means of cytotoxicity assay.
Results:
Addition of ascorbic acid (AA) resulted in more proliferation of NK cells without influencing NK-cell functionality. In more detail, PBMC-derived NK cells expanded 2362-fold (median, range: 90-31,351) in the presence of AA and were capable of killing tumor cells under normoxia and hypoxia. Moreover, hematopoietic stem cell-derived progenitors appeared to mature faster in the presence of AA, which was also observed in the NK-cell differentiation from early T/NK-cell progenitors.
Conclusions:
Mature NK cells proliferate faster in the presence of phospho-L-AA, resulting in higher cell numbers with accurate functional capacity, which is required for adoptive immunotherapy.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
01:25Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
01:28Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...