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Engineering Receptor Expression on Natural Killer Cells Through Trogocytosis

Anitha Somanchi^1,2, Dean A Lee¹, Srinivas S Somanchi³

¹Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|May 15, 2016

Summary

Trogocytosis enables lymphocytes to acquire membrane patches from other cells, functionally integrating surface molecules. This process can engineer natural killer (NK) cells for adoptive immunotherapy, enhancing their therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

Immunology
Cell Biology
Adoptive Immunotherapy

Background:

Trogocytosis is a contact-dependent process where immune cells exchange membrane patches.
Acquired surface molecules are transiently functional in recipient cells.
Previous work showed trogocytosis can engineer NK cells for immunotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a detailed protocol for NK cell trogocytosis.
To assess receptor uptake, persistence, and NK cell function post-trogocytosis.
To validate trogocytosis as a gene-free method for NK cell engineering.

Main Methods:

NK cell co-culture with a donor cell line.
Phenotypic assessment of acquired receptor expression and duration.
Functional assays evaluating NK cell migration after receptor acquisition.

Main Results:

Successful transfer of membrane patches and functional receptors via trogocytosis.
Demonstrated persistence of acquired receptors on NK cells.
Enhanced NK cell migration observed following receptor acquisition.

Conclusions:

Trogocytosis is a viable method for engineering NK cells with desired receptors.
This protocol facilitates the study and application of trogocytosis in immunotherapy.
Receptor acquisition via trogocytosis can modulate NK cell effector functions.

Keywords:

Adoptive immunotherapy CCR7 NK cells Trogocytosis

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