Enzyme release assay of human NK cell activity using beta-galactosidase-expressing K562 target cell line

In the present report, we established a K562 cell line useful for an enzyme release assay of human natural killer (NK) activity. Human myelogenous leukemia cell line, K562, was transfected with a plasmid carrying Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) gene. A colony that permanently expresses the enzyme activity was isolated, and designated K562/Zneo. Incubation of K562/Zneo cells (1 x 10(4)) with nonadherent human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) resulted in the release of beta-gal activity depending on the incubation time and the number of effector cells. Released beta-gal activity was assayed sensitively by using 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-galactoside, a fluorescent substrate. The cytolytic activity of PBL was augmented significantly when the cells were preincubated with interleukin-2 for 20 h. This enzyme release assay showed a comparable sensitivity to that of 51Cr release assay. Thus, K562/Zneo cell line is thought to be useful for the nonradioactive assay of human NK and lymphokine-activated killer activities.