Presence of the Transmembrane Protein Neuropilin in Cytokine-induced Killer Cells

Abstract

Background/aim: Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are a heterogenous population of immune cells showing promising applications in immunotherapeutic cancer treatment. Neuropilin (NRP) proteins have been proven to play an important role in cancer development and prognosis. In this study, CIK cells were tested for expression of NRPs, transmembrane proteins playing a role in the proliferation and survival of cancer cells.

Materials and methods: CIK cells were analyzed at different time points via flow cytometry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for neuropilin expression.

Results: Phenotyping results showed CIK cells having developed properly, and low levels of NRP2 were detected. On the other hand, no NRP1 expression was found. Two cancer cell lines were tested by flow cytometry: A549 cells expressed NRP1 and NRP2; U251-MG cells expressed high amounts of NRP2. CIK cell showed low levels of NRP2 expression on day 14.

Conclusion: The presence of NRP2, but not NRP1, was shown for CIK cells. Recognizing NRP2 in CIK cells might help to improve CIK cell cytotoxicity.

Keywords: Neuropilin; brain tumor; cytokine-induced killer cells; flow cytometry; immunology; lung cancer.