Figure A2.

Activation of NK cell effector functions by co-incubation with K562 target cells, IL-12 and IL-18. (A) PBMCs were incubated with or without K562 target cells, as well as in combination with IL-12 and IL-18 for 6 h at 37°C, fixed, permeabilized, and stained with respective fluorochrome-conjugated mAbs. Dot plots show CD107a expression and cytokine production of NK cells without target cells or co-cultured with K562 cells, IL-12, and IL-18. Non-activated cells showed no significant responses (upper panel), incubation with target cells triggered degranulation and cytokine production (middle panel) and supplementation of IL-12 and IL-18 lead to higher cytokine production (lower panel). Results from one representative donor are shown. (B) Increase of NK cell degranulation and cytokine release by K562 target cells and supplementation of IL-12 and IL-18 to validate the viability and responsiveness of the cells. Values represent mean of five individual donors ±SD.