Scalable iPSC Differentiation To Natural Killer Cells With Cytotoxic Potential

By Kun Shi, Na Zhang, Xing Zhang, Spencer Chiang, Haonan Li, Tianfu Zhang, ACROBiosystems

Natural killer (NK) cells are vital components of the immune system, playing a critical role in tumor surveillance and anti-inflammatory responses. ​ However, the challenge of obtaining sufficient high-quality NK cells has limited their widespread use in adoptive immunotherapy. ​ Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a promising solution, with their ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types, including NK cells. ​

This innovative study presents a robust, serum-free protocol for differentiating iPSCs into NK cells, achieving an impressive 85.9% CD3-CD56+ NK cell population within 25 days. ​ The developed NK cells exhibit comparable biological functions to those derived from other sources, demonstrating their potential for scalable manufacturing and therapeutic applications. ​ Detailed workflows, cytotoxicity analysis, and cytokine production assessments highlight the feasibility of this approach. ​ Discover how iPSCs can revolutionize NK cell therapies and unlock new possibilities in immunotherapy. ​

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