Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells, integral to the innate immune system, are
notable in cell therapies because for their applicability in allogeneic
treatments, distinguishing them from T cells typically employed in
conventional cell therapies. However, their limited half-life poses a
challenge for therapy. Although attempts to leverage feeder cells are
common, safer methods are needed to mitigate the associated risks. In
our study, an upregulation in the expression of 4-1BBL in Colo-205 cells
under extracellular stresses such as hypoxia and cytochalasin D was
observed. This enhanced binding to the 4-1BB receptors on NK cells
promotes proliferation in NK cells. Elevated CD56 expression of a marker
strongly linked to NK cell proliferation in co-culture further supports
this process. Applying extracellular stressors, specifically hypoxia and
cytochalasin D, to Colo-205 cells successfully tailored feeder cells,
significantly enhancing NK cell proliferation.