Interleukin (IL)-15 Enhances Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity and Natural Killer Activity in Neonatal Cells

Interleukin-15 Enhances Cytotoxicity, Receptor Expression, and Expansion of Neonatal Natural Killer Cells in Long-Term Culture

“…In the absence of cytokines, cord NK activity was much lower than that of adults, although NK activity for both adult and cord cells dropped to zero by week 4 without IL-15. Overnight (18-h) incubation with IL-15 at 1.0 and 10 ng/ml enhanced NK activity of cord MNC, and K562 lysis reached approximately 70% after 1 week as previously reported (43). This high level of cytotoxicity was maintained for 5 weeks (Fig.…”

“…We previously reported that IL-15 enhances NK and ADCC activity of adult and neonatal MNC in cultures for up to 7 days (43). In this study, we present data to show that IL-15 enhances NK cytotoxicity and ADCC of neonatal cells and also increases the percentage and absolute number of NK cells in culture for 6 weeks or more.…”

“…Previous studies have shown that IL-15 has many similarities to IL-2 in regard to its ability to stimulate NK proliferation and activation (38,39,43). These similarities might have been anticipated, as IL-2 and IL-15 bind to the same ␤ and ␥ chains of the IL-2R complex, although IL-15 does bind to a novel ␣ chain (IL-15R ␣).…”

Effect of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-15 on apoptosis and proliferation of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells

“…9 We have previously demonstrated the ability of IL-12 and IL-15 in enhancing various NK cytolytic functions and CD16/56 expression in cord blood and in HIV-infected subjects. [10][11][12] UCB T cells and NK cells have a potential to proliferate as strongly as adult peripheral blood (APB) lymphocytes upon stimulation with cytokines.…”

“…9 We have previously demonstrated the ability of IL-12 and IL-15 in enhancing various NK cytolytic functions and CD16/56 expression in cord blood and in HIV-infected subjects. [10][11][12] UCB T cells and NK cells have a potential to proliferate as strongly as adult peripheral blood (APB) lymphocytes upon stimulation with cytokines. 13 Several studies examined the immunological nature of UCB lymphocytes and showed that programmed cell death (apoptosis) is a key phenomenon for immunological tolerance or anergy, 14,15 thereby contributing to the lower incidence of GVHD.…”