Abstract
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an only curative treatment for severe hematological malignancies. Despite the progress in the management of post-transplant events, serious complications requiring new treatment options remain. Invariant NKT cells (iNKTs) represent a lymphocyte subpopulation with the ability to regulate immune reactions including anti-tumor response. Therefore, iNKTs might be promising treatment for post-transplant complications. The study aimed to set and test manufacturing protocol for iNKTs.
We measured circulating iNKTs in healthy donors (HD; n=16) and patients 1 months after HSCT (n=24). Then, we cryopreserved mononuclear cells (MNC) from which iNKTs were isolated. The purified iNKTs were 2x activated with irradiated MNC, IL-15 and α-galactosylceramide. After 4-week culture, the cells were used for the evaluation of CD4+/CD4- cells, cytotoxic potential (again tumor cell lines) and immunomodulation (level of CD25 on activated T cells).