| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to a method, in particular an in vitro method for identifying a subgroup of natural killer cells of a mammal, preferably CD3−, non T-lymphocyte derived NK cells, which often express the surface proteins CD56 and/or CD16, comprising analyzing the accessibility of the genomic DNA for OSBPL, such as OSBPL5, to bisulfite conversion and/or the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the genes for OSBPL, such as OSBPL5, in particular in their upstream and/or downstream regulatory regions, the promoter, introns, exons and introns exon borders and other conserved regions of said genes, wherein an increase of the accessibility of the genomic DNA and/or a demethylation in the sample as analyzed is indicative for said subgroup of NK cells. The analyses according to the invention can identify CD56+ cells and distinguish them from all other cells such as, for example, either CD56− and/or CD56 bright cells. The methods of the present invention are useful for the identification, the detection, the quantification and quality assurance and control of NK cells. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a kit for performing the above methods as well as respective uses of the inventive methods or kits. The present invention furthermore provides an improved method for analysing the accessibility of the genomic DNA for OSBPL, such as OSBPL5, to bisulfite conversion and/or an analysis of the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the genes for OSBPL, such as OSBPL5, allowing for a precise analysis of both optimally and even from sub-optimal quality samples, such as non-freshly obtained blood, tissue or serum samples. |
