Method of proliferating natural killer cells with IL-16

摘要

The invention relates to a method of stimulating the proliferation of natural killer cells with in vitro IL-16. A mixed lymphocyte cell population which contains natural killer cells can be nylon wool-purified, and cultured in the presence of an effective amount of IL-16 to stimulate the proliferation of natural killer cells. Effective concentrations of IL-16 which enhance the proliferation of natural killer cells range from 1 ng/ml to 1000 ng/ml. Both the full length IL-16 protein or the naturally occurring carboxy terminal-truncated form of IL-16 are suitable for stimulating the proliferation of the natural killer cells. The IL-16 induced proliferation results in at least a five-fold enrichment of natural killer cells, and the natural killer cells can be subsequently isolated from the mixed lymphocyte culture.