NK Cell Activation: Advanced
We recommend that the basic testing of NK activation be performed before this more detailed evaluation is considered.
If a test product is found to induce CD69 on NK cells, then a more comprehensive analysis can be undertaken. This can include a comparison of induction of CD69 versus CD25, previously reported to indicate whether NK cells are becoming more activate killing virally infected cells and cancer cells, or whether they are starting to divide to make more NK cells.
Yet another test of NK cell activation includes examination of rapid expression of the CD107as marker in the presence of tumor cells. This is an indication that NK cell secretion of cytotoxic compounds is increased.