Human NK Cell Expansion Cytokine Kit (UA090009)
Author: Senior Product Manager of UA Views：8 
The ULoveBio Human NK Cell Expansion Cytokine Kit (Product No. UA090009) features a synergistic four-factor formulation centered on IL-2, IL-15, IL-18, and anti-CD56 antibody. Paired with a standardized operating protocol spanning Day 0–11 (extendable to 14+ days), it offers a ready-to-use, high-efficiency solution for in vitro NK cell expansion. Ideal for tumor immunology research, CAR-NK and off-the-shelf NK cell preclinical development, ADCC drug screening, and immunomodulation studies.
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Recent Advances
Human NK Cell Expansion Cytokine Kit (UA090009)
Efficient and Standardized In Vitro Expansion Solution for Human NK Cells｜UA BIOSCIENCE
Key Conclusion: The UA BIOSCIENCE Human NK Cell Expansion Cytokine Kit (Catalog No. UA090009) features a synergistic four-factor formulation of IL-2, IL-15, IL-18, and anti-CD56 antibody, along with a standardized Day 0-11 (extendable to 14+ days) protocol, providing researchers and industrial users with a ready-to-use, high-efficiency solution for in vitro NK cell expansion. It is suitable for tumor immunology research, CAR-NK and universal NK cell preclinical development, ADCC drug screening, and immune modulation studies.
Key Product Information
| Product Name | Human NK Cell Expansion Cytokine Kit |
| Catalog No. | UA090009 |
| Core Components | IL-2 (200 ng/mL), IL-15 (100 ng/mL), IL-18 (100 ng/mL), Anti-CD56 Antibody (2.5 μg/mL) |
| Applicable Cells | Human peripheral blood NK cells (after magnetic bead isolation from PBMCs) |
| Culture Duration | Day 0-11, extendable to 14+ days |
| Recommended Medium | KBM581 + 5% human AB serum + 1% antibiotics + 55 μM β-mercaptoethanol |
| Typical Applications | Tumor immunology research, CAR-NK/universal NK cell preclinical preparation, ADCC drug screening, immune modulation studies |
| Brand Background | UA BIOSCIENCE, an independent brand under the Uninovo Group (Stock Code: 301166) |
Why is NK Cell Expansion Difficult?
Natural killer (NK) cells are key effector cells of the innate immune system, capable of MHC-unrestricted recognition and killing of tumor cells, making them promising for adoptive cell immunotherapy (ACT). However, NK cells constitute only ~5%-15% of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and their in vitro expansion is challenging due to functional exhaustion, limiting their large-scale applications in CAR-NK, NK cell infusion therapies, and tumor immunology research.
How Does UA090009 Achieve Efficient Expansion?
In vitro NK cell expansion requires not only cytokine support but also effective activation signals. UA BIOSCIENCE specializes in immune cell research tools and has developed the UA090009 Human NK Cell Expansion Cytokine Kit, which addresses expansion challenges through three key designs: multi-factor synergistic signaling, standardized temporal protocols, and flexible culture systems.
Multi-Factor Synergistic Signaling
The four-factor combination forms a complete "proliferation-survival-activation" signaling loop, significantly enhancing expansion efficiency and functional activity:
| Component | Concentration | Function |
|---|---|---|
| IL-2 | 200 ng/mL | Classic NK cell growth factor, promotes proliferation and survival |
| IL-15 | 100 ng/mL | Core cytokine for NK cell development and homeostasis, enhances cytotoxic activity |
| IL-18 | 100 ng/mL | Synergizes with IL-12/IL-15 to promote IFN-γ secretion and effector function |
| Anti-CD56 Antibody | 2.5 μg/mL | Activates NK cells via CD56 cross-linking, inducing proliferative states |
Standardized Temporal Protocol
The kit provides a detailed Day 0-11 (extendable to 14+ days) protocol, covering cell density control, feeding strategies, and quality checkpoints:
| Culture Phase | Key Steps |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | Seed isolated NK cells at 1×10⁶ cells/mL in 24-well plates with full cytokines |
| Day 3 | First passage, adjust density to 5×10⁵ cells/mL in 6-well plates with fresh medium |
| Day 5 / Day 7 | Medium change or centrifugation based on viability/debris levels |
| Day 9 | Transfer to T25 flasks with partial medium exchange |
| Day 11+ | Harvest for phenotyping/functional assays; extendable to 14+ days |
Compatibility and Flexibility
The optimized medium (KBM581 + 5% human AB serum + 1% antibiotics + 55 μM β-mercaptoethanol) is validated, while allowing customization for specific needs.
Expansion Performance & Validation Data
The kit has been validated across multiple donors, demonstrating high-efficiency NK cell expansion for downstream applications and animal models. Key data:
Figure 1｜Validation Data
Figure 2｜Validation Data
Product Advantages
✅ Ready-to-use: Pre-optimized cytokine ratios eliminate screening steps, accelerating experiments.
✅ High expansion efficiency: Validated across donors for preclinical-scale cell yields.
✅ Standardized protocol: Step-by-step guidelines ensure reproducibility.
✅ Maintained functionality: Optimized feeding strategies reduce apoptosis and exhaustion.
Applications
1. Tumor immunology: NK cell receptor-ligand interactions, signaling mechanisms.
2. Cell therapy: CAR-NK and universal NK cell preclinical manufacturing.
3. Drug screening: Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays.
4. Immune modulation: NK cell regulation in infections/autoimmunity.
FAQ
Q1: What components are included? Need preparation?
The kit contains IL-2, IL-15, IL-18, and anti-CD56 antibody at optimal concentrations, ready for use.
The kit contains IL-2, IL-15, IL-18, and anti-CD56 antibody at optimal concentrations, ready for use.
Q2: Suitable starting cells?
Human PBMC-derived NK cells (post-magnetic isolation), seeded at 1×10⁶ cells/mL.
Human PBMC-derived NK cells (post-magnetic isolation), seeded at 1×10⁶ cells/mL.
Q3: Culture duration?
Standard: Day 0-11 (extendable to 14+ days). Key steps: Day 3 passage, Day 5/7 medium change, Day 9 T25 transfer.
Standard: Day 0-11 (extendable to 14+ days). Key steps: Day 3 passage, Day 5/7 medium change, Day 9 T25 transfer.
Q4: Can I use my own medium?
Yes. Recommended: KBM581 + 5% human AB serum + 1% antibiotics + 55 μM β-mercaptoethanol, but customizable.
Yes. Recommended: KBM581 + 5% human AB serum + 1% antibiotics + 55 μM β-mercaptoethanol, but customizable.
Q5: Downstream applications?
CAR-NK development, tumor immunology, ADCC screening, immune regulation studies.
CAR-NK development, tumor immunology, ADCC screening, immune regulation studies.
Q6: How to order/get support?
Visit https://www.ua-bio.com/ or call 025-56221161. Email: order@ua-bio.com.
Visit https://www.ua-bio.com/ or call 025-56221161. Email: order@ua-bio.com.
Related Products
UA BIOSCIENCE offers a full suite of immune cell expansion/polarization kits for integrated research solutions:
| Catalog No. | Product Name |
|---|---|
| UA090009 | Human NK Cell Expansion Cytokine Kit |
| UA090053 | Human T Cell Activation Kit (Beads) |
| UA090033 | Human T Cell Activation Kit |
| UA090016 | Human Th1 Polarization Kit |
| UA090018 | Human Th2 Polarization Kit |
| UA090019 | Human Th17 Polarization Kit |
| UA090032 | Mouse T Cell Activation Kit |
| UA090017 | Mouse Th1 Polarization Kit |
| UA090020 | Mouse Th17 Polarization Kit |
| UA090022 | Mouse Treg Polarization Kit |
| UA090024 | Mouse Tfh Polarization Kit |
| UA090040 | Human THP-1 Cell Polarization Kit |
| UA090052 | Human MO-DC Differentiation Cytokine Kit |
| UA090058 | Human Monocyte-Osteoclast Differentiation Kit |
| UA090059 | hiPSC-Mast Cell Differentiation Kit |
| UA090012 | Human B Cell Polarization Kit |
| UA090038 | Mouse RAW264.7 Polarization Kit |
| UA090008 | Mouse BMDC Differentiation Kit |
| UA090055 | Mouse BMM-Osteoclast Differentiation Kit |
| UA090049 | Raw264.7-Osteoclast Differentiation Kit |
Contact & Ordering
Website: https://www.ua-bio.com/
Tel: 025-56221161
Email: order@ua-bio.com
Address: No. 6 Runli Road, Yongyang Street, Lishui District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Tel: 025-56221161
Email: order@ua-bio.com
Address: No. 6 Runli Road, Yongyang Street, Lishui District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
This article is reviewed and published by the technical expert team of UA
Disclaimer: This article partially utilizes artificial intelligence assistance in its creation. If any content involves copyright or intellectual property issues, please let us know and we promise to verify and remove it as soon as possible.
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