NK-92 cells activated by IL-2 inhibit the progression of endometriosis in vitro

Jun Yao, Li-Jiao Zhang, Lijiao Zhang, Zhe Zhou, Mao-Fang Hua, Maofang Hua
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology · 2024 · vol. 44(1) , pp. 2372682 · doi:10.1080/01443615.2024.2372682 · PMID:39034630 · W4400895325
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

IL-2-activated NK-92 cells demonstrate potent cytotoxicity against ectopic endometrial stromal cells in vitro, reducing their viability, increasing apoptosis, and inhibiting invasion and migration via the MEK/ERK pathway.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-2 is a key cytokine capable of modulating the immune response by activating natural killer (NK) cells. This study was recruited to explore the therapeutic potential of IL-2-activated NK-92 cells in endometriosis in vitro. METHODS: Ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EESCs) were isolated and co-cultured with IL-2-activated NK-92 cells at varying effector-to-target (E:T) ratios (1:0 [Control], 1:1, 1:3, and 1:9). The viability, cytotoxicity, and cell surface antigen expression of IL-2-activated NK-92 cells were assessed. The viability, apoptosis, invasion, and migration ability of EESCs co-cultured with NK-92 cells at different ratios were evaluated. The apoptosis-related proteins, invasion and migration-related proteins as well as MEK/ERK pathway were examined via western blot. Each experiment was repeated three times. RESULTS: IL-2 activation enhanced NK-92 cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. Co-culturing EESCs with IL-2-activated NK-92 cells at E:T ratios of 1:1, 1:3, and 1:9 reduced EESC viability by 20%, 45%, and 70%, respectively, compared to the control group. Apoptosis rates in EESCs increased in correlation with the NK-92 cell proportion, with the highest rate observed at a 1:9 ratio. Moreover, EESC invasion and migration were significantly inhibited by IL-2-activated NK-92 cells, with a 60% reduction in invasion and a 50% decrease in migration at the 1:9 ratio. Besides, the MEK/ERK signalling pathway was down-regulated in EESCs by IL-2-activated NK-92 cells. CONCLUSION: IL-2-activated NK-92 cells exhibit potent cytotoxic effects against EESCs. They promote EESC apoptosis and inhibit viability, invasion, and migration through modulating the MEK/ERK signalling pathway.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Apoptosis Apoptosis Apoptosis Apoptosis Apoptosis Apoptosis Apoptosis Apoptosis Apoptosis Apoptosis Apoptosis Coculture Techniques Coculture Techniques Coculture Techniques Coculture Techniques Coculture Techniques Coculture Techniques Coculture Techniques Coculture Techniques Coculture Techniques

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (49)

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