CIK Exhaustion Analysis Service

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) exhaustion—a state of diminished functionality resulting from prolonged activation—poses a significant challenge to their therapeutic efficacy. To address this critical issue, Creative Biolabs offers a specialized CIK exhaustion analysis service designed to help researchers assess and overcome exhaustion-related challenges in CIK cell therapy development.

Understanding CIK Cell Exhaustion

CIK cells are a heterogeneous population of immune cells endowed with both T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell properties. They are known for their potent cytotoxicity and minimal risk of graft-versus-host disease, making them an attractive option for cancer immunotherapy. However, like other immune cells, CIK cells can experience functional exhaustion, particularly under prolonged antigen exposure or within the suppressive tumor microenvironment. Exhaustion manifests as a decline in CIK cells' proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxic efficacy, coupled with upregulated expression of inhibitory receptors such as PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3. Monitoring this state is critical to understanding and optimizing CIK cell-based therapies.

Fig.1 CIK cell activation or exhaustion with/without the help of CD4 T cells.¹

Comprehensive CIK Exhaustion Analysis Service

Creative Biolabs offers a comprehensive CIK exhaustion analysis service designed to evaluate the functional status of CIK cells. Our service employs a range of state-of-the-art techniques, including flow cytometry for surface and intracellular marker analysis, cytokine profiling, and cell proliferation studies to provide a complete exhaustion profile.

• Exhaustion Marker Profiling
  We use advanced flow cytometry and multiplexed immunoassays to evaluate key exhaustion markers, including PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, and LAG-3. Our experts provide quantitative and qualitative analysis of these markers to reveal the extent of immune dysfunction.
• Functional Assessment
  Exhausted CIK cells exhibit diminished cytokine secretion and impaired cytolytic activity. Through cytokine analysis and cytotoxicity assays, we assess the functional capabilities of CIK cells and determine the impact of exhaustion on therapeutic efficacy.
  
  • Measurement of cytokine production (e.g., IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2) using ELISA or multiplex cytokine assays.
  • Analysis of cell proliferation and cytotoxicity under-stimulated and unstimulated conditions.

Fig.2 CIK cell assessment by identifying exhaustion markers and analyzing cytokines.¹

Applications

• Therapeutic Development: Evaluate the persistence and potency of CIK cells in tumor models.
• Therapeutic Optimization: Screen strategies to prevent or reverse exhaustion, enhancing the therapeutic potential of CIK-based treatments.
• Mechanistic Studies: Investigate the molecular pathways driving CIK cell exhaustion to inform new therapeutic approaches.

Contact us today to learn more about our CIK exhaustion analysis service and how it can advance your therapeutic development projects.

Reference

1. Liu, Shaochuan, et al. "CD4+ T cells are required to improve the efficacy of CIK therapy in non-small cell lung cancer." Cell death & disease 13.5 (2022): 441. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.