Methods for expansion of human CD8+ memory T cells in vitro

AIM：To investigate new methods for the expansion of human CD8+ memory T cells in vitro and provide novel means of anti-viral and anti-tumor adoptive immunotherapy. METHODS：Six kinds of stimuli, anti-CD3 antibody, anti-CD28 antibody, CD70, IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15, for the expansion of human CD8+ memory T cells in vitro were selected and arranged for their combinations, resulting in 63 kinds of stimulating combinations. Normal human CD8+ T cells were isolated and exposed to these stimuli. After 14 days of cell culture, the number and purity of CD8+ T cells, and the percentages of CD8+ central memory T cells (TCM) and CD8+ effector memory T cells (TEM) were detected. The expansion folds of CD8+ T cells, CD8+ TCM and CD8+ TEM were calculated and the relatively better stimulating combination was determined. RESULTS：The combination of anti-CD3 antibodies, IL-2 and IL-7 was a better method for the expansion of human CD8+ T cells, CD8+ TCM and CD8+ TEM in vitro, and the expansion folds were 13.19, 13.28 and 15.27, respectively. CONCLUSION：The combination of anti-CD3 antibodies, IL-2 and IL-7 is the relatively better method for the expansion of human CD8+ memory T cells in vitro.