Single Cell Omics Solutions for Natural Killer (NK) Cells
NK cells are potent cytotoxic lymphocytes that provide critical host defense against pathogens and malignancy. As an unparalleled single cell omics service provider, Creative Biolabs provides transcriptome, epigenetic and proteomics analysis services for NK cells at single-cell level.
Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis for NK Cells
Recent advances in single-cell transcriptome profiling techniques using RNA sequencing, as well as customized computational methods, have made significant advances in understanding single-cell features. Here, we provide single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) services to determine the unique stages of NK cell development. Several NK cell subsets have been reported in humans and mice, but their heterogeneity between organs and species is still poor. We evaluated the diversity of NK cells in humans and mice by scRNA-seq of thousands of cells isolated from spleen and blood. Three subgroups of mouse spleen and four subgroups of human spleen, and two subgroups of mouse and human blood were identified by single cell resolution analysis. By scRNA-seq technique, the heterogeneity of precursors and immature NK cells that had not been paid attention to before was revealed. This unbiased approach provides insights into NK cell biology and lays a theoretical foundation for translating mouse research into human physiology and disease.
Fig.1 scRNA-seq analysis identifies NK cell subsets in humans and mice. (Crinier, 2018)
Single-Cell Proteomic Analysis for NK Cells
Single Cell's single-cell proteomics system provides reliable help for disease immunotherapy research by linking each immune cell to cytokine secretion, thereby correlating it with in vivo results in a range of disease areas. In the study of the correlation between melanoma and NK cells, proteomic analysis based on mass spectrometry showed that NK cells could activate at least part of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) cytokine induction process in melanoma cells. Importantly, they can induce melanoma cell modification to participate in the expression of various proteins in various aspects of cancer cell biology, and obtain proteomic characteristics compatible with the transition to undifferentiated, poor proliferation and invasive (metastatic) state.
Fig.2 Analysis of proteomic profiles induced by NK cells on MeCoP and MeDeBO cells. (Huergo-Zapico, 2018)
Single-Cell Epigenetics Analysis for NK Cells
Understanding the heterogeneity of NK cells requires combining their potential phenotypes with their dynamic functional behavior. It is important to examine the effects of epigenetic modification on development and the important activation and suppression of NK cell receptors and their effector functions. We have developed and validated a single cell methodology that integrates cell phenotype and dynamic cytokine secretion based on nanowell arrays and bead-based molecular biosensors. We use numerical simulation to optimize the density of antibody molecule on the bead surface as a function of the capture efficiency of cytokines in the open well system. Based on the analysis of hundreds of human peripheral blood NK cells cultured in vitro, our methodology has been established as a research tool, which combines phenotype and real-time protein secretion of single cells in a high-throughput manner.
Fig.3 Finite element analysis to model the efficiency of capture of analyte secreted from single cells in open-well systems. (An, 2017)
Highlights
- High-throughput single cell analysis
- Simple experimental procedure
- Excellent sensitivity and cell capture rate
Creative Biolabs is dedicated to advancing your NK cell research at single-cell level. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us to discuss how we can be involved in your projects.
References
- Crinier, A.; et al. High-dimensional single-cell analysis identifies organ-specific signatures and conserved NK cell subsets in humans and mice. Immunity. 2018, 49(5): 971-986.
- Huergo-Zapico, L.; et al. NK-cell editing mediates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via phenotypic and proteomic changes in melanoma cell lines. Cancer research. 2018, 78(14): 3913-3925.
- An, X.; et al. Single-cell profiling of dynamic cytokine secretion and the phenotype of immune cells. PloS one. 2017, 12(8): e0181904.
