Specific targeting of CD33+ leukemia cells by a natural killer cell line modified with a chimeric receptor

We directed the human natural killer (NK) cell line YT by gene transfer of a humanized chimeric immunoglobulin T cell receptor to CD33, a marker on myeloid leukemias. The chimeric receptor was generated using a CD33 specific single-chain Fv (scFv) fragment based on the humanized antibody HuM195, the human IgG1 Fc domains and the human CD3 ζ signal chain. YT cells transfected by electroporation with the chimeric receptor gene specifically lysed the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line KG1. This gene-modified NK cell line available in unlimited source could be an attractive tool in immunotherapy.