Nucleofection of non-B cells with mini-Epstein-Barr virus DNA

A tumor-specific cell surface localization of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) on CX+ colon carcinoma cells provides a recognition structure for NK cells but not for NKT and T cells. Incubation with low-dose IL-2 plus Hsp70-peptide TKD enhances production and release of granzyme B by NK cells and thus renders Hsp70-positive tumors more sensitive to their cytolytic attack. To provide the experimental basis for the generation of Hsp70-reactive NK cell lines we established a modified nucleofection technique as a rapid and efficient method for gene transfer into non-B cells. Therefore, TKD-stimulated, CD3/CD19-depleted effector cells, consisting of 85% CD3− CD16/56+ NK cells, 1.4% CD3+ CD16/56+ NKT cells, and 0.3% CD3+ CD16/56− T cells were nucleofected with the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-containing mini-Epstein-Barr virus (mini-EBV) plasmid p2667 (1478.A d2GFP). GFP, a marker for the expression of EBV-associated genes, became visible for the first time on day 18 after transfection. On day 28 mini-EBV-transfected cells consisted of 49% NKT, 38% T cells, and 13% NK cells; no contaminating B cells were detectable. Even 1.5 years after transfection GFP and CD94 were found to be co-expressed on transfectants. These data indicated that mini-EBV provides a useful tool for the nucleofection of non-B cells. The cytolytic activity of NK-transfectants towards Hsp70 membrane-positive CX+ tumor cells was comparable to that of non-transfected effector cells. In summary, our results might provide the basis for the generation of non-B effector cell lines including NK cells with conserved Hsp70-reactivity.