SC21 NK Cells in Action – Targeting Cancer Cells in the Laboratory
These microscopy videos from SC21 Bio-Pharma Laboratories demonstrate the cytotoxic activity of our expanded Natural Killer (NK) cells against two established human cancer cell models under laboratory conditions.
Hela Cervical Cancer Spheroid
K562 Leukemia Cells
Video 1 – HeLa Cervical Cancer Spheroid
SC21 NK cells are introduced to a 3D spheroid of HeLa cervical cancer cells. The video visualizes NK-cell interaction with the tumour model and progressive cancer-cell damage/death, highlighted by the red signal.
Video 2 – K562 Leukemia Cells
SC21 NK cells are tested against K562 leukemia cells — a widely used target cell line for evaluating NK-cell cytotoxicity. The microscopy demonstrates NK cells engaging with and inducing death of the leukemia cells.
How do NK cells work?
Natural Killer cells are specialised immune cells capable of recognizing abnormal or stressed cells without requiring prior exposure to a specific tumour antigen. Once a target is identified, NK cells can release cytotoxic molecules such as perforin and granzymes, triggering programmed cell death (apoptosis).
These laboratory assays allow our team to assess the functional cytotoxic potency of expanded NK-cell preparations, rather than relying solely on cell count and phenotype.
Laboratory / preclinical demonstration. Results observed in cell-culture models do not establish clinical efficacy in patients.
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