OBJECTIVETo select the optimal culture media for the mass production of gamma delta T cells used in adoptive immunotherapy.

METHODSThree different culture media (RPMI-1640, AIM-V, and OpTmizer, with or without autologous serum) were used to culture gamma delta T cells. The survival rate, purity, proliferation efficiency, and biological functions of the expanded gamma delta T cells were examined and compared.

RESULTSThe survival rate of gamma delta T cells expanded in RPMI-1640 decreased over culture time. The purities of gamma delta T cells cultured in AIM-V or OpTmizer with or without serum were higher than those cultured in RPMI-1640. After two weeks of culture in the absence of serum, the purity and proliferation efficiency of gamma delta T cells cultured in OpTmizer were significantly higher than those cultured in RPMI-1640 (P < 0.05) and AIM-V (P < 0.05). gamma delta T cells in different culture media had similar CD107a expression and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production (P > 0.05). However, cells expanded in RPMI-1640 exhibited significantly weaker cytotoxicity against Daudi lymphoma cells than those expanded in OpTmizer (P < 0.05) and AIM-V (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDue to low serum-dependence, high proliferation efficiency, and favorable biology function of expanded cells, OpTmizer is the most suitable medium for the mass production of gamma delta T cells used in adoptive immunotherapy.