A comparative microarray analysis revealed common and distinct features between iNKs and PBMC-NKs.

A comparative microarray analysis revealed common and distinct features between iNKs and PBMC-NKs. 1523 differentially expressed genes exhibited a 2 fold change when P value of 0.05 is adjusted. 1054 genes were up-regulated and 469 genes were down-regulated in iNKs. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of the top significant up-regulated genes in iNKs revealed the enrichment for mitotic cell cycle, showing the characteristics of growth of iNK. A range of genes involved in NK regulatory functions including receptors, cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules were found to be uniquely up-regulated in iNKs. To evaluate the properties of iNK cells, primary NK cells (PBMC-NKs) and induced NK cells (iNKs) were compared at total gene expression levels. Total RNA were obtained PBMC-NKs and iNK (at day 28) from two different persons and the level of their global gene expression .