Natural Killer Cell Activity (Sendout)

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General Information

Lab Name
Natural Killer Cell Activity
Lab Code
RNKCA
Epic Name
Natural Killer Cell Activity (Sendout)
External Test Id
2900800
Description

Test Information: Natural Killer (NK) cells are a subset of cytotoxic lymphocytes that have the ability to induce cell death in tumor cells or in virally infected cells. NK cells play a crucial role in the homeostasis of the immune system. They are typically characterized by the expression of CD16 and CD56 on their cell surface.

    This assay makes use of the fact that NK cells will lyse the human erythroleukemia cell line, K562, in vitro. K562 cells are loaded with radioactive chromium and incubated with various ratios of a mononuclear cell preparation. Lysis of the K562 targets by NK cells contained in the cell preparation is measured by the amount of chromium released into the supernatant.

      Collection Note: Limited sample stability. Time specimen collections accordingly to ensure that samples arrive at Cincinnati Children's within 24 hours of collection.

        Synonyms
        2900800, HLH, Killer Cells, Natural Killer Cells, NK Cells, NK Function
        Components
        Code Name
        RNKCAR NK Cell Activity Result
        RNKCAI NK Cell Activity Interpretation
        RNKCAC NK Cell Activity Comment

        Interpretation

        Method

        Chromium Release

        Reference Range
        See individual components
        Ref. Range Notes

        See report.

        Ordering & Collection

        Specimen Type
        Blood
        Collection

        Timing:

        • Specimen MUST be drawn Mon-Thurs only, between 10:00 am and 1:30 pm, and received in UW Lab by 2PM for same day shipment to referral lab.
        • Do not collect Friday through Sunday. Do not collect on or before a holiday.

        Collect: 10 mL blood in GREEN TOP (Sodium Heparin) tube

        • Exception: Patients with low ALC require higher volumes of blood; see note below.

        Note: 5-10mL blood in Sodium Heparin (Dark Green) is the general requirement and should be sufficient for patients who are not lymphopenic. Use the linked table below to determine the minimum amount of blood required for this assay for patients with Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC) values below 1.0x10^9 cells/L. Please note that this assay should not be performed on samples with an ALC of less than 0.2x10^9 cells/L.

        Expedite transport to laboratory. Specimen must be received by referral lab (Cincinnati Children's) within 24 hours of collection.

        Handling Instructions

        Outside Laboratories: Due to specimen stability limits, clients should arrange for testing directly with Cincinnati Children's Hospital Laboratory.

        If inquiring about a potential research study, please contact Dr. Mark Wener at 206 598-6131 for possibility of performing testing at UW-MT.

        Quantity
        Requested: 10 mL whole blood (Exceptions: See "Customized Volumes by ALC" under Collection)
        Minimum: 5 mL whole blood (Exceptions: See "Customized Volumes by ALC" under Collection)

        Processing

        Receiving Instructions

        Store and transport sample at room temperature (DO NOT refrigerate or freeze).

        • Expedited Processing Required. Notify sendouts staff immediately upon receipt of sample in the Lab.

        Sendouts:

        • Using the DIL requisition, order Cincinnati Children's Test: "NK Function" (2900800).
        • Samples must be shipped via FedEx First Overnight, Monday through Thursday only.
          • Call 513-636-4685 if a holiday falls during the week to confirm if a sample can be tested within the stability limit.
        • Notify the CINCL Diagnostic Immunology Lab of incoming samples by faxing a completed requisition and FedEx Shipping Label to: 513-636-3861.

        Stability: Ambient (Critical): 24 hours; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable.

        Misc Sendout

        Performance

        Lab Department
        Sendouts(SO)
        Frequency
        Reported: 4 days from sample receipt at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Lab.
        Available STAT?
        No
        Performing Location(s)
        Sendout Cincinnati Children's Laboratories
        513-636-7355

        3333 Burnet Avenue
        Cincinnati, OH 45229
        Other Locations/Notes

        Cincinnati Children's Diagnostic Immunology Laboratory: 513-636-4685

        Billing & Coding

        CPT Codes
        86352, 86357
        LOINC
        34439-0
        Interfaced Order Code
        UOW4109