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

Hold 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