Immunophenotypic characterization of normal blood CD56(+lo) versus CD56(+hi) NK-cell subsets and its impact on the understanding of their tissue distribution and functional properties

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2001

Authors

Lima, M (Author) Other; Teixeira, MD (Author) Other; Queiros, ML (Author) Other; Leite, M (Author) Other; Santos, AH (Author) Other; Justica, B (Author) Other; Orfao, A (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases

Vol. 27

Pages: 731-743

ISSN: 1079-9796

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 50 Citations

Scopus - 49 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-TZX

DOI: 10.1006/bcmd.2001.0443

Abstract (EN): In the present study we have compared the immunophenotypic characteristics of the CD56(+10) and CD56(+hi) NK-cell subsets in a group of normal healthy adults. Our results show that CD56(+hi) NK-cells display greater light-scatter properties than CD56(+10) NK-cells at the same time they have higher levels of CD25 and CD122 IL-2 chains, together with a higher reactivity for HLA-DR and CD45RO and lower levels of CD45RA, supporting that, as opposed to the majority of the CD56(+10) population, CD56(+hi) NK-cells might correspond to a subset of activated circulating NK-lymphocytes. Higher expression of the CD2 and CD7 costimulatory molecules found for the CD56(+hi) NK-cells would support their greater ability to respond to various stimuli. In addition, CD56(+hi) NK-cells expressed higher levels of several adhesion molecules such as CD2, CD11c, CD44, CD56, and CD62L compared to CD56(+10) NK-cells, supporting a particular ability of these cells to migrate from blood to tissues and/or a potential advantage to form conjugates with target cells. Interestingly, CD56(+10) and CD56(+hi) NK-cells showed a different pattern of expression of killer receptors that might determine different activation requirements for each of these NK-cell subsets. For instance, absence or low levels of CD16 expression might explain the lower antibody-dependent cytotoxicity activity of CD56(+hi) NK-cells. On the other hand, the virtual absence of expression of the CD158a and NKB1 immunoglobulin-like and the greater reactivity for the CD94 lectin-like killer receptors on CD56(+hi) in comparison to CD56(+10) NK-cells might determine different MHC-class I specificities for both NK-cell subsets, a possibility that deserves further studies to be confirmed. (C) 2001 Academic Press.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13