The phenotypic heterogeneity of human natural killer cells: presence of at least 48 different subsets in the peripheral blood.
Peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells are usually defined as a homogeneous cell population. However, NK cells show heterogeneous expression of a diversity of cell surface molecules, which might reflect the diversity of NK-cell functions. Therefore, a more specific phenotypic definition of NK cells is necessary. In this study, we made an inventory of phenotypic subsets that are present within the peripheral blood NK-cell population of healthy donors based on differential expression of nine cell-surface markers. Using three-colour flow cytometric analysis we were able to define at least 48 different CD56(+) NK-cell subsets within the peripheral blood. This phenotypic heterogeneity appeared to be stable among healthy individuals, and was also steady within CD56(dim) and CD56(bright) NK populations, indicating a possible role for these subsets in NK-cell function or differentiation.
Jonges
L E
LE
Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands. l.e.jones@lumc.nl
Albertsson
P
P
van Vlierberghe
R L
RL
Ensink
N G
NG
Johansson
B R
BR
van de Velde
C J
CJ
Fleuren
G J
GJ
Nannmark
U
U
Kuppen
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D019002:CD56 Antigen