CD27 defines phenotypically and functionally different human NK cell subsets.
The absence of the TNF-receptor family member CD27 marks the stable acquisition of cytolytic effector functions by both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. We found that the majority of circulating human NK cells was CD27(-). These cells were largely CD56(dim), contained high levels of perforin and granzyme B, and were able to exert strong cytotoxic activity. In contrast, circulating CD27(+) NK cells were mostly CD56(dim/bright), had significant lower levels of perforin and granzyme B, and had a low cytolytic potential. Primary and secondary lymphoid organs were markedly enriched for CD27(+) NK cells. When correlating the expression of CD27 to recently defined developmental stages of NK cells in tonsil, we observed that CD27 was exclusively found on mature CD94(+), stage 4 NK cells. On these cells, regulation of CD27 expression appeared to be controlled by the common gamma-chain cytokine IL-15, and down-regulation of CD27 was specifically induced by its ligand, CD70. Thus, the absence of CD27 expression allows the definition of cytotoxic effector cells within the known mature NK cell subsets in humans.
Vossen
Mireille T M
MT
Department of Experimental Immunology, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Matmati
Mourad
M
Hertoghs
Kirsten M L
KM
Baars
Paul A
PA
Gent
Mi-Ran
MR
Leclercq
Georges
G
Hamann
Jörg
J
Kuijpers
Taco W
TW
van Lier
René A W
RA
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D053282:CD27 Ligand / Q000502:physiology; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002999:Clone Cells; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D020014:K562 Cells; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D053282:CD27 Ligand; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D016207:Cytokines; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7