title: Differential function of natural killer cells in the liver graft perfusate of Korean population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Liver perfusate (LP) lymphocytes show unique subsets compared with peripheral blood (PB) lymphocytes. LP natural killer (NK) and NKT cells may display unique cytotoxicity and cytokine production, thus leading to distinct roles in liver transplantation. In this study, we sought to evaluate the functions of graft perfusate NK and NKT cells in clinical liver transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The living donor right lobe graft was initially washed with 1 L of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution to collect the perfusate. We also collected donor PB. Lymphocytes separated by the Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient method underwent immunophenotyping using multicolor flow cytometry. To assess cytokine secretion, we performed the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were more NK and NKT cells in LP confirming previous reports. In particular, CD56(bright)CD16(low) NK cells accounted for approximately 50% of total NK cells compared with 5% to 10% among PB NK cells. In response to cytokine stimulation LP NK cells produce tumor necrosis factor-α at different levels and less interleukin-10 compared with PB NK cells. The major source of interferon-γ production upon stimulation with liver caner cells were CD56(dim) NK cells and CD56(-)CD3(-) cells rather than NKT or T cells. Unlike PB NK cells, LP CD56(bright)CD16(low) NK cells along with CD56(dim)CD16(high) NK cells and NKT cells were efficient killers against Korean liver cancer cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LP NK and NKT cells showed unique functions in cytotoxicity and cytokine production.
authors.affiliation: Asan Institute for Life Sciences, and Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: G-W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: D-H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: S-G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C-S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D015550:Cell Degranulation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005947:Glucose; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors; D008353:Mannitol; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D011343:Procaine; D056910:Republic of Korea
chemical_list: C039984:Bretschneider cardioplegic solution; D016207:Cytokines; D008353:Mannitol; D011343:Procaine; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D005947:Glucose