Expression of the activating receptor, NKp46 (CD335), in human natural killer and T-cell neoplasia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the expression of CD335 (NKp46), an activation receptor that is selectively expressed on natural killer (NK) cells.


METHODS
We assessed CD335's potential utility as a diagnostic marker in 657 cases by flow cytometry and 410 cases by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
We observed that CD335 was highly specific for NK cells in nonneoplastic tissues. Moreover, 61 (90%) of 68 of NK cell neoplasms demonstrated CD335 expression, whereas B-cell, myelomonocytic, and plasma cell neoplasms lacked expression. Notably, 16 (20%) of 82 mature T-cell neoplasms, particularly T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia, mycosis fungoides, and ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma, aberrantly expressed CD335.


CONCLUSIONS
Collectively, these data support the diagnostic utility of CD335 in evaluating hematopoietic malignancies and suggest that CD335 could be a useful target for selective immunotherapy in patients with mature NK and T-cell neoplasms.
Dept of Pathology, The Ohio State University, 892 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 W 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210; aharon.freud@osumc.edu.
Aharon G
AG
Freud
Shuchun
S
Zhao
Sibing
S
Wei
Gary M
GM
Gitana
Hernan F
HF
Molina-Kirsch
Susan K
SK
Atwater
Yasodha
Y
Natkunam
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055627:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D055627:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1
CD335; Large granular lymphocyte; Leukemia; Lymphoma; NKp46; Natural killer; T cell