title: Functional Significance of CD57 Expression on Human NK Cells and Relevance to Disease.
abstract: Historically, human NK cells have been identified as CD3(-)CD56(+)CD16(±) lymphocytes. More recently it has been established that CD57 expression defines functionally discrete sub-populations of NK cells. On T cells, CD57 expression has been regarded as a marker of terminal differentiation and (perhaps wrongly) of anergy and senescence. Similarly, CD57 expression seems to identify the final stages of peripheral NK cell maturation; its expression increases with age and is associated with chronic infections, particularly human cytomegalovirus infection. However, CD57(+) NK cells are highly cytotoxic and their presence seems to be beneficial in a number of non-communicable diseases. The purpose of this article is to review our current understanding of CD57 expression as a marker of NK cell function and disease prognosis, as well as to outline areas for further research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK.
authors.forename: Carolyn M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK.
authors.forename: Martin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Goodier
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK.
authors.forename: Eleanor M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Riley
keywords: CD57; HCMV infection; NK cells; T cells; ageing; autoimmune diseases; cancer; chronic infection