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- Title
The Phenotypic Heterogeneity of Human Natural Killer Cells: Presence of at least 48 Different Subsets in the Peripheral Blood.
- Authors
Jonges, L. E.; Albertsson, P.; Van Vlierberghe, R. L. P.; Ensink, N. G.; Johansson, B. R.; Van De Velde, C. J. H.; Fleuren, G. J.; Nannmark, U.; Kuppen, P. J. K.
- Abstract
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 CD56dim and CD56bright NK populations, indicating a possible role for these subsets in NK-cell function or differentiation.
- Subjects
KILLER cells; CELL populations; CELL membranes
- Publication
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, 2001, Vol 53, Issue 2, p103
- ISSN
0300-9475
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1046/j.1365-3083.2001.00838.x