The phenotypic heterogeneity of human natural killer cells: presence of at least 48 different subsets in the peripheral blood.
Scand J Immunol
; 53(2): 103-10, 2001 Feb.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11169213
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 CD56(dim) and CD56(bright) NK populations, indicating a possible role for these subsets in NK-cell function or differentiation.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Células Asesinas Naturales
/
Subgrupos Linfocitarios
Límite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Scand J Immunol
Año:
2001
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Países Bajos
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido