Characterization and functional analysis of novel circulating NK cell sub-populations

• Main Authors: Saichit Khummuang, Kantinan Chuensirikulchai, Supansa Pata, Witida Laopajon, Nuttapol Chruewkamlow, Kodchakorn Mahasongkram, Nobuo Sugiura, Hideto Watanabe, Hiroaki Tateno, Ludthawun Kamuthachad, Surasakdi Wongratanacheewin, Nuchjira Takheaw, Watchara Kasinrerk
• Format: Journal
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Immunology and Microbiology; Medicine
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85070774341&origin=inward; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/jspui/handle/6653943832/66682
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

© The Japanese Society for Immunology. 2019. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: [e-mail]. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells having potent cytolytic function that provide host defense against microbial infections and tumors. Using our generated monoclonal antibody (mAb), named FE-1H10, new NK cell sub-populations in peripheral blood were identified. The molecules recognized by mAb FE-1H10 were expressed on a sub-population of CD3-CD56dim NK cells. The epitope recognized by mAb FE-1H10 was demonstrated to be N-glycan and proven to be different from CD57. Upon K562 stimulation, the CD56dimFE-1H10+ NK cell sub-population exhibited significantly lower cytolytic function with low ability to degranulate and release cytolytic granules compared to the CD56dimFE-1H10- NK cell sub-population. Moreover, the CD56dimFE-1H10+ NK cells produced less IFN-γ and TNF-α than the CD56dimFE-1H10- NK cells. We demonstrated here that mAb FE-1H10 could identify two sub-populations of circulating CD56dim NK cells with different functions. Our discovery of new sub-populations of NK cells improves our understanding of NK cell biology and may lead to the development of new approaches for NK cell therapy.