Application of CD27 as a marker for distinguishing human NK cell subsets

Abstract

It has long been recognized that human NK cells can be divided into two phenotypically and functionally distinct subsets, based on their levels of expression of CD56. We recently found that CD27 distinguishes subsets of mature mouse NK cells. Here we report that CD27 can be used as a marker to discriminate human NK cell subsets. The majority of peripheral blood human NK cells were CD27lo/CD56dim NK cells, whereas the minor CD27hi NK cell population correspondingly displayed a CD56bright phenotype. Distinctions between CD27lo and CD27hi NK cells in their receptor expression and typical NK cell functions such as cytotoxicity and cytokine production can be easily delineated. Therefore, we propo..