Figure 1.

Pre-mNK cells share phenotypic expression with a variety of other immune cells. Murine immune cell types harboring cell surface antigens also present on pre-mNK cells are depicted. The intensity in color represents the level of expression. Note that a combination of at least three cell surface antigens, namely CD11c, B220, and CD49b, must be used to clearly distinguish pre-mNK cells from other immune cell types. This shared phenotypic character of pre-mNK cells increases the risk of potential cellular contaminants during the isolation process.