Fig. 3.

Expression and function of NCRs on CD56⁺ and CD56^– NK cell subsets. CD56⁺ (Upper) and CD56^– (Lower) NK cell subsets were analyzed for NCR expression (Left) and function (Right). Histograms indicate the percent of freshly isolated (solid red) or rIL-2-activated (blue lines) CD56⁺ and CD56^– NK cells expressing NKp46 (A), NKp30 (B), and NKp44 (C). The percentage of NK cells expressing NCRs with their geometric mean fluorescence intensity (MF) are indicated. Functional evaluation of NCRs by a redirected killing assay using an FcγR⁺ P815 target cell line and IL-2-activated NK cell subsets are adjacent to each histogram. Every graph shows the baseline lysis (blue squares), the maximal lysis triggered by anti-CD16 IgG mAb (blue diamonds), and killing driven by the relevant activating NK receptors (red circles). Data are from a single experiment and are representative of data obtained by using cells isolated from 48 HIV-viremic patients whose expression and function of NCRs were similar.