Table 2.
Phenotype of CD56bright and CD56dim NK-cells.
| CD56bright * | CD56dim * | |
|---|---|---|
| Functions | Regulatory | Effector cytolytic |
| Location | Predominantly tissue | Primary in blood |
| Maturity | Precursor | Mature |
| NK-cell markers | ||
| CD56 | ++ | + |
| CD57 | − | + |
| CD16 | +/− | ++ |
| T cell markers | ||
| CD2 | ++ | +/− |
| CD5 | − | −/+ |
| CD7 | +++ | ++ |
| CD8 | −/+ * | −/+ @ |
| Leucocyte integrins | ||
| CD11c | ++ | +/− |
| Selectins | ||
| CD62L | ++ | +/− |
| Cytokine receptors | ||
| CD122 | −/+ | + |
| CD25 | + | − |
| CD4 | −/+ | − |
| Growth factor receptor | ||
| CD117 | +/− | − |
| Inhibitory and activating receptors | ||
| KIR/CD158 | − | +/− |
| CD94/NKG2A | ++ | +/− |
| ILT2 | − | + |
| Natural cytotoxic receptors | ||
| CD335/NKp46 | ++ | + |
| Activation markers | ||
| HLA-DR | +/− | − |
| CD38 | + | + |
| CD26 | + | − |
* CD56bright and CD56dim refers to strong (bright) and weak (dim) expression of CD56 in immune cells by flow cytometry. @ Whilst most NK-cells lack both CD4 and CD8 expression, CD8 homodimer is expressed in a subset of NK-cells.