CD56bright cells differ in their KIR repertoire and cytotoxic features from CD56dim NK cells

In this study we present new differential characteristics of NK cells expressing CD56 surface antigen in low (CD56dim) or high (CD56bright) density. In contrast to CD56bright NK cells CD56dim cells express killer cell immunoglobulin (Ig)-like receptors (KIR) such as CD158a, CD158b, and NKB1. However, c-type lectin-like receptors (KLR) CD94/NKG2 and CD161 are present on both subsets. The ability to form conjugates with susceptible targets is approximately twice as strongly pronounced in CD56dim vs. CD56bright NK cells. Last but not least, granules of CD56dim cells contain about tenfold more perforin and granzyme A enabling potentially more effective cytolysis compared to CD56bright NK cells. On the other hand, CD56bright NK cells are superior in producing the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma (28.5% vs. 20.8%, p<0.05) and TNF-alpha (28% vs. 15.8%, p<0.001). The different NK cell populations retained their specific phenotype in vitro during culture in the presence of IL-2 contradicting that they simply display different stages of maturity. Taken together our data support the view that CD56bright cells are specialized NK cells that regulate immunological response mechanisms rather by cytokine supply than by their cytotoxic potential. The poor cytolytic capacity of CD56bright NK cells can be explained by weak ability in forming conjugates with target cells and low contents of perforin and granzyme A in their granules.