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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
A Flow Cytometry-Based Cytotoxicity Assay for the Assessment of Human NK Cell Activity
Published on: August 9, 2017
Loss of natural killer cell activity in patients with coronary artery disease
Lena Jonasson1, Karin Backteman, Jan Ernerudh
1Department of Medicine and Care, Division of Cardiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden. lena.jonasson@lio.se
Insights
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is linked to fewer CD56(dim) natural killer (NK) cells and reduced NK cell function in patients. This immune dysfunction persists regardless of disease severity or inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cardiology
- Innate Immunity
Background:
- Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for innate immunity and may influence autoimmune conditions.
- Investigating NK cell roles in coronary artery disease (CAD) offers insights into immune system involvement in cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate natural killer (NK) cell populations and function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
- To correlate NK cell findings with clinical and laboratory parameters in CAD patients.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze NK cell subset distribution.
- Ex vivo quantification of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity was performed.
- Study included 45 acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, 50 stable angina (SA) patients with CAD, and 50 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Patients with ACS and SA showed significantly lower counts of CD56(dim) NK cells compared to controls.
- A notable decrease in NK cell activity was observed in both patient groups.
- Reduced NK cell function was independent of inflammatory markers or metabolic status.
Conclusions:
- CAD, in both stable and unstable forms, is associated with a redistribution of lymphocytes, specifically a reduction in CD56(dim) NK cells.
- A concurrent loss of NK cell function is evident in CAD patients.
- These findings indicate a persistent immune abnormality in CAD patients, irrespective of clinical status or systemic inflammation.
Background:
Natural killer (NK) cells are important components of the innate immune system and have a potential role in the regulation of autoimmunity. In the present study, we evaluated the NK cells in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and related the findings to clinical and laboratory parameters of the disease.
Methods And Results:
We studied 45 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 50 patients with stable angina and angiographically verified CAD (SA) and 50 healthy controls. The distribution of NK cell subsets was determined by flow cytometry and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity was quantified ex vivo. Both ACS and SA patients had significantly reduced numbers of CD56(dim) NK cells compared with controls. The patients also exhibited a significant decrease in NK cell activity. The loss in NK cell function was not related to inflammatory activity or metabolic status.
Conclusion:
Both stable and unstable conditions of CAD were associated with a redistribution of circulating lymphocytes, comprising a significant reduction of CD56(dim) NK cells and a concomitant loss of NK cell function. The findings suggest the presence of a persistent immune aberration in CAD patients independent of their clinical setting or systemic inflammatory state.
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