Identification of a NCR+/NKG2D+/LFA-1(low)/CD94(-) immature human NK cell subset

CD56(bright) natural killer (NK) cells, generated in vitro from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells, were characterized after a 30-day culture with flt3 ligand plus IL-15. Virtually, all CD56(bright) cells expressed CD117, CD25, natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs), NKG2D, CD161, and CD244, while only a subset expressed CD18-CD11a (LFA-1), and CD94 molecule, defining an immature CD56(bright)/NCRs+/NKG2D+/LFA-1(-)/CD94(-) subset. Another small subset of cells expressing CD94 but not LFA-1 integrin was also identified, suggesting that during NK differentiation LFA-1 might be upregulated later than CD94. To verify this hypothesis in vivo, we evaluated the NK cell expression of LFA-1 in both peripheral and umbilical cord blood samples. Interestingly, in these blood fluids, we have identified a lineage negative CD34(-)/LFA-1(low)/NKp46(dim)/NKG2D(dim)/CD94(-) subset that resembled an immature stage of NK cells present in lymph nodes. Altogether, the results indicate that CD18-CD11a integrin, as well as CD11b in mice, may be a useful marker to identify immature stages of NK cell differentiation.