Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice
Published on: June 22, 2016
CD56 negative NK cells: origin, function, and role in chronic viral disease
Niklas K Björkström1, Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren, Johan K Sandberg
1Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden. niklas.bjorkstrom@ki.se
Aberrant CD56 negative (CD56neg) Natural Killer (NK) cells accumulate in chronic HIV-1 and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections. This NK cell subset may impair host immunity during long-term viral infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Natural Killer (NK) cells are crucial for innate immunity against viral infections.
- Chronic viral infections like HIV-1 and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) can impair NK cell function.
- Aberrant NK cell subsets emerge during chronic viral infections, impacting host defense.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on CD56 negative (CD56neg) NK cells.
- To highlight the accumulation of CD56neg NK cells in chronic HIV-1 and HCV infections.
- To discuss the potential consequences of CD56neg NK cell accumulation for the host.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of immunogenetic association data.
- Analysis of phenotypic and functional data on NK cell subsets.
- Summary of existing research on CD56neg NK cells in viral infections.
Main Results:
- CD56neg NK cells are found in low numbers in healthy individuals.
- Elevated levels of CD56neg NK cells are observed in chronic HIV-1 and HCV infections.
- Chronic infection negatively affects NK cell function and promotes abnormal NK cell phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- CD56neg NK cells represent an aberrant subset accumulating during chronic viral infections.
- The accumulation of CD56neg NK cells may have significant implications for host immune response.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the role of CD56neg NK cells in chronic viral pathogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
