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Involvement of CD56 (NKH-1/Leu-19 antigen) as an adhesion molecule in natural killer-target cell interaction

T Nitta1, H Yagita, K Sato

  • 1Department of Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|November 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

The CD56 molecule, an isoform of neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), mediates natural killer (NK) cell adhesion and cytotoxicity. It acts as a third adhesion pathway in NK cell interactions with N-CAM-bearing target cells.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Adhesion Biology

Background:

  • CD56 is a differentiation antigen predominantly on human NK cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
  • CD56 is an isoform of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the adhesive function of CD56 in NK-target cell interactions.
  • To understand the role of CD56 in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized anti-CD56 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to study NK cell adhesion and cytotoxicity.
  • Examined synergistic inhibitory effects with anti-LFA-1 and anti-LFA-3 mAbs.

Main Results:

  • Anti-CD56 mAbs synergistically inhibited NK cell cytotoxicity and binding to CD56-expressing target cells.
  • CD56 functions as a third adhesion pathway in NK cell interactions, distinct from CD2/LFA-3 and LFA-1/ICAM-1.
  • CD56 is involved in NK cell cytotoxicity when interacting with N-CAM-bearing cells.

Conclusions:

  • CD56 plays a crucial role in NK cell adhesion and cytotoxicity.
  • CD56 represents a novel adhesion pathway in immune cell interactions.
  • Target cell N-CAM expression is critical for CD56-mediated NK cell functions.

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