Differential expression of the interleukin 2 receptor beta (p75) chain on human peripheral blood natural killer subsets

• Published in: International immunology Vol. 2; no. 6; p. 481
• Main Authors: Nishikawa, K, Saito, S, Morii, T, Kato, Y, Narita, N, Ichijo, M, Ohashi, Y, Takeshita, T, Sugamura, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 1990
• Subjects: Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Differentiation; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; CD3 Complex; CD56 Antigen; Fetal Blood - cytology; Fetal Blood - immunology; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; Receptors, Fc; Receptors, IgG; Receptors, Interleukin-2 - blood; Receptors, Interleukin-2 - chemistry; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology
• ISSN: 0953-8178
• DOI: 10.1093/intimm/2.6.481

The interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) is composed of at least two subunits, the IL-2R alpha (P55, CD25/Tac) and IL-2R beta (p70-75) chains. In the present study we have identified the quantitative expression of IL-2R beta on subsets of NK cells in peripheral blood using flow cytometry and a recently established mAb against IL-2R beta (TU27). We demonstrate that NK cells are not a homogeneous population but that phenotypic subsets exist, and that the levels of IL-2R beta expression correlate with these subsets. The levels of IL-2R beta expression on NK subsets are CD3- CD16- CD56bright NK cells (immature NK) greater than CD16+CD4- NK cells (mature NK) greater than CD16+CD57+ NK cells (more mature NK) in adult peripheral blood lymphocytes. The level of IL-2R beta expression on CD16+ NK cells in cord blood is significantly higher than that in adult PBL. These findings suggest that there may be a inverse relationship between IL-2R beta expression and the differentiation of NK cells. IL-2R beta, preferentially expressed on the NK cells, may play an important role in differentiation and maturation of NK cells.