Uptake of CCR7 by KIR2DS4⁺ NK Cells Is Induced upon Recognition of Certain HLA-C Alleles

Figure 2

Analysis of the IL-18Rα surface expression on resting or activated NK cells: functional implications. (a) Freshly isolated (NK) and IL-2 activated (BULK) NK cells from one B haplotype donor were cultured in the presence of exogenous IL-18 for 18 hours and then analyzed for CCR7 expression. Analysis of CD83 expression on NK cells was used as a positive control of the effect mediated by IL-18. The values reported in the upper-right corners indicate the percentage of CD56⁺ CCR7⁺ or of CD56⁺ CD83⁺ NK cells. A representative of 10 independent experiments performed using different donors is shown. (b) Freshly isolated or short-term (18 h) activated NK cells (NK) from one B haplotype donor were analyzed for the expression of IL-18Rα in comparison with long-term IL-2 activated (BULK) NK cells form the same donor. BULK NK cells were also treated for 18 h with either IL-18 or IL-12, after washing the cells, to remove IL-2 from the supernatant and then analyzed for the expression of IL-18Rα. The average of 6 independent experiments and standard deviation (mean ± SD) are indicated. . (c) A representative B haplotype donor is shown for the expression of IL-18Rα on both resting and BULK NK cells. (d) The histogram plots refer to the expression of IL-18Rα on both resting and BULK NK cells of a representative B haplotype donor after gating on KIR2DS4⁺ NK cells. The dashed line represents the isotype control.

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