Figure 2

Expression of KIR repertoire after culture ex vivo of NK cells with IL-2 or IL-15 with/without IL-21. (a) Expression of different killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIRs) on the CD56^dim natural killer (NK) population. NK cells were purified by magnetic beads, and the CD56^dim subpopulations were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and cultured for seven days with IL-2 or IL-15 in the presence or absence of IL-21. Each bar represents different culture conditions, and within the bar are shown the percentages of expression of KIR combinations: no KIR, and one, two, three, or four KIR combinations. KIR combination signifies KIR recognized by a single antibody. Anti-CD158a recognizes KIR2DL1 (CD158a) and KIR2DS1 (CD158h). Anti-CD158b recognizes KIR2DL2 (CD158b₁), KIR2DL3 (CD158b₂) and KIR2DS2 (CD158j). Anti-NKB1 is specific for KIR3DL1 (CD158e₁), and anti-KARp50.3 (CD158i) recognizes KIR2DS4. This experiment is representative of five individual experiments performed. (b) Expression of the different KIR receptors on the CD56^bright NK population. NK cells were purified by magnetic beads and the CD56^bright subpopulations were isolated by FACS sorting and cultured for 7 days with IL-2 or IL-15 in the presence or absence of IL-21. Each bar represents different culture conditions, and within the bar are shown the percentages of expression KIR combinations: no KIR, and one, two, three, or four KIR combinations. KIR combination signifies KIR recognized by a single antibody. Anti-CD158a recognizes KIR2DL1 (CD158a) and KIR2DS1 (CD158h). Anti-CD158b recognizes KIR2DL2 (CD158b₁), KIR2DL3 (CD158b₂) and KIR2DS2 (CD158j). Anti-NKB1 is specific for KIR3DL1 (CD158e₁), and anti-KARp50.3 (CD158i) recognizes KIR2DS4. This experiment is representative of five individual experiments performed.