CD11b−CD27− NK Cells Are Associated with the Progression of Lung Carcinoma
Figure 6
The frequency of tumour-infiltrating DN NK cells is highly associated with clinical outcome.
(A) Representative flow cytometry analysis of the expression of CD27 and CD11b on TINK cells from NSCLC patients with tumours of distinct stage classifications based on tumour node metastasis (TNM). Dot plots were gated on live NK cells using a lymphocyte gate based on forward scatter and side scatter and an NK-cell gate (CD56+CD3−). DN NK cells were analysed by gating on CD56+CD3−CD11b−CD27− cells. Quadrants depicted were set on isotype controls. (B) The frequency of tumour-infiltrating DN NK cells is correlated with the malignant progression of lung carcinoma (n = 20; mean±SEM). (C) The frequency of DN NK cells within tumours is directly correlated with tumour size. The y-axis represents the maximum diameter of the resected tumours.