HUMAN NK CELLS EXPRESSING ALPHA-4-BETA-1 BETA-7 ADHERE TO VCAM-1 WITHOUT PREACTIVATION/

The authors demonstrate that resting CD56(+)/CD3(-) NK cell adhesion t o the endothelial VCAM-1 is over three-fold higher than CD56(-)/CD3(+) T-cell adhesion. T-cell, but not NK-cell adhesion, to VCAM-1 is enhan ced significantly by stimulation. The expression of VCAM-1 receptor su bunits alpha 4 and beta 1 on both effector cells remains unchanged upo n stimulation. A subpopulation of NK cells, as well as of T cells, was found to express beta 7, whose expression was not altered upon stimul ation. The authors conclude that the adhesive properties of the same r eceptor structures on these distinct cell populations are regulated in a different manner, according to the specific functions of the effect or cells of the immune system.