Figure 8.  IL15 promotes the stochastic acquisition of Ly49, CD94, and NKRP1 molecules by developing NK cells in a similar manner to IL2

5 days

20 days

IL2

IL15

Ly49

CD94

NKRP1

Immature NK cells were obtained from E14 thymus and cultured initially for 2 days in IL4 + PMA.  They were then

washed, cultured for 5 or 20 days in medium containing 20nM IL2 or IL15, then stained with mAb 4D12 that recognizes

Ly49E, mAb 18d3 that recognizes CD94, and mAb 10A7 that recognizes NKRP1A and D.

Conclusions

1.  Developing NK cells gradually acquire the Ly49 molecules recognized by mAb 4D12

2.  By 20 days they show marked heterogeneous expression of CD94 and of NKRP1A/D.

3.  The pattern and kinetics of acquisition of Ly49, CD94, and NKRP1 receptors are essential identical regardless of whether NK

cell differentiation is driven by IL2 or IL15.