OBJECTIVETo study the amount change of peripheral blood NK cells in patients with hematologic malignancies and its significance.

METHODSA total of 200 patients with hematologic malignancies in our hospital from June 2013 to March 2015 were chosen as study objects, out of them 105 patients were in aute stage and 95 patients were in remisson stage. At same time 100 people from healthy medical examination in our hospital were chosen as control group. The mumber change and subgroups of their peripheral blood NK cells were analyzed and compared.

RESULTSIn control group the absolute number of NK cells was (412.91 ± 167.35)/µl, the relative number of NK cells was (13.31 ± 2.56) %; in group at acute stage of leukemia the absolute number of NK cells was (97.84 ± 23.18)/µl, the relative number of NK cells was (6.79 ± 0.78) %; in group at acute stage of lymphoma, the absolute number of NK cells was (101.79 ± 25.63)/µl, and the relative number of NK cells was (7.12 ± 1.03) %; in group at remission stage of leukemia, the absolute number was (297.17 ± 87.56)/µl, and the relative number was (10.15 ± 1.64) %; In group at remission of lymphoma, the absolute number of NK cells was (288.52 ± 118.52)/µl, and the relative number of NK cells was (10.82 ± 1.97) %. The number of NK cells between different groups showed statistical difference (P < 0.05). In remission group, the number of NK cells before and after treatment had statistical difference (P < 0.05). In control group, the number of CD56(bright) subgroup was (25.28 ± 4.72) %, the number of CD56(bright) subgroup at the acute stage of leukemia was (65.46 ± 11.21) %, and the number of CD56(bright) subgroup at the acute stage of lymphoma was (70.71 ± 12.14) %, the number of CD56(bright) subgroup at remission stage of leukemia was (23.35 ± 4.67) %, the number of CD56(bright) subgroup at remission stage of lymphoma was (24.89 ± 4.58) %. The number of CD56(bright) subgroup between different groups showed statistical significance (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe number and function of peripheral blood NK cells in patients with hematologic malignancies have been confirmed to be obvious decrement, but after treatment the number of NK cells in those patients showed increment.

Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is a rare malignant tumour of the endometrium, accounts for less than 1% of all uterine malignancies. Routinely, it is diagnosed morphologically, supported by immunomarkers of CD10 and vimentin. CD56 is used widely in neuroendocrine tumour. In our current practice, CD56 is not used to support the diagnosis of ESS. We present a case of a postmenopausal lady with advanced ESS who had expression of CD56 upon immunohistochemical study
CD56 ; endometrial stromal sarcoma ; immunohistochemistry ; uterine leiomyoma ; vaginal neoplasm

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of CD56 in multiple myeloma (MM) cells and its relationship between extramedullary disease and extramedullary relapse. METHODS: Clinical data of 99 patients with MM treated in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into positive group and negative group according to the expression of CD56. The relationship between CD56 and multiple myeloma extramedullary disease, extramedullary relapse was analyzed. RESULTS: Among 99 newly diagnosed patients with MM, the positive rate of CD56 was 65%, and the incidence of extramedullary disease of patients in the CD56 positive group was lower than that in the CD56 negative group (17.19% vs 48.57%) (P<0.01). Meanwhile, the incidence of extramedullary relapse of patients in the CD56 positive group was lower than that in the CD56 negative group (1.56% vs 34.29%) (P<0.01). CONCLUSION CD56 is highly expressed in MM, and its low expression is associated with the occurrence of extramedullary disease and extramedullary relapse, which suggests that CD56 may be an important indicator for predicting the occurrence of extramedullary disease and extramedullary relapse.
CD56 Antigen ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: CD56 is generally considered to be a natural killer (NK) cell marker, but it is also found in various tissues including acute leukemia. Recently, some reports have showed that positive CD56staining by blast cells is associated with an unfavorable outcome in AML with either t(8;21) or t(15;17)and in some ALL. This study investigated the characteristics of morphology, immunophenotype and cytogenetics and correlated the expression of CD56 of blast cells in 262 acute leukemia patients. METHODS: We analyzed 153 AML and 109 ALL, who underwent flow cytometry for CD56 at diagnosis at Chonnam National University Hospital between January 1999 and May 2003, for morphology, immunophenotype, and cytogenetics, retrospectively. RESULTS: The CD56 antigen was positive in 47 out of 163 AML cases (28.8%) and in 4 out of 109 ALL cases (3.7%). There were no statistically significant differences in the hematological parameters between the CD56+ and CD56- groups in ALL. However, the CD56 expression in AML was significantly high (81.8%) in AML-M2 with t(8;21) and low (5%) in AML-M3 with t(15;17) and was associatedwith the frequent expression of CD34 and HLA-DR. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the CD56 expression in AML is associated with specific translocation, FAB subtype, some antigens CD34 and HLA-DR, and is significantly higher than in ALL.
Antigens, CD56 ; Cytogenetics* ; Diagnosis ; Flow Cytometry ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Jeollanam-do ; Leukemia* ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore the immunophenotype characteristics of newly diagnosed patients with CD56⁺ acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODSCombining with cytomorphology, four-color flow cytometry was used to analyze the immunophenotype of 342 AML patients with CD56⁺ or CD56⁻.

RESULTSIn 342 AML patients, the CD56⁺ expression was found in 83 AML patients who accounted for 24.27% and included 10 cases of M1, 45 cases of M2, 5 cases of M3, 6 cases of M6 and 17 cases of M5. The statistical analysis showed that there was statistical difference between CD56⁺ and CD11b⁺ patients (P < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference between CD56⁺ and HLA-DR, CD34, CD38, CD13, CD33, CD15, CD117, CD14, CD64, CD2, CD7, CD5, CD3, CD4, CD10, CD19, CD20, CD22 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAML with only CD56 positive always has poor prognosis, thus the prognosis of patients with CD56⁺ AML accompanied by other antigens still needs more research.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The natural killer (NK) cells which play an important role in defense immune system are supposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. The goal of this study is to analyze the role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma by examining the proportion of NK cells in peripheral blood mononucler cells (PBMCs) and production of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in NK cells between normal group and asthmatic group. METHODS: Ten patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma sensitive to house dust mite were enrolled as asthmatic group. PBMCs were activated by 12-0-tetracanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and calcium inonophore for 18 hours. Surface CD3 and CD56 antigens with intracytoplasmic IFN-gamma staining were performed simultaneously and the results were analyzed by three color flow cytometer. RESULTS: The percentage of CD56+ positive NK cells in PBMCs from asthma group was lower compared to control group (15.4+/-3.9% vs 19.8+/-4.5%). However, There was no signficant difference of IFN-gamma production in CD56+ NK cells between two groups (30.3+/-3.9% vs 25.9+/-5.8%, p>0.05). IFN-gammaproducing CD3+ T cells were significantly higher in asthma group compared with normal control group (36.3+/-1.8% vs 28.4+/-5.7%, p<0.05). The ratio of TNK cells expressing both CD56 and CD3 was not different between asthma group and control group (4.7+/-1.4 % vs 5.9+/-1.8%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that aggravation of asthma symptoms in severe asthma may be caused partly by decrease in NK cells. The increased production of IFN-gamma in asthma patients suggest that IFN-gammamay function as inflammatory cytokine.
Antigens, CD56 ; Asthma* ; Calcium ; Humans ; Immune System ; Interferons* ; Killer Cells, Natural* ; Pyroglyphidae ; T-Lymphocytes

With the popularity of flow cytometry, the classification of leukemia become more detailed. Myeloid/natural killer cell precursor acute leukemia and myeloid/natural killer cell acute leukemias are generally recognized as two kinds of rare leukemias and have poor prognosis. The cells expressed both myeloid and lymphatic antigens in these two leukemia and can not be diagnosed by morphology. The only basis to make a definite diagnosis is their unique Immunophenotyping. The role of CD7 and CD56 in these two leukemia are compelling, in the other hand, as the progress of cell differentiation research, there are many new awareness of NK cell differentiation. In this article, the biological origin, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment and the role of CD7 and CD56 in these two leukemia are briefly summarized.
Antigens, CD7 ; CD56 Antigen ; Cell Differentiation ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; classification ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo establish a novel method for ex vivo expansion of natural killer cells from human umbilical blood, so as to provide the basis for NK cell therapy.

METHODSMononucleated cells from human umbilical blood were harvested and suspended in a serum-free medium containing 5% autologous plasma, recombinant human IL-15 (50 ng/ml) and hydrocortisone sodium succinate (5×10 mol/L) at a concentration of 1.5×10/ml, then the cells were seeded into flasks pre-coated with heparin sodium (100 U/cm) or/and anti-human CD16 antibody (1 µg/cm). After culture for 2 weeks, the cells were harvested and counted. Ratios of CD3/CD56 of the cells were determined by flow cytometry. MTT test was performed to assess the cytotoxicity against K562 cells with graded ratios of effector/target cells.

RESULTSIn contrast to the cells in flasks without pre-coating, the attached colonies appeared predominantly within 1 week of culture from heparin- and antibody-coated groups. The cell numbers from the pre-coated groups were significantly higher than that of uncoated one after culture for 2 weeks. Furthermore, the ratios of CD3/CD56 cells were much higher in pre-coated groups, and that of the cells from flasks pre-coated with heparin and antibody were the highest (all the P values <0.01). MTT test showed that the cytotoxic activity of the cells stimulated by precoating were much more potent than that of the cells without the stimulation.

CONCLUSIONAdvantageous expansion of NK cells can be achieved by precoating with heparin and anti-CD16 antibody, and also by supplement with IL-15 and hydrocortisone into the media, so the umbilical NK cells with high purity and potent cytotoxicity can be obtained.

Bortezomib/therapeutic use* ; CD56 Antigen ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression characteristics of antigens and functional markers of natural killer (NK) cells in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: Multi-parameter flow cytometry was used to detect NK cell surface markers and their functional indicators in 56 newly diagnosed AML patients and 24 healthy controls, including activating receptors NKG2D, NKP46, DNAM-1, and killing indicators granzyme B, perforin. RESULTS: Referring to the WHO hematopoiesis and lymph tissue tumor classification criteria, 56 cases were roughly divided into three types: AML M₁, M₂, and M₄/M₅. However, there was no differences about NK cells among the three types, so it was no longer subdivided. NK cells were divided into two groups: CD3^-CD56^hiCD16^- (CD56^hiNK) and CD3^-CD56^dimCD16⁺ (CD56^dimNK). Compared with CD56^dimNK cell population, except for NKP46, the positive expression levels of NKG2D and other receptors of CD56^hiNK cells in AML patients decreased (P<0.001). Compared with healthy controls, the proportion of CD56^hiNK cells in AML patients increased, while the number and proportion of NK cells and proportion of CD56^dimNK cells significantly decreased (P<0.05). The proportion of perforin in CD56^hiNK cells significantly increased (P<0.05). The expression of DNAM-1 in CD56^hiNK cells, NKG2D, DNAM-1, and perforin in CD56^dimNK cells decreased significantly (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in expression of other functional indexes in AML patients compared with corresponding indexes of healthy controls. In addition, the proportion of CD56^hiNK cells was positively correlated with the expression of CD34⁺ in AML (r=0.303). CONCLUSION Compared with CD56^dimNK, the ratio of CD56^hiNK and the expression of functional markers in AML patients are lower. Compared with healthy controls, the number and expression ratio of NK cells in AML patients decrease and the expression of functional markers is abnormal, indicating that its function is impaired.
CD56 Antigen ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute