Figure 5

NKp46^highNK cells in spleen showed the highest cytolytic capacity. The cytolytic capacity of NKp46-defined NK-cell subsets (CD8α⁺NKp46^-: blue, CD8α⁺NKp46⁺: green, CD8α^dim/-NKp46^high: red) isolated from spleen was analysed after receptor-mediated degranulation. Cells were stimulated and gated for flow cytometric analysis as outlined in Figure 4. (A) Numbers indicate the percentage of CD107a⁺ cells and the mean fluorescence intensity of CD107a within respective NKp46-gates. Results are representative of experiments with five different animals. (B) CD107a expression analyses of five animals analysed. The proportion of CD107a⁺ cells within the different NKp46-defined subsets is shown in the upper graphs. Percentage of CD107a⁺ NK cells was calculated by subtracting spontaneous degranulation observed in cultures stimulated with isotype-control antibodies from the frequency of CD107a⁺ cells in cultures stimulated with NKp46 and/or CD16 mAbs. The lower graphs show the mean fluorescence intensity of CD107a within the respective subsets. Mean values are represented by a black bar. Significant differences between the subsets are indicated (* = p < 0.05, ** = p < 0.01).