Expansion of a unique CD57 ⁺NKG2C ^hi natural killer cell subset during acute human cytomegalovirus infection

During human CMV infection, there is a preferential expansion of natural killer (NK) cells expressing the activating CD94-NKG2C receptor complex, implicating this receptor in the recognition of CMV-infected cells. We hypothesized that NK cells expanded in response to pathogens will be marked by expression of CD57, a carbohydrate antigen expressed on highly mature cells within the CD56 ^dimCD16 ⁺ NK cell compartment. Here we demonstrate the preferential expansion of a unique subset of NK cells coexpressing the activating CD94-NKG2C receptor and CD57 in CMV ⁺ donors. These CD57 ⁺NKG2C ^hi NK cells degranulated in response to stimulation through their NKG2C receptor. Furthermore, CD57 ⁺NKG2C ^hiNK cells preferentially lack expression of the inhibitory NKG2A receptor and the inhibitory KIR3DL1 receptor in individuals expressing its HLA-Bw4 ligand. Moreover, in solid-organ transplant recipients with active CMV infection, the percentage of CD57 ⁺NKG2C ^hi NK cells in the total NK cell population preferentially increased. During acute CMV infection, the NKG2C+ NK cells proliferated, became NKG2C ^hi, and finally acquired CD57. Thus, we propose that CD57 might provide a marker of "memory" NK cells that have been expanded in response to infection.