IL-15 induces CD8+ T cells to acquire functional NK receptors capable of modulating cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion

MP Correia, AV Costa, M Uhrberg, EM Cardoso… - Immunobiology, 2011 - Elsevier
During the last years several authors have described a small population of CD8+ T cells
expressing NK receptors (NKRs). Although their origin remains largely unknown, we have
recently demonstrated that IL-15 is capable of inducing NKR expression in purified human
CD8+ CD56− T cells. In this study we show that IL-15-driven NKR induction in CD8+ T cells
was linked with CD56 de novo acquisition, consistent with an effector-memory phenotype,
increased anti-apoptotic levels, high granzyme B/perforin expression and with the ability of …