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Media type:
E-Article
Title:
CD56 is a legitimate immune receptor regulating T cell and NK cell effector function, and its expression level predicts successful aging (P1324)
Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title>
<jats:p>CD56 is a classical marker of NK cells, but its direct relevance to the elaboration of NK cell effector function is not known. In two cohort studies of aging, we have found that high levels of CD56 expression on both NK cells and T cells are highly correlated with unimpaired cognitive and physical ability among older adults aged ≥65 years. In multivariate analysis of collated data on clinical and laboratory assessments of health and performance, we identified CD56 as a key immunologic predictor of successful aging, an emerging physiologic and clinical construct pertaining to the maintenance of functional independence in old age despite a history of disease and concurrent comorbid conditions. In biological assays using primary T and NK cells, and various immortalized T/NK cell lines, ligation of CD56 alone was sufficient to induce activation of NK cells, and of T cells in a TCR-independent manner. CD56 triggering effectively elicited expression of activation antigens such as CD69 and CD25, and the production of various cytokines including IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ. CD56-mediated activation of both T cells and NK cells involved LAT phosphorylation. Clearly, CD56 is a functional immune receptor capable of effecting proximal and distal cellular outcomes. TCR-independent CD56-driven activation of T cells in particular is consistent with the concept of beneficial immune remodeling that has been proposed to underlie healthy aging and long-term survivorship.</jats:p>