Modulation of Natural Killer (NK) Receptors on NK (CD3−/CD56+), T (CD3+/CD56−) and NKT-like (CD3+/CD56+) Cells after Heart Transplantation

These findings indicate that cytotoxic NK-related cells, increased in proportion, also display increased levels of activity-associated markers in heart transplant recipients. Viral infection or the immunosuppressive regimen could be responsible for the modulation of regulatory receptors on NK and NKT-like cells in heart transplant recipients.