Personal
Professional
Research
Personal Professional Research Sign Up Login Pro Login
Research Lymph CD16&56 (NK) %
Lymphocyte Subset Panel 2

Lymph CD16&56 (NK) %

Optimal Result: 7 - 14 %.

CD1656 are an important NK (Natural killer) cell subset.

Quick facts:

- NK cells are best known for killing virally infected cells, and detecting and controlling early signs of cancer. As well as protecting against disease, specialized NK cells are also found in the placenta and may play an important role in pregnancy.

- Natural killer T (NKT) cells represent a specialized T-cell population that is distinct from conventional T cells. They express an invariant T-cell receptor (TCR) that recognizes self and bacterial glycosphingolipid antigens presented by the MHC class I-like molecule, CD1d.

- Human natural killer (NK) cells can be subdivided in several subpopulations on the basis of the relative expression of the adhesion molecule CD56 and the activating receptor CD16. 

- NK cells serve an important role in host defense against viral infections, as well as tumor surveillance. They are also a component of the adaptive immune response through cytokine production.

- NK cell functions are governed by a balance between activating receptors and inhibitory receptors.

What are Natural killer (NK) cells?

Natural killer (NK) cells are the founding members of the innate lymphoid cell family. Natural Killer (NK) Cells are lymphocytes in the same family as T and B cells, coming from a common progenitor. However, as cells of the innate immune system, NK cells are classified as group I Innate Lymphocytes (ILCs) and respond quickly to a wide variety of pathological challenges. 

NK cells' main functions are:

- natural cytotoxicity against tumor cells or infected cells without prior immunization, 

- antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against antibody-coated target cells, 

- and cytokine and chemokine production and secretion, which not only are important in innate immunity but also influence the subsequent adaptive immune response. 

- Considered for decades, as exclusively innate lymphocytes, NK cells have been shown to display memory functions as well. 

- They can act as suppressive cells under certain conditions.

- NK cells were first noticed for their ability to kill tumour cells without any priming or prior activation (in contrast to cytotoxic T cells, which need priming by antigen presenting cells). They are named for this ‘natural’ killing. Additionally, NK cells secrete cytokines such as IFNγ and TNFα, which act on other immune cells like Macrophage and Dendritic cells to enhance the immune response.

- While on patrol NK cells constantly contact other cells. Whether or not the NK cell kills these cells depends on a balance of signals from activating receptors and inhibitory receptors on the NK cell surface.

More details on how NK cells work and how they fit into the immune system:

Activating receptors recognize molecules that are expressed on the surface of cancer cells and infected cells, and ‘switch on’ the NK cell. Inhibitory receptors act as a check on NK cell killing. Most normal healthy cells express MHC (=major histocompatibility complex) I receptors which mark these cells as ‘self’. Inhibitory receptors on the surface of the NK cell recognize cognate MHC I, and this ‘switches off’ the NK cell, preventing it from killing. 

Cancer cells and infected cells often lose their MHC I, leaving them vulnerable to NK cell killing. Once the decision is made to kill, the NK cell releases cytotoxic granules containing perforin and granzymes, which leads to lysis of the target cell. The genes for both MHC I and the NK cell inhibitory receptors which recognize them vary a lot between individuals.

NK cells and HIV:

HIV-1 patients show a gradual loss of NK cells that correlates with disease progression. There is a selective loss of CD56(dim) NK cells, while the numbers of CD56(bright) NK cells remain the same. There appears to be a defect in differentiation from immature CD56- NK cells to mature CD56(dim) NK cells, with an expansion of the former (CD56-CD16+) NK cells in HIV viremic patients. Differential mobilization of NK-cell subsets has also been reported related to acute exercise, with CD56(bright) NK cells being less responsive than CD56(dim) NK cells and the ratio of CD56(bright):CD56(dim) favors the former at least up to 1-hour post-exercise.

NK cells and herpes:

NK cells also play an important role in regulating viral infections, and their deficiency predisposes to susceptibility with herpes virus infections. NKG2D expression has been reported to decrease during human CMV (=Cytomegalovirus) infection. Cytomegalovirus infection is a common herpesvirus infection.

Licensed versus unlicensed NK cells:

NK cells that express inhibitory receptors to self-MHC class I molecules are called "licensed, " which means they are functionally more responsive to stimulation, while "unlicensed" NK cells lack receptors for self-MHC class I and are hyporesponsive. Contrary to the hypothesis that "licensed" NK cells are key for viral immunity, the depletion of "unlicensed" NK cells impairs control of viremia, suggesting that these cells are critical for protection against viral infection.

References:

- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2017.00699/full

- https://pediatric.testcatalog.org/show/QNKS

What does it mean if your Lymph CD16&56 (NK) % result is too high?

NK-cell lymphocytosis (=a higher-than-normal amount of lymphocytes) is seen in the following conditions:

- NK-neoplasias, 

- extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, 

- aggressive NK-cell leukemia, 

- and blastic NK-cell lymphoma. 

Chronic NK-cell lymphocytosis (CNKL) is an indolent disorder characterized by proliferation of CD3-CD56+CD16- NK cells. 

NK cells and EBV:

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can infect non neoplastic NK cells, and there is an expansion of CD16+CD56(dim) NK cells. Chronic active EBV infection involving NK cells can present with severe inflammatory and necrotic skin reactions typically associated with EBV+ NK-cell lymphoproliferative disease.

What does it mean if your Lymph CD16&56 (NK) % result is too low?

NK cell deficiencies can be present as part of a larger immunological syndrome or as an isolated deficiency. Some of the primary (monogenic) immunodeficiencies that affect NK cell function or numbers include:

- autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) related to CASP8 (caspase 8 mutations); 

- familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) types 2, 3, and 4 due to mutations in the PFP1 (encoding perforin), UNC13D (encoding the Munc13-4 protein) and STX-11 (encoding syntaxin -11), respectively; 

- Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (AP3B1); 

- Papillon-Lefevre syndrome (CTSC, cathepsin C); 

- nuclear factor kappa-beta essential modulator deficiency (NEMO) due to mutations in the IKBKG gene; 

- severe combined immunodeficiencies due to mutations in the IL-2RG, JAK3, ADA, PNP, ADK2 genes; 

- bare lymphocyte syndrome (TAP2 gene); 

- X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis deficiency (XIAP gene);

- X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP): XLP-1 (due to mutations in the SAP gene); 

- Griscelli syndrome (RAB27A gene); 

- Chediak-Higashi syndrome (LYST gene); 

- and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS gene). 

Patients with X-linked inhibitors of apoptosis protein (XIAP) deficiency have been variably reported as having either normal numbers of NKT cells or low numbers of NKT cells. 

Frequently asked questions

Healthmatters is a highly-personalized health dashboard.

Instead of searching for your lab results in different places or tracking them down from different providers, Healthmatters houses, organizes, and interprets them all in one central location.

With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.

For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.

Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:

  • The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
  • GI-MAP,
  • The NutrEval FMV®,
  • The ION Profile,
  • Amino Acids Profile,
  • Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
  • Organic Acids Test,
  • Organix Comprehensive Profile,
  • Toxic Metals,
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC),
  • Metabolic panel,
  • Thyroid panel,
  • Lipid Panel,
  • Urinalysis,
  • And many, many more.

You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.

If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.

While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.

It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.

If you’re on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.

There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."

Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.

For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.

We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.

Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.

Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.

For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.

Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.

Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.

The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.

For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.

Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.

You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.

Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.

Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.

We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.

1. Graph View:

Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.

2. All Tests View

Explore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.

3. Table View:

For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.

Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.

Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.

Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.

Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.

A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.

The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.

To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.

Use promo code to save 10% off any plan.


We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.

At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.

Navigate to Lymphocyte Subset Panel 2

Popular search

% CD19 (B Cells), % CD3 (Mature T Cells), % CD3+CD25+ Lymphs, % CD4, % CD8, Abs.CD3+CD25+ Lymphs, Absolute CD19+ Cells, Absolute CD3+ Cells, Absolute CD4+ Cells, Absolute CD45 Count, Absolute CD8+ Cells, Absolute Lymphocytes, Absolute T-Suppressor Cells, Activated CD21 low CD38- %, Activated CD21 low CD38- Abs, CD20+ %, CD20, Abs Count, CD3-/CD16+CD56+ (%), CD3-/CD16+CD56+ (Absolute), CD4/CD8 Ratio, CD57+ NK-cells (%), CD57+ NK-cells (absolute), Class-switched CD27+IgD-IgM- %, Class-switched CD27+IgD-IgM- Abs, Lymph CD16&56 (NK) %, Lymphocyte Absolute CD16&56 (NK) Count, NATURAL KILLER CELLS CD3-CD16+CD56+ (ABS), NK Cells (CD16/CD56), Non switched CD27+IgD+IgM+ %, Non switched CD27+IgD+IgM+ Abs, Plasmablasts CD38+IgM- %, Plasmablasts CD38+IgM- Abs, T-Helper/Suppressor Ratio, Total Memory CD27+ %, Total Memory CD27+ Abs, Total NK Cells (CD16/CD56), Transitional CD38+IgM+ %, Transitional CD38+IgM+ Abs