Expression and function of DNAM-1 on human B-lineage cells.

Background: Although DNAM-1 is an activating receptor constitutively expressed on the majority of NK cells, CD8 T cells, CD4 T cells, monocytes, and platelets in human, several evidences demonstrated that a small population in B-lineage cells also expressed DNAM-1. However, the expression profile of DNAM-1 on B-lineage cells and its function remain obscure. Previous reports revealed that a considerable number of leukocytes including B cells in the peripheral blood conjugated to platelet.