Reference values of the natural killer cells (NK and NKT) on blood donors in Bogota

Abstract

Introduction: the natural killer cells (NK y NKT) are a population of lymphocytes that circulate in the peripheral blood but in low percentages. Both types of cells play an important role in immune response under normal conditions or in pathological processes as it is the case of certain tumors, spontaneous abortions and transplant rejections, what makes them very interesting from the clinical interest point of view.

Objective: the aim of this work is to establish values for NK and NKT cells by means of flow cytometry in a group of adult population of blood donors in a blood bank in Bogotá.

Methodology: 104 donor samples were collected and a study was carried out with CD3, CD56 and CD16 markers.

Results: 47.2% of the samples were women and 52.8% men. In the case of women the cells percentage was: NK 14.6% (± 12.1) and NKT 3.0% (± 2.5); for men NK 25.3% (± 21.3) and NKT 3.5% (± 2.9). The absolute cells values for women were NK 298.8 /µL (± 253.9) and NKT 70.1 /µL (± 47.7); for men NK 526.1 /µL (± 448) and NKT 95.5 /µL (± 77). There is a statistical difference between the absolute values by the NK cells between men and women. (p= 0.0004).