Phenotypic characteristics of differentiating CD56^dim NK cells. (A) Boolean gating scheme to identify CD57-, pan-KIR- (KIR2DL1, KIR2DL3, KIR3DL1, and KIR3DL2), and NKG2A-expressing cells within CD56^dim NK cells. (B) Representative staining for expression of IL-2Rβ, IL-12Rβ, and IL-18Rα on CD57⁻KIR⁻NKG2A⁻ and CD57⁺KIR⁻NKG2A⁻ CD56^dim NK cells. Isotype control in gray. (C) Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of IL-2Rβ, IL-12Rβ, and IL-18Rα on different CD56^dim NK-cell subsets (n = 10; *P < .05, ***P < .001, for indicated groups vs CD57⁻KIR⁻NKG2A⁺, 1-way ANOVA with Bonferroni posttest; mean ± SEM). (D) Representative costaining for expression of CD57 and the indicated receptors on CD56^dim NK cells. Isotype control in gray. (E) Frequency of CXCR3-, CXCR4-, and CCR5-expressing cells (left) and MFI of NKp46 and NKp30, respectively, within the CD57⁻ and CD57⁺ NK-cell population (n = 16-23; ***P < .001). (F) Expression of LILRB1, NKG2C, CD62L, and KLRG1 on CD57⁻ and CD57⁺ CD56^dim NK-cell subsets expressing 0-4 KIRs (n = 36-146 for LILRB1 and NKG2C and 6-36 for CD62L and KLRG1; mean ± SEM).