Expression of NKG2D and NCRs in NK cells from HCMV-positive individuals. PBLs from HCMV-positive (n = 11) and HCMV-negative donors (n = 13) were stained with anti-CD3 and CD56-specific mAbs in combination with either NKG2D-, NKp46-, or NKp30-specific mAbs and subsequently analyzed by flow cytometry (Protocol 2; see “Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analysis”). (A) The different staining patterns of CD3^-CD56⁺ (NK) cells observed with anti-NKp46 and NKp30 mAbs are shown, corresponding to samples from 3 representative donors (D1 to D3). (B) The proportions (mean ± SEM) of NKG2D⁺, NKp46^bright+, and NKp30^bright+ NK cells are displayed for each group. The percentage of NKG2D⁺ T cells were comparable in HCMV-positive and HCMV-negative donors (data not shown). Statistical analysis was carried out as described in “Patients, materials, and methods”; ^**P < .01.