Comparative analysis of NCR expression in NKG2C⁺ and NKG2A⁺ NK cells. PBLs were stained with anti-CD3 and either anti-NKG2C or NKG2A mAbs in combination with anti-NKp46 or NKp30-specific mAbs. NCR expression was analyzed gating on CD3^-NKG2C⁺ and CD3^-NKG2A⁺ cells (Protocol 3; see “Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analysis”). (A) The staining pattern observed in a representative case is displayed. (B) The proportions (mean ± SEM) of NKp46^bright and NKp30^bright+ NK cells in PBL samples from 5 different HCMV-positive donors are shown. Statistical analysis was carried out as described in “Patients, materials, and methods”; ^*P < .05.