Diversification of human NK cells: Lessons from deep profiling

作者：Wilk Aaron J; Blish Catherine A^*

来源：Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 2018, 103(4): 629-641.

DOI：10.1002/JLB.6RI0917-390R

• host-pathogen interaction
• innate lymphoid cell
• lymphocyte diversity
• mass cytometry
• NK cell
• single-cell technology

NK cells are innate lymphocytes with important roles in immunoregulation, immunosurveillance, and cytokine production. Originally defined on the functional basis of their natural ability to lyse tumor targets and thought to be a relatively homogeneous group of lymphocytes, NK cells possess a remarkable degree of phenotypic and functional diversity due to the combinatorial expression of an array of activating and inhibitory receptors. Diversification of NK cells is multifaceted: mechanisms of NK cell education that promote self-tolerance result in a heterogeneous repertoire that further diversifies upon encounters with viral pathogens. Here, we review the genetic, developmental, and environmental sources of NK cell diversity with a particular focus on deep profiling and single-cell technologies that will enable a more thorough and accurate dissection of this intricate and poorly understood lymphocyte lineage.

• 出版日期2018-4