| First Author | Brownlie D | Year | 2021 |
| Journal | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A | Volume | 118 |
| Issue | 11 | PubMed ID | 33836578 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:303250 | Mgi Id | MGI:6512856 |
| Doi | 10.1073/pnas.2016580118 | Citation | Brownlie D, et al. (2021) Expansions of adaptive-like NK cells with a tissue-resident phenotype in human lung and blood. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 118(11) |
| abstractText | Human adaptive-like "memory" CD56(dim)CD16(+) natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood from cytomegalovirus-seropositive individuals have been extensively investigated in recent years and are currently explored as a treatment strategy for hematological cancers. However, treatment of solid tumors remains limited due to insufficient NK cell tumor infiltration, and it is unknown whether large expansions of adaptive-like NK cells that are equipped for tissue residency and tumor homing exist in peripheral tissues. Here, we show that human lung and blood contains adaptive-like CD56(bright)CD16(-) NK cells with hallmarks of tissue residency, including expression of CD49a. Expansions of adaptive-like lung tissue-resident NK (trNK) cells were found to be present independently of adaptive-like CD56(dim)CD16(+) NK cells and to be hyperresponsive toward target cells. Together, our data demonstrate that phenotypically, functionally, and developmentally distinct subsets of adaptive-like NK cells exist in human lung and blood. Given their tissue-related character and hyperresponsiveness, human lung adaptive-like trNK cells might represent a suitable alternative for therapies targeting solid tumors. |
