Mucosal tissue NK cells tune their function between optimal anti-pathogen activity and tissue protection.

ABSTRACT: Preserving barrier integrity is of great importance in mucosal tissues while simultaneously defending against inflammatory threats and exposures to pathogens. NK cells at barrier sites are essential for viral control during infections such as herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) but must also balance pathogen response with tissue protection. We have characterized human tissue NK cells in the vaginal tissue (VT) as having distinct effector and tissue protective functions. Using scRNA-seq and high-parameter flow cytometry, we uncovered a unique signature for VT NK cells, indicating a reduced effector phenotype with increased factors related to tissue residency and immunoregulation at steady state. Despite their functionally quiescent nature, these cells were able to respond robustly to inflammator

SUBMITTER: Vick SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12026740 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature