Human NK cell repertoire diversity reflects immune experience and correlates with viral susceptibility.

ABSTRACT: Innate natural killer (NK) cells are diverse at the single-cell level because of variegated expressions of activating and inhibitory receptors, yet the developmental roots and functional consequences of this diversity remain unknown. Because NK cells are critical for antiviral and antitumor responses, a better understanding of their diversity could lead to an improved ability to harness them therapeutically. We found that NK diversity is lower at birth than in adults. During an antiviral response to either HIV-1 or West Nile virus, NK diversity increases, resulting in terminal differentiation and cytokine production at the cost of cell division and degranulation. In African women matched for HIV-1 exposure risk, high NK diversity is associated with increased risk of HIV-1 acquisition. Exis

SUBMITTER: Strauss-Albee DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4547537 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature