Human Hepatic CD56^bright NK Cells Display a Tissue-Resident Transcriptional Profile and Enhanced Ability to Kill Allogenic CD8⁺ T Cells.

ABSTRACT: Liver-resident CD56^brightCD16^- natural killer (NK) cells are enriched in the human liver and are phenotypically distinct from their blood counterparts. Although these cells are capable of rapid cytotoxic effector activity, their functional role remains unclear. We hypothesise that they may contribute to immune tolerance in the liver during transplantation. RNA sequencing was carried out on FACS sorted NK cell subpopulations from liver perfusates (n=5) and healthy blood controls (n=5). Liver-resident CD56^brightCD16^+/- NK cells upregulate genes associated with tissue residency. They also upregulate expression of CD160 and LY9, both of which encode immune receptors capable of activating NK cells. Co-expression of CD160 and Ly9 on liver

SUBMITTER: Jameson G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9295839 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature