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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Analysis of Human Natural Killer Cell Metabolism

Analysis of Human Natural Killer Cell Metabolism

Published on: June 22, 2020

Adipocyte IL-15 regulates local and systemic NK cell development.

Yae-Huei Liou¹, Szu-Wen Wang², Chin-Ling Chang²

¹Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan; and Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)

|July 11, 2014

Summary

Adipocytes are a key source of Interleukin-15 (IL-15), crucial for Natural Killer (NK) cell development. This study reveals adipose tissue as a novel niche supporting systemic NK cell production.

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Expansion and Adipogenesis Induction of Adipocyte Progenitors from Perivascular Adipose Tissue Isolated by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting

Published on: June 30, 2017

Area of Science:

Immunology
Cell Biology
Endocrinology

Background:

Natural Killer (NK) cell development and homeostasis depend on Interleukin-15 (IL-15).
While hematopoietic sources of IL-15 are known, parenchymal sources remain largely unidentified.
The specific contribution of non-hematopoietic cells to IL-15 production for NK cell development is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify parenchymal cell sources of IL-15 essential for NK cell development.
To investigate the role of adipocytes as a potential source of IL-15.
To elucidate the contribution of adipose tissue-derived IL-15 to systemic NK cell homeostasis.

Main Methods:

Generation and analysis of two distinct lines of adipocyte-specific Interleukin-15 knockout (Il15(-/-)) mice.
Assessment of IL-15 production in adipose tissue.
Evaluation of NK cell development and populations in spleen, liver, and adipose tissue.
Analysis of NK cell progenitor presence in adipose tissue niches.
Challenging recipient mice with NK cells derived from transplanted adipose tissue.

Main Results:

Adipocytes were identified as a significant parenchymal source of IL-15, supporting NK cell development nonredundantly.
Adipocyte-specific Il15(-/-) mice exhibited reduced IL-15 in adipose tissue and impaired NK cell development systemically (spleen, liver, adipose tissue).
Adipose tissue was confirmed to harbor NK cell progenitors, functioning as a developmental niche.
NK cells originating from transplanted adipose tissue successfully repopulated the spleen and liver of recipient mice.

Conclusions:

Adipocytes represent a critical parenchymal source of IL-15, vital for NK cell development.
Adipose tissue serves as an important niche for NK cell development, contributing to the systemic pool of NK cells.
Adipocyte-derived IL-15 plays a key role in maintaining NK cell homeostasis across multiple organs.