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Modeling Human Natural Killer Cell Development in the Era of Innate Lymphoid Cells
Steven D Scoville1, Aharon G Freud2, Michael A Caligiuri3
1Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Medical Scientist Training Program, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Abstract:
Decades after the discovery of natural killer (NK) cells, their developmental pathways in mice and humans have not yet been completely deciphered. Accumulating evidence indicates that NK cells can develop in multiple tissues throughout the body. Moreover, detailed and comprehensive models of NK cell development were proposed soon after the turn of the century. However, with the recent identification and characterization of other subtypes of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), which show some overlapping functional and phenotypic features with NK cell developmental intermediates, the distinct stages through which human NK cells develop from early hematopoietic progenitor cells remain unclear. Thus, there is a need to reassess and refine older models of NK cell development in the context of new data and in the era of ILCs. Our group has focused on elucidating the developmental pathway of human NK cells in secondary lymphoid tissues (SLTs), including tonsils and lymph nodes. Here, we provide an update of recent progress that has been made with regard to human NK cell development in SLTs, and we discuss these new findings in the context of contemporary models of ILC development.
Insights
Natural killer (NK) cell development in humans remains unclear, especially with the emergence of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). This study reassesses NK cell development pathways in secondary lymphoid tissues (SLTs) considering new data.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The developmental pathways of natural killer (NK) cells in humans are not fully understood.
- Recent discoveries of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) with overlapping features complicate existing NK cell development models.
- There is a need to refine current models of human NK cell development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate and update models of human NK cell development.
- To investigate NK cell development within secondary lymphoid tissues (SLTs).
- To integrate new findings into the context of innate lymphoid cell (ILC) development.
Main Methods:
- Focus on human NK cell development in secondary lymphoid tissues (SLTs) such as tonsils and lymph nodes.
- Analysis of recent progress in understanding NK cell developmental pathways.
- Discussion of findings in relation to contemporary ILC development models.
Main Results:
- Recent progress has been made in elucidating human NK cell development in SLTs.
- New findings necessitate a reassessment of established NK cell developmental models.
- The distinct developmental stages of human NK cells require further clarification.
Conclusions:
- Existing models of NK cell development require refinement in light of new data and the characterization of ILCs.
- Further research into human NK cell development in SLTs is crucial.
- A comprehensive understanding of NK cell development is essential for distinguishing them from ILCs.