CD161 Defines a Functionally Distinct Subset of Pro-Inflammatory Natural Killer Cells

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• CD161 is a C-type lectin-like receptor found on most natural killer (NK) cells.
• The functional significance of CD161 on NK cells remains largely uncharacterized.
• Previous research linked CD161 to a specific transcriptional and innate functional phenotype in T cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the functional significance of CD161 expression on NK cells.
• To determine if the CD161-associated phenotype observed in T cells extends to NK cells.
• To explore the role of CD161+ NK cells in inflammatory conditions.

Main Methods:

• Mass cytometry
• Microarray experiments
• Analysis of NK cell differentiation and maturation markers
• Investigation of cells from inflamed lamina propria

Main Results:

• CD161 expression on NK cells identifies a functional phenotype shared with T cells.
• CD161 marks NK cells capable of responding to innate cytokines during differentiation.
• CD161 expression is diminished following cytomegalovirus-induced maturation in healthy and HIV-infected individuals.
• CD161+ NK cells, enriched for CD103, are found in inflamed lamina propria.

Conclusions:

• CD161 expression serves as a marker for innate cytokine-responsive NK cells.
• These CD161+ NK cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases.
• CD161 represents a shared marker of innate responsiveness in both T and NK cells.