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Updated: Jul 16, 2025
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Super-resolution Imaging of the Natural Killer Cell Immunological Synapse on a Glass-supported Planar Lipid Bilayer
Published on: February 11, 2015
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Mapping human natural killer cell development in pediatric tonsil by imaging mass cytometry and high-resolution
Everardo Hegewisch-Solloa1, Janine E Melsen2,3, Hiranmayi Ravichandran4,5
1Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York NY 10032.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|September 21, 2023
Summary
Human natural killer (NK) cell development in pediatric tonsils reveals stage-specific localization and interactions. Cytokine-expressing stromal cells promote progenitor maturation, while mature NK cells interact differently based on residency and inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial immune cells that develop from CD34+ progenitors.
- Secondary lymphoid tissues, such as tonsils, are known sites for human NK cell development.
- Understanding NK cell development is key to immune system function and disease.
Approach:
- Utilized cyclic immunofluorescence and imaging mass cytometry for high-resolution analysis.
- Investigated NK cell development within pediatric tonsil tissue.
- Mapped NK cell subset localization, interactions, and their dependence on developmental stage and tissue residency.
Key Points:
- NK cell progenitors reside in the interfollicular domain near cytokine-expressing stromal cells that drive proliferation and maturation.
- Mature NK cells are found in the T-cell rich parafollicular domain, with interactions varying by developmental stage and residency.
- Local inflammation alters NK cell abundance, localization, and interactions within the tonsil.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first comprehensive atlas of human NK cell development in secondary lymphoid tissue.
- Reveals intricate spatial organization and dynamic interactions governing NK cell maturation in vivo.
- Highlights the impact of microenvironmental cues and inflammation on NK cell development.
