Project description:Natural killer (NK) cells are NKp46+CD3- lymphocytes that can perform granule-dependent cytotoxicity and produce interferon-gamma, when isolated from blood, lymphoid organs, lung, liver and uterus. Here we identify in dermis, gut lamina propria and cryptopatches, very distinct populations of NKp46+CD3- cells with reduced ability to degranulate and to produce interferon-gamma. In gut, the transcription factor RORgamma-t and CD127 (IL-7R alpha) defined a novel subset of NKp46+CD3- that is reminiscent of lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi)-like cells. Gut ROR gamma t+NKp46+ cells produced IL-22 in contrast to ROR-gamma t-independent lamina propria and dermis NK cells. These data show that LTi-like cells and NK cells share unanticipated similarities and reveal the heterogeneity of NKp46+CD3- cells in innate immunity, lymphoid organization and local tissue repair.
Project description:The aim of this study was to analyze the global transcriptional profiles of small intestine (SI) Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs) expressing the NK cell marker NKp46. Based on differential expression of the RORgt transcription factor SI NKp46+ ILCs can be divided in NKp46+RORgt- and NKp46+RORgt+ cells. While NKp46+RORgt- cells produce IFN-g, like conventional Natural Killer (NK) cells, NKp46+RORgt+ cells secrete IL-22, like Lymphoid Tissue inducer (LTi) cells. We compared the global transcriptional profiles of both NKp46+RORgt- and NKp46+RORgt+ cells to conventional splenic NK cells and to SI NKp46-RORgt+ cells, which contain adult LTi cells. By following this approach, we showed that SI NKp46+RORγt- ILCs correspond to SI NK cells. We also identified a transcriptional program conserved in adult SI NKp46+RORγt+, NKp46-RORγt+ ILCs and fetal LTi. The various ILC cell populations analyzed in this study were isolated from C57BL/6 RORc(gt)+/GFP reporter mice. SI NKp46+RORγt- (NKp46+GFP-) cells, SI NKp46+RORγt+ cells (NKp46+GFPlow and NKp46+GFPhigh cells) and NKp46-RORγt+ ILCs, including adult LTi cells , were sorted by flow cytometry from CD3- lamina propria cells of small intestine (SI) of RORc(γt)+/GFP reporter mice . Splenic NKp46+RORγt- (NKp46+GFP-) cells were also sorted as the reference for conventional NK cells. Two replicates of each populations were produced and analyzed.
Project description:The aim of this study was to analyze the global transcriptional profiles of small intestine (SI) Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs) expressing the NK cell marker NKp46. Based on differential expression of the RORgt transcription factor SI NKp46+ ILCs can be divided in NKp46+RORgt- and NKp46+RORgt+ cells. While NKp46+RORgt- cells produce IFN-g, like conventional Natural Killer (NK) cells, NKp46+RORgt+ cells secrete IL-22, like Lymphoid Tissue inducer (LTi) cells. We compared the global transcriptional profiles of both NKp46+RORgt- and NKp46+RORgt+ cells to conventional splenic NK cells and to SI NKp46-RORgt+ cells, which contain adult LTi cells. By following this approach, we showed that SI NKp46+RORγt- ILCs correspond to SI NK cells. We also identified a transcriptional program conserved in adult SI NKp46+RORγt+, NKp46-RORγt+ ILCs and fetal LTi.
Project description:Natural killer (NK) cells and type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) are a heterogenous group of T-bet+ innate cells that produce IFN-γ and are broadly defined as lineage–NK1.1+NKp46+ cells in mice. ILC1s definition primarily stems from studies on liver-resident and small intestinal populations. However, ILC1s in many anatomical sites, including visceral adipose tissue, salivary glands, and uterus, exhibit non-uniform programs that do not adequately overlap with those of liver or gut ILC1s or NK cells. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on murine NK1.1+NKp46+ cells from blood, spleen, lymph nodes, liver, salivary gland, uterus, visceral adipose tissue, small intestines, and several solid tumors. By including cells from an array of niches we defined tissue-specific ILC1 subsets. Moreover, we found a significant heterogeneity of circulating NK cells, due to a spectrum of proliferating, effector and migration programs, which was reduced in tumor-bearing mice, demonstrating repertoire reshaping in response to diseased conditions.
Project description:The family of innate lymphoid cells (ILC) comprises the well-described conventional cytotoxic natural killer cells (NK cells) that patrol lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs to discriminate and eliminate stressed cells (i.e. infected and tumor cells) as well as other ILC subsets that are mainly located in epithelial tissue. How a tumor influences the phenotype and function of those ILC populations at different stages of carcinogenesis is of growing interest. We performed functional and transcriptomic analyses of purified NKp46+ innate lymphoid cells (ILC) from skins, cutaneous lesions and lymph nodes of mice subjected to chemically-induced skin carcinogenesis. We showed that isolated papilloma-derived NKp46+ ILC showed the most divergent gene expression profile compared to their surrounding skin and tumor counterpart. our study indicates that NKp46+ ILC isolated at pre-cancerous stage were enriched in ILC1 subset with less cytotoxic potential than NKp46+ ILC from tumors. These findings revealed a so far unappreciated behavior of NKp46+ ILC at different stages of skin carcinogenesis.
Project description:Liver transplantation (LT) is a definitive treatment for end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular cancer. As donor-recipient HLA matching is not employed, there is potential for natural killer (NK) cell-mediated alloreactivity. Here we report that recipient NK cells exhibit a downregulated phenotype with reduced expression of activating receptors NKp30 and NKp46. We found associated hypofunctionality, with impaired NK cell cytotoxicity, degranulation and IFN-gamma production. Gene expression analysis using microarray and quantitative PCR identified significant downregulation of STAT-4 in LT with associated reduction in miR-155, a microRNA target of STAT-4 and a key regulator of NK differentiation. These data indicate that LT induces recipient NK cell tolerance through altered peripheral maturation at a step prior to the acquisition of inhibitory receptors for HLA class I.
Project description:Understanding Natural Killer (NK) cell anatomical distribution is key to dissect the role of these unconventional lymphocytes in physiological and disease conditions. In mouse, NK cells have been detected in various lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs, while in humans the current knowledge of NK cell distribution at steady state is mainly restricted to lymphoid tissues. The translation to humans of findings obtained in mice is facilitated by the identification of NK cell markers conserved between these two species. The Natural Cytotoxicity Receptor (NCR) NKp46 is a marker of the NK cell lineage evolutionary conserved in mammals. In mice, NKp46 is also present on rare T cell subsets and on a subset of gut Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs) expressing the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gammat (RORgammat) transcription factor. Here, we documented the distribution and the phenotype of human NKp46+ cells in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues isolated from healthy donors. Human NKp46+ cells were found in splenic red pulp, in lymph nodes, in lungs and gut lamina propria, thus mirroring mouse NKp46+ cell distribution. We identified a novel cell subset of CD56dimNKp46low cells that includes RORgammat+ILCs with a lineage-CD94-CD117brightCD127bright phenotype.We also included data regarding the genome-wide transcriptional profiles of human healthy colonic NK cells and RORgammat+ILCs.The use of NKp46 thus contributes to establish the basis for analyzing quantitative and qualitative changes of NK cell and ILC subsets in human diseases. Human colonic CD56-NKp46lowCD117brightCD127bright cells = LTi cells and CD56+NKp46+CD117-CD127- cells =NK cells were isolated from macroscopically unaffected areas of colon of patients with colon cancer. Indicated populations were sorted and immediately lysed in RLT buffer supplemented with 10% beta-mercaptoethanol (Quiagen, France). Lysates of three distinct donors were pooled and RNA was isolated by using RNAeasy Microkit (Quiagen, France). Duplicates were performed for each cell type. cRNA were obtained after double amplification using the MessageAmp II aRNA Amplification Kit (Ambion, France). cRNA were then hybridized on Human Genome HG_U133 +2.0 Affymetrix chips. Chip images were generated using Affymetrix AGCC 3.2 software, then expression data were extracted and normalized using Affymetrix Expression console 1.1 with the algorithm RMA. Data obtained were expressed as log2.
Project description:To characterize differences between BALB/c splenic CD11cintB220+Gr1+ PDCs (plasmacytoid dendritic cells), CD11cintB220+CD49b+ IKDCs (interferon producing killer-dendritic cells), and CD11chighB220- cDCs (conventional dendritic cells), we performed gene expression profile analysis using Affymetrix chips. We FACS-sorted BALB/c spleen DC subpopulations. Comparison of differentially expressed genes between IKDCs and cDCs vividly revealed selective expression of multiple NK-related genes in IKDCs . These included granzymes A, B, K and M, perforin, Fas ligand, and NK receptors such as NKG2A, NKG2D, Ly49 family genes, NKR-P1, NKG7, NKp46 and Mafa (KLRG1). No NK-related genes were highly expressed in the PDCs. Experiment Overall Design: We prepared two biological samples separately for each DC population, and analyzed the expression profiles by comparing to those of cDCs (control sample).
Project description:CT26 tumors were implanted subcutaneously into syngeneic BALB/C mice and allowed to grow for 15-25 days. Tumors were collected, mechanically dissociated, and immune cells enriched using Percoll gradient. Cells were then stained with viability dye, CD45, CD3, and NKp46 to FACS sort for T cells (Live/CD45+/CD3+/NKp46-) and NK cells (Live/CD45+/CD3-/NKp46+). Isolated tumor infiltrating NK and T cells were then processed for RNA sequencing analysis.
Project description:Understanding Natural Killer (NK) cell anatomical distribution is key to dissect the role of these unconventional lymphocytes in physiological and disease conditions. In mouse, NK cells have been detected in various lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs, while in humans the current knowledge of NK cell distribution at steady state is mainly restricted to lymphoid tissues. The translation to humans of findings obtained in mice is facilitated by the identification of NK cell markers conserved between these two species. The Natural Cytotoxicity Receptor (NCR) NKp46 is a marker of the NK cell lineage evolutionary conserved in mammals. In mice, NKp46 is also present on rare T cell subsets and on a subset of gut Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs) expressing the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gammat (RORgammat) transcription factor. Here, we documented the distribution and the phenotype of human NKp46+ cells in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues isolated from healthy donors. Human NKp46+ cells were found in splenic red pulp, in lymph nodes, in lungs and gut lamina propria, thus mirroring mouse NKp46+ cell distribution. We identified a novel cell subset of CD56dimNKp46low cells that includes RORgammat+ILCs with a lineage-CD94-CD117brightCD127bright phenotype.We also included data regarding the genome-wide transcriptional profiles of human healthy colonic NK cells and RORgammat+ILCs.The use of NKp46 thus contributes to establish the basis for analyzing quantitative and qualitative changes of NK cell and ILC subsets in human diseases.