Antigen-specific memory NK cells in health and diseases

The adaptive immunity is considered an exclusive feature of T and B cells. Historically, NK cells are defined as cells of the innate immune response because they lack RAG-dependent genes. However, evidence suggests that there is a subset of NK cells that can develop long lived and highly specific memory to a variety of antigens in mice and in non-human primates. The existence of human memory cells is still unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate if NK cells of humans can exhibit antigen specific memory responses.

We evaluate phenotype and function of NK cells of liver, blood and skin in detail using state-of-the-art techniques, including FACS analysis, immunofluorescence microscopy functional in vitro killing and migration assays with the ultimate goal to harness memory NK cells for future vaccine designs. We found a subset of NK cells with adaptive functions in the liver and, upon an adaptive immune response, also in the skin (Stary V et al, Sci Immunol 2020). We will now analyze the impact of this NK cell subset on a variety of diseases, including auto-inflammation and infection.