[HTML][HTML] Memory NK cells: why do they reside in the liver?

X Jiang, Y Chen, H Peng, Z Tian - Cellular & molecular immunology, 2013 - nature.com
X Jiang, Y Chen, H Peng, Z Tian
Cellular & molecular immunology, 2013nature.com
Immune memory is the hallmark of adaptive immunity. However, recent studies have shown
that natural killer (NK) cells, key components of the innate immune system, also mediate
memory responses in mice and humans. Strikingly, memory NK cells were liver-resident in
some models, raising the question as to whether the liver is a special organ for the
acquisition of NK cell memory. Here, we review the characteristics of NK cell memory by
summarizing recent progress and discuss how the liver may generate both the initiation and …
Abstract
Immune memory is the hallmark of adaptive immunity. However, recent studies have shown that natural killer (NK) cells, key components of the innate immune system, also mediate memory responses in mice and humans. Strikingly, memory NK cells were liver-resident in some models, raising the question as to whether the liver is a special organ for the acquisition of NK cell memory. Here, we review the characteristics of NK cell memory by summarizing recent progress and discuss how the liver may generate both the initiation and the recall phase of memory. We propose that the liver may have unique precursors for memory NK cells, which are developmentally distinct from NK cells derived from bone marrow.
nature.com