Phenotypic and Functional Plasticity of CXCR6+ Peripheral Blood NK Cells

Human NK cells are comprised of phenotypic subsets, whose potentially unique functions remain largely unexplored. C-X-C-motif-chemokine-receptor-6 (CXCR6)(+) NK cells have been identified as phenotypically immature tissue-resident NK cells in mice and humans. A small fraction of peripheral blood (PB)-NK cells also expresses CXCR6. However, prior reports about their phenotypic and functional plasticity are conflicting. In this study, we isolated, expanded, and phenotypically and functionally evaluated CXCR6(+) and CXCR6(-) PB-NK cells, and contrasted results to bulk liver and spleen NK cells. We found that CXCR6(+) and CXCR6(-) PB-NK cells preserved their distinct phenotypic profiles throughout 14 days of in vitro expansion (day 14), after which phenotypically immature CXCR6(+) PB-NK cells became functionally equivalent to CXCR6(-) PB-NK cells. Despite a consistent reduction in CD16 expression and enhanced expression of the transcription factor Eomesodermin (Eomes), day 14 CXCR6(+) PB-NK cells had superior antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) compared to CXCR6(-) PB-NK cells. Further, bulk liver NK cells responded to IL-15, but not IL-2 stimulation, with STAT-5 phosphorylation. In contrast, bulk splenic and PB-NK cells robustly responded to both cytokines. Our findings may allow for the selection of superior NK cell subsets for infusion products increasingly used to treat human diseases.

Automated summary

In this study, the distinct phenotypic profiles preserved in expanded peripheral blood NK cells were observed. The CXCR6(+) PB-NK cells became functionally equivalent to CXCR6(-) PB-NK cells after 14 days of expansion. Moreover, the CXCR6(+) PB-NK cells displayed superior antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.