Cardinal features of immune memory in innate lymphocytes

The ability of vertebrates to 'remember' previous infections had once been attributed exclusively to adaptive immunity. We now appreciate that innate lymphocytes also possess memory properties akin to those of adaptive immune cells. In this Review, we draw parallels from T cell biology to explore the key features of immune memory in innate lymphocytes, including quantity, quality, and location. We discuss the signals that trigger clonal or clonal-like expansion in innate lymphocytes, and highlight recent studies that shed light on the complex cellular and molecular crosstalk between metabolism, epigenetics, and transcription responsible for differentiating innate lymphocyte responses towards a memory fate. Additionally, we explore emerging evidence that activated innate lymphocytes relocate and establish themselves in specific peripheral tissues during infection, which may facilitate an accelerated response program akin to those of tissue-resident memory T cells. Santosa and Sun draw parallels from T cell biology to explore the key features of immune memory in innate lymphocytes.

Automated summary

This review draws parallels from T cell biology to explore the key features of immune memory in innate lymphocytes. It discusses the quantity, quality, and location of innate lymphocytes, as well as the signals and mechanisms involved in their clonal expansion and differentiation toward a memory fate. The review also highlights the possibility of activated innate lymphocytes relocating to specific peripheral tissues during infection, similar to tissue-resident memory T cells.