Open AccessThe Transcription Factor Promyelocytic Leukemia Zinc Finger Protein Is Associated With Expression of Liver‐Homing Receptors on Human Blood CD56 bright Natural Killer Cells
Author(s) -
Hess Leonard U.,
Martrus Glòria,
Ziegler Annerose E.,
Langeneckert Annika E.,
Salzberger Wilhelm,
Goebels Hanna,
Sagebiel Adrian F.,
Hagen Sven H.,
Poch Tobias,
Ravichandran Gevitha,
Koch Martina,
Schramm Christoph,
Oldhafer Karl J.,
Fischer Lutz,
Tiegs Gisa,
Richert Laura,
Bunders Madeleine J.,
Lunemann Sebastian,
Altfeld Marcus
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
hepatology communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2471-254X
DOI - 10.1002/hep4.1463
Subject(s) - interleukin 21 , biology , cd49b , immunology , lymphokine activated killer cell , interleukin 12 , natural killer cell , population , cancer research , immune system , cytotoxic t cell , t cell , medicine , environmental health , biochemistry , in vitro
The transcription factor promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (PLZF) is involved in the development of natural killer (NK) cells and innate lymphoid cells, including liver‐resident NK cells in mice. In human NK cells, the role of PLZF in liver residency is still unknown. Expression of PLZF in matched human peripheral blood‐ and liver‐derived NK cells and the association of PLZF expression with surface molecules and transcription factors relevant for tissue residency were investigated using multiparameter flow cytometry and assessing single‐cell messenger RNA (mRNA) levels. Intrahepatic cluster of differentiation (CD)56 bright NK cells expressed significantly higher levels of PLZF than peripheral blood CD56 bright NK cells, which were predominantly PLZF lo . Expression of PLZF was highest within C‐X‐C motif chemokine receptor 6 (CXCR6) + CD69 + liver‐resident NK cells among intrahepatic CD56 bright NK cell populations. Association of PLZF with liver‐residency markers was also reflected at mRNA levels. A small PLZF hi CD56 bright NK cell population was identified in peripheral blood that also expressed the liver‐residency markers CXCR6 and CD69 and shared functional characteristics with liver‐resident NK cells. Conclusion: PLZF is implicated as part of a transcriptional network that promotes liver residency of human NK cells. Expression of liver‐homing markers on peripheral blood PLZF hi CD56 bright NK cells identifies an intermediate population potentially contributing to the maintenance of liver‐resident NK cells.