Abstract
AbstractNatural killer (NK) cells have been thought to develop from committed progenitors in the bone marrow. However, a novel pathway of thymus-dependent NK-cell development that produces a unique subset of NK cells expressing CD127 has recently been reported. We now have identified 2 populations of NK progenitors, one in the thymus and the other in the lymph node (LN). Immature double-negative 2 (CD4−CD8−CD44+CD25+) thymocytes have potential to produce NK cells with rearranged T-cell receptor γ genes (Tcrγ+) in vitro. Tcrγ+ NK cells are rare in spleen but relatively abundant in the thymus and LN. Approximately 20% of LN NK cells are Tcrγ+, and they are found at similar levels in both CD127+ and CD127− subsets. Moreover, a subpopulation of LN cells resembling immature thymocytes differentiates into Tcrγ+ NK cells in vitro and also repopulates the NK compartment in lymphopenic mice. Athymic mice lack the LN NK progenitors expressing CD127 as well as Tcrγ+ NK cells. These results suggest that Tcrγ+ NK cells may be generated from unique progenitors in the thymus as well as in the LN.
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