Tissue-resident and memory properties of human T-cell and NK-cell subsets

Abstract

Efficient immune responses to invading pathogens are the result of the complex but coordinated synergy between a variety of cell types from both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. While adaptive and innate immune responses are highly complementary, some cells types within these two systems perform similar functions, underscoring the need for redundancy and increased flexibility. In this review, we will discuss the striking shared features of immunological memory and tissue residency recently discovered between T cells, a component of the adaptive immune system, and natural killer (NK) cells, members generally assigned to the innate compartment. Specifically, we will focus on the T-cell and NK-cell diversity at the single-cell level, on the discrete function of specific subsets, and on their anatomical location. Finally, we will discuss the implication of such diversity in the generation of long-term memory.

Keywords: Immune response; Immunotherapy; Infection; Memory T-cell differentiation; NK cells; T cells; Tissue-resident memory cells.