CD8α marks a Mycobacterium tuberculosis-reactive human NK cell population with high activation potential Journal Article
| Authors: | Mehanna, N.; Pradhan, A.; Kaur, R.; Kontopoulos, T.; Rosati, B.; Carlson, D.; Cheung, N. K. V.; Xu, H.; Bean, J.; Hsu, K. C.; Le Luduec, J. B.; Vorkas, C. K. |
| Article Title: | CD8α marks a Mycobacterium tuberculosis-reactive human NK cell population with high activation potential |
| Abstract: | Natural Killer (NK) cells can recognize and kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-infected cells in vitro, however their role after natural human exposure has not been well-studied. To identify Mtb-responsive NK cell populations, we analyzed the peripheral blood of healthy household contacts of active Tuberculosis (TB) cases and source community donors in an endemic region of Port-au-Prince, Haiti by flow cytometry. We observed higher CD8α expression on NK cells in putative resistors (Interferon γ release assay negative; IGRA− contacts) with a loss of CD8α surface expression during household-associated exposure and active TB disease. In vitro assays and CITE-seq analysis of CD8α+ NK cells demonstrated enhanced maturity, cytotoxic gene expression, and response to cytokine stimulation relative to CD8α− NK cells. CD8α+ NK cells also displayed dynamic surface expression dependent on MHC class I in contrast to conventional CD8+ T cells. Together, these results support a specialized role for CD8α+ NK cell populations during Mtb infection correlating with disease resistance. © The Author(s) 2025. |
| Keywords: | adult; cd8 antigen; metabolism; immunology; lymphocyte activation; mycobacterium tuberculosis; natural killer cell; killer cells, natural; microbiology; tuberculosis; humans; human; male; female; cd8 antigens |
| Journal Title: | Scientific Reports |
| Volume: | 15 |
| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |
| Publisher: | Nature Publishing Group |
| Date Published: | 2025-04-29 |
| Start Page: | 15095 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1038/s41598-025-98367-4 |
| PUBMED: | 40301594 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC12041513 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Source: Scopus |
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