The activating receptor NKp65 is selectively expressed by human ILC3 and demarcates ILC3 from mature NK cells

• DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250318
• Publication Date: 2023-12-11T04:20:51Z
• Authors: Ines Kühnel; Isabel Vogler; Jessica Spreu; Halvard Bonig; Claudia Döring; Alexander Steinle
• Keywords: Immunoassay; Killer Cells, Natural; Humans; Lectins, C-Type; Biosensing Techniques; Immunity, Innate

Innate lymphocytes comprise cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells and tissue-resident innate lymphoid (ILC) that are subgrouped according to their cytokine profiles into group 1 ILC (ILC1), ILC2, ILC3. However, cell surface receptors unambiguously defining or specifically activating such subsets scarcely known. Here, we report on the physiologic expression of human C-type lectin-like receptor (CTLR) NKp65, a high-affinity for CTLR keratinocyte-associated lectin (KACL). Tracking rare NKp65 transcripts in blood, identify ILC3 selectively express NKp65. not only demarcates "bona fide" from likewise RORγt-expressing precursors tissue inducer but also mature NK which acquire NKp65-relative NKp80 during Notch-dependent differentiation