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. 2009 Sep 4;10(10):1103–1110. doi: 10.1038/embor.2009.203

Figure 3.

Figure 3

Role of human NK-22 cells as a potential innate source of IL-22 for mucosal immunity. NK-22 cells express RORγt and home in on the lamina propria of the mucosa and on mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues through the CCR6–CCL20 interaction. Human NK-22 cells express adhesion molecules—such as CD96, JAML, and GPA33—which facilitate NK-22 epithelial cell interactions. Mucosal dendritic cells secrete IL-23 on interaction with microbial components, which stimulates NK-22 to secrete IL-22, IL-26, LIF and CCL20. IL-22, IL-26 and LIF promote epithelial cell survival, proliferation and secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. CCL20 could facilitate the self-recruitment of NK-22 cells into the mucosa. CCL20, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20; CCR6, chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 6; GPA33, glycoprotein A33; JAML, junctional adhesion molecule-like; LIF, leukemia inhibitory factor; NK, natural killer; ROR, retinoid-related orphan receptor.