Figure 2. A subset of tonsil NKp44⁺ NK cells express CCR6, respond to CCL20 in vitro and in vivo, produce CCL20, and adhere to epithelial cells.

a, Approximately 50% of NKp44⁺ NK cells express CCR6. b, Tonsil NK cells migrate in response to CCL20. Bars indicate the ratio between the percentage of input NKp44⁺ NK cells versus the percentage of migrated NKp44⁺ NK cells. c, PMA/ionomycin treated NKp44⁺ NK cells produce significantly more CCL20 than NKp44⁻ NK cells. d, e, A case of dermatitis with pathological LC accumulation shows extensive skin infiltration of NKp44⁺ NK cells as compared to a normal skin. Arrows indicate pseudo-Pautrier abscesses indicative of LC accumulation⁶. f, Real time PCR shows that skin with LC accumulation produces more CCL20 than normal skin. g, NKp44⁺ NK cells express higher levels of CD96 than NKp44⁻ NK cells. h, A discrete subset of NKp44⁺ NK cells expresses CD103. i, NKp44⁺ NK cells firmly adhere to epithelial cells. The ratio of NKp44⁺ to NKp44⁻ cells within non-adherent and adherent CD3⁻CD56⁺ cells was determined by flow cytometry. j, The adhesiveness of NKp44⁺ NK cells to epithelial cells is consistent in different donors. All error bars indicate s.d. with n=3