Figure 3.

Adaptive NK cell development and differentiation. The positive and negative selection experienced by T cells in the thymus may be similar to the “license” and “education” of NK cells in BM. Subsequently, non-self KIRs expressed on NK cell surface facilitate adaptive NK cell diversity. TF networks show reciprocal regulation during distinct stages of NK cell differentiation, in particular, Bcl11b is fundamental for the differentiation of adaptive NK cells and c-NK cells. At the genome levels, adaptive NK cells accompanied by altered methylation properties are parallel to T_eff cells. In addition, the circulating inflammatory progenitor cells in PB may as a source of adaptive NK cells during HCMV and HIV co-infection. BM, bone marrow; KIRs, killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors; TF, transcription factor; HSC, hematopoietic stem cell; CILP, common innate lymphoid progenitor; NKP, NK cell precursor; CLP, common lymphoid progenitor; iT, immature T cell; iNK, immature NK cell; c-NK, conventional NK; and PB, peripheral blood.