Fig. 2: Differentiated NK cells are preferentially recruited to the lung.

A Representative contour plots depicting differentiation stages of NK cells in the lung, blood and spleen. NK1.1⁺NKp46⁺ NK cells were gated as CD11b^lowCD27^high, CD11b^highCD27^high and CD11b^highCD27^low cells. B Bar charts displaying the frequency of NK cell subsets (CD11b^lowCD27^high, CD11b^highCD27^high and CD11b^highCD27^low, subsequently) of total NK cells within the lung, blood and spleen. C Representative histograms showing the expression of KLRG1, Granzyme B (Gzmb), CX3CR1, CXCR3 on CD11b^lowCD27^high, CD11b^highCD27^high and CD11b^highCD27^low NK cells in the lung. D Bar charts displaying the frequency of KLRG1⁺, Gzmb⁺, CX3CR1⁺ and CXCR3⁺ NK cells in the lung. E–J FACS-sorted CD45.1⁺CD27^high (gray) and CD45.2⁺CD11b^high (blue) NK cells were adoptively transferred at a 1 to 1 ratio in Rag2^-/-Il2rg^-/- mice and their distribution was analyzed 12 h and 72 h post-transfer. E Schematic illustration of experimental approach. F Contour plots depicting the transferred CD45.1⁺CD27^high and CD45.2⁺CD11b^high NK cells 12 h post-transfer in the lung, blood and spleen of Rag2^-/-Il2rg^-/- mice. G Bar chart showing the ratio of CD45.1⁺CD27^high NK cells and CD45.2⁺CD11b^high NK cells in the lung, blood and spleen. H Bar chart presenting the conversion rate of CD45.1⁺CD27^high NK cells to CD11b^high NK cells within a 12 h timeframe post-transfer. I Contour plots depicting the transferred CD45.1⁺CD27^high (gray) and CD45.2⁺CD11b^high (blue) NK cells 72 h post-transfer in the lung, blood and spleen of Rag2^-/-Il2rg^-/- mice. J Bar chart presenting the conversion rate of CD45.1⁺CD27^high NK cells to CD11b^high NK cells within a 72 h timeframe post-transfer. Data is (A–D) pooled from 2–3 experiments with n = 2–4 or (F–J) representative from 2 experiments with n = 3–4. Error bars display means ± SD. Statistical significance was determined using (B, D, H) One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test or (G) a Two-way ANOVA with a Sidak’s post hoc test; *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, and ****P < 0.0001. ns, not significant.