Multiomic single-cell sequencing of influenza-stimulated NK cells reveals an age-, sex- and KIR-specific combination for reactivity (#103)
The development of a universal influenza vaccine remains a global health priority, yet achieving this goal requires a correlate of protection that integrates multiple facets of immune memory. NK cells have been shown to play a role in influenza clearance, with recent studies highlighting NK cell activation as a potential correlate of immunity against influenza infection. However, the precise mechanisms by which NK cells mediate influenza control, whether this constitutes an antigen-specific memory response inducible across individuals and how this may differ with age, remains poorly understood. In this study, we present a multiomic analysis of the NK cell response to influenza antigen that combines single-cell gene expression and surface protein profiling. Using NK cells from younger (<45 years; n=11; 5 female) and older (>65 years; n=12; 8 female) sequentially vaccinated adults, we generated a map of >42k NK cells, representing paired media control and influenza antigen-stimulated cells for each subject. Activated NK cells, defined by high expression of CD38 and CD69, were predominately observed in younger female adults following influenza stimulation. Despite variability in KIR and HLA repertoires, these activated NK cells in younger females exhibited a distinct set and number of KIRs. These findings present age-, sex- and KIR-specific NK cell activation dynamics to influenza.