Gut-Homing NK Maturation
Gene co-expression module in Natural Killer cells
| Category | Gut residency |
|---|---|
| Genes | 14 |
| Annotation certainty | 3 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 6 of 14 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
ITGB7 encodes the β7 integrin subunit of α4β7, the canonical gut-homing integrin directing lymphocytes to intestinal mucosa. PRDM1 (BLIMP1) is a master transcription factor for NK cell terminal differentiation and maturation. KLF9 is associated with lymphocyte maturation. SYTL2 (synaptotagmin-like 2) mediates lytic granule polarization in NK cells. LGALS1 (galectin-1) is expressed by mature/regulatory NK cells. BIN1 regulates membrane curvature relevant to immune synapse. Together these genes define a mature, gut-homing NK cell identity. Upregulated in CD inflammation and reduced with treatment, consistent with accumulation of mature gut-homing NK cells in CD mucosa. Neighbor context supports this as part of a coordinated mature NK activation program.
Genes
ANXA2, BIN1, DHRS7, HECA, IFI27L2, ITGB7, KLF9, LGALS1, NDUFB7, PPM1L, PRDM1, PRR5, SH3BGRL3, SYTL2
Most correlated modules
- Cytotoxic NK Maturation · correlation 0.65
- Actin Cytoskeleton Remodeling · correlation 0.64
- NK Cytotoxic Activation · correlation 0.60
- NK Activation Signaling · correlation 0.58
- NK Degranulation Activation · correlation 0.57
- NK Cell Maturation · correlation 0.57
- NK Homing Adhesion · correlation 0.57
- Granulysin Cytotoxic Effector · correlation 0.54
Module annotations were drafted by a large language model from the module's genes, then reviewed and approved by a domain expert. See sources & licences.