Mature NK Identity
Gene co-expression module in Natural Killer cells
| Category | Cytotoxicity |
|---|---|
| Genes | 9 |
| Annotation certainty | 4 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 7 of 9 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
Hub genes KLRD1 (CD94, NK receptor), KLRF1 (NKp80, activating NK receptor), SAMD3 (NK/T cell-expressed SAM domain protein), TSPO (translocator protein, mitochondrial/stress), XBP1 (UPR transcription factor), IFITM2 (interferon-induced transmembrane protein), GMFG (actin dynamics in immune cells), KLF2 (transcription factor for NK/T cell quiescence and tissue egress), and LYST (lysosomal trafficking, cytotoxic granule biogenesis). KLRD1 and KLRF1 are canonical NK cell surface receptors. KLF2 marks circulating/quiescent NK cells. LYST is essential for cytotoxic granule formation. IFITM2 is an antiviral/IFN-stimulated gene. XBP1 and TSPO suggest some ER stress or metabolic activation. The module is upregulated in both UC and CD inflammation and decreases in remission. The combination of NK receptor genes with KLF2 and LYST suggests mature circulating NK cells with cytotoxic potential that are activated in IBD inflammation.
Genes
GMFG, IFITM2, KLF2, KLRD1, KLRF1, LYST, SAMD3, TSPO, XBP1
Most correlated modules
- NK Cytotoxic Signaling · correlation 0.77
- NK Cell Activation · correlation 0.75
- IFN-stimulated NK · correlation 0.68
- NK Homing & Residency · correlation 0.62
- ILC1-like NK Subset · correlation 0.57
- Innate Sensing NK Regulation · correlation 0.53
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.