NK Cell Exhaustion
Gene co-expression module in Natural Killer cells
| Category | Immune regulation |
|---|---|
| Genes | 12 |
| Annotation certainty | 3 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 8 of 12 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
Hub genes include HAVCR2 (TIM-3, canonical NK/T cell exhaustion marker), TNFRSF1B (TNF receptor 2, upregulated on exhausted/dysfunctional NK cells), IFNGR1 (IFN-γ receptor), CEBPB (inflammatory transcription factor activated in dysfunctional states), and PDE4D (cAMP regulator suppressing NK effector function). The module is significantly upregulated in IBD inflammation and reversed in remission, consistent with inflammation-driven NK cell dysfunction. METRNL is an anti-inflammatory cytokine, and SH2D2A (TSAd) regulates TCR/NK signaling. Together these genes describe an exhausted/dysfunctional NK cell state driven by chronic intestinal inflammation.
Genes
CEBPB, CEMIP2, DENND3, FMNL1, HAVCR2, IFNGR1, METRNL, PDE4D, PRNP, RAMP1, SH2D2A, TNFRSF1B
Most correlated modules
- Circadian Innate Signaling · correlation 0.77
- KIR+ NK Maturation · correlation 0.76
- NK Cell Maturation · correlation 0.72
- Granulysin Cytotoxic Effector · correlation 0.64
- TGF-beta Response · correlation 0.61
- Cytotoxic NK Maturation · correlation 0.55
- NK Homing Adhesion · correlation 0.53
- Lymphocyte Trafficking · correlation 0.52
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.