KIR+CD8+ and NKG2A+CD8+ T cells are distinct innate-like populations in humans

We studied the heterogeneity among human KIR/NKG2A+CD8+ T cells. First, we found that KIRs and NKG2A are expressed on human CD8+ T cells in a mutually exclusive manner. Therefore, we compared KIR+CD8+ and NKG2A+CD8+ T cells in regards to TCR overlap and transcriptomic profiles and demonstrated that KIR+CD8+ and NKG2A+CD8+ T cells are distinct innate-like populations. mRNA profiles and TCR clonotypes of Naive, Memory, NKG2A+ and KIR+ CD8+ T cells in human PBMC