The Developmental Heterogeneity of Human Natural Killer Cells Defined by Single-cell Transcriptome

The heterogeneity of human NK cells has not been fully-defined. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing technology, we find more human NK subsets than previously defined by cell surface markers. The transcriptome-based pseudotime analysis support that CD56bright NK cells are precursors of CD56dim NK cells with identification of a transitional stage. Our data significantly expand our understanding of the heterogeneity and development of human NK cells. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis of NK cells from bone marrow of six healthy donors, blood of two healthy donors and a blood sample from a donor with GATA2T354M mutation