Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of adaptive NK cell responses [ChIP-Seq]

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that possess features of adaptive immunity such as clonal expansion and generation of long-lived memory. Interleukin (IL)-12 signaling through its downstream transcription factor STAT4 is required for the generation of memory NK cells following expansion, while type I interferon through STAT1 is important for NK cell expansion. Here, we identify gene loci that are highly enriched for STAT4 binding using ChIP-seq for STAT4 and the permissive histone mark H3K4me3 in activated NK cells. In addition, we identify gene loci that are high enriched for STAT1 binding in response to type I interferon signaling. Overall design: ChIP-seq was performed on ex-vivo NK cells cultured in (stimulated with) IL-12/IL-18 or IFNa.