Memory formation and long-term maintenance of IL-7Rα+ ILC1s via a lymph node-liver axis

Natural killer (NK) cells are reported to have immunological memory, with CD49a + liver-resident NK cells shown to confer hapten-specific memory responses, but how this memory is induced or maintained is unclear. Here we show that memory type I innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s), which express IL-7Rα, are generated in the lymph nodes (LNs) and require IL-7R signaling to maintain their longevity in the liver. Hapten sensitization initiates CXCR3-dependent recruitment of IL-7Rα + ILC1s into skin-draining LNs, where they are primed and acquire hapten-specific memory potential. Memory IL-7Rα + ILC1s then exit draining LNs and are preferentially recruited, via CXCR6, to reside in the liver. Moreover, long-term blockade of IL-7R signaling significantly reduces ILC1-mediated memory responses. Thus, our results identify a memory IL-7Rα + ILC1 population and reveal a LN-liver axis that is essential for ILC1 memory generation and long-term maintenance. Natural killer cells may respond better on second antigen encounters, but how this memory is induced or maintained in vivo is not clear. Here the authors show that memory NK cells expressing interleukin-7 (IL-7) receptor are induced in the lymph nodes but later recruited to liver for long term, IL-7 dependent survival and memory maintenance.