Costimulatory Molecule DNAM-1 Is Essential for Optimal Differentiation of Memory Natural Killer Cells during Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection

Recent studies demonstrate that natural killer (NK) cells have adaptive immune features. Here, we investigated the role of the costimulatory molecule DNAM-1 in the differentiation of NK cells in a mouse model of cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. Antibody blockade of DNAM-1 suppressed the expansion of MCMV-specific Ly49H+ cells during viral infection and inhibited the generation of memory NK cells. Similarly, DNAM-1-deficient (Cd226−/−) Ly49H+ NK cells exhibited intrinsic defects in expansion and differentiation into memory cells. Src-family tyrosine kinase Fyn and serine-threonine protein kinase C isoform eta (PKCη) signaling through DNAM-1 played distinct roles in the generation of MCMV-specific effector and memory NK cells. Thus, cooperative signaling through DNAM-1 and Ly49H are required for NK cell-mediated host defense against MCMV infection. •DNAM-1 is required for the expansion and generation of memory NK cells•Fyn and PKCη play distinct role in DNAM-1 signaling in Ly49H+ NK cells•DNAM-1 is dynamically regulated on NK cells during MCMV infection•MCMV infection upregulates DNAM-1 ligands on dendritic cells and macrophages