IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-HSV-2 Infection Induces Lasting Transcriptional and Functional Changes in Vaginal Tissue NK Cells

HSV-2 Infection Induces Lasting Transcriptional and Functional Changes in Vaginal Tissue NK Cells

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Sarah Vick described her study of how HSV-2 infection reshapes vaginal tissue and natural killer (NK) cells in mice. NK cells are crucial early antiviral defenders, and the team asked whether genital HSV-2, a recurring infection, induces long-lasting or memory-like NK cell changes. Using bulk RNA-seq and flow cytometry at baseline, peak infection (day 2), and post-clearance (day 10), they found vaginal NK cells differ markedly from blood NK cells even at homeostasis, showing more tissue-residency markers and a less activated phenotype. After infection, NK cells showed strong transcriptional shifts, including reduced interferon-response genes after viral clearance and increased adaptive NK and tissue-residency signatures. Post-infection NK cells also upregulated memory-associated markers such as LY6C and ICOS and showed enhanced interferon-γ recall responses after cytokine stimulation, suggesting memory-like potential.

Meta Tag

Date April 16, 2026 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM

Room 104AB

Session CD8+ T Cell and NK Cell Mediated Antiviral Immunity

Speaker Sarah Vick

Track Viral Immunology (VIR)

Year 2026

Keywords

HSV-2

vaginal NK cells

memory-like NK cells

interferon response

tissue residency

April 16, 2026 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM

104AB

CD8+ T Cell and NK Cell Mediated Antiviral Immunity

Sarah Vick

Viral Immunology (VIR)

2026