Adaptive NK cells undergo a dynamic modulation in response to human cytomegalovirus and recruit T cells in in vitro migration assays.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) reactivation remains a relevant complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) despite the great progress made in prophylaxis and treatment. Adaptive Natural Killer (NK) cells undergo a persistent reconfiguration in response to HCMV reactivation however, the exact role of adaptive NK cells in HCMV surveillance is currently unknown. We studied the relationship between HCMV reactivation and adaptive NK cells in 70 patients monitored weekly until day +100 after HSCT.