Differentiating between NK cells and innate lymphoid cells by flow cytometry

In the context of analyzing NK cells and innate lymphoid cells, differentiating between them by flow cytometry can be challenging due to their similarities. Innate lymphoid cells are a recently discovered type of cell in the lymphoid lineage that is not well-defined by surface receptors, but rather by cytokines and transcription factors. Identifying and gating on innate lymphoid cells, particularly ILC ones, is crucial as they can be confused with NK cells. However, ILC ones are rare and difficult to isolate, making them a challenge for analysis. Incorporating transcription factors in the analysis can aid in distinguishing between NK cells and ILCs. The distinction between different subsets of NK cells and their classification as memory-like cells remains a topic requiring further investigation as current methods struggle to pinpoint specific subpopulations. To accurately characterize and differentiate between NK cells and ILCs, additional research and analysis using more sophisticated techniques are necessary.