Genes expected to be absent, or expressed at a notably low level, in these cells, and whose absence supports the assignment of this cell annotation.
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Rationale
NCR1 (NKp46) and NCAM1 (CD56) confirm NK cell lineage identity. IL7R (CD127) and SELL (CD62L) show enriched expression in immature and less differentiated NK cells, with SELL being associated with lymph node homing and an immature NK cell state. Together these markers identify immature NK cells and distinguish them from mature CD56⁺CD16⁺ and CD56⁺CD16⁻ NK cell populations.
