Interleukin-15 and NK1.1+ Cells Provide Innate Protection against Acute Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Infection in the Gut and in Systemic Tissues

Control of bacterial colonization at mucosal surfaces depends on rapid activation of the innate immune system. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) directs the development, maturation, and function of a population of cells positive for NK1.1, such as natural killer (NK) cells, which are critical components of the innate immune defense against several viral and bacterial pathogens. Using IL-15-deficient mice, in vivo depletion of NK1.1(+) cells from wild-type …