Highlights d Color-barcoding enables efficient fate mapping of single lymphocytes in vivo d Clonal expansion of single Ly49H + NK cells in response to MCMV varies substantially d Inhibitory Ly49 receptors cannot account for distinct burst sizes of NK cell clones d Clonally maintained Ly49H expression levels modulate burst sizes of single NK cells

Fate mapping of single NK cells identifies a type 1 innate lymphoid-like lineage that bridges innate and adaptive recognition of viral infection Graphical abstract Highlights d Adaptive-like NK cell responses to MCMV encompass conventional and ILC1-like lineages d ILC1-like NK cells show enhanced cytokine production and splenic residency d ILC1-like NK cells show EOMES expression, target-specific cytotoxicity, and clonal expansion d ILC1-like NK cells drive cDC1 clustering and CD8 + T cell priming dependent on Ly49H and Batf3

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