Intrahepatic recruitment of cytotoxic NK cells contributes to autoimmune hepatitis progression

•Peripheral CD56dimNK were decreased in AIH patients at active phase.•Hepatic accumulation of NK cells in experimental autoimmune hepatitis mice along with liver inflammation.•The infiltrated NK cells were mostly conventional CXCR3-cytotoxic NK cells.•CXCR3-NK cells were activated with enhanced degranulation and cytokine production.•Liver resident NK cells were also activated but maintained steady population.