51
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Li Y, Mariuzza RA. Structural basis for recognition of cellular and viral ligands by NK cell receptors. Front Immunol 2014; 5:123. [PMID: 24723923 PMCID: PMC3972465 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are key components of innate immune responses to tumors and viral infections. NK cell function is regulated by NK cell receptors that recognize both cellular and viral ligands, including major histocompatibility complex (MHC), MHC-like, and non-MHC molecules. These receptors include Ly49s, killer immunoglobulin-like receptors, leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors, and NKG2A/CD94, which bind MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules, and NKG2D, which binds MHC-I paralogs such as the stress-induced proteins MICA and ULBP. In addition, certain viruses have evolved MHC-like immunoevasins, such as UL18 and m157 from cytomegalovirus, that act as decoy ligands for NK receptors. A growing number of NK receptor–ligand interaction pairs involving non-MHC molecules have also been identified, including NKp30–B7-H6, killer cell lectin-like receptor G1–cadherin, and NKp80–AICL. Here, we describe crystal structures determined to date of NK cell receptors bound to MHC, MHC-related, and non-MHC ligands. Collectively, these structures reveal the diverse solutions that NK receptors have developed to recognize these molecules, thereby enabling the regulation of NK cytolytic activity by both host and viral ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yili Li
- W. M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland , Rockville, MD , USA ; Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland , College Park, MD , USA
| | - Roy A Mariuzza
- W. M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland , Rockville, MD , USA ; Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland , College Park, MD , USA
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MHC-dependent inhibition of uterine NK cells impedes fetal growth and decidual vascular remodelling. Nat Commun 2014; 5:3359. [PMID: 24577131 PMCID: PMC3948146 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells express variable receptors that engage polymorphic MHC class I molecules and regulate their function. Maternal NK cells accumulate at the maternal-fetal interface and can interact with MHC class I molecules from both parents. The relative contribution of the two sets of parental MHC molecules to uterine NK cell function is unknown. Here we show that, in mice, maternal and not paternal MHC educates uterine NK cells to mature and acquire functional competence. The presence of an additional MHC allele that binds more inhibitory than activating NK cell receptors results in suppressed NK cell function, compromised uterine arterial remodelling and reduced fetal growth. Notably, reduced fetal growth occurs irrespectively of the parental origin of the inhibitory MHC. This provides biological evidence for the impact of MHC-dependent NK inhibition as a risk factor for human pregnancy-related complications associated with impaired arterial remodelling.
NK cells are involved in remodelling of the uterine vasculature during pregnancy and the extent of this process is influenced by the combination of maternal NK cell receptors and MHC-I of the fetus. Here, the authors provide further insights into how the presence of MHC-I from each parent differentially affects NK cell function.
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53
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Berry R, Rossjohn J, Brooks AG. The Ly49 natural killer cell receptors: a versatile tool for viral self‐discrimination. Immunol Cell Biol 2014; 92:214-20. [DOI: 10.1038/icb.2013.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Berry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Andrew G Brooks
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
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Mickiewicz KM, Gays F, Lewis RJ, Brooks CG. Mutagenesis of Ly49B reveals key structural elements required for promiscuous binding to MHC class I molecules and new insights into the molecular evolution of Ly49s. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 192:1558-69. [PMID: 24403531 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1301643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ly49B is a potentially important immunoregulator expressed on mouse myeloid cells, and it is thus an unusual member of the wider Ly49 family whose members are ordinarily found on NK cells. Ly49B displays substantial sequence divergence from other Ly49s and in particular shares virtually no amino acid sequence identity with the residues that have been reported to bind to MHC class I (cI) ligands in other Ly49s. Despite this, we show in this study that the BALB/c, but not the C57, isoform of Ly49B displays promiscuous cI binding. Binding was not significantly affected by inactivation of any of the four predicted N-linked glycosylation sites of Ly49B, nor was it affected by removal of the unique 20-aa C-terminal extension found in Ly49B. However, transfer of these C-terminal 20 aa to Ly49A inhibited cI binding, as did the addition of a hemagglutinin tag to the C terminus of Ly49B, demonstrating unexpectedly that the C-terminal region of Ly49s can play a significant role in ligand binding. Systematic exchange of BALB/c and C57 residues revealed that Trp(166), Asn(167), and Cys(251) are of major importance for cI binding in Ly49B. These residues are highly conserved in the Ly49 family. Remarkably, however, Ly49B(BALB) variants that have C57 residues at positions 166 or 167, and are unable to bind cI multimers, regain substantial cI binding when amino acid changes are made at distal positions, providing an explanation of how highly divergent Ly49s that retain the ability to bind cI molecules might have evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna M Mickiewicz
- Institute of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
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55
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McFall E, Tu MM, Al-Khattabi N, Tai LH, St-Laurent AS, Tzankova V, Hall CW, Belanger S, Troke AD, Wight A, Mahmoud AB, Zein HS, Rahim MMA, Carlyle JR, Makrigiannis AP. Optimized tetramer analysis reveals Ly49 promiscuity for MHC ligands. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 191:5722-9. [PMID: 24154624 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Murine Ly49 receptors, which are expressed mainly on NK and NKT cells, interact with MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules with varying specificity. Differing reports of Ly49/MHC binding affinities may be affected by multiple factors, including cis versus trans competition and species origin of the MHC-I L chain (β2-microglobulin). To determine the contribution of each of these factors, Ly49G, Ly49I, Ly49O, Ly49V, and Ly49Q receptors from the 129 mouse strain were expressed individually on human 293T cells or the mouse cell lines MHC-I-deficient C1498, H-2(b)-expressing MC57G, and H-2(k)-expressing L929. The capacity to bind to H-2D(b)- and H-2K(b)-soluble MHC-I tetramers containing either human or murine β2-microglobulin L chains was tested for all five Ly49 receptors in all four cell lines. We found that most of these five inhibitory Ly49 receptors show binding for one or both self-MHC-I molecules in soluble tetramer binding assays when three conditions are fulfilled: 1) lack of competing cis interactions, 2) tetramer L chain is of mouse origin, and 3) Ly49 is expressed in mouse and not human cell lines. Furthermore, Ly49Q, the single known MHC-I receptor on plasmacytoid dendritic cells, was shown to bind H-2D(b) in addition to H-2K(b) when the above conditions were met, suggesting that Ly49Q functions as a pan-MHC-Ia receptor on plasmacytoid dendritic cells. In this study, we have optimized the parameters for soluble tetramer binding analyses to enhance future Ly49 ligand identification and to better evaluate specific contributions by different Ly49/MHC-I pairs to NK cell education and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily McFall
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
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56
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Alhajjat AM, Strong BS, Durkin ET, Turner LE, Wadhwani RK, Midura EF, Keswani SG, Shaaban AF. Trogocytosis as a mechanistic link between chimerism and prenatal tolerance. CHIMERISM 2013; 4:126-31. [PMID: 24121538 DOI: 10.4161/chim.26666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In utero hematopoietic cellular transplantation (IUHCT) holds great promise for the treatment of congenital diseases of cellular dysfunction such as sickle cell disease, immunodeficiency disorders and inherited metabolic disorders. However, repeated failures in clinical cases of IUHCT that do not involve an immunodeficiency disease force a closer examination of the fetal immune system. While the mechanisms regulating T cell tolerance have been previously studied, the educational mechanisms leading to NK cell tolerance in prenatal chimeras remain unknown. As a low level of donor cells (1.8%) is required to induce and maintain this tolerance, it is likely that these mechanisms employ indirect host-donor interaction. This report examines donor-to-host MHC transfer (trogocytosis) as an intrinsic mechanism regulating the development and maintenance of NK cell tolerance in prenatal chimeras. The findings demonstrate that phenotypically tolerant host NK cells express low levels of transferred donor MHC antigens during development and later as mature cytotoxic lymphocytes. Further study is needed to understand how the cis-recognition of transferred donor MHC ligand influences the selection and maintenance of tolerant NK cells in prenatal chimeras.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir M Alhajjat
- Department of Surgery; University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine; Iowa City, IA USA
| | - Beverly S Strong
- Department of Surgery; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Emily T Durkin
- Department of Surgery; Boston Children's Hospital; Boston, MA USA
| | - Lucas E Turner
- Department of Surgery; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Ram K Wadhwani
- Department of Surgery; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Emily F Midura
- Department of Surgery; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Sundeep G Keswani
- Department of Surgery; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Aimen F Shaaban
- Department of Surgery; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, OH USA
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Barao I, Wright PW, Sungur CM, Anderson SK, Redelman D, Murphy WJ. Differential expression of the Ly49G(B6), but not the Ly49G(BALB), receptor isoform during natural killer cell reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2013; 19:1446-52. [PMID: 23911940 PMCID: PMC3786177 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2013.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitory natural killer (NK) cell receptors specific for major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules include Ly49 receptors in mice and killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) in humans. The "licensing" or "arming" models imply that engagement of these receptors to self MHC-I molecules during NK cell development educates NK cells to be more responsive to cancer and viral infection. We recently reported that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) induced rapid and preferential expansion of functionally competent Ly49G(+), but not other Ly49 family, NK cells independent of NK cell licensing via Ly49-MHC-I interactions. We now extend these studies to evaluate expression of the two Ly49G receptor isoforms Ly49G(B6) and Ly49G(BALB), using mice with different MHC-I haplotypes that express one or both of the isoforms. NK cells from CB6F1 (H-2(bxd)) hybrid mice express two different alleles for Ly49G receptor, Ly49G(B6) and Ly49G(BALB). We found that CB6F1 mice had more Ly49G(B6+) NK cells than Ly49(BALB+) NK cells, and that only Ly49G(B6+) NK cells increased in relative numbers and in Ly49G mean fluorescence intensity values after HSCT similar to the B6 parental strain. We further observed that Ly49G(+) NK cells in BALB/c (H-2(d)) and BALB.B (H-2(b)) mice, which have the same background genes, recover slowly after HSCT, in contrast to Ly49G(+) NK cells in B6 (H-2(b)) recipients. The difference in expression of Ly49G(B6) relative to Ly49G(BALB) was linked to differences in the activity of the Pro1 promoter between the two alleles. Thus, we conclude that the Ly49G(B6) receptor dominates Ly49G expression on NK cells after HSCT in strains in which that allele is expressed. The data suggest that Ly49 allelic polymorphism within a particular Ly49 family member can differentially affect NK cell recovery after HSCT depending on the background genes of the recipient, not on the MHC-I haplotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Barao
- University of Nevada, Reno, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Paul W. Wright
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Cancer and Inflammation Program, SAIC-Frederick and National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Can M. Sungur
- University of California, Davis, Department of Dermatology, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Stephen K. Anderson
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Cancer and Inflammation Program, SAIC-Frederick and National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Doug Redelman
- University of Nevada, Reno, Department of Physiology, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - William J. Murphy
- University of California, Davis, Department of Dermatology, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
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58
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Aldhamen YA, Seregin SS, Rastall DPW, Aylsworth CF, Pepelyayeva Y, Busuito CJ, Godbehere-Roosa S, Kim S, Amalfitano A. Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase-1 functions regulate key aspects of the innate immune response. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69539. [PMID: 23894499 PMCID: PMC3722114 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase-1 (ERAP1) is a multifunctional, ubiquitously expressed enzyme whose peptide-trimming role during antigen processing for presentation by MHC I molecules is well established, however, a role for ERAP1 in modulating global innate immune responses has not been described to date. Here we demonstrate that, relative to wild type mice, mice lacking ERAP1 exhibit exaggerated innate immune responses early during pathogen recognition, as characterized by increased activation of splenic and hepatic NK and NKT cells and enhanced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL12 and MCP1. Our data also revealed that ERAP1 is playing a critical role in NK cell development and function. We observed higher frequencies of terminally matured NK cells, as well as higher frequencies of licensed NK cells (expressing the Ly49C and Ly49I receptors) in ERAP1-KO mice, results that positively correlated with an enhanced NK activation and IFNγ production by ERAP1-KO mice challenged with pro-inflammatory stimuli. Furthermore, during pathogen recognition, ERAP1 regulates IL12 production by CD11c(+) DCs specifically, with increases in IL12 production positively correlated with an increased phagocytic activity of splenic DCs and macrophages. Collectively, our results demonstrate a previously unrecognized, more central role for the ERAP1 protein in modulating several aspects of both the development of the innate immune system, and its responses during the initial stages of pathogen recognition. Such a role may explain why ERAP1 has been implicated by GWAS in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases that may be precipitated by aberrant responses to pathogen encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser A. Aldhamen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sergey S. Seregin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - David P. W. Rastall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Charles F. Aylsworth
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Yuliya Pepelyayeva
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Christopher J. Busuito
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sarah Godbehere-Roosa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Andrea Amalfitano
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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59
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Murine NK-cell licensing is reflective of donor MHC-I following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in murine cytomegalovirus responses. Blood 2013; 122:1518-21. [PMID: 23818546 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2013-02-483503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells express inhibitory receptors with varied binding affinities to specific major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) haplotypes. NK cells can be classified as licensed or unlicensed based on their ability or inability to bind MHC-I, respectively. The role of donor vs host MHC on their development after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is not known. Following reciprocal MHC-disparate allogeneic transplants and during de novo NK-cell recovery, depletion of the licensed and not unlicensed population of NK cells as determined by the licensing patterns of donor MHC-I haplotypes, resulted in significantly increased susceptibility to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. A corresponding expansion of the licensed Ly49H(+) NK cells occurred with greater interferon γ production by these cells than unlicensed NK cells in the context of donor MHC-I. Thus, NK licensing behavior to MCMV corresponds to the donor, and not recipient, MHC haplotype after allo-HSCT in mice.
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60
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Alvarez M, Sungur CM, Ames E, Anderson SK, Pomeroy C, Murphy WJ. Contrasting effects of anti-Ly49A due to MHC class I cis binding on NK cell-mediated allogeneic bone marrow cell resistance. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 191:688-98. [PMID: 23752612 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
NK subsets have activating and inhibitory receptors that bind MHC-I. Ly49A is a mouse inhibitory receptor that binds with high affinity to H2(d) in both a cis- and trans-manner. Ly49A cis-associations limit trans-interactions with H2(d)-expressing targets as well as mAb binding. We demonstrate that cis-interactions affect mAb effector functions. In vivo administration of anti-Ly49A depleted NK cells in H2(b) but not H2(d) mice. Despite lack of depletion, in vivo treatment with anti-Ly49A reduced NK killing capabilities and inhibited activation, partially due to its agonistic effect. These data explain the previously described in vivo effects on bone marrow allograft rejection observed with anti-Ly49A treatment in H2(d)-haplotype mice. However, prior treatment of mice with poly(I:C) or mouse CMV infection resulted in increased Ly49A expression and Ly49A(+) NK cell depletion in H2(d) mice. These data indicate that, although Ly49 mAbs can exert similar in vivo effects in mice with different MHC haplotypes, these effects are mediated via different mechanisms of action correlating with Ly49A expression levels and can be altered within the same strain contingent on stimuli. This illustrates the marked diversity of mAb effector functions due to the regulation of the level of expression of target Ags and responses by stimulatory incidents such as infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite Alvarez
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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61
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Murine natural killer cell licensing and regulation by T regulatory cells in viral responses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:7401-6. [PMID: 23589894 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1218767110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells show differential functionality based on their capability of binding to self-MHC consistent with licensing. Here we show in vivo confirmation of the physiologic effects of licensing with differential effects of NK subsets on anti-murine cytomegalovirus (anti-MCMV) responses after syngeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or regulatory T-cell (Treg) depletion. After HSCT, depletion of licensed NK cells led to far greater viral loads in target organs early after infection compared with nondepleted and unlicensed depleted mice. There was a preferential expansion of licensed, C-type lectin-like activating receptor Ly49H+ NK cells with increased IFNγ production after infection in nondepleted mice post-HSCT and after Treg depletion. Adoptive transfer of licensed NK subsets into immunodeficient hosts provided significantly greater MCMV resistance compared with transfer of total NK populations or unlicensed subsets. In non-HSCT mice, only concurrent depletion of Tregs or TGF-β neutralization resulted in detection of NK licensing effects. This suggests that licensed NK cells are the initial and rapidly responding population of NK cells to MCMV infection, but are highly regulated by Tregs and TGF-β.
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62
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Pittari G, Liu XR, Selvakumar A, Zhao Z, Merino E, Huse M, Chewning JH, Hsu KC, Dupont B. NK cell tolerance of self-specific activating receptor KIR2DS1 in individuals with cognate HLA-C2 ligand. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 190:4650-60. [PMID: 23554313 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1202120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
NK cells are regulated by inhibiting and activating cell surface receptors. Most inhibitory receptors recognize MHC class I Ags and protect healthy cells from NK cell-mediated autoaggression. However, certain activating receptors, including the human activating killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) 2DS1, also recognize MHC class I. This fact raises the question of how NK cells expressing such activating receptors are tolerized to host tissues. We investigated whether the presence of HLA-C2, the cognate ligand for 2DS1, induces tolerance in 2DS1-expressing NK cells. Anti-HLA-C2 activity could be detected in vitro in some 2DS1 positive NK clones irrespective of the presence or absence of HLA-C2 ligand in the donor. The frequency of anti-HLA-C2 reactivity was high in donors homozygous for HLA-C1. Surprisingly, no significant difference was seen in the frequency of anti-HLA-C2 cytotoxicity in donors heterozygous for HLA-C2 and donors without HLA-C2 ligand. However, donors homozygous for HLA-C2, compared with all other donors, had significantly reduced frequency of anti-HLA-C2 reactive clones. The 2DS1 positive clones that express inhibitory KIR for self-HLA class I were commonly noncytotoxic, and anti-HLA-C2 cytotoxicity was nearly exclusively restricted to 2DS1 single positive clones lacking inhibitory KIR. 2DS1 single positive NK clones with anti-HLA-C2 reactivity were also present posttransplantation in HLA-C2 positive recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplants from 2DS1 positive donors. These results demonstrate that many NK cells with anti-HLA-C2 reactivity are present in HLA-C1 homozygous and heterozygous donors with 2DS1. In contrast, 2DS1 positive clones from HLA-C2 homozygous donors are frequently tolerant to HLA-C2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfranco Pittari
- Immunology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
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63
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Sternberg-Simon M, Brodin P, Pickman Y, Onfelt B, Kärre K, Malmberg KJ, Höglund P, Mehr R. Natural killer cell inhibitory receptor expression in humans and mice: a closer look. Front Immunol 2013; 4:65. [PMID: 23532016 PMCID: PMC3607804 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Natural Killer (NK) cell population is composed of subsets of varying sizes expressing different combinations of inhibitory receptors for MHC class I molecules. Genes within the NK gene complex, including the inhibitory receptors themselves, seem to be the primary intrinsic regulators of inhibitory receptor expression, but the MHC class I background is an additional Modulating factor. In this paper, we have performed a parallel study of the inhibitory receptor repertoire in inbred mice of the C57Bl/6 background and in a cohort of 44 humans. Deviations of subset frequencies from the “product rule (PR),” i.e., differences between observed and expected frequencies of NK cells, were used to identify MHC-independent and MHC-dependent control of receptor expression frequencies. Some deviations from the PR were similar in mice and humans, such as the decreased presence of NK cell subset lacking inhibitory receptors. Others were different, including a role for NKG2A in determining over- or under-representation of specific subsets in humans but not in mice. Thus, while human and murine inhibitory receptor repertoires differed in details, there may also be shared principles governing NK cell repertoire formation in these two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Sternberg-Simon
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Filtjens J, Taveirne S, Van Acker A, Van Ammel E, Vanhees M, Kerre T, Taghon T, Vandekerckhove B, Plum J, Leclercq G. Abundant stage-dependent Ly49E expression by liver NK cells is not essential for their differentiation and function. J Leukoc Biol 2013; 93:699-711. [PMID: 23475576 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0812378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The NKR Ly49E has several unique characteristics. Unlike most NKRs, Ly49E is highly expressed on fetal NK cells, whereas expression is decreased on bone marrow-derived NK cells in adult mice. To investigate a possible role for Ly49E in NK cell differentiation and function, we have generated an Ly49E KO mouse. Our results show that bone marrow and splenic NK cells are present in normal numbers in Ly49E KO mice, expressing an unaltered panel of NKRs and differentiation markers. Furthermore, cytokine production and cytotoxicity by these cells are unaffected. Surprisingly, WT DX5(-) liver NK cells express high Ly49E levels in fetal and adult mice. Ly49E(+)DX5(-) liver NK cells transferred into Rag-2(-/-)/gc(-/-) mice maintain high Ly49E expression in the liver and differentiate into DX5(+) NK cells in spleen and bone marrow. Ly49E expression is not crucial for liver NK cell differentiation during ontogeny, as the DX5(-)/DX5(+) ratio, the NKR repertoire, and the granzyme B and TRAIL levels are comparable in Ly49E KO versus WT mice, except for lower TRAIL expression on DX5(-) liver NK cells in 20-day-old mice. The TRAIL-, perforin-, and FasL-mediated cytolysis by liver NK cells is unaffected in Ly49E KO mice. Collectively, we show that in addition to high Ly49E expression on fetal NK cells versus low Ly49E expression on conventional NK cells in adult life, Ly49E remains highly expressed on DX5(-) liver NK cells. However, Ly49E expression does not have a crucial role in differentiation and/or function of these NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Filtjens
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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65
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Powell ND, Tarr AJ, Sheridan JF. Psychosocial stress and inflammation in cancer. Brain Behav Immun 2013; 30 Suppl:S41-7. [PMID: 22790082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2012.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2012] [Revised: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress-induced immune dysregulation results in significant health consequences for immune related disorders including viral infections, chronic autoimmune disease, and tumor growth and metastasis. In this mini-review we discuss the sympathetic, neuroendocrine and immunologic mechanisms by which psychosocial stress can impact cancer biology. Both human and animal studies have shown the sympathetic and neuroendocrine responses to psychosocial stress significantly impacts cancer, in part, through regulation of inflammatory mediators. Psychosocial stressors stimulate neuroendocrine, sympathetic, and immune responses that result in the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis, sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and the subsequent regulation of inflammatory responses by immune cells. Social disruption (SDR) stress, a murine model of psychosocial stress and repeated social defeat, provides a novel and powerful tool to probe the mechanisms leading to stress-induced alterations in inflammation, tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. In this review, we will focus on SDR as an important model of psychosocial stress in understanding neural-immune mechanisms in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- N D Powell
- Division of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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66
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Sungur CM, Murphy WJ. Utilization of mouse models to decipher natural killer cell biology and potential clinical applications. HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2013; 2013:227-33. [PMID: 24319185 DOI: 10.1182/asheducation-2013.1.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells represent a key component of innate immunity. The utility of mouse models to recapitulate the human immune response has been a matter of ongoing debate, especially with regard to NK cells. However, mouse models of NK cells have provided significant advancements in our understanding of the biology of the cells that bridge these species. Initial characterization of NK cell activity was in mouse hematopoietic stem cell transplantation models. Recent findings include uncovering functionally disparate subsets of NK cells based on unique inhibitory receptor expression patterns, the existence of memory-like NK cells, and immunoregulatory NK cells that affect hematopoiesis and T-cell function. In addition, the biology of these cells with regard to MHC-binding receptors that affect NK cell subset maturation and function in the context of licensing, the importance of cytokines such as IL-15 in their development and maintenance, and evidence of NK exhaustion have been initially studied in mice. Many of these findings have been validated in clinical studies and demonstrate the significant wealth of knowledge that can be obtained by mouse models. However, it is important to understand the limitations and conditions of the mouse models, particularly when studying NK cells in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cancer.
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67
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Kuroki K, Furukawa A, Maenaka K. Molecular recognition of paired receptors in the immune system. Front Microbiol 2012; 3:429. [PMID: 23293633 PMCID: PMC3533184 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2012.00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell surface receptors are responsible for regulating cellular function on the front line, the cell membrane. Interestingly, accumulating evidence clearly reveals that the members of cell surface receptor families have very similar extracellular ligand-binding regions but opposite signaling systems, either inhibitory or stimulatory. These receptors are designated as paired receptors. Paired receptors often recognize not only physiological ligands but also non-self ligands, such as viral and bacterial products, to fight infections. In this review, we introduce several representative examples of paired receptors, focusing on two major structural superfamilies, the immunoglobulin-like and the C-type lectin-like receptors, and explain how these receptors distinguish self and non-self ligands to maintain homeostasis in the immune system. We further discuss the evolutionary aspects of these receptors as well as the potential drug targets for regulating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimiko Kuroki
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University Sapporo, Japan
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68
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Recognition of the nonclassical MHC class I molecule H2-M3 by the receptor Ly49A regulates the licensing and activation of NK cells. Nat Immunol 2012; 13:1171-7. [PMID: 23142773 DOI: 10.1038/ni.2468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The development and function of natural killer (NK) cells is regulated by the interaction of inhibitory receptors of the Ly49 family with distinct peptide-laden major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, although whether the Ly49 family is able bind to other MHC class I-like molecules is unclear. Here we found that the prototypic inhibitory receptor Ly49A bound the highly conserved nonclassical MHC class I molecule H2-M3 with an affinity similar to its affinity for H-2D(d). The specific recognition of H2-M3 by Ly49A regulated the 'licensing' of NK cells and mediated 'missing-self' recognition of H2-M3-deficient bone marrow. Host peptide-H2-M3 was required for optimal NK cell activity against experimental metastases and carcinogenesis. Thus, nonclassical MHC class I molecules can act as cognate ligands for Ly49 molecules. Our results provide insight into the various mechanisms that lead to NK cell tolerance.
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69
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Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests a role for innate immunity in the early control of HIV infection, before the induction of adaptive immune responses. Among the early innate immune effector cells, dendritic cells (DCs) respond rapidly following infection aimed at arming the immune system, through the recognition of viral products via pattern recognition receptors. This early response results in the potent induction of a cascade of inflammatory cytokines, intimately involved in directly setting up an antiviral state, and indirectly activating other antiviral cells of the innate immune system. However, epidemiologic data strongly support a role for natural killer (NK) cells as critical innate mediators of antiviral control, through the recognition of virally infected cells through a network of receptors called the killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). In this review, the early events in innate immune recognition of HIV, focused on defining the biology underlying KIR-mediated NK-cell control of HIV viral replication, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Carrington
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
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70
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Impaired natural killer cell self-education and "missing-self" responses in Ly49-deficient mice. Blood 2012; 120:592-602. [PMID: 22661698 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-02-408732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ly49-mediated recognition of MHC-I molecules on host cells is considered vital for natural killer (NK)-cell regulation and education; however, gene-deficient animal models are lacking because of the difficulty in deleting this large multigene family. Here, we describe NK gene complex knockdown (NKC(KD)) mice that lack expression of Ly49 and related MHC-I receptors on most NK cells. NKC(KD) NK cells exhibit defective killing of MHC-I-deficient, but otherwise normal, target cells, resulting in defective rejection by NKC(KD) mice of transplants from various types of MHC-I-deficient mice. Self-MHC-I immunosurveillance by NK cells in NKC(KD) mice can be rescued by self-MHC-I-specific Ly49 transgenes. Although NKC(KD) mice display defective recognition of MHC-I-deficient tumor cells, resulting in decreased in vivo tumor cell clearance, NKG2D- or antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity-induced tumor cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production induced by activation receptors was efficient in Ly49-deficient NK cells, suggesting MHC-I education of NK cells is a single facet regulating their total potential. These results provide direct genetic evidence that Ly49 expression is necessary for NK-cell education to self-MHC-I molecules and that the absence of these receptors leads to loss of MHC-I-dependent "missing-self" immunosurveillance by NK cells.
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71
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Mouse NK cell-mediated rejection of bone marrow allografts exhibits patterns consistent with Ly49 subset licensing. Blood 2011; 119:1590-8. [PMID: 22184406 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-08-374314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells can mediate the rejection of bone marrow allografts and exist as subsets based on expression of inhibitory/activating receptors that can bind MHC. In vitro data have shown that NK subsets bearing Ly49 receptors for self-MHC class I have intrinsically higher effector function, supporting the hypothesis that NK cells undergo a host MHC-dependent functional education. These subsets also play a role in bone marrow cell (BMC) allograft rejection. Thus far, little in vivo evidence for this preferential licensing across mouse strains with different MHC haplotypes has been shown. We assessed the intrinsic response potential of the different Ly49(+) subsets in BMC rejection by using β2-microglobulin deficient (β2m(-/-)) mice as donors. Using congenic and allogeneic mice as recipients and depleting the different Ly49 subsets, we found that NK subsets bearing Ly49s, which bind "self-MHC" were found to be the dominant subset responsible for β2m(-/-) BMC rejection. This provides in vivo evidence for host MHC class I-dependent functional education. Interestingly, all H2(d) strain mice regardless of background were able to resist significantly greater amounts of β2m(-/-), but not wild-type BMC than H2(b) mice, providing evidence that the rheostat hypothesis regarding Ly49 affinities for MHC and NK-cell function impacts BMC rejection capability.
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72
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Kijima M, Gardiol N, Held W. Natural killer cell mediated missing-self recognition can protect mice from primary chronic myeloid leukemia in vivo. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27639. [PMID: 22132120 PMCID: PMC3223190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Natural Killer (NK) cells are thought to protect from residual leukemic cells in patients receiving stem cell transplantation. However, multiple retrospective analyses of patient data have yielded conflicting conclusions regarding a putative role of NK cells and the essential NK cell recognition events mediating a protective effect against leukemia. Further, a NK cell mediated protective effect against primary leukemia in vivo has not been shown directly. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we addressed whether NK cells have the potential to control chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) arising based on the transplantation of BCR-ABL1 oncogene expressing primary bone marrow precursor cells into lethally irradiated recipient mice. These analyses identified missing-self recognition as the only NK cell-mediated recognition strategy, which is able to significantly protect from the development of CML disease in vivo. Conclusion Our data provide a proof of principle that NK cells can control primary leukemic cells in vivo. Since the presence of NK cells reduced the abundance of leukemia propagating cancer stem cells, the data raise the possibility that NK cell recognition has the potential to cure CML, which may be difficult using small molecule BCR-ABL1 inhibitors. Finally, our findings validate approaches to treat leukemia using antibody-based blockade of self-specific inhibitory MHC class I receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika Kijima
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research of the University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Noémie Gardiol
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research of the University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Werner Held
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research of the University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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73
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Held W, Mariuzza RA. Cis-trans interactions of cell surface receptors: biological roles and structural basis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:3469-78. [PMID: 21863376 PMCID: PMC11115084 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0798-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2011] [Revised: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/08/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Cell surface receptors bind ligands expressed on other cells (in trans) in order to communicate with neighboring cells. However, an increasing number of cell surface receptors are found to also interact with ligands expressed on the same cell (in cis). These observations raise questions regarding the biological role of such cis interactions. Specifically, it is important to know whether cis and trans binding have distinct functional effects and, if so, how a single cell discriminates between interactions in cis versus trans. Further, what are the structural features that allow certain cell surface receptors to engage ligand both on the same as well as on an apposed cell membrane? Here, we summarize known examples of receptors that display cis-trans binding and discuss the emerging diversity of biological roles played by these unconventional two-way interactions, along with their structural basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Held
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research of the University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland.
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74
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Ma BJ, Kane KP. Recognition of class I MHC by a rat Ly49 NK cell receptor is dependent on the identity of the P2 anchor amino acid of bound peptide. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 187:3267-76. [PMID: 21841133 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Members of the rodent Ly49 receptor family control NK cell responsiveness and demonstrate allele specificity for MHC class I (MHC-I) ligands. For example, the rat Ly49i2 inhibitory NK cell receptor binds RT1-A1(c) but not other rat MHC class Ia or Ib molecules. RT1-A1(c) preferentially binds peptides with proline at the second, or P2, position, which defines it as an HLA-B7 supertype MHC-I molecule. Previously, our laboratory showed that mutations within the MHC-I supertype-defining B-pocket of RT1-A1(c) could lead to alterations in P2 anchor residues of the peptide repertoire bound by RT1-A1(c) and loss of recognition by Ly49i2. Although suggestive of peptide involvement, it was unclear whether the peptide P2 anchor residue or alteration of the RT1-A1(c) primary sequence influenced Ly49i2 recognition. Therefore, we directly investigated the role of the P2 anchor residue of RT1-A1(c)-bound peptides in Ly49i2 recognition. First, fluorescent multimers generated by refolding soluble recombinant RT1-A1(c) with individual synthetic peptides differing only at the P2 anchor residue were examined for binding to Ly49i2 NK cell transfectants. Second, cytotoxicity by Ly49i2-expressing NK cells toward RMA-S target cells expressing RT1-A1(c) bound with peptides that only differ at the P2 anchor residue was evaluated. Our results demonstrate that Ly49i2 recognizes RT1-A1(c) bound with peptides that have Pro or Val at P2, whereas little or no recognition is observed when RT1-A1(c) is complexed with peptide bearing Gln at P2. Thus, the identity of the P2 peptide anchor residue is an integral component of MHC-I recognition by Ly49i2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Ma
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2S2, Canada
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75
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Barao I, Alvarez M, Ames E, Orr MT, Stefanski HE, Blazar BR, Lanier LL, Anderson SK, Redelman D, Murphy WJ. Mouse Ly49G2+ NK cells dominate early responses during both immune reconstitution and activation independently of MHC. Blood 2011; 117:7032-41. [PMID: 21498673 PMCID: PMC3143551 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-11-316653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2010] [Accepted: 03/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell subsets can be defined by the differential expression of inhibitory receptors for MHC class I molecules. Early after congenic HSCT, we found that Ly49G2(high) single-positive NK cells repopulated, displayed an activated phenotype, and were highly cytolytic. Over time, this subset was replaced with NK cells with a normal pattern of Ly49 expression. Treatment of mice with IL-2 also resulted in the rapid expansion of these Ly49G2(high) single-positive NK cells. Only the Ly49g (Klra7) Pro1 transcript was highly induced in both HSCT- and IL-2-treated recipients. MHC-independent expansion of the Ly49G2(+) subset was also observed after Listeria monocytogenes or mouse cytomegalovirus infection. Our data indicate that during reconstitution after HSCT and various activation stimuli, Ly49G2(+) NK cells represent the "first-responder" NK cells, which occur independently of NK-cell licensing via Ly49-MHC interactions. These data suggest that the inhibitory Ly49G2 receptor represents an activation marker on mouse NK cells under various conditions.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cells, Cultured
- Cytomegalovirus/immunology
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Graft Survival
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- Interleukin-2/metabolism
- Killer Cells, Natural/cytology
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Listeria monocytogenes/immunology
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Major Histocompatibility Complex
- Mice
- Mice, Congenic
- Mice, Inbred Strains
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Receptors, Immunologic/genetics
- Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
- Transcription, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Barao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA
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76
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Inhibitory receptors specific for MHC class I educate murine NK cells but not CD8αα intestinal intraepithelial T lymphocytes. Blood 2011; 118:339-47. [PMID: 21613250 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-01-331124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The engagement of inhibitory receptors specific for major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules educates natural killer (NK) cells, meaning the improvement of the response of activation receptors to subsequent stimulation. It is not known whether inhibitory MHC-I receptors educate only NK cells or whether they improve the responsiveness of all cell types, which express them. To address this issue, we analyzed the expression of inhibitory MHC-I receptors on intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (iIELs) and show that T-cell receptor (TCR)-αβ CD8αα iIELs express multiple inhibitory receptors specific for MHC-I molecules, including CD94/NKG2A, Ly49A, and Ly49G2. However, the presence of MHC-I ligand for these receptors did not improve the response of iIELs to activation via the TCR. The absence of iIEL education by MHC-I receptors was not related to a lack of inhibitory function of these receptors in iIELs and a failure of these receptors to couple to the TCR. Thus, unlike NK cells, iIELs do not undergo an MHC-I-guided education process. These data suggest that education is an NK cell-specific function of inhibitory MHC-I receptors.
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77
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Pyzik M, Charbonneau B, Gendron-Pontbriand EM, Babić M, Krmpotić A, Jonjić S, Vidal SM. Distinct MHC class I-dependent NK cell-activating receptors control cytomegalovirus infection in different mouse strains. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 208:1105-17. [PMID: 21518798 PMCID: PMC3092355 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20101831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
MCMV-infected cells are recognized by multiple MHC class I–restricted Ly49-activating receptors in genetically distinct mouse strains. Recognition of mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV)–infected cells by activating NK cell receptors was first described in the context of Ly49H, which confers resistance to C57BL/6 mice. We investigated the ability of other activating Ly49 receptors to recognize MCMV-infected cells in mice from various H-2 backgrounds. We observed that Ly49P1 from NOD/Ltj mice, Ly49L from BALB mice, and Ly49D2 from PWK/Pas mice respond to MCMV-infected cells in the context of H-2Dk and the viral protein m04/gp34. Recognition was also seen in the H-2d and/or H-2f contexts, depending on the Ly49 receptor examined, but never in H-2b. Furthermore, BALB.K (H-2k) mice showed reduced viral loads compared with their H-2d or H-2b congenic partners, a reduction which was dependent on interferon γ secretion by Ly49L+ NK cells early after infection. Adoptive transfer of Ly49L+, but not Ly49L−, NK cells significantly increased resistance against MCMV infection in neonate BALB.K mice. These results suggest that multiple activating Ly49 receptors participate in H-2–dependent recognition of MCMV infection, providing a common mechanism of NK cell–mediated resistance against viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Pyzik
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2T5, Canada
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78
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Fodil-Cornu N, Loredo-Osti JC, Vidal SM. NK cell receptor/H2-Dk-dependent host resistance to viral infection is quantitatively modulated by H2q inhibitory signals. PLoS Genet 2011; 7:e1001368. [PMID: 21533075 PMCID: PMC3080855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1001368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2010] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytomegalovirus resistance locus Cmv3 has been linked to an
epistatic interaction between two loci: a Natural Killer (NK) cell receptor gene
and the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) locus. To demonstrate
the interaction between Cmv3 and
H2k, we generated double congenic mice between
MA/My and BALB.K mice and an F2 cross between FVB/N
(H-2q) and BALB.K
(H2k) mice, two strains susceptible to mouse
cytomegalovirus (MCMV). Only mice expressing H2k in
conjunction with Cmv3MA/My or
Cmv3FVB were resistant to MCMV infection.
Subsequently, an F3 cross was carried out between transgenic
FVB/H2-Dk and MHC-I deficient mice in which
only the progeny expressing Cmv3FVB and a single
H2-Dk class-I molecule completely controlled
MCMV viral loads. This phenotype was shown to be NK cell–dependent and
associated with subsequent NK cell proliferation. Finally, we demonstrated that
a number of H2q alleles influence the expression
level of H2q molecules, but not intrinsic functional
properties of NK cells; viral loads, however, were quantitatively proportional
to the number of H2q alleles. Our results support a
model in which H-2q molecules convey Ly49-dependent
inhibitory signals that interfere with the action of
H2-Dk on NK cell activation against MCMV
infection. Thus, the integration of activating and inhibitory signals emanating
from various MHC-I/NK cell receptor interactions regulates NK
cell–mediated control of viral load. Effective natural killer (NK) cell responses against virally infected cells are
regulated by NK cell receptors that specifically recognize target cells. In the
current study, we validated the specific interaction taking place between NK
cell receptors and MHC class I molecules on the surface of infected cells,
resulting in resistance to cytomegalovirus. Genetic dissection of this mechanism
of interaction revealed that the NK cell response occurs exclusively through the
triggering of the activating Ly49P receptor by the MHC class I
H2-Dk molecule. We observed, in this context,
that NK cells were incapable of clearing the virus when target cells also
expressed MHC class I H2q molecules, which strongly
and quantitatively inhibit NK cells. Our findings reveal that the interplay
between inhibitory and activating NK cell receptors and their MHC class I
ligands generate signals that shape the outcome of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nassima Fodil-Cornu
- Department of Human Genetics and Department of
Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Life Sciences Complex, Montreal,
Canada
- McGill Centre for the Study of Host
Resistance, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Silvia M. Vidal
- Department of Human Genetics and Department of
Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Life Sciences Complex, Montreal,
Canada
- McGill Centre for the Study of Host
Resistance, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- * E-mail:
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79
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Guia S, Jaeger BN, Piatek S, Mailfert S, Trombik T, Fenis A, Chevrier N, Walzer T, Kerdiles YM, Marguet D, Vivier E, Ugolini S. Confinement of activating receptors at the plasma membrane controls natural killer cell tolerance. Sci Signal 2011; 4:ra21. [PMID: 21467299 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2001608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell tolerance to self is partly ensured by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-specific inhibitory receptors on NK cells, which dampen their reactivity when engaged. However, NK cells that do not detect self MHC class I are not autoreactive. We used dynamic fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to show that MHC class I-independent NK cell tolerance in mice was associated with the presence of hyporesponsive NK cells in which both activating and inhibitory receptors were confined in an actin meshwork at the plasma membrane. In contrast, the recognition of self MHC class I by inhibitory receptors "educated" NK cells to become fully reactive, and activating NK cell receptors became dynamically compartmentalized in membrane nanodomains. We propose that the confinement of activating receptors at the plasma membrane is pivotal to ensuring the self-tolerance of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Guia
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Université de la Méditerranée, Campus de Luminy, Marseille, France
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80
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Held W, Kijima M, Angelov G, Bessoles S. The function of natural killer cells: education, reminders and some good memories. Curr Opin Immunol 2011; 23:228-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2010.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2010] [Revised: 11/22/2010] [Accepted: 11/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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81
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Wu ZP, Bilousova T, Escande-Beillard N, Dang H, Hsieh T, Tian J, Kaufman DL. Major histocompatibility complex class I-mediated inhibition of neurite outgrowth from peripheral nerves. Immunol Lett 2011; 135:118-23. [PMID: 20974178 PMCID: PMC5776043 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2010.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2010] [Revised: 10/14/2010] [Accepted: 10/17/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Studies of mice deficient in classical major histocompatability complex class I (MHCI) revealed that MHCI plays an important role in neurodevelopment in the central nervous system. We previously studied the effects of recombinant MHCI molecules on wildtype retina explants and observed that MHCI can inhibit retina neurite outgrowth, with self-MHCI molecules having greater inhibitory effect than non-self MHCI molecules. Here, we examined classical MHCI's effects on axon outgrowth from neurons of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). We used the embryonic dorsal root ganglia (DRG) explant model since their neurons express MHCI and because DRG explants have been widely used to assess the effects of molecules on axonal outgrowth from PNS neurons. We observed that picomolar levels of a recombinant self-MHCI molecule, but not non-self MHCI molecules, inhibited axon outgrowth from DRG explants. This differential sensitivity to self- vs. non-self MHCI suggests that early in development, self-MHCI may "educate" PNS neurons to express appropriate MHCI receptors, as occurs during natural killer cell development. Furthermore, we observed that a MHCI tetramer stained embryonic DRG neurons, indicating the expression of classical MHCI receptors. These results suggest that MHCI and MHCI receptors play roles during early stages of PNS development and may provide new targets of therapeutic strategies to promote neuronal outgrowth after PNS injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongqi-Phyllis Wu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Tina Bilousova
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Nathalie Escande-Beillard
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Hoa Dang
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Terry Hsieh
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Jide Tian
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Daniel L. Kaufman
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
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82
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Activation or tolerance of natural killer cells is modulated by ligand quality in a nonmonotonic manner. Biophys J 2011; 99:2028-37. [PMID: 20923636 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2010.07.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2009] [Revised: 07/19/2010] [Accepted: 07/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells extend important immune resistance in vertebrates by lysing infected and tumor cells. A fine balance between opposing signals generated by a diverse set of stimulatory and inhibitory NK-cell receptors determines the fate of target cells interacting with the NK cells. We have developed a mathematical model involving membrane proximal initial signaling events that provides novel mechanistic insights into how activation of NK cells is modulated by the half-life of receptor-ligand interaction and ligand concentrations. We show that strong stimulatory ligands produce digital activation, whereas weaker stimulatory ligands can mediate inhibition by strengthening the signals generated by inhibitory ligands, as indicated in experiments in knockout mice. We find under certain conditions, counterintuitively, inhibitory receptors can help mediate activation instead of inhibition. Mechanistic insights gained from NK-cell signaling can facilitate understanding of complex signaling responses that occur due to cross talk between dueling signaling pathways in other cell types.
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83
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Cifaldi L, Lo Monaco E, Forloni M, Giorda E, Lorenzi S, Petrini S, Tremante E, Pende D, Locatelli F, Giacomini P, Fruci D. Natural Killer Cells Efficiently Reject Lymphoma Silenced for the Endoplasmic Reticulum Aminopeptidase Associated with Antigen Processing. Cancer Res 2011; 71:1597-606. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-3326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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84
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Aust JG, Gays F, Hussain F, Butcher GW, Kist R, Peters H, Brooks CG. Mice lacking Ly49E show normal NK cell development and provide evidence for probabilistic expression of Ly49E in NK cells and T cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 186:2013-23. [PMID: 21248256 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1003698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ly49E is an unusual member of the Ly49 family that is expressed on fetal NK cells, epithelial T cells, and NKT cells, but not on resting adult NK cells. Ly49E(bgeo/bgeo) mice in which the Ly49E gene was disrupted by inserting a β-geo transgene were healthy, fertile, and had normal numbers of NK and T cells in all organs examined. Their NK cells displayed normal expression of Ly49 and other NK cell receptors, killed tumor and MHC class I-deficient cells efficiently, and produced normal levels of IFN-γ. In heterozygous Ly49E(+/bgeo) mice, the proportion of epidermal T cells, NKT cells, and IL-2-activated NK cells that expressed Ly49E was about half that found in wild-type mice. Surprisingly, although splenic T cells rarely expressed Ly49E, IL-2-activated splenic T cells from Ly49E(bgeo/bgeo) mice were as resistant to growth in G418 as NK cells and expressed similar levels of β-geo transcripts, suggesting that disruption of the Ly49E locus had increased its expression in these cells to the same level as that in NK cells. Importantly, however, the proportion of G418-resistant heterozygous Ly49E(+/bgeo) cells that expressed Ly49E from the wild-type allele was similar to that observed in control cells. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Ly49E is not required for the development or homeostasis of NK and T cell populations or for the acquisition of functional competence in NK cells and provide compelling evidence that Ly49E is expressed in a probabilistic manner in adult NK cells and T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan G Aust
- Institute of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
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85
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Orr MT, Lanier LL. Natural killer cell licensing during viral infection. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2011; 780:37-44. [PMID: 21842363 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-5632-3_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cell functionality is controlled by inhibitory receptors that recognize self-MHC class I. NK cells that do not interact with self-MHC class I are hypo-responsive to many stimuli and fail to reject MHC class I-deficient cells. Thus, although the mechanisms are unknown, interactions with MHC class I "licensed" NK cells respond efficiently. Surprisingly, these licensed NK cells fail to control viral infection. During mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection, SHP-1 signaling downstream of inhibitory receptors for MHC class I limits NK cell proliferation. Interactions with MHC class I prevent licensed NK cells from controlling of MCMV replication and pathogenesis; rather, it is the unlicensed NK cells that are not inhibited by self-MHC class I that efficiently control MCMV infection. Therefore, the licensing hypothesis is not sufficient to explain NK cell functionality during viral infection.
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86
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Development and function of CD94-deficient natural killer cells. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15184. [PMID: 21151939 PMCID: PMC2997080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2010] [Accepted: 10/28/2010] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The CD94 transmembrane-anchored glycoprotein forms disulfide-bonded heterodimers with the NKG2A subunit to form an inhibitory receptor or with the NKG2C or NKG2E subunits to assemble a receptor complex with activating DAP12 signaling proteins. CD94 receptors expressed on human and mouse NK cells and T cells have been proposed to be important in NK cell tolerance to self, play an important role in NK cell development, and contribute to NK cell-mediated immunity to certain infections including human cytomegalovirus. We generated a gene-targeted CD94-deficient mouse to understand the role of CD94 receptors in NK cell biology. CD94-deficient NK cells develop normally and efficiently kill NK cell-susceptible targets. Lack of these CD94 receptors does not alter control of mouse cytomegalovirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, vaccinia virus, or Listeria monocytogenes. Thus, the expression of CD94 and its associated NKG2A, NKG2C, and NKG2E subunits is dispensable for NK cell development, education, and many NK cell functions.
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87
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Babić M, Pyzik M, Zafirova B, Mitrović M, Butorac V, Lanier LL, Krmpotić A, Vidal SM, Jonjić S. Cytomegalovirus immunoevasin reveals the physiological role of "missing self" recognition in natural killer cell dependent virus control in vivo. J Exp Med 2010; 207:2663-73. [PMID: 21078887 PMCID: PMC2989764 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20100921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2010] [Accepted: 10/18/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) are renowned for interfering with the immune system of their hosts. To sidestep antigen presentation and destruction by CD8(+) T cells, these viruses reduce expression of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) molecules. However, this process sensitizes the virus-infected cells to natural killer (NK) cell-mediated killing via the "missing self" axis. Mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) uses m152 and m06 encoded proteins to inhibit surface expression of MHC I molecules. In addition, it encodes another protein, m04, which forms complexes with MHC I and escorts them to the cell surface. This mechanism is believed to prevent NK cell activation and killing by restoring the "self" signature and allowing the engagement of inhibitory Ly49 receptors on NK cells. Here we show that MCMV lacking m04 was attenuated in an NK cell- and MHC I-dependent manner. NK cell-mediated control of the infection was dependent on the presence of NK cell subsets expressing different inhibitory Ly49 receptors. In addition to providing evidence for immunoevasion strategies used by CMVs to avoid NK cell control via the missing-self pathway, our study is the first to demonstrate that missing self-dependent NK cell activation is biologically relevant in the protection against viral infection in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Babić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Michal Pyzik
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Biljana Zafirova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Maja Mitrović
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Višnja Butorac
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Lewis L. Lanier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Cancer Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115
| | - Astrid Krmpotić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Silvia M. Vidal
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Stipan Jonjić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
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88
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a key role in the immune response to certain infections and malignancies by direct cytolysis of infected or transformed cells and by secretion of potent immune mediators. NK cells express an array of activating receptors that recognize self-molecules. If not restrained by inhibitory receptors recognizing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I proteins on the surface of self cells, NK cells are able to kill normal, healthy cells. Not all NK cells express inhibitory receptors for self-MHC class I; thus, other tolerance mechanisms are necessary to prevent NK cell-mediated autoimmunity. Here we review the major mechanisms of NK cell education and tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark T Orr
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Cancer Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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89
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Brodin P, Lakshmikanth T, Mehr R, Johansson MH, Duru AD, Achour A, Salmon-Divon M, Kärre K, Höglund P, Johansson S. Natural killer cell tolerance persists despite significant reduction of self MHC class I on normal target cells in mice. PLoS One 2010; 5. [PMID: 20957233 PMCID: PMC2949391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2010] [Accepted: 09/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A major group of murine inhibitory receptors on Natural Killer (NK) cells belong to the Ly49 receptor family and recognize MHC class I molecules. Infected or transformed target cells frequently downmodulate MHC class I molecules and can thus avoid CD8(+) T cell attack, but may at the same time develop NK cell sensitivity, due to failure to express inhibitory ligands for Ly49 receptors. The extent of MHC class I downregulation needed on normal cells to trigger NK cell effector functions is not known. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In this study, we show that cells expressing MHC class I to levels well below half of the host level are tolerated in an in vivo assay in mice. Hemizygous expression (expression from only one allele) of MHC class I was sufficient to induce Ly49 receptor downmodulation on NK cells to a similar degree as homozygous expression, despite a strongly reduced cell surface level of MHC class I. Co-expression of weaker MHC class I ligands in the host did not have any further effect on the degree of Ly49 downmodulation. Furthermore, a single MHC class I allele could downmodulate up to three Ly49 receptors on individual NK cells. Only when NK cells simultaneously expressed several Ly49 receptors and hemizygous MHC class I levels, a putative threshold for Ly49 downmodulation was reached. CONCLUSION Collectively, our findings suggest that in interactions between NK cells and normal untransformed cells, MHC class I molecules are in most cases expressed in excess compared to what is functionally needed to ensure self tolerance and to induce maximal Ly49 downmodulation. We speculate that the reason for this is to maintain a safety margin for otherwise normal, autologous cells over a range of MHC class I expression levels, in order to ensure robustness in NK cell tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petter Brodin
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tadepally Lakshmikanth
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ramit Mehr
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Maria H. Johansson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Adil Doganay Duru
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Adnane Achour
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Mali Salmon-Divon
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Klas Kärre
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petter Höglund
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sofia Johansson
- Department of Applied Physics, Experimental Biomolecular Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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90
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The requirement for NKG2D in NK cell-mediated rejection of parental bone marrow grafts is determined by MHC class I expressed by the graft recipient. Blood 2010; 116:5208-16. [PMID: 20736452 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-05-285031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells provide a unique barrier to semiallogeneic bone marrow (BM) transplantation. In the setting where the parents donate to the F1 offspring, rejection of parental bone marrow occurs. This "hybrid resistance" is completely NK cell dependent, as T cells in the F1 recipient tolerate parental grafts. Previously, we demonstrated that rejection of BALB/c parental BM by (BALB/c × C57BL/6) F1-recipient NK cells is dependent on the NKG2D-activating receptor, whereas rejection of parental C57BL/6 BM does not require NKG2D. BALB/c and B6 mice possess different NKG2D ligand genes and express these ligands differently on reconstituting BM cells. Herein, we show that the requirement for NKG2D in rejection depends on the major histocompatibility complex haplotype of donor cells and not the differences in the expression of NKG2D ligands. NKG2D stimulation of NK cell-mediated rejection was required to overcome inhibition induced by H-2D(d) when it engaged an inhibitory Ly49 receptor, whereas rejection of parental BM expressing the ligand, H-2K(b), did not require NKG2D. Thus, interactions between the inhibitory receptors on F1 NK cells and parental major histocompatibility complex class I ligands determine whether activation via NKG2D is required to achieve the threshold for rejection of parental BM grafts.
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91
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Pegram HJ, Andrews DM, Smyth MJ, Darcy PK, Kershaw MH. Activating and inhibitory receptors of natural killer cells. Immunol Cell Biol 2010; 89:216-24. [PMID: 20567250 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2010.78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 359] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are potent immune effector cells that can respond to infection and cancer, as well as allowing maternal adaptation to pregnancy. In response to malignant transformation or pathogenic invasion, NK cells can secrete cytokine and may be directly cytolytic, as well as exerting effects indirectly through other cells of the immune system. To recognize and respond to inflamed or infected tissues, NK cells express a variety of activating and inhibitory receptors including NKG2D, Ly49 or KIR, CD94-NKG2 heterodimers and natural cytotoxicity receptors, as well as co-stimulatory receptors. These receptors recognize cellular stress ligands as well as major histocompatibility complex class I and related molecules, which can lead to NK cell responses. Importantly, NK cells must remain tolerant of healthy tissue, and some of these receptors can also prevent activation of NK cells. In this review, we describe the expression of prominent NK cell receptors, as well as expression of their ligands and their role in immune responses. In addition, we describe the main signaling pathways used by NK cell receptors. Although we now appreciate that NK cell biology is more complicated than first thought, there are still facets of their biology that remain unclear. These will be highlighted and discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hollie J Pegram
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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92
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Jonsson AH, Yang L, Kim S, Taffner SM, Yokoyama WM. Effects of MHC class I alleles on licensing of Ly49A+ NK cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 184:3424-32. [PMID: 20194719 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0904057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
NK cells are innate immune lymphocytes that can react to cells lacking self-MHC class I. However, NK cells that cannot engage self-MHC through an inhibitory receptor are resistant to stimulation through their activation receptors. To become licensed (i.e., functionally competent to be triggered through its activation receptors), an NK cell must engage host MHC class I via a MHC class I-specific inhibitory receptor, such as a member of the murine Ly49 family. To explore potential determinants of NK cell licensing on a single Ly49 receptor, we have investigated the relative licensing impacts of the b, d, k, q, r, and s H2 haplotypes on Ly49A(+) NK cells. The results indicate that licensing is essentially analog but is saturated by moderate-binding MHC class I ligands. Interestingly, licensing exhibited a strong inverse correlation with a measure of cis engagement of Ly49A. Finally, licensing of Ly49A(+) NK cells was found to be less sensitive to MHC class I engagement than Ly49A-mediated effector inhibition, suggesting that licensing establishes a margin of safety against NK cell autoreactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Helena Jonsson
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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93
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Orr MT, Murphy WJ, Lanier LL. 'Unlicensed' natural killer cells dominate the response to cytomegalovirus infection. Nat Immunol 2010; 11:321-7. [PMID: 20190757 PMCID: PMC2842453 DOI: 10.1038/ni.1849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2009] [Accepted: 02/03/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells expressing inhibitory receptors that bind to self-MHC class I are “licensed” or rendered functionally more responsive to stimulation, whereas “unlicensed” NK cells lacking receptors for self-MHC class I are hyporesponsive. Here we show that, contrary to the licensing hypothesis, unlicensed NK cells were the primary mediators of NK cell-mediated control of mouse cytomegalovirus infection in vivo. Depletion of unlicensed, but not licensed, NK cells impaired control of viral titers. Transfer of unlicensed NK cells was more protective than licensed NK cells. SHP-1 signaling limited proliferation of licensed, but not unlicensed NK cells during infection. Thus, “unlicensed” NK cells are critical for protection against viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark T Orr
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Cancer Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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94
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Escande-Beillard N, Washburn L, Zekzer D, Wu ZP, Eitan S, Ivkovic S, Lu Y, Dang H, Middleton B, Bilousova TV, Yoshimura Y, Evans CJ, Joyce S, Tian J, Kaufman DL. Neurons preferentially respond to self-MHC class I allele products regardless of peptide presented. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2010; 184:816-23. [PMID: 20018625 PMCID: PMC2997386 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0902159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Studies of mice lacking MHC class I (MHC I)-associated proteins have demonstrated a role for MHC I in neurodevelopment. A central question arising from these observations is whether neuronal recognition of MHC I has specificity for the MHC I allele product and the peptide presented. Using a well-established embryonic retina explant system, we observed that picomolar levels of a recombinant self-MHC I molecule inhibited neurite outgrowth. We then assessed the neurobiological activity of a panel of recombinant soluble MHC Is, consisting of different MHC I heavy chains with a defined self- or nonself-peptide presented, on cultured embryonic retinas from mice with different MHC I haplotypes. We observed that self-MHC I allele products had greater inhibitory neuroactivity than nonself-MHC I molecules, regardless of the nature of the peptide presented, a pattern akin to MHC I recognition by some innate immune system receptors. However, self-MHC I molecules had no effect on retinas from MHC I-deficient mice. These observations suggest that neuronal recognition of MHC I may be coordinated with the inherited MHC I alleles, as occurs in the innate immune system. Consistent with this notion, we show that MHC I and MHC I receptors are coexpressed by precursor cells at the earliest stages of retina development, which could enable such coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Escande-Beillard
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
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95
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Back J, Scarpellino L, Held W. Probing the interactions of NK cell receptors with ligand expressed in trans and cis. Methods Mol Biol 2010; 612:313-323. [PMID: 20033650 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60761-362-6_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Certain receptors on natural killer (NK) cells, which are specific for MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules, do not only interact with ligand expressed on opposing cell membranes (in trans) but also interact with those on the same cell membrane (in cis). Cis interactions have been demonstrated for only a small number of cell surface receptors. However, this has not been tested systematically, raising the possibility that additional receptors may be able to bind ligand expressed in cis. Here we describe a number of approaches to evaluate trans and cis binding of the Ly49A NK cell receptor to its H-2D(d) ligand. These procedures should facilitate the investigation of cis/trans interactions of other receptor-ligand pairs and simplify the analysis of NK cell receptor variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Back
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., Lausanne Branch, and University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
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96
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Orr MT, Lanier LL. Inhibitory Ly49 receptors on mouse natural killer cells. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2010; 350:67-87. [PMID: 20680808 DOI: 10.1007/82_2010_85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Ly49 receptors, which are expressed in a stochastic manner on subsets of murine natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, and other cells, are encoded by the Klra gene family and include receptors with either inhibitory or activating function. All of the inhibitory Ly49 receptors are characterized by an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif in their cytoplasmic domain, which upon phosphorylation recruits tyrosine or lipid phosphatases to dampen signals transmitted through other activating receptors. Most of the inhibitory Ly49 receptors recognize polymorphic epitopes on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I proteins as ligands. Here, we review the polymorphism, ligand specificity, and signaling capacity of the inhibitory Ly49 receptors and discuss how these molecules regulate NK cell development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark T Orr
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Cancer Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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97
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells express receptors to detect and kill target cells based on expression of target cell surface molecules. Through a process termed NK cell licensing, only NK cells that express inhibitory receptors (e.g., Ly49 receptors in the mouse) for self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules become functionally competent to be triggered through their activation receptors. To determine the licensing status of particular Ly49(+) murine NK cell subsets, splenocytes are stimulated with plate-bound anti-NK1.1 monoclonal antibody in the presence of brefeldin A and then assessed for NK cell activation on a single-cell basis using intracellular cytokine interferon-gamma staining and flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Helena Jonsson
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Rheumatology Division, Departments of Medicine, Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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98
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Abstract
During the co-evolution of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and natural killer (NK) cells, each has evolved specific tactics in an attempt to prevail. CMV has evolved multiple immune evasion mechanisms to avoid detection by NK cells and other immune cells, leading to chronic infection. Meanwhile, the host has evolved virus-specific receptors to counter these evasion strategies. The natural selection of viral genes and host receptors allows us to observe a unique molecular example of “survival of the fittest”, as virus and immune cells try to out-maneuver one another or for the virus to achieve détente for optimal dissemination in the population.
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99
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Toma-Hirano M, Namiki S, Shibata Y, Ishida K, Arase H, Miyatake S, Arai KI, Kamogawa-Schifter Y. Ly49Q ligand expressed by activated B cells induces plasmacytoid DC maturation. Eur J Immunol 2009; 39:1344-52. [PMID: 19350550 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200838363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Ly49Q, a type II C-type lectin expressed on mouse plasmacytoid DC (pDC), contains a single carbohydrate recognition domain in its extracellular region and an ITIM in its cytoplasmic domain. We have identified the MHC class I molecule H-2K(b) as a Ly49Q ligand, confirming prior reports. Although H-2K(b) is expressed on essentially all hematopoietic cells, we found that only CpG-stimulated B cells were able to activate Ly49Q. This discovery correlated with our finding that although H-2K(b) forms clusters on CpG-activated B cells, it is diffusely expressed on resting B cells. Furthermore, CpG-stimulated, but not resting, B cells up-regulated co-stimulatory molecules on pDC. This finding was confirmed by the fact that binding by anti-Ly49Q mAb to Ly49Q led to pDC maturation in vitro. Our results suggest that clustered H-2K(b) on activated B cells act as ligands for Ly49Q and induce pDC maturation in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makiko Toma-Hirano
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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100
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are the first line of defense against infection and transformation. Additionally, NK cells can play seemingly opposite roles in autoimmune disease. Here, we summarize the functions of NK cells as both regulators and inducers of autoimmune disease. The role NK cells play depends on which cells become targets for NK cell attack. The activity of NK cells is controlled by inhibitory receptors specific for MHC Class I molecules, and by activating receptors with diverse specificities. The ligands for both activating and inhibitory receptors are present on potential target cells. It is the balance in expression of these different ligands that determines NK cell activation and therefore whether the cell becomes a target for NK cell-mediated killing. We further discuss the roles of NK cell receptors and their ligands in autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Bae Jie
- Department of Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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