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Activating and Inhibitory NK Cell Receptors

1998; Springer Nature; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/978-1-4615-5355-7_2

2214-8019

Lewis L. Lanier,

Reproductive System and Pregnancy

Kärre and colleagues observed that tumors lacking H-2 molecules were more susceptible to NK cell-mediated lysis than tumors expressing class I and proposed a unique mechanism of immune surveillance for 'missing self' (1). The molecular mechanism responsible for this phenomenon has been defined by the identification of membrane receptors on NK cells that bind to MHC class I on potential target cells. While the NK cell receptors initiating a cell-mediated response against tumors or virus-infected cells are not yet understood, killing of certain target cells can be partially or totally inhibited if the cells express MHC class I molecules that engage inhibitory receptors on the NK cell. Surprisingly, four distinct types of NK cell receptors for MHC class I that inhibit NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity have been identified.