Extending killer Ig-like receptor function: From HLA class I recognition to sensors of microbial products

Simona Sivori, Michela Falco, Lorenzo Moretta, Alessandro Moretta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs) are human natural killer (NK) receptors that recognize allotypic determinants of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I. Inhibitory KIRs discriminate normal cells from tumour or virus-infected cells that have lost or reduced HLA class I expression. Donor NK cell " alloeffector" responses are exploited in haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation to treat leukaemia. NK cells also express several toll-like receptors (TLRs) that increase NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine release in response to ligands. Surprisingly, KIR3DL2 binds the TLR ligand CpG-oligodexynucleotides, and together, they are co-internalized and translocated to TLR9-rich early endosomes. This novel KIR-associated function offers clues to understanding the NK cell response to microbial infection, and extends the role played by KIRs in immune defence.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)289-294
Number of pages6
JournalTrends in Immunology
Volume31
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Medicine(all)

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