Possible pathogenic role of the transmembrane isoform of CD160 NK lymphocyte receptor in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Curr Mol Med. 2012 Feb;12(2):188-98. doi: 10.2174/156652412798889081.

Abstract

PIGA mutations in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients lead to a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked membrane proteins expression deficiency. Herein, we report the constitutive expression of the transmembrane CD160 (CD160-TM) activating receptor on non PIGA-mutated PNH patients circulating NK cells. In healthy individuals, only the GPI-anchored isoform of CD160 receptors is expressed on the circulating NK lymphocytes, while the transmembrane isoform appears after ex vivo activation. Similarly to CD160-GPI, we identified CD160-TM as a receptor for the MHC class I molecules. We demonstrate that PNH patients NK lymphocytes spontaneously produce significant amounts of IFN-γ that is inhibited by anti-CD160-TM or anti-MHC class I mAbs. These results indicate that circulating NK cells from PNH patients exhibit a self-MHC class I molecule reactive effector function, which could be mediated through the recruitment of CD160-TM receptor. Our data provide new insights regarding the possible role of CD160-TM on PNH patients NK lymphocytes and in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / genetics
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / immunology
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / immunology
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / metabolism
  • Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal / genetics
  • Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal / immunology*
  • Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • CD160 protein, human
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • HLA-A2 Antigen
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Interferon-gamma