HLA-F and MHC class I open conformers are ligands for NK cell Ig-like receptors

J Immunol. 2013 Oct 1;191(7):3553-62. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300081. Epub 2013 Sep 9.

Abstract

Killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs) are innate immune receptors expressed by NK and T cells classically associated with the detection of missing self through loss of their respective MHC ligand. Some KIR specificities for allelic classical class I MHC (MHC-I) have been described, whereas other KIR receptor-ligand relationships, including those associated with nonclassical MHC-I, have yet to be clearly defined. We report in this article that KIR3DL2 and KIR2DS4 and the nonclassical Ag HLA-F, expressed as a free form devoid of peptide, physically and functionally interact. These interactions extend to include classical MHC-I open conformers as ligands, defining new relationships between KIR receptors and MHC-I. The data collectively suggest a broader, previously unrecognized interaction between MHC-I open conformers--including prototypical HLA-F--and KIR receptors, acting in an immunoregulatory capacity centered on the inflammatory response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Gene Expression
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / chemistry
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
  • Ligands
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism*
  • Receptors, KIR3DL2 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell / genetics
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance

Substances

  • HLA-F antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • KIR3DL2 protein, human
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, KIR3DL2
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
  • Recombinant Proteins