Recognition of CHO cells by inhibitory and activating Ly-49 receptors

Upon ligand recognition, members of the murine Ly-49 receptor family can transmit inhibitory or activating signals that regulate NK cell function. Ly-49A, G, and D have been shown to recognize the murine class I molecule H-2Dd as a potential ligand. Recent studies also have demonstrated also that Ly-49D+ NK cells can lyse CHO cells, although the ligand responsible for this recognition was not identified. Because allorecognition by NK cells may be important in bone-marrow transplantation and because of the overlapping class I recognition by these receptors, recognition of CHO cells by Ly-49G and A was investigated. Our data suggest that Ly-49G and probably A transmit inhibitory signals in response to CHO cells. Receptor inhibition was assessed by examining NK lytic function, IFN-gamma secretion, and DAP12 phosphorylation in response to CHO cells by sorted subsets of Ly-49D vs. G B6 NK cells. Our results suggest that CHO cells may express a common ligand(s) that is capable of engaging Ly-49D, G, and possibly A in C576BL/6 NK cells. In addition to our findings that Ly-49 inhibitory receptors also recognize CHO cells, activating receptors other than Ly-49D are present in B6 mice that can lyse CHO cells.