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Natural killer cells and their receptors
Derek Middleton1, Martin Curran, Lynne Maxwell
1Northern Ireland Regional Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, UK. derek.middleton@bll.n-i.nhs.uk
Transplant Immunology
|September 10, 2002
Summary
Natural killer (NK) cells are key innate immune cells. Recent research highlights their diverse receptors, including KIR, KLR CD94/NKG2, and NCR, which regulate cell killing and impact transplantation, disease, pregnancy, and viral infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial components of the innate immune system.
- Understanding of NK cell receptors has significantly advanced in the last decade.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key NK cell receptor families: killer inhibitory receptor (KIR), killer lectin-like receptor (KLR) CD94/NKG2, and natural cytotoxic receptors (NCR).
- To explore the function of these receptors in mediating target cell lysis through activating or inhibiting signals.
- To discuss the implications of NK cell receptor biology in transplantation, disease, pregnancy, and viral infections.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on NK cell receptor families.
- Analysis of receptor-ligand interactions, focusing on HLA and non-HLA associations.
- Examination of receptor polymorphism and evolutionary aspects.
Main Results:
- KIR and KLR CD94/NKG2 receptors utilize HLA as a ligand, mediating either inhibition or activation.
- NCRs function independently of HLA.
- KIR receptors exhibit significant polymorphism and rapid evolution compared to CD94/NKG2.
Conclusions:
- NK cell receptors play a critical role in immune responses.
- The diversity and function of NK cell receptors are vital for various physiological and pathological processes in humans.