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Two Flow Cytometric Approaches of NKG2D Ligand Surface Detection to Distinguish Stem Cells from Bulk Subpopulations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
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Regulation of NKG2D Expression and Signaling by Endocytosis

Rosa Molfetta1, Linda Quatrini1, Beatrice Zitti1

  • 1Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.

Trends in Immunology
|September 27, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) receptor internalization impairs anti-cancer immunity. However, signaling from endosomes before degradation can still activate immune responses, offering new therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • NKG2D is a key activating receptor on cytotoxic lymphocytes crucial for anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity.
  • Ligand binding triggers NKG2D receptor endocytosis, leading to degradation and reduced immune function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on NKG2D receptor internalization.
  • To emphasize the role of endocytosis in NKG2D signaling and degradation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on NKG2D receptor trafficking and signaling.
  • Analysis of endocytosis pathways and their impact on immune cell function.

Main Results:

  • Ligand-induced endocytosis of NKG2D receptors leads to their degradation in lysosomes.
  • Internalized NKG2D receptors can signal from endosomes before degradation.
  • Endosomal signaling can activate cellular functional programs relevant to immune responses.

Conclusions:

  • NKG2D receptor internalization is a complex process impacting immune responses.
  • Endocytosis controls both NKG2D-mediated signaling and receptor fate.
  • Targeting endosomal signaling offers potential therapeutic strategies for enhancing anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity.

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