KLRB1 gene in tumor immune regulation and disease prognosis: a multidimensional role review

The CD161 protein encoded by the killer cell lectin-like receptor subfamily B member 1 (KLRB1) gene is a key immunoregulatory molecule, primarily expressed in natural killer (NK) cells and specific T cell subsets, playing a significant role in tumors and various immune-related diseases. With the application of multi-omics big data and single-cell sequencing technologies, the mechanisms by which KLRB1 functions in tumorigenesis, progression, and immune microenvironment regulation are becoming increasingly clear. This paper elucidates the mechanism by which KLRB1 mediates immune activation and immune evasion through the regulation of downstream signaling pathways, its multifaceted roles within the tumor microenvironment (TME), and explores its function in immunotherapy. This article systematically reviews the expression characteristics of KLRB1 in various cancers such as breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and colorectal cancer, and analyzes the correlation between its expression levels and patient prognosis as well as immune cell infiltration in the TME. Beyond the field of oncology, the important role of KLRB1 in other immune-related diseases such as sepsis, psoriasis, and osteoporosis is also increasingly prominent. In-depth research on KLRB1 will provide new insights for future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the aforementioned diseases.