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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
A Protocol for the Production of KLRG1 Tetramer
Published on: January 13, 2010
Expression of killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 on antigen-specific human CD8+ T lymphocytes during active, latent,
Chris C Ibegbu1, Yong-Xian Xu, Wayne Harris
1Center for AIDS Research, Immunology Core Laboratory, Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
Insights
Killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) expression on CD8(+) T cells differs between chronic and resolved infections. KLRG1 identifies terminally differentiated effector cells, distinguishing them from memory cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) is an inhibitory receptor found on NK cells and T lymphocytes.
- CD8(+) effector/memory T cells expressing KLRG1 have cytokine secretion but limited proliferation.
- KLRG1's role in distinguishing T cell subsets during viral infections requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate KLRG1 expression on CD8(+) T cells specific for chronic (CMV, EBV, HIV) and resolved (influenza) viral infections.
- To determine if KLRG1 expression correlates with T cell differentiation and senescence markers like CD57.
- To refine the functional characterization of CD8(+) T cell subsets using KLRG1 and CD57 co-expression.
Main Methods:
- Multiparameter flow cytometry was used to analyze KLRG1 expression on virus-specific CD8(+) T cells.
- KLRG1 expression was assessed in the context of chronic infections (CMV, EBV, HIV) and resolved infection (influenza).
- Co-expression analysis of KLRG1 with CD57, CD27, CD28, CCR7, and CD127 was performed to define T cell subsets.
Main Results:
- High KLRG1 expression was observed on CD8(+) T cells specific for latent CMV and EBV ( >92%) and chronic HIV (72-89%).
- Lower KLRG1 expression was found on CD8(+) T cells specific for resolved influenza (40-73%).
- KLRG1 co-expression with CD57 identified terminally differentiated effector cells, while CD57(-)KLRG1(+) cells exhibited markers of memory T cells (CD27+, CD28+, CCR7+, CD127+).
Conclusions:
- KLRG1 expression levels on CD8(+) T cells vary depending on the infection type and stage.
- KLRG1, particularly in combination with CD57, is a valuable marker for distinguishing terminally differentiated effector CD8(+) T cells from memory CD8(+) T cells.
- This refined characterization aids in understanding T cell responses during viral infections.
Abstract:
Killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) is one of several inhibitory killer cell lectin-like receptors expressed by NK cells and T lymphocytes, mainly CD8(+) effector/memory cells that can secrete cytokines but have poor proliferative capacity. Using multiparameter flow cytometry, we studied KLRG1 expression on CD8(+) T cells specific for epitopes of CMV, EBV, influenza, and HIV. Over 92% of CD8(+) cells specific for CMV or EBV expressed KLRG1 during the latent stage of these chronic infections. CD8(+) T cell cells specific for HIV epitopes were mostly (72-89%) KLRG1(+), even though not quite at the level of predominance noted with CMV or EBV. Lower frequency of KLRG1 expression was observed among CD8(+) cells specific for influenza (40-73%), a resolved infection without a latent stage. We further observed that CD8(+) cells expressing CD57, a marker of replicative senescence, also expressed KLRG1; however, a population of CD57(-)KLRG1(+) cells was also identified. This population may represent a "memory" phenotype, because they also expressed CD27, CD28, CCR7, and CD127. In contrast, CD57(+)KLRG1(+) cells did not express CD27, CD28, and CCR7, and expressed CD127 at a much lower frequency, indicating that they represent effector cells that are truly terminally differentiated. The combination of KLRG1 and CD57 expression might thus aid in refining functional characterization of CD8(+) T cell subsets.
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