Abstract
Killer inhibitory receptors (KIRs) represent a new family of HLA-class I-specific receptors. KIRs are involved in the function of Natural Killer cells and allow these cells to discriminate between normal cells and cells with impaired expression of HLA-class I molecules. KIRs are also expressed by a subset of cytolytic T lymphocytes in which they may exert an inhibitory effect on TCR-mediated function. Here we review recent data indicating that cytokines such as IL-15, may induce the de novo expression of CD94/NKG2A (a KIR which operationally detects the expression of various HLA-class I alleles). The expression of CD94/NKG2A has been documented not only in CD34+ precursors undergoing maturation towards NK cells, but also in mature T cells which respond in vitro to superantigens or allogeneic cells.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 69-72 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | European Cytokine Network |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | SUPPL. 3 |
Publication status | Published - 1998 |
Keywords
- Cytolytic T lymphocytes
- HLA-class I antigens
- Interleukin-15
- Killer inhibitory receptors
- Natural Killer cells
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cell Biology
- Immunology