Abstract
The cytolytic activity mediated by human natural killer (NK) cells is the result of a balance between signals delivered by inhibitory and activating receptors. The inhibitory receptors are represented by different families of HLA-specific receptors characterized by immuno-receptor tyrosine- based inhibiting motif (ITIM) sequences in their cytoplasmic portion. The function and the specificity of the inhibitory receptors imply the existence of triggering receptors specific for non-HLA ligands that are responsible for the induction of the cytolytic activity against HLA class I-deficient target cells. These receptors have remained elusive until recently when three distinct NK-specific molecules, termed natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCR), were identified and cloned. The different members of this novel family of receptors play a complementary role in the recognition and lysis of target cells. The NCR family is composed by a heterogeneous group of molecules belonging to the Ig superfamily that associate to different immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activating motif (ITAM)-containing signal transducing polypeptides.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-6 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Human Immunology |
Volume | 61 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2000 |
Keywords
- Cytotoxicity
- Lymphocytes
- Surface receptors
- Tumors
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Immunology and Allergy