Distinct Pattern of Human Vδ1 γδ T Cells Recognizing MICA

γδT cells represent one unique recognition pattern,the limited recognition,which distinguishes from the specificrecognition for αβT cells and pattern recognition for macrophages.Vδ1 γδT cell is the major subset of human γδT cells,which predominates in mucosal tissue including the intestinal epithelia.Presently,a few antigens thathuman Vδ1TCR can recognize have been identified.Among them,MHC class I chain-related molecules A (MICA)have been studied most intensively.Besides Vδ1TCR,MICA is also the ligand of NKG2D,a C-type lectin-likeactivating immunoreceptor.In human,only Vδ1 cells can simultaneously express both types of receptors of MICAwhile NK cells,αβT cells and other subsets of γδT cells likewise express NKG2D.Although the precisemechanisms are still enigmatic,this distinct pattern of Vδ1 cells recognizing MICA predicts unique biologicalsignificance of Vδ1 cells in immune defense.Recent years,some progresses have been made in this issue.In thisreview we summarize the related reports and put forward some novel views based on our group's studies.Cellular& Molecular Immunology.2005;2(4):253-258.     

Critical role of butyrophilin 3A1 in presenting preny pyrophosphate antigens to human y~ T cells

Tlymphocytes recognize antigen via the heterodimeric T-cell receptor（TCR） which is closely associated with the signal-transducing CD3 complex. αβ TCR-expressing T cells recognize peptides presented by MHC class II （for CD4＋ T cells） or MHC class I molecules （for CD8＋ T cells）. In striking contrast, the majority of human y8 T cells expres- sing the Vy9V82-encoded TCR recog- nize small non-peptidic phosphorylated ligands which have been identified as pyrophosphate intermediates of micro- bial and eukaryotic isoprenoid synthesis.     

A fat story--antigen presentation by butyrophilin 3A1 to γδ T cells

Antigen specificity and receptor diversity are hallmarks of B and T cells. Only 1%-5% of all T cells bear a γδ T-cell receptor （TCR）, and these cells have features of both innate and adaptive cells. While the antigen presentation process was long ago elucidated for αβ T cells, it has remained enigmatic for γδ T cells. In a recent study by Vavassori and co-workers,1 this major gap in know-ledge was addressed and dosed.     

The interaction of influenza H5N1 viral hemagglutinin with sialic acid receptors leads to the activation of human γδT cells

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N 1 epidemics are a significant public health hazard. Genetically engineered H5N 1 viruses with mammalian transmission activity highlight the potential risk of a human influenza H5N 1 pandemic. Understanding the underlying principles of the innate immune system in response to influenza H5N 1 viruses will lead to improved prevention and control of these potentially deadly viruses, γδT cells act as the first line of defense against microbial infection and help initiate adaptive immune responses during the early stages of viral infection. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of γδ T cells in response to influenza H5N1 viral infection, We found that recombinant hemagglutinin （rHA） derived from three different strains of influenza H5N 1 viruses elicited the activation of γδ T cells cultured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs）. Both the cell surface expression of CD69, an early activation marker on γδ T cells, and the production of interferon-y （IFN-y） were significantly increased. Notably, the rHA protein-induced γδ T-cell activation was not mediated by TCRγδ, NKG2D or pattern recognition receptors （PRRs） or NKp46 receptors. The interaction of rHA proteins with sialic acid receptors may play a critical role in γδ T-cell activation. Our data may provide insight into the mechanisms underlyingγδT-cell activation in response to infection with H5N1 viruses.     

CD40 interacts directly with RAG1 and RAG2 in autoaggressive T cells and Fas prevents CD40-induced RAG expression

CD4＋ T cells expressing CD40 （Th40 cells） constitute a pathogenic T-cell subset that is necessary and sufficient to transfer autoimmune disease. We have previously demonstrated that CD40 signals peripheral Th40 cells to induce RAG1 and RAG2 expression, proteins necessary for the expression of T-cell receptor （TCR）, leading to TCR revision. The dependency of TCR expression in the thymus on RAG proteins has long been known. However, despite numerous publications, there is controversy as to whether TCR expression can be altered in the periphery, post-thymic selective pressures. Therefore, a better understanding of TCR expression in primary peripheral cells is needed. We now show that the CD40 protein itself interacts with RAG1 and RAG2 as well as with Ku70 and translocates to the nucleus in Th40 cells. This indicates that the CD40 molecule is closely involved in the mechanism of TCR expression in the periphery. In addition, Fas signals act as a silencing mechanism for CD40-induced RAGs and prevent CD40 translocation to the nucleus. It will be important to further understand the involvement of CD40 in peripheral TCR expression and how TCR revision impacts auto-antigen recognition in order to effectively target and tolerize autoaggressive T cells in autoimmune disease.     

Ovarian tumor-associated microRNA-20a decreases natural killer cell cytotoxicity by downregulating MICA/B expression

MicroRNAs （miRNAs） are a class of small non-coding regulatory RNAs, and changes in miRNAs are involved in tumor origin and progression. Studies have shown that miR-20a is overexpressed in human ovarian cancer tissues and that this miRNA enhances long-term cellular proliferation and invasion capabilities. In this study, a positive correlation between serum miR-20a expression and ovarian cancer stage was observed. We found that miR-20a binds directly to the 3＇-untranslated region of MICA/B mRNA, resulting in its degradation and reducing its protein levels on the plasma membrane. Reduction of membrane-bound MICA/B proteins, which are ligands of the natural killer group 2 member D （NKG2D） receptor found on natural killer （NK） cells, y＋ T cells and CD8＋ T cells, allows tumor cells to evade immune-mediated killing. Notably, antagonizing miR-20a action enhanced the NKG2D-mediated killing of tumor cells in both in vitro and in vivo models of tumors. Taken together, our data indicate that increased levels of miR-20a in tumor cells may indirectly suppress NK cell cytotoxicity by downregulating MICA/B expression. These data provide a potential link between metastasis capability and immune escape of tumor cells from NK cells.     

The effect of Fufangkushen on gastric cancer cell killing by lines SGC-7901 human γδT cell

Objective To explore the effect of Fufangkushen on gastric cancer cell killing by human γδT cells. Methods Isopentenyl pyrophosphate method was used to amplify human peripheral blood γδT cells in vitro. Fufangkushen at various concentrations was used to induce γδT cells and gastric cancer cell lines SGC-7901 for 24 hours, MTr assays was used to detect inhibitory effect of Fufangkushen on these cell lines, LDH assays was used to measure the cytotoxic activity of γδT cells, and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis of γδT cells and SGC-7901 before and after the treatment. Results Ten days after cultivation, proliferation ra-tio of γδT cells increased from 4.21% to 70.35% and CD44 was up to 94.0%. Inhibitory rate of Fufangkush-en on SGC-7901 at various concentrations was significantly higher than that on γδT cells (22.3% vs-22.4%, P<0.05). The negative inhibitory ratio on γδT cells showed a dose-dependent manner with Fufangkushen's concentrations ranging from 1/5 to 1/400. γδT cells cytotoxic activity to SGC-7901 induced by Fufangkushen for 24 h was higher than control group, (83.6% vs 71.2%, P<0.05). Apoptotic rate was significantly lower in γδT cells than in SGC-7901 (4.64% vs49.23%, P<0.05). Conclusion Fufangkushen, within routine concentration ranges, can promote γδT cells' proliferation, inhibit tumor cell growth and enhance γδT cells' cytotoxic activity. This may be beneficial to tumor adoptive immunotherapy and provide evidence for the appli-cation of Fufangkushen in the treatment of tumors.     

The effect of Fufangkushen on gastric cancer cell killing by lines SGC-7901 human γδT cell

Objective To explore the effect of Fufangkushen on gastric cancer cell killing by human γδT cells. Methods Isopentenyl pyrophosphate method was used to amplify human peripheral blood γδT cells in vitro. Fufangkushen at various concentrations was used to induce γδT cells and gastric cancer cell lines SGC-7901 for 24 hours, MTr assays was used to detect inhibitory effect of Fufangkushen on these cell lines, LDH assays was used to measure the cytotoxic activity of γδT cells, and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis of γδT cells and SGC-7901 before and after the treatment. Results Ten days after cultivation, proliferation ra-tio of γδT cells increased from 4.21% to 70.35% and CD44 was up to 94.0%. Inhibitory rate of Fufangkush-en on SGC-7901 at various concentrations was significantly higher than that on γδT cells (22.3% vs-22.4%, P<0.05). The negative inhibitory ratio on γδT cells showed a dose-dependent manner with Fufangkushen's concentrations ranging from 1/5 to 1/400. γδT cells cytotoxic activity to SGC-7901 induced by Fufangkushen for 24 h was higher than control group, (83.6% vs 71.2%, P<0.05). Apoptotic rate was significantly lower in γδT cells than in SGC-7901 (4.64% vs49.23%, P<0.05). Conclusion Fufangkushen, within routine concentration ranges, can promote γδT cells' proliferation, inhibit tumor cell growth and enhance γδT cells' cytotoxic activity. This may be beneficial to tumor adoptive immunotherapy and provide evidence for the appli-cation of Fufangkushen in the treatment of tumors.     

The effect of Fufangkushen on gastric cancer cell killing by lines SGC-7901 human γδT cell

Objective To explore the effect of Fufangkushen on gastric cancer cell killing by human γδT cells. Methods Isopentenyl pyrophosphate method was used to amplify human peripheral blood γδT cells in vitro. Fufangkushen at various concentrations was used to induce γδT cells and gastric cancer cell lines SGC-7901 for 24 hours, MTr assays was used to detect inhibitory effect of Fufangkushen on these cell lines, LDH assays was used to measure the cytotoxic activity of γδT cells, and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis of γδT cells and SGC-7901 before and after the treatment. Results Ten days after cultivation, proliferation ra-tio of γδT cells increased from 4.21% to 70.35% and CD44 was up to 94.0%. Inhibitory rate of Fufangkush-en on SGC-7901 at various concentrations was significantly higher than that on γδT cells (22.3% vs-22.4%, P<0.05). The negative inhibitory ratio on γδT cells showed a dose-dependent manner with Fufangkushen's concentrations ranging from 1/5 to 1/400. γδT cells cytotoxic activity to SGC-7901 induced by Fufangkushen for 24 h was higher than control group, (83.6% vs 71.2%, P<0.05). Apoptotic rate was significantly lower in γδT cells than in SGC-7901 (4.64% vs49.23%, P<0.05). Conclusion Fufangkushen, within routine concentration ranges, can promote γδT cells' proliferation, inhibit tumor cell growth and enhance γδT cells' cytotoxic activity. This may be beneficial to tumor adoptive immunotherapy and provide evidence for the appli-cation of Fufangkushen in the treatment of tumors.     

The effect of Fufangkushen on gastric cancer cell killing by lines SGC-7901 human γδT cell

Objective To explore the effect of Fufangkushen on gastric cancer cell killing by human γδT cells. Methods Isopentenyl pyrophosphate method was used to amplify human peripheral blood γδT cells in vitro. Fufangkushen at various concentrations was used to induce γδT cells and gastric cancer cell lines SGC-7901 for 24 hours, MTr assays was used to detect inhibitory effect of Fufangkushen on these cell lines, LDH assays was used to measure the cytotoxic activity of γδT cells, and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis of γδT cells and SGC-7901 before and after the treatment. Results Ten days after cultivation, proliferation ra-tio of γδT cells increased from 4.21% to 70.35% and CD44 was up to 94.0%. Inhibitory rate of Fufangkush-en on SGC-7901 at various concentrations was significantly higher than that on γδT cells (22.3% vs-22.4%, P<0.05). The negative inhibitory ratio on γδT cells showed a dose-dependent manner with Fufangkushen's concentrations ranging from 1/5 to 1/400. γδT cells cytotoxic activity to SGC-7901 induced by Fufangkushen for 24 h was higher than control group, (83.6% vs 71.2%, P<0.05). Apoptotic rate was significantly lower in γδT cells than in SGC-7901 (4.64% vs49.23%, P<0.05). Conclusion Fufangkushen, within routine concentration ranges, can promote γδT cells' proliferation, inhibit tumor cell growth and enhance γδT cells' cytotoxic activity. This may be beneficial to tumor adoptive immunotherapy and provide evidence for the appli-cation of Fufangkushen in the treatment of tumors.     

Skewed inhibitory receptors expression in a TAP2-deficient patient

Most of patients suffering from HLA class I deficiency due to mutations in TAP genes show a significative increase of the peripheral minor Vdelta1+ subpopulation of gammadelta T cells. Surface expression of inhibitory receptors (IR) for HLA class I molecules have been mainly attributed to Vdelta2+ gammadelta T clones. In this study we have analysed the expression of these receptors in both subsets of gammadelta T peripheral lymphocytes. We studied 16 healthy controls and a reported case of homozygous TAP2 mutation with a marked increase of Vdelta1+ gammadelta T cells. MICA/B presence in monocytes was also evaluated. In healthy subjects, the expression of CD94 and CD94/NKG2A was higher in the Vdelta2+ subset but cells bearing the IR ILT2 were found increased in the Vdelta1+. The patient Vdelta2+ gammadelta T cells showed the same IR expression than normal controls, in contrast the Vdelta1+ subset presented a special pattern of very high expression of CD94 and ILT2 and low of CD94/NKG2A. The presence of a new IR poorly represented in healthy individuals could account for the selective increase of Vdelta1+ gammadelta T in TAP-deficient patients. MICA/B surface expression in monocytes was not shifted in our patient.     

Lysis of a broad range of epithelial tumour cells by human gamma delta T cells: involvement of NKG2D ligands and T-cell receptor- versus NKG2D-dependent recognition

Human gammadelta T cells expressing a V gamma 9V delta 2 T-cell receptor (TCR) kill various tumour cells including autologous tumours. In addition to TCR-dependent recognition, activation of NKG2D-positive gammadelta T cells by tumour cell-expressed NKG2D ligands can also trigger cytotoxic effector function. In this study, we investigated the involvement of TCR versus NKG2D in tumour cell recognition as a prerequisite to identify tumour types suitable for gammadelta T-cell-based immunotherapy. We have characterized epithelial tumour cells of different origin with respect to cell surface expression of the known NKG2D ligands MHC class I-chain-related antigens (MIC) A/B and UL16-binding proteins (ULBP), and susceptibility to gammadelta T-cell killing. Most tumour cells expressed comparable levels of MICA and MICB as well as ULBP with the exception of ULBP-1 which was absent or only weakly expressed. Most epithelial tumours were susceptible to allogeneic gammadelta T-cell lysis and in the case of an established ovarian carcinoma to autologous gammadelta T-cell killing. Lysis of resistant cells was enhanced by pre-treatment of tumour cells with aminobisphosphonates or pre-activation of gammadelta T cells with phosphoantigens. A potential involvement of TCR and/or NKG2D was investigated by antibody blockade. These experiments revealed three patterns of inhibition, i.e. preferential inhibition by anti-TCR antibody, preferential inhibition by anti-NKG2D antibody, or additive blockade by anti-TCR plus anti-NKG2D antibodies. Our results indicate for the first time that the NKG2D pathway is involved in the lysis of different melanomas, pancreatic adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, and lung carcinoma.     

Lymphocyte activation via NKG2D: towards a new paradigm in immune recognition?

NKG2D is an activating cell surface receptor expressed on a wide range of immune effector cells including NK cells, NKT cells, gammadelta T cells as well as CD8(+) alphabeta T cells. Recent data indicate two major features: first, that human (MICA, MICB and ULBP) and mouse (Rae1 and H60) NKG2D ligands can be induced and/or upregulated upon cellular distress; and second, that on T cells NKG2D serves as a co-stimulation molecule for TCR triggering, whereas on NK cells NKG2D may act as a primary recognition structure.     

Innate immune functions of human gammadelta T cells

gammadelta T cells expressing the Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell receptor (TCR) account for 1-10% of CD3(+) peripheral blood T lymphocytes. Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells use their TCR as a pattern recognition receptor to sense the presence of infection through specific recognition of intermediates of the microbial non-mevalonate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis. Such phosphoantigens rapidly and selectively activate human gammadelta T cells to produce proinflammatory cytokines, notably interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In addition, human gammadelta T cells express certain Toll-like receptors (TLR) and directly respond to the corresponding ligands. We have demonstrated expression of TLR3 in Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells and striking costimulatory effects of the ligand polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) on TCR-stimulated IFN-gamma production. Gene expression studies by microarray analysis identified additional genes that were up-regulated by combined TCR- and TLR3 stimulation. We discuss these findings in the context of the suspected role of human Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells as a link between innate and adaptive immune responses.     

Regulatory gamma delta T cells in Heymann nephritis express an invariant Vgamma6/Vdelta1 with a canonical CDR3 sequence

Gammadelta T cells are expanded in human IgA nephropathy and in a rat model of adriamycin (ADR)-induced nephropathy. Despite different diseases and species, these renal gammadelta T cells use a restricted set of gammadelta T cell receptor (TCR) genes. To explore whether this phenomenon of post injury expansion of gammadelta T cells occurs in autoimmune-mediated glomerulonephritis, we studied gammadelta TCR genes in Heymann nephritis (HN). Gammadelta T cells were increased in HN kidneys (p<0.001). These gammadelta T cells predominantly expressed Vgamma6/Vdelta1 genes and used canonical matching sequences previously seen in the other models of renal injury. Gammadelta T cells from the kidneys expressed high levels of TGF-beta, IL-4 and IL-5. The gammadelta T cells from both ADR-treated and HN kidneys expressed NKG2D, the NK cell-activating receptor. These results demonstrate that the majority of gammadelta T cells in the HN kidney use a canonical Vgamma6/Vdelta1 TCR--the gammadelta TCR previously described in the rat ADR-treated kidney. The restriction in gammadelta TCR seen in two completely different models of kidney injury and the expression of an innate activating molecule NKG2D suggests that the gammadelta T cells may be responding to tissue stress from injury and producing a regulatory response.     

Immobilized MICA could expand human Vdelta1 gammadelta T cells in vitro that displayed major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related A-dependent cytotoxicity to human epithelial carcinomas

Human major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related A (MICA) is a human leucocyte antigen-related polymorphic molecule, which is expressed on many kinds of epithelial tumours and can be recognized by the Vdelta1 subset of gammadelta T cells. In the present study, monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were produced in mice immunized with recombinant MICA (rMICA)*008. It was found that MICA was expressed on ovarian and colonic tumour tissues and could be detected by these anti-MICA MoAbs. The immobilized rMICA could induce the proliferation of human ovarian epithelial carcinoma- or colonic carcinoma-derived gammadelta T cells of the Vdelta1 phenotype in vitro. These Vdelta1 T cells displayed a strong, broad-range cytolytic activity towards tumour cell lines positive for MICA. The efficiency of this cytolytic activity depended greatly on the level of MICA expressed on the cell surface and could be inhibited by anti-MICA MoAbs. Therefore, MICA may play an important role in immune responses against epithelial tumours and function as a stimulating factor for the growth of Vdelta1 gammadelta T cells, whereas MICA-reactive Vdelta1 gammadelta T cells might serve as a new candidate for adoptive cellular therapy of tumours.     

UL16 binding proteins

According to present concepts, innate immunity plays an important role in tumor surveillance and immune modulation. The state of NK cells depends on the balance between inhibitory and activating signals from corresponding receptors. As one of the activating receptors, NKG2D recognises some self ligands such as MICA/B in human and Rae1 in mice, which is dissimilar to those toll-like receptors that recognise some pathogen-derived ligands. NKG2D is expressed not only on NK cells, but on gammadelta T cells, CD8+ alphabeta T cells in normal individuals and CD4+ alphabeta T cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients and plays a different role on respective cells. Whereas NKG2D can only function as a costimulatory receptor on CD8+ alphabeta T cells under the domination of alphabeta TCR in spite of a deficiency of costimulatory molecule CD28, NKG2D can directly activate NK cells even in the presence of inhibitory signals from MHC-I and corresponding receptor complexes. Experiments in mice have identified that alternative splicing produces two distinct NKG2D polypeptides that associate differentially with the DAP10 and DAP12 signaling subunits and that differential expression of these isoforms and of signaling proteins determines whether NKG2D only functions as a costimulatory receptor in the adaptive immune system (CD8+ T cells) or as both a primary recognition unit and a costimulatory receptor in the innate immune system (natural killer cells and macrophages). This review summarizes the research achievements in a new ligand family (UL16 binding proteins) of NKG2D in human and shows the possible prospects of ULBP function and application.     

NKG2D engagement of colorectal cancer-specific T cells strengthens TCR-mediated antigen stimulation and elicits TCR independent anti-tumor activity

The NKG2D receptor is expressed by human NK, gammadelta T and alpha/beta T lymphocytes and its engagement results in the stimulation of effector cells. We evaluated the role of NKG2D receptor in anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) immune response. The cell surface expression of stress-inducible NKG2D ligands MICA/B (MHC class I-related chain molecules A/B) and ULBP (UL16 binding protein) by a panel of CRC lines was evaluated by flow cytometry. MICA and ULBP2/3 were widely expressed by the analyzed lines, with a minority of them being also ULBP-1+, whereas MICB was undetectable. CD8+ and CD4+ HLA-restricted anti-tumor T cell clones of a CRC patient were used to evaluate whether NKG2D engagement could mediate tumor recognition. Three out of four CD8+ T cell clones recognized the autologous tumor with a marginal NKG2D engagement, a finding that was correlated with the weak expression of NKG2D ligands by the autologous tumor. On the contrary, NKG2D triggering of these CD8+ T cell clones induced recognition of allogeneic CRC lines showing high expression of MICA and ULBP. A costimulatory role of NKG2D was observed with one CD4+/NKG2D+ T cell clone when stimulated by tumors sharing the HLA class II alleles and expressing NKG2D ligands. Taken together these data indicate that the engagement of NKG2D, depending on the expression of its ligands by target cells, can influence the pattern of anti-tumor reactivity by T lymphocytes.     

Homing of transgenic gammadelta T cells into murine vaginal epithelium

The vaginal epithelium of normal mice contains lymphocytes of fetal thymic origin that express an invariant Vgamma4/Vdelta1 TCR. The apparent lack of other gammadelta TCR species suggests that a selection mechanism might operate to regulate the localization of gammadelta T cells at this anatomical site. Selection might be connected to the Vgamma4/Vdelta1 TCR or to some homing characteristic of the fetal thymic lineage that appears at day 17-18 of embryonic life. In the present studies, we investigated whether transgenic gammadelta cells expressing a TCR species characteristic of the subpopulation of gammadelta T cells found in the blood, spleen and lymph would translocate to the vaginal epithelium. We found that the transgenic Vgamma2 TCR+ cells did accumulate in the vagina of transgenic mice. Furthermore, like normal vaginal gammadelta T cells, the transgenic vaginal gammadelta T cells expressed the phenotype of recently activated memory/effector T cells (CD44(hi), CD62L-, CD45RB(lo), CD69+). Vaginal gammadelta T cells in normal mice do not express the CD2 and CD28 antigens, but both of these markers are present on transgenic vaginal gammadelta T cells. We observed that a small fraction of splenic transgenic gammadelta T cells had the same surface phenotype as the vaginal transgenic gammadelta T cells, raising the possibility that the gammadelta T cells present in the vaginal epithelium of transgenic mice originated from the peripheral lymphoid organs. Data in support of this possibility came from experiments in which co-incubation of splenic transgenic gammadelta T cells with vaginal epithelial cell suspensions induced the vaginal gammadelta phenotype on the splenic gammadelta T cells. The finding of transgenic gammadelta T cells in the vaginal epithelium suggests that homing of gammadelta T cells to this site is not restricted to gammadelta T cells that express the V4/NS1 invariant TCR. Furthermore, these findings imply that retention of gammadelta T cells in the vaginal epithelium of normal mice is affected by a Vgamma4/Vdelta1-specific mechanism. The finding of a significant level of apoptosis in the transgenic vaginal gammadelta T cells, but not in the normal vaginal gammadelta T cells, could reflect that the mechanism of retention of Vgamma4/Vdelta1 + in the vaginal epithelium involves selective survival at the site.      

Estradiol regulates MICA expression in human endometrial cells

The human endometrium undergoes cyclical changes regulated by sex hormones. Evidence suggests that sex hormones regulate NK cell recruitment into the uterus in large numbers. NKG2D is an activating receptor expressed on human NK cells, gammadelta and CD8 T cells. NKG2D ligands are known to be sensors of cellular "stress". In this study, we investigated whether sex hormones directly regulate expression of NKG2D ligands in the human uterus. Estradiol increased MICA expression on uterine epithelial cells; regulation was estrogen receptor-dependent. Real-time PCR analysis showed that NKG2D ligands MICA and MICB were expressed in the human endometrium. MICA protein was detected primarily on epithelial cells, and greater expression was observed in immunohistochemical analysis of tissues from patients in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Thus, estrogens regulate expression of MICA. These data suggest hormonal regulation of innate immunity and NKG2D-mediated recognition in other tissues and diseases where estrogen may be involved.