自然杀伤细胞活化性受体及其配体的研究进展

自然杀伤细胞(NK)是固有免疫应答的重要淋巴细胞,其在抗肿瘤、抗病毒免疫应答中发挥关键性作用.然而,肿瘤、病毒可通过调控相应配体、受体的表达影响NK细胞活性,形成相应的免疫逃逸机制.故对NK细胞活化性受体、配体及其生物学功能的研究很有意义.     

自然杀伤细胞活化性受体的研究进展

自然杀伤细胞（NK）是机体固有免疫系统的重要效应细胞,其不仅能杀死病毒感染细胞和肿瘤细胞,还参与调节固有免疫应答和适应性免疫应答.NK细胞对靶细胞的杀伤效应取决于NK细胞抑制性受体和活化性受体与其配体相互作用的整合,而NK细胞不杀伤正常组织是因为抑制性受体对HLA-Ⅰ类分子的优势识别.NK细胞抑制性受体研究比较成熟,近几年NK细胞活化性受体研究进展很快.     

卵巢肿瘤患者自然杀伤细胞活化性受体NKG2D与其配体MICA表达的初步研究

目的:研究卵巢癌、良性卵巢肿瘤患者外周血NK细胞表面活化性受体NKG2D的表达及局部组织中相应配体MICA的表达情况,并结合临床病理因素分析探讨宿主NK细胞受体NKG2D在抗卵巢癌中的作用及其与肿瘤免疫逃逸的关系。方法:对4 2例卵巢癌、2 3例良性卵巢肿瘤及2 0例正常妇女,采用流式细胞术检测外周血NK细胞NKG2D的表达状况,RT PCR技术检测在上述部分相应组织标本中MICA的表达。结果:恶性、良性卵巢肿瘤患者及正常人外周血NK细胞NKG2D的表达水平分别为( 94 2 3±6 0 2 ) %、( 98 70±0 98) %、( 98 6 1±1 5 9) % ,恶性组与另两组之间比较,差异有统计学意义(P <0 0 5 ) ;相应配体MICA在卵巢癌组织中的表达率较良性卵巢肿瘤中明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P <0 0 1) ;在卵巢癌病人是否绝经、不同组织类型、分化程度、手术分期及是否淋巴转移等各组临床病理情况下,其表达率未见明显差异(P >0 0 5 )。结论:卵巢恶性肿瘤患者外周血NK细胞活性降低,其活化性受体NKG2D表达的下降是NK细胞活性下降的原因之一。NKG2D的配体MICA的基因表达可能与卵巢癌的恶性转化有一定的相关性,卵巢癌的免疫逃逸可能与NKG2D表达下调及其配体MI CA的表达升高有关     

活化性受体NKG2D及其配体的研究进展

NK细胞是肌体免疫系统至关重要的组成部分,其表达多种活化性和抑制性细胞表面受体。NKG2D是较为独特的活化性受体,属C型凝集素家族跨膜蛋白,分布较广,NK细胞、T细胞和其他免疫细胞都可以产生,其配体具有多样性,MHCⅠ类相关分子（MIC）是人类NKG2D识别的配体之一,应激性表达在一些肿瘤细胞或病原体感染细胞的表面。NKG2D既能直接活化NK细胞,又能以协同刺激的方式促进CD8^＋αβT细胞的活化,在抗肿瘤免疫和病毒感染等方面发挥重要作用。     

维生素D对胃癌的作用及其机制研究

目的 通过检测胃癌患者血清中维生素D(VD)含量及癌组织中维生素D受体(VDR)的表达水平,探讨VD对胃癌的作用及其机制.方法 采用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)测定胃癌患者及健康人群血清中的VD水平;采用免疫组化法检测胃癌组织及癌旁正常胃组织中的VDR表达水平,并分析其与预后的关系.结果 胃癌患者的血清VD水平较健康人群低(P＜0.05),且与胃癌细胞分化程度明显负相关(P＜0.001);胃癌组织中VDR表达显著低于正常胃黏膜(P＜0.05),且VDR的表达水平与癌组织分化程度之间有显著联系,高、中、低分化3组VDR的表达水平依次降低且差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);胃癌患者中,VDR表达阳性者的无疾病进展生存期和总生存期均较VDR阴性者明显延长,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 VD可能是胃癌发病中的一个保护性因素,其VDR的表达水平可作为判断胃癌分化程度的依据之一,VDR可作为胃癌术后的一个有效预后因子.     

HIV/HCV合并感染者淋巴细胞活化及第二受体表达的研究

目的了解中国不同疾病进展阶段人类免疫缺陷病毒和丙型肝炎病毒（HIV／HCV）合并感染者T淋巴细胞与自然杀伤细胞（natural killer cells，NK）数量变化及T淋巴细胞活化、受体表达情况，并探讨HCV感染对HIV感染免疫指标及疾病进展的影响。方法应用流式细胞术分析228例不同疾病进展阶段的HIV／HCV合并感染者及101例单纯HIV感染者外周血T淋巴细胞、NK细胞数量及T淋巴细胞活化受体（HLA-DR、CD38）、第二受体（CCR5、CXCR4）表达情况。结果（1）HIV／HCV合并感染组中，CD4^＋T淋巴细胞、NK细胞数量随疾病进展持续下降，其中艾滋病组（AIDS）明显低于无症状HIV感染组（HIV）（P〈0．05），HIV组明显低于长期不进展组（LTNP）（P〈0．01），LTNP组与健康对照组差异无统计学意义。LTNP组、HIV组及AIDS组CD4^＋、CD8^＋T细胞表面活化受体HLA-DR、CD38的表达依次升高，其中各组间CD8／CD38的升高差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05），AIDS组CD4／HLA-DR、CD8／HLA-DR的升高明显高于LTNP组和HIV组（P〈0．01）。LTNP组、HIV组及AIDS组CD4^＋、CD3^＋T细胞表面CCR5的表达亦依次升高，各组间差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；CD3^＋T细胞表面CXCR4的表达依次升高，AIDS组明显高于HIV组和LTNP组（P〈0．01）。（2）HIV／HCV合并感染组与单纯HIV感染组相比，AIDS组NK细胞明显下降（P〈0．05），CD4^＋T细胞下降，但无统计学意义，CD4／HLA-DR、CD8／HLA-DR、CD4／CXCR4、CD3／CXCR4明显升高（P〈0．01）；HIV组NK细胞明显下降（P〈0．01），CD4／CXCR4明显升高（P〈0．05）；LTNP组各项指标与单纯HIV感染组相比差异无统计学意义。（3）HIV／HCV合并感染组的HIV病毒载量随疾病进展不断升高，与单纯HIV感染组相比差异无统计学意义；HCV病毒载量在疾病不同阶段差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论随疾病进展，HIV／HCV合并感染者的免疫功能逐渐下降，HIV病毒载量逐渐升高。与单纯HIV感染相比，合并HCV感染可通过破坏机体天然免疫功能、促进免疫系统活化和受体表达，加速HIV感染的疾病进展。     

放射治疗对肺癌患者IL-18、sMICA及NK细胞的影响

为探讨肺癌患者放射治疗(简称放疗)前及放疗不同阶段NK细胞存活率及IL-18、可溶性MHC-Ⅰ类链相关蛋白A(soluble MHC classⅠ-related chain A, sMICA)浓度变化,对肿瘤科收治的30例肺癌放疗患者,通过ELISA检测IL-18、sMICA浓度,应用磁珠分选检测NK细胞存活率。结果显示,sMICA浓度在放疗前最低,而在放疗后,随着放疗剂量的增加逐渐降低(P0.05);IL-18浓度随着放疗剂量的增加并无明显变化,且与放疗前无显著差异(P 0.05);NK细胞活性在放疗后与放疗前无显著差异,且不随剂量增加而明显变化(P 0.05)。由此,放疗对肺癌患者外周血中NK细胞的存活率和IL-18浓度无明显影响;放疗可降低患者外周血中肿瘤抗原sMICA浓度,表明肿瘤免疫逃逸功能被抑制,放疗可间接增强机体的免疫功能。     

支架蛋白活化蛋白激酶C受体1在胃癌细胞中的表达及其与胃癌细胞增殖的关系

目的 探讨活化蛋白激酶C受体1C(RACK1, GNB2L1)在胃癌细胞HGC27中的表达及过表达RACK1对HGC27生长增殖的影响。方法 体外培养胃癌未分化细胞HGC27和正常胃黏膜上皮细胞系GES-1,收集细胞48 h后,提取mRNA和蛋白,利用RT-PCR检测RACK1 mRNA在HGC27和GES-1细胞中的表达;利用Western blotting法检测RACK1蛋白在两种细胞中的表达;以人胚肾HEK293细胞cDNA为模板,构建pcDNA3.1A-flag-RACK1重组质粒,利用Lipo2000转染入HGC27细胞中,Western blotting法检测质粒的转染效率,MTT法检测过表达RACK1对HGC27胃癌细胞系生长增殖的影响。 结果 HGC27胃癌细胞中RACK1的mRNA和蛋白水平表达低于GES-1细胞（P<0.01）。双酶切鉴定和测序分析表明,pcDNA3.1A-flag-RACK1重组质粒构建成功。将该质粒转入HGC27细胞后,与未转染组相比,空载转染组RACK1蛋白表达无明显区别（P>0.05）,pcDNA3.1-RACK1转染组RACK1蛋白表达明显升高（P<0.01）;转染pcDNA3.1A-flag-RACK1转染组细胞存活率在72 h和96 h明显少于pcDNA3.1空载对照组（P<0.01）。结论 支架蛋白RACK1的mRNA和蛋白水平在HGC27细胞中低表达,上调RACK1的表达可明显抑制HGC27细胞增殖。     

桑黄多糖调控MICB/NKG2D信号通路增强机体对脑胶质瘤细胞的免疫监视作用北大核心CSCD

目的:探讨桑黄多糖对脑胶质瘤细胞免疫监视的增强作用及其对主要组织相容性复合物Ⅰ链相关基因B(MICB)/自然杀伤细胞活化性受体2D(NKG2D)信号通路的调控机制。方法:取6~8周龄C57BL/6小鼠60只和GL261细胞株培养传代,随机取其中的50只小鼠建立脑胶质瘤模型,其余10只小鼠记为对照组,另将建模成功小鼠采用随机数字表分组,榄香烯组予以100 mg/kg榄香烯与1 ml/100 g生理盐水混匀灌胃,桑黄多糖各剂量组分别予以50、100、200 mg/kg桑黄多糖溶于1 ml/100 g生理盐水中灌胃,对照组和模型组均予以等量生理盐水灌胃,均1次/d,共4周。干预后处死小鼠,比较各组瘤重和抑瘤率;苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察瘤组织病理变化;以CD57抗体标记检测瘤组织中NK细胞浸润;实时-逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-qPCR)检测瘤组织主要组织相容性复合物Ⅰ链相关基因A(MICA)、MICB、UL16结合蛋白1(ULBP1)、UL16结合蛋白2(ULBP2)、UL16结合蛋白3(ULBP3)mRNA表达,Western blot检测瘤组织MICA、MICB、ULBP1、ULBP2、ULBP3蛋白表达;采用磁珠亲和细胞分选法分离各组组织中NK细胞,采用流式细胞仪检测其表面NKG2D活性。结果:与模型组比较,榄香烯组和桑黄多糖各剂量组瘤重下降,抑瘤率升高,瘤组织细胞变性、坏死增多,NK细胞浸润增多,MICA、ULBP2、ULBP3 mRNA和蛋白表达下降,MICB、ULBP1 mRNA和蛋白表达升高,且NK细胞表面NKG2D活性增强,上述差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);桑黄多糖的作用呈剂量依赖性,桑黄多糖低剂量组和榄香烯组所有指标比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:桑黄多糖可抑制脑胶质瘤增长,促进瘤细胞变性、坏死,增加NK细胞浸润,推测d与调控MICB/NKG2D信号通路,增加MICB、ULBP1表达和NK细胞表面NKG2D活性,下调MICA、ULBP2、ULBP3表达,增强对脑胶质瘤细胞的免疫监视有关。     

甲状腺癌中肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体及其受体的表达

目的　研究肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体 (TRAIL)和肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体受体(TRAILR)在甲状腺癌中的表达及意义。　方法　采用免疫组织化学方法 ,检测 5例正常甲状腺、13例乳头状甲状腺癌、3例滤泡状甲状腺癌和 12例甲状腺癌旁组织中TRAIL和TRAILR的表达和分布。　结果　乳头状、滤泡状甲状腺癌组织和正常甲状腺组织中的甲状腺滤泡细胞均表达TRAIL和全部的TRAILR ,其中诱捕受体TRAILR4在正常甲状腺组织和甲状腺癌旁组织表达较弱。　结论　甲状腺癌组织中的甲状腺滤泡细胞表达TRAIL和全部的TRAILR ,提示癌变的甲状腺滤泡细胞通过自身表达TRAIL ,以自分泌或旁分泌的形式和其死亡受体TRAILR1、TRAILR2结合 ,诱导癌变的甲状腺滤泡细胞发生凋亡 ,诱捕受体TRAILR3、TRAILR4的存在也不能影响其对TRAIL诱导的细胞凋亡的敏感性     

The CD94 and NKG2-A C-type lectins covalently assemble to form a natural killer cell inhibitory receptor for HLA class I molecules

CD94, a type II membrane protein containing a C-type lectin domain, has been shown to be involved in natural killer (NK) cell-mediated recognition of different HLA allotypes. The inhibitory form of the CD94 receptor has recently been identified by the specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) Z199. Herein, we demonstrate that the inhibitory receptor is in fact a complex formed by the covalent association of CD94 with the NKG2-A molecule (Mr ～ 43 kDa), another member of the C-type lectin superfamily, and that Z199 mAb specifically recognize NKG2-A molecules. Although the NKG2-A-encoding cDNA has been known for several years, the corresponding protein and its possible function remained undefined. Moreover, we show that the NKG2-B protein, an alternatively spliced product of the NKG2-A gene, can also assemble with CD94. Remarkably, both NKG2-A and NKG2-B proteins contain cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIM). This may provide the molecular basis of the inhibitory function mediated by the CD94/NKG2-A receptor complexes.     

Relationship between soluble MICA and the MICA A5.1 homozygous genotype in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

NK and cytotoxic T cells play an important role in the elimination of virus-infected and tumor cells through NKG2D activating receptors, which can promote the lysis of target cells by binding to the major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (MICA) proteins. Polymorphisms in MICA may influence its binding to the NKG2D. The soluble form of MICA is released from the surface of tumor cells of epithelial origin. Whereas MICA expressed on the cell surface stimulates the immunoreceptor natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D), the secreted form down-regulates NKG2D activity, thus allowing the tumor to escape immunosurveillance by NKG2D-expressing cells. In this study, we examined the association between MICA gene microsatellite polymorphisms and serum levels of soluble MICA in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We found that patients with OSCC were more likely to have the A5.1 allele when compared to healthy subjects and also more likely to be homozygous for this allele (p = 0.041). Patients with the homozygous A5.1 genotype had higher levels of soluble MICA (p = 0.031) and a lower survival rate (p = 0.026).     

Influence of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked H-2Dd molecules on target cell protection and natural killer cell specificity in transgenic mice

The expression of certain major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I ligands on target cells is one important determinate of their susceptibility to lysis by natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells express receptor molecules that bind to MHC class I. Upon binding to their MHC class I ligand, the NK cell is presumed to receive a signal through its receptor that inhibits lysis. It is unclear what role the MHC class I molecules of the effector and target cells play in signaling to the NK cell. We have investigated the role of the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of MHC class I molecules by producing a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked H-2D^d molecule. The GPI-linked H-2D^d molecule is recognized by H-2D^d-specific antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Expression of the GPI-linked H-2D^d molecule on H-2^b tumor cells resulted in protection of the tumor cells after transplantation into D8 mice (H-2^b, H-2D^d) from rejection by NK cells. In addition, NK cells from mice expressing the GPI-linked H-2D^d molecule as a transgene were able to kill nontransgenic H-2^b lymphoblast target cells. The GPI-linked MHC class I molecule was able to alter NK cell specificity at the target and effector cell levels. Thus, the expression of the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of MHC class I molecules are not necessary for protection and alteration of NK cell specificity.     

白血病患者NK细胞表面NKG2D受体及其配体MICA/B的研究

目的:研究白血病患者NK细胞表面NKG2D受体及其配体MICA/B的表达,探讨白血病细胞逃逸NK细胞杀伤的机制.方法:采用流式细胞术检测NK细胞表面NKG2D受体和骨髓有核细胞表面MICA/B配体.结果:治疗前组和完全缓解组NKG2D受体的表达均较健康组低(P＜0.05);且完全缓解组低于治疗前组(P＜0.05);治疗前组和完全缓解组MICA/B配体的表达均低于增生性贫血组(P＞0.50);完全缓解组与治疗前组比较差异无显著性(P＞0.05).结论:白血病患者体内NKG2D-MICA/B介导的NK细胞功能受抑,这可能导致白血病细胞逃逸NK细胞的细胞毒作用;白血病化疗后完全缓解时其体内NKG2D-MICA/B介导的NK细胞功能仍未恢复,且较治疗前更低.     

Cloning of a mouse homolog of CD94 extends the family of C-type lectins on murine natural killer cells

Two families of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-specific receptors are found on natural killer (NK) cells: immunoglobulin-like receptors and C-type lectin receptors. In mice, the latter category is represented by the Ly49 family of receptors, whereas in humans, NK cells express the distantly related CD94, which forms MHC class I-specific heterodimers with NKG2 family members. Humans also express the MHC class I-specific p50/p58/p70 family of immunoglobulin-like receptors, but these have not been identified in mice. Hence, there is no known instance of an MHC class I-specific receptor that is expressed by both human and murine NK cells. Here we report the cloning of CD94 from the CB.17 and C57BL/6 strains of mice. Mouse CD94 is 54 % identical and 66 % similar to human CD94, and is also a member of the C-type lectin superfamily. Mouse CD94 is expressed efficiently on the cell surface of cells transiently transfected with the corresponding cDNA, but surface CD94 was unable to mediate detectable binding to MHC class I-expressing ConA blasts. Notably, mouse CD94, like human CD94, has a very short cytoplasmic tail, suggesting the existence of partner chains that may play a role in ligand binding and signaling. Like many other C-type lectins expressed by NK cells, mouse CD94 maps to the NK complex on distal chromosome 6, synteneic to human CD94. We also demonstrate that mouse CD94 is highly expressed specifically by mouse NK cells, raising the possibility that mice, like humans, express multiple families of MHC class I-specific receptors on their NK cells. Murine homologs of human NKG2 family members have not yet been identified, but we report here the existence of a murine NKG2D-like sequence that also maps to the murine NK complex near CD94 and Ly49 family members.     

Dissection of spontaneous cytotoxicity by human intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes: MIC on colon cancer triggers NKG2D-mediated lysis through Fas ligand

Human intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), which are T-cell receptor alphabeta+ CD8+ T cells located between epithelial cells (ECs), are likely to participate in the innate immune response against colon cancer. IELs demonstrate spontaneous cytotoxic (SC) activity specifically directed against EC tumours but not against other solid tumour types. The aim of this study was to dissect out the mechanism of SC activity, focusing on the interaction of NKG2D on IELs with its ligands [major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain-related protein (MIC) and UL16 binding protein (ULBP)] found mainly on EC tumours. A novel series of events occurred. The NKG2D-MIC/ULBP interaction induced Fas ligand (FasL) production and FasL-mediated SC activity against HT-29 cells and MIC-transfectants. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma, produced independently of this interaction, promoted SC activity. The immune synapse was strengthened by the interaction of CD103 on IELs with E-cadherin on HT-29 cells. Neither T-cell receptor nor MHC class I was involved. While the HT-29 cells were destroyed by soluble FasL, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma, the IELs were resistant to the effects of these mediators and to FasL expressed by the HT-29 cells. This unidirectional FasL-mediated cytotoxicity of IELs against HT-29 cells, triggered through NKG2D, is unique and is likely to be a property of those CD8+ tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes that phenotypically resemble IELs.     

Palmitoylation of MICA, a ligand for NKG2D, mediates its recruitment to membrane microdomains and promotes its shedding

MICA and MICB (MHC-class-I-related chain A/B) are transmembrane proteins expressed in pathological conditions that are ligands for NKG2D, an activating receptor found on cytotoxic lymphocytes. The recognition on target cells of NKG2D ligands leads to the activation of lysis and cytokine secretion by NK cells and T cells. Besides being expressed at the cell surface, MICA/B can be released as soluble proteins. Soluble NKG2D ligands downmodulate expression of the NKG2D receptor on lymphocytes, leading to a diminished cytotoxic response. Prior studies suggested that recruitment of MICA/B molecules to cholesterol-enriched microdomains was an important factor regulating the proteolytic release of these molecules. We now show that recruitment of MICA to these microdomains depends on palmitoylation of two cysteine residues that allow MICA molecules to reside in the membrane in the same domains as caveolin-1. Compared with WT molecules, nonpalmitoylated mutant MICA molecules were shed to the supernatant with low efficiency; however, both WT and mutant MICA were able to trigger NK cell cytotoxicity. These data suggest that the presence of NKG2D ligands at the plasma membrane is sufficient to activate cytotoxicity and reflect the need of different ligands to exploit different cellular pathways to reach the cell surface upon different stress situations.     

Rat interleukin-2-activated natural killer (A-NK) cell-mediated lysis is determined by the presence of CD18 on A-NK cells and the absence of major histocompatibility complex class I on target cells

The precise mechanism by which target cells are recognized and subsequently lysed by interleukin-2-activated natural killer (A-NK) cells is poorly understood. In this study the role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and adhesion molecules in the recognition and lysis of tumor cells was investigated in a syngeneic Wag rat model. Preincubation of tumor cells with F(ab′)₂ fragments of anti-MHC class I monoclonal antibody (mAb) OX18 strongly enhanced the A-NK cell-mediated lysis. Also normal syngeneic cells such as T cells and A-NK cells became highly sensitive for lysis by A-NK cells after preincubation with mAb OX18. Two other mAb against MHC class I had no effect on lysis of target cells. These data indicate that masking of MHC class I on syngeneic tumor and normal cells by mAb OX18 is sufficient for A-NK cells to recognize target cells as non-self, resulting in lysis. In addition, we found that the presence of mAb against the β2 (CD18)-integrins blocked the lysis of all tumor cell lines by A-NK cells in ⁵¹Cr-release assays, also when target cells were preincubated with mAb OX18. Because of the absence of CD18 on most tumor cells we concluded that a CD18-associated integrin on A-NK cells is essential for lysis of target cells. These results show that in this syngeneic rat model CD18 on A-NK cells together with MHC class I on tumor cells determine A-NK cell-mediated lysis. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the anti-MHC class I OX18 recognizes an epitope on rat MHC class I which is, or is very close to, the restriction element determining A-NK cell-mediated lysis.     

Role of amino acid position 70 in the binding affinity of p50.1 and p58.1 receptors for HLA-Cw4 molecules

In an attempt to identify the amino acid position(s) of the HLA-C-specific p58.1/p50.1 natural killer cell receptors that determine the binding affinity for their ligand, we used soluble fusion proteins formed by the ectodomain of either receptor and the Fc portion of human IgG1. We show that the soluble p50.1 (activating) receptor binds weakly to 221-Cw4 transfectants. In contrast, the soluble p58.1 (inhibitory) receptor binds with high affinity. A single amino acid mutation at position 70, obtained by site-directed mutagenesis, was found to affect the binding affinity of both the p50.1 and the p58.1 receptors. Thus, sub-stitution in p50.1 of lysine 70 by threonine (typical of the inhibitory p58.1 molecule) resulted in a dramatic increase in binding affinity, comparable to that of the p58.1 molecule. On the other hand, substitution of threonine 70 by lysine in p58.1 almost abolished binding to 221-Cw4 cells. Our present data indicate that a single amino acid difference greatly influences the p58.1/p50.1 affinity for their HLA-C ligand and suggests a possible role of position 70 as a contact site in the natural killer cell receptor/major histocompatibility complex class I interaction.