Molecular characterization of a gene in the rat homologous to human CD94

Three classes of major histocompatibility (MHC) class I binding receptors on natural killer (NK) cells have so far been described: CD94/NKG2 heterodimeric receptors and killer cell inhibitory receptors in the human, and Ly-49 homodimers in rodents. CD94, NKG2 and Ly-49 belong to the C-type lectin super-family. As yet, CD94 and NKG2 molecules have not been detected in rodents or Ly-49 in humans. It has therefore been proposed that the two receptors represent functional equivalents in these species. The present study describes the cDNA cloning of a novel rat gene encoding a protein of 179 amino acids, 54.2 % identical to human CD94. The single-copy Cd94 gene is localized to the rat NK gene complex (NKC), within 50 kb from Nkrp2, between the Nkrp1 and Ly49 gene clusters. By Northern blot analysis, we showed that rat CD94 is selectively expressed by NK cells and a small subset of T cells, similar to the human ortho-logue. This expression is strain dependent, with high expression in DA NK cells and low in PVG NK cells. Evidence is presented that this difference is not due to receptor repertoire shaping by MHC-encoded ligands, but is controlled by genetic elements residing within the NKC. The identification of a rat CD94 orthologue suggests that NK cell populations utilize two different C-type lectin receptors for MHC class I molecules in parallel.     

Identification of a human member of the Ly-49 multigene family

Three classes of multigene family-encoded receptors enable NK cells to discriminate between polymorphic MHC class I molecules: Ly-49 homodimers, CD94/NKG2 heterodimers and the killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIR). Of these, CD94/NKG2 has been characterized in both rodents and humans. In contrast, Ly-49 family members have hitherto been found only in rodents, and KIR molecules only in the human. In this report, we describe a human cDNA, termed Ly-49L, that constitutes the first human member of the Ly-49 multigene family. Compared with rodent Ly-49 molecules, the Ly-49L sequence contains a premature stop codon and predicts a truncated protein that lacks the distal part of a C-terminal lectin domain. Evidence is presented that the premature stop codon results from incomplete excision of the intron between the first two lectin domain exons. Splice variants predicting a full-size Ly-49L protein were not detected. As demonstrated by Northern blot analysis, Ly-49L was transcribed by IL-2-activated NK cells, but not by freshly isolated B or T cells. PCR screening of a 22-clone yeast artificial chromosome contig localized the LY49L locus to the human NK gene complex on chromosome 12p12-p13. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA showed a simple pattern with a full-length Ly-49L probe at low stringency hybridization conditions, suggesting that Ly-49L may be the only human member of the Ly-49 multigene family.     

Genomic diversity of natural killer cell receptor genes in three populations

We report the distribution of genes encoding 11 killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and 2 CD94:NKG2 receptors, in 32 Caucasians, 67 Australian Aborigines and 59 Vietnamese. The inhibitory and the activating KIR genes were found at different frequency in the three populations. No correlation was found between the polymorphism of the KIR genes and the HLA specificities of the tested samples. The most significant KIR associations were 2DL2 with 2DS2; 2DL2 with 2DS3 and 3DL1 with 2DS4 in all three study groups. In Caucasians and Vietnamese 2DS2 was associated with 2DS3 and 2DS1with 3DS1. KIR 2DL1 was strongly associated with three other KIRs: 2DL3, 3DL1 and 2DS4 in Aborigines. The distribution of the KIR phenotypes was different in the three populations. The AA1 phenotype was frequent in Vietnamese (42.4%) and Caucasians (31.2%), but very rare in Aborigines (1.5%). In contrast, the BB7 phenotype was very common for Aborigines (22.4%) and was absent in the two other groups. Our data demonstrate that different associations and putative KIR haplotypes could be distinguished in different populations.     

Molecular characterization of human CD94: A type II membrane glycoprotein related to the C-type lectin superfamily

Natural killer (NK) cells preferentially express several genes of the C-type lectin superfamily which have been implicated in the regulation of NK cell function. We demonstrate that CD94 is a type II membrane protein encoded by a unique gene of the C-type lectin superfamily. While homology of CD94 with the NK cell-associated NKR-P1 and NKG2 C-type lectin genes is limited to the structural motifs conserved in the carbohydrate recognition domain, all of these genes are on human chromosome 12, the syntenic of mouse chromosome 6, where genes of the NK complex (NKR-P1 and Ly-49) are located. An unexpected feature of CD94 is the essential absence of a cytoplasmic domain, implying that association with other receptors may be necessary for the function of this molecule.     

Association of NKG2D genetic polymorphism with susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B in a Han Chinese population

Natural killer (NK) cells are important antiviral effectors of innate immunity because of their contribution to virus elimination. NK cell‐mediated immunological reaction to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection depends on a fine balance between inhibitory and activating receptors. The aim of the study was to investigate genetic polymorphisms in NK cell receptors (NKR)—KLRD1 (CD94), KLRK1 (NKG2D), KLRC4 (NKG2F), and KLRC1 (NKG2A)—to evaluate the association of NKR genetic polymorphisms with susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B in a Han Chinese population. Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including rs2302489 in CD94; rs2255336, rs2617160, rs7980470, rs 2734565, and rs17513986 in NKG2D; rs2617170, rs17549004, and rs3825295 in NKG2F; rs2734414, rs7301582, and rs2734440 in NKG2A, were selected in the present study. SNP genotyping was undertaken in 500 Han Chinese patients (285 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 215 patients who cleared HBV spontaneously) by a polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) and by the TaqMan method. Single marker association analysis was conducted and the SNP rs2617160 with a TT genotype in NKG2D was associated significantly with an increased risk of chronic hepatitis B (P = 0.044; OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.01–2.19). Haplotype analysis with multiple loci indicated that there was no significant association between the haplotypes of the NKR genes and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B. The SNP rs2617160 in NKG2D associated with susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B in a Han Chinese population. J. Med. Virol. 82:1501–1507, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Murine cytomegalovirus regulation of NKG2D ligands

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen that causes morbidity risk in immunologically suppressed and immunodeficient patients including congenital infections. Approaches to curb the consequences of HCMV infections are restricted by a lack of complete understanding of viral pathogenesis. The infection of mice with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) as a model of HCMV infection has been particularly useful in elucidating the role of innate and adaptive immune response mechanisms. A large number of cytomegalovirus genes modulate the innate and the adaptive host immune response. The products of several MCMV genes are involved in subverting the natural killer (NK) cell response by down-modulating cellular ligands for the NKG2D receptor expressed on NK cells and CD8⁺ T cells. Mutant viruses lacking these immunoevasion genes are attenuated with respect to virus growth in vivo. Given the importance of the NKG2D receptor in controlling both NK- and T cell-mediated immunity, it is of tremendous importance to understand the molecular mechanisms and consequences of viral regulation of the NKG2D ligands.     

Molecular genetic analyses of human NKG2C (KLRC2) gene deletion

Human NKG2A, NKG2C and NKG2E genes are located on 12p13 in the NK gene complex. We recently identified deletion of NKG2C in a Japanese population. This study was performed to identify the breakpoint, and to examine the association of NKG2C deletion with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The location of the breakpoint was determined to be 1.5-1.8 kb telomeric from the 3' end of NKG2A by comparing sequences of the intergenic segments upstream and downstream of the NKG2C gene in the common haplotype with the intergenic sequence between NKG2A and NKG2E in the deletion haplotype. Based on this information, a genotyping system was developed. The frequency of NKG2C deletion haplotype was 20.2% in Japanese and 20.0% in Dutch populations. The frequency of homozygous deletion was 4.1% in Japanese and 3.8% in Dutch. Evidence for an association with rheumatic diseases was not detected. These results indicated that NKG2C deletion is commonly present in Japanese and Dutch, suggesting that NKG2C is not essential for survival and reproduction, and is not associated with rheumatic diseases.     

C型凝集素受体CLEC-2的研究进展

C型凝集素样受体-2(CLEC-2)是一个非经典型的C型凝集素受体,主要表达在血小板、中性粒细胞等细胞表面,在马来西亚蝮蛇蛇毒蛋白rhodocytin和跨膜唾液酸糖蛋白poloplanin等相关配体的刺激下,能通过细胞质尾部的YXXL结构域形成二聚体,从而激活syk依赖的信号传导.最近有很多研究显示:CLEC-2在血小...     

IL-2促进PBMC来源的NK、NKT、CD8+T细胞高表达NKG2D

目的 观察大剂量IL-2活化的人外周血单个核细胞（PBMC）中，NKG2D在NK细胞、T细胞和NKT细胞表面的表达规律。方法 使用三重免疫荧光标记的流式细胞术检测NKG2D的表达情况。使用sMICA蛋白与人PBMC共同培养，之后使用流式细胞术分析NKG2D在NK细胞中的表达情况。使用半定量RT-PCR方法检测大剂量IL-2活化的人PBMC中NKG2D及其锚定蛋白DAP10 mRNA的表达变化。结果 使用大剂量IL-2活化人PBMC细胞后，NKG2D在NK细胞、CD^＋T细胞和NKT细胞表面的表达均增加，但是在CD4^＋T细胞表面始终不表达。同时IL-2可以拮抗sMICA对NKG2D的下调作用。半定量RT-PCR结果显示，使用大剂量IL-2活化人PBMC之后，NKG2D及其锚定蛋白DAP10的mRNA水平并不发生明显变化。结论 大剂量IL-2培养人PBMC之后，NKG2D在NK细胞、CD8^＋T细胞和NKT细胞表面的表达均增加，可能是PBMC活化并获得广谱抗肿瘤效应的机制之一．     

Cloning of NKG2-F,a new member of the NKG2 family of human natural killer cell receptor genes

The NKG2 family of genes encodes at least four different type II transmembrane molecules (NKG2-A, NKG2-B, NKG2-C and NKG2-E) which contain a C-lectin domain. These proteins have been shown to be covalently associated with CD94, another C-type lectin member. The heterodimers are involved in natural killer cell-mediated recognition of different HLA-allotypes. Here we describe the cloning of a new NKG2-related gene, termed NKG2-F, localized 25 kb from NKG2-A as well as its relationship with the previously described NKG2-D cDNA. Despite the similarities with the other NKG2 genes, NKG2-F encodes a putative protein which does not contain any lectin domain. However, a conserved 24-amino acid sequence, present in all members of the NKG2 family, suggests that NKG2-F is also able to form heterodimers with CD94.     

Selective intracellular retention of virally induced NKG2D ligands by the human cytomegalovirus UL16 glycoprotein

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has evolved a multitude of molecular mechanisms to evade the antiviral immune defense of the host. Recently, using soluble recombinant molecules, the HCMV UL16 glycoprotein was shown to interact with some ligands of the activating immunoreceptor NKG2D and, therefore, may also function as a viral immunomodulator. However, the role of UL16 during the course of HCMV infection remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that HCMV infection of fibroblasts induces expression of all known NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL). However, solely MICA and ULBP3 reach the cellular surface to engage NKG2D, whereas MICB, ULBP1 and ULBP2 are selectively retained in the endoplasmic reticulum by UL16. UL16-mediated reduction of NKG2DL cell surface density diminished NK cytotoxicity. Thus, UL16 functions by capturing activating ligands for cytotoxic lymphocytes that are synthesized in response to HCMV infection.     

树突状细胞相关凝集素受体1和2在真菌免疫领域的研究进展

树突状细胞相关凝集素受体1和2(Dectin1和2)是2C型凝集素受体家族(CLR)的重要成员,作为模式识别受体( PRRs),其有效地识别病原体相关分子模式(PAMPs);Dectin-1识别β-葡聚糖,通过自身免疫受体络氨酸激活基序( ITAM)向胞内转导信号;Dectin-2识别α-甘露聚糖,通过耦联FcRγ链上的ITAM结构转导信号.ITAM招募并激活非受体络氨酸蛋白激酶(Syk),后者激活MAPKs或介导CARD9-Malt1-Bcl10复合体组装,激活核因子-κB(NF-κB),诱导合成炎症因子等一系列细胞活动.其配体β-葡聚糖和甘露聚糖都是真菌细胞壁的主要成分.近年来研究表明,Dectin-1和Dectin-2受体在真菌免疫防御中具有重要作用.     

人NKG2D的基因克隆及其在CHO细胞中的表达

目的:构建重组人NKG2D真核表达载体并在CHO细胞表达重组人NKG2D。方法:用RT-PCR方法从NK-92细胞中调取NKG2D基因片段,克隆到pGEM-TEasy载体并对克隆的DNA片段进行序列分析。用限制内切酶EcoRI和BamHI消化pGEM-TEasy/NKG2D重组质粒,分离NKG2D片段,并插入真核表达质粒pEGFP-N1的相应限制酶位点,酶谱分析鉴定重组表达载体pEGFP-N1/NKG2D。然后经脂质体介导转染CHO细胞。应用荧光显微镜观测、Westernblot方法和免疫组化染色对转染细胞内pEGFP-N1/NKG2D的表达进行鉴定。结果:RT-PCR扩增获得650bp基因片段,经DNA序列分析证明所获得的DNA序列与文献报道的NKG2D序列一致。转染的CHO细胞在荧光显微镜下发出强绿色荧光,Westernblot分析显示重组蛋白能特异地与抗人NKG2D单克隆抗体结合;免疫组化检测显示,转染的CHO中有棕色颗粒,证明所构建的NKG2D真核表达载体可以在细胞中表达。结论:构建了人NKG2D的哺乳动物细胞表达载体,并成功地在CHO细胞中获得重组人NKG2D的表达。     

KIR2DS1-mediated activation overrides NKG2A-mediated inhibition in HLA-C C2-negative individuals

NK cell cytotoxicity is controlled through a balance of bothactivating and inhibitory signals. The HLA specificity of alloreactiveNK cells has been previously shown to be controlled by inhibitorykiller immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). Alloreactive NKcells lyse targets that lack the HLA ligand for their inhibitoryKIR. We have characterized in detail an alloreactive NK clonein which the specificity is controlled by an activating receptor,KIR2DS1. Only target cells expressing the HLA-C group 2 (C2)epitope were lysed by this clone and homozygous C2 targets werelysed more strongly than heterozygous C1/C2 targets. Anti-CD158a(KIR2DS1) blocked lysis of targets confirming KIR2DS1 was responsible.Although this NK clone expressed NKG2A, an inhibitory receptorwhose ligand is HLA-E, targets with ligands for both KIR2DS1and NKG2A were lysed by this clone indicating that the KIR2DS1-mediatedactivation signal overrides the NKG2A-mediated inhibitory signal.KIR2DS1 activated NK clones in polyclonally expanded NK culturesfrom a donor that lacked the C2 epitope accounted for 1% ofall NK cells. This study highlights a potential role for NKcells controlled by activating KIR in mediating NK alloreactivity.     

The human C-type lectin CLECSF8 is a novel monocyte/macrophage endocytic receptor

Cell surface lectin receptors play important roles in the function of macrophages. Herein, we have identified and characterized the human orthologue of the mouse Mcl/Clecsf8.Human CLECSF8 codes for a type II membrane glycoprotein of 215 amino acids that belongs to the human calcium-dependent lectin family (C-type lectin). The cytoplasmic tail of CLECSF8 lacks consensus signaling motifs and its extracellular region shows a single carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). The CLECSF8 gene has been localized on the telomeric region of the NK gene complex on chromosome 12p13 close to MINCLE. CLECSF8 mRNA shows a monocyte/macrophage expression pattern. Biochemical analysis of CLECSF8 on transiently transfected cells showed a glycoprotein of 30 kDa. Cross-linking of the receptor leads to a rapid internalization suggesting that CLECSF8 constitutes and endocytic receptor.