Abstract
Stress-inducible MICA, a distant homolog of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, functions as an antigen for gammadelta T cells and is frequently expressed in epithelial tumors. A receptor for MICA was detected on most gammadelta T cells, CD8+ alphabeta T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells and was identified as NKG2D. Effector cells from all these subsets could be stimulated by ligation of NKG2D. Engagement of NKG2D activated cytolytic responses of gammadelta T cells and NK cells against transfectants and epithelial tumor cells expressing MICA. These results define an activating immunoreceptor-MHC ligand interaction that may promote antitumor NK and T cell responses.
Publication types
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Comment
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
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Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology*
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Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism
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Humans
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Jurkat Cells
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Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
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Ligands
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Lymphocyte Activation*
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Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism
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NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / immunology
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Receptors, Immunologic / chemistry
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Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
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Receptors, Immunologic / immunology*
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Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism
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Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
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Signal Transduction
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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Transfection
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Tumor Cells, Cultured
Substances
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HCST protein, human
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Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
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KLRK1 protein, human
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Ligands
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MHC class I-related chain A
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Membrane Proteins
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NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
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Receptors, Immunologic
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Receptors, Natural Killer Cell