NK3-specific natural killer cells are selectively inhibited by Bw4-positive HLA alleles with isoleucine 80.
Natural killer (NK) cell clones have been previously described which are inhibited by HLA-C alleles with Asn77-Lys80 (NK1-specific cells) or by HLA-C alleles with Ser77-Asn80 (NK2-specific cells). In the present work, the generation of NK cells with HLA-B-related specificities was attempted by stimulation of a Bw4 homozygous responder by a Bw6 homozygous donor. Two NK clones were found, which were inhibited by HLA-Bw4 (but not by HLA-Bw6) allotypes and by some HLA-A allotypes that share the Bw4 public epitope. Inhibition of NK cell-mediated lysis strongly correlated with the presence of an Ile residue at position 80 of the protective allele. These NK cell clones define a new specificity termed NK3.
Cella
M
M
Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy.
Longo
A
A
Ferrara
G B
GB
Strominger
J L
JL
Colonna
M
M
D000483:Alleles; D001483:Base Sequence; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007532:Isoleucine; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D015235:HLA-B Antigens; C042388:HLA-Bw4 antigen; D007532:Isoleucine