Protection from natural killer cell-mediated lysis by HLA-G expression on target cells.
The outermost layer of the human placenta is devoid of classical class I human leukocyte antigens (HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C) and class II proteins (HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DP). Although this prevents recognition by maternal T lymphocytes, the lack of class I molecules leaves these cells susceptible to attack by natural killer (NK) cells. However, trophoblast cells directly in contact with the maternal tissues express the class I molecule HLA-G, which may be involved in protecting the trophoblast from recognition by NK cells. Here evidence is provided that expression of HLA-G is sufficient to protect otherwise susceptible target cells from lysis by activated NK1 and NK2 cell lines and clones that are specific for distinct groups of HLA-C alleles. The receptors on NK cells that recognize HLA-G are also identified.
Pazmany
L
L
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
Mandelboim
O
O
Valés-Gómez
M
M
Davis
D M
DM
Reyburn
H T
HT
Strominger
J L
JL
D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D002460:Cell Line; D002999:Clone Cells; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000502:physiology; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D019002:CD56 Antigen; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D054340:Receptors, KIR; C098698:p70 natural killer cell receptor