title: Human NK cells: their ligands, receptors and functions.
abstract: The expression, or lack thereof, of class I MHC glycoproteins has a marked influence on natural killer cell function. Cells which do not express class I MHC molecules are susceptible to lysis by NK cells, and transfection of these targets with class I MHC genes can render these cells resistant to NK attack. This inhibition of NK-killing is mediated by a novel family of receptors expressed mainly on NK cells, but also found on some T-cells. The function of these class I MHC binding receptors when expressed on T-cells is discussed also and a novel co-stimulatory activity of NKAR described. Lastly, a novel mechanism by which human cytomegalovirus evades immune surveillance by NK cells is documented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reyburn
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mandelboim
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valés-Goméz
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Sheu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pazmany
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Strominger
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic