title: Regulation of KIR expression in human T cells: a safety mechanism that may impair protective T-cell responses.
abstract: Killer-cell inhibitory Receptors (KIRs) are a new family of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-specific receptors. KIRs allow natural killer cells to identify and lyse self cells that do not express sufficient amounts of MHC class I molecules. Here, Maria Cristina Mingari and colleagues view the expression of KIRs by cytolytic T lymphocytes and their regulation by certain cytokines as a double-edged sword.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Oncologia Clinica e Sperimentale, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mingari
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moretta
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moretta
mesh_terms: D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D054340:Receptors, KIR