title: Molecular basis of human natural killer cell recognition of HLA-E (human leucocyte antigen-E) and its relevance to clearance of pathogen-infected and tumour cells.
abstract: HLA-E (human leucocyte antigen-E) is a conserved class I major histocompatibility molecule which has only limited polymorphism. It binds to the leader peptide derived from the polymorphic classical major histocompatibility molecules HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C. This peptide binding is highly specific and stabilizes the HLA-E protein, allowing it to migrate to the cell surface. A functioning TAP (transporter associated with antigen processing) molecule is required to transport these peptides into the endoplasmic reticulum, where they can interact with HLA-E. HLA-E then migrates to the cell surface, where it interacts with CD94/NKG2A receptors on natural killer cells. This interaction inhibits natural killer cell-mediated lysis of a cell displaying HLA-E. If the leader peptide is not present in the endoplasmic reticulum, HLA-E is unstable and is degraded before it reaches the cell surface. In damaged cells, such as virally infected or tumour cells, down-regulation of HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C production or inhibition of TAP prevents stabilization of HLA-E by the leader peptide. Under these circumstances, HLA-E does not reach the cell surface and the cell is then vulnerable to lysis by natural killer cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying this function of HLA-E have been revealed by crystallographic studies of the structure of HLA-E.
authors.affiliation: MRC Human Immunology Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK. chrisoc@itsa.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: O'Callaghan
mesh_terms: D003461:Crystallography; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D055654:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D011485:Protein Binding; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell; D000097625:HLA-E Antigens
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D055654:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell; D000097625:HLA-E Antigens; C527054:KLRC1 protein, human