title: 2B4-mediated activation of human natural killer cells.
abstract: 2B4 is a member of the CD2 subset of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell surface receptors. Other members of this family include CD2, CD48, CD58, CD84, signaling lymphocytic activation molecule and Ly-9. Some of these molecules are activating structures expressed by natural killer cells and T cells. We have recently cloned and characterised the human homologue of 2B4 and found that the cytoplasmic domain of 2B4 can interact with SAP, a signaling adaptor protein that is mutated in the immunodeficiency X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP). Additionally, the natural ligand of 2B4 has been identified as CD48. These findings have facilitated the investigation of the functional role of this receptor-ligand pair, and associated signal transduction pathways, on immune cells. In this study, it was found that the interaction between 2B4 on effector cells and CD48 on target cells induced NK-cell activation, as evidenced by increased cytotoxicity and secretion of IFN-gamma. The responses induced by ligation of 2B4 could be reduced by the co-ligation of inhibitory receptors expressed by NK cells, demonstrating that activation signals delivered via 2B4 can be regulated by the action of certain inhibitory receptors. Because the signalling pathway of 2B4 involves SAP, it is possible that 2B4-mediated NK-cell activation may be compromised in patients with XLP due to mutations in SAP. This may contribute to the phenotype and progression of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Centenary Institute for Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Immune Relation Group, University of Sydney, Locked Bag #6, Newtown, NSW 2042, Sydney, Australia. s.tangye@centenary.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Tangye
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cherwinski
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Lanier
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D000071178:CD48 Antigen; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008024:Ligands; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D051920:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D000071176:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; C084093:CD244 protein, human; D000071178:CD48 Antigen; C000604065:CD48 protein, human; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D051920:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D000071176:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family; D007371:Interferon-gamma