Inhibition of natural killer cells through engagement of CD81 by the major hepatitis C virus envelope protein.
The immune response against hepatitis C virus (HCV) is rarely effective at clearing the virus, resulting in approximately 170 million chronic HCV infections worldwide. Here we report that ligation of an HCV receptor (CD81) inhibits natural killer (NK) cells. Cross-linking of CD81 by the major envelope protein of HCV (HCV-E2) or anti-CD81 antibodies blocks NK cell activation, cytokine production, cytotoxic granule release, and proliferation. This inhibitory effect was observed using both activated and resting NK cells. Conversely, on NK-like T cell clones, including those expressing NK cell inhibitory receptors, CD81 ligation delivered a costimulatory signal. Engagement of CD81 on NK cells blocks tyrosine phosphorylation through a mechanism which is distinct from the negative signaling pathways associated with NK cell inhibitory receptors for major histocompatibility complex class I. These results implicate HCV-E2-mediated inhibition of NK cells as an efficient HCV evasion strategy targeting the early antiviral activities of NK cells and allowing the virus to establish itself as a chronic infection.
Crotta
Stefania
S
IRIS, Department of Immunology, Chiron S.p.A., 53100 Siena, Italy.
Stilla
Annalisa
A
Wack
Andreas
A
D'Andrea
Annalisa
A
Nuti
Sandra
S
D'Oro
Ugo
U
Mosca
Marta
M
Filliponi
Franco
F
Brunetto
R Maurizia
RM
Bonino
Ferruccio
F
Abrignani
Sergio
S
Valiante
Nicholas M
NM
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007152:Immunologic Capping; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000276:immunology; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D060225:Tetraspanin 28; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; C554798:CD81 protein, human; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D060225:Tetraspanin 28; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C091015:glycoprotein E2, Hepatitis C virus; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases