Innate immunity to cytomegalovirus: the Cmv1 locus and its role in natural killer cell function.
The identification and characterization of genetic loci that contribute to patterns of susceptibility/resistance to infection provide important insights into the mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity. Genetic heterogeneity across the population makes the characterization of such traits in humans technically difficult; however, inbred animal models represent an ideal tool for such analyses. This review illustrates the power of mouse genetics as utilized for the identification and characterization of the locus conferring early resistance to murine cytomegalovirus infection, Cmv1. This locus encodes an activating C-type lectin receptor of the Ly49 family that promotes natural killer (NK) cell cytolysis of infected cells. Although NK cells are usually able to detect and destroy virally infected cells via recognition of the downregulation of MHC class I molecules, the Cmv1 locus provides the first example of an NK receptor that is able to mediate clearance of viral infection via direct recognition of a virally encoded protein.
Lee
Seung Hwan
SH
Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, room 4207, 451 Smyth Road, Ont., K1H 8M5, Ottawa, Canada.
Webb
John R
JR
Vidal
Silvia M
SM
D000818:Animals; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000378:metabolism; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007125:Immunogenetics; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D055650:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily A; D055630:Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like
D000950:Antigens, Ly; C527096:Klra8 protein, mouse; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D055650:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily A; D055630:Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like