The non-classical HLA class I molecule HFE does not influence the NK-like activity contained in fresh human PBMCs and does not interact with NK cells.
In humans, four beta2-microglobulin-associated non-classical class I molecules are encoded in the MHC: HLA-E, -F, -G and -H. Three of them (HLA-E, -F and -G) were shown to inhibit NK activity. On the contrary, the fourth one, HLA-H, named HFE after it was found to be mutated in patients suffering from inherited hemochromatosis, has been shown to be involved only in the regulation of iron uptake. We tested the capacity of HFE to affect (enhance or reduce) specifically the NK activity contained in non-manipulated fresh human PBMCs. We showed that HFE expression by target cells does not affect their killing by the NK-like activity contained in PBMCs. Moreover, using fluorescent HFE tetramers, we could confirm that blood NK cells as well as blood gammadelta T cells do not bind HFE. Altogether, our data indicate that HFE does not affect the NK activity contained in the PBMCs.
Pascolo
Steve
S
Department of Immunology, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. steve.pascolo@uni-tuebingen.de
Ginhoux
Florent
F
Laham
Nihay
N
Walter
Steffen
S
Schoor
Oliver
O
Probst
Jochen
J
Rohrlich
Pierre
P
Obermayr
Florian
F
Fisch
Paul
P
Danos
Olivier
O
Ehrlich
Rachel
R
Lemonnier
Francois A
FA
Rammensee
Hans-Georg
HG
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D014162:Transfection
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; C068126:CD71 antigen; C103673:HFE protein, human; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; C499535:Hfe protein, mouse; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin