title: Ly-49 receptors and their functions.
abstract: Ly-49 receptors are lectin-like type II transmembrane disulfide-bonded homodimers expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and some T-cell subsets. Cell-mediated cytotoxicity and release of cytokines/chemokines are functions regulated by Ly-49 recognition of class I major histocompatibility complex proteins (MHC-I) or virus-encoded MHC-like product(s). Here we examine diversity and conservation found within the Ly-49 gene family and explore the importance of polymorphism in Ly-49 receptor expression, specificity, and function. Several parallels are evident between Ly-49 receptors in rodents and killer Ig-related (KIR) receptors in humans, including receptor gene amplification and diversification, expression patterns, MHC-I specificity, shared signaling, and ultimate effects on NK-cell functions. These similarities suggest that insights gained in defining Ly-49 receptor functions in small animal models could have direct relevance to existing clinical challenges where there may be opportunities to manipulate human NK cells and KIR receptors for therapeutic benefit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 6-60 Heritage Medical Research Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. kevin.kane@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Kevin P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: Kerry J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lavender
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000276:immunology; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D051381:Rats; D055630:Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018949:Antigens, CD1; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D000950:Antigens, Ly; C526877:CD1D protein, human; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008024:Ligands; D055630:Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like