Cutting edge: identification of E-cadherin as a ligand for the murine killer cell lectin-like receptor G1.
The killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) is expressed by NK cells and by T cells. In both humans and mice, KLRG1 identifies Ag-experienced T cells that are impaired in their proliferative capacity but are capable of performing effector functions. In this study, we identified E-cadherin as a ligand for murine KLRG1 by using fluorescently labeled, soluble tetrameric complexes of the extracellular domain of the murine KLRG1 molecule as staining reagents in expression cloning. Ectopic expression of E-cadherin in B16.BL6 target cells did not affect cell-mediated lysis by lymphokine-activated NK cells and by CD8 T cells but inhibited Ag-induced proliferation and induction of cytolytic activity of CD8 T cells. E-cadherin is expressed by normal epithelial cells, Langerhans cells, and keratinocytes and is usually down-regulated on metastatic cancer cells. KLRG1 ligation by E-cadherin in healthy tissue may thus exert an inhibitory effect on primed T cells.
Gründemann
Carsten
C
Department of Immunology, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Bauer
Monika
M
Schweier
Oliver
O
von Oppen
Nanette
N
Lässing
Ute
U
Saudan
Philippe
P
Becker
Karl-Friedrich
KF
Karp
Klaus
K
Hanke
Thomas
T
Bachmann
Martin F
MF
Pircher
Hanspeter
H
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015979:Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008024:Ligands; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D000941:Antigens; D015820:Cadherins; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; C451496:Klrg1 protein, mouse; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008024:Ligands; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic