The novel inhibitory NKR-P1C receptor and Ly49s3 identify two complementary, functionally distinct NK cell subsets in rats.
The proximal region of the NK gene complex encodes the NKR-P1 family of killer cell lectin-like receptors which in mice bind members of the genetically linked C-type lectin-related family, while the distal region encodes Ly49 receptors for polymorphic MHC class I molecules. Although certain members of the NKR-P1 family are expressed by all NK cells, we have identified a novel inhibitory rat NKR-P1 molecule termed NKR-P1C that is selectively expressed by a Ly49-negative NK subset with unique functional characteristics. NKR-P1C(+) NK cells efficiently lyse certain tumor target cells, secrete cytokines upon stimulation, and functionally recognize a nonpolymorphic ligand on Con A-activated lymphoblasts. However, they specifically fail to kill MHC-mismatched lymphoblast target cells. The NKR-P1C(+) NK cell subset also appears earlier during development and shows a tissue distribution distinct from its complementary Ly49s3(+) subset, which expresses a wide range of Ly49 receptors. These data suggest the existence of two major, functionally distinct populations of rat NK cells possessing very different killer cell lectin-like receptor repertoires.
Department of Anatomy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway;
Lise
L
Kveberg
Camilla J
CJ
Bäck
Ke-Zheng
KZ
Dai
Marit
M
Inngjerdingen
Bent
B
Rolstad
James C
JC
Ryan
John T
JT
Vaage
Christian
C
Naper
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D010802:Phylogeny; D051381:Rats; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013997:Time Factors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D016207:Cytokines; C527203:KLRB1 protein, human; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008024:Ligands; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D003208:Concanavalin A