Molecular basis of the dual functions of 2B4 (CD244).
2B4 belongs to the CD2 family of molecules and is expressed on all NK, gammadelta, and memory CD8(+) (alphabeta) T cells. The murine NK receptor 2B4 exhibits both inhibitory and activating functions, whereas human 2B4 has been reported to be an activating molecule. How murine 2B4 can act both as an activating and inhibitory receptor and what distinguishes its function from human 2B4 have remained largely unknown. We use here a model system that allows the study of human and murine 2B4 under identical and controlled conditions. These studies reveal that both human and mouse 2B4 can activate or inhibit NK cells. We show here that the level of 2B4 expression and the degree of 2B4 cross-linking play a significant role in the regulation of signaling lymphocyte activation molecule-associated protein-mediated activation by 2B4. A high level of 2B4 expression, heavy cross-linking, and relative paucity of signaling lymphocyte activation molecule-associated protein promote inhibitory function. Our studies demonstrate how a single receptor can have opposing function depending on the degree of receptor expression, extent of its ligation, and the relative abundance of certain adaptor molecules. Because the levels of 2B4 and CD48 are dynamically regulated, these findings have implications for the regulation of NK cell function.
Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. lchlewicki@sciencetrader.com
Lukasz K
LK
Chlewicki
C Alejandro
CA
Velikovsky
Vamsi
V
Balakrishnan
Roy A
RA
Mariuzza
Vinay
V
Kumar
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000071178:CD48 Antigen; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D006825:Hybridomas; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015979:Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000071179:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Associated Protein; D000071176:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family
D015703:Antigens, CD; C084093:CD244 protein, human; D000071178:CD48 Antigen; C000604065:CD48 protein, human; C490007:Cd244a protein, mouse; C000604066:Cd48 protein, mouse; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; C499569:Sh2d1a protein, mouse; D000071179:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Associated Protein; D000071176:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family