title: HLA-C as a mediator of natural killer and T-cell activation: spectator or key player?
abstract: The biochemical properties of the HLA-C antigen differ substantially from those of HLA-A and -B molecules. For this reason, HLA-C diversity and expression at the cell surface are much lower than its counterparts and in consequence HLA-C-restricted responses have been infrequently detected and described. In this review we summarise the key differences between HLA-C and other class I molecules and provide an update on natural killer and T-cell responses restricted by HLA-C. We also discuss the different clinical settings associated with HLA-C alleles which mainly consist of autoimmune disorders, cancers and chronic infections.
authors.affiliation: MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Marie-Eve
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Blais
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rowland-Jones
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015236:HLA-C Antigens