title: Expression patterns of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) of NK-cell and T-cell subsets in Old World monkeys.
abstract: The expression of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) on lymphocytes of rhesus macaques and other Old World monkeys was unknown so far. We used our recently established monoclonal anti-rhesus macaque KIR antibodies in multicolour flow cytometry for phenotypic characterization of KIR protein expression on natural killer (NK) cells and T cell subsets of rhesus macaques, cynomolgus macaques, hamadryas baboons, and African green monkeys. Similar to human KIR, we found clonal expression patterns of KIR on NK and T cell subsets in rhesus macaques and differences between individuals using pan-KIR3D antibody 1C7 and antibodies specific for single KIR. Similar results were obtained with lymphocytes from the other studied species. Notably, African green monkeys show only a low frequency of KIR3D expressed on CD8+ αβT cells. Contrasting human NK cells are KIR-positive CD56bright NK cells and frequencies of KIR-expressing NK cells that are independent of the presence of their cognate MHC class I ligands in rhesus macaques. Interestingly, the frequency of KIR-expressing cells and the expression strength of KIR3D are correlated in γδ T cells of rhesus macaques and CD8+ αβT cells of baboons.
authors.affiliation: Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Meike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hermes
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schrod
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brameier
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Walter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002520:Cercopithecidae / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008024:Ligands; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008024:Ligands; D054340:Receptors, KIR