Surveillance of cell and tissue perturbation by receptors in the LRC.
The human leukocyte receptor complex (LRC) encompasses several sets of genes with a common evolutionary origin and which form a branch of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF). Comparisons of LRC genes both within and between species calls for a high degree of plasticity. The drive for this unprecedented level of variation is not known, but it relates in part to interaction of several LRC products with polymorphic human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. However, the range of other proposed ligands for LRC products indicates a dynamic set of receptors that have adapted to detect target molecules relating to numerous cellular pathways. Several receptors in the complex bind a molecular signature in collagenous ligands. Others detect a variety of motifs relating to pathogens in addition to cellular stress, attesting to the opportunistic versatility of LRC receptors.
Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
John
J
Trowsdale
Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Des C
DC
Jones
Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Alexander D
AD
Barrow
Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
James A
JA
Traherne
D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D008957:Models, Genetic; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D006680:HLA Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008024:Ligands; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic
cell activation; cell surface molecules; dendritic cells; major histocompatibility complex; monocytes/macrophages; natural killer cells