Critical Reviews™ in Immunology

ISSN for PRINT: 1040-8401

For Online Access

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2004, Volume24

Issue 5

92 pages

DOI: 10.1615/CritRevImmunol.v24.i5

Issue price - $132.00

Kevin P. Kane
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 6-60 Heritage Medical Research Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2S2

Kerry J. Lavender
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 6-60 Heritage Medical Research Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2S2

Brian J. Ma
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 6-60 Heritage Medical Research Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2S2

Ly-49 receptors are lectin-like type II transmembrane disulfide-bonded homodimers expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and some T-cell subsets. Cell-mediated cytotoxicity and release of cytokines/chemokines are functions regulated by Ly-49 recognition of class I major histocompatibility complex proteins (MHC-I) or virus-encoded MHC-like product(s). Here we examine diversity and conservation found within the Ly-49 gene family and explore the importance of polymorphism in Ly-49 receptor expression, specificity, and function. Several parallels are evident between Ly-49 receptors in rodents and killer Ig-related (KIR) receptors in humans, including receptor gene amplification and diversification, expression patterns, MHC-I specificity, shared signaling, and ultimate effects on NK-cell functions. These similarities suggest that insights gained in defining Ly-49 receptor functions in small animal models could have direct relevance to existing clinical challenges where there may be opportunities to manipulate human NK cells and KIR receptors for therapeutic benefit.

DOI: 10.1615/CritRevImmunol.v24.i5.20 Download article, 28 pages

Article price - $35.00

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