CLASS I-LIKE CD1A-C DO NOT PROTECT TARGET-CELLS FROM NK-MEDIATED CYTOLYSIS

Previous studies have validated the capacity of classical (HLA-A,B,C) and nonclassical (HLA-G) MHC class I antigens expressed by target cell s to influence natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytolysis. Generally, elevated expression of these HLA class I molecules is correlated with enhanced resistance to lysis by NR cells. In this study, we have eval uated the effect of transfected class I-like CD1A, CD1B, and CD1C mole cules on C1R (HLA-A,B null) target cell sensitivity to natural killing . We report that while each of these molecules was expressed at physio logically relevant levels on the cell surface of clonal transfectants, no change was observed in target cell susceptibility to fresh or lymp hokine-activated NK-mediated lysis. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.