NK3-SPECIFIC NATURAL-KILLER-CELLS ARE SELECTIVELY INHIBITED BY BW4-POSITIVE HLA ALLELES WITH ISOLEUCINE-80

Natural killer (NK) cell clones have been previously described which a re inhibited by HLA-C alleles with Asn77-Lys80 (NK1-specific cells) or by HLA-C alleles with Ser77-Asn80 (NK2-specific cells). In the presen t work, the generation of NK cells with HLA-B-related specificities wa s attempted by stimulation of a Bw4 homozygous responder by a Bw6 homo zygous donor. Two NK clones were found, which were inhibited by HLA-Bw 4 (but not by HLA-Bw6) allotypes and by some HLA-A allotypes that shar e the Bw4 public epitope. Inhibition of NK cell-mediated lysis strongl y correlated with the presence of an Ile residue at position 80 of the protective allele. These NK cell clones define a new specificity term ed NK3.