Cutting edge: Functional requirement for SAP in 2B4-mediated activation ofhuman natural killer cells as revealed by the X-linked lymphoproliferativesyndrome

X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP) is an immunodeficiency characte rized by life-threatening infectious mononucleosis and EBV-induced B cell l ymphoma. The gene mutated in XLP encodes SLAM (signaling lymphocytic activa tion molecule-associated protein)-associated protein (SAP), a small SH2 dom ain-containing protein. SAP associates with 2B4 and SLAM, activating recept ors expressed by NK and T cells, and prevents recruitment of SH2 domain-con taining protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 SHP-2) to the cytoplasmic domains of these receptors, The phenotype of XLP may therefore result from perturbed signaling through SAP-associating receptors, We have addressed the function al consequence of SAP deficiency on 2B4-mediated NK cell activation. Ligati ng 2B4 on normal human NK cells with anti-2B4 mAb or interaction with trans fectants bearing the 2B4 Ligand CD48 induced NK tell cytotoxicity, In contr ast, ligation of 2B4 on NK cells from a SAP-deficient XLP patient failed to initiate cytotoxicity. Despite this, CD2 or CD16-induced cytotoxicity of S AP-deficient NK tells was similar to that of normal NK cells, Thus, selecti ve impairment of 2B4-mediated NK cell activation may contribute to the immu nopathology of XLP.