Human natural killer cell receptors and co-receptors

In the absence of sufficient signaling by their HLA class I-specific inhibi tory receptors, human natural killer (NK) cells become activated and displa y potent cytotoxicity against cells that are either HLA class I negative or deficient. This indicates that the NK receptors responsible for the induct ion of cytotoxicity recognize ligands on target cells different from HLA cl ass I molecules. On this basis, the process of NK-cell triggering can be co nsidered as a mainly non-NMC-restricted mechanism. The recent identificatio n of a group of NK-specific triggering surface molecules has allowed a firs t series of pioneering studies on the functional/molecular characteristics of such receptors. The first three members of a receptor family that has be en termed natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCR) are represented by NKp46, NK p44 and NKp30. These receptors are strictly confined to NK cells, and their engagement induces a strong activation of NK-mediated cytolysis. A direct correlation exists between the surface density of NCR and the ability of NK cells to kill various target cells. Importantly, mAb-mediated blocking of these receptors has been shown to suppress cytotoxicity against most NK-sus ceptible target cells. However, the process of NK-cell triggering during ta rget cell lysis may also depend on the concerted action of NCR and other tr iggering receptors, such as NKG2D, or surface molecules, including 2B4 and NKp80, that appear to function as co-receptors rather than as true receptor s. Notably, a dysfunction of 2B4 has been associated with a severe form of immunodeficiency termed X-linked lymphoproliferative disease. Future studie s will clarify whether also the altered expression and/or function of other NK-triggering molecules may represent a. possible cause of immunological d isorders.