A. Bouchon et al., Cutting edge: Activation of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity by a SAP-independent receptor of the CD2 family, J IMMUNOL, 167(10), 2001, pp. 5517-5521
Some CD2 family receptors stimulate NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity through a
signaling pathway, which is dependent on the recruitment of an adapter pro
tein called SLAM-associated protein (SAP). In this work we identify a novel
leukocyte cell surface receptor of the CD2 family called CD2-like receptor
activating cytotoxic cells (CRACC). CRACC is expressed on cytotoxic lympho
cytes, activated B cells, and mature dendritic cells, and activates NK cell
-mediated cytotoxicity. Remarkably, although CRACC displays cytoplasmic mot
ifs similar to those recruiting SAP, CRACC-mediated cytotoxicity occurs in
the absence of SAP and requires activation of extracellular signal-regulate
d kinases-1/2. Thus, CRACC is a unique CD2-like receptor which mediates NK
cell activation through a SAP-independent extracellular signal-regulated ki
nase-mediated pathway.