Functional consequences of genetic polymorphism of the KIR3DL1/S1 receptor

Abstract

Natural Killer (NK) cells are crucial effector cells of the innate immune system that function to eliminate virally infected and transformed cells. The activation of these cells is controlled in part by the expression of cell surface receptors including inhibitory receptors specific for HLA antigens. Expression of these inhibitory receptors allow s NK cells to become activated in the event of down-regulation or loss of HLA expression, as occurs in some viral infections and transformation events. One important family of HLA -specific receptors are killer immunoglobulin like receptors (KIR). The 3DL1 member of the family is a highly polymorphic receptor that recognises a range of HLA-B allotypes that contain the Bw4 public epitope.