Abstract
Apart from NK cells, TCRgammadelta and CD8+ T cells, killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) expression was described on a minor subset of CD4+ T cells. However, their functions remain to be elucidated in this latter lymphocyte population. We demonstrated that KIR2DL2/L3 (CD158b) and KIR2DS2 (CD158j) transcripts were synthesized by sorted CD4+CD158b/j+ T cells obtained from healthy individuals. In contrast, we observed that only the inhibitory or activating receptor was expressed at the cell surface according to the donor tested. In CD158b-expressing cells, KIR triggering leads to an inhibition of the CD3-induced cell proliferation and Erk activation, and the receptor exhibits an activation-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation and association with the Src homology 2-containing phosphatase 1. In CD158j-positive cells, KIR-engagement results in an enhanced CD3-mediated cell growth and Erk phosphorylation. Our results suggested that, in contrast to NK cells, the functions of KIR in CD4+ T lymphocytes might derive from a selective expression of their activating or inhibiting forms.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / physiology
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Antigens, Surface / biosynthesis
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Antigens, Surface / immunology
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Antigens, Surface / physiology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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Cell Membrane / immunology
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Cell Membrane / metabolism
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Cell Proliferation
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Cells, Cultured
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Humans
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Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
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Protein Isoforms / biosynthesis
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Protein Isoforms / immunology
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Protein Isoforms / physiology
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Receptors, KIR / biosynthesis*
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Receptors, KIR / physiology
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Receptors, KIR2DL2 / biosynthesis*
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Receptors, KIR2DL2 / blood
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Receptors, KIR2DL2 / physiology
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Receptors, KIR2DL3 / biosynthesis*
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Receptors, KIR2DL3 / blood*
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Receptors, KIR2DL3 / physiology
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Signal Transduction / immunology
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism*
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antigens, Surface
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KIR2DL2 protein, human
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KIR2DL3 protein, human
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KIR2DS2 protein, human
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Protein Isoforms
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Receptors, KIR
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Receptors, KIR2DL2
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Receptors, KIR2DL3