Src homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP-2) can play a direct role in the inhibitory function of killer cell Ig-like receptors in human NK cells

The inhibitory forms of killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR) are MHC class I-binding receptors that are expressed by human NK cells and prevent their attack of normal cells. Substantial evidence indicates that the mechanism of KIR-mediated inhibition involves recruitment of the protein tyrosine phosphatase, Src homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP)-1, to phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs). However, the functional significance of parallel recruitment of a SHP-1-related phosphatase, SHP-2, to KIR ITIMs has not been addressed. In the present study, our results with mutant forms of a classical KIR, KIR3DL1, show a direct correlation between SHP-2 recruitment and functional inhibition of target cell conjugation and cytotoxicity. In addition, KIR3DL1 inhibition of target cell cytotoxicity is blocked by overexpression of a dominant-negative form of SHP-2. Finally, KIR3DL1 fused directly with the catalytic domain of SHP-2 inhibits both target cell conjugation and cytotoxicity responses. These results strongly indicate that SHP-2 catalytic activity plays a direct role in inhibitory KIR functions, and SHP-2 inhibits NK cell activation in concert with SHP-1.     

Spatial organization of signal transduction molecules in the NK cell immune synapses during MHC class I-regulated noncytolytic and cytolytic interactions

The cytolytic activity of NK cells is tightly regulated by inhibitory receptors specific for MHC class I Ags. We have investigated the composition of signal transduction molecules in the supramolecular activation clusters in the MHC class I-regulated cytolytic and noncytolytic NK cell immune synapses. KIR2DL3-positive NK clones that are specifically inhibited in their cytotoxicity by HLA-Cw*0304 and polyclonal human NK cells were used for conjugate formation with target cells that are either protected or are susceptible to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Polarization of talin, microtubule-organizing center, and lysosomes occurred only during cytolytic interactions. The NK immune synapses were analyzed by three-dimensional immunofluorescence microscopy, which showed two distinctly different synaptic organizations in NK cells during cytolytic and noncytolytic interactions. The center of a cytolytic synapse with MHC class I-deficient target is comprised of a complex of signaling molecules including Src homology (SH)2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1). Closely related molecules with overlapping functions, such as the Syk kinases, SYK, and ZAP-70, and adaptor molecules, SH2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kDa and B cell linker protein, are expressed in activated NK cells and are all recruited to the center of the cytolytic synapse. In contrast, the noncytolytic synapse contains SHP-1, but is lacking other components of the central supramolecular activation cluster. These findings indicate a functional role for SHP-1 in both the cytolytic and noncytolytic interactions. We also demonstrate, in three-cell conjugates, that a single NK cell forms a cytolytic synapse with a susceptible target cell in the presence of both susceptible and nonsusceptible target cells.     

Association of supervillin with KIR2DL1 regulates the inhibitory signaling of natural killer cells

Inhibitory signaling is crucial in the regulation of the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells. Here, we show that KIR2DL1, an inhibitory receptor of NK cells, associates with supervillin, an F-actin binding protein. Interaction of supervillin with KIR2DL1 is dependent on the KIR2DL1 receptor stimulation and requires the phosphorylation of tyrosines in both ITIM motifs. “Knockdown” of expression of supervillin by RNA interference (RNAi) restores the KIR2DL1-suppressed cytotoxicity of NK cells. Inhibition of supervillin by RNAi also enhances the polarization of cytolytic granules (both granzyme B and perforin) to the synapse formed between YTS-GFP-KIR2DL1 NK cells and 721.221-HLA-Cw4 target cells. Further study reveals that supervillin is required for KIR2DL1-mediated inhibition of Vav1 and ERK phoshorylation. Moreover, we have found that binding of supervillin with KIR2DL1 facilitates the recruitment of SHPs especially SHP-2 to KIR2DL1 receptor. Thus, our findings demonstrate that supervillin is a novel molecule that associates with KIR2DL1 receptor and regulates the inhibitory signaling in NK cells.     

KIR2DL5 can inhibit human NK cell activation via recruitment of Src homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP-2)

Human NK cells use class I MHC-binding inhibitory receptors, such as the killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) family, to discriminate between normal and abnormal cells. Some tumors and virus-infected cells down-regulate class I MHC and thereby become targets of NK cells. Substantial evidence indicates that the mechanism of KIR-mediated inhibition involves recruitment of the protein tyrosine phosphatases, Src homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) and SHP-2, to two phosphorylated cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs). KIR2DL5 is a type II member of the KIR2D family with an atypical extracellular domain and an intracytoplasmic domain containing one typical ITIM and one atypical ITIM sequence. Although KIR2DL5 structure is expressed by approximately 50% of humans and is conserved among primate species, its function has not been determined. In the present study, we directly compared functional and biochemical properties of KIR2DL5, KIR3DL1 (a type I KIR with two ITIMs), and KIR2DL4 (the only other type II KIR, which has a single ITIM) in a human NK-like cell line. Our results show that KIR2DL5 is an inhibitory receptor that can recruit both SHP-1 and SHP-2, and its inhibitory capacity is more similar to that of the cytoplasmic domain of KIR2DL4 than KIR3DL1. Interestingly, inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity by KIR2DL5 was blocked by dominant-negative SHP-2, but not dominant-negative SHP-1, whereas both dominant-negative phosphatases can block inhibition by KIR3DL1. Therefore, the cytoplasmic domains of type II KIRs (2DL4 and 2DL5) exhibit distinct inhibitory capacities when compared with type I KIRs (3DL1), due to alterations in the canonical ITIM sequences.     

SHP-1- and phosphotyrosine-independent inhibitory signaling by a killer cell Ig-like receptor cytoplasmic domain in human NK cells

Killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR) are MHC class I-binding immunoreceptors that can suppress activation of human NK cells through recruitment of the Src homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) to two immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) in their cytoplasmic domains. KIR2DL4 (2DL4; CD158d) is a structurally distinct member of the KIR family, which is expressed on most, if not all, human NK cells. 2DL4 contains only one ITIM in its cytoplasmic domain and an arginine in its transmembrane region, suggesting both inhibitory and activating functions. While 2DL4 can activate IFN-gamma production, dependent upon the transmembrane arginine, the function of the single ITIM of 2DL4 remains unknown. In this study, tandem ITIMs of KIR3DL1 (3DL1) and the single ITIM of 2DL4 were directly compared in functional and biochemical assays. Using a retroviral transduction method, we show in human NK cell lines that 1) the single ITIM of 2DL4 efficiently inhibits natural cytotoxicity responses; 2) the phosphorylated single ITIM recruits SHP-2 protein tyrosine phosphatase, but not SHP-1 in NK cells; 3) expression of dominant-negative SHP-1 does not block the ability of 2DL4 to inhibit natural cytotoxicity; 4) surprisingly, mutation of the tyrosine within the single ITIM does not completely abolish inhibitory function; and 5) this correlates with weak SHP-2 binding to the mutant ITIM of 2DL4 in NK cells and a corresponding nonphosphorylated ITIM peptide in vitro. These results reveal new aspects of the KIR-inhibitory pathway in human NK cells, which are SHP-1 and phosphotyrosine independent.     

Cutting edge: differential segregation of the SRC homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 within the early NK cell immune synapse distinguishes noncytolytic from cytolytic interactions

Inhibitory NK receptors with ligand specificity for MHC class I recruit Src homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) phosphatase and prevent autocytotoxicity. Activation of SHP-1 depends upon Src kinase-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic domain of the inhibitory receptor. In this study we demonstrate, by quantitative temporal analysis, that talin, Lck, and SHP-1 are recruited to the synapse within 1 min in both cytolytic and noncytolytic conjugates. Polarization of talin and Lck rapidly disappears in the noncytolytic interactions but persists in cytolytic interactions, where protein kinase C-theta;, Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kDa, and lysosomes are recruited within 5 min. At 1 min SHP-1 clusters in the periphery of the cytolytic synapse, whereas it clusters in the center of the noncytolytic synapse. Lck has multifocal distribution in both synapses consistent with the shared requirement for early tyrosine phosphorylation. Our studies indicate that the spatial location of SHP-1 in the synapse distinguishes noncytolytic from cytolytic interactions within the first minute.     

KIR2DL4 (CD158d), an NK cell-activating receptor with inhibitory potential

KIR2DL4 (CD158d) is an unusual member of the killer cell Ig-like receptor family expressed in all NK cells and some T cells. KIR2DL4 activates the cytotoxicity of NK cells, despite the presence of an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) in its cytoplasmic tail. The role of this ITIM on the activating function of KIR2DL4, and whether it can provide inhibitory signals, is not known. Mutated forms of KIR2DL4 were engineered that lacked either the tyrosine in the ITIM or an arginine-tyrosine motif in the transmembrane region that is required for the activation signal. The activity of the mutated KIR2DL4 molecules was tested in a redirected lysis assay. The ITIM was not necessary for activation of lysis by KIR2DL4. The activation signal of KIR2DL4 was sensitive to inhibition by another ITIM-containing receptor. The activation-deficient mutant of KIR2DL4 inhibited the signal delivered by the activating receptor CD16. In pull-down experiments with GST fusion proteins, the tyrosine-phosphorylated cytoplasmic tail of KIR2DL4 bound the Src homology 2-containing phosphatases 1 and 2, as did the tail of the inhibitory receptor KIR2DL1. Therefore, KIR2DL4 has inhibitory potential in addition to its activating function.     

Vav1 dephosphorylation by the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 as a mechanism for inhibition of cellular cytotoxicity

Here, we present data suggesting a novel mechanism for regulation of natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity through inhibitory receptors. Interaction of activation receptors with their ligands on target cells induces cytotoxicity by NK cells. This activation is under negative control by inhibitory receptors that recruit tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 upon binding major histocompatibility class I on target cells. How SHP-1 blocks the activation pathway is not known. To identify SHP-1 substrates, an HLA-C-specific inhibitory receptor fused to a substrate-trapping mutant of SHP-1 was expressed in NK cells. Phosphorylated Vav1, a regulator of actin cytoskeleton, was the only protein detectably associated with the catalytic site of SHP-1 during NK cell contact with target cells expressing HLA-C. Vav1 trapping was independent of actin polymerization, suggesting that inhibition of cellular cytotoxicity occurs through an early dephosphorylation of Vav1 by SHP-1, which blocks actin-dependent activation signals. Such a mechanism explains how inhibitory receptors can block activating signals induced by different receptors.     

Functional polymorphism of the KIR3DL1/S1 receptor on human NK cells

NK cells express both inhibitory and activatory receptors that allow them to recognize target cells through HLA class I Ag expression. KIR3DL1 is a receptor that recognizes the HLA-Bw4 public epitope of HLA-B alleles. We demonstrate that polymorphism within the KIR3DL1 receptor has functional consequences in terms of NK cell recognition of target. Inhibitory alleles of KIR3DL1 differ in their ability to recognize HLA-Bw4 ligand, and a consistent hierarchy of ligand reactivity can be defined. KIR3DS1, which segregates as an allele of KIR3DL1, has a short cytoplasmic tail characteristic of activatory receptors. Because it is very similar to KIR3DL1 in the extracellular domains, it has been assumed that KIR3DS1 will recognize a HLA-Bw4 ligand. In this study, we demonstrate that KIR3DS1 is expressed as a protein at the cell surface of NK cells, where it is recognized by the Z27 Ab. Using this Ab, we found that KIR3DS1 is expressed on a higher percentage of NK cells in KIR3DS1 homozygous compared with heterozygous donors. In contrast to the inhibitory KIR3DL1 allotypes, KIR3DS1 did not recognize HLA-Bw4 on EBV-transformed cell lines.     

Cobalt-mediated dimerization of the human natural killer cell inhibitory receptor

Upon engagement of specific class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on target cells, inhibitory receptors on natural killer (NK) cells deliver a negative signal that prevents the target cell lysis by NK cells. In humans, killer cell immunoglobulin-related receptors (KIR) with two immunoglobulin-like domains (KIR2D) modulate the lysis of target cells bearing specific HLA-C alleles (Moretta, A., Vitale, M., Bottino, C., Orengo, A. M., Morelli, L., Augugliaro, R., Barbaresi, M., Ciccone, E., and Moretta, L. (1993) J. Exp. Med. 178, 597-604). The transduction of inhibitory signals by KIR2D molecules is impaired by the zinc chelator, 1,10-phenanthroline, and mutation of a putative zinc-binding site (Rajagopalan, S., and Long, E. O. (1998) J. Immunol. 161, 1299-1305), but the mechanism by which zinc may affect the function of KIR remains unknown. In this study, the inhibitory NK receptor KIR2DL1 was discovered to dimerize in the presence of Co(2+) as observed on native gel electrophoresis and by gel filtration column chromatography. Furthermore, Co(2+)-mediated KIR2DL1 dimer binds to HLA-Cw4 with higher affinity than the wild type KIR2DL1 monomer. Replacement of the amino-terminal His residue by Ala abolishes the ability of KIR2DL1 to bind Co(2+), indicating that Co(2+)-mediated KIR2DL1 dimerization involves pairing of the D1 domain. Although not observed on native gels, the inhibitory receptor KIR2DL1 can be chemically cross-linked into dimers in the presence of Zn(2+) and its related divalent metal ions, suggesting that Co(2+)-mediated dimerization of KIR2DL1 may mimic a weaker interaction between KIR2DL1 and zinc in vivo.     

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection is associated with increased NK cell polyfunctionality and higher levels of KIR3DL1+ NK cells in ugandans carrying the HLA-B Bw4 motif

Natural killer (NK) cells are important innate effector cells controlled by an array of activating and inhibitory receptors. Some alleles of the inhibitory killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor KIR3DL1 in combination with its HLA class I ligand Bw4 have been genetically associated with slower HIV-1 disease progression. Here, we observed that the presence of HLA-B Bw4 was associated with elevated frequencies of KIR3DL1(+) CD56(dim) NK cells in chronically HIV-1-infected individuals from the rural district of Kayunga, Uganda. In contrast, levels of KIR2DL1(+) CD56(dim) NK cells were decreased, and levels of KIR2DL3(+) CD56(dim) NK cells were unchanged in infected subjects carrying their respective HLA-C ligands. Furthermore, the size of the KIR3DL1(+) NK cell subset correlated directly with viral load, and this effect occurred only in HLA-B Bw4(+) patients, suggesting that these cells expand in response to viral replication but may have relatively poor antiviral capacity. In contrast, no association with viral load was present for KIR2DL1(+) and KIR2DL3(+) NK cells. Interestingly, chronic HIV-1 infection was associated with an increased polyfunctional response in the NK cell compartment, and, upon further investigation, KIR3DL1(+) CD56(dim) NK cells exhibited a significantly increased functional response in the patients carrying HLA-B Bw4. These results indicate that chronic HIV-1 infection is associated with increased NK cell polyfunctionality and elevated levels of KIR3DL1(+) NK cells in Ugandans carrying the HLA-B Bw4 motif.     

Spontaneous clustering and tyrosine phosphorylation of NK cell inhibitory receptor induced by ligand binding

Inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity by killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR) depends on phosphorylation of cytoplasmic tyrosines in KIR, which recruit tyrosine phosphatase Src homology protein tyrosine phosphatase 1. It is not clear how KIR, whose function lies downstream of a tyrosine kinase, succeeds in blocking proximal NK cell activation signals upon binding HLA class I on target cells. Here we show that mixing NK cells with insect cells expressing HLA-C was sufficient to induce clustering of KIR, and phosphorylation of KIR and SHP-1. Transient phosphorylation of KIR was detected in the presence of pervanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, at suboptimal concentration. Phosphorylation of KIR was specifically induced by ligand binding because it was detected only when HLA-C was loaded with a peptide that permits KIR binding. KIR phosphorylation was not dependent on ICAM-1-mediated adhesion and was not blocked by inhibition of actin polymerization, but required Zn(2+). Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between HLA-C molecules revealed close molecular interactions induced by KIR binding. These results demonstrate tight clustering of KIR and rapid KIR phosphorylation induced simply by binding to HLA-C. The unique property of KIR to become phosphorylated in the absence of adhesion and of actin cytoskeleton rearrangement explains how KIR can efficiently block early activation signals during NK-target cell contacts.     

Matched sizes of activating and inhibitory receptor/ligand pairs are required for optimal signal integration by human natural killer cells

It has been suggested that receptor-ligand complexes segregate or co-localise within immune synapses according to their size, and this is important for receptor signaling. Here, we set out to test the importance of receptor-ligand complex dimensions for immune surveillance of target cells by human Natural Killer (NK) cells. NK cell activation is regulated by integrating signals from activating receptors, such as NKG2D, and inhibitory receptors, such as KIR2DL1. Elongating the NKG2D ligand MICA reduced its ability to trigger NK cell activation. Conversely, elongation of KIR2DL1 ligand HLA-C reduced its ability to inhibit NK cells. Whereas normal-sized HLA-C was most effective at inhibiting activation by normal-length MICA, only elongated HLA-C could inhibit activation by elongated MICA. Moreover, HLA-C and MICA that were matched in size co-localised, whereas HLA-C and MICA that were different in size were segregated. These results demonstrate that receptor-ligand dimensions are important in NK cell recognition, and suggest that optimal integration of activating and inhibitory receptor signals requires the receptor-ligand complexes to have similar dimensions.     

Activation of NK cells by an endocytosed receptor for soluble HLA-G

Signaling from endosomes is emerging as a mechanism by which selected receptors provide sustained signals distinct from those generated at the plasma membrane. The activity of natural killer (NK) cells, which are important effectors of innate immunity and regulators of adaptive immunity, is controlled primarily by receptors that are at the cell surface. Here we show that cytokine secretion by resting human NK cells is induced by soluble, but not solid-phase, antibodies to the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) 2DL4, a receptor for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G. KIR2DL4 was constitutively internalized into Rab5-positive compartments via a dynamin-dependent process. Soluble HLA-G was endocytosed into KIR2DL4–containing compartments in NK cells and in 293T cells transfected with KIR2DL4. Chemokine secretion induced by KIR2DL4 transfection into 293T cells occurred only with recombinant forms of KIR2DL4 that trafficked to endosomes. The profile of genes up-regulated by KIR2DL4 engagement on resting NK cells revealed a proinflammatory/proangiogenic response. Soluble HLA-G induced secretion of a similar set of cytokines and chemokines. This unique stimulation of resting NK cells by soluble HLA-G, which is endocytosed by KIR2DL4, implies that NK cells may provide useful functions at sites of HLA-G expression, such as promotion of vascularization in maternal decidua during early pregnancy.     

Inhibitory signaling blocks activating receptor clustering and induces cytoskeletal retraction in natural killer cells

Natural killer (NK) lymphocytes use a variety of activating receptors to recognize and kill infected or tumorigenic cells during an innate immune response. To prevent targeting healthy tissue, NK cells also express numerous inhibitory receptors that signal through immunotyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs). Precisely how signals from competing activating and inhibitory receptors are integrated and resolved is not understood. To investigate how ITIM receptor signaling impinges on activating pathways, we developed a photochemical approach for stimulating the inhibitory receptor KIR2DL2 during ongoing NK cell-activating responses in high-resolution imaging experiments. Photostimulation of KIR2DL2 induces the rapid formation of inhibitory receptor microclusters in the plasma membrane and the simultaneous suppression of microclusters containing activating receptors. This is followed by the collapse of the peripheral actin cytoskeleton and retraction of the NK cell from the source of inhibitory stimulation. These results suggest a cell biological basis for ITIM receptor signaling and establish an experimental framework for analyzing it.     

Adhesion to target cells is disrupted by the killer cell inhibitory receptor

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) inhibit the cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells by recruitment of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 to immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) sequences in the KIR cytoplasmic tail [1]. The precise steps in the NK activation pathway that are inhibited by KIR are yet to be defined. Here, we have studied whether the initial step of adhesion molecule LFA-1-dependent adhesion to target cells was altered by the inhibitory signal. Using stable expression of an HLA-C-specific KIR in the NK cell line YTS [2] and a two-color flow cytometry assay for conjugate formation, we show that adhesion to a target cell expressing cognate HLA-C was disrupted by KIR engagement. Conjugate formation was abruptly interrupted by KIR within less than 5 minutes. Inhibition of adhesion to target cells was mediated by a chimeric KIR molecule carrying catalytically active SHP-1 in place of its cytoplasmic tail. These results suggest that other ITIM-bearing receptors, many of which have no known function, may regulate adhesion in a wide variety of cell types.     

SHP-1 Phosphatase Is a Critical Regulator in Preventing Natural Killer Cell Self-Killing

Balance of signals generated from the engaged activating and inhibitory surface receptors regulates mature NK cell activities. The inhibitory receptors signal through immunoreceptor tyrosine based inhibitory motifs (ITIM), and recruit phosphatases such as SHP-1 to inhibit NK cell activation. To directly examine the importance of SHP-1 in regulating activities and cell fate of mature NK cells, we used our established lentiviral-based engineering protocol to knock down the SHP-1 protein expression in primary C57BL/6NCrl cells. Gene silencing of the SHP-1 in primary NK cells abrogated the ability of ITIM-containing NK inhibitory receptors to suppress the activation signals induced by NK1.1 activating receptors. We followed the fates of stably transduced SHP-1 silenced primary NK cells over a longer period of time in IL-2 containing cultures. We observed an impaired IL-2 induced proliferation in the SHP-1 knockdown NK cells. More interestingly, these "de-regulated" SHP-1 knockdown NK cells mediated specific self-killing in a real-time live cell microscopic imaging system we developed to study NK cell cytotoxicity in vitro. Selective target recognition of the SHP-1 knockdown NK cells revealed also possible involvement of the SHP-1 phosphatase in regulating other NK functions in mature NK cells.     

Quantity of HLA-C surface expression and licensing of KIR2DL+ natural killer cells

Natural killer (NK) cells require interaction of inhibitory surface receptors with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands during development to acquire functional competence in a process termed "licensing." The quantity of HLA required for this process is unknown. Two polymorphisms affecting HLA-C surface expression (rs9264942 and rs67384697) have recently been identified, and shown to influence progression of HIV infection. We typed a cohort of healthy donors for the two HLA-C-related polymorphisms, KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL3, and their respective HLA-C ligands and analyzed how HLA ligands influenced licensing status of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)+ NK cells in terms of degranulation and cytokine production in response to HLA-deficient target cells. The presence of respective HLA class I ligands increased the function of KIR2DL1+ and KIR2DL3+ NK cells in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, neither of the HLA-C-related polymorphisms nor the quantity of cell surface HLA-C had any significant effect on NK cell function. Interestingly, HLA-Cw7-an HLA-C allele with low surface expression-licensed KIR2DL3+ NK cells more strongly than any other KIR2DL3 ligand. The quantity of cell surface HLA-C does not appear to influence licensing of NK cells, and the HLA-C-related polymorphisms presumably influence HIV progression through factors unrelated to NK cell education.     

Cutting edge: KIR2DL4 transduces signals into human NK cells through association with the Fc receptor gamma protein

KIR2DL4 (2DL4, CD158d), a member of the human killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) family, triggers potent IFN-gamma responses but weak cytotoxicity in resting NK cells. 2DL4 mRNA has been detected in most NK cell clones from most humans examined, but surface protein expression is detectable only on CD56(high) NK cells from certain donors. The receptor possesses a transmembrane arginine residue, suggesting association with a signaling accessory protein that has remained elusive. We provide biochemical and functional evidence that FcepsilonRI-gamma (gamma) associates with 2DL4 to promote surface expression and provide signal transducing function. Weak cytolytic responses triggered through 2DL4 may result from low stoichiometric association with gamma. Selective association with gamma distinguishes 2DL4 from all other activating forms of the KIR family, which alternatively associate with DNAX-activating protein (DAP)12.     

Analysis of binding of KIR3DS1*014 to HLA suggests distinct evolutionary history of KIR3DS1

NK cell activity is regulated by the integration of positive and negative signals. One important source of these signals for human NK cells is the killer Ig-like receptor (KIR) family, which includes both members that transduce positive and those that generate negative signals. KIR3DL1 inhibits NK cell activity upon engagement by its ligand HLA-Bw4. The highly homologous KIR3DS1 is an activating receptor, which is implicated in the outcome of a variety of pathological situations. However, unlike KIR3DL1, direct binding of KIR3DS1(+) cells to HLA has not been demonstrated. We analyzed four key amino acid differences between KIR3DL1*01502 and KIR3DS1*013 to determine their role in KIR binding to HLA. Single substitutions of these residues dramatically reduced binding by KIR3DL1. In the reciprocal experiment, we found that the rare KIR3DS1 allotype KIR3DS1*014 binds HLA-Bw4 even though it differs from KIR3DS1*013 at only one of these positions (position 138). This reactivity was unexpectedly dependent on residues at other variable positions, as HLA-Bw4 binding was lost in receptors with KIR3DL1-like residues at both positions 199 and 138. These data provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, for the direct binding of KIR3DS1(+) cells to HLA-Bw4 and highlight the key role for position 138 in determining ligand specificity of KIR3DS1. They also reveal that KIR3DS1 reactivity and specificity is dictated by complex interactions between the residues in this region, suggesting a unique functional evolution of KIR3DS1 within the activating KIR family.