Tetrameric complexes of HLA-E, HLA-F, and HLA-G

• Published in: Journal of Immunological Methods 2002-10, Vol.268 (1), p.43-50
• Main Authors: Allan, David S.J, Lepin, Eric J.M, Braud, Veronique M, O'Callaghan, Christopher A, McMichael, Andrew J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Antigens, CD - metabolism; Base Sequence; Biochemistry, Molecular Biology; CD94; DNA, Recombinant - genetics; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - chemistry; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - genetics; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - metabolism; HLA Antigens - chemistry; HLA Antigens - genetics; HLA Antigens - metabolism; HLA-E; HLA-E Antigens; HLA-F; HLA-G; HLA-G Antigens; Humans; ILT; Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptor B1; Life Sciences; LIR; Membrane Glycoproteins; Molecular Sequence Data; Monocytes - immunology; Nonclassical MHC class Ib; Protein Folding; Protein Structure, Quaternary; Receptors, Immunologic - metabolism; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - chemistry; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - genetics; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Tetramer
• ISSN: 0022-1759; 1872-7905
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-1759(02)00199-0

HLA-E, HLA-F, and HLA-G are human nonclassical MHC class Ib molecules. To study the function and identify potential ligands of these molecules, we constructed tetrameric complexes. In this brief review, we discuss the methods used to produce such tetramers and the interesting results they provided. HLA-E tetramers bound to natural killer (NK) cells and T cells, allowing the identification of CD94/NKG2 molecules as receptors for HLA-E. HLA-G tetramers interacted with immunoglobulin-like transcript-2 (ILT2) and ILT4 receptors, aiding the understanding of HLA-G function during pregnancy. Tetrameric complexes of HLA-F also bound to ILT2 and ILT4.