Clinical Significance of the HLA-E and CD94/NKG2 Interaction

HLA-E belongs to the non-classical HLA (class Ib family) broadly defined by a limited polymorphism and a restricted pattern of cellular expression. So far, only two functional alleles differing at only one amino acid position (non-synonymous mutation) in the α2 heavy chain domain, where an arginine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis 2011-10, Vol.59 (5), p.353-367
Main Authors: Iwaszko, Milena, Bogunia-Kubik, Katarzyna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antigen Presentation - immunology
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Cytomegalovirus - immunology
Female
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation - adverse effects
Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - genetics
Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - immunology
HLA-E Antigens
Humans
Immunology
Killer Cells, Natural - immunology
Mice
Mice, Transgenic
Models, Biological
NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C - genetics
NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C - immunology
Pharmacology/Toxicology
Polymorphism, Genetic - genetics
Pregnancy
Protein Binding
Review
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Summary:HLA-E belongs to the non-classical HLA (class Ib family) broadly defined by a limited polymorphism and a restricted pattern of cellular expression. So far, only two functional alleles differing at only one amino acid position (non-synonymous mutation) in the α2 heavy chain domain, where an arginine in position 107 in HLA-E*0101 is replaced by a glycine in HLA-E*0103, have been reported. The interaction between non-classical HLA-E molecule and CD94/NKG2A receptor plays a crucial role in the immunological response involving natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. All proteins forming CD94/NKG2 receptors are encoded by genes situated in the same cluster on chromosome 12, allowing tight control over the order of their expression. The inhibitory members of the NKG2 receptor family are available on the cell surface before activating the members to prevent autoimmune incidents during immune cells’ ontogenesis. In the present review, the potential role of this interaction in viral infection, pregnancy and transplantation of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) is presented and discussed. The review will also include the effect of HLA-E polymorphism on the outcome of HSC transplants in humans.
ISSN:0004-069X
1661-4917
DOI:10.1007/s00005-011-0137-y