NK cell recognition and killing of melanoma cells is controlled by multiple activating receptor-ligand interactions.

Abstract

The role of natural killer (NK) cells in tumor immunosurveillance has been recently underlined. A better understanding of the receptor-ligand interactions between NK cells and solid tumor cells is essential for introducing more effective NK cell-based immunotherapy protocols into clinical practice. We previously analyzed the surface expression of ligands for NK cell-activating receptors and costimulatory molecules in a large panel of melanoma cell lines. Although the expression of ligands for NK cell-activating receptors is variable, the majority of melanoma cell lines express ligands for NKG2D and for DNAX accessory molecule-1 (DNAM-1). While the NKG2D receptor has been described as the principal entity responsible for the lysis of several melanoma cell lines, the role of natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) and DNAM-1 receptors in NK cell recognition and killing of melanoma cells has been recently emphasized. Antibody-mediated masking of NKG2D, NCRs, and DNAM-1 has proven that NKG2D, NCRs, and DNAM-1 frequently cooperate in the lysis of melanoma cells. In this work, we provide an overview of recent advances in the study of melanoma cells' susceptibility to NK cell-mediated lysis and how multiple receptor-ligand interactions participate in melanoma cell elimination.

• Authors: Sara Morgado, Beatriz Sanchez-Correa, Javier G Casado, Esther Duran, Inmaculada Gayoso, Fernando Labella, Rafael Solana, Raquel Tarazona
• Journal: Journal of innate immunity (J Innate Immun) Vol. 3 Issue 4 Pg. 365-73 ( 2011) ISSN: 1662-8128 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 21576932 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
• CD226 antigen
• KLRK1 protein, human
• Ligands
• NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
• Receptors, Natural Killer Cell

Topics

• Animals
• Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte (metabolism)
• Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
• Humans
• Killer Cells, Natural (immunology, metabolism)
• Ligands
• Melanoma (immunology, metabolism, pathology)
• Mice
• NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K (metabolism)
• Receptors, Natural Killer Cell (metabolism)