Natural killer group 2D receptor and its ligands in cancer immune escape.

Abstract

The immune system plays important roles in tumor development. According to the immune-editing theory, immune escape is the key to tumor survival, and exploring the mechanisms of tumor immune escape can provide a new basis for the treatment of tumors. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) receptor and NKG2D ligand (NKG2DL) in tumor immune responses.Natural killer (NK) cells are important cytotoxic cells in the immune system, and the activated NKG2D receptor on the NK cell surface can bind to NKG2DL expressed in tumor cells, enabling NK cells to activate and kill tumor cells. However, tumors can escape the immune clearance mediated by NKG2D receptor/NKG2DL through various mechanisms. The expression of NKG2D receptor on NK cells can be regulated by cells, molecules, and hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment. Tumor cells regulate the expression of NKG2DL at the level of transcription, translation, and post-translation and thereby escape recognition by NK cells. In particular, viruses and hormones have special mechanisms to affect the expression of NKG2D receptor and NKG2DL. Therefore, NKG2D\NKG2DL may have applications as targets for more effective antitumor therapy.

• Authors: Shixin Duan, Weihua Guo, Zuxing Xu, Yunbo He, Chuting Liang, Yongzhen Mo, Yian Wang, Fang Xiong, Can Guo, Yong Li, Xiaoling Li, Guiyuan Li, Zhaoyang Zeng, Wei Xiong, Fuyan Wang
• Journal: Molecular cancer (Mol Cancer) Vol. 18 Issue 1 Pg. 29 (02 27 2019) ISSN: 1476-4598 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 30813924 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• GPI-Linked Proteins
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• KLRK1 protein, human
• NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
• Protein Isoforms
• ULBP2 protein, human

Topics

• GPI-Linked Proteins (genetics, immunology)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• Immunity, Innate
• Immunotherapy (methods)
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (genetics, immunology)
• Killer Cells, Natural (immunology, pathology)
• Lymphocyte Activation
• NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K (genetics, immunology)
• Neoplasms (genetics, immunology, pathology, therapy)
• Protein Isoforms (genetics, immunology)
• Signal Transduction
• Tumor Escape (genetics)
• Tumor Microenvironment (genetics, immunology)