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M López-Botet

Publications and source records attributed to M López-Botet.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

HLA-E is a major ligand for the natural killer inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A.

We previously showed that the availability of a nonamer peptide derived from certain HLA class I signal sequences is a necessary requirement for the stabilization of endogenous HLA-E expression on the surface of 721.221 cells. This led us to examine the ability of HLA-E to protect HLA class I transfectants from natural killer (NK) cell-mediated lysis. It was possible to implicate the CD94/NKG2A complex as an inhibitory receptor recognizing this class Ib molecule by using as target a .221 transfectant selectively expressing surface HLA-E. HLA-E had no apparent inhibitory effect mediated through the identified Ig superfamily (Ig-SF) human killer cell inhibitory receptors or ILT2/LIR1. Further studies of CD94/NKG2+ NK cell-mediated recognition of .221 cells transfected with different HLA class I allotypes (i.e., -Cw4, -Cw3, -B7) confirmed that the inhibitory interaction was mediated by CD94/NKG2A recognizing the surface HLA-E molecule, because only antibodies directed against either HLA-E, CD94, or CD94/NKG2A specifically restored lysis. Surface stabilization of HLA-E in cold-treated .221 cells loaded with appropriate peptides was sufficient to confer protection, resulting from recognition of the HLA class Ib molecule by the CD94/NKG2A inhibitory receptor. Consistent with the prediction that the ligand for CD94/NKG2A is expressed ubiquitously, our examination of HLA-E antigen distribution indicated that it is detectable on the surface of a wide variety of cell types.

Antigens, CD↗

Identification of a common developmental pathway for thymic natural killer cells and dendritic cells.

Current data support the notion that the thymus is seeded by a yet uncommitted progenitor cell able to generate T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells (DCs). We assess in this report the developmental relationship of DCs and NK cells derived from a small subset of CD34(+) human postnatal thymocytes that, like the earliest precursors in the fetal thymus, display low CD33 surface expression. Culture of these isolated CD34(+) CD33(lo) thymic progenitors with a mixture of cytokines, including interleukin-7 (IL-7), IL-1alpha, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and stem cell factor, results in predominant generation of DCs. However, the addition of IL-2 to the cytokine mixture leads to the simultaneous development of DCs and NK cells. Both developmental pathways progress through a transient population of CD34(+)CD44(bright) CD5(lo/-)CD33(+) large-sized cells, distinct from small-sized T-lineage precursors, that contain bipotential NK/DC progenitors. These data provide evidence of linked pathways of NK cell and DC development from intrathymic precursors and suggest that NK cells and DCs branch off the T lineage through a common intermediate progenitor.

Antigens, CD34↗

Signaling through human killer cell activating receptors triggers tyrosine phosphorylation of an associated protein complex.

Our understanding of the biology of human natural killer (NK) cells has significantly advanced in recent years upon identification of a family of NK cell-expressed genes that encode killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIR). Individual KIR can selectively bind various HLA class I allotypes and consequently transduce inhibitory signals that block NK cell lysis of ligand-bearing target cells. A distinct subset of related and linked genes express truncated versions of KIR that are otherwise highly homologous in amino acid sequence. Interestingly, these receptors appear to transmit stimulatory signals into NK cells and have been termed killer cell activating receptors (KAR). In this report, we demonstrate that recognition of HLA-Cw3 by the p50 KAR, NKAT8, can potentiate the cytotoxic response of appropriate NK cell clones. Specific cross-linking of this KAR with a monoclonal antibody resulted in intracellular calcium mobilization, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and phosphorylation of the MAP kinases, ERK1 and ERK2. In addition, we identified a KAR-associated disulfide-linked dimer of a 13-kDa protein that was absent in the Jurkat T cell line and is predicted to participate in these activation signaling events. Upon treatment of NK cells with pervanadate, the disulfide-linked p13 and additional proteins of 25, 30, 37 and 50-95 kDa were identified as KAR-associated tyrosine phosphoproteins. Importantly, p13 was inducibly tyrosine phosphorylated upon cross-linking of NKAT8, which strongly suggests that the associated p13 provides KAR with appropriate cytoplasmic structure to couple with tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling effectors.

Cell Line↗

Specific engagement of the CD94/NKG2-A killer inhibitory receptor by the HLA-E class Ib molecule induces SHP-1 phosphatase recruitment to tyrosine-phosphorylated NKG2-A: evidence for receptor function in heterologous transfectants.

It has been recently demonstrated that the CD94/NKG2-A killer inhibitory receptor (KIR) specifically recognizes the HLA-E class Ib molecule. Moreover, the apparent CD94-mediated specific recognition of different HLA class Ia allotypes, transfected into the HLA-defective cell line 721.221, indeed depends on their selective ability to concomitantly stabilize the surface expression of endogenous HLA-E molecules, which confer protection against CD94/NKG2-A+ effector cells. In the present study, we show that a selective engagement of the CD94/NKG2-A inhibitory receptor with a specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) (Z199) was sufficient to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of the NKG2-A subunit and SHP-1 recruitment. These early biochemical events, commonly related to negative signaling pathways, were also detected upon the specific interaction of NK cells with an HLA-E+ 721.221 transfectant (.221-AEH), and were prevented by pre-incubation of .221-AEH with an anti-HLA class I mAb. Furthermore, mAb cross-linking of the CD94/NKG2-A receptor, segregated from other NK-associated molecules by transfection into a rat basophilic leukemia cell line (RBL-2H3), promoted tyrosine phosphorylation of NKG2-A and co-precipitation of SHP-1, together with an inhibition of secretory events triggered via Fc epsilonRI. Remarkably, interaction of CD94/NKG2-A+ RBL cells with the HLA-E+ .221-AEH transfectant specifically induced a detectable association of SHP-1 with NKG2-A, constituting a more formal evidence for the receptor-HLA class I interaction.

Animals↗

HLA-E-bound peptides influence recognition by inhibitory and triggering CD94/NKG2 receptors: preferential response to an HLA-G-derived nonamer.

The HLA-E class Ib molecule constitutes a major ligand for the lectin-like CD94/NKG2 natural killer (NK) cell receptors. Specific HLA class I leader sequence-derived nonapeptides bind to endogenous HLA-E molecules in the HLA-defective cell line 721.221, inducing HLA-E surface expression, and promote CD94/NKG2A-mediated recognition. We compared the ability of NK clones which expressed either inhibitory or activating CD94/NKG2 receptors to recognize HLA-E molecules on the surface of 721.221 cells loaded with a panel of synthetic nonamers derived from the leader sequences of most HLA class I molecules. Our results support the notion that the primary structure of the HLA-E-bound peptides influences CD94/ NKG2-mediated recognition, beyond their ability to stabilize surface HLA-E. Further, CD94/ NKG2A+ NK clones appeared more sensitive to the interaction with most HLA-E-peptide complexes than did effector cells expressing the activating CD94/NKG2C receptor. However, a significant exception to this pattern was HLA-E loaded with the HLA-G-derived nonamer. This complex triggered cytotoxicity very efficiently over a wide range of peptide concentrations, suggesting that the HLA-E/G-nonamer complex interacts with the CD94/NKG2 triggering receptor with a significantly higher affinity. These results raise the possibility that CD94/NKG2-mediated recognition of HLA-E expressed on extravillous cytotrophoblasts plays an important role in maternal-fetal cellular interactions.

Antigens, CD↗

Structure of the human CD94 C-type lectin gene.

The genomic structure of the human CD94 gene was obtained by analyzing genomic clones obtained from two different libraries. The CD94 gene contains six exons separated by five introns. The carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) is encoded by three exons, and the conservation of intron positions within the CRD indicated that CD94 is closely related to group V of C-type lectins. Primer extension and S1 nuclease protection assays showed that initiation of transcription in the CD94 gene is heterogeneous, but restricted to a 60 base pair region around the major initiation site enclosed within a putative initiator element (TTA+1TTCA). The study of the promoter region of CD94 may help to understand the selective expression of this C-type lectin glycoprotein on NK cells and subsets of cytotoxic T cells.

Antigens, CD↗

Intrahepatic enhanced expression of beta2-microglobulin conformational epitope in acute liver allograft rejection: evidence of modulation by glucocorticoids.

The mechanisms by which glucocorticoids are effective in acute liver rejection therapy are not entirely clear. The aims of this study were to characterize the intrahepatic immunological phenotype in acute liver rejection, as well as the effect of glucocorticoids on cytokine-stimulated hepatocyte cell lines. Biopsy sections from these patients were studied by immunohistochemistry. Cytokine-stimulated hepatocyte cell lines treated with glucocorticoids were evaluated by flow cytometry. The intrahepatic expression of both beta2-microglobulin conformational epitope and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was higher in acute rejection than in resolving rejection. Interestingly, glucocorticoids were able to modulate in vitro the cytokine-induced expression of these molecules on hepatocyte cell lines. Beneficial effects of the glucocorticoid treatment appear to be associated with a modulation of a beta2-microglobulin conformational epitope and the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on intrahepatic cellular targets in the acute rejection process.

Acute Disease↗

CD94/NKG2 inhibitory receptor complex modulates both anti-viral and anti-tumoral responses of polyclonal phosphoantigen-reactive V gamma 9V delta 2 T lymphocytes.

Viral, bacterial, protozoal, and cancer-associated Ags elicit strong responses in human gammadelta T lymphocytes. The majority of these cells in the peripheral blood express the Vgamma9Vdelta2-encoded TCR and recognize nonpeptidic phosphoantigens without an apparent MHC restriction. We have shown that Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells express the inhibitory CD94/NKG2 receptor for HLA class I molecules. The anti-CD94 mAb inhibits 1) the Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell proliferation in response mycobacterial phosphoantigens and 2) the HIV-induced Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell expansion. Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells stimulated with nonpeptidic mycobacterial antigens produce IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. Signaling through the CD94/NKG2 receptor interferes with the synthesis of these cytokines. The CD94/HLA class I interaction is also involved in the cytotoxic activity of Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells. The Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell regulation through the CD94 receptor may be important for the potentially dual function in innate immunity, i.e., 1) NK-like and 2) TCR ligand-induced cytolytic activities.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

A common inhibitory receptor for major histocompatibility complex class I molecules on human lymphoid and myelomonocytic cells.

Natural killer (NK) cell-mediated lysis is negatively regulated by killer cell inhibitory receptors specific for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. In this study, we characterize a novel inhibitory MHC class I receptor of the immunoglobulin-superfamily, expressed not only by subsets of NK and T cells, but also by B cells, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. This receptor, called Ig-like transcript (ILT)2, binds MHC class I molecules and delivers a negative signal that inhibits killing by NK and T cells, as well as Ca2+ mobilization in B cells and myelomonocytic cells triggered through the B cell antigen receptor and human histocompatibility leukocyte antigens (HLA)-DR, respectively. In addition, myelomonocytic cells express receptors homologous to ILT2, which are characterized by extensive polymorphism and might recognize distinct HLA class I molecules. These results suggest that diverse leukocyte lineages have adopted recognition of self-MHC class I molecules as a common strategy to control cellular activation during an immune response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The CD94/NKG2-A inhibitory receptor complex is involved in natural killer cell-mediated recognition of cells expressing HLA-G1.

Human NK cells bear surface receptors that inhibit their cytolytic activity upon specific recognition of MHC class Ia Ags; little is known about the capacity of class Ib molecules to regulate NK cell function. We have studied the roles of different NK inhibitory receptors in recognition of the class Ib HLA-G. To this end, we analyzed the ability of an HLA-defective tumor cell line (721.221) transfected with the membrane form of HLA-G1, which contains the three external domains, to inhibit the cytolytic activity mediated by a panel of NK clones from several donors. A substantial proportion of peripheral blood NK clones appeared to be significantly inhibited by the HLA-G1-transfected cell line (referred to as .221-G1); nevertheless, no relation was observed between the expression and the function of serologically identifiable Ig-SF receptors (p58/p70) and specific recognition of .221-G1 cells. Moreover, p58 killer cell inhibitory receptor-IgG soluble fusion proteins specifically bound to 721.221 transfectants bearing their corresponding HLA-C ligands, but only a weak reactivity with .221-G1 cells was detectable. By contrast, most NK clones blocked by HLA-G1 expressed the CD94/NKG2-A inhibitory receptor, and moreover, CD94-specific mAbs reconstituted their cytolytic activity comparably to anti-HLA class I mAbs. These data support the idea that the CD94/NKG2 receptor complex is involved in the recognition of cells expressing HLA-G1.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The CD94 and NKG2-A C-type lectins covalently assemble to form a natural killer cell inhibitory receptor for HLA class I molecules.

CD94, a type II membrane protein containing a C-type lectin domain, has been shown to be involved in natural killer (NK) cell-mediated recognition of different HLA allotypes. The inhibitory form of the CD94 receptor has recently been identified by the specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) Z199. Herein, we demonstrate that the inhibitory receptor is in fact a complex formed by the covalent association of CD94 with the NKG2-A molecule (Mr approximately 43 kDa), another member of the C-type lectin superfamily, and that Z199 mAb specifically recognize NKG2-A molecules. Although the NKG2-A-encoding cDNA has been known for several years, the corresponding protein and its possible function remained undefined. Moreover, we show that the NKG2-B protein, an alternatively spliced product of the NKG2-A gene, can also assemble with CD94. Remarkably, both NKG2-A and NKG2-B proteins contain cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIM). This may provide the molecular basis of the inhibitory function mediated by the CD94/NKG2-A receptor complexes.

Antigens, CD↗

The CD94/NKG2 C-type lectin receptor complex: involvement in NK cell-mediated recognition of HLA class I molecules.

A multigene family to human Ig-SF receptors and members of the murine Ly49 C-type lectin family are involved in natural killer (NK) cell-mediated recognition of MHC class I molecules. The human CD94 glycoprotein covalently assembles with different C-type lectins of the NKG2 family. By functional criteria, the CD94/NKG2-A (kp43) receptor complex appears also involved in NK cell-mediated recognition of different HLA class I allotypes. Similarly to the other NK inhibitory receptors, NKG2-A contains cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMS). By contrast, NK clones bearing different receptor complex (CD94/p39) are triggered upon ligation by CD94-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs); the p39 subunit is likely encoded by other member(s) of the NKG2 family. Expression of different CD94/NKG2 complexes is warranted to precisely assess their specific interaction with HLA class I molecules, and the molecular basis for their divergent functional properties.

Animals↗

The human natural killer gene complex is located on chromosome 12p12-p13.

Natural killer (NK) cells preferentially express several type II glycoproteins of the calcium-dependent lectin superfamily. The genes coding for these molecules are clustered on the distal mouse chromosome 6 and on the rat chromosome 4 in a region designated the NK gene complex. To date, no definite evidence of the presence of a NK gene complex has been found in humans. Here we report the assignment by fluorescence in situ hybridization of the CD94 gene to human chromosome 12p12-p13, in the same region where the CD69 and NKG2A genes had been previously mapped. In addition, using a yeast artificial chromosome contig spanning this region we determined that the human CD94, NKG2A, NKG2C, NKG2E, and NKR-P1A (NKR) genes map to the short arm of chromosome 12. The distal to proximal position of these loci are: NKR- CD69 - CD94/NKG2A/NKG2C/NKG2E. These data demonstrate the existence of a human NK gene complex located within a 5.6 cM interval flanked by the genetic markers D12S397 and D12S89. The physical distance spanned by the NK gene complex in humans ranges between 0.7 and 2.4 megabases.

Animals↗

Implications for immunosurveillance of altered HLA class I phenotypes in human tumours.

HLA class I downregulation is a frequent event associated with tumour invasion and development. Altered HLA class I tumour phenotypes can have profound effects on T-cell and natural killer (NK)-cell antitumour responses. Here, Federico Garrido and colleagues analyse these altered tumour phenotypes in detail, indicating their potential relevance for implementation of immunotherapeutic protocols and strategies to overcome tumour escape mechanisms.

HLA Antigens↗

Structure and function of the CD94 C-type lectin receptor complex involved in recognition of HLA class I molecules.

A multigene family of immunoglobulin superfamily (Ig-SF) killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIRs) specifically recognize HLA class I molecules, while the interaction with H-2 products is mediated by members of the murine Ly49 C-type lectin family. A common structural feature of these receptors with inhibitory function is the presence of cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) that couple them to SHP phosphatases. Strong support for the involvement of the CD94 C-type lectin receptor complex in NK cell-mediated recognition of Bw6+ HLA-B, HLA-A and HLA-C alleles has been obtained. The cloned CD94 molecule covalently assembles with at least two different glycoproteins (43 kDa and 39 kDa) to form functional receptors. NK cells inhibited upon HLA recognition express the CD94/p43 dimer, whose specificity for HLA molecules partially overlaps the Ig-SF receptor system. By contrast, NK clones bearing the homologous CD94/p39 receptor are triggered upon its ligation by CD94-specific mAbs. Remarkably, a set of Ig-SF receptors (p50) homologous to p58 KIRs also display an activating function. CD94-associated molecules belong to the NKG2 family of C-type lectins; the NKG2-A gene encodes for the p43 subunit, which contains cytoplasmic ITIMS. Expression of the different CD94 heterodimeric receptors will enable precise analysis of their putative interaction with HLA class I molecules.

Antigens, CD↗

Biochemical and serologic evidence for the existence of functionally distinct forms of the CD94 NK cell receptor.

The CD94 NK cell receptor is assembled as a disulfide-linked dimer and appears to be encoded by a single-copy gene of the C-type lectin superfamily. In reverse Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays, CD94-specific mAbs may either trigger or inhibit cytotoxicity in distinct subsets of NK clones, termed groups A and B, respectively. The molecular basis for this functional ambivalence of CD94 has been addressed. CD94 molecules immunoprecipitated with the HP-3B1 mAb from the two different subsets of NK clones were comparatively analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Under reducing conditions, the stimulating form of CD94 from group A clones displayed a significantly lower Mr (39 kDa) than the inhibitory form of group B clones (Mr = 43 kDa). Analyses of N-glycanase and V8 protease-digested samples indicated that the two CD94 forms are homologous. A CD94-specific mAb (Z199) that did not recognize cells transfected with a CD94 cDNA (LL288) was characterized. Z199 did not bind to group A clones, whereas its reactivity with group B NK cells was indistinguishable from that of other CD94-specific mAbs. Different from the HP-3B1 mAb, the Z199 mAb displayed only inhibitory effects in reverse Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays. Immunoprecipitation studies confirmed that Z199 selectively identified the 43-kDa CD94. Our study proves the existence of at least two biochemically and serologically distinct CD94 molecules, whose selective/predominant expression at the clonal level correlates with the pattern of response (i.e., inhibition vs activation) of NK cells to ligation by CD94-specific mAbs.

Antigens, CD↗

Clonotypic differences in signaling from CD94 (kp43) on NK cells lead to divergent cellular responses.

Ligation of MHC class I-recognizing receptors on NK cells dramatically modulates their secretory and cytotoxic function. This study focuses on characterizing key signaling events regulating these activities after ligation of the C-type lectin superfamily member, CD94. We isolated separate clonal populations of human NK cells in which ligation of CD94 (kp43) either triggered cell-mediated cytotoxicity (group A clones) or potently inhibited NK cell activation (group B clones). We then evaluated the proximal signaling events that regulate these alternative responses. CD94 stimulation of group A clones induced the rapid activation of intracellular protein tyrosine kinases (i.e., lck and ZAP-70), phospholipase C, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. In contrast, CD94 ligation on group B clones had none of the above noted effects and instead inhibited the FcR-induced tyrosine phosphorylations of ZAP-70 and phospholipase C-gamma 2, the formation of phospho-zeta/ZAP-70 complexes, and the release of inositol phosphates. These results define distinct proximal signaling events initiated after CD94 ligation and suggest that clonotypic differences in signaling generate fundamentally different NK cell-mediated responses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗