RESUMEN

To provide a basis for beginning to explore the CD94/NKG2 family of molecules in rhesus monkeys, we sought to characterize the expression of these inhibitory and activating cell signalling molecules in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy rhesus monkeys. We developed and employed a semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay to evaluate mRNA expression levels of nine NKG2 molecules in PBMCs from the monkeys. In addition to quantitating NKG2A, NKG2B, NKG2C2, NKG2C and NKG2D expression, mRNA expression of transmembrane-deleted forms of these molecules was also evaluated. Significant variability in NKG2 mRNA expression in the PBMCs was detected, with 15 unique NKG2 expression level profiles detected in a study of 15 monkeys. We also found that the ratio of the expressed levels of mRNA of the four NKG2 splice variants, NKG2A, NKG2B, NKG2ADeltatm, and NKG2BDeltatm, was variable between the monkeys as well as in an individual monkey over a period of 1.5 years. These findings indicate the dynamic nature of NKG2 mRNA expression in the rhesus monkey.

Asunto(s)

Linfocitos/inmunología , Receptores Inmunológicos/sangre , Animales , Expresión Génica , Subgrupos Linfocitarios/inmunología , Macaca mulatta , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/métodos , Empalme del ARN/genética , ARN Mensajero , Receptores Inmunológicos/genética , Receptores de Células Asesinas Naturales , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados

RESUMEN

Natural killer (NK) cells and a subset of T cells express families of receptors that are capable of detecting major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression on the surface of cells. Molecules of the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family bind directly to MHC class I, while those of the CD94/NKG2 family recognize MHC class I signal sequences bound to HLA-E. Both the KIR and CD94/NKG2 families are composed of activating and inhibitory molecules that serve to regulate the function of NK cells as a result of their MHC class I recognition. Here we review the recently described KIR and CD94/NKG2 family members in the rhesus monkey.

Asunto(s)

Antígenos CD/química , Lectinas Tipo C , Macaca mulatta/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/química , Receptores Inmunológicos/química , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Antígenos CD/fisiología , Secuencia Conservada , Humanos , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/fisiología , Proteínas de la Membrana/metabolismo , Subfamília C de Receptores Similares a Lectina de Células NK , Subfamília D de Receptores Similares a Lectina de las Células NK , Filogenia , Receptores Inmunológicos/fisiología , Receptores KIR , Receptores de Células Asesinas Naturales , Alineación de Secuencia

Asunto(s)

Antígenos CD/química , Antígenos CD/genética , Células Asesinas Naturales/metabolismo , Lectinas Tipo C , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/química , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/genética , Familia de Multigenes/inmunología , Receptores Inmunológicos/química , Receptores Inmunológicos/genética , Eliminación de Secuencia , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Membrana Celular/genética , Membrana Celular/inmunología , Humanos , Macaca mulatta , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Subfamília C de Receptores Similares a Lectina de Células NK , Subfamília D de Receptores Similares a Lectina de las Células NK , Isoformas de Proteínas/química , Isoformas de Proteínas/genética , Isoformas de Proteínas/aislamiento & purificación , Receptores Inmunológicos/aislamiento & purificación , Receptores de Células Asesinas Naturales , Alineación de Secuencia , Homología de Secuencia de Aminoácido