NKG2D-mediated activation of cytotoxic lymphocytes: unique signaling pathways and distinct functional outcomes

Semin Immunol. 2006 Jun;18(3):167-75. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2006.03.001. Epub 2006 May 24.

Abstract

NKG2D is an important immunosurveillance receptor that triggers a unique signal transduction pathway resulting in a variety of functional outcomes. NKG2D couples to the non-ITAM-containing DAP10 and initiates at least two signaling branches that are both required for cytotoxicity. Transformed, infected, or healthy cells can express NKG2D ligands, and NKG2D(+) lymphocytes can be unaffected, costimulated, or fully activated by the NKG2D-ligand interaction. The NKG2D-mediated response can be modulated by factors such as cytokine milieu and possibly the particular ligand expressed. Thus, this nontraditional NKG2D-DAP10 initiated signal pathway enables lymphocytes to differentially respond to ligands based on the cellular environment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology*
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • KLRK1 protein, human
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell