Frontiers in Immunology (Jul 2014)

ADAPTATIONS OF NATURAL KILLER CELLS TO SELF-MHC CLASS I

  • Stéphanie eBessoles,
  • Camille eGrandclément,
  • Elisenda eAlari-Pahissa,
  • Jasmine eGehrig,
  • Beena eJeevan-Raj,
  • Werner eHeld

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2014.00349
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5

Abstract

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Natural Killer (NK) cells use germ line encoded receptors to detect diseased host cells. Despite the invariant recognition structures, NK cells have a significant ability to adapt to their surroundings, such as the presence or absence of MHC class I molecules. It has been assumed that this adaptation occurs during NK cell development, but recent findings show that mature NK cells can also adapt to the presence or absence of MHC class I molecules. Here, we summarize how NK cells adjust to changes in the expression of MHC class I molecules. We propose an extension of existing models, in which MHC class I recognition during NK cell development sequentially instructs and maintains NK cell function. The elucidation of the molecular basis of the two effects may identify ways to improve the fitness of NK cells and to prevent the loss of NK cell function due to persistent alterations in their environment.

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