Ly49C-dependent control of MCMV Infection by NK cells is cis-regulated by MHC Class I molecules.

ABSTRACT: Natural Killer (NK) cells are crucial in early resistance to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. In B6 mice, the activating Ly49H receptor recognizes the viral m157 glycoprotein on infected cells. We previously identified a mutant strain (MCMVG1F) whose variant m157 also binds the inhibitory Ly49C receptor. Here we show that simultaneous binding of m157 to the two receptors hampers Ly49H-dependent NK cell activation as Ly49C-mediated inhibition destabilizes NK cell conjugation with their targets and prevents the cytoskeleton reorganization that precedes killing. In B6 mice, as most Ly49H+ NK cells do not co-express Ly49C, the overall NK cell response remains able to control MCMVm157G1F infection. However, in B6 Ly49C transgenic mice where all NK cells express the inhibitory receptor,

SUBMITTER: Forbes CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4038614 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature