The New Kid on the Block: HLA-C, a Key Regulator of Natural Killer Cells in Viral Immunity.

ABSTRACT: The human leukocyte antigen system (HLA) is a cluster of highly polymorphic genes essential for the proper function of the immune system, and it has been associated with a wide range of diseases. HLA class I molecules present intracellular host- and pathogen-derived peptides to effector cells of the immune system, inducing immune tolerance in healthy conditions or triggering effective immune responses in pathological situations. HLA-C is the most recently evolved HLA class I molecule, only present in humans and great apes. Differentiating from its older siblings, HLA-A and HLA-B, HLA-C exhibits distinctive features in its expression and interaction partners. HLA-C serves as a natural ligand for multiple members of the killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family, which are predomi

SUBMITTER: Vollmers S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8620871 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature