Expression of inhibitory receptors Ly49E and CD94/NKG2 on fetal thymic and adult epidermal TCR V gamma 3 lymphocytes

J Immunol. 2002 Apr 1;168(7):3295-302. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.168.7.3295.

Abstract

Ly49 and CD94/NKG2 inhibitory receptors are predominantly expressed on murine NK cells, but they are also expressed on a subpopulation of peripheral CD8 memory TCR alphabeta lymphocytes. In this study we demonstrate that Ly49E and CD94/NKG2 receptors are expressed on mature TCR Vgamma3(+) cells in the fetal thymus. Expression correlated with a memory phenotype, such as expression of CD44, 2B4, and IL-2Rbeta (CD122), and absence of IL-2Ralpha (CD25) expression. No expression of Ly49A, C, D, G2, or I receptors was observed. This phenotype is similar to that of fetal thymic NK cells. Skin-located Vgamma3 T cells, the progeny of fetal thymic Vgamma3 cells, also expressed CD94/NKG2 and Ly49E but not the other members of the Ly49 family. The development and survival of Ly49E(+) or CD94/NKG2(+) Vgamma3 T lymphocytes was not dependent upon expression of MHC class I molecules. The cytotoxicity of TCR Vgamma3 cells was inhibited when Qdm, the ligand for CD94/NKG2, was presented by Qa1(b)-transfected target cells. Also, upon cross-linking of CD94/NKG2 with mAb 3S9, TCR Vgamma3 thymocytes were prevented from killing FcgammaR(+) P815 target cells. These effects were most pronounced in the CD94/NKG2(high) subpopulation as compared with the CD94/NKG2(low) subpopulation of Vgamma3 cells. Our data demonstrate that Vgamma3 T cells expressing inhibitory Ly49E and CD94/NKG2 receptors are mature and display a memory phenotype, and that CD94/NKG2 functions as an inhibitory receptor on these T lymphocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, Ly / biosynthesis*
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
  • Down-Regulation / immunology
  • Epidermal Cells
  • Epidermis / immunology*
  • Epidermis / metabolism
  • Fetus
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / physiology
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Lectins, C-Type*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily A
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism*
  • Thymus Gland / cytology
  • Thymus Gland / embryology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology*
  • Thymus Gland / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • beta 2-Microglobulin / deficiency
  • beta 2-Microglobulin / genetics
  • beta 2-Microglobulin / physiology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Ly
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Klra1 protein, mouse
  • Klra5 protein, mouse
  • Klrd1 protein, mouse
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily A
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
  • beta 2-Microglobulin