KIR2DS1-dependent acquisition of CCR7 and migratory properties by human NK cells interacting with allogeneic HLA-C2+ DCs or T-cell blasts

Blood. 2013 Apr 25;121(17):3396-401. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-09-458752. Epub 2013 Feb 28.

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells may capture the CCR7 chemokine receptor from allogeneic CCR7(+) cells by trogocytosis and acquire migrating properties in response to lymph node chemokines. This event is negatively regulated by inhibitory killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs) and NKG2A. In this study, we analyzed the role of the HLA-C2-specific activating receptor KIR2DS1 in the process of CCR7 uptake by NK cells interacting with different allogeneic CCR7(+) cells. Co-incubation of KIR2DS1(+) fresh NK cells or NK-cell clones with HLA-C2(+) CCR7(+) lymphoblastoid cell lines resulted in increased CCR7 uptake. Remarkably, KIR2DS1 expression represented a major advantage for acquiring CCR7 from HLA-C2(+) allogeneic dendritic cells (DCs) and T-cell blasts. These findings have important implications in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in which donor-derived (alloreactive) KIR2DS1(+) NK cells, upon CCR7 acquisition, become capable of migrating toward lymph nodes, where they may kill patient DCs and T cells, preventing graft-versus-host and host-versus-graft reactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blast Crisis / immunology
  • Blast Crisis / metabolism
  • Cell Movement*
  • Chemotaxis
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • HLA-C Antigens / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Receptors, CCR7 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, KIR / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • CCR7 protein, human
  • HLA-C Antigens
  • KIR2DS1 protein, human
  • Receptors, CCR7
  • Receptors, KIR