Abstract
Purpose of Review: Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules control the repertoire and function of CD8+ T cells and NK cells, and both cell types are involved in transplant rejection. Understanding the regulatory role of MHC class I molecules is important in the design of better therapies. This review article focuses on molecular aspects of alloreactive recognition of MHC class I molecules by CD8+ T cells and NK cells and on the functional activities of CD8+ T cells and NK cells in transplant rejection and tolerance. Recent Findings: Recent T cell receptor (TCR)-peptide-MHC class I crystal structures and structural and functional analyses of MHC class I interactions with NK cell inhibitory receptors have revealed new insights into molecular aspects of allorecognition of MHC class I molecules by CD8+ T cells and NK cells. In functional studies, CD8+ T cells and NK cells have been shown to have conditional and model-dependent roles in allograft rejection. NK cells have also been shown to have an unexpected role in tolerance induction in the transplantation setting. Summary: Both CD8+ and NK cells play diverse roles in graft rejection and tolerance induction. Further understanding of molecular interactions between MHC class I molecules and TCRs or NK receptors is important and highly relevant to transplantation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 499-504 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Current opinion in organ transplantation |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2010 |
Keywords
- human leukocyte antigens
- killer inhibitory receptors
- major histocompatibility complex class I
- T cell receptor
- transplant
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Transplantation