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Activating killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors: Detection, function and therapeutic use
Author(s) -
Blunt Matthew D.,
Khakoo Salim I.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of immunogenetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.41
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1744-313X
pISSN - 1744-3121
DOI - 10.1111/iji.12461
Subject(s) - immunology , human leukocyte antigen , receptor , antibody , disease , biology , pathogenesis , natural killer cell , function (biology) , cell , medicine , antigen , cytotoxic t cell , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , in vitro , pathology
Killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) have a central role in the control of natural killer (NK) cell function. The functions of the activating KIRs, as compared to those of the inhibitory KIR, have been more difficult to define due to difficulties in antibody‐mediated identification and their apparent low affinities for HLA class I. Immunogenetic studies have shown associations of activating KIRs with the outcome of autoimmune diseases, pregnancy‐associated disorders, infectious diseases and cancers. Activating KIR are thus thought to have important roles in the control of natural killer cell functions and their role in disease. In this review, we discuss current knowledge on activating KIR, their ligands and, their roles in the pathogenesis and potential therapy of human diseases.