Cutting edge: identification of E-cadherin as a ligand for the murine killer cell lectin-like receptor G1.

Journal article

The killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) is expressed by NK cells and by T cells. In both humans and mice, KLRG1 identifies Ag-experienced T cells that are impaired in their proliferative capacity but are capable of performing effector functions. In this study, we identified E-cadherin as a ligand for murine KLRG1 by using fluorescently labeled, soluble tetrameric complexes of the extracellular domain of the murine KLRG1 molecule as staining reagents in expression cloning. Ectopic expression of E-cadherin in B16.BL6 target cells did not affect cell-mediated lysis by lymphokine-activated NK cells and by CD8 T cells but inhibited Ag-induced proliferation and induction of cytolytic activity of CD8 T cells. E-cadherin is expressed by normal epithelial cells, Langerhans cells, and keratinocytes and is usually down-regulated on metastatic cancer cells. KLRG1 ligation by E-cadherin in healthy tissue may thus exert an inhibitory effect on primed T cells.

Authors: Gründemann, C; Bauer, M; Schweier, O; von Oppen, N; Lässing, U

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of Immunology
• Volume: 176
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 1311-1315
• Publication date: 2006-02-01
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.3.1311
• EISSN: 1550-6606
• ISSN: 0022-1767
• Language: English
• Keywords: CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Animals; Melanoma, Experimental; Cell Line; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Receptors, Immunologic; Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated; Antigens; Mice; Ligands; Cadherins; Mice, Transgenic; Cell Division; Growth Inhibitors