KIR: diverse, rapidly evolving receptors of innate and adaptive immunity.

Abstract excerpt

KIR genes have evolved in primates to generate a diverse family of receptors with unique structures that enable them to recognize MHC-class I molecules with locus and allele-specificity. Their combinatorial expression creates a repertoire of NK cells that surveys the expression of almost every MHC molecule independently, thus antagonizing the spread of pathogens and tumors that subvert innate and adaptive defense...

Topics

Share this publication in a Topic to start or enrich a Post.

• Share to Biological Evolution
• Share to Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
• Share to HLA Antigens