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Peter Parham - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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RESEARCH ARTICLE Loss and Gain of Natural Killer Cell Receptor Function in an African Hunter-Gatherer Population
2016Co-Authors: Hugo G Hilton, Lisbeth A Guethlein, Paul J. Norman, Neda Nemat-gorgani, Ana Goyos, A. Hollenbach, Brenna M. Henn, Christopher R. Gignoux, Peter ParhamAbstract:Modulating natural killer cell functions in human immunity and reproduction are diverse interactions between the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) of Natural Killer (NK) cells and HLA class I ligands on the surface of tissue cells. Dominant interactions are between KIR2DL1 and the C2 epitope of HLA-C and between KIR2DL2/3 and the C1 epi-tope of HLA-C. KhoeSan hunter-gatherers of Southern Africa represent the earliest popula-tion divergence known and are the most genetically diverse indigenous people, qualities reflected in their KIR and HLA genes. Of the ten KhoeSan KIR2DL1 alleles, KIR2DL1*022 and KIR2DL1*026 likely originated in the KhoeSan, and later were transmitted at low fre-quency to the neighboring Zulus through gene flow. These alleles arose by point mutation from other KhoeSan KIR2DL1 alleles that are more widespread globally. Mutation of KIR2DL1*001 gave rise to KIR2DL1*022, causing loss of C2 recognition and gain of C1 rec-ognition. This makes KIR2DL1*022 a more avid and specific C1 receptor than any KIR2DL2/3 allotype. Mutation of KIR2DL1*012 gave rise to KIR2DL1*026, causing prema-ture termination of translation at the end of the transmembrane domain. This make
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hematopoietic stem cell transplantation improving alloreactive bw4 donor selection by genotyping codon 86 of kir3dl1 s1
European Journal of Immunology, 2016Co-Authors: Claudia Alicata, Lisbeth A Guethlein, Daniela Pende, Fabrizio Loiacono, Raffaella Meazza, Paolo Canevali, Alice Bertaina, Franco Locatelli, Neda Nematgorgani, Peter ParhamAbstract:KIR3DL1 is a natural killer (NK) cell receptor that recognizes the Bw4 epitope of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. Following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients lacking Bw4, KIR3DL1-expressing NK cells from Bw4-positive donors can be alloreactive and eliminate tumor cells. However, KIR3DL1 alleles having T instead of C at nucleotide 320 (encoding leucine 86 instead of serine 86) are not expressed on the cell surface. Thus, not all individuals testing positive for KIR3DL1 are optimal donors for Bw4-negative recipients. Therefore, we developed a method for genotyping codon 86, which was validated by its perfect correlation with NK cell phenotype for 100 donors of diverse KIR3DL1/S1 genotype. We typed 600 donors and found that ∼12.2% had the KIR3DL1 gene, but did not express cell-surface KIR3DL1. By contrast, high-expressing allotypes were identified when haplotypes from four families with duplicated KIR3DL1/S1 genes were characterized at high resolution. Identifying donors who have KIR3DL1 but lack cell-surface KIR3DL1 would refine donor selection. With this technique, the number of individuals identified who may not be optimal donors for Bw4-negative patients increases by threefold, when compared with standard methods. Taken together, we propose that allele typing of killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) polymorphisms should become a standard practice when selecting donors.
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diverse functionality among human nk cell receptors for the c1 epitope of hla c kir2ds2 kir2dl2 and kir2dl3
Frontiers in Immunology, 2012Co-Authors: Achim K Moesta, Peter ParhamAbstract:Interactions between killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and their HLA-A, -B, and –C ligands diversify the functions of human natural killer cells. Consequently, combinations of KIR and HLA genotypes affect resistance to infection and autoimmunity, success of reproduction and outcome of hematopoietic cell transplantation. HLA-C, with its C1 and C2 epitopes, evolved in hominids to be specialized KIR ligands. The system’s foundation was the C1 epitope, with C2 a later addition, by several million years. The human inhibitory receptor for C1 is encoded by KIR2DL2/3, a gene having two divergent allelic lineages: KIR2DL2 a B KIR haplotype component and KIR2DL3 an A KIR haplotype component. Although KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 exhibit quantitative differences in specificity and avidity for HLA-C, they qualitatively differ in their genetics, functional effect and clinical influence. This is due to linkage disequilibrium between KIR2DL2 and KIR2DS2, a closely related activating receptor that was selected for lost recognition of HLA-C.
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Mutation at Positively Selected Positions in the Binding Site for HLA-C Shows That KIR2DL1 Is a More Refined but Less Adaptable NK Cell Receptor Than KIR2DL3
Journal of immunology (Baltimore Md. : 1950), 2012Co-Authors: Hugo G Hilton, Achim K Moesta, Lisbeth A Guethlein, Luca Vago, Anastazia M. Older Aguilar, Thorsten Graef, Laurent Abi-rached, Katharina Fleischhauer, Peter ParhamAbstract:Through recognition of HLA class I, killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR) modulate NK cell functions in human immunity and reproduction. Although a minority of HLA-A and -B allotypes are KIR ligands, HLA-C allotypes dominate this regulation, because they all carry either the C1 epitope recognized by KIR2DL2/3 or the C2 epitope recognized by KIR2DL1. The C1 epitope and C1-specific KIR evolved first, followed several million years later by the C2 epitope and C2-specific KIR. Strong, varying selection pressure on NK cell functions drove the diversification and divergence of hominid KIR, with six positions in the HLA class I binding site of KIR being targets for positive diversifying selection. Introducing each naturally occurring residue at these positions into KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL3 produced 38 point mutants that were tested for binding to 95 HLA- A, -B, and -C allotypes. Modulating specificity for HLA-C is position 44, whereas positions 71 and 131 control cross-reactivity with HLA-A*11:02. Dominating avidity modulation is position 70, with lesser contributions from positions 68 and 182. KIR2DL3 has lower avidity and broader specificity than KIR2DL1. Mutation could increase the avidity and change the specificity of KIR2DL3, whereas KIR2DL1 specificity was resistant to mutation, and its avidity could only be lowered. The contrasting inflexibility of KIR2DL1 and adaptability of KIR2DL3 fit with C2-specific KIR having evolved from C1-specific KIR, and not vice versa. Substitutions restricted to activating KIR all reduced the avidity of KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL3, further evidence that activating KIR function often becomes subject to selective attenuation.
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interactions of nk cell receptor kir3dl1 004 with chaperones and conformation specific antibody reveal a functional folded state as well as predominant intracellular retention
Journal of Immunology, 2011Co-Authors: Sabrina B Taner, Peter Parham, Karl-johan Malmberg, Marcelo J Pando, Allison Roberts, Jennifer Schellekens, Steven G E Marsh, Frances M BrodskyAbstract:Variable interaction between the Bw4 epitope of HLA-B and the polymorphic KIR3DL1/S1 system of inhibitory and activating NK cell receptors diversifies the development, repertoire formation, and response of human NK cells. KIR3DL1*004, a common KIR3DL1 allotype, in combination with Bw4(+) HLA-B, slows progression of HIV infection to AIDS. Analysis in this study of KIR3DL1*004 membrane traffic in NK cells shows this allotype is largely misfolded but stably retained in the endoplasmic reticulum, where it binds to the chaperone calreticulin and does not induce the unfolded protein response. A small fraction of KIR3DL1*004 folds correctly and leaves the endoplasmic reticulum to be expressed on the surface of primary NK and transfected NKL cells, in a form that can be triggered to inhibit NK cell activation and secretion of IFN-γ. Consistent with this small proportion of correctly folded molecules, trace amounts of MHC class I coimmunoprecipitated with KIR3DL1*004. There was no indication of any extensive intracellular interaction between unfolded KIR3DL1*004 and cognate Bw4(+) HLA-B. A similarly limited interaction of Bw4 with KIR3DL1*002, when both were expressed by the same cell, was observed despite the efficient folding of KIR3DL1*002 and its abundance on the NK cell surface. Several positions of polymorphism modulate KIR3DL1 abundance at the cell surface, differences that do not necessarily correlate with the potency of allotype function. In this context, our results suggest the possibility that the effect of Bw4(+) HLA-B and KIR3DL1*004 in slowing progression to AIDS is mediated by interaction of Bw4(+) HLA-B with the small fraction of cell surface KIR3DL1*004.
Andrew G. Brooks - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the role of the hla class i alpha 2 helix in determining ligand hierarchy for the killer cell ig like receptor 3dl1 philippa
Journal of Immunology, 2021Co-Authors: Philippa M. Saunders, Shu Cheng Wong, Jamie Rossjohn, Julian P. Vivian, Jacqueline M L Widjaja, Bruce J Maclachlan, Clare V Oates, Andrew G. BrooksAbstract:HLA class I molecules that represent ligands for the inhibitory killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) 3DL1 found on NK cells are categorically defined as those HLA-A and HLA-B allotypes containing the Bw4 motif, yet KIR3DL1 demonstrates hierarchical recognition of these HLA-Bw4 ligands. To better understand the molecular basis underpinning differential KIR3DL1 recognition, the HLA-ABw4 family of allotypes were investigated. Transfected human 721.221 cells expressing HLA-A*32:01 strongly inhibited primary human KIR3DL1+ NK cells, whereas HLA-A*24:02 and HLA-A*23:01 displayed intermediate potency and HLA-A*25:01 failed to inhibit activation of KIR3DL1+ NK cells. Structural studies demonstrated that recognition of HLA-A*24:02 by KIR3DL1 used identical contacts as the potent HLA-B*57:01 ligand. Namely, the D1-D2 domains of KIR3DL1 were placed over the α1 helix and α2 helix of the HLA-A*24:02 binding cleft, respectively, whereas the D0 domain contacted the side of the HLA-A*24:02 molecule. Nevertheless, functional analyses showed KIR3DL1 recognition of HLA-A*24:02 was more sensitive to substitutions within the α2 helix of HLA-A*24:02, including residues Ile142 and Lys144 Furthermore, the presence of Thr149 in the α2 helix of HLA-A*25:01 abrogated KIR3DL1+ NK inhibition. Together, these data demonstrate a role for the HLA class I α2 helix in determining the hierarchy of KIR3DL1 ligands. Thus, recognition of HLA class I is dependent on a complex interplay between the peptide repertoire, polymorphisms within and proximal to the Bw4 motif, and the α2 helix. Collectively, the data furthers our understanding of KIR3DL1 ligands and will inform genetic association and immunogenetics studies examining the role of KIR3DL1 in disease settings.
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OR26 BW4+ HLA class I and KIR3DL1 allotypic pairing influences licensing and effector function of KIR3DL1+ NK cells
Human Immunology, 2017Co-Authors: Shu Cheng Wong, Philippa M. Saunders, Phillip Pymm, Jamie Rossjohn, Julian P. Vivian, Andrew G. BrooksAbstract:Aim The interaction of HLA class I proteins with inhibitory receptors expressed by NK cells impacts their capacity to mediate effector responses via a process called licensing. The strength of these interactions is influenced by polymorphisms in genes encoding both receptor and ligand. Using the interaction between KIR3DL1 and HLA-Bw4 allotypes as a model, we aimed to further understand how the strength of this interaction correlates with licensing of KIR3DL1+ NK cells, assessing both HLA-A and -B Bw4+ molecules and determining the impact of having multiple Bw4+ allotypes of differing ligand strengths. Methods NK cells were purified from HLA-typed, healthy donor PBMC and incubated with HLA class I deficient 221 cells and the expression of CD107a and IFNγ by KIR3DL1+ NK cells assessed by flow cytometry. The expressed KIR3DL1 allotypes were further categorized into five subtypes, spanning ∼95% of the population, using a multiplex PCR. The data was then stratified by donor HLA and KIR3DL1 type and correlated against KIR3DL1/HLA-Bw4 affinity measurements based on KIR3DL1 tetramer binding to a panel of 100 different HLA class I allotypes. Results KIR3DL1+ NK cells from Bw4+ individuals had elevated degranulation and IFNγ responses following coculture with 221 cells compared to those from individuals who lacked Bw4 allotypes. However, there was no strict relationship between Bw4 copy number and the magnitude of the response or cell surface expression of Bw4 allotypes. When the NK response to 221 cells was correlated with the binding strength of the KIR3DL1/HLA-Bw4 interactions, as assessed by KIR3DL1 tetramer binding to bead-bound HLA class I, a spectrum of licencing efficiency was revealed. NK cells from donors with weak KIR3LD1/HLA-Bw4 interactions had more modest responses than those from individuals with combinations that interacted strongly. Some KIR3DL1 allotypes including *002 and *015 showed greater variability in effector function compared to other KIR3DL1 subgroups. When multiple Bw4 allotypes were present, the strongest correlation to NK activation was drawn when the contribution of both Bw4 allotypes was averaged. Conclusions NK cell effector function correlates with KIR3DL1/HLA-Bw4 binding strength, suggesting that licensing is dependent on the strength of the receptor/ligand interaction.
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crystal structure of the hla cw3 allotype specific killer cell inhibitory receptor kir2dl2
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 1999Co-Authors: Greg A Snyder, Andrew G. Brooks, Peter D SunAbstract:Abstract Killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIR) protect class I HLAs expressing target cells from natural killer (NK) cell-mediated lysis. To understand the molecular basis of this receptor-ligand recognition, we have crystallized the extracellular ligand-binding domains of KIR2DL2, a member of the Ig superfamily receptors that recognize HLA-Cw1, 3, 7, and 8 allotypes. The structure was determined in two different crystal forms, an orthorhombic P212121 and a trigonal P3221 space group, to resolutions of 3.0 and 2.9 A, respectively. The overall fold of this structure, like KIR2DL1, exhibits K-type Ig topology with cis-proline residues in both domains that define β-strand switching, which sets KIR apart from the C2-type hematopoietic growth hormone receptor fold. The hinge angle of KIR2DL2 is approximately 80°, 14° larger than that observed in KIR2DL1 despite the existence of conserved hydrophobic residues near the hinge region. There is also a 5° difference in the observed hinge angles in two crystal forms of 2DL2, suggesting that the interdomain hinge angle is not fixed. The putative ligand-binding site is formed by residues from several variable loops with charge distribution apparently complementary to that of HLA-C. The packing of the receptors in the orthorhombic crystal form offers an intriguing model for receptor aggregation on the cell surface.
Marcus Altfeld - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Peptide-specific engagement of the activating NK cell receptor KIR2DS1.
Scientific reports, 2017Co-Authors: Anais Chapel, Wilfredo F. Garcia-beltran, Angelique Hölzemer, Maja Ziegler, Sebastian Lunemann, Gloria Martrus, Marcus AltfeldAbstract:The activating NK cell receptor KIR2DS1 has been shown to be involved in many disorders including autoimmune diseases, malignancies and pregnancy outcomes. However, the precise ligands and functions of this receptor remain unclear. We aimed to gain a better understanding of the factors involved in the binding of KIR2DS1 and its inhibitory counterpart KIR2DL1 to HLA class I molecules, and the consequences for KIR2DS1+ NK-cell function. A systematic screen that assessed binding to 97 HLA-I proteins confirmed that KIR2DS1-binding was narrowly restricted to HLA-C group 2 complexes, while KIR2DL1 showed a broader binding specificity. Using KIR2DS1ζ+ Jurkat reporter-cells and peptide-pulsed 721.221.TAP1KO-HLA-C*06:02 cells, we identified the synthetic peptide SRGPVHHLL presented by HLA-C*06:02 that strongly engaged KIR2DS1- and KIR2DL1-binding. Functional analysis showed that this HLA-C*06:02-presented peptide can furthermore activate primary KIR2DS1(+) NK cell clones. Thus, we demonstrated peptide-dependent binding of the activating NK cell receptor KIR2DS1, providing new insights into the underlying mechanisms involved in KIR2DS1-related disorders.
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Increased frequency and function of KIR2DL1-3+ NK cells in primary HIV-1 infection are determined by HLA-C group haplotypes
European journal of immunology, 2014Co-Authors: Christian Körner, Mitchell E. Granoff, Molly A. Amero, Michael Sirignano, Sagar A Vaidya, Stephanie Jost, Todd M. Allen, Eric S. Rosenberg, Marcus AltfeldAbstract:The acquisition and maintenance of NK-cell function is mediated by inhibitory killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) through their interaction with HLA class I molecules. Recently, HLA-C expression levels were shown to be correlated with protection against multiple outcomes of HIV-1 infection; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. As HLA-C is the natural ligand for the inhibitory receptors KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL2/3, we sought to determine whether HLA-C group haplotypes affect NK-cell responses during primary HIV-1 infection. The phenotypes and functional capacity of NK cells derived from HIV-1-positive and HIV-1-negative individuals were assessed (N = 42 and N = 40, respectively). HIV-1 infection was associated with an increased frequency of KIR2DL1-3(+) NK cells. Further analysis showed that KIR2DL1(+) NK cells were selectively increased in individuals homozygous for HLA-C2, while HLA-C1-homozygous individuals displayed increased proportions of KIR2DL2/3(+) NK cells. KIR2DL1-3(+) NK cells were furthermore more polyfunctional during primary HIV-1 infection in individuals also encoding for their cognate HLA-C group haplotypes, as measured by degranulation and IFN-γ and TNF-α production. These results identify a novel relationship between HLA-C and KIR2DL(+) NK-cell subsets and demonstrate that HLA-C-mediated licensing modulates NK-cell responses to primary HIV-1 infection.
John Trowsdale - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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High-Resolution Genetic and Phenotypic Analysis of KIR2DL1 Alleles and Their Association with Pre-Eclampsia
Journal of Immunology, 2018Co-Authors: Oisín Huhn, Christelle Retière, Olympe Chazara, Martin Ivarsson, Timothy Venkatesan, Hugo Hilton, Jyothi Jayaraman, James Traherne, John TrowsdaleAbstract:Killer-cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) genes are inherited as haplotypes. They are expressed by NK cells and linked to outcomes of infectious diseases and pregnancy in humans. Understanding how genotype relates to phenotype is difficult because of the extensive diversity of the KIR family. Indeed, high-resolution KIR genotyping and phenotyping in single NK cells in the context of disease association is lacking. In this article, we describe a new method to separate NK cells expressing allotypes of the KIR2DL1 gene carried by the KIR A haplotype (KIR2DL1A) from those expressing KIR2DL1 alleles carried by the KIR B haplotype (KIR2DL1B). We find that in KIR AB heterozygous individuals, different KIR2DL1 allotypes can be detected in both peripheral blood and uterine NK cells. Using this new method, we demonstrate that both blood and uterine NK cells codominantly express KIR2DL1A and KIR2DL1B allotypes but with a predominance of KIR2DL1A variants, which associate with enhanced NK cell function. In a case-control study of pre-eclampsia, we show that KIR2DL1A, not KIR2DL1B, associates with increased disease risk. This method will facilitate our understanding of how individual KIR2DL1 allelic variants affect NK cell function and contribute to disease risk.
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Modulation of Human Leukocyte Antigen-C by Human Cytomegalovirus Stimulates KIR2DS1 Recognition by Natural Killer Cells.
Frontiers in immunology, 2017Co-Authors: Kattria Van Der Ploeg, Martin A Ivarsson, Ashley Moffett, Chiwen Chang, Mark R. Wills, John TrowsdaleAbstract:The interaction of inhibitory killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs) with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules has been characterized in detail. By contrast, activating members of the KIR family, although closely related to inhibitory KIRs, appear to interact weakly, if at all, with HLA class I. KIR2DS1 is the best studied activating KIR and it interacts with C2 group HLA-C (C2-HLA-C) in some assays, but not as strongly as KIR2DL1. We used a mouse 2B4 cell reporter system, which carries NFAT-green fluorescent protein with KIR2DS1 and a modified DAP12 adaptor protein. KIR2DS1 reporter cells were not activated upon coculture with 721.221 cells transfected with different HLA-C molecules, or with interferon-γ stimulated primary dermal fibroblasts. However, KIR2DS1 reporter cells and KIR2DS1+ primary natural killer (NK) cells were activated by C2-HLA-C homozygous human fetal foreskin fibroblasts (HFFFs) but only after infection with specific clones of a clinical strain of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Active viral gene expression was required for activation of both cell types. Primary NKG2A-KIR2DS1+ NK cell subsets degranulated after coculture with HCMV-infected HFFFs. The W6/32 antibody to HLA class I blocked the KIR2DS1 reporter cell interaction with its ligand on HCMV-infected HFFFs but did not block interaction with KIR2DL1. This implies a differential recognition of HLA-C by KIR2DL1 and KIR2DS1. The data suggest that modulation of HLA-C by HCMV is required for a potent KIR2DS1-mediated NK cell activation.
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Different and divergent regulation of the KIR2DL4 and KIR3DL1 promoters.
Journal of immunology (Baltimore Md. : 1950), 2003Co-Authors: C. Andrew Stewart, Jeroen Van Bergen, John TrowsdaleAbstract:The killer Ig-like receptors (KIR) are a family of highly related MHC class I receptors that show extreme genetic polymorphism both within the human population and between closely related primate species, suggestive of rapid evolutionary diversification. Most KIR are expressed in a variegated fashion by the NK population, giving rise to an NK repertoire of specificities for MHC class I. We compared the promoter for KIR3DL1, which exhibits variegated gene expression, with that for KIR2DL4, which is expressed by all NK cell clones. Maximum transcriptional activity of each was encoded within ∼270 bp upstream of the translation initiation codon. The KIR2DL4 promoter drove reporter gene expression only in NK cells, while the KIR3DL1 promoter was active in a range of cell types, suggesting that the latter requires other regulatory elements for physiological expression. In NK cells, reporter gene expression driven by the KIR2DL4 promoter was greater than that driven by the KIR3DL1 promoter. DNase I footprinting revealed that transcription factor binding sites differ between the two promoters. The data indicate that while the promoters of these two KIR genes share 67% nucleotide identity, they have evolved distinct properties consistent with different roles in regulating the generation of NK repertoire.
Peter D Sun - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a structural perspective on mhc class i recognition by killer cell immunoglobulin like receptors
Molecular Immunology, 2002Co-Authors: Jeffrey C Boyington, Peter D SunAbstract:Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) play a critical role in the regulation of natural killer (NK) cell activity through their recognition of class I MHC molecules expressed on target cells. KIR recognition provides vital information to NK cells about whether a target cell should be lysed or spared. Understanding the molecular mechanism of this recognition has remained a strong focus of investigation. This has resulted in the crystal structures of several members of the KIR family and more recently the determinations of the three dimensional structures of KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL1 complexed with their respective ligands, HLA-Cw3 and HLA-Cw4. A strong structural conservation has been revealed both in the receptor design and in the overall mode of KIR binding to class I molecules. Nevertheless, distinct differences in the receptor binding sites allow for high specificity between ligands. Furthermore, unexpected similarities with T-cell receptor (TCR) recognition of MHC molecules are also observed. The detailed interactions between KIR and HLA-C molecules and their functional implications will be reviewed here.
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crystal structure of the hla cw3 allotype specific killer cell inhibitory receptor kir2dl2
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 1999Co-Authors: Greg A Snyder, Andrew G. Brooks, Peter D SunAbstract:Abstract Killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIR) protect class I HLAs expressing target cells from natural killer (NK) cell-mediated lysis. To understand the molecular basis of this receptor-ligand recognition, we have crystallized the extracellular ligand-binding domains of KIR2DL2, a member of the Ig superfamily receptors that recognize HLA-Cw1, 3, 7, and 8 allotypes. The structure was determined in two different crystal forms, an orthorhombic P212121 and a trigonal P3221 space group, to resolutions of 3.0 and 2.9 A, respectively. The overall fold of this structure, like KIR2DL1, exhibits K-type Ig topology with cis-proline residues in both domains that define β-strand switching, which sets KIR apart from the C2-type hematopoietic growth hormone receptor fold. The hinge angle of KIR2DL2 is approximately 80°, 14° larger than that observed in KIR2DL1 despite the existence of conserved hydrophobic residues near the hinge region. There is also a 5° difference in the observed hinge angles in two crystal forms of 2DL2, suggesting that the interdomain hinge angle is not fixed. The putative ligand-binding site is formed by residues from several variable loops with charge distribution apparently complementary to that of HLA-C. The packing of the receptors in the orthorhombic crystal form offers an intriguing model for receptor aggregation on the cell surface.
