Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes that provide innate immunity against infection, co-operate with dendritic cells to initiate adaptive immunity and remodel uterine tissue in reproduction. Their responses are shaped by a battery of activating and inhibitory cell-surface receptors. In man the most variable of these are the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). The KIR family has both activating and inhibitory members. Inhibitory KIR ligands have been shown to be HLA class I determinants, but the ligands of activating KIR, which comprise almost half of the human KIR repertoire, are largely unknown. In the previous funding period we examined the natural history of the activating receptors including both KIR and their functional analog in rodents Ly49. This analysis yielded a two stage model for activating KIR evolution. In stage one, creation of an activating receptor is followed by rapid increase in frequency due to beneficial effects. When the selective advantage of the activating receptor disappears, it enters stage two where its deleterious effects (e.g. autoimmunity) lead to decreasing frequency and eventual gene loss. This model is in agreement with correlations of activating KIR with autoimmune disease progression. That human activating KIR are in stage two of our model is indicated by their frequency as well as the results of a selection analysis that indicated activating KIR specific residues, close or in the predicted HLA binding site, that appeared to be under positive selection. Our model predicts that receptors in stage two of the model will exhibit decreased binding to their ligands. We will test this prediction by using an in vitro binding assay to assess the binding profiles and affinities of the activating KIR. It is unclear whether KIR2DS4 is in stage one or stage two of our model and the second part of Aim 1 is devoted to the examination of the binding specificity and structural characteristics unique to KIR2DS4. Finally as an additional test of activating KIR function we will analyze the activating KIR of the squirrel monkey, the only other primate species with an increased proportion of activating KIR. Interspecies comparisons have been vital in the design of experiments testing the functional effects of variation and in Aim 2 we will analyze variation in other gene families of the leukocyte receptor complex (LRC), natural killer complex (NKC) and MHC in a panel of related primate species. The results of these studies will provide a basis for further functional exploration of differing immune responses among closely-related primate species.
Aim 3 explores NK receptor variation and resolution of viral infection. We will test two hypotheses that can explain our observed correlation of activating KIR genotype and resolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in chimpanzees. In the second part of the aim the differences in variation and diversity of KIR, MHC, and other innate immune gene families between sooty mangabeys and rhesus macaques will be determined. These two species differ in their response to infection with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVsm). This comparative analysis will identify unique species characteristics and the basis of differential SIV/HIV-2 immune responses.

Public Health Relevance

Natural killer cells defend the body during the early stages of infection, particularly viral infections, eliminate tumors, and have roles in differential responses following hematopoietic cell transplantation. Controlling the functions of natural killer cells are highly variable cell-surface receptors. This research will determine how the genetic differences in receptors and ligands control and diversify natural killer cells and affect their response.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01AI024258-21A1
Application #
7728696
Study Section
Innate Immunity and Inflammation Study Section (III)
Program Officer
Rice, Jeffrey S
Project Start
1991-09-30
Project End
2014-06-30
Budget Start
2009-07-25
Budget End
2010-06-30
Support Year
21
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$345,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305
Norman, Paul J; Norberg, Steven J; Guethlein, Lisbeth A et al. (2017) Sequences of 95 human MHC haplotypes reveal extreme coding variation in genes other than highly polymorphic HLA class I and II. Genome Res 27:813-823
Wroblewski, Emily E; Guethlein, Lisbeth A; Norman, Paul J et al. (2017) Bonobos Maintain Immune System Diversity with Three Functional Types of MHC-B. J Immunol 198:3480-3493
Guethlein, Lisbeth A; Norman, Paul J; Heijmans, Corinne M C et al. (2017) Two Orangutan Species Have Evolved Different KIR Alleles and Haplotypes. J Immunol 198:3157-3169
Norman, Paul J; Hollenbach, Jill A; Nemat-Gorgani, Neda et al. (2016) Defining KIR and HLA Class I Genotypes at Highest Resolution via High-Throughput Sequencing. Am J Hum Genet 99:375-91
Abi-Rached, Laurent; Guethlein, Lisbeth A; Norman, Paul J et al. (2015) Chimpanzee susceptibility to hepatitis C virus infection correlates with presence of Pt-KIR3DS2 and Pt-KIR2DL9: paired activating and inhibitory natural killer cell receptors. Immunogenetics 67:625-8
Wroblewski, Emily E; Norman, Paul J; Guethlein, Lisbeth A et al. (2015) Signature Patterns of MHC Diversity in Three Gombe Communities of Wild Chimpanzees Reflect Fitness in Reproduction and Immune Defense against SIVcpz. PLoS Biol 13:e1002144
Guethlein, Lisbeth A; Norman, Paul J; Hilton, Hugo G et al. (2015) Co-evolution of MHC class I and variable NK cell receptors in placental mammals. Immunol Rev 267:259-82
Parham, Peter; Moffett, Ashley (2013) Variable NK cell receptors and their MHC class I ligands in immunity, reproduction and human evolution. Nat Rev Immunol 13:133-44
Hammond, John A; Guethlein, Lisbeth A; Norman, Paul J et al. (2012) Natural selection on marine carnivores elaborated a diverse family of classical MHC class I genes exhibiting haplotypic gene content variation and allelic polymorphism. Immunogenetics 64:915-33
Parham, P; Norman, P J; Abi-Rached, L et al. (2012) Review: Immunogenetics of human placentation. Placenta 33 Suppl:S71-80

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