HLA-E–restricted recognition of human cytomegalovirus by a subset of cytolytic T lymphocytes
Natural killer (NK)-cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are a subset of CD8+ cytolytic T
lymphocytes that express human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I–specific inhibitory
receptors. They are detectable as monoclonal expansions in the blood of cytomegalovirus
(CMV)-seropositive individuals displaying particular HLA-Cw allotypes. Similar to NK cells,
they are capable of killing various allogeneic tumor cell lines, a function referred to as “NK-
like activity.” The mechanism underlying this unusual functional property has recently been …
lymphocytes that express human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I–specific inhibitory
receptors. They are detectable as monoclonal expansions in the blood of cytomegalovirus
(CMV)-seropositive individuals displaying particular HLA-Cw allotypes. Similar to NK cells,
they are capable of killing various allogeneic tumor cell lines, a function referred to as “NK-
like activity.” The mechanism underlying this unusual functional property has recently been …