Function
Natural killer (NK) cell receptors are located on the innate immune system NK cells. The receptors are differentiated into those activating effector function and those inhibiting it. The receptors induce apoptosis upon binding ligands which indicate infection[1].
- NKG2D is expressed in NK cells, cytotoxic T cells and T cell subsets.
- NKP are CD122(+) NK cell precursors.
- 2B4 (CD244) are expressed on all NK cells, T cell subset, monocytes and basophils[2].
- Ly49 are lectin-type receptors expressed in NK cells and T cell subsets[3].
- KIR are immunoglobulin-type receptors[4].
Relevance
NKG2D is associated with response to cellular distress and infection[5].