Abstract
NKG2D is an activating receptor that is mostly expressed on cells of the cytotoxic arm of the immune system. Ligands of NKG2D are normally of low abundance, but can be induced in virtually any cell in response to stressors, such as infection and oncogenic transformation. Engagement of NKG2D stimulates the production of cytokines and cytotoxic molecules and traditionally this receptor is, therefore, viewed as a molecule that mediates direct responses against cellular threats. However, accumulating evidence indicates that this classical view is too narrow. During NK cell development, engagement of NKG2D has a long-term impact on the expression of NK cell receptors and their responsiveness to extracellular cues, suggesting a role in NK cell education. Upon chronic NKG2D engagement, both NK and T cells show reduced responsiveness of a number of activating receptors, demonstrating a role of NKG2D in induction of peripheral tolerance. The image that emerges is that NKG2D can mediate both inhibitory and activating signals, which depends on the intensity and duration of ligand engagement. In this review, we provide an overview of the impact of NKG2D stimulation during hematopoietic development and during acute and chronic stimulation in the periphery on responsiveness of other receptors than NKG2D. We propose that NKG2D interprets the context of the immunological environment through detection of cellular cues and in response sets the appropriate activation threshold for a large number of immune receptors. This perspective is of particular importance for future therapies that aim to exploit NKG2D signaling to fight tumors or infection.
Introduction
NKG2D, encoded by Klrk1, is an activating cell surface receptor that is predominantly expressed on cytotoxic immune cells. NKG2D is abundantly present on all NK cells, NKT cells, and subsets of γδ T cells. While naïve human CD8+ T cells express NKG2D, in mice they upregulate its expression only after activation (). CD4+ T cells generally do not express NKG2D even after activation, but in humans its expression can be induced under certain pathological conditions, such as Crohn’s disease juvenile-onset lupus and cytomegalovirus infection (–). In mice, CD4 T cells were shown to induce NKG2D expression in models for inflammation, such as colitis and chronic inflammatory arthritis (, ). The molecular structure of NKG2D allows it to bind a number of structurally different MHC-I-like ligands. NKG2D ligands have in common that under homeostatic conditions their expression is generally low. In contrast, upon cellular stress, such as infection or oncogenic transformation, their expression can be highly induced (). In humans, the NKG2D ligands are MICA, MICB, and six members of the ULBP family. In mice, ligands can be divided into three subgroups: five different isoforms of the Rae1-family (α-ε), MULT1, and three different isoforms of H60 (a, b, and c) ().
The NKG2D receptor consists of a homodimer of two disulfide-linked transmembrane proteins, with very short intracellular domains that do not have signaling properties. In mice, NKG2D therefore uses the adaptor molecules DAP10 and DAP12 to relay its signaling, whereas in humans NKG2D associates exclusively with DAP10 (). Two NKG2D isoforms have been identified in mice, a short (NKG2D-S) and a long (NKG2D-L) form, which differ 13 amino acids in length as result of alternative splicing of the Klrk1 transcript (). Due to this difference in length, NKG2D-L can only associate with DAP10, whereas NKG2D-S can form a complex with both DAP10 and DAP12. In humans, only the NKG2D-L isoform is expressed explaining why this receptor exclusively signals through DAP10 (, ). DAP10 and DAP12 initiate different signaling cascades. DAP10 possesses a YINM motif which allows binding p85 of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) (). In addition, DAP10 binds Grb2, which associates with Vav1. All three of these molecules are required to mediate the full signaling potential of NKG2D over DAP10 (). DAP12 contains an immune receptor tyrosine-based activation motif, which is phosphorylated by Src-kinases upon NKG2D triggering (). This event allows binding and activation of the tyrosine kinases, Syk and Zap70 (). T cells and naïve NK cells predominantly express the NKG2D-L isoform, which is therefore thought to promote cellular processes downstream of the PI3K signaling cascade, such as co-stimulation, cytotoxicity, and cell survival (–). In mice, NKG2D-S is induced in activated NK cells, in which it promotes signaling through Syk/Zap70, resulting in enhanced cytotoxicity and cytokine production ().
NKG2D plays an important role in the recognition and elimination of potentially dangerous cells (, ). It has been shown to mediate immune responses against tumors (), virally infected cells (, ), and organ transplants (). For this reason, NKG2D was originally thought to predominantly mediate direct cytotoxicity in response to the encounter of ligand on stressed target cells (). However, in most cases, NKG2D is only able to mediate immune cell activation if it occurs within an inflammatory context. Both NK and T cells generally require a secondary signal before NKG2D is able to mediate a measurable effect (–). The primary function of NKG2D therefore appears to be regulation of signaling through other receptors. Its unique feature is that it is able to both inhibit and potentiate signaling of a large number of receptors in multiple ontologically distinct immune cell subsets and during different stages of the life cycle of immune cells, such as hematopoietic development, priming, and effector responses (). In this review, we will give a brief overview of the literature regarding the role of NKG2D in various immunological settings. The model that emerges from accumulated evidence is that NKG2D is a master regulator of activation thresholds for a large number of receptors, both when NKG2D is directly engaged, and long after its signaling has ceased.
NKG2D and NK Cells
As part of innate immunity, NK cells play an important role in the early cytolytic defense against infections and tumors. NK cells are members of the type 1 family of innate lymphoid cells (, ). On their cell surface they express a large number of structurally distinct, germline-encoded receptors that can transfer both activating and inhibitory signals into the cell (). These receptors respond to external cues from peripheral cells that communicate either inhibitory homeostatic signals, or activating signals in case of cellular stress (). Under normal conditions inhibitory signals prevail, which keeps NK cells inactive. When cells become stressed, for example, upon infection or oncogenic transformation, activating signals dominate causing loss of equilibrium and NK cell activation (). To prevent autoimmunity or anergy, an extensive set of regulatory mechanisms is in place that determines the activation threshold values beyond which the balance between inhibitory and stimulating cues shifts in favor of activation. Already during their development, in a process known as “education,” “licensing,” or “arming,” NK cell activation thresholds are set, mostly in response to inhibitory receptors. NK cell education ensures proper reactivity, as well as tolerance toward self in response to locally expressed ligands. This process functionally mimics positive and negative selection of T cells in the thymus (–). Outside of the bone marrow, the responsiveness of NK cells is further fine-tuned by engagement of self-ligands by their receptor array, which mediates peripheral tolerance.
NKG2D is expressed from the earliest NK cell precursor stages onward (). Initially, its expression is relatively low, but increases over time and stays high in mature cells (). In mice, NK cells express both NKG2D isoforms, even though the long form predominates in a resting state (). Expression of the NKG2D-S isoform strongly increases after NK cell activation, whereas levels of the L-form abate (). Nevertheless, both DAP10 and DAP12-mediated signaling is engaged upon NKG2D stimulation in activated murine NK cells (). NKG2D has been implied in NK cell education, effector cell function, and peripheral tolerance through modification of the activation threshold of NK cell receptors. During development, NKG2D regulates both expression levels and responsiveness of a plethora of receptors (Figure 1). NK cells of mice with a germline deficiency for NKG2D show reduced levels of c-kit (CD117), the activating receptor DNAM-1, as well as the inhibitory receptors Ly49A, Ly49G2, and Ly49F (, ). In addition, whereas Klrk1−/− NK cells fail to respond to target cells expressing NKG2D ligands (, ), mice lacking either NKG2D, or its ligands Rae1δ and Rae1ε produce higher levels of IFNγ following stimulation with cellular targets (, , ). As a result, NKG2D-deficient mice display better NK cell-mediated control of murine cytomegalovirus infection (). This effect seems specific for NKG2D, since deletion of CD16, another activating receptor expressed on all NK cells, does not affect CD16 independent NK cell function both in humans and in mice (–).
Figure 1
Humans do not express Ly49 molecules, nor does human NKG2D engage DAP12. Unfortunately, the impact of NKG2D on NK cell development in humans is difficult to determine. To date, no deficiency for this receptor has been documented and in the periphery most NK cells express NKG2D, precluding comparison of NK cell subpopulations with and without this receptor. This makes it difficult to translate many observations made in NKG2D-deficient mice directly to the human situation. However, the maternal decidua contains a large population of NKG2D− NK cells, which is replaced by NKG2D+ cells during the first trimester of pregnancy (
The impact of NKG2D on NK cell development is likely to depend on its interaction with the IL-15 receptor (IL-15R). IL-15R signaling is known to be important for the development, homeostasis, and survival of NK cells (
NKG2D plays a key role in effector responses of NK cells in the periphery (Figure 2). NKG2D itself is an important mediator of tumor immuno-surveillance, since animals deficient for NKG2D demonstrate a reduced ability to fight prostate carcinoma and B cell lymphoma, but not chemically induced fibrosarcoma (
Figure 2

NKG2D regulates receptor responsiveness differently following acute or chronic stimulation. (A) Following acute stimulation, NKG2D promotes responsiveness of a range of structurally unrelated receptors that use largely distinct intracellular signaling modalities. (B) Chronic NKG2D engagement mediates its own downregulation and subsequent hypo-responsiveness to stimulation. In addition, chronic NKG2D stimulation impairs T cell receptor responsiveness in T cells. In NK cells, chronic NKG2D stimulation reduces missing self-signaling (not shown) as well as responsiveness of a number of receptors that share the FcεRIγ signal adaptor.
NKG2D has also been implied in the generation of peripheral tolerance of NK cells, an effect that was first identified in cancer patients. Whereas some tumors downregulate NKG2D ligands to prevent recognition, others paradoxically induce expression NKG2D ligands (
Chronic NKG2D engagement by NK cells results in reduced responsiveness of multiple receptors other than NKG2D. An impaired ability to kill RMA-S cells was observed in mice that transgenically overexpress Rae1ε or MICA and upon chronic exposure of NK cells to NKG2D ligands in vitro. This indicates a role for NKG2D in regulation of missing self-recognition (
In summary, NKG2D affects all stages of the life cycle of NK cells through modification of NK cell receptor activation thresholds. In addition to its important role in recognition and elimination of potentially dangerous cells, NKG2D mediates NK cell education in the bone marrow and peripheral tolerance upon chronic ligand exposure. Further investigation is needed to determine how NKG2D affects activity of receptors that do not share its downstream signaling components.
NKG2D as a Modulator of Receptor Responsiveness in T Cells
Inappropriate activation of T cells, for example by self antigens, may lead to devastating tissue destruction. Therefore, priming of naïve T cells requires not only T cell receptor (TCR) engagement, but also co-stimulation via membrane-bound receptors and/or cytokines (
NKG2D has been well-documented as a co-stimulatory molecule for T cells. Upon MICA engagement, activated human CD8 T cells produce more IFNγ, TNF, and IL-2 in response to TCR stimulation (
In contrast to αβ T cells, γδ T cells do not require priming and are directly able to mediate cytokine production and cytolytic killing upon TCR engagement (
The TCR functionally defines the T cell and, therefore, has been given most attention regarding its interaction with NKG2D. However, NKG2D mediates sensitization of receptors in T cells beyond the TCR (Figure 2). Most notably, NKG2D has been associated with IL-15 receptor signaling and memory CD8 T cell formation. Upon stimulation, the IL-15 receptor activates the adaptor molecules Jak1 and Jak3, which mediate phosphorylation of Stat5, but also DAP10, thus potentiating NKG2D signaling through DAP10 (
FAS, also known as CD95, is a member of the TNF receptor superfamily. Dependent on the intracellular adaptor molecules that are associated to this receptor, FAS ligation may induce apoptosis, growth arrest, or proliferation (
Finally, NKG2D stimulation affects responsiveness of T cells to chemokines. Deficiency of NKG2D does not result in changes in migration per se, as naïve or effector T cells of NKG2D-deficient mice do not show differences in tissue homing (
Similar to NK cells, chronic exposure of T cells to NKG2D ligands impairs their responsiveness to stimulation. Characterization of T cells infiltrating human tumors overexpressing NKG2D ligands showed that they downregulate the NKG2D receptor (
NKG2D and B Cells
A surprising role for NKG2D was recently identified in regulation of signaling thresholds in B cells. Mice deficient for NKG2D show a specific reduction in the number of B cells in spleen (
Concluding Remarks
NKG2D has great potential as a therapeutic target, since it has the potency to enhance cytolytic immune responses against important diseases, such as cancer. Indeed, chimeric receptors using NKG2D signaling domains have successfully been used in vitro to potentiate antitumor T cells (
Statements
Author contributions
VJ wrote the section on NK cells. FW wrote the section on T cells. BP wrote the other sections and edited the article.
Funding
This work was supported by the University of Rijeka (865.10.2101 to FW and 803.10.1103 to BP) and the Croatian Science Foundation (IP-2016-06-8027 to FW and IP-2016-06-9306 to BP).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
References
1
RauletDH. Roles of the NKG2D immunoreceptor and its ligands. Nat Rev Immunol (2003) 3:781–90.10.1038/nri1199
2
Sáez-BorderíasAGumáMAnguloABellosilloBPendeDLópez-BotetM. Expression and function of NKG2D in CD4+ T cells specific for human cytomegalovirus. Eur J Immunol (2006) 36:3198–206.10.1002/eji.200636682
3
AllezMTiengVNakazawaATretonXPacaultVDulphyNet alCD4+NKG2D+ T cells in Crohn’s disease mediate inflammatory and cyto-toxic responses through MICA interactions. Gastroenterology (2007) 132:2346–58.10.1053/j.gastro.2007.03.025
4
DaiZTurtleCJBoothGCRiddellSRGooleyTAStevensAMet alNormally occurring NKG2D+CD4+ T cells are immunosuppressive and inversely correlated with disease activity in juvenile-onset lupus. J Exp Med (2009) 206:793–805.10.1084/jem.20081648
5
ItoYKanaiTTotsukaTOkamotoRTsuchiyaKNemotoYet alBlockade of NKG2D signaling prevents the development of murine CD4+ T cell-mediated colitis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol (2008) 294:G199–207.10.1152/ajpgi.00286.2007
6
AnderssonAKSumariwallaPFMcCannFEAmjadiPChangCMcNameeKet alBlockade of NKG2D ameliorates disease in mice with collagen-induced arthritis: a potential pathogenic role in chronic inflammatory arthritis. Arthritis Rheum (2011) 63:2617–29.10.1002/art.30460
7
RauletDHGasserSGowenBGDengWJungH. Regulation of ligands for the NKG2D activating receptor. Annu Rev Immunol (2013) 31:413–41.10.1146/annurev-immunol-032712-095951
8
ZafirovaBWensveenFMGulinMPolicB. Regulation of immune cell function and differentiation by the NKG2D receptor. Cell Mol Life Sci (2011) 68:3519–29.10.1007/s00018-011-0797-0
9
DiefenbachATomaselloELucasMJamiesonAMHsiaJKVivierEet alSelective associations with signaling proteins determine stimulatory versus costimulatory activity of NKG2D. Nat Immunol (2002) 3:1142–9.10.1038/ni858
10
RabinovichBLiJWolfsonMLawrenceWBeersCChalupnyJet alNKG2D splice variants: a reexamination of adaptor molecule associations. Immunogenetics (2006) 58:81–8.10.1007/s00251-005-0078-x
11
RosenDBArakiMHamermanJAChenTYamamuraTLanierLL. A Structural basis for the association of DAP12 with mouse, but not human, NKG2D. J Immunol (2004) 173:2470–8.10.4049/jimmunol.173.4.2470
12
LanierLL. DAP10- and DAP12-associated receptors in innate immunity. Immunol Rev (2009) 227:150–60.10.1111/j.1600-065X.2008.00720.x
13
UpshawJLArnesonLNSchoonRADickCJBilladeauDDLeibsonPJ. NKG2D-mediated signaling requires a DAP10-bound Grb2-Vav1 intermediate and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase in human natural killer cells. Nat Immunol (2006) 7:524–32.10.1038/ni1325
14
McVicarDWTaylorLSGosselinPWillette-BrownJMikhaelAIGeahlenRLet alDAP12-mediated signal transduction in natural killer cells. A dominant role for the Syk protein-tyrosine kinase. J Biol Chem (1998) 273:32934–42.10.1074/jbc.273.49.32934
15
GilfillanSHoELCellaMYokoyamaWMColonnaM. NKG2D recruits two distinct adapters to trigger NK cell activation and costimulation. Nat Immunol (2002) 3:1150–5.10.1038/ni857
16
HorngTBezbradicaJSMedzhitovR. NKG2D signaling is coupled to the interleukin 15 receptor signaling pathway. Nat Immunol (2007) 8:1345–52.10.1038/ni1524
17
ZompiSHamermanJAOgasawaraKSchweighofferETybulewiczVLDi SantoJPet alNKG2D triggers cytotoxicity in mouse NK cells lacking DAP12 or Syk family kinases. Nat Immunol (2003) 4:565–72.10.1038/ni930
18
Le BertNGasserS. Advances in NKG2D ligand recognition and responses by NK cells. Immunol Cell Biol (2014) 92:230–6.10.1038/icb.2013.111
19
JonjicSPolicBKrmpoticA. Viral inhibitors of NKG2D ligands: friends or foes of immune surveillance?Eur J Immunol (2008) 38:2952–6.10.1002/eji.200838823
20
OgasawaraKBenjaminJTakakiRPhillipsJHLanierLL. Function of NKG2D in natural killer cell-mediated rejection of mouse bone marrow grafts. Nat Immunol (2005) 6:938–45.10.1038/ni1236
21
HoELCarayannopoulosLNPoursine-LaurentJKinderJPlougastelBSmithHRet alCostimulation of multiple NK cell activation receptors by NKG2D. J Immunol (2002) 169:3667–75.10.4049/jimmunol.169.7.3667
22
GrohVRhinehartRRandolph-HabeckerJToppMSRiddellSRSpiesT. Costimulation of CD8alphabeta T cells by NKG2D via engagement by MIC induced on virus-infected cells. Nat Immunol (2001) 2:255–60.10.1038/85321
23
BrycesonYTMarchMELjunggrenHGLongEO. Synergy among receptors on resting NK cells for the activation of natural cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion. Blood (2006) 107:159–66.10.1182/blood-2005-04-1351
24
EberlGColonnaMDi SantoJPMcKenzieAN. Innate lymphoid cells. Innate lymphoid cells: a new paradigm in immunology. Science (2015) 348:aaa6566.10.1126/science.aaa6566
25
EberlGDi SantoJPVivierE. The brave new world of innate lymphoid cells. Nat Immunol (2015) 16:1–5.10.1038/ni.3059
26
VivierERauletDHMorettaACaligiuriMAZitvogelLLanierLLet alInnate or adaptive immunity? The example of natural killer cells. Science (2011) 331:44–9.10.1126/science.1198687
27
ColucciFDi SantoJPLeibsonPJ. Natural killer cell activation in mice and men: different triggers for similar weapons?Nat Immunol (2002) 3:807–13.10.1038/ni0902-807
28
FernandezNCTreinerEVanceREJamiesonAMLemieuxSRauletDH. A subset of natural killer cells achieves self-tolerance without expressing inhibitory receptors specific for self-MHC molecules. Blood (2005) 105:4416–23.10.1182/blood-2004-08-3156
29
OrrMTLanierLL. Natural killer cell education and tolerance. Cell (2010) 142:847–56.10.1016/j.cell.2010.08.031
30
KimSPoursine-LaurentJTruscottSMLybargerLSongYJYangLet alLicensing of natural killer cells by host major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. Nature (2005) 436:709–13.10.1038/nature03847
31
CarottaSPangSHNuttSLBelzGT. Identification of the earliest NK-cell precursor in the mouse BM. Blood (2011) 117:5449–52.10.1182/blood-2010-11-318956
32
HuntingtonNDVosshenrichCADi SantoJP. Developmental pathways that generate natural-killer-cell diversity in mice and humans. Nat Rev Immunol (2007) 7:703–14.10.1038/nri2154
33
ZafirovaBMandarićSAntulovRKrmpotićAJonssonHYokoyamaWMet alAltered NK cell development and enhanced NK cell-mediated resistance to mouse cytomegalovirus in NKG2D-deficient mice. Immunity (2009) 31:270–82.10.1016/j.immuni.2009.06.017
34
SheppardSTriulziCArdolinoMSernaDZhangLRauletDHet alCharacterization of a novel NKG2D and NKp46 double-mutant mouse reveals subtle variations in the NK cell repertoire. Blood (2013) 121:5025–33.10.1182/blood-2012-12-471607
35
GuerraNTanYXJonckerNTChoyAGallardoFXiongNet alNKG2D-deficient mice are defective in tumor surveillance in models of spontaneous malignancy. Immunity (2008) 28:571–80.10.1016/j.immuni.2008.02.016
36
DengWGowenBGZhangLWangLLauSIannelloAet alAntitumor immunity. A shed NKG2D ligand that promotes natural killer cell activation and tumor rejection. Science (2015) 348:136–9.10.1126/science.1258867
37
TakaiT. Multiple loss of effector cell functions in FcR gamma-deficient mice. Int Rev Immunol (1996) 13:369–81.10.3109/08830189609061759
38
GrierJTForbesLRMonaco-ShawverLOshinskyJAtkinsonTPMoodyCet alHuman immunodeficiency-causing mutation defines CD16 in spontaneous NK cell cytotoxicity. J Clin Invest (2012) 122:3769–80.10.1172/JCI64837
39
JawaharSMoodyCChanMFinbergRGehaRChatilaT. Natural Killer (NK) cell deficiency associated with an epitope-deficient Fc receptor type IIIA (CD16-II). Clin Exp Immunol (1996) 103:408–13.10.1111/j.1365-2249.1996.tb08295.x
40
MarlinRDuriezMBerkaneNde TruchisCMadecYRey-CuilleMAet alDynamic shift from CD85j/ILT-2 to NKG2D NK receptor expression pattern on human decidual NK during the first trimester of pregnancy. PLoS One (2012) 7:e30017.10.1371/journal.pone.0030017
41
FaasMMde VosP. Uterine NK cells and macrophages in pregnancy. Placenta (2017) 56:44–52.10.1016/j.placenta.2017.03.001
42
Di SantoJP. Natural killer cell developmental pathways: a question of balance. Annu Rev Immunol (2006) 24:257–86.10.1146/annurev.immunol.24.021605.090700
43
MarteBMDownwardJ. PKB/Akt: connecting phosphoinositide 3-kinase to cell survival and beyond. Trends Biochem Sci (1997) 22:355–8.10.1016/S0968-0004(97)01097-9
44
ParsonsMSRichardJLeeWSVandervenHGrantMDFinziAet alNKG2D acts as a co-receptor for natural killer cell-mediated anti-HIV-1 antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses (2016) 32:1089–96.10.1089/aid.2016.0099
45
BrycesonYTLjunggrenHGLongEO. Minimal requirement for induction of natural cytotoxicity and intersection of activation signals by inhibitory receptors. Blood (2009) 114:2657–66.10.1182/blood-2009-01-201632
46
KimHSDasAGrossCCBrycesonYTLongEO. Synergistic signals for natural cytotoxicity are required to overcome inhibition by c-Cbl ubiquitin ligase. Immunity (2010) 32:175–86.10.1016/j.immuni.2010.02.004
47
NabekuraTGotthardtDNiizumaKTrsanTJenusTJonjicSet alCutting edge: NKG2D signaling enhances NK cell responses but alone is insufficient to drive expansion during mouse cytomegalovirus infection. J Immunol (2017) 199:1567–71.10.4049/jimmunol.1700799
48
TrsanTBuscheAAbramMWensveenFMLemmermannNAArapovicMet alSuperior induction and maintenance of protective CD8 T cells in mice infected with mouse cytomegalovirus vector expressing RAE-1gamma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (2013) 110:16550–5.10.1073/pnas.1310215110
49
GrohVRhinehartRSecristHBauerSGrabsteinKHSpiesT. Broad tumor-associated expression and recognition by tumor-derived gamma delta T cells of MICA and MICB. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (1999) 96:6879–84.10.1073/pnas.96.12.6879
50
GrohVWuJYeeCSpiesT. Tumour-derived soluble MIC ligands impair expression of NKG2D and T-cell activation. Nature (2002) 419:734–8.10.1038/nature01112
51
Mincheva-NilssonLNagaevaOChenTStendahlUAntsiferovaJMogrenIet alPlacenta-derived soluble MHC class I chain-related molecules down-regulate NKG2D receptor on peripheral blood mononuclear cells during human pregnancy: a possible novel immune escape mechanism for fetal survival. J Immunol (2006) 176:3585–92.10.4049/jimmunol.176.6.3585
52
HedlundMStenqvistACNagaevaOKjellbergLWulffMBaranovVet alHuman placenta expresses and secretes NKG2D ligands via exosomes that down-modulate the cognate receptor expression: evidence for immunosuppressive function. J Immunol (2009) 183:340–51.10.4049/jimmunol.0803477
53
CoxSTLaza-BriviescaRPearsonHSoriaBGibsonDGomezSet alUmbilical cord blood plasma contains soluble NKG2D ligands that mediate loss of natural killer cell function and cytotoxicity. Eur J Immunol (2015) 45:2324–34.10.1002/eji.201444990
54
HizemSMtiraouiNMassaoudiSFortierCBoukouaciWKahinaAet alPolymorphisms in genes coding for the NK-cell receptor NKG2D and its ligand MICA in recurrent miscarriage. Am J Reprod Immunol (2014) 72:577–85.10.1111/aji.12314
55
CoudertJDScarpellinoLGrosFVivierEHeldW. Sustained NKG2D engagement induces cross-tolerance of multiple distinct NK cell activation pathways. Blood (2008) 111:3571–8.10.1182/blood-2007-07-100057
56
WiemannKMittrückerHWFegerUWelteSAYokoyamaWMSpiesTet alSystemic NKG2D down-regulation impairs NK and CD8 T cell responses in vivo. J Immunol (2005) 175:720–9.10.4049/jimmunol.175.2.720
57
OppenheimDERobertsSJClarkeSLFillerRLewisJMTigelaarREet alSustained localized expression of ligand for the activating NKG2D receptor impairs natural cytotoxicity in vivo and reduces tumor immunosurveillance. Nat Immunol (2005) 6:928–37.10.1038/ni1239
58
HanaokaNJabriBDaiZCiszewskiCStevensAMYeeCet alNKG2D initiates caspase-mediated CD3zeta degradation and lymphocyte receptor impairments associated with human cancer and autoimmune disease. J Immunol (2010) 185:5732–42.10.4049/jimmunol.1002092
59
LanierLL. Up on the tightrope: natural killer cell activation and inhibition. Nat Immunol (2008) 9:495–502.10.1038/ni1581
60
WensveenFMvan GisbergenKPElderingE. The fourth dimension in immunological space: how the struggle for nutrients selects high-affinity lymphocytes. Immunol Rev (2012) 249:84–103.10.1111/j.1600-065X.2012.01156.x
61
ChristensenJEChristensenJPKristensenNNHansenNJStryhnAThomsenAR. Role of CD28 co-stimulation in generation and maintenance of virus-specific T cells. Int Immunol (2002) 14:701–11.10.1093/intimm/dxf037
62
HaradaYTokushimaMMatsumotoYOgawaSOtsukaMHayashiKet alCritical requirement for the membrane-proximal cytosolic tyrosine residue for CD28-mediated costimulation in vivo. J Immunol (2001) 166:3797–803.10.4049/jimmunol.166.6.3797
63
ShahinianAPfefferKLeeKPKündigTMKishiharaKWakehamAet alDifferential T cell costimulatory requirements in CD28-deficient mice. Science (1993) 261:609–12.10.1126/science.7688139
64
MaashoKOpoku-AnaneJMarusinaAIColiganJEBorregoF. NKG2D is a costimulatory receptor for human naive CD8+ T cells. J Immunol (2005) 174:4480–4.10.4049/jimmunol.174.8.4480
65
EhrlichLIOgasawaraKHamermanJATakakiRZingoniAAllisonJPet alEngagement of NKG2D by cognate ligand or antibody alone is insufficient to mediate costimulation of human and mouse CD8+ T cells. J Immunol (2005) 174:1922–31.10.4049/jimmunol.174.4.1922
66
KavazovićILenartićMJelenčićVJurkovićSLemmermannNAWJonjićSet alNKG2D stimulation of CD8+ T cells during priming promotes their capacity to produce cytokines in response to viral infection in mice. Eur J Immunol (2017) 47:1123–35.10.1002/eji.201646805
67
KabelitzD. gammadelta T-cells: cross-talk between innate and adaptive immunity. Cell Mol Life Sci (2011) 68:2331–3.10.1007/s00018-011-0696-4
68
DasHGrohVKuijlCSugitaMMoritaCTSpiesTet alMICA engagement by human Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells enhances their antigen-dependent effector function. Immunity (2001) 15:83–93.10.1016/S1074-7613(01)00168-6
69
NedellecSSabourinCBonnevilleMScotetE. NKG2D costimulates human V gamma 9V delta 2 T cell antitumor cytotoxicity through protein kinase C theta-dependent modulation of early TCR-induced calcium and transduction signals. J Immunol (2010) 185:55–63.10.4049/jimmunol.1000373
70
StridJSobolevOZafirovaBPolicBHaydayA. The intraepithelial T cell response to NKG2D-ligands links lymphoid stress surveillance to atopy. Science (2011) 334:1293–7.10.1126/science.1211250
71
RobertsAILeeLSchwarzEGrohVSpiesTEbertECet alNKG2D receptors induced by IL-15 costimulate CD28-negative effector CTL in the tissue microenvironment. J Immunol (2001) 167:5527–30.10.4049/jimmunol.167.10.5527
72
WensveenFMLenarticMJelencicVLemmermannNAten BrinkeAJonjicSet alNKG2D induces Mcl-1 expression and mediates survival of CD8 memory T cell precursors via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. J Immunol (2013) 191:1307–15.10.4049/jimmunol.1300670
73
ZlozaAKohlhappFJLyonsGESchenkelJMMooreTVLacekATet alNKG2D signaling on CD8(+) T cells represses T-bet and rescues CD4-unhelped CD8(+) T cell memory recall but not effector responses. Nat Med (2012) 18:422–8.10.1038/nm.2683
74
ChenLParkSMTumanovAVHauASawadaKFeigCet alCD95 promotes tumour growth. Nature (2010) 465:492–6.10.1038/nature09075
75
GrohVSmytheKDaiZSpiesT. Fas-ligand-mediated paracrine T cell regulation by the receptor NKG2D in tumor immunity. Nat Immunol (2006) 7:755–62.10.1038/ni1350
76
KleberSSancho-MartinezIWiestlerBBeiselAGieffersCHillOet alYes and PI3K bind CD95 to signal invasion of glioblastoma. Cancer Cell (2008) 13:235–48.10.1016/j.ccr.2008.02.003
77
MarkiewiczMAWiseELBuchwaldZSPintoAKZafirovaBPolicBet alRAE1epsilon ligand expressed on pancreatic islets recruits NKG2D receptor-expressing cytotoxic T cells independent of T cell receptor recognition. Immunity (2012) 36:132–41.10.1016/j.immuni.2011.11.014
78
O’HayreMSalangaCLHandelTMAllenSJ. Chemokines and cancer: migration, intracellular signalling and intercellular communication in the microenvironment. Biochem J (2008) 409:635–49.10.1042/BJ20071493
79
AndréMCSigurdardottirDKuttruffSPömmerlBHandgretingerRRammenseeHGet alImpaired tumor rejection by memory CD8 T cells in mice with NKG2D dysfunction. Int J Cancer (2012) 131:1601–10.10.1002/ijc.26191
80
ChampsaurMBeilkeJNOgasawaraKKoszinowskiUHJonjicSLanierLL. Intact NKG2D-independent function of NK cells chronically stimulated with the NKG2D ligand Rae-1. J Immunol (2010) 185:157–65.10.4049/jimmunol.1000397
81
LenartićMJelenčićVZafirovaBOžaničMMarečićVJurkovićSet alNKG2D promotes B1a cell development and protection against bacterial infection. J Immunol (2017) 198:1531–42.10.4049/jimmunol.1600461
82
ZhangTBarberASentmanCL. Generation of antitumor responses by genetic modification of primary human T cells with a chimeric NKG2D receptor. Cancer Res (2006) 66:5927–33.10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-0130
83
ZhangTLemoiBASentmanCL. Chimeric NK-receptor-bearing T cells mediate antitumor immunotherapy. Blood (2005) 106:1544–51.10.1182/blood-2004-11-4365
Summary
Keywords
NKG2D, education, peripheral tolerance, activation, NK cells, T cells
Citation
Wensveen FM, Jelenčić V and Polić B (2018) NKG2D: A Master Regulator of Immune Cell Responsiveness. Front. Immunol. 9:441. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00441
Received
21 November 2017
Accepted
19 February 2018
Published
08 March 2018
Volume
9 - 2018
Edited by
Nadia Guerra, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Reviewed by
Alessandra Zingoni, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy; Mar Vales-Gomez, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Spain; Eric Vivier, UMR7280 Centre d’immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), France
Updates

Check for updates
Copyright
© 2018 Wensveen, Jelenčić and Polić.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Bojan Polić, bojan.polic@medri.uniri.hr
Specialty section: This article was submitted to NK and Innate Lymphoid Cell Biology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Immunology
Disclaimer
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.