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Correspondence to: Mikael Eriksson, Umeå Center for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP), Umeå University, S-901 87 Umeå, Sweden. Tel:46-90-785-67-93 Fax:46-90-77-80-07 E-mail:mikael.eriksson{at}ucmp.umu.se.
Inhibitory receptors expressed on natural killer (NK) cells abrogate positive signals upon binding corresponding major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on various target cells. By directly micromanipulating the effectortarget cell encounter using an optical tweezers system which allowed temporal and spatial control, we demonstrate that Ly49MHC class I interactions prevent characteristic cellular responses in NK cells upon binding to target cells. Furthermore, using this system, we directly demonstrate that an NK cell already bound to a resistant target cell may simultaneously bind and kill a susceptible target cell. Thus, although Ly49-mediated inhibitory signals can prevent many types of effector responses, they do not globally inhibit cellular function, but rather the inhibitory signal is spatially restricted towards resistant targets.
Key Words: natural killer cell, major histocompatibility complex class I, optical tweezers, Ly49, video microscopy
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