KIR2DL3

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DL3 precursor (CD158 antigen-like family member B2) (KIR-023GB) (Killer inhibitory receptor cl 2-3) (MHC class I NK cell receptor) (NKAT2a) (NKAT2b) (Natural killer-associated transcript 2) (NKAT-2) (p58 natural killer cell receptor clone CL-6) (p58 NK receptor CL-6) (p58.2 MHC class-I-specific NK receptor) (CD158b2 antigen) [CD158B2] [KIRCL23] [NKAT2]

Publications

Epigenetic regulation of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor expression in T cells.

PubMed

Full text

With increasing age, T cells gain expression of killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) that transmit negative signals and dampen the immune response. KIR expression is induced in CD4 and CD8 T cells by CpG DNA demethylation suggesting epigenetic control. To define the mechanisms that underlie the age-associated preferential KIR expression in CD8 T cells, we examined KIR2DL3 promoter methylation patterns. With age, CD8 T cells developed a patchy and stochastic promoter demethylation even in cells that did not express the KIR2DL3-encoded CD158b protein; complete demethylation of the minimal KIR2DL3 promoter was characteristic for CD158b-expressing cells. In contrast, the promoter in CD4 T cells was fully methylated irrespective of age. The selectivity for CD8 T cells correlated with lower DNMT1 recruitment to the KIR2DL3 promoter which further diminished with age. In contrast, binding of the polycomb protein EZH2 known to be involved in DNMT1 recruitment was not different. Our data suggest that CD8 T cells endure increasing displacement of DNMT1 from the KIR promoter with age, possibly because of an active histone signature. The ensuing partial demethylation lowers the threshold for transcriptional activation and renders CD8 T cells more susceptible to express KIR, thereby contributing to the immune defect in the elderly.

MeSH Terms

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Aging
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
• CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
• CpG Islands
• DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1
• DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases
• DNA Methylation
• DNA-Binding Proteins
• Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
• Epigenesis, Genetic
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Polycomb Repressive Complex 2
• Promoter Regions, Genetic
• Receptors, KIR2DL3
• Transcription Factors