A shed NKG2D ligand that promotes natural killer cell activation and tumor rejection

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1258867
• Publication Date: 2015-03-06T03:32:27Z
• Authors: Weiwen Deng; Benjamin G. Gowen; Li Zhang; Lin Wang; Stephanie Lau; Alexandre Iannello; Jianfeng Xu; Tihana L. Rovis; Na Xiong; David H. Raulet
• Keywords: NKG2D; Immunosurveillance; Lymphokine-activated killer cell; Cancer Immunotherapy

Immune cells, including natural killer (NK) recognize transformed cells and eliminate them in a process termed immunosurveillance. It is thought that tumor evade immunosurveillance by shedding membrane ligands bind to the NKG2D-activating receptor on NK and/or T desensitize these cells. In contrast, we show mice, shed form of MULT1, high-affinity NKG2D ligand, causes cell activation rejection. Recombinant soluble MULT1 stimulated rejection mice. Soluble functions, at least part, competitively reversing global desensitization imposed engagement tumor-associated such as myeloid The results overturn conventional wisdom are always inhibitory suggest new approach for cancer immunotherapy.