Natural killer cell surface receptor (NK cell receptor)

Natural killer cell surface receptors are a heterogeneous group of membrane proteins expressed by NK cells that control their activation and cytotoxic functions through recognition of target cell ligands. These receptors are divided into activating and inhibitory types, and their signals are integrated via intracellular adapter proteins possessing ITAM or ITIM motifs[2][3][5][6][7][8]. Activating receptors (e.g., NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, NKG2D, CD16, DNAM-1) trigger NK cell-mediated killing, cytokine secretion, and regulation of immune responses; inhibitory receptors (e.g., KIRs, NKG2A, CD94) ensure self-tolerance by dampening inappropriate activation[5][7]. Dysregulation or therapeutic modulation of these pathways is implicated in cancer, infection, inflammation, and other diseases, making NK cell receptors important therapeutic targets in immunotherapy and beyond[7][8].

Other names

NK cell receptorNCRKIRCD16NKG2DLy49CD94-NKG2DNAM-1TIGITSiglec

Blocking inhibitory receptors to promote NK cell activation (e.g., anti-KIR, anti-NKG2A antibody therapy) Stimulating activating receptors to increase cytotoxicity Modulating adapter protein signaling (ITAM, ITIM motifs[3][4][5][6])