Stress Ligands (NKG2D ligands) (NKG2DLs)

Stress ligands are a group of cell surface proteins that are upregulated in response to various forms of cellular stress, such as DNA damage, oncogene activation, oxidative stress, or infection. They function by signaling distress to the immune system by binding to the activating receptor NKG2D on NK cells and certain T cell subsets, enabling immune surveillance and elimination of damaged or transformed cells. Key human stress ligands include MICA, MICB, and ULBP1-6. Their expression is regulated at multiple levels and plays a dual role in disease, acting as both targets for immune recognition and potential mediators of immune evasion.

Other names

NKG2D ligandsMICAMICBULBP1ULBP2ULBP3ULBP4ULBP5ULBP6RAET1 proteinsMHC class I chain-related proteinsUL16-binding proteins

Enhance ligand induction on tumor surfaces or inhibit their shedding for improved immunotherapy outcomes