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The immunolglobulin-like transcript (ILT) family of proteins are surface receptors expressed by antigen-presenting cells capable of modulating host cell functions through intracellular signaling. Here we discuss the recent studies regarding the role of dendritic cell (DC)-expressed ILT receptors in suppressor T (Ts) cells induced DC tolerization. DC-expressed ILT3 and ILT4 are stimulated by their cognate ligands such as major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), HLA-G, and CD1d, and this stimulation is a prerequisite for DC tolerization. The molecular interaction between ILT and ligands seems to create a tri-molecule complex at the interface between Ts cell and DC, which consists of DC-expressed ILT receptor and MHC-I, as well as T-cell-expressed T cell receptor (TCR). Furthermore, ILT4 recognition of MHC-I and CD1d is shown to be antigen dependent, suggesting that T-cell antigen specificity possibly affects the outcome of DC tolerization. Therefore the ILT-MHC interface could be a potential novel target for improving vaccine efficiency and allograft survival, or for devising new treatments for autoimmune diseases.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.humimm.2009.06.003

Type

Journal article

Journal

Hum Immunol

Publication Date

09/2009

Volume

70

Pages

686 - 691

Keywords

Animals, Antigens, Antigens, CD1, Dendritic Cells, HLA Antigens, HLA-G Antigens, Histocompatibility Antigens Class I, Humans, Immune Tolerance, Membrane Glycoproteins, Multiprotein Complexes, Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, Receptors, Cell Surface, Receptors, Immunologic, T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory