Over 77 KIR3DL1 alleles identified, classified into three lineages: 3DS1-like, 005-like, and 015-like, maintained by balancing selection .
Subtypes differ in surface expression levels:
Subtype | Expression Level | Example Alleles |
---|---|---|
High (h) | High | KIR3DL1015 |
Low (l) | Low | KIR3DL1005 |
Null (n) | No expression | KIR3DL1004 |
Activating | Activating | KIR3DS1013 |
Binds HLA-A/B alleles with the Bw4 epitope, which varies by residue 80 (isoleucine vs. threonine) :
HLA-Bw4 Subtype | Interaction Strength | Example Alleles |
---|---|---|
Bw4-80I | Strong | HLA-B*57:01 |
Bw4-80T | Weak | HLA-B*13:02 |
Engagement with HLA-Bw4 triggers ITIM phosphorylation, recruiting phosphatases (e.g., SHP-1) to block NK cell cytotoxicity .
Peptide Sensitivity: Polymorphisms at residues 282/283 (e.g., E283) determine specificity for HLA-bound peptides, including HIV-1 antigens .
NK cells expressing KIR3DL1 are "licensed" by HLA-Bw4, enhancing responsiveness to missing-self signals .
Individuals homozygous for HLA-Bw4 exhibit stronger NK cell activation than Bw6 homozygotes .
KIR3DL1<sup>+</sup> CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells show reduced activation (CD69/Ki67) and weaker HIV-specific responses (IFN-γ/CD107a) compared to KIR3DL1<sup>−</sup> subsets .
KIR3DL1<sup>high</sup> alleles (e.g., 015) with HLA-Bw4-80I correlate with delayed AIDS progression .
KIR3DL1<sup>−</sup> NK cells inversely associate with viral load set points in acute HIV infection .
MRGSHHHHHH GMASMTGGQQ MGRDLYDDDD KDRWGSTSGT IDKLDIEFHLWCSNKKNAAV MDQEPAGNRT ANSEDSDEQD PEEVTYAQLD HCVFTQRKIT RPSQRPKTPP TDTILYTELP NAKPRSKVVS CP.
KIR3DL1 is an inhibitory receptor that interacts with class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, specifically HLA-B molecules . Upon binding to its ligand, KIR3DL1 transduces inhibitory signals through immune tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) present in its long cytoplasmic tail. This interaction helps regulate the activity of NK cells, preventing them from attacking normal, healthy cells .
KIR3DL1 is highly polymorphic, with at least 73 known variants. These variants contribute to the diversity of the immune response among individuals. The gene is also closely related to KIR3DS1, an activating receptor with a short cytoplasmic tail. Both genes are sometimes considered alleles of the same gene due to their high sequence homology .
The polymorphic nature of KIR3DL1 has been associated with various diseases and conditions. For example, certain variants of KIR3DL1 are linked to a reduced risk of developing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following bone marrow transplantation . Additionally, the interaction between KIR3DL1 and its ligands has implications in the context of viral infections, such as HIV, where specific KIR3DL1-HLA combinations can influence the progression of the disease .