NKp46 Human

Natural Cytotoxicity Receptor NKp46 Human Recombinant
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Description

NKp46 triggers cytotoxicity and cytokine production through ligand engagement:

Key Functions

  • Cytotoxicity:

    • Directly lyses tumor cells via perforin/granzyme release .

    • Synergizes with NKG2D and DNAM-1 for target recognition .

  • Immune Synapse Formation:

    • Forms microclusters at NK-target cell interfaces, promoting F-actin polarization .

    • Enhances adhesion through LFA-1/ICAM-1 interactions .

  • Cytokine Regulation:

    • Activates NF-κB signaling in ILC1s, upregulating IL-2Rα and IFN-γ production .

Ligand Interactions

Ligand TypeExamplesFunctional Outcome
Viral proteinsInfluenza hemagglutinin, vaccinia virus HANK cell activation and viral clearance .
Tumor-associated ligandsUnknown (putative heparan sulfate derivatives)Tumor cell lysis .
Fungal ligandsCandida glabrata surface proteinsAntifungal responses .

Role in Disease

  • Cancer:

    • Low NKp46 expression correlates with poor AML prognosis; restoration improves survival .

    • Engagers targeting NKp46 and CD16a enhance AML clearance in preclinical models .

  • Autoimmunity:

    • NKp46+ ILC1s drive inflammation in murine colitis via IL-2Rα/NF-κB pathways .

  • Infections:

    • Critical for controlling influenza A and cytomegalovirus infections .

Therapeutic Applications

  • Antibody-Based Therapies:

    • Anti-NKp46 antibodies (e.g., huNKp46-1) reduce MC38 tumor growth in humanized mice .

    • Trifunctional NK cell engagers (NKCEs) targeting NKp46 show efficacy in AML .

  • Biomarker Potential:

    • NKp46bright NK clones exhibit superior cytotoxicity compared to NKp46dull subsets .

Research Advancements

Recent studies highlight novel mechanisms and applications:

Key Findings

  • ILC1 Regulation:

    • NKp46 deficiency impairs IL-2Rα expression and ILC1 proliferation, reducing antitumor activity .

  • Immune Synapse Dynamics:

    • NKp46 clustering at synapses enhances cytoskeletal remodeling and target cell killing .

  • Species-Specific Models:

    • Humanized NKp46 mice enable preclinical testing of anti-tumor antibodies .

Challenges and Future Directions

  • Unresolved Questions:

    • Identity of tumor-associated ligands for NKp46 .

    • Role of NKp46 in T cell subsets and ILC3s .

  • Therapeutic Optimization:

    • Improving NKp46-targeted engagers for solid tumors .

    • Addressing NKp46 downregulation in chronic infections .

Product Specs

Introduction
NKp46, a natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR), plays a critical role in human natural killer (NK) cell activation. Belonging to the NCR family of Ig-like activation receptors, NKp46, along with NKp30 and NKp44, are essential for tumor cell recognition. While NKp46 and NKp30 are present on circulating NK cells, NKp44 is expressed upon NK cell activation. NKp46 contributes to the destruction of various target cells, including autologous tumor cells, pathogen-infected cells, and intracellular bacteria-infected phagocytes, through NK cell-mediated lysis. This process involves NKp46 recognizing heparan sulfate moieties on membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Moreover, NKp46 participates in NK cell apoptosis. Structurally, NKp46 comprises two extracellular Ig-like domains, a stalk region, a transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular Ig-like domain (amino acids 22-255) is purified through techniques like FPLC gel-filtration chromatography after being refolded from inclusion bodies. Notably, the interaction of NKp46 with its monoclonal antibody triggers intracellular calcium signaling and cytokine production. Functionally, CD59 acts as a coreceptor for NKp46, and together they enhance the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. This interaction leads to the phosphorylation of CD3-zeta chains associated with NKp46. Importantly, decreased surface expression of NKp46 and other NK cell receptors is observed in individuals with HIV-1 infection, contributing to impaired NK cell function.
Description

Recombinant human NKp46, produced in E. coli, is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain encompassing 235 amino acids (22-255). With a molecular weight of 26.6 kDa, this protein is purified using proprietary chromatographic techniques.

Physical Appearance
A clear, colorless solution that has been sterilized through filtration.
Formulation

The NKp46 solution is provided at a concentration of 1 mg/ml in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4) containing 1 mM EDTA.

Stability
For short-term storage (up to 2-4 weeks), the product should be kept at 4°C. For extended storage, it is recommended to store the product frozen at -20°C. Adding a carrier protein like HSA or BSA (0.1%) is advisable for long-term storage. Repeated freezing and thawing should be avoided.
Purity

The purity of this product exceeds 95.0% as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis.

Synonyms
Natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor 1, Natural killer cell p46-related protein, hNKp46, NK-p46, NKp46, NK cell-activating receptor, Lymphocyte antigen 94 homolog, CD335 antigen, NCR1, LY94, NCRNKp46, CD335.
Source
Escherichia Coli.
Amino Acid Sequence

MQQQTLPKPF IWAEPHFMVP KEKQVTICCQ GNYGAVEYQL HFEGSLFAVD RPKPPERINKVKFYIPDMNS RMAGQYSCIY RVGELWSEPS NLLDLVVTEM YDTPTLSVHP GPEVISGEEV TFYCRLDTAT SMFLLLKEGR SSHVQRGYGK VQAEFPLGPV TTAHRGTYRX FGSYNNHAWSFPSEPVKLLV TGDIENTSLA PEDPTFSADT WGTYLLTTET GLQKDHALWD HTAQN.

Product Science Overview

Introduction

Natural Cytotoxicity Receptor NKp46, also known as NCR1, is a crucial activating receptor found on the surface of Natural Killer (NK) cells. NK cells are a type of lymphocyte that play a significant role in the innate immune system by targeting and destroying tumor cells and virus-infected cells. NKp46 is one of the three main Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors (NCRs), alongside NKp30 and NKp44, which are involved in the non-MHC-restricted recognition of target cells .

Discovery and Cloning

NKp46 was one of the first human activating NK cell receptors to be cloned over 20 years ago . The discovery of NKp46 and other NCRs marked a significant advancement in understanding how NK cells recognize and eliminate abnormal cells without the need for prior sensitization or MHC restriction.

Structure and Function

NKp46 is a type I transmembrane protein that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. It contains two extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains, a transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. The receptor is capable of recognizing and binding to various ligands expressed on the surface of tumor cells and virus-infected cells .

The activation of NKp46 triggers a cascade of intracellular signaling events that lead to the release of cytotoxic granules and the production of cytokines, ultimately resulting in the lysis of the target cells . NKp46 is also involved in the regulation of NK cell development and function, contributing to the overall immune response.

Ligands and Recognition

NKp46 recognizes a diverse set of ligands, including both host- and pathogen-encoded molecules. These ligands can be expressed on the surface of target cells or secreted extracellularly, highlighting the receptor’s polyfunctionality . The ability of NKp46 to bind to multiple ligands allows NK cells to effectively target a wide range of abnormal cells, including those that have downregulated MHC class I molecules to evade immune detection.

Role in Health and Disease

NKp46 plays a critical role in the immune surveillance of tumors and viral infections. In healthy individuals, NKp46 helps maintain immune homeostasis by targeting and eliminating abnormal cells. However, dysregulation of NKp46 expression or function can contribute to the development of various diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disorders .

Therapeutic Potential

The unique properties of NKp46 make it an attractive target for therapeutic interventions. Researchers are exploring ways to harness NKp46 for cancer immunotherapy, aiming to enhance the cytotoxic activity of NK cells against tumor cells. Additionally, understanding the synergy between NKp46 and other co-activating signals could pave the way for more effective NK cell-based therapies .

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