Molecular basis of human natural killer cell recognition of HLA-E (human leucocyte antigen-E) and its relevance to clearance of pathogen-infected and tumour cells.

HLA-E (human leucocyte antigen-E) is a conserved class I major histocompatibility molecule which has only limited polymorphism. It binds to the leader peptide derived from the polymorphic classical major histocompatibility molecules HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C. This peptide binding is highly specific and...