The B7 family member B7-H6 is a tumor cell ligand for the activating natural killer cell receptor NKp30 in humans

Cancer development is often associated with the lack of specific and efficient recognition of tumor cells by the immune system. Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that participate in the elimination of tumors. We report the identification of a tumor cell surface molecule that binds NKp30, a human receptor which triggers antitumor NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion. This previously unannotated gene belongs to the B7 family and, hence, was designated B7-H6. B7-H6 triggers NKp30-mediated activation of human NK cells. B7-H6 was not detected in normal human tissues but was expressed on human tumor cells, emphasizing that the expression of stress-induced self-molecules…

• AN
  Agence Nationale de la Recherche
• IN
  Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
• IS
  Istituto Superiore di Sanità
• MD
  Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche
• CN
  Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
• IU
  Institut Universitaire de France
• AI
  Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro