Killer Cell Immunoglobulin Like Receptor 2DL2 (KIR2DL2) Antibody

Background

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a family of proteins primarily expressed on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells and some T-cell subsets. KIR2DL2, a member of this family, plays an essential role in regulating NK cell function and contributes to immune surveillance and self-tolerance mechanisms. KIR2DL2 is an inhibitory receptor that recognizes specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules on target cells, allowing NK cells to modulate their activity in response to changes in HLA expression, which often occur in cells affected by infection, cancer, or other pathological states. KIR2DL2’s primary role is to suppress NK cell activity upon binding to its specific HLA ligand, which reduces the likelihood of NK cell-mediated destruction of healthy cells displaying self-HLA markers. The genes encoding KIR proteins, including KIR2DL2, are located on chromosome 19q13.4 within the leukocyte receptor complex (LRC). KIR genes are highly polymorphic, with significant inter-individual variability in gene content and sequence. This variability contributes to an individual’s unique immune response capacity, as well as to population-level diversity in immune defense. The primary ligand for KIR2DL2 is HLA-C, specifically the HLA-C1 epitope (characterized by the presence of asparagine at position 80), which is distinct from the HLA-C2 epitope (lysine at position 80) recognized by other KIR molecules like KIR2DL1.