FITC anti-human CD158e1 (KIR3DL1, NKB1)

NKB1 is a 70 kD member of the immunoglobulin superfamily that is expressed on a subset of natural killer cells and T cells at varying levels among individuals. NKB1 is a type I membrane protein containing two immunoglobulin C2-type domains. The interaction of NKB1 with specific HLA-B antigens on a target cell (the HLA-Bw4 allele, for example) inhibits cytotoxicity and prevents target cell lysis and death. The interactions between KIR and MHC class I are thought to be important in NK and T cell regulation following antigen stimulation. The absence of ligands for KIRs may lower the threshold for activation through activating receptors and increase inflammation and susceptibility to autoimmune disease.