HLA‐C as a mediator of natural killer and T‐cell activation: spectator or key player?
Blais M., Dong T., Rowland‐Jones S.
SummaryThe biochemical properties of the HLA‐C antigen differ substantially from those of HLA‐A and ‐B molecules. For this reason, HLA‐C diversity and expression at the cell surface are much lower than its counterparts and in consequence HLA‐C‐restricted responses have been infrequently detected and described. In this review we summarise the key differences between HLA‐C and other class I molecules and provide an update on natural killer and T‐cell responses restricted by HLA‐C. We also discuss the different clinical settings associated with HLA‐C alleles which mainly consist of autoimmune disorders, cancers and chronic infections.