It has been suggested that natural killer (NK) cells contribute to host defense against infections, but genetic evidence has been lacking. A new study of mouse strains susceptible to infection by cytomegalovirus indicates that the Klra8 (formerly Ly49H) stimulatory receptor is essential to resisting the virus. Such a receptor may have evolved as a response of NK cells to viral strategies to evade the immune system.
- Jean-Laurent Casanova
- Emmanuelle Jouanguy
- Laurent Abel