NKG2D Lentivirus

The NKG2D Lentiviruses are replication incompetent, HIV-based, VSV-G pseudotyped lentiviral particles ready to transduce almost all types of mammalian cells, including primary and non-dividing cells. These viruses transduce cells with human NKG2D (natural killer group 2D) (NM_007360.4) driven by an EF1a promoter. The lentiviruses also contain a puromycin selection gene (Figure 1). Figure 1. Schematic of the lenti-vector used to generate the NKG2D Lentivirus. NKG2D (natural killer group 2D), encoded by Klrk1 (killer cell lectin-like receptor subfamily K, member 1), is an activating cell surface receptor involved in target recognition and killing by Natural Killer (NK) and CD8+ T cells. Its ligands (NKG2DLs) are commonly overexpressed in transformed and infected cells or in cells with damaged DNA. NKG2D plays an important role in the recognition and elimination of potentially dangerous cells by activating adaptive and innate immune cells. NKG2D is a homodimer, which binds to DAP10 (DNAX-activation protein 10) homodimer, a specific adaptor molecule that possesses a YINM motif in the cytoplasmic region to transfer the activating signal. NKG2D and its ligands are promising immunotherapy targets. A deeper understanding of the NKG2D-NKG2DL pathway will open new therapeutic opportunities in cancer therapy.