ULBP2 Human

ULBP2 is a cell surface protein that plays a crucial role in the immune response. It is recognized by the NKG2D receptor, which is expressed on natural killer (NK) cells, CD8+ T cells, and γδ T cells . The interaction between ULBP2 and NKG2D stimulates the cytotoxic activity of these immune cells, leading to the destruction of target cells, such as tumor cells .

ULBP2 is frequently expressed by malignant transformed cells, making it a significant player in anti-tumor immune responses . The protein contains α1 and α2 domains similar to MHC class I molecules but lacks the α3 domain .

Interestingly, ULBP2 can be released from tumor cells in a soluble form through proteolytic cleavage . This soluble form of ULBP2 (sULBP2) can be detected in the sera of some patients with hematopoietic malignancies . The release of sULBP2 is mediated by metalloproteases, which also play a role in the shedding of other NKG2D ligands, such as MICA . The presence of sULBP2 in the serum can counteract NKG2D-mediated tumor immunosurveillance, thereby promoting tumor escape from immune detection .

The expression and release of ULBP2 have significant implications for cancer immunotherapy. By understanding the mechanisms regulating ULBP2 expression and release, researchers can develop strategies to enhance the immune response against tumors. For example, inhibiting the proteolytic release of sULBP2 could potentially improve the efficacy of NKG2D-mediated cytotoxicity against tumor cells .