Antibodies against HLA-E-VL9 enhance NK cell and CD8(+) T cell cytotoxicity against tumor cells and HIV-infected CD4(+) T cells.

Antibodies against HLA-E-VL9 boost NK and CD8+ T cell killing of tumor and HIV-infected cells, showing potential for immunotherapy.

• Why it matters: Overcoming immune checkpoints like NKG2A/CD94-HLA-E-VL9 is crucial for improving immune responses against cancers and infections, yet effective blockade strategies are limited.
• What they did: Using structure-based design and high-throughput screening, researchers developed high-affinity antibodies that block NKG2A/CD94 interactions, enabling direct cytotoxicity and ADCC in vitro and in vivo.
• The result: These antibodies enhanced killing of tumor cells and HIV-infected CD4+ T cells by NK and CD8+ T cells, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach to eliminate pathogenic cells.