Tumor suppressors control ULBP2, an innate surface ligand of the lymphocyte immune receptor NKG2D.

The activating receptor NKG2D, expressed on different innate and adaptive cytotoxic lymphocytes, has been demonstrated to play an important role in anti-tumor immunity. Now evidence is provided that tumor suppressors control expression of its ligand ULBP2 supporting the role of this receptor-ligand system as an innate barrier against tumor development.