KLRK1 and neoplasm: Moreover, a dramatic increase in the number of NKG2D-bearing tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes was observed in specimens lacking MICA expression, suggesting that the loss of the epithelial integrity and polarity, characteristics of the EMT process, may allow the diffusion of MICA/B proteins along the membrane of mesenchymal cells, resulting in their elimination by NKG2D-bearing immune cells.