Engagement of CD94/NKG2C by specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or HLA-E, expressed in the 721.221 (.221) HLA-I defective cell line, triggered NKG2C+ NK-cell effector functions and proliferation in response to IL-2 or IL-15, strongly suggesting that the receptor might play a direct role in the response to HCMV infection (22, 23). This evidence concerns the gene KLRD1 and cytomegalovirus infection.