FIGURE 1.

Major modifications in the expression of HLA‐I molecules (HLA‐A/B/C, HLA‐E and MICA) and their receptors on NK cells. The right panel represents the most documented modifications in NK cell receptors expression during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The left panel shows how viral proteins or SARS‐CoV‐2 alter the expression of HLA‐I molecules on target cells in vitro, therefore lead to NK cells exhaustion. Red: increased expression; Green: decreased expression; Dark blue: stable expression; Black: induced soluble factors; Brown lines and arrows: virus antagonistic tactics. SP1, spike 1 protein; ORF8, open reading frame 8; HLA, human leucocyte antigen; MICA, class‐I‐related (like) molecules; ADAM17, metalloprotease and disintegrin 17; NK, natural killer cells; NKG2A, inhibitory NK cell; NKG2C, activator NK cell; NKG2D, activator NK cell; KIRs, Killer Ig‐like receptors; KLRC2, Killer‐cell lectin‐like receptor C 2; IL, interleukin; ACE2, angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2