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. 2022 Jun 23;23(13):6979. doi: 10.3390/ijms23136979

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Graphic representation of the MICA-NKG2D interaction depending on the Met/Val polymorphism at 129 and the production of sMICA by ADAM17: (A) The Met/Val polymorphism at 129 of the MICA molecules influences binding to NKG2D. Alleles with Met129 have high affinity for the ligand, while those with Val129 have low affinity. The MICA*A4 and *A9 alleles have Met129, MICA*A5 present Val129, and the MICA*5.1 and *A6 alleles can have both polymorphisms [20]. (B) In COVID-19 infection, the metalloprotease ADAM17 hydrolyzes MICA generating sMICA, which binds to NKG2D causing inhibition. In the case of the MICA alleles with the Met129 variant, the inhibition will be greater, and there will be a worse control of the infection by the NK and T cells. Abbreviations—ACE2: angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; S1: S1 subunit of spike protein; S2: S2 subunit of spike protein; TMPRSS2: transmembrane protease serine 2; ADAM17: ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17.