title: Analysis of KIR ligand incompatibility in human renal transplantation.
abstract: Natural killer cells express killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) that bind to MHC class I antigens. Lack of self-MHC on the target cell can cause NK-cell mediated killing. Here, we analyzed the effect of KIR ligand incompatiblity on renal allograft survival in humans. Kidney recipient/donor pairs were separated according to their HLA-Cw alleles and HLA-Bw4 specificity which are considered epitopes for KIR. A total of 2,757 renal transplants were examined. Graft survival rates were computed according to the Kaplan-Meier method. No effect of KIR ligand matching on graft survival was observed in cadaver kidney transplants. Our results indicate that KIR ligand matching cannot be recommended as a strategy for improving renal allograft survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: T Hien
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Joannis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mytilineos
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scherer
authors.forename: Gunter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laux
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Opelz
mesh_terms: D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology*; D006648:Histocompatibility; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008024:Ligands; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D054340:Receptors, KIR
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008024:Ligands; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D054340:Receptors, KIR