Analysis of KIR ligand incompatibility in human renal transplantation.
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.
Tran
T Hien
TH
Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Mytilineos
Joannis
J
Scherer
Sabine
S
Laux
Gunter
G
Middleton
Derek
D
Opelz
Gerhard
G
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
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008024:Ligands; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D054340:Receptors, KIR